Thus Spoke Underwood

Abstract

A successful film adaptation is, simply put, the re-enactment of a previously crafted narrative into a cinematographic format. A ground-breaking film adaptation however, is that which draws on the original narrative, while creating itself the status of “Original”. The Netflix American series House of Cards is an Original adaptation of the 1989 Michael Dobbs’ political thriller bearing the same title. Though both fictional threads converge in debunking the deceitful and amoral character of a conservative party whip, the American version (through numerous metafictional techniques) not only offers an intense and devastating insider’s perspective of the present-day successful politician, but also recalls one of the most controversial Nietzschean philosophical notions: The Übermensch. The characterization of the series’ protagonist, Francis Underwood, as a teleological congressman insatiably obsessed with power and “devoid of human timidity” (Solomon and Higgins, p.76) is often cited as a contemporary Übermensch who, like Underwood, zealously strives towards his highest calling and contests traditional values which teach submission and render humanity impotent. The present paper aims at demonstrating that the American series House of Cards uses the Nietzschean typology as a springboard to shed light on the decline of faith and the modern moral lassitude in a contemporary world of politics chiefly dominated by hellbent Machiavellians who gradually helped distorting old values into their new realities. By the same token, the paper seeks to rationalize the success of such politicians in modern times as Masters, and how they are praised for their ability to overcome despicable mediocrity.