Anyone Watching "House of Cards?"

[KoKo]

I was ready to give up after the first couple of episodes...BUT

I decided to hang with it and just finished the last episode.

I think they changed director after the first couple of episodes because the lead and background music was more fast paced and they got into a groove with it.

It's fascinating. And seems chillingly accurate in the political interactions between the Pols, the Press, Foundations, Lobbyists and the Bubble that excludes "outsiders" unless they can be used.

I'm familiar with SC Politicians and Kevn Spacey did an incredible job in his portrayal. His cold blooded wife was nicely done with Robin Wright...who was more complicated towards the end of the first series than one would have thought.

Will be interesting to see what they do with her "teeny bit" more compassionate side in the next series. Does she morph?

Anyway don't wan't to be a spoiler. Just saying that for those of us who've lived politics for a couple of decades it's a must watch, and explains much that we've seen and sensed goes on in the Halls of Power Bubble in a revealing and entertaining way.

For those who just don't seem to be able to get into it in the first couple of episodes...stay with it for another two to see if you don't get hooked.

[NV Whino]

1. Yes, we've have previous threads on it

I think it is a fabulous series and am lusting after season 2 .

Netflix is apparently trying to be another HBO or Starz. If they continue with this quality, they'll outshine them by far. And Spacey and Wright knock it out of the park, which is not to denigrate any of the other excellent cast members.

[cbayer]

5. I think this is absolutely brilliant marketing on the part of Netflix.

I heard an interview last week with either a writer or director. Apparently they didn't make a decision about how they were going to roll it out until late in the game.

I love that there is no "Previously on House of Cards" or "Next episode" segments.

I love that I can watch a 4 hour marathon, then go back and watch a previous one if I feel at all lost.

I love it being commercial free and that I can pause it.

I am simply enamored with the whole thing.

[KoKo]

8. Russo, too. Fantastic acting...

And, Zoe who was rumored to be based on blogger "Wonkette. I don't know if that's believable, but we do know reporters like Judith Miller were often so close to the politicos that they were pretty much "embedded," so it happens probably more than we'd want to think about.

[NV Whino]

11. Oh yeah, Russo was great

Best drunk I've ever seen on a show. God, I just wanted to go hug the guy.

It's a shame, given its Netflix format, that it will be ineligible for awards. Maybe a new category needs to be created or recognized.

[Son of Gob]

24. It's not ineligible for awards.

[SkyDaddy7]

17. House of Cards is good but...

They have to have a few more, well, a lot more to catch the quality HBO puts out. IMHO.

[RevStPatrick]

2. Several of the later episodes were directed by...

...Allen Coulter, who directed many episodes of The Sopranos, and Boardwalk Empire, among other things.
It definitely got better after the first few.

[KoKo]

6. Ah...thanks for that info about change of director. n/t

[cbayer]

3. I didn't read your entire post because I am afraid of spoilers, but

I am loving the show and totally addicted.

Just finished episode 11 and hate that I am getting close to the end.

[KoKo]

10. Don't think I've done spoiler...but avoid Post #4 under this one....

[cbayer]

13. Finished it up last night and think they did a fantastic job of wrapping it all up.

Overall, some of the best "TV" I've seen in a long time.

[TM99]

4. We started watching

and initially really liked it. It is a tight and well-written drama for sure. About half way through the series, we heard of the Newsroom. We watched the whole series in about a week. Seriously, that is one of the best shows on TV today. It was depressing in some regards and yet uplifting. Returning to House of Cards was difficult. The show is very dark. Both Spacey & Wright's characters are sociopathic.

*Spoiler alert* - After the death of Russo, I could no longer view Frank as just an ambitious politician seeking power after being thwarted in his desire to be Secretary of State. Now he had truly become something sinister and frightening.

We will definitely watch Season 2 but it is not a 'feel-good' show. If you want something more uplifting and just as real with regards to current events and politics, the Newsroom is the better choice in my opinion.

[SkyDaddy7]

18. Excellent Overview of the show!!

SPOILER ALERT:

I could not agree more with your opinion about the show being very dark. I too was upset about how Russo died & how it transformed Frank from a crafty overambitious congressman to basically a mafia boss. Now I am torn whether I want to see his character get caught or whether it will be one of those shows like the Sopranos where you find yourself rooting for the most disgusting character in the show. LOL!

YES, season 2 will be much anticipated!!

[TM99]

19. Thanks

Yes, we agree. I enjoyed the Sopranos, and I always knew the Tony would end the show dead. I never really rooted for him but I found his portrayal psychologically accurate, well-acted, and fascinating to watch. I supposed I feel the same about Francis.

If Francis is taken down, I just hope it is not by the likes of Zoe and the Scooby gang.

[SkyDaddy7]

20. I agree!

"the likes of Zoe and the Scooby gang" LOL!! Like it!!

[thesquanderer]

7. I gave up, how much farther should I go?

I thought the first two episodes were interesting enough to keep going with it, but I gave up after the third episode.

[KoKo]

9. try one more...then you will know for sure...

just saying.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. It gets better, trust me.

the thing is, they have 13 episodes but could have done it in half the time, so the first couple of episodes are drawn out.
Watching the first 6 episodes in a row gives much more flavor.
Actually, I tend to fast forward during "filler" bits of a movie....guy gets into car, drives off, is shown driving, is shown arriving, is shown getting out of car and enters building....

Two things make the series pretty good:
Spacey as an asshole. He has not had such a meaty role since The Usual Suspects
the breaking of the 4th wall, where he talks to the viewing audience in the middle of soem scenes. Spacey does that very well.

the "inside look" of Wash.politics is quite watchable, also.

I am a bit of snob when it comes to tv/movies, hate to waste my time on anything less that 4 stars.
This show was worth it.

[Waiting For Everyman]

14. I loved it too, very well done. Did anyone see the '90s UK version?

I saw the US one beginning to end, last weekend. Then I noticed the older UK one in the "suggestions", and thought wth... very good too, but different -- more satirical in a way.

The politico in the UK HoC was so evil, he made Spacey look like a boy scout.

[cbayer]

15. I had seen the BBC one years ago, but plan to rewatch it now that I have finished the US version.

[catchnrelease]

16. Oh yes

I have posted about it several times, as being one of my very favorite things to watch ever. The original Francis was, as you say, really more evil. Deliciously so IMO. I did enjoy the US version and hope we don't really have to wait a whole year for season 2.

[KoKo]

21. I did watch it years ago...in that time frame it was chilling...but,

given all that's gone on since...I really appreciated the American Version that deals with our own Political Corruption...a bit more. I would think that younger folks who aren't into Anglophile stuff like me would find "House of Cards" much more relevant to our ALL current situations.

But...that old BBC Original...Man that was some chilling stuff..and a good watch for folks who love it ...as I did watching the original so many years ago.

It's truly worth a re-watch, though for those who love History from BBC. It's very entertaining.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

22. I got hooked on the U.S. version

just finished it up tonight. I gave it 3 stars because the plot line strains credulity at times, but the dialog and acting by everyone is first rate.

When is the 2nd "season" supposed to come out?

[oakowl]

23. Love House of Cards

I was not sure if I would like it but soon I was hooked and can't wait till the next season.