12 episodes into Season 3 and I'm finding House of Cards really frustrating (spoilers)

[charlie and algernon]

I feel like House of Cards has the potential to go into a real fascinating directions by showing the rise of an American dictator, or go into a second civil war, World War III, etc. Yet at every opportunity it delves very quickly into soap opera territory. I can't possibly imagine that there aren't powerful people in the House of Cards universe who can stand up to Underwood effectively.

Heather Dunbar allows herself to be back-stabbed way too easily by Doug. Even the Putin-esque Russian President folds be agreeing to pull back as long as Underwood fires his wife as UN Ambassador.

I'm just starting the last episode now, but I'm not holding out any hope that we'll see Dunbar actually lay a serious blow on Underwood. I'm realizing this show lacks a real foil to the Underwoods. Someone who can actually fight them.

This show has such potential to go into territory not seen on TV, yet it either seems afraid to go there or its purpose was always to be a political soap opera. And that's disappointing.

[Sedona]

1. More spoiler.......

There's only one person who can foil Frank...

[Agschmid]

2. Yup.

[charlie and algernon]

4. On Ep. 13 now and that's where it seems to be heading

I don't know, that still seems to be the obvious safe option. I was thinking all during the first episode this season that it would ultimately be Doug, but he seems more obsessed with that girl. In fact she's in his van now, so I'll see where that goes.

[Agschmid]

3. The BBC version...

Which I assume this show is based on never really went there either, this season was my least favorite to watch but I think after some reflection it might be the best.

It literally just faded to black at my house so now I need some decompress time.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Last scene of last episode opens the door for the next season.

And that episode gave us brief glimpses into the "old" FU....it needs more of that.

I was bored during the Doug stuff, too. Here he is, back in his job for 5 minutes and suddenly he is off to New Mexico on a chase of the girl?
That seemed pretty abrupt.

I did enjoy the political stuff, and the premise was to be about politics more than this season showed.