House of Cards is a new and exciting show that can be watched exclusively on netflix.com. It's centered around Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) who is a House Majority Whip in the House of Representatives and is planning his revenge for not being chosen for secretary of state after his party won the 2012 presidential election.
personal opinion: I'm delighted that netflix produced a show that can compete with the great tv production of our time in terms of storytelling, production, originality and all other aspects. It's a brilliant and entertaining piece of art, that will hopefully gain the viewership that it deserves.
First of all, thank you (and congrats) for watching all 13 chapters already. That's a big commitment, and we appreciate that you invested so much time into the show so soon after the release.
Secondly, a huge thank you for all these comments. I've read them all. They're incredibly astute and helpful. Fincher and I and the other EPs watched all 13 over two days shortly after we finished post-production. An autopsy viewing of sorts - a very honest, analytical viewing so we could bluntly discuss what we could have done better, and how to improve upon what we did Season 1 as we tackle Season 2.
Many of the issues that you all raised are precisely the things we discussed after our viewing. It's helpful to see that your thinking is often line with ours. But many of you also raised points that are new, that only fresh eyes can provide. That's extremely informative to us, and we're very grateful.
Much to think about from these comments. And I hope they keep rolling in. I'll be sure to check back on this forum regularly.
Thanks again, and I hope you'll binge again when we go live with Season Two!
I watched the entire first season when it was released and wow is it good. The show is sort of like Breaking Bad meets West Wing. I'm really excited to see what they do with the second season. Now for my thoughts on the first + Show Spoiler +
I really love the realtionship that Spacey and Mara had near the beginning of the show. Reminded me a lot of the realtioship that Walt and Jesse first had in Breaking Bad. It also has a great name in Barnwood. I feel that Robin Wright's character and her story arc either needs to be developed a bit more or left alone and not really visited. Most scenes of her are driving me crazy since a few do not seem to add much to the plot.
A netflix exclusive show? Interesting, I wonder if they'll do more stuff like this in the future. It's not like netflix doesn't have the money to do that either lol...
It can't possibly compete with the original because the themes in the original, post Thatcherite Britain, the legacy of the class wars of the 70s and the system it is framed in can't be translated. I am a big fan of House of Cards but it remains a fundamentally British series and an attempt to translate it for an American audience cannot avoid removing some of the key themes that explain the character of Francis. It is ultimately redundant unless you assume that Americans wouldn't watch anything that wasn't set in their country and that it is better to show them a debased copy than none at all. It is a commentary on the social and political background of 80s and 90s Britain and on the social divisions and the divisions between the people and an aloof group of politicians. God knows what they're going to do in the sequel in which he deals with the constitutional threat from the monarchy. It's not just that you're stealing bits of my culture, it's that you're stealing bits that are perfectly functional and capable of being digested by the average American so they can be degraded.
On February 05 2013 11:39 Ettick wrote: A netflix exclusive show? Interesting, I wonder if they'll do more stuff like this in the future. It's not like netflix doesn't have the money to do that either lol...
They'll definitely continue to do more. Imagine the future, right now they are paying the licensing fees to studios so they can have shows for subscribers. Those fees will just continue to get higher and higher so while making a new show costs it's own sum of money they don't have to continually pay licensing fees year after year. They can even sell the rights to networks if they wish after a certain period of time. It really is the future and in their best interest. As long as they produce content people want to watch of course.
On February 05 2013 11:42 KwarK wrote: It can't possibly compete with the original because the themes in the original, post Thatcherite Britain, the legacy of the class wars of the 70s and the system it is framed in can't be translated. I am a big fan of House of Cards but it remains a fundamentally British series and an attempt to translate it for an American audience cannot avoid removing some of the key themes that explain the character of Francis. It is ultimately redundant unless you assume that Americans wouldn't watch anything that wasn't set in their country and that it is better to show them a debased copy than none at all. It is a commentary on the social and political background of 80s and 90s Britain and on the social divisions and the divisions between the people and an aloof group of politicians. God knows what they're going to do in the sequel in which he deals with the constitutional threat from the monarchy. It's not just that you're stealing bits of my culture, it's that you're stealing bits that are perfectly functional and capable of being digested by the average American so they can be degraded.
Well, I've lost nearly all of whatever appetite I had to try this show. So thanks for that. (Not sarcastic.)
Watch the original. Basically the Labour party has imploded into infighting, factionalism and a crisis of identity and left the country in the grips of what is effectively a one party system at the end of 12 years of hard right politics that have divided the nation into the stakeholders in a new society and the underclass. The challenges faced by the dominant party are how to unify the crumbling country, where to go from there and how to tame the ambition and individualism that is a product of their own ideology. It is a parable that remains rooted in the original context, Francis' character is a metaphor for the triumph of Thatcherite ideals.
They're called House of Cards, To Play the King (about Prince Charles becoming King 20 years ago) and The Final Cut. They can be found easily enough online.
Oh whoa, netflix exclusive hm. I think Kevin Spacey is a fantastic actor and person, definitely really like him!!
From what I've read on the series, it's not merely an adaptation of the series to an American setting. As far as I can tell, it does have some different premises (aside from location etc), and I think they want to go somewhere else with the show.
On February 05 2013 11:42 KwarK wrote: It can't possibly compete with the original because the themes in the original, post Thatcherite Britain, the legacy of the class wars of the 70s and the system it is framed in can't be translated. I am a big fan of House of Cards but it remains a fundamentally British series and an attempt to translate it for an American audience cannot avoid removing some of the key themes that explain the character of Francis. It is ultimately redundant unless you assume that Americans wouldn't watch anything that wasn't set in their country and that it is better to show them a debased copy than none at all. It is a commentary on the social and political background of 80s and 90s Britain and on the social divisions and the divisions between the people and an aloof group of politicians. God knows what they're going to do in the sequel in which he deals with the constitutional threat from the monarchy. It's not just that you're stealing bits of my culture, it's that you're stealing bits that are perfectly functional and capable of being digested by the average American so they can be degraded.
Have you watched it? Sounds like you're just tearing it down because
On February 05 2013 11:42 KwarK wrote: It can't possibly compete with the original because the themes in the original, post Thatcherite Britain, the legacy of the class wars of the 70s and the system it is framed in can't be translated. I am a big fan of House of Cards but it remains a fundamentally British series and an attempt to translate it for an American audience cannot avoid removing some of the key themes that explain the character of Francis. It is ultimately redundant unless you assume that Americans wouldn't watch anything that wasn't set in their country and that it is better to show them a debased copy than none at all. It is a commentary on the social and political background of 80s and 90s Britain and on the social divisions and the divisions between the people and an aloof group of politicians. God knows what they're going to do in the sequel in which he deals with the constitutional threat from the monarchy. It's not just that you're stealing bits of my culture, it's that you're stealing bits that are perfectly functional and capable of being digested by the average American so they can be degraded.
Have you watched it? Sounds like you're just tearing it down because
I'm tearing it down because a commentary on the social divisions in post Thatcherite Britain is unlikely to be relevant to 2012 US and it baffles and frustrates me that of all the things that US tv makers chose to gut and regurgitate for a US audience they picked something so utterly inappropriate for it. It's lazy tv making, it lacks any kind of ambition, it meets no need and it assumes that the audience wouldn't understand if you just showed them the story as it was intended.
Francis is a cautionary tale of what could result from a unique set of political and social circumstances, circumstances which simply do not apply to the US in 2012. Turning him into a hybrid of Josh from the West Wing and the guy from Breaking Bad is a travesty.
On February 05 2013 11:42 KwarK wrote: It can't possibly compete with the original because the themes in the original, post Thatcherite Britain, the legacy of the class wars of the 70s and the system it is framed in can't be translated. I am a big fan of House of Cards but it remains a fundamentally British series and an attempt to translate it for an American audience cannot avoid removing some of the key themes that explain the character of Francis. It is ultimately redundant unless you assume that Americans wouldn't watch anything that wasn't set in their country and that it is better to show them a debased copy than none at all. It is a commentary on the social and political background of 80s and 90s Britain and on the social divisions and the divisions between the people and an aloof group of politicians. God knows what they're going to do in the sequel in which he deals with the constitutional threat from the monarchy. It's not just that you're stealing bits of my culture, it's that you're stealing bits that are perfectly functional and capable of being digested by the average American so they can be degraded.
Have you watched it? Sounds like you're just tearing it down because
I'm tearing it down because a commentary on the social divisions in post Thatcherite Britain is unlikely to be relevant to 2012 US and it baffles and frustrates me that of all the things that US tv makers chose to gut and regurgitate for a US audience they picked something so utterly inappropriate for it. It's lazy tv making, it lacks any kind of ambition, it meets no need and it assumes that the audience wouldn't understand if you just showed them the story as it was intended.
Dat elitism. The show is actually very capably adapted for present-day US. It's not high art, mind you, but it isnt "Useless colonial dribble" which is what you're making it out to be.
I really liked the show. Frank Underwood is an awesome character and everything he does is done methodically towards his own agenda. Can't wait for season 2.
I didn't even know this was a remake of a British series. Netflix's biggest potential audience is the US so it makes sense to depict the show in US politics. I honestly can't say I would have bothered watching if it wasn't.
On February 05 2013 11:42 KwarK wrote: It can't possibly compete with the original because the themes in the original, post Thatcherite Britain, the legacy of the class wars of the 70s and the system it is framed in can't be translated. I am a big fan of House of Cards but it remains a fundamentally British series and an attempt to translate it for an American audience cannot avoid removing some of the key themes that explain the character of Francis. It is ultimately redundant unless you assume that Americans wouldn't watch anything that wasn't set in their country and that it is better to show them a debased copy than none at all. It is a commentary on the social and political background of 80s and 90s Britain and on the social divisions and the divisions between the people and an aloof group of politicians. God knows what they're going to do in the sequel in which he deals with the constitutional threat from the monarchy. It's not just that you're stealing bits of my culture, it's that you're stealing bits that are perfectly functional and capable of being digested by the average American so they can be degraded.
Have you watched it? Sounds like you're just tearing it down because
I'm tearing it down because a commentary on the social divisions in post Thatcherite Britain is unlikely to be relevant to 2012 US and it baffles and frustrates me that of all the things that US tv makers chose to gut and regurgitate for a US audience they picked something so utterly inappropriate for it. It's lazy tv making, it lacks any kind of ambition, it meets no need and it assumes that the audience wouldn't understand if you just showed them the story as it was intended.
Dat elitism. The show is actually very capably adapted for present-day US. It's not high art, mind you, but it isnt "Useless colonial dribble" which is what you're making it out to be.
Watch it before you judge.
Imagine I adapted the New Testament for a childrens audience and left out the crucifixion because it was too violent, graphic and gory and instead Jesus just said he had to go away. It might be a very capable adaptation but the point of the character would have been changed somewhat. Francis isn't meant to be a badass, he's meant to be a warning.
Imagine I adapted the New Testament for a childrens audience and left out the crucifixion because it was too violent, graphic and gory and instead Jesus just said he had to go away. It might be a very capable adaptation but the point of the character would have been changed somewhat.
That's true, the character would have been changed. But that's only an offense if you hold the original as a sacred cow.
Just because the original meant one thing 20 years ago doesn't mean that the basic premise and outline can't be used to tell a different story to different people and it's meaning is a different one. Hell, look at Romeo and Juliet. That shit worked as an old timey geaser musical. Why can't house of cards work for modern day US?
Imagine I adapted the New Testament for a childrens audience and left out the crucifixion because it was too violent, graphic and gory and instead Jesus just said he had to go away. It might be a very capable adaptation but the point of the character would have been changed somewhat.
That's true, the character would have been changed. But that's only an offense if you hold the original as a sacred cow.
Just because the original meant one thing 20 years ago doesn't mean that the basic premise and outline can't be used to tell a different story to different people and it's meaning is a different one. Hell, look at Romeo and Juliet. That shit worked as an old timey geaser musical. Why can't house of cards work for modern day US?
Keep an open mind and you might be surprised.
This is basically my sentiment as well. The show seems to do a pretty good job of giving a retelling of the story in a different and still meaningful way.
I didn't know it was a copy of a british series either. I watched all the eps in 2 days and loved the shit out of it. I'll go and find the british version thanks for telling us kwark.
Best original series I have seen in a long time, absolutely loving it so far (finished 3 eps).
David Fincher and Kevin Spacey working together to make sublime television. Nuff said.
also, for the purposes of this thread we should at least treat the UK/US treatments for what they are, largely seperate entities based around some similar themes.
EPT![[image loading]](http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/510aa1b2ecad04fe12000008-673-960-300-/house-of-cards-poster.jpg)
