Ep 2. Episode 2

In House of Cards season 1 episode 2, we are introduced to Frank Underwood's relationship with the media and his continued efforts to gain power. The episode titled "Episode 2" begins with Frank and his wife Claire arriving at a fundraising event for a new museum wing. While there, Frank meets with Zoe Barnes, an ambitious and young journalist who has been stalking him for a while. He shares his thoughts on politics and expresses his frustration with the current administration, which sparks an interest in Zoe.

Meanwhile, Frank's plan to become the Secretary of State is put on hold when the President decides to not appoint him to the position. This leads Frank to be frustrated and he falls back on his old plan of gaining leverage over influential people and using them to further his own political agenda.

Frank decides to help a wealthy businessman who is trying to acquire a government contract. Using his political influence, Frank convinces the head of the competition to drop out of the running, leaving the businessman as the sole contender. In return, the businessman promises to help Frank with his political aspirations in the future.

The episode also focuses on Claire who is trying to get a bill passed that will help her non-profit organization. She meets with a group of congressmen to discuss the bill, however, they do not take her seriously and the meeting ends up being a failure. This leads Claire to try to find a way to gain more influence in Washington.

Overall, House of Cards season 1 episode 2 is an intriguing insight into the world of politics and political power games. The episode highlights Frank's cunning and manipulation as well as Claire's struggles to make an impact. The use of the media as a tool for power is also explored with the introduction of Zoe Barnes, who could potentially be a powerful ally or a dangerous enemy. The show continues to captivate and the character development is superb.