Frank Underwood, a power-hungry Democratic congressman from South Carolina and House majority whip, celebrates the election of President Garrett Walker, who had agreed to appoint him Secretary of State. However, Underwood learns that the President wants him to promote his agenda in Congress and will not honor their agreement. Inwardly seething, Underwood presents himself as a helpful lieutenant to Walker. In reality, Underwood begins an elaborate plan behind the President’s back. Frank’s wife Claire runs an NGO, the Clean Water Initiative, which she uses to cultivate her own power; she seeks to expand its scope to the international stage, often using Frank’s connections. Claire shares her husband’s cold-hearted, ruthless pragmatism and lust for power, and they frequently scheme together to ensure the success of each other’s ventures. They both work with Remy Danton, a corporate lobbyist and former Underwood staffer, to secure funds for their operations and expand their influence.House of Cards Season 1-6 Download.
Underwood begins a symbiotic, and ultimately sexual, relationship with Zoe Barnes, a young political reporter, secretly feeding her damaging stories about his political rivals to sway public opinion as needed. Meanwhile, he manipulates Peter Russo, a troubled alcoholic congressman from Pennsylvania, into helping him undermine Walker’s pick for Secretary of State, Senator Michael Kern. Underwood eventually has Kern replaced with his own choice, Senator Catherine Durant. Underwood also uses Russo in a plot to end a teachers’ strike and pass an education bill, which improves Underwood’s standing with Walker. Because the new Vice President is the former Governor of Pennsylvania, a special election is to be held for his successor.
Underwood is introduced to Missouri billionaire Raymond Tusk, Walker’s friend and advisor. Tusk reveals that he has been influencing Walker’s decisions all along and convinced him to cancel the original agreement, and explains he will influence Walker to nominate Underwood for vice president if he does a favor benefiting Tusk’s interests. Underwood counter-proposes to Tusk that they work together to fulfill both their interests, which Tusk accepts.