Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk rock protest group based in Moscow. The collective's lyrical themes include women, LGBT and freedom of speech rights, particularly in opposition to Russian President Viktor Petrov.
Season 3[]
In Chapter 29, before Viktor Petrov makes his state visit, Frank Underwood invites Pussy Riot members Nadya Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina to the state dinner. Although this action is questioned by White House Chief of Staff Remy Danton, Underwood persists.
Nadya, Maria and their interpreter at the White House State Dinner.
During a meet and greet before the dinner, both members and their interpreter awkwardly pose for a photo with Viktor Petrov.
Later in the evening, Petrov somewhat mockingly makes a toast to them, despite having previously had them imprisoned the year before. Immediately after Petrov invites the participants to drink, they make a sarcastic toast of their own, criticizing Petrov's cronyism, his policies of oppressing his critics and position on gay rights (which is in Russian and not translated, yet at least the word "gay" can be easily distinguished) all in front of the Russian delegation and members of Congress. Though Petrov attempts to silence them, they pour their champagne on the floor and walk out of the dinner in a sign of protest.
After Frank is unable to reach a deal with Petrov, he switches his sentiment towards their attitude and praises them for their protest the next day at the White House press briefing.
Trivia[]
- The members of Pussy Riot who appeared in the show were originally brought in to consult the show's crew on their experience in Russian prisons. However, the creators became very interested in their input and ended up having them written into the plot.
- In place of the usual credit theme that plays at the end of each episode, one of Pussy Riot's songs along with part of a music video is played at the end of Chapter 29 instead.