House Of Cards Review

On Friday Netflix released its first original series, House of Cards. With it they did something new. They released 13 episodes of season one on the first day. No waiting a week for a new one to come on or those annoying "season breaks" a lot of shows are taking after only 4 or so episodes of being back. Now, Netflix is taking a big risk with this show. They sank $100 million into it, paying for 2 season up front. This is great for the creators of the show, giving them breathing room, allowing time to build and write a story they want. Netflix also managed to grab some great talent on the show. Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, and Kate Mara just to name a few. While this maybe Netflix's first stab at producing a show, not just what they did for Lilyhammer (which was purchase distribution rights to be the first to air it in America), it is still not a true original show. 

 House of Cards is based on of the show of the same name from the BBC. That happens to be a popular trend these days with American entertainment. Rebooting old shows/movies or Americanizing British television. I for one am happy that they just haven't tried Americanizing Doctor Who yet. Whats that internet? America is trying to make a Doctor Who movie? Yeah, that was a rumor, the BBC shut that shit down real quick after the uproar from fans pointing out that it would have been an Awful idea. Whats that internet? What about Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure? That was more a comical nod to Doctor Who, not a remake. Get your head out of your ass internet and focus. Back on task. Now, I have not seen the original House of Cards, nor had I heard of it before the American series. Hell, I didn't hear about the American one til about a month or so ago. I may try to find the original and check it out, but it may be too British for me. I might just have to put Danny on that one. What was I doing? Oh right... 

On to the Review!

As I said before, Netflix released all 13 episodes day one. I saw this, looked at my unemployment and thought "Challenge Accepted!" And I proceeded to burn through all thirteen 45-50 minute episodes in two days. That's right ladies, I got stamina to last all night long. Now this task would have set out to be impossible if the show sucked, which it does not. I fell in love with it right off the bat. Kevin Spacey plays Francis "Frank" Underwood, a Majority Whip. First thing that happens is he gets fucked over out of being nominated secretary of state. That instant of rage Spacey portrays at this moment, only to keep it down and you can see his character working out in his head how to handle this situation. Its amazing. From here his goal is to manipulate his way back into power, and he'll take down anyone in his path to get there. The first two episodes are also directed by David Fincher and you can tell. His style works well within the show too.

The story is told through a narrative where Frank (Spacey) will look at the camera and talk to you about his plan or the happenings of the scene that is unfolding if front of us. This is brilliant and played as the dark humor aspect of the show. Aside from this, there is very little to no humor in the show. So you know, it's a drama. Derp. You follow several other characters; Zoe (Mara) the reporter Frank taps to feed his damaging news to for personal gain, Claire (Wright) Frank's wife who runs a charity, Peter (Stoll) a congressman Frank blackmails, Doug (Kelly) Frank's right hand man, as well as a few others throughout the series. Everyone nails their parts. But I just love rooting for the bad guy that Spacey plays so perfectly. He is just a manipulative dastardly daring politician and I love every second he is on the screen. 

With the show not airing week by week, it still manages to keep you hooked and coming back for more as the stakes get raised every episode. As it builds, the tensions do so as well and you start seeing where the pieces are going and how it's all coming together. I was pleasantly surprised by how some things went and greatly enjoyed the payoff of things a saw coming. I'm not trying to suck the dick of this show as much as I'm currently coming off but I'm having a hard time finding something to complain about. The only thing I can warn you about is that I went in blank. I had no expectations of what it was going to be and being that I have not seen the original, it had nothing to live up to for me. So I feel that if you can watch it with a clear mind, you'll enjoy it as well. But with you reading this, I might have just set the bar in your head. 

 Netflix has a list of shows coming out this year and if any of them are half as good as House of cards, I'll be happy. So, should you watch it? Yes. Hands down, feet planted, cock up, whatever saying you like best. Check it out, you will not be disappointed, unless you are, then I'm sorry you have bad taste in shows. I'm sure the new season of Dancing with the Stars will keep you entertained while the rest of us enjoy good quality entertainment.