I am thoroughly enjoying the Netflix production “House of Cards”. I’ve seen only four episodes of the thirteen they have posted, and have been desperately holding myself back from watching them all at once. You know, it’s like when you open a box of fine chocolates and you tell yourself you won’t eat them all in one sitting. But of course you really want to.
It’s not a perfect show. There are plot contrivances that are clearly cooked up, and minor characters who respond in ways convenient to the plot, rather than to any recognizable reality. But that’s all part of the crazy gothic fun.
The basic premise is to place a superhero of amorality — Kevin Spacey doing his perfect-pitch Richard the Third — into modern Washington D.C. (which everyone already suspects is a bastion of deals from hell), and to run full-tilt with the premise. The writing is deliciously knowing and evil, and the direction no nonsense and perfectly on point.
This is “Dr. Horrible gets the girl”, with no apologies whatsoever, and I’m loving it.
I had a binge where I watched 4 episodes of House of Cards late into Saturday night. They were great, I recommend you maintain your virtue and savor them.