I am the opposite.
I can't stand Frank or his wife. They are the absolute worst. Actively rooting for him them fail. I actually liked Zoe more when she started doing journalism and stopped sleeping with Frank.
House of Cards - S1 on Netflix - Spacey & Fincher - *UNMARKED SPOILERS FOR ALL OF S1*
- Thread starter Cornballer
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I am the opposite.
Stamper asked a final favor of her. Since she owed him big time for turning her life around.
ambientmystic
Member
Up to ep 9 now.
I seriously thought
Damn it, I wanted to see another moment of
lol.
I seriously thought
they had the vote in the bag, wtf was Frank's wife doing to sabotage the vote?
Damn it, I wanted to see another moment of
Frank's victory
Cornballer
Member
- NY Mag: Corey Stoll on House of Cards and How to Play Drunk *spoilers for all of S1*
I finished this show earlier.
It's outstanding. I mean, it's staggeringly good. The performances, the writing, the overall production. It's award-winning stuff. It's flat out amazing that this is Netflix's first original series. I hope they consider it a success not just to continue with another season but to do more shows of this high level of quality. As far I see it's currently the best thing on "TV" at the moment. Definitely better than anything HBO has on its plate. Spacey and RWP are so good in this show. I missed me some Spacey, feels like I hadn't seen him in anything in years.
p.s. watching a show in bulk is always better than the usual weekly schedule. Props to Netflix for that.
It's outstanding. I mean, it's staggeringly good. The performances, the writing, the overall production. It's award-winning stuff. It's flat out amazing that this is Netflix's first original series. I hope they consider it a success not just to continue with another season but to do more shows of this high level of quality. As far I see it's currently the best thing on "TV" at the moment. Definitely better than anything HBO has on its plate. Spacey and RWP are so good in this show. I missed me some Spacey, feels like I hadn't seen him in anything in years.
p.s. watching a show in bulk is always better than the usual weekly schedule. Props to Netflix for that.
Extra Sauce
Member
I used to be excited about this show, but I hear it lacks character development. Any truth to that claim?
(reason I ask instead of finding out for myself is that I find it harder and harder to invest 12 hours into a TV show when there are hundreds of movies I want to watch)
(reason I ask instead of finding out for myself is that I find it harder and harder to invest 12 hours into a TV show when there are hundreds of movies I want to watch)
Devolution
Member
I wish the ending of the season was more inline with how it started out. The middle was definitely slow. The show's strong points are the witty monologues Spacey has with the camera as he's fucking someone up the ass.
Wonder if they'll ever release Beal's OST. Really like some of the cues, especially some of the cello-y ones.
Some characters develop, some characters are pretty fully formed when we meet them but learn more about them as the show progresses. I'd say watch the first two episodes (it's like watching a low-tier Fincher feature!) and see if it's your thing. It's certainly got the production values to match film.
Some characters develop, some characters are pretty fully formed when we meet them but learn more about them as the show progresses. I'd say watch the first two episodes (it's like watching a low-tier Fincher feature!) and see if it's your thing. It's certainly got the production values to match film.
To clarify even more
Doug Stamper asked her to seduce and get him drunk to essentially destroy his aspirations to become Governor. Peter getting drunk and sleeping with Rachel until 30 mins before his interview, was all according to plan by Frank and Doug.
Finished the series:
Got a lot more spelled out during the last bit. I guess the murder wasn't part of the plan, but was more opportunistic.
dead souls
Member
Well, I've watched 10 episodes and I'd say that most of the characters are pretty shallow and one-note.
Overall I'd give the series a B-/C+ so far. It should be right in my wheelhouse, poli sci degree and all, but I'd say I'm pretty disappointed.
snoopeasystreet
Member
Really enjoyed the season. Really compelling TV. I only have one question, (I'll spoiler tag it just in case)
what is Doug's relationship to Frank? Is he just Frank's buddy/right hand man or does he have something tangible to gain for himself with frank's ascension?
He's Underwood's Chief of Staff.
Seems like he's excessively loyal based on something in the past; I wonder if they'll dwell on this at all. Frank moves up in the world, Stamper moves up in the world.
Did you like Zodiac? If you liked Zodiac, you'll like this show.
"Triple Oceans
Member
Glad to see that you enjoyed it. I definitely agree about Spacey and Wright's performance being top notch. I really enjoy watching their dynamic as they're pretty comfortable and brutal in how they communicate towards each other.
I look forward to seeing how Claire's court case is going to affect their relationship for season 2.
Wow, maybe we have to change your tag! Shit, if you're still positive after Feb 20, I'll have to check to make sure you weren't replaced by a killer robot pretending to be jett.
ambientmystic
Member
I didn't like that episode at all I mean,
Nothing happens.
Claire (I lover her) has small fight with photographer, leaves. Zoe doesn't do much, I was expecting more from her work relationship with Janine, but I suppose they left that for later. I thought Peter had commited suicide when he "took a shower" at the hotel, so the way they dealt with him feels like they artifically extended the story; I don't think it was necessary (yet) to show Francis is capable of this. The only relevant thing that happened was the vice president part.
The rest of the episodes seem very different to this, even the episode where Francis meets former friends/lovers, and Peter goes back home offers more in story and character development than this.
Claire (I lover her) has small fight with photographer, leaves. Zoe doesn't do much, I was expecting more from her work relationship with Janine, but I suppose they left that for later. I thought Peter had commited suicide when he "took a shower" at the hotel, so the way they dealt with him feels like they artifically extended the story; I don't think it was necessary (yet) to show Francis is capable of this. The only relevant thing that happened was the vice president part.
The rest of the episodes seem very different to this, even the episode where Francis meets former friends/lovers, and Peter goes back home offers more in story and character development than this.
I still haven't watched 12 and 13, so please no spoilers if anyone responds to this.
ToyMachine228
Member
I liked House of Cards a lot. Up until the point where it got too out of hand. And by that I mean
I was ready to say it was in my top 5 shows out there, but now I'm not sure. We'll have to see where the arc goes.
Zoe and company going all Woodard and Bernstein and Claire's employee trying to take them down. What I loved about this show is Frank and Claire's cunning and ability to scheme and pull everything off while (especially Frank) being so internally condescending. I want to see them win and keep pulling off crazy stuff. I don't want anyone to have a leg up on them. So the tail end of the season watered down what started off as an extremely strong show for me.
ambientmystic
Member
Yep, the last part of the series was quite ludicrous in that sense. Why
did they have to water down Frank's aura of invincibility when it comes to his gambits
I wanted
to see him crush everyone who got in his way
StopMakingSense
Member
How similar is the UK House of Cards, story-wise? Curious to start watching it.
IamMattFox
Member
Episode 5 subtitle: "...peaks my interest." Ugh.
Episode 12 completely fixes 11. One more to go.
Finished the first season, my discussion will be on character arcs throughout the entire season.
Frank:
Zoe:
Claire:
Peter:
Also, did Frank tell Claire
I hope someone reads this black wall of text, discussion for this show seems to be pretty engaging.
Frank:
He has definitely earned his place as Vice President, just not in the most moral or ethic fashion so to speak. Notice how differently he communicates with different characters, Linda thinks Frank is simply ambitious and will do positive or good favors for people in Capital Hill to progress. What she doesn't know is his tact and attitude is extremely versatile, the amount of good Frank does doesn't appease him at all, even when it comes to shaping the American landscape.
While the way Frank disposed of Peter was pretty depressing and ugly, he couldn't of done that deed without the circumstances being tilted in his favor. His manipulation is one thing, but the people in Capital Hill being ignorant and arrogant makes his job at manipulation even easier. Frank strives in the system in place not due to the system itself, but the people within the system.
Frank either seeks weak people or finds a person's weakness, his only flaw is that he can't accomplish his tasks alone. He needs others to be as morally wrong as he is, and the reward for following Frank's creed varies extremely. If you aren't useful to Frank, he either ignores you or disposes you in a way that he can benefit. No one is really useless to Frank, he can read and manipulate almost anyone that crosses his path.
The only way for Frank's plans to fail is if those around him start to realize that the penalties and punishment for defying Frank are far better than continuing down the path that Frank wants you to follow. Frank being Vice president now can make that realization more difficult for all of his followers.
While the way Frank disposed of Peter was pretty depressing and ugly, he couldn't of done that deed without the circumstances being tilted in his favor. His manipulation is one thing, but the people in Capital Hill being ignorant and arrogant makes his job at manipulation even easier. Frank strives in the system in place not due to the system itself, but the people within the system.
Frank either seeks weak people or finds a person's weakness, his only flaw is that he can't accomplish his tasks alone. He needs others to be as morally wrong as he is, and the reward for following Frank's creed varies extremely. If you aren't useful to Frank, he either ignores you or disposes you in a way that he can benefit. No one is really useless to Frank, he can read and manipulate almost anyone that crosses his path.
The only way for Frank's plans to fail is if those around him start to realize that the penalties and punishment for defying Frank are far better than continuing down the path that Frank wants you to follow. Frank being Vice president now can make that realization more difficult for all of his followers.
Zoe:
Her demeanor and motivations at the end of the season are very odd. and in many ways Zoe is identical to Frank. Notice the guilt everyone feels about Peter's death, Claire has nightmares, Doug was initially shocked and puzzled with his current position. Meanwhile Zoe felt no guilt for how she's contributed to Peter's death, the information that Frank fed to her caused Peter's death, it was inadvertent, but if she didn't report the stories she did, Peter may still be alive and the current plans/landscape for America would be vastly different.
Also notice how Lucas told her she was manipulating him, she either didn't notice or she's naturally inclined to seek out ways in which she can gain legacy. Frank already has legacy, so he seeks power. Zoe doesn't care about power or money, she's seeking a way to leave her own mark for the world to remember and see.
At this rate, she'll seek alliance with anyone as long as there's potential gain from them, I can see her using Lucas and Skorsky for her plans just as Frank uses Claire and Doug for his.
Also notice how Lucas told her she was manipulating him, she either didn't notice or she's naturally inclined to seek out ways in which she can gain legacy. Frank already has legacy, so he seeks power. Zoe doesn't care about power or money, she's seeking a way to leave her own mark for the world to remember and see.
At this rate, she'll seek alliance with anyone as long as there's potential gain from them, I can see her using Lucas and Skorsky for her plans just as Frank uses Claire and Doug for his.
Claire:
Claire hasn't had too much going on for her the first season. It's obvious she enjoys the lifestyle she has but she might not be able to sustain it without Frank's cunning or lack of morals. Claire has a lot of Frank in herself but she simply can't do what Frank does better. She's either in the wrong position to act on her will or she doesn't have the same strengths Frank has, even though she has the same mentality Frank has.
The way in which she disposes of Gillian is proof of that. Gillian was getting in the way of Zoe's plans, so she simply fired her and was blatant with that act. Frank even said in a monologue that showing your hand leaves you vulnerable. If Claire found a way in which Gillian could be let go without the process being volatile, Claire wouldn't have a mess on her hands.
The way in which she disposes of Gillian is proof of that. Gillian was getting in the way of Zoe's plans, so she simply fired her and was blatant with that act. Frank even said in a monologue that showing your hand leaves you vulnerable. If Claire found a way in which Gillian could be let go without the process being volatile, Claire wouldn't have a mess on her hands.
Peter:
It felt pretty terrible seeing Peter die in the fashion he did. Even if he was elected as governor he would still be at Franks' disposal, his defiance when the clean water bill didn't pass was the best chance he had of him breaking out and being independent as a politician.
The phone call he had with his daughter was wretched, not quality wise, but emotionally. I haven't felt that bad for a character in a long while, Peter is someone who needs constant support and guidance to apply his own strengths. Frank being the guide lead Peter to getting killed by his mentor, Peter could never see what was actually hurting him.
Him accepting the hooker's offer of drugs and sex was all on him, Frank was playing into his weaknesses with what was essentially wildcard, but Peter isn't easily satisfied with what's on his plate usually. He has a supportive and generally great girlfriend and kids that would look up to him if he applied himself a bit more, but he chose to engage in something that brought him temporary bliss instead of long term dedication to the things he cherishes the most.
The phone call he had with his daughter was wretched, not quality wise, but emotionally. I haven't felt that bad for a character in a long while, Peter is someone who needs constant support and guidance to apply his own strengths. Frank being the guide lead Peter to getting killed by his mentor, Peter could never see what was actually hurting him.
Him accepting the hooker's offer of drugs and sex was all on him, Frank was playing into his weaknesses with what was essentially wildcard, but Peter isn't easily satisfied with what's on his plate usually. He has a supportive and generally great girlfriend and kids that would look up to him if he applied himself a bit more, but he chose to engage in something that brought him temporary bliss instead of long term dedication to the things he cherishes the most.
Also, did Frank tell Claire
that he killed Peter?
I hope someone reads this black wall of text, discussion for this show seems to be pretty engaging.
Regarding that last question,
I think it was pretty obvious she knew. Especially given the talk about the nightmares. They tell each other everything, I see no reason this would be any different.
I just don't know if Claire would be alright with what happened, she was initially depressed and sad when she came home to Frank, so it could of been the news alone of Peter's death making her feel that way. Planning to get in positions of power and having an open relationship sexually is one thing, flat out murder is another.
I disagree, I don't think they mentioned that to each other. Especially when you consider Frank telling Stamper
that they will never speak of it again. If he isn't going to discuss it with Stamper, no chance did he tell his wife, imo. She probably just feels guilty that he fell in their crosshairs and took his death to be collateral damage. Claire craves power, sure, but I'm not sure if she's necessarily evil or as tolerant of it as Frank. (As reductive as a term like evil is.)
Phil DeFranco just put up a review of House of Cards. Pretty good analysis for a 5 minute review.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l48mZJPKy5U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l48mZJPKy5U
dead souls
Member
Finished this afternoon. What a shallow disappointment. It's far from being Netflix's Mad Men or The Sopranos.
Triple Oceans
Member
This is my train of thought as well. I do believe this will be exposed in season 2. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if
Frank gets Claire out of the court situation to where they settle with Gillian. Then eventually Claire finds out Frank killed Russo and wants to get out. But she cant leave because Frank blackmails her into staying because of what he's done for her.
TheBryanJZX90
Member
Just finished S1. I'm not usually interested in politics whatsoever, but I did enjoy this show quite a bit. Thoughts on what could happen in S2:
Zoe has pretty much gotten 99% of the way to uncovering everything Frank has done within just an episode and a half. Are they really going to stretch out that last 1% before Zoe pulls the trigger and writes everything she knows for an entire 13 episodes in Season 2? There can't be much left to Frank's political career and thus his place in the show's story once it's revealed that he forced the police commissioner to get Russo out of a DUI, let alone if Zoe goes a little further and finds out Frank was the one to kill Russo.
Only because she knows their dads death was caused by Frank
Triple Oceans
Member
I really don't think there's been enough dialogue between Frank and Claire to fully determine this.
Well yeah, it's obvious she's talking about his kids. Frank mentions "he won't let me sleep either." I suppose she might not know, but I think it's possible to believe either way. The only reason why I would think she doesn't is the dialogue between Frank and Doug, in which even Doug seems shocked at what Frank did.
PapaJustify
Member
Finished S1 today as well. Was just watching it for fun because I wanted to see the Vita product placement, but WOW is this show awesome.
Finished it last night. Fucking fantastic series. I was worried about a possible dropoff in quality after Fincher's first two episodes, but it was pretty consistently great from start to finish. Better sweep the Emmys next year.
It's their second, actually. Lilyhammer was their first series.
But between this and Arrested Development S4, Netflix is making a big splash this year. Can't wait to see what else they have in the works.
It's their second, actually. Lilyhammer was their first series.
But between this and Arrested Development S4, Netflix is making a big splash this year. Can't wait to see what else they have in the works.
Is the show eligible for Golden Globes too or do they have some rules preventing HoC from being eligible unlike the Emmys?
Also I'm looking forward to Hemlock's Grove and the new Jenji Kohan (creator of Weeds) series, but I doubt either of them will be as good or high profile as this. Still, Netflix is off to a great start.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
Lilyhammer is a Norwegian series that Netflix has the exclusive North and Latin American rights to. Netflix doesn't actually produce the show like they do with House of Cards, Arrested Development, Hemlock Grove, Orange is the New Black, etc.
Netflix isn't producing House of Cards. They just have the exclusive rights to the first two seasons. Having said that, you're right in that the show was made with Netflix in mind in a way that was never at play with Lilyhammer.
Finally finished up this season. Its really brilliant. A real homerun for Netflix. It should win the best drama Emmy simply because it actually is the best drama i've seen the last year. Spacey is a fantastic character and after some serious shit going down i am eager for season 2.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
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