Similarly, the American political drama “House of Cards” reflects a kind of disillusionment – this time, with US politics. Whereas “The West Wing,” a popular political drama that ran from 1999 to 2006, portrays the US presidency – held by a sophisticated, cultivated, and humanistic leader – with a kind of longing, “House of Cards” immerses the viewer in a murky milieu of humanity’s worst impulses.