Playing 'the Game'

I am only at the second season and I'm hooked, but frustrated with most of the female characters. There is strategy involved in the politics of gaining and keeping favor, which leads to influence. The women these characters are based upon would have known that.

These ladies (for the most part) won't "play" the real "game" ...they're just side-eyeing each other, smilingly smuggly and showing their hands to all involved.
I'm still going to watch, but tell me someone pulls it together and becomes a real player.