President Frank Underwood's (Kevin Spacey) electoral campaign may go through a dark and dangerous twist, based on Netflix's newly released teaser of the fourth season of the political drama 'House of Cards'. While the first one showed TV commercials of Underwood confidently proclaiming that he has just begun, this second version digs up his murder of former lover, journalist Zoe Barnes (Kata Mara). The message seems clear: Underwood is smart, ruthless, conniving, a murderer as well as a master manipulator.
Underwood will need to have his wits, political savviness and killer instincts with him once the show opens its fourth season this coming March. E Online brings us back to the end of the third season when the sitting president is virtually alone: his vice-presidential running mate, chief of staff, and First Lady quit on him, leaving him potentially exposed and vulnerable. The walkout of wife Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) shocked many fans. The two had been tight and thick as thieves throughout their 24-year marriage. But the political rollercoaster that the Underwoods rode during the entire third season shook them both and rocked their relationship. As credits rolled during the last episode of the third season, Frank could only stare silently as Claire tells him that she will not accompany him to the New Hampshire primary or join him in his campaign again.
Digital Spy echoes that this cliffhanger raised anticipation for the show's fourth season. It then says hints that Frank might still face another spectre, this time of his murder of Zoe Barns (Kata Mara). Zoe was a journalist-turned-lover who helped him gain power in his climb towards the White House. The teaser shows flowers strewn over a railroad track, similar to where Frank had pushed Zoe to her death two years ago. After an ominous sweep, the camera then zooms up to a billboard that has Frank proclaiming that he will get America back on track.
The Sydney Morning Herald gives more details of the Frank-Zoe affair. Their partnership, professional and personal ended, when Zoe started investigating Frank's possible involvement in the death of a congressman. The senator from South Carolina at that time, and still a long way off from total control of the White House, Underwood saw no other way to stop Zoe except to push her into the path of an incoming train.
The Sydney Morning Herald also gives another, although equally darker, interpretation of the second teaser. Frank just might rampage back to his killer ways to win the election and remain US president.
"House of Cards" will return to Netflix on March 4.
