Written by: Kevin Berge
Politics have never gotten more bloody and brutal, at least in a poster. There's not much blood in the show. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
Quick Take: House of Cards Season 1 introduces compelling central characters in a scene of political intrigue that quickly establishes itself as fantastical rather than realistic. With an engrossing central performance by Kevin Spacey, this opening season is easy to enjoy as long as you can stand pure sleaze.
House of Cards Review: Season 2 | 3 | 4
***This is a spoiler-free review of the first season of House of Cards, serving as an introduction to new viewers as well as a refresher for those who have not watched it in a while. No plot points will be discussed in this opening season review.***
Few series have ever better introduced their lead and their world than House of Cards which immediately shows who Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) is in its vicious opening scene. This is a cruel man whose corruption comes from a sense of pride in power, the kind of man who everyone fears is at the heart of politics.
Based off the 1990 UK version which focused on the corrupt rise of a Chief Whip originally written as a trio of novels, this series focuses on House majority Whip Frank Underwood after he is denied the promised position of Secretary of State, devising a revenge plot with his wife Claire (Robin Wright) that goes to the very top of the American government.
From the start, its is clear this is a fantastical political drama even as it drives home a solid knowledge of the American government and its finer points. Underwood does more than manipulate. He destroys people with just as much physical and mental manipulation as political.
While generally well written, this series is too incredulous at times. Frank goes quickly from slimy politician to frightening human being. The political commentary can lost its voice when it is hard to imagine anyone would truly be able to stand Underwood, let alone trust him.
Much of the focus is extremely cynical to the point where there is no light in House of Cards. Any good characters are quickly corrupted or cast aside. The power that Frank easily accumulates shows the creators' vicious trust in the fallacy of government and those who keep power.
Using violence and sex as a tool of representation grows a bit tiresome particularly with nothing to root for. In fact, the writing seems to indicate that rooting for any characters is fallacy where the enjoyment of the series is in inhabiting dread with sick glee.
***This is a spoiler-free review of the first season of House of Cards, serving as an introduction to new viewers as well as a refresher for those who have not watched it in a while. No plot points will be discussed in this opening season review.***
Few series have ever better introduced their lead and their world than House of Cards which immediately shows who Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) is in its vicious opening scene. This is a cruel man whose corruption comes from a sense of pride in power, the kind of man who everyone fears is at the heart of politics.
Based off the 1990 UK version which focused on the corrupt rise of a Chief Whip originally written as a trio of novels, this series focuses on House majority Whip Frank Underwood after he is denied the promised position of Secretary of State, devising a revenge plot with his wife Claire (Robin Wright) that goes to the very top of the American government.
From the start, its is clear this is a fantastical political drama even as it drives home a solid knowledge of the American government and its finer points. Underwood does more than manipulate. He destroys people with just as much physical and mental manipulation as political.
While generally well written, this series is too incredulous at times. Frank goes quickly from slimy politician to frightening human being. The political commentary can lost its voice when it is hard to imagine anyone would truly be able to stand Underwood, let alone trust him.
Much of the focus is extremely cynical to the point where there is no light in House of Cards. Any good characters are quickly corrupted or cast aside. The power that Frank easily accumulates shows the creators' vicious trust in the fallacy of government and those who keep power.
Using violence and sex as a tool of representation grows a bit tiresome particularly with nothing to root for. In fact, the writing seems to indicate that rooting for any characters is fallacy where the enjoyment of the series is in inhabiting dread with sick glee.
Classic Hollywood where the ordinary reporter suddenly becomes a bombshell within a few episodes. (Image Courtesy of: vulture.com)
House of Cards would not work without its excellent cast. Kevin Spacey (The Usual Suspects) is a showstealer without ever trying to be likable whose chemistry with his castmates is off the charts. This is particular clear with Robin Wright (Forrest Gump) who conveys power without much effort, making Claire almost more frightening than Frank.
The one "protagonist" of the series is Zoe Barnes, played by Kate Mara (127 Hours) who sells Zoe's underwhelmed nature in everything she must face. Corey Stoll (The Strain) plays the political patsy of Frank with the right blend of confidence and ignorance.
Creator Beau Willimon (The Idea of March) was largely involved with the writing and crafts a series that never loses its focus. Even if it can be hard to watch at times, it is clear that the series has a steady plan and focus throughout, building up the world and characters.
The direction in the series is frequently excellent with top directors at the helm including David Fincher (The Social Network) whose work on the first two episodes set a high bar, James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross), and Joel Schumacher (Phone Booth). This lends itself to a cinematic experience that matches up to the great cast.
Netflix has put together many fantastic series, but House of Cards was one of the most important. By bringing in top level talent in all aspects and creating a series that lent itself to many seasons, it was an instant hit that made the streaming service's original series market viable.
Overall, nothing about House of Cards is pleasant, but it is often excellent. The incredulous nature comes to be expected even if the series might have been better off creating drama without fantastical scandal. With Spacey at the helm, this could have been a poorly conceived show and still a fun watch, but it is much more than that.
The one "protagonist" of the series is Zoe Barnes, played by Kate Mara (127 Hours) who sells Zoe's underwhelmed nature in everything she must face. Corey Stoll (The Strain) plays the political patsy of Frank with the right blend of confidence and ignorance.
Creator Beau Willimon (The Idea of March) was largely involved with the writing and crafts a series that never loses its focus. Even if it can be hard to watch at times, it is clear that the series has a steady plan and focus throughout, building up the world and characters.
The direction in the series is frequently excellent with top directors at the helm including David Fincher (The Social Network) whose work on the first two episodes set a high bar, James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross), and Joel Schumacher (Phone Booth). This lends itself to a cinematic experience that matches up to the great cast.
Netflix has put together many fantastic series, but House of Cards was one of the most important. By bringing in top level talent in all aspects and creating a series that lent itself to many seasons, it was an instant hit that made the streaming service's original series market viable.
Overall, nothing about House of Cards is pleasant, but it is often excellent. The incredulous nature comes to be expected even if the series might have been better off creating drama without fantastical scandal. With Spacey at the helm, this could have been a poorly conceived show and still a fun watch, but it is much more than that.