"the writing wanted to explore the real-world effects of Frank's (and to a lesser extent Claire's) ruthlessly ambitious actions"
Claire's lesser extent why? Do I have to remember you that it was HER idea, to create chaos, more than chaos...WAR?!? Didn't you guys realized by now that it's her and not him the puppet master? He's been the executor and her is the mind. Remember ones of the first scenes of season 1 when Frank got screwed over the Secretary of State job? She said to him: you should be angry...I don't see that. She's the one pushing him and he follower her lead, even if subtle.
