Can we watch a series in which everyone is unlikable? Yes!: House of Cards

Racing through Season 4 of House of Cards/Netflix, and how can you stop? It remains an incredibly lurid and smart and entertaining series. In recent years there has been much discussion in the literary world about whether we can "like" a novel w/ "unlikable" characters - a lot of this kicked off by Clare Messud's novel The Woman Upstairs, in which the narrator was a self-pitying complainer - but there's really no such discussion in re TV drama. We can love Friday Night Lights, in which even the heavies are generally likable, even lovable in their failings, and we can love House of Cards, in which every one of the lead characters is out for himself or herself, all others be damned. Season 4 (some spoilers coming here) goes one step beyond the British original series that stopped at 3 seasons but picks up one key element: the British season ended w/ the assassination of the PM; in American HofC we get an assassination attempt on President Underwood (Kevin Spacey, terrific as always), but, at least through episode 5, is Reagan-like: the Prez is now in the hospital fight for his life, but one suspects he will survive. The heart of this season is the conflict btw Prez Underwood and 1st Lady Clare (Robin Wright, icy and austere as always). We saw Clare make a fool of herself trying to serve as UN Secretary in season 3; now she toys w/ running for Congress - the Prez squashes that plan like a bug - and now she's pressuring him into making her his VP on the ticket (which would be unconstitutional btw, but never mind that). He balks, she writes to him stating she will seek a divorce, but everything changes once he's shot. She then begins to work with the completely feckless VP and acting pres Blythe - he of course is seduced and thinks she's helping him, which she's not of course. She has turned against everyone. The only person loyal to Underwood is Doug Stamper, who is acting increasingly irrational and even violent, It's a very complex series, and there are many plot elements I've forgotten and others I can't figure out of explain: Why is press secretary (Seth) working against the president? Why is super-lobbyist and former Chief of Staff Remy so concerned about his relationship w. Jacky Sharp coming to light - is she running for office? One thing that's happening for sure: the accusation that Underwood killed reporter Zoe Barnes and the congressman from Pennsylvania (and maybe that Doug killed the prostitute who knew about these crimes) is coming to light - oddly 1st last, anticipating their release (Goodwin, the news editor investigating these crimes shot the pres, and will killed in the attack) releases these dox to the media to show the delusional state of mind of the shooter. Not too likely, but a further element in this ever-tangled and complex political-psychodrama.