Manipulation in House of Cards

Specifically season 1 episode 2 of House of Cards largely focuses on power, manipulation, and using that manipulation to get ahead and make change in one’s favor.  Given that House of Cards is a show about politics, it makes perfect sense that many episodes revolve around power and how to obtain it.  The show explores how political colleagues use and manipulate one another to advance their political career, whether it be through spying, covert communication with the media, or plain bribery.  Nonetheless, the events that occur throughout the show are set pieces that another character seemingly set in place long before they occured.  Frank Underwood, the main protagonist and a politician, demonstrates his ability to manipulate people and events, while slowly moving toward an ultimate goal.  In his career, however, the effects of a lust for power and the use of manipulation on those around him are prevalent.

Episode 2 centers around Frank putting pieces for future events in place by manipulating others.  At the beginning of the episode, Frank mentions that one of his younger colleagues who had tremendous political potential chose money over power.  He goes on to say that money is temporary, it does not last and loses its worth, while power is ephemeral, it has permanence and leaves a lasting effect.  This sets the precedent for the rest of the episode.  Early in the episode, Frank meets with his colleagues to discuss a failed education bill.  Later, Frank is about to persuade one of his other colleagues, Donald Blythe, to take the fall for it.  In their talk, Donald is visibly stressed about how events are turning out, yet Frank was still able to covertly maneuver Donald into a position where blame would fall on him.  Without making it apparent and despite Donald already having several issues to deal with, Frank was able to add one more thing for Donald to worry about without him even knowing.  

Frank’s wife, Claire, also has a knack for manipulating others to further her own goals.  In episode 2, Claire begins with her plan the expansion of her organization.  In order to do this, she planned for her company to let go of 18 people from staff.  Already, Claire’s cutthroat business style is displayed; she willingly let go of 18 people who supported their families with the job they had while hardly giving them a reason for their involuntary separation.  Additionally, before the firings were made, Claire was in a meeting with her office manager.  Her office manager argued that there was no good reason for letting go of these people and that it would ultimately be bad for the company.  Claire ignored the warning and proceeded with the firings, all of which were delivered by her office manager.  Immediately after all 18 firings, Claire informed her office manager that she would also be let go.  Once again, her cutthroat business model based on manipulation and an increase in power was used to further her career, while hurting others’ careers.  

Power and manipulation are the driving forces behind the careers of many characters in House of Cards.  This style of leadership, however, necessitates that there will be those who are hurt in the process.  This style of leadership also requires a lack of remorse and sympathy for others.  Frank’s use of manipulation not only has a negative effect on those who are the victim of the manipulation, but it is also evident that Frank’s closer colleagues do the same thing.  The lust for power and manipulation have far reaching effects that may or may not be apparent to the abuser.