Recently on the podcast we’ve been watching films that revolve around our leaders and how they get to be our leaders – namely elections.
Yesterday being a public holiday in Melbourne Australia, I spent several hours smashing through the latest season of House of Cards – the excellent Netflix produced political drama now in its fourth season. Season four focuses on Kevin Spacey’s brilliantly nefarious Francis Underwood’s efforts to be re-elected as president – and its compelling viewing.
I was also fortunate on the weekend to catch a few episodes of The West Wing on cable. The Aaron Sorkin penned political masterpiece ended its 7 season run ten years ago now (that makes me feel old!). In a nice piece of synergy the season I happened upon was focused on Martin Sheen’s inspirational Josiah Bartlett running for re-election.
It made me think about the interesting contrast between these two critically acclaimed and iconic portrayals of American political life. Certainly there are differences between the two shows – The West Wing is far more of an ensemble effort, the show spending a great deal of time on the people populating the West Wing, whereas House of Cards is at its core about Francis Underwood and his Wife Clare. But at their core they deal with the nature of power and how it is affects the people wielding it.
Francis (Frank) Underwood is amoral, sleazy, corrupt and borderline evil. There is no depth that Underwood will not stoop to, to get and keep what he seeks. Indeed, in the current season Clare observes to Frank that they will prevail in the current election because they are willing to go further than anyone else to ensure they do win. Despite all this, the show has us pulling for him – we are on a knifes edge when his murky dealings are about to be uncovered, we cringe at his opponent’s success and we feel a type of elation to see Frank escape yet again relatively unscathed. This is a man who literally pushed his ex-lover in front of a train to avoid being exposed – he’s a loathsome offensive brute! Yet I cannot look away.
We compare this to President Bartlett, a man of unquestionable integrity, a model of morality and yet pragmatic – a man able to get things done without compromising what he stands for. Quite simply Bartlett is the leader we all wish we had. Of course Bartlett is a much loved character as a result of this. I think this type of character is consistent with Sorkin’s other creations – the Newsroom (another outstanding show) portrays the media outlet we all wish could exist today.
So here we have two fictional presidents, at essentially opposite ends of the moral spectrum – and yet we find both of them utterly compelling – why?
I think it’s the juxtaposition of what we know is real and what we wish could be. Look at the current US election, people in that country are completely disillusioned with their leaders and are now looking outside the usual channels for alternatives. It doesn’t take a great leap in imagination to believe people like Frank Underwood exist and populate the political class. We enjoy watching Frank’s behind the scenes machinations the way we enjoy gawking at a car crash or screaming on a rollercoaster – we can tease our greatest fears from a safe distance. Somewhat like watching the downward spiral of Walter White on Breaking Bad, we know it’s almost certainly going to end badly for Frank, we want to be there when it happens.
Josiah Bartlett however is pure wish fulfilment – an honest, moral and decent man occupying the White House making sensible and considered decisions is something we all long for (even those of us not American). It’s a fantasy set in the real world – it’s Frodo defeating Sauron, Luke and the Rebels defeating the Empire – anyone but Trump defeating Trump. We feel warm and fuzzy inside when President Bartlett and his charismatic team record a win – but I think we all know what we are seeing is a very long way from reality. What I wouldn’t give to see Bartlett and Underwood go head to head in a debate!
What does this say about us that love both these shows? Well, yes we love well-written, well-acted and well-made drama. But I think it also says while we wish things were different, we’re smart enough to understand the status quo is very different – and frankly, if the Underwoods were running things, they could be significantly worse.
What do you think? Are you a fan of both shows?
If you prefer one over the other why?
Would you vote for Frank Underwood? Hey, he’d get the trains running on time!