Kevin Spacey credited as playing...
Francis Underwood
- Francis Underwood: When you bring yourself down before someone else can, you control the way it happens.
- Francis Underwood: Where does the real power lie? The power behind the power. And I understood, Claire, that we have to think and act differently than we ever have. Because it's no longer about who *lives* in the White House, it's about who *owns* the White House.
- Claire Underwood: This is the presidency. How much higher can a politician go?
- Francis Underwood: The real power isn't here. It's beyond here. It's above it, but still working in conjunction with it. Look, Claire, you and I have always been on the inside. Trapped. In the bubble. But going forward, with my operating on the outside, in the private sector, and you working from here, we can *own* this house together. Don't you see? I've designed this. I wanted you to be the president. I've *made* you the president.
- Claire Underwood: Am I supposed to say thank you?
- Francis Underwood: No. But you will have to pardon me. Pardon me for all of my crimes. As the president, you're the only one who can.
- Francis Underwood: [to the camera] Gore Vidal once wrote that power is an end to itself, and the instinctive urge to prevail the most important single human trait. I've always told myself that everything I did was for her. But maybe it wasn't. Maybe I love power more.
- Claire Underwood: I've thought long and hard, Francis. Barely slept.
- Francis Underwood: That's the job.
- Jane Davis: Your future in doubt.
- Francis Underwood: Oh, don't threaten me, Ms. Davis.
- Jane Davis: I don't threaten. I just try to remain as clear as possible. You offered me your services, and I offered you mine. You know, I was here before you and I'll be here after you.
- Francis Underwood: [nose-to-nose] And regardless of that, let me remind you that nothing is more dangerous than me.
- Francis Underwood: Do you hate it here?
- Claire Underwood: Oh, you know I don't like hotels.
- Francis Underwood: An approximation of home just to remind you you're not there.
- Claire Underwood: Well, we don't live in a home. We live in a house, borrowed and temporary.
- [first lines]
- Francis Underwood: Oh, Congressman Romero, I just wanted to see you one last time before I leave.
- Alex Romero: I don't believe there's anything left to be said.
- Francis Underwood: No, not between us. Not any longer. I just wanted to thank you for your tenacity.
- Alex Romero: [chuckles arms folded] Whatever you're up to, you won't get away with it.
- Francis Underwood: Maybe I already have.
- Alex Romero: The committee will continue its work. We'll recommend charges to DOJ.
- [moves toward the door]
- Francis Underwood: Rochelle.
- [waits for him to turn back around]
- Francis Underwood: Rochelle. Such a lovely name. Tell me how much you don't want that to end up in the press. And then shut this committee down. No deals.
- [walks swiftly out of the room]
- Francis Underwood: Admit it. This is what you want. You were willing to kill for it. So, Claire, come and take it... before I take it back.
- Claire Underwood: Thank you. I'm going to bed.
- Francis Underwood: No one will ever love you as much as I do. I hope you know that. Just as I know that no one will ever love me... like you.