3

At the end of the third season of House of Cards, Claire Underwood announces that she is leaving Frank, ostensibly because she can no longer stand his condescending and abusive behavior.

But I thought that for a political animal as shrewd and as ambitious as Clair Underwood, she won't walk out on her President cum husband just because she is angry, no matter what. She should know how to control her emotion and swallow whatever that is coming at her. At this point of time, she needs him more than he needs her to get to where she wants to be (presumably the President of the US)

Plus she made a deal with Frank, they are supposed to help each other to get elected. If she walks away, she will get nothing.

So I think the whole plot simply doesn't make sense. Is there a better explanation on why Claire would leave Frank in a heartbeat?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

Claire is indeed a political animal, but not to the extent of the Machiavellian Frank. For the past three seasons she's been showing more and more signs of doubt over the moral sacrifices she's been taking to be who she is today. This culminated with her publicly shaming President Petrov on live TV over Corrigan's suicide. Also, her rise to power plateaued and sank after her short and troubled career as a UN ambassador proved unsuccessful.

By the end of Season 3, Claire has found herself deeply questioning her decisions and with very little political clout of her own. Frank's own power seems to be diminishing as well despite all of his efforts. It was then that Claire decided that it was time to leave ship.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Are you a Novelist? :)
    – chaitanya89
    Apr 5, 2016 at 8:55
  • @chaitanya89 Hah I wish!
    – System Down
    Apr 5, 2016 at 14:03

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .