House of Cards Season 6 Episode 1: The Post-Frank Era
Robin Wright
Claire Underwood
Michael Joseph Kelly
Doug Stamper
Plot Summary:Claire sits in the Oval Office, listening intently to a report from her aide, Rick. During former President Francis Underwood's lifetime, the country was already rife with protests. After his death, his wife Claire took over as Vice President, and the public was furious about a woman being in power. In particular, Claire's decision to use military force in Syria has drawn various death threats. Vice President Mark suggests Claire cancel her Independence Day speech at the military base today, but Claire disagrees, believing that she should be tougher in increasingly difficult times. Before heading to the base to face the soldiers sent to the front lines by presidential order, Claire also has to deal with a thorny issue: the Shepherd siblings. These two are major Democratic donors and have a deep connection with Frank, but not with Claire. The conflict primarily revolves around two issues: the midterm election candidate in their home state and the 'Future Act' on the President's desk. Bill, the younger of the siblings, does not support Claire's nominated candidate, retired Lieutenant General Nancy Gallagher, and demands another choice. Claire's constant delays in signing the bill also displease Bill. Vice President Mark is the intermediary for the siblings in the White House, but Claire doesn't want to go through him; instead, she wants to meet directly with Bill and Annette. Entering the Shepherd family mansion, Annette, the older sister, greets her at the door. Annette is very enthusiastic and introduces Claire to the guests attending the Independence Day banquet. Claire is surprised to discover that these powerful figures have all had some contact with Frank, something Claire was completely unaware of. Bill is clearly showing off his connections, but Claire will not be swayed. What surprises Claire even more is that a copy of her upcoming speech at the base is on Bill's study table. Lieutenant General Gallagher's view against private military contractors interfering in U.S. military operations harms the interests of the powerful, and the bill Frank promised Bill during his lifetime is non-negotiable. In the study, Claire and Bill are at loggerheads, the tension palpable, while Annette doesn't know what to say to ease the atmosphere. After a difficult parting with Bill, Claire rushes to the military base. Standing on stage, she uses her gentle female voice to rally the soldiers about to depart for Syria to fight for freedom and democracy. However, not all soldiers accept this rhetoric. When shaking hands with soldiers in the front row, a female soldier openly questions whether Claire can guarantee their safety. Avoiding the barrage of cameras from local media, Claire gets into her car for the airport. The plan is to return to the White House at 8 PM to watch the Independence Day fireworks. However, a bullet strikes the bulletproof window near her head, forcing a change in itinerary. The motorcade stops at the nearest fire station, and the FBI, Secret Service, and local police immediately conduct a thorough search for the shooter, ensuring safety. By the time Claire boards Air Force One, it's almost midnight. She calmly goes to the press area to apologize to the accompanying reporters but doesn't disclose the real reason for the delay. Keeping such incidents confidential is standard Secret Service procedure. However, news of Claire's assassination attempt still leaks. When Annette questions Bill, he neither admits nor denies it, leaving Annette uneasy. As Claire leaves the press area, she sees a new face. Upon asking, she learns it's Melody, a reporter from 'Circle City TV.' Melody had an exclusive interview planned with Frank, which was shelved after his death. Among the pre-discussed questions was one involving former Chief of Staff Doug. Melody is eager to know if Doug, who confessed to Zoe's murder, will be pardoned. Claire neither wants to nor will answer that question. Doug's current psychologist, Charles, is one of Claire's people, and Claire wants to accurately understand the dealings between Doug and Frank. However, even if Doug tells all, Claire won't allow him to leave the psychiatric hospital. And despite all her calculations, Claire wouldn't guess that Melody has a close personal relationship with Annette's son, Duncan. It was Melody who, after getting Claire's speech manuscript as a media insider, immediately sent it to Bill. After midnight, Claire returns to the White House. She doesn't rest, instead immediately listening to intelligence about the shooter. The shooter is a discharged soldier who committed suicide by bullet at the sniper location when found. Claire is not satisfied with the Secret Service's investigation results. She calls in Nathan, the White House security chief, for a third-party perspective. Nathan believes the shooter's ability to accurately hit a moving vehicle target indicates extensive experience. Therefore, the shooter couldn't have been unaware that a .50 caliber bullet cannot penetrate the presidential vehicle's bulletproof glass. This assassination attempt should have been just a warning, but Claire begins to suspect Frank was murdered. Those powerful people who could ally with Frank could also turn against him and commit murder. Claire wants to conduct a deeper investigation, and this hot potato is now in Nathan's hands.