House of Cards is a Netflix drama categorized as a political thriller that centers around the manipulative congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his equally conniving wife Claire Underwood(Robin Wright). Together they are a ruthless power couple that is willing to do whatever it takes to acquire revenge and power. It is the first online web-series to be nominated for several Emmy Awards.

10. Cashew almost dies

Gavin’s best pet friend is his guinea pig Cashew. The FBI agent that goes to visit Gavin threatens him by slowly crushing the air out of Cashew’s lungs. Poor Cashew is probably the most inoffensive character on the show.

9. Xander Feng’s fetish

This is a scene that was most likely forgotten by most, and not because it wasn’t interesting, but because so much else was going on. This scene opens with what appears to be a brutal rape, but as the scene plays out we realize that Feng enjoys erotic asphyxiation. As interesting as this all was we never see it mentioned again in Season 2. Maybe Season 3?

8. Freddy’s Barbecue Joint

Underwood’s visits to Freddy’s restaurant is the one place that made us feel that Underwood could possibly have a heart. Underwood believed that Freddy’s criminal record could potentially screw him. Thus he decided that it was in his best interest to distance himself and throw him under a bus (metaphorically speaking this time). Underwood’s actions or lack thereof lead to the end of their friendship.

7. Frank becomes president

Not as shocking as other events, but impressive nonetheless. We knew for a long time that becoming president was Underwood’s ultimate goal. Through cheating, manipulation, betrayal, and murder he was finally able to achieve his desire for supreme power. After succeeding in his main goal it leaves us wondering what is next for the new Commander in Chief.

6. Claire’s rape

We see a rare trait in Claire this episode–vulnerability. When Claire and Frank are at the ceremony they are approached by Dalton MCGinnis. We then realize that he was the man that sexually assaulted her while she was in college. A sexual assault that may have resulted to one of her many pregnancies and subsequent abortions.

5. Peter Russo’s death

In season one we see Underwood exploit Russo in order to further his agenda, but then Russo admits to him that he is going to make a statement admitting that everything is a lie. This does not work for Underwood so, he takes matters into his own hands and dresses up Russo’s death as a suicide. Russo falls asleep on the way home, Underwood puts him in the passenger seat, leaves the gas on, and as the garage fills up with smoke he closes the door and cements Russo’s death.

4.Claire molests cancer patient

This by far is one of the most disturbing scenes in the entire series. Claire and Frank’s previous Secret Service agent is bed ridden with cancer. Claire goes to visit him in the hospital, and he then feels the need to confess his love for her. She responds by giving him a hand job…….

3.The Threesome

A lot of anxiety, suspense, and a sense of awkwardness because you were not sure they were going to take it there, but they did, they did! We knew from Season 1 that Frank had an affair with a man in his college days, and that Claire enjoyed the company of younger men, but a threesome affair that included the two of them and their Secret Service agent? Who knew.

2. Rachel Kills Doug

I mean did anyone see that coming? Despite Doug’s threats, Rachel could not give up her relationship with Lisa. It started to look as though Rachel was going to get the heave-ho, but instead we see Rachel running through the woods. While Stamper chases her, and before you know it Frank’s right hand man is getting his head bashed in.

1. Zoe’s Death

This is by far the most intense- jaw-dropping moment on the House of Cards as of yet. Being that Zoe was one of the prominent characters on the show her death came unexpectedly. Frank saw that she posed a threat by being far too curious about Peter’s death (which he is responsible for), in all the wrong ways. Frank saw his opportunity and pushed Zoe in front of a moving train to her death. In this instance it becomes evident that Frank will stop at nothing to become the next President of the free world as we know it.