House of Cards - suspense and fascination that takes your breath away

Hi, this is Axel again to deliver another TV-series post, this time featuring

Everybody likes a bit of suspense and entertainment. Think of playing a card game with your mates. No stop, wait... think of gambling instead. With friends as well as strangers. Not everyone likes it, some like it too much and there is both risk and amusement and even the thought about legal consequences in the back of your head.

This is essentially how things are in Netflix's U.S. drama series House of Cards.

About House of Cards

House of Cards is a drama series which takes place in politics. Originally from the UK, netlifx made an adaptation of it in the U.S. The main characters are congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Clair Underwood (Robin Wright). In this series' universe, ambitious and untrustworthy politicians strive for power and influence in the bureaucratic complexity of the United States' political system.

Here is a brief explanation: think of politics like  several teams competing ín a game: Republicans, Democrats, journalists, activists and lobbyists. They compete about personal gain, powerful positions, compromising information and for ideological purposes. In turn, each team's team members compete among themselves about the safe positions (so you don't lose your career), powerful positions (so you get your will done) and control over other people.

The plot

If your in this mess you can almost not trust anyone. Frank Underwood learned this the hard way as the Garret Walker (Michael Gill) had promised him the position of U.S. Secretary of State (which is the foreign affairs minister) if Congressman Frank helped him win the election.

Frank used lies, blackmails, promises, lobbyists, debates, loans, interviews, media tips and basically sold his soul to the devil of gambling and deception.

Election won. His colleague becomes president Walker of the United States. But the Presidents' promise turned out to be as valuable as a formal 'Atta Boy!', quite despicable, even for being from one politician to another. The role of Secretary of State was given to another and Frank Underwood is back in Congress where he started... And just has to start working his way up. 

And this is just the first episode.

In the dozens of episodes which fills season after season, Congressman Frank risks everything for himself and his wife. Husband Frank Underwood risks loosing his job if he doesn't make sure his team (democrats) gain ground in hte political field. His wife Clair Underwood works a thriving business but is chased by greedy lobbyists and an abusive ex-lover. Meanwhile, the media is after them with nasty rumors, and if they step down or give in to the pressure of journalists, lobbyists and all the others, their careers are done for forever.

On the other hand... Frank risks too much it seems. He has no children. The only one he can trust is his wife. But during the plot of season one he goes so far to cheat on his wife by having an affair with a young journalist, in exchange for sharing information that could be used against political rivals.

Reception

Well, House of Cards is so thrilling and full of fascination... it is tense until the point where breath is taken away and minds blown. You'll be exhausted after watching it, but you will love it.

No wonder House of Cards has won Golden Globes and Emmys and more, and continously score high on reviews, 9/10 on IMDB and 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.

It is one of the best series I have ever seen and I will enjoy the rest it has to offer.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Cards_(U.S._TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1856010/