House of Cards (Netflix Original Series)

[Izulde]

Searched and didn't see a separate thread, so thought I'd post one.

I stayed up until 5 or 6 am, watching 7 episodes of this series. I have to say, I'm frankly hooked. Kevin Spacey was the perfect choice for the lead role and he's what really carries the series IMO.

[Marc Vaughan]

If you've never seen it the original English series was amazing (although quite old now) ...

[mckerney]

If you've never seen it the original English series was amazing (although quite old now) ...

I might have trouble watching an English political drama that didn't have Malcolm Tucker in it.

[Izulde]

What years did it run, Marc?

Partway through episode 12. It feels like it starts to lose a bit of its snap towards the end of the season, but it's still engaging enough that when I finish episode 12 and top off Season 1 for episode 13, I'll definitely be watching Season 2 whenever it comes.

[GrantDawg]

What years did it run, Marc?

Partway through episode 12. It feels like it starts to lose a bit of its snap towards the end of the season, but it's still engaging enough that when I finish episode 12 and top off Season 1 for episode 13, I'll definitely be watching Season 2 whenever it comes.


1991. It was set right after Thatcher resigned. I just recently watched it (on Amazon prime) and then read this was coming out. The British series was very cool, so I have high hopes for this one. I haven't started it yet, but probably will this week.

[larrymcg421]

2 episodes in and loving it so far. This is like porn for political junkies.

[rowech]

I watched two episodes and find this show BORING. I don't think this show is for anyone only casually interested.

[Matthean]

Survey Says: 10% Of Netflix Subscribers Have Streamed House Of Cards, Watching 6 Episodes On Average | TechCrunch (http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/19/netflix-house-of-cards-survey/)

[nol]

I was with some friends when they started watching it, and I was immediately put off by how much Kevin Spacey sounded like Foghorn Leghorn. The fact that the first episode had more than its share of Sorkin-esque groaners didn't help either.

[chinaski]

I didnt like the first episode, but then I gave the 2nd one a chance and ended up watching the whole series in a day. Its pretty incredible.

[samifan24]

I loved the first season. My girlfriend and I watched the entire season in about a week and a half.

[Young Drachma]

I watched two episodes and find this show BORING. I don't think this show is for anyone only casually interested.

This is me. I'm finding it so slow and so not interesting. I really want something to get into. And it's up my alley in terms of content, but for whatever reason, I just find myself not giving a damn about any of the characters. I've slogged through three episodes and I find it pretty dreadful.

[Young Drachma]

If you've never seen it the original English series was amazing (although quite old now) ...

I enjoyed that. Available on Netflix instant too.

[panerd]

I am about 5-6 episodes in and have enjoyed it and plan on finishing the series. I was already a subscriber though and I am not sure if this would have caused me to get instant if I hadn't been one or will keep me around when I decide to drop Netflix. But I will leave that to the people that know more about subscriber numbers than I do.

About the show. I take this as a show that isn't supposed to be completely believable and that it knows it is a little over the top (especially with the fourth wall stuff) which is perfectly fine with me but the Russo character is still even more over the top than that for me. A congressman going to some junkies (gotta love they decided to include a Libertarian in such a positive light :) ) house and doing lines to get information? Even in the TV universe this is a bit much.

[stevew]

I ended up binge watching


Russo-good actor and a tortured character. I found it somewhat hard to believe someone so Jewish and so white could represent a philly district. Also redistricting in 2013 makes no sense. I was hoping he'd survive and win as governor...oh well

Stamper-badass. Love Michael Kelly. Good character

The World well chick was a cunt. Found it hard when she said she was Asian

Zoey- meh character.
Other reporter-something was fucked about her face and it was distracting

Buttercup-annoying character. Nobody cares about clean water

Underwood Soze-the accent was just silly. Why all of these political shows idealize tge small town south so much is just stupid.

President-douche. So naive, I doubt anyone makes the presidency being so naive.

All in all it was a mixed bag, and I think I hate the dump at once format. I'd give it a 6-7/10 and wouldn't order netflix for it.

[stevew]

Season 2-ep1

well, that settles that

[stevew]

Thru episode 4-
I don't think these are major spoilers but the procedural chicanery in the senate was absurd.

Also I could give a crap about the "real world" type issues. That stuff gets boring. Also the dude who plays Kate Mara's boyfriend isn't a very good actor. The stuff going on at slugline is pretty meh.

I'm happy they kept Russo's girl on the show. She was one of my favorite season 1 characters.

The new, in the words of Frank, huhwhip is a promising character. Hoping she screws Underwood over at some point.

[Sweed]

Watched the first three and while it's not great TV I find it entertaining.

[Toddzilla]

Watched the first three and while it's not great TV I find it entertaining.THIS

[lungs]

I'm through 6 episodes and find it to be great TV.

[Izulde]

I finished Season 2 last night and my general feeling about it is that it's more consistently good than Season 1, but with far fewer high notes. IMO the first episode is probably the best one of the whole season.

[stevew]

I doubt this is a spoiler-







The makeup work on President Walker was outstanding, by the end of the season he looks like a zombie

[stevew]

All in all season 2 was pretty hammy. I'm not sure why Netflix spends such crazy amounts on the on screen talent. Spacey is borderline awful most of the time and I get the schtick of him having contempt for the outside world. But his character/mannerisms also act like they have contempt for the audience. The "I'm gonna foghorn leghorn accent this mow mow and you'll watch it cause I'm precious" type stuff. I'd give it like a B or something but if we're doing white house shows I prefer Veep to this by a bunch.

[stevew]

Trola-
No way I binge watch this if the Olympics wasn't killing all the first run shows on the Networks. My DVR is getting light.

[sabotai]

I binge watched it last weekend. All in all, decent show. Thought it was a step down from last season. Also, had this been an HBO show, it would be one I'd probably hold off on and watch when the season was over so that I could binge watch it on a day I was sick or something. It's not at the level of True Detective or Game of Thrones, two shows that demand my immediate attention.

[molson]

I binge watched it last weekend.

You were not alone.

2% of Netflix's U.S. subscriber base - 670,000 people, watched the whole season last weekend. That's pretty amazing. But I wonder how much it really helps Netflix. It's not like their ad rates are going to shoot up next season. If someone was only interested in House of Cards, they could subscribe for a month and see the whole thing for $10.

‘House of Cards’ Season 2 — How Many Binge-Watched 13 Episodes? - TVLine (http://tvline.com/2014/02/21/ratings-house-of-cards-season-2-binge-watching/)

[lungs]

I finished it on Wednesday. Loved it. But I also think the first episode was the best of the season.

[RainMaker]

You were not alone.

2% of Netflix's U.S. subscriber base - 670,000 people, watched the whole season last weekend. That's pretty amazing. But I wonder how much it really helps Netflix. It's not like their ad rates are going to shoot up next season. If someone was only interested in House of Cards, they could subscribe for a month and see the whole thing for $10.

‘House of Cards’ Season 2 — How Many Binge-Watched 13 Episodes? - TVLine (http://tvline.com/2014/02/21/ratings-house-of-cards-season-2-binge-watching/)

I don't think that's their audience though. They aren't targeting the people who would download a specific show and binge watch. Or sign up for a month and then cancel.

I think their goal is to provide enough content in a convenient place so that someone doesn't think twice about having a membership. That Netflix just becomes another part of their monthly bills like gas, water, and so on. And I think they've done a good job of that. I have not thought of cancelling my Netflix despite having months I barely use it. They provide their own shows that pop up every few months. And they provide enough other content that I can usually always find something worth watching.

The best quote I heard was Netflix is trying to be HBO before HBO can become Netflix.

[RainMaker]

All in all season 2 was pretty hammy. I'm not sure why Netflix spends such crazy amounts on the on screen talent. Spacey is borderline awful most of the time and I get the schtick of him having contempt for the outside world. But his character/mannerisms also act like they have contempt for the audience. The "I'm gonna foghorn leghorn accent this mow mow and you'll watch it cause I'm precious" type stuff. I'd give it like a B or something but if we're doing white house shows I prefer Veep to this by a bunch.

I think the idea for Netflix was that they needed a big name to legitimize their original programming. Kevin Spacey gave them that although I do agree he isn't worth it for what he gives on that show. On the other hand, Robin Wright is brilliant.

Season 2 was decent in my opinion. It's still not in the top tier of TV shows but it's also not on the USA/network TV level of shows. One unfortunate aspect is it had potential to be great I feel. I planned on binge watching but with the Olympics killing off other shows this past week I plowed through. Kind of wish I had held off but the show has a way of teasing you at the end of each episode.

I'll put my complaints in spoilers.

I don't understand why they need to make Frank a cartoonishly evil person at times. Like him throwing the letter from the President in the fire is a completely unnecessary move. You can portray him as a sociopath without cheesy moves like that.

Most of the side stories sucked and seemed to be lacking any substance. I didn't understand the purpose of the Meechum 3-some. The Stamper storyline never made much sense to me. It felt like they were trying for some deep look into his alcoholism and control issues but it played out creepy. And of course the hacker storyline seemed like it was thrown in at the last minute when they realized the NSA was a big storyline. Besides the comic portrayal of a hacker, none of it made sense and didn't result in any kind of proper conclusion. That is unless they are bringing Jimmi Simpson back next year but it didn't feel like his character would play into the bigger picture.

I still like the show, it's a decent political thriller. But it had potential to be great and some sloppy writing prevented that.

[Izulde]

Honestly, if it wasn't for the Netflix series I'd have thought about cancelling in the last month or so. They seem to have really stagnated on a lot of their movie content, and now I mainly use it to watch back seasons of TV series and try to catch the most recent season on Hulu (and hope Hulu actually starts with the first episode of the latest season)

[ISiddiqui]

Just finished Season 2. I really liked it and I have to disagree that this isn't a USA/Network TV quality show. I think it surpasses many network shows, but it isn't like Breaking Bad quality (then again, what is).

As for the complaints
Frank HAD to burn the letter. You think he's going to carry around a letter that has him saying "I confess to all this stuff"? Burn or shred it - there is no reason to keep it around.

Also the hacker is a great character to have around for many purposes... if Doug is alive, then the hacker can be used for 'dirty tricks'. If not, then he's someone to watch out for. I'm guessing the next season will involve the Presidential primary for 2016 in some way. Plenty of opportunity for skullduggery.

My complaint is that I didn't buy the 12th episode... I don't think the American people would have gone all nuts over the President doing counseling with his wife... or drugs prescribed (though they apparently made the drugs "mind altering" the next ep?)

[Izulde]

Just finished Season 2. I really liked it and I have to disagree that this isn't a USA/Network TV quality show. I think it surpasses many network shows, but it isn't like Breaking Bad quality (then again, what is).

As for the complaints
Frank HAD to burn the letter. You think he's going to carry around a letter that has him saying "I confess to all this stuff"? Burn or shred it - there is no reason to keep it around.

Also the hacker is a great character to have around for many purposes... if Doug is alive, then the hacker can be used for 'dirty tricks'. If not, then he's someone to watch out for. I'm guessing the next season will involve the Presidential primary for 2016 in some way. Plenty of opportunity for skullduggery.

My complaint is that I didn't buy the 12th episode... I don't think the American people would have gone all nuts over the President doing counseling with his wife... or drugs prescribed (though they apparently made the drugs "mind altering" the next ep?)


I actually found the American people flipping out over the counseling and drugs to be quite likely. Remember the political firestorm that erupted over Monica? And this country still has a hatred of mental health issues, and would go absolutely apeshit if the leader of the entire country was on Xanax.

I do agree Frank had to burn the letter. That was an obvious move that needed to be done. This whole Stamper thing does feel like a sideshow, but I suspect it's there to lay the foundation for Frank's eventual downfall.

The whole three-way thing, by the way, also generated some discussion on FB. In my viewpoint, it's there to illustrate that he's wholly and completely theirs. It also amplifies Frank's bisexuality, which was at the very least strongly suggested, if not actually carried out in Season 1 during The Citadel episode (don't remember if it happened or not). Which, I think also points to Frank's flexibility and his ability to adapt himself to his circumstances and his surroundings. There's other things at play in the scene IMO, but I don't want to turn this into a dissertation.

[RainMaker]

Just finished Season 2. I really liked it and I have to disagree that this isn't a USA/Network TV quality show. I think it surpasses many network shows, but it isn't like Breaking Bad quality (then again, what is).


I meant to say it is better than USA/Network TV by a wide margin. But I think it's below high quality TV like Breaking Bad, GOT, Mad Men, and so on. I'd put it right around where Homeland is at. Flawed show that is still interesting to watch.

I do wonder how we would treat this show if it was shown on a weekly basis so we could all digest slowly. Would it be seen in a better or worse light? I feel like you miss out on those big scenes that everyone talks about. But you also miss out on all the nitpicking and shark jumping.

I also thought the letter was from the President addressed to Frank. If it was just the one he gave, I agree it makes sense to burn it. I got confused there.

I hate how hackers are portrayed on TV most of the time. It's not some cool guy in a luxury apartment sitting behind some computers who can do anything he wants. Hackers are just not guys like that. Also reminds me of my favorite scene in TV history. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8qgehH3kEQ)

Also don't think a President would get hit that hard for seeing a spiritual adviser. Or for taking Xanax. I mean it's 2014, most of us know people who have taken pills like that and seeing a Priest for guidance is not exactly a negative in most of the electorate.

[stevew]

okay, that ncis clip is awesome. I always love stuff like this

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1rV0SWx6MXw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Agreed that Wright is pretty brilliant. I also thought that the Speaker Jackie had a certain milf charm to her. I really think Remy is pretty good character who actually has a full gamut of emotions. It's great on a show where Spacey is an unrepentant sociopath/narcissist pretty much all the time. I do think they addressed the things in season 1 that were kind of shitty and worked them out pretty tidy(clean water, etc), but the hacker stuff was iffy at best. I didn't really understand how Major Dad even worked into the whole thing really. It just was some means to an end I guess. All those shady back room funding deals probably happen all the time.

Now insofar to the conclusion of the season

let's be honest, did anyone actually not see that coming from a mile away? I did get pre-spoilerd by wiki when I was looking up another character's name. GoT is really bad for that as well, talking about all the characters who are deceased.

I think we're really going to miss Stamper in the show. Michael Kelly is pretty good in everything he's in. At times I felt like the obsessive girl storyline was a bit of a chore. But it did have a pretty outstanding payoff there, albeit too short.

I like that they kept around Russo's girl, but then she got canned.

At this point if season 3 is truly going to be it, I'm going to call Underwood getting assassinated in the series finale. Would be a fitting end.


i.e. the threesome, Underwood can't really go out and bang young hotties anymore so Meachum is probably the only available avenue to be sexually adventurous with.

I liked Freddie as a side character, I don't think they should have torn him down like that. That particular storyline really felt like something out of a shitty network drama. I mean, who the f gets to spend that much time with the VP(and meet the f'n president) without one of the secret service agents vetting him. I mean, that's what those dudes do for a living. Mitigate risk, etc.

Homeland is a pretty good comp for this. They were wise to release this the week where there were basically no new shows due to the olympics.

[stevew]

So I watched the first 5 seasons of the Sopranos in like the last month and I really wish that Netflix would make some sort of mob type show. Set it in the 80s in chicago or something. All we get is NY mob all the time and Chicago is really underrepresented in the TV landscape. ER/Chicago Hope and then?

[RainMaker]

NBC has Chicago Fire and Chicago PD. Shameless and The League are Chicago too. And I believe Good Wife is based here. I think Chicago has had a recent uptick but I agree a good mob should would be great. I'd rather it be 20's era though.

[stevew]

eh, 20s era would be like boardwalk empire esque and I never got into that show. I would think making a 70s or 80s show would be substantially cheaper than making an older one.

[kcchief19]

Just finished up season two. I though season one was as a whole was a great show. It started slow, had a good crescendo and finished strong.

I've been a Spacey fan for more than 25 years, so I wouldn't mind watching him act out scenes from the phone book. I think there was more depth to his portrayal than people are giving him credit.

For instance, I think there is a distinct difference in his speaking style and mannerisms when Underwood is letting his guard down an being himself versus when Underwood is being manipulative and using his acting. Guess it resonated with me because I've worked with too many business psychopaths who use a different voice and tone when they are speaking the truth and when they are selling bullshit.

But as much as I enjoyed season one, I plowed through season two primarily for the resolution. There are some good performances and good story lines, and oddly enough quite a few Sorkinisms (or at least TWW allusions, which I think are coincidental but odd). The show was grounded somewhat in reality in season one, but season two was pure fantasy.

But this jumped the shark as soon as Zoe was killed. Frank's "mery" killing of Russo was dirty, but there was at least a hint that this was the best resolution for him after what had happened -- his life was ruined, setting aside for a moment that it was Frank who ruined it for him. But Zoe was flat our murder, and now there is no redeeming quality. Now you're going from an evil man out to get revenge at those who mistreated him to a flat out psychopath. And who do you root for in this? There is no white hat for the most part.

I also didn't like the loose ends. I agree that the hacker storyline was incredibly weak. Seemed tacked on and didn't go anywhere. We don't get any real resolution with Rachel or a lot of other characters.

So apparently we're to believe that Tusk rolled over on Walker purely for revenge but didn't roll over on Underwood because Frank. He's willing to go to jail to end the standoff between the US and China? Why would Tusk ever trust Frank?
Didn't realize until today that Netflix says there will be a third season. I thought the original deals were for two seasons only -- hard to see why Spacey, Wright and Fincher would continue slumming on Netflix, other than for the money.

[ISiddiqui]

I meant to say it is better than USA/Network TV by a wide margin. But I think it's below high quality TV like Breaking Bad, GOT, Mad Men, and so on. I'd put it right around where Homeland is at. Flawed show that is still interesting to watch.

Oops, I misread what you originally wrote! I agree with your assessment!

[ISiddiqui]

But this jumped the shark as soon as Zoe was killed. Frank's "mery" killing of Russo was dirty, but there was at least a hint that this was the best resolution for him after what had happened -- his life was ruined, setting aside for a moment that it was Frank who ruined it for him. But Zoe was flat our murder, and now there is no redeeming quality. Now you're going from an evil man out to get revenge at those who mistreated him to a flat out psychopath. And who do you root for in this? There is no white hat for the most part.

I also didn't like the loose ends. I agree that the hacker storyline was incredibly weak. Seemed tacked on and didn't go anywhere. We don't get any real resolution with Rachel or a lot of other characters.

So apparently we're to believe that Tusk rolled over on Walker purely for revenge but didn't roll over on Underwood because Frank. He's willing to go to jail to end the standoff between the US and China? Why would Tusk ever trust Frank?
Didn't realize until today that Netflix says there will be a third season. I thought the original deals were for two seasons only -- hard to see why Spacey, Wright and Fincher would continue slumming on Netflix, other than for the money.

To address some of this:

Zoey had to die. After all, that was a key plot point in Series 1 of the UK version of the show - the reporter dies as well as the lackey. For most people familiar with the UK series, we were waiting for that. Francis is supposed to be an unlikable sociopath. His charisma causing you to root for him is supposed to make you think.

As for Tusk rolling over on the President, Tusk only did that after the President yanked the pardon deal. He realized he couldn't trust Walker, so the only play he had was to hope that Underwood would live up to his deal to pardon Tusk. Otherwise, once Walker yanked pardon, Tusk knew it was jail time for him - may as well throw a hail mary

As for those of us who say the UK show:

It seems obvious that the show ends with Underwood's assassination, with Claire using it to elevate Frank's legacy - not sure it will be as cold as the assassination of Urquhart, because Claire is a more sympathetic character. Obviously they'll skip the whole 2nd series involving the maneuvering against the King

[stevew]

Oh for real that's how the British show ends? I had no idea. Lol

[sabotai]

Binged on most of season 3 yesterday and finished it up this afternoon. I still liked it, but it was a massive step down from seasons 1 and 2. Felt like they are now stretching the hell out of the plot to make it last as long as possible.

[Peregrine]

I still enjoy the show (about halfway through season 3) but I agree they are doing some pretty ludicrous plot twists that have little relation to reality. Part of the problem is that it's just a lot less realistic for Frank to be his scheming self as President than as an unknown congressman.

[tarcone]

Yep, I agree with the above statements. Halfway through season 3. I was hoping it would get better. Doesnt sound like it will.

[Izulde]

Got two more episodes to go, and yeah, the quality is way downhill from what it was. Some comments in spoiler.


It feels like they waste far too much time on the book storyline. Could it have been interesting? Maybe, and I did like the way the scathing article and the prologue played off each other. But it just felt like a mess that ended up being very boring.

I actually wanted to see more of Stamper. I feel like he's been underutilized this season, and his storyline had more potential than what it's gotten.

Dunbar and Sharp were two of the most enjoyable characters to me this season. They form a nice foiling and triangulation with Underwood during the campaign season.

[Lathum]

I've never seen the show but my brother and sister in law got to go to the London premier of season three. My brother in law is a VP for JP Morgan and made a large donation to some theatre Kevin Spacey is involved in. Got to meet him and everything.

[ISiddiqui]

I am actually enjoying Season 3, tbh. Yes, when being President it is MUCH harder to scheme and plot, but unlike in previous seasons, Frank is actually getting some good substantial pushback. It seemed, sometimes, in earlier seasons that it was way too easy for Frank to get his way by manipulating a bunch of idiots. He's got some equals this time.

[tarcone]

I finished the season last night.
It was an okay season.
I think Stamper will get more play in season 4. He should make the election season more exciting.
I think the writers have lost sight of the relationship between Claire and Frank. Or maybe menopause hit her hard. But I like the dynamic in the last 2 seasons much better. Or maybe Im missing something.
I think they could have done more with the Jordan Valley plot line.

It seems that the writers don't quite finish what they started and end things in a half ass way.

[ISiddiqui]

I think the writers have lost sight of the relationship between Claire and Frank. Or maybe menopause hit her hard. But I like the dynamic in the last 2 seasons much better. Or maybe Im missing something.

The point of Frank & Claire sniping at each other is that in the previous seasons (and likely prior) they had a shared goal. Now they reached that goal. So, what do they do with that pent up rev-energy?

[JonInMiddleGA]

And my son decides to start on this tonight.

Broken fourth wall is used very effectively.

[hoopsguy]

I had watched first season shortly after it came out, and really enjoyed it. But never made it to my second season until my wife decided to start watching this out of the blue about 3 weeks ago. I'm guessing we'll be wrapped up with Season 3 in the next week or so ... right in time to binge watch Season 4 :)

In semi-related news, people seem unable to control themselves with spoilers on this show. I've had multiple people drop stuff in discussions once they learn that I'm watching this, only to have that "oops" moment when they see a hint of rage hit my face during the telling.

And with that, backing out of the thread for another week or so.

[tarcone]

When does season 4 start? haven't seen anything.

If its soon, I need to get done with The Heavy Water War.

[Izulde]

March 4th.