'House of Cards'

The wait is finally over. The Underwoods, fresh into the office of the vice presidency, are back.

Unless you were actually doing something romantic for Valentine’s Day, you probably spent your day binge-watching the second season of Netflix’s original drama series, “House of Cards,” which began streaming last Friday.

It’s the blessing and the curse of the new medium of television watching Netflix has introduced. We get to inhale them all at once, stopping for the occasional meal and bathroom break. Then, we’re forced to wait a whole year for the next season.

So whether you’re taking your time or you’re already done with all 13 episodes, let’s get down to it.

“House of Cards” sophomore season is just as, if not more, conniving and ruthless compared to the first. It’s a magnetic puzzle, chock-full of manipulative power players who play their cards close to the chest.

But none of those players can match the Underwoods, played by the Emmy-nominated Kevin Spacey and Golden Globe-winning Robin Wright. The hardened pair make for a gripping set of leads, at once both callously cold and filled with fiery energy.

Whereas Frank Underwood’s (Spacey) breaking-the-fourth-wall deliveries seemed cramping in season one, all qualms with his direct-to-the-camera monologues will be forgiven once you have finished episode one. In fact, I’d be surprised if you were able to move much at all once those credits roll. The twists come fast and quick. It may even warrant a second viewing if you didn’t believe your eyes the first time.

“Game of Thrones” fans know what I mean when I say the season two opener of “House of Cards” contains a moment as shocking as the Red Wedding, except this one could actually happen to you. It’s terrifying and sets the stage for the following 12 episodes, during which the Underwoods continue to climb the political ladder.

Season two also adds a few thought-provoking players into the mix, the best of these being Molly Parker’s Jacqueline Sharp. Sharp is a veteran and eventual House Majority Whip, whom Frank approached to succeed him in the position. Sharp proves she can play the political game as well as anyone else, laying ruin to both enemies and friends in her ascent to power.

And while the “House of Cards” ensemble faces threats at almost every turn, Frank and Claire Underwood remain comparatively blemish-free. Sure, they endure scandal, but we’re never made to feel like their house of cards is in danger of collapsing. A true adversary, perhaps Sharp, could be the key to really igniting the fire “House of Cards” lets burn so steadily.

Regardless, this series does well painting these times of political unrest in an engaging light. Trust is no longer a factor. It’s all about who controls the battle field with an iron grip, and no one does so quite like Frank and Claire Underwood.