After a season of creepy and borderline sinister advances towards Rachel, it was almost satisfying to see Doug get his skull caved in at the end of House of Cards' second year by the former escort he was clearly growing more and more obsessed with. However, it was also difficult not to mourn the loss of one of the show's best characters, so discovering that Doug survived in the opening minutes of season three was in equal parts relieving and shocking. Witnessing his long and arduous recovery made for compelling viewing, especially after the episode kicked off with him going into a meeting with Frank with something concealed in his sleeve. Would he attempt to assassinate the man who had left him high and dry in the hospital? No, it was a wooden spoon holding his broken wrist together, but this surprise return for the fan-favourite character set up one of the season most interesting subplots.
