House of Cards: Why the Spacey-less final season is better than ever

REVIEW: "Whatever Francis told you over the last five years, don't believe a word of it. It's going to be different for you and me – I'm going to tell you the truth."

Yes, the spectre of disgraced actor Kevin Spacey and his anti-hero Frances Underwood was always going to loom large over House of Cards' sixth and final season (which begins streaming on Netflix on November 2). But rather than avoid or dismiss the issue, creator Beau Willimon and his writing team have decided to make it a major focus.

As indicated by the opening remarks above, the current US President and Underwood's widow Claire (Robin Wright) isn't shying away from speaking about her partner's demise, as well as discussing all his foibles, faults and strengths.

However, she also leaves open a hint of mystery as to the circumstances of his death, both in interchanges with nosy reporters and asides with the audience. "A man like Frances doesn't just die – that would be... convenient," Claire teases, drawing viewers into watching "just one more episode" the way this compelling political thriller has always done.

One hundred days into her term though and she is finding it hard to shake off her late husband's legacy. Many Americans haven't taken too kindly to having a female president (death threats are up 400 per cent on Francis' reign), much too her bemusement. "I thought everyone loves a widow?"

"Not if you are the commander in chief," her vice president Mark Usher (Campbell Scott) solemnly intones.

But despite his urgings that she avoid attending her planned Independence Day visit to an air force base, this lady is not for turning. Likewise, when she's buttonholed by lobbyists Annette and Bill Shepherd (Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear) before her state-of-the-nation address, she refuses to make good on the "promises" Frances gave them.

"Whatever he promised or did is buried with him."
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The spectres of Kevin Spacey and Frank Underwood loom large over the final season of House of Cards.

Claire even refuses to be publicly shaken when shots are subsequently fired at her motorcade.

"It's the first sign of real respect I've gotten," she reasons.

However, behind the public facade there are signs that the President is rattled. There are unnerving noises in the walls of the White House, concerns about what knowledge Francis' go-to man Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) has about her involvement in previous scandals and suspicions that Usher and others may have plans to usurp her. It all makes for enticing drama.

Along with the sharp writing and pithy dialogue, one of the show's strengths has always been the casting and Wright appears to relish the opportunity to step up and truly take centre stage. Likewise, the addition of Kinnear (As Good As It Gets) and Lane (Man of Steel) as adversaries promises to inject fresh impetus into the story.
Cards maybe without its one-time King, but rather than folding, the creators have produced some real aces to deliver a winning, compelling, binge-worthy final hand.