The Netflix original series House of Cards has become one of the most critically acclaimed series on Netflix for its ability to seemingly do the impossible, make politics interesting. The show follows senior house majority whip from South Carolina Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, who desires little more than the power and prestige granted by taking the highest oath in our land, the Presidency. From the very first scene in the pilot episode the audience is given a demonstration of exactly the kind of politician Frank is, a pragmatic narcist with an intolerance for useless things. The series begins at the start of 2013 as a new president elect is about to take office and Frank is immediately met with the fact that the new administration would not be nominating him for secretary of state as was promised to him during the campaign. Despite the complications to their original plan Frank and his wife Clair, played by Robin Wright, take this set back as an opportunity to enact revenge on those who betrayed their trust and further their political aspirations. At the same time Frank is plotting his rise a young reporter from the Washington Herald Zoe barnes, played by Kate Mara, continues attempts to try and make a name for herself in the world of political journalism. This mutual aspiration to climb the ladder is what leads to the two forming both a work and a personal relationship with one another. Frank provides valuable information about his political opponents such as a leak of a landmark education overhaul bill and Zoe puts his words in print. This relationship proves very useful for Frank as having a media outlet to anonymously provide the nation with the shortcomings of his enemies allows him to slowly cleave them from the pack and watch them die alone in the wilderness while he quietly makes his way up.
Personally, I think this show is fantastic, especially for a political thriller. It has scored an 8.9/10 on IMDB and an 81% on rotten tomatoes. What sets House of Cards apart from the average political drama is Frank's use of very dramatic 4th wall breaks to address the audience directly on his plan of action, lessons in ruthless pragmatism, and the relation between his marriage and a boy from down the road hiding in his tree when he was little. Every time Frank turns toward the camera the audience is given a very blunt insight directly into the mind of a politician hungry for power which has proven to be an abstract and effective way of providing meaningful character development in only a short monologue. Overall I would rate House of Cards at Good-Good and would recommend it to anyone.
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