TV Review: House of Cards Season One

I seem to be a late bloomer when it comes to watching TV shows, and watch the shows about a year or so after everyone else has watched them and all the hype has been and gone.

House of Cards is one of these shows, and one of the reasons I did not watch it was because I did not have Netflix at the time they were being streamed, but then in the Christmas Sale at HMV I bought the first two seasons. So now I have caught up on the hype of House of Cards. And am eagerly awaiting Season 3 on 27^th February.

And was it worth the money? Yes, it was a great show – one of those shows which makes you want to watch the next episode to find out what happens. 

So for all of you who do not know what House of Cards is about, here is a quick run-down:

House of Cards is an American political drama series which covers the story of Frank Underwood, (Kevin Spacey) a democrat from South Carolina’s 5^th congressional district and House majority whip, who, after being passed over for the appointment as Secretary of State, initiates an elaborate plan to get himself into a position of greater power.  And as they always say, behind every powerful man is a great woman, and Frank is aided by his wife Claire (Robin Wright).

Basically the show is about one man who is out to get what he wants by any way that he can, and if that involves hurting people, being a backstabber, setting people up, then Frank Underwood will do it – it’s ruthless politics at its best.  I am not sure if you are meant to hate Frank for what he does, but sometimes I felt sorry for him when it seemed he was not going to get his way!!

Frank is sought out by an upstart journalist at the Washington Post, and a relationship between them begins, where he gives her inside information for new stories in exchange for sex. It is a weird relationship and the strange thing is his wife knows about it and just lets it be. They seem to have an understanding marriage and extra material affairs seem to be a normal occurrence, as we later see Claire go away for a week and hide out with an ex-boyfriend of hers Adam Galloway. Frank knows and does not bat an eyelid and it’s never talked about when she comes home. Understanding partners, or just two people who do what they want to get what they want.  And together they are a force not to be reckoned with.

Back to the journalist (Zoe). -  The relationship continues between her and Frank. He gives her stories to write and be published in the Washington Post, but her attitude gets the better of her and she rubs her colleagues and editor up the wrong way and leaves the Post and works for an online newspaper. This one character who I did not feel sorry for, she annoyed me so much.

Zoe is only one of pawns Frank uses to manipulate his power play. Most of the stories he passes onto Zoe are damaging stories about his political rivals which then make him look good. Zoe is able to be used because she is weak and wants more power as well.

Another weak person he manipulates is Peter Russo, a troubled congressman from Pennsylvania. He helps him undermine the Vice Presidents pick for Secretary of State, Michael Kern and has him replaced with his own choice, Catherine Durant. Another person he can use to help him rise. Peter Russo is a man with a history of drug and alcohol addiction which is why he is easily manipulated, and he used in many ways to help Frank get to the place he wants to be.

And as you might expect, when the pawns in his political game are not useful any more, Underwood discards of them in a not ruthless manner.  He crushes the lives are people and he continues to rise in his political career via manipulation and power play - don’t know anyone else who has risen to be Vice President this way.

This marks the end of Season 1. One of the things that makes this series is Kevin Spacey and the way he acts the part of Frank Underwood, he portrays him very well. He is an excellent actor.