The trumpets sounded as the opening titles commenced and suddenly I was put on edge. The eery opening theme created suspense before any action took place. The tone and variation of sound in the theme left me with as almost western-style impression before dropping me into the wonderfully shady world of Washington politics.
One week was all it took for me to get through House of Cards (it would have definitely taken less time if I didn’t have that whole class thing). The show is Netflix’s first high profile original series. It centers around Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire (Robin Wright) as they ruthlessly forge their way through DC’s political minefield.
Kevin Spacey (who you may remember from Horrible Bosses and 21), true to form, is fantastically invested and suited to his character. His sly looks and southern accent draw you to him in a way only Kevin Spacey could manage. What’s interesting about the show is that Spacey breaks the fourth wall and talks to the audience. Though Underwood’s acts are often unsavory, his use of the camera as a sort of diary keeps you connected to him and makes you root for him… to a certain extent. The show is slow going at first, but Spacey’s interaction with the camera keeps you invested in the character and his story.
Though Robin Wright doesn’t bring anything special to her role, the Macbethian dynamic of the relationship between Claire and Underwood keeps things interesting. Besides Underwood and his wife, other interesting characters include the rough around the edges Congressman Peter Russo, and Zoe Barns, a young journalist who’s ready to get her hands dirty in order to catch her big break.
Once I got hooked on House of Cards, it was very difficult to stop and I found myself wanting more. It is a very entertaining show and if nothing else, I highly recommend you watch it for Kevin Spacey’s performance alone (yes, it’s that good. He’s a boss).
Netflix, who knows how much its customers enjoy binging on an entire series at a time, released all 14 episodes of season one on February 1 for your convience. Watch House of Cards online.
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