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House of Cards Season 1 Episode 1

Chapter 1

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9.2

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 2/1/13

When, following his election, the President fails to deliver on his promise to Francis, he and his wife decide to break all ties and re-write the political rule book.

TV.com Episode Review

House of Cards Series Premiere Review: They All Fall Down

Netflix's new drama is a good first step for the fledgling TV "network," but it's not the bombastic splash you'd expect.

By Tim Surette, Feb 01, 2013

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

Excellent!

9.0

By fweak, Feb 11, 2013

This show has all of the atmosphere of it's director David Fincher's films and follows it through with a superb award-winning cast. Kevin Spacey plays the protaganist, a congressman with plans to be Secretary of State, but when that plan goes wrong we watch as he plans his vengeance. Political intrigue abounds here as many levels of the Washington world are exposed and I've been enjoying every minute of it so far.moreless
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21st Century US Political Machiavellianism

9.0

By Neksmater, Feb 06, 2013

Wow, I was drawn to this show by the sheer pedigree of it. I mean Kevin Spacey is the patron saint of conniving and screen presence and Usual Suspects and American Beauty are two of my all time favorite films, but tagging in David Fincher as producer and director of the first two episodes and bringing his gorgeous and perfectionist touch make this almost impossible to resist, along with Beau Williamson for those unfamiliar with the play Farragut North it was the plot basis that George Clooney adapted for the film the Ides of March so he knows the in and outs of the Capitol Hill game. This show, much like Homeland and other series nowadays is a remake of a previous series or old material but House of Cards (originally a series of books and set in Britain) gives us a modern political climate that is masterfully maneuvered by Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey). The first episode is rather complicated but basically with the newly elected President about to take office Francis, the Majority Whip (the third highest ranking member of his unstated political party in the House) is passed over for Secretary of State and he looks to drive the President elects plans into the ground to exact vengeance. To do this he leaks an education Bill, written by an extreme leftist that he tries to tailor to passable in the House, to a young reporter Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara). What's so compelling about the show is that Francis and his equally icy wife Claire are surrounded by different sorts of political animals than themselves which features not just characters that are all the same type. Francis seems to be a very effectual embodiment of a Machiavellian Prince-figure in his approach to blackmail and twist arms to make his will come to pass. Solid production design and smooth writing make this show go down like the smooth glass of whiskey Francis offers to visitors of his office. But it goes without saying that this isn't a show for everyone, in the first scene he euthanizes a dog that got hit by a car making it very clear who and what we're in for in a series like this. If you enjoy shows such as the West Wing, Starz's Boss, or Political Animals, a political show with teeth that you can binge watch in a marathon with raw acting ability House of Cards is up your alley. Even if you decide you don't like it and want to stay clear of all the filth of Washington the first episode and second as far as I've watched so far are some of the most beautiful and intellectually constructed TV I've seen in recent memory. What Francis's ultimate crusade hopes to gain is nothing short of revenge from the looks of it. Hopefully the series can adapt but Netflix has seemingly put all the right pieces together but hopefully it doesn't fall apart after such a great opening. Hopefully this will put the internet streaming site on the map in terms of original programming and by putting up all the episodes at once for consumption those who become hooked can't have a "wait till next week" to watch. By the end of the first episode you'll know if House of Cards is for you, with Francis's talking directly to the camera working much better than the inferior efforts of similarly named show House of Lies on Showtime (not knocking the incredible Don Cheadle it just seems less gimmicky in this case). Frank's last line of "I'm feeling hungry today" sets the tone for what viewers are ultimately in for and if you're not into stacks of ribs and dog eat dog politics then House of Cards isn't for you but at least give it a chance, that is if you have Netflix.moreless
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not the type of shows I watch, but I loved it!

9.0

By wolfinga, Feb 03, 2013

I'm more of a sci-fi/fantasy nut, and usually stay away from standard dramas. But I turned on my Netflix to watch something else and got this on the first screen. I went ahead just to see how it was, and I liked it a lot. Very well made, interesting Washington plots, keeps you wanting for more. Good show!
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Solid start. Gorgeously Shot.

8.0

By patsully, Feb 02, 2013

First and foremost - David Fincher and TV were made for each other. Perhaps the best shot TV show yet.

Beyond the aesthetics, the hour long pilot set up a sufficiently wide net of interesting and backstabbing characters. While I was leery of the Spacey monologues being such a central part of the narrative, he does certainly deliver them skillfully. Few actors are capable adopting a southern drawl while saying that many words in a single hour's worth of TV and not coming across as a Colonel Sanders parody.

Kate Mara stands out early in her attempt to draw even with her sister Rooney's recent work and while scrappy blogger trying to save the mass media is possibly the most overdone role on TV these last few years, it probably works best in a Washington . setting.

Excited to marathon more. Now.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Kevin Spacey	Francis Underwood
Robin Wright	Claire Underwood
Kate Mara	Zoe Barnes
Corey Stoll	Peter Russo
Michael Kelly	Doug Stamper
Sakina Jaffrey	Linda Vasquez

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Jayne Atkinson	Catherine Durant	Guest Star
Dan Ziskie	V.P. Matthews	Guest Star
Reed Birney	Rep. Donald Blythe	Guest Star
Sebastian Arcelus	Lucas Goodwin	Recurring Role
Boris McGiver	Tom Hammerschmidt	Recurring Role
Constance Zimmer	Janine Skorsky	Recurring Role

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (4)
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- Zeo Bar: Wait. We're in a very gray area. Ethically. Legally. Which I'm okay with --
  Frank Underwood: I just love this painting, don't you? We're in the same boat now, Zoe. Take care not to tip it over. I can only save one of us from drowning.
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- Cathy: Kern is a boy scout.
  Frank Underwood: Nobody's a boy scout. Not even boy scouts.
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- Claire Underwood: Does that work on anybody?
  Frank Underwood: Does what?
  Claire Underwood: The pushup bra and the v-neck tee.
  Frank Underwood: Well, if it does, I don't know who they are.
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- Frank Underwood: "There are two kinds of pain. The sort of pain that makes you strong. Or useless pain. The sort of pain that's only suffering. I have no patience for useless things. Moments like this require someone who will act. To do the unpleasant thing. The necessary thing... There, no more pain."
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