In February this year, Netflix became a pioneer in a new form of series television with an
entire season of a brand new series becoming available to subscribers
immediately. HOUSE OF CARDS could be the beginning of a TV revolution, but for
now, let’s just talk about the show itself…
If Netflix
was waiting for the perfect show to make their debut in original content with,
they waited for the right one. With Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright in key roles,
they had my attention. What was fascinating was that the entire first season was
out there for people to watch, but redefining the term ‘spoiler’ in television
is not all that what one will remember HOUSE OF CARDS for, because the show has
enough going for it otherwise. Having just completed the first season, I am
thoroughly impressed with how it progressed through thirteen episodes.
Carefully plotted through each episode, every detail led up to what eventually happened
in the season finale. The premise was simple—a Majority Whip will do anything
to get the top job. That made it clear what Frank Underwood’s endgame was. How
he manipulates everyone around him to realize his goal became the key in the
story, as the people in it became pawns in his political game.
He starts to use people and discarding the ‘collateral
damage’, right from the beginning, when he’s snubbed by the new President, who
was supposed to make him Secretary Of State. From pulling strings to dangling
threats, from offering deals to sabotaging opportunities, from manipulating
some individuals to buying silence from others—Frank Underwood does it all, or
has it done. He keeps his hands as clean as possible, and finds ways to make
himself look like the good guy in the eyes of whoever matters. His association
with a journalist gives him a voice that helps him with smaller victories,
while his wife supports him in ruthless ways. Underwood’s character is
enigmatic and charismatic. He is the perfect politician, and he is not the guy
anyone would want to go to war with. As a protagonist, Frank Underwood is as
solid as it gets. He relies on his loyal staff, especially his right hand Doug
Stamper, who does all his dirty work for him. But his biggest supporter, who
champions the big cause, is his wife. Claire Underwood is a strong and
intriguing, with so many layers, it’s fascinating to see her going about
things, never knowing for sure what she could do next. She’s the one who knows
‘where all the bodies are buried’, because she helped hide them there. She even
knows about her husband’s affairs. Having an open marriage is no big price to
pay for the end goal. And then there’s the journalist, the ambitious Zoe
Barnes, who isn’t afraid to color outside the lines to get ahead. She gets her
big break, and basks in the glory that comes with it, despite the fact that
it’s because she offers herself as a pawn in Underwood’s game. But as the
season progresses, we find out what she’s truly capable of.
When the series begins, we are constantly being taken
through the stories of four characters—Frank Underwood, Claire Underwood, Zoe
Barnes and Congressman Peter Russo. All are crucial elements in Underwood’s
game, but what makes them strong as characters is not just that. The subplots
that their individual stories get into are engaging and gripping even before
you see their relevance in the bigger scheme of things. Minor details from
their lives have more significant and farther-reaching consequences later. And
that’s what makes HOUSE OF CARDS such a powerhouse of storytelling. Compelling
characters that you might root for, even though you don’t agree with what
they’re doing, twists and turns that you would genuinely not see coming, and
strong subplots to facilitate those twists…the show has it all. There are a few
clichés and a couple of things that you might roll your eyes at, but they are
weaved in with the plot in such a way that you’re willing to overlook them.
Underwood talking directly to the camera, which presents his thoughts about
situations that we see him in, seems a little odd in the beginning, but it
becomes quite an interesting narrative tool, even making for some subtle and
enjoyable humor.
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Stellar performances by Spacey and Wright, and
effective portrayals of Barnes and Russo, by Corey Stoll and Kate Mara,
respectively, force you to get even more involved than the excellent writing
already does. Beau Willimon does an extraordinary job with the writing,
adapting the story from the novels (by Michael Dobbs) and British mini-series
(of the same name, by Andrew Davies, 1990). With high production values and a
very cinematic treatment (including finer details like rolling closing credits),
the presentation of the show is perfect. The big names associated with it are
not limited to Spacey and Wright. David Fincher (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The Social Network, The Girl
With The Dragon Tattoo) directed the first two episodes and also serves as
an exec producer. Other accomplished directors like Charles McDougall, James
Foley and Joel Schumacher have been at the helm of other episodes. The series
is packed with thrilling political drama, showing us the underbelly of dirty
politics in not just Washington DC. With adequate proportions of lighter
elements and personal human stories, including the very interesting
husband-wife relationship between Frank and Claire, this show is definitely
among the better new ones this season.
Do you watch HOUSE OF CARDS? Do you agree with all of
the above? What do you think of the show? Do share your views below…
