House of Cards

"The exploits of this compelling anti-hero held my interest"

But wait, let's backup and start with the basics.

Synopsis

House of Cards, a Netflix-produced political drama series, is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs. The show stars Kevin Spacey and boasts five prominent directors rotating on direction duties. Netflix released the entire first season, (13) episodes, in February 2013, a move some see as a nod to recent binge-viewing trends.

Spacey plays Frank Underwood, a Democratic congressman from the South, the House Majority Whip in fact. Underwood is an unapologetic manipulator who values power above all. Robin Wright (Forest Gump, The Princess Bride) plays his wife, Claire, his partner in scheming and the director of a non-profit organization.

David Fincher, director of Fight Club, Panic Room, The Social Network, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, directs the first two episodes. The other directors (with shows and movies such as The Sopranos, Desperate Housewives, and Phone Booth to their credit) take turns directing the remaining episodes in Season 1.

Review

A co-worker's good words for House of Cards prompted me to give it a try. With my first encounter, I was immediately struck by the stridency of the show's pacing and the power of Spacey's performance in the lead role. Using a soliloquy format, his character addresses the viewers directly at times to express contempt or vent his frustration.

House of Cards is direct and to the point: this is about power. Neither idealism nor the pursuit of wealth factor into the main proceedings, but instead remain on the fringe. This series offers no heroes; its storyline is driven solely by personal agendas and ambitions.

The season kicks off with Spacey's character, congressman Frank Underwood, being passed up for Secretary of State. Feeling betrayed, he concocts schemes to open alternate roads to power and influence and ultimately take his revenge. Frank is contemptuous of those who do not understand the primacy of power, that power supersedes all else.

Spacey, in his role, wears a facade of southern grace and charm very well. His good manners belie his true agenda. Claire, Underwood's wife and co-conspirator, is reserved and self-assured. Her persona is serene, but her actions are ruthless. Quality casting for the other roles rounds out the show.

I would like to say House of Cards is sort of like The West Wing on steroids, but only because of subject and setting. This show does not abound with clever sarcasm and metaphor. It does not chatter away in the manner of The West Wing's unceasing, rapid-fire dialogue. House of Cards is instead propelled by events as it lurches from one crises management situation to another.  The strong personality of Frank Underwood dominates the show.

The series is highly charged at times and at other times reflective. Style, tone, and pacing vary somewhat throughout the first season, probably due to change of directors. Alas, by mid-season, the series seems to lose some of its steam, at least for me. At that point, the hard-charging and confident Frank Underwood appears somewhat deflated, although in the last few episodes he regains the steely determination he had at the start.

In terms of the show's sheer presence and its ability to sustain a distinctive tone and atmosphere, I put House of Cards in about the same quality category as Mad Men. I am looking forward to the second season (now in production).