Heading into season 3, one would expect the usual power struggle that Frank and Claire Underwood would face. But through the journey of the supposedly most powerful couple in the United States comes the expected tests which should more or less put their personal and professional relationship to the test.
Claire does her part of being the better half of the most powerful man in the country, charming ladies at a special lunch to ensure pledges for her husband. And while many do promise their support, the fact remains that many still question her husband's integrity.
Aside from that Frank seems to have his cut work out for him. From dealing with the people and ensuring that he gets their support, he will have to dig deep in his debate preparations with the hopes of getting unconditional loyalty in the process in the dangerous game of politics.
Moreover, Frank has to deal with a crisis. With Israel implementing a no-fly zone, Russian President Petrov would have nothing of it and declares he would fly right through it. This in turn forces Frank to fly over to Jordan Valley which doesn't sit well with Claire.
Claire warns Frank about pushing through with his plans of meeting up with Petrov to which he shuns the warning. Despite all that, Claire tries to do as much as she can to stop Frank but fails.
When Frank and Petrov meet, the latter asks Frank to scale down the missile defenses on top of one surprising condition – the resignation of Claire as U.N. Ambassador.
Petrov explains that Claire was never fit to be in the said position and that she was playing him. Petrov calls it doing Frank a favor.
Upon his return, Claire was expectedly upset and reiterated that he should have not really gone.
With these developments, everything seems to be falling into place on how the union of Frank and Claire could weather the storm of being in power. Would they be together for long or would the struggle for power reign. All that should be seen in the coming episodes of season 3.
