Oh hello, House of Cards

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TV

House of Cards

Forgive me. I’m incredibly late. Late to House of Cards. Probably, Netflix’s most successful TV show it has produced. No, definitely. And for good reason.

House of Cards was released onto Netflix last year. Every single episode of the first season was released all at once on Netflix and viewers just gorged themselves on it. I had every intention of being one of those people, but for whatever reason, never got around to it.

I changed that this year with the release of the second season. (Though, I was still late to the game, as it was released on February 14th and I only got around to starting to watch in March.)

My word is it a brilliant TV show! Understatement. But I don’t have big enough words to say how much I’ve enjoyed watching House of Cards the last few weeks. It’s one of those deeply serious, often times dark shows, that I can’t help but marathon. Some nights I’d be watching three episodes after coming in from work, cooking myself dinner, and then just succumbing to the show. Had I not have to work (and sleep) I would have watched more. It doesn’t help that post-work I’m pooped and if I’m on the sofa long enough, I will just nod off.

I completely agree with the masses – Kevin Spacey is simply amazing. And Robin Wright is freaking fantastic. As are all the other actors in the show. The character relationships are flawless. In the sense that they’re multi-layered and totally engaging. And the characters themselves are enthralling. Of course, Frank and Claire most of all. Just what are they going to do next?

Both Frank and Claire Underwood can be seen as utterly despicable people. Truly, some of the things both characters have done is appalling. And yet, I find myself drawn to them. Just to see what fucked up thing they’ll do next. And to who. And why. Can’t remember the last time I’ve encountered a pair of more calculating characters on TV.

There are a heck of a lot of worse things on TV at the moment, and very very few better things. In fact, at this moment, I can’t think of a TV show that’s currently on the air that is better.

Now comes the wait. The wait for the third season. Why do I have to wait so long!

14 Comments

  1. Very good show indeed. Which season do you prefer? I thought the second season wasn’t as good as the first one and I also wasn’t a fan of the hacker plot and the Chinese trade meetings. The first season I saw within a week but the second season I went through slower because it just didn’t grab me in a way the first did. Still I’m very much looking forward to the third season. The first episode of the second season was hugely shocking…couldn’t believe what happened there as it was so unexpected.

    • The first season was definitely stronger. The hacker plot was weak, and the ongoing Rachel Posner saga was beginning to drain me. However saying that, we saw more character building in the second season. More of what Frank and Claire are like and how they’ll stop and nothing, and the people in their surroundings aren’t safe. Poor Freddy!

      Wonder where they’ll take the third season! Surely it can now only go downhill for the Underwoods?

  2. For me, it’s the well-rounded characters that make this. Couple of shit storylines with the wife, but Frank is a stunning character. Interesting to see him crush everyone and everything around.

    My biggest / only gripe is that both series ended at the wrong time. It’s clearly being made for people in 2020 that watch the whole lot back-to-back, but both cliffhangers were suckerpunches (having to wait so long until the resolutions).

    • Frank is a fantastic character. Completely unpredictable and frankly, a bit of a shit sometimes. But I do freaking love watching the chaos he creates.

      See I have a small issue with the cliffhangers – they were great, don’t get me wrong, but season 3 is going to have to do an awful lot and have a cliffhanger just as big. But where are they going to take Frank now?

  3. i tried to get into this show but i couldn’t….the whole talking into the camera thing just creeped me out but everyone i know loves this show. maybe i’ll give it another shot in the summer when all the other shows are on break.

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

    • I kinda like the whole talking into the camera thing. Don’t mind a bit of the 4th wall being broken in my TV shows. If done well.

      Eh, give it another shot. Best watched in a marathon!

  4. I’m not in as much awe as everyone else seem to be – I find the show to be alright, occasionally mediocre, but damn Spacey keeps me watching. His character is so entertaining – love the breaking of the forth wall and his little glances and winks at the audience.

    • Those took a little time to get used to, but really love them to now.

      Just think it’s a very well put together show. Spacey does own it though. Anyone else, I’m not sure it’d be quite the same.

  5. I only managed to see maybe 3 episodes and tho I agree the writing/performances are brilliant, for some reason I’m not as enamored as you. Spacey is superb tho, so are Robin Wright and Corey Stoll.

    • Took me, maybe, 3 episodes to really get into it. Quite enjoy a bit of political drama. Not seen the original version.

  6. This is the perfect show to binge watch. Even when the storylines get ridiculous (which is often in season two), it’s still so much fun to watch. You never know what’s going to happen either… i.e. the train incident. Netflix really hit a home run here.

    • Yes! And to happen in the first episode of the second season. Was not expecting that at all. I did a double take and jaw was dropped.

  7. Such a dark, dark show, and yet so awesome at the same time. Mr. Antisocial, Frank Underwood is a fantastic main character. I love seeing the inner workings of Washington politics. It’s done in such a riveting way. Fantastic series. I’m glad you’re a fan, too. Can’t wait for season 3.

    • See, that was my one thing I regretted about devouring the first two seasons so quickly. The wait for the third season feels epically long!

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