The bodies have piled up, as noted below, and the Underwood have taken control of Washington.
To have complete power, and at the end of last season, that’s what they had.
But how did we get there?

Credit: David Giesbrecht/Netflix
What major events defined the Underwoods up to that point?
Below is a recap of the major machinations, deaths, and plot points from the first five seasons.

Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix

Nathaniel E. Bell/Netflix

David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Netflix

David Giesbrecht/Netflix