 Gilbert also notes that Mara 's surprising <unk> is a welcome respite against a backdrop of a " terminally <unk> " cast . As the show begins , aspiring journalist Zoe Barnes is desperate to rise from covering the " Fairfax County Council " beat to covering " ' what 's behind the veil ' of power in the Capitol <unk> . " <unk> Stanley of The New York Times notes that by the end of the first episode , Mara 's Barnes is among the cadre of Frank 's <unk> . After she pleads for a relationship with him by promising to earn his trust and not " ask any questions " , Frank uses her <unk> . However , Ashley Parker of The New York Times considers her <unk> aggressive and too overt , <unk> and sexual . Parker points out that Barnes ' statement " I protect your identity , I print what you tell me , and I 'll never ask any questions " almost <unk> itself . 
