House of Cards Quotes
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Source: House of Cards
Speaker: Frank Underwood
If you don't like how the table is set, turn over the table.
Context
This line is spoken by Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, in the TV show House of Cards (2013—).
This quote isn't one of Vice President Frank Underwood's trademark asides to the audience, but is addressed to Secretary of State Catherine Durant (played by Jayne Atkinson) as tension with China looms in the early episodes of House of Cards Season 2. Underwood's world has gotten a lot bigger than the halls of Congress and Washington, D.C., and he must learn to play by new rules as he tries to ascend to the highest office in the land. He's still horrible, though.
One of his opponents on the road to the top is Raymond Tusk, a multibillionaire who makes the Waltons look like paupers and is very close to President Walker. Underwood angers Tusk by having Durant go directly against his talking points for China and "turn over the tables," as he said earlier. This leads to the Chinese walking out, and President Walker having to cover his butt and make a public apology to the delegation.
Whew, this show has a lot of political drama. It's like Game of Thrones without edged weapons, ice zombies, and dragons. And this quote is definitely in line with Underwood's philosophy of using any legal, semi-legal, or illegal means necessary to gain power. "Emperor Palpatine" might have approved.
Where you've heard it
You've said this to yourself when you're playing a game of chess, Risk, or dominoes and you're about to lose. Do you give into your anger and throw the card table down, or are you a good loser and finish out the game? We wouldn't ask Frank Underwood for advice in this situation.
Additional Notable References:
- The Florida Panthers NHL team used this quote to fire up their fans before they swung into D.C. to play the Washington Capitals. Their mascot definitely seems as ruthless as Frank Underwood.
- This quote was included in an article about 18 life lessons from Frank Underwood. Divorce them from their context, and they can be quite motivational.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
If you forget that this quote was said by someone who wants power at all costs, it can be a little on the motivational side.