When watching these two programmes, it becomes very easy to be drawn into the seemingly dull but trendy world of the morally grey. But there’s no denying that these two shows have captivated audiences for very different reasons. Scandal lures us in with the promise of romance, excitement and the inevitable triumph of a clear and distinct ‘white hat’ while House of Cards keeps us captivated with the machinations of the cold, harsh and self-serving.
Both shows serve as windows into worlds so twisted they might as well be in alternate dimensions. However, while Scandal chooses to look at power through the eyes of someone who has no desire for it, House of Cards takes us on a whirlwind ride exploring the addiction to it and the lengths to which people are prepared to go to get it. There is something very naïve in the way Scandal handles the relationship of mere mortals to power and influence and her name is Olivia Pope.
This character is set up as the very clear and distinctive “hero” of the story. Everything she does, she does because she believes herself to be acting in service to her ideals. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to see the best in everyone and every situation but the show’s entire run seems to be punctuated with Olivia being confronted with the ugly truth about what it means to be human and coming to the realisation that she may be in the wrong business. How many times can Olivia or, in fact, anyone on the show or watching it still be surprised by the revelation of reprehensible acts.
The protagonist (and main antagonist) of House of Cards, Frank Underwood does not shy away from the harsh reality of human nature but revels in and manipulates it like a conductor in thrall to his favourite symphony. He makes a point of using any and all aspects of the human condition to his advantage, all the while, fully acknowledging that anyone else in his position would probably do the exact same thing. There is no greater purpose other than attaining the most power and, likewise, it is not surprising to Frank or the audience when someone reveals themselves to be just as conniving as he is.
At this point in both shows, it would be extremely foolhardy to entertain the notion that there is anything of realism in their respective plots; these are both TV dramas, after all. However, there is something just that little bit more engaging with the manner of speech deployed in House of Cards. All throughout this show, it is made clear to the watcher that there are no pretensions to anything greater among the characters. There are no long speeches about lofty ideals like the compromise of virtue, the duties of Command or the purpose of trying to do the right thing in a world that simply doesn’t care anymore. All there is are people and the ultimate realisation that they are all as hungry and ruthless as each other.
Where Scandal is concerned, there is nothing tethering any of the characters to even the remotest of realities. Everything about the show is mired in ideals and objective truths that present the audience with a very clear and uncomplicated view of the characters. What we are left with in Scandal is a remarkably ethically simple programme which often dons the cloak of moral complexity while failing to convince you that the people in it are, just that, people.
In House of Cards, we see the struggles of characters that could be real people in real situations which sometimes amount to a lot of ordinary. We also see the tragic result of what happens to good people who hold fast to their ideals in a world that thrives on their compromise. In the end, we are left with a sense defeat, bewilderment and helplessness as we gaze upon the inevitability of Frank being sworn in as President.
In Scandal, however, we are left staring, dumfounded as Olivia finds out, yet again, that she can never truly be with Fitz while he holds the office of President as well as being clubbed over the head with multiple speeches. This is where we make the realisation that we are not watching people but, rather, the Platonic Forms of people according to Shonda Rhimes.
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