House of Cards

TUBE!

I have just witnessed television history. Real television history. I don't mean, the last episode of M*A*S*H, Clarabell speaks, or a wardrobe malfunction. I mean real television history.

For the first time ever, an entity other than a network or cable channel/network has produced a television series. Netflix, the DVD rental company, but so much more, has produced an original series. And when this amazing company decides to jump into the pool, they jump in with both feet, and in the deepest end possible. Bravo for that!

House of Cards features Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, the majority Whip in the imaginary House of Representatives during the Administration of Democratic President Garrett Walker. The time seems to be the present.

Frank Underwood is married to the lovely Claire played magnificently by Robin Wright. Claire runs a non-profit which is focused on clean water for the world. She is every bit as ruthless in her world as Frank is in his. And that's saying something.

There are several stories going on here: There is the young reporter Zoe Barnes with the Washington Herald and then "Slugline", who for the sake of making a name for herself, becomes a pawn for Underwood. He gives her inside information and she gives him sex. But keep in mind he is feeding her juicy tid-bits for one reason: to further his master plan. Frank gives nothing if there isn't an upside for him. There is the ambitious Representative Peter Russo, an ex coke-head, and his girlfriend, Christina. Frank talks Russo into running for the Governorship of Pennsylvania so that the Republicans can't cut up the Congressional districts in their favor. But of course there is an upside for Frank. There is Claire and the doings of her water non-profit. And finally there is Frank and his quest for greater things.

Frank and Claire are a power-driven duo, and they do whatever it takes to further their ambitions. It is acknowledged that they may have to occasionally sleep around to promote their interests. It is accepted with a shrug. Their most intimate moments are at an open window in their home as they share cigarettes, and to them this is their one acknowledged seedy indulgence.

They are surrounded by side-kicks, henchmen, artists, and lobbyists. All played remarkably by a wonderful cast. Can I say from the outset, this was "The West Wing" on steroids. Aaron Sorkin is somewhere in a corner crying and sucking his thumb dealing with the realization that he is not necessarily the smartest guy in the room. His stuff is really good, but House of Cards is Washington at a whole new TV level.

I think this is Kevin Spacey's best work ever. He has molded this South Carolina Democrat into a wonderful work of art. He has a terrific character who has the added advantage of looking into the camera to explain to us exactly why he's doing what he's doing, or a point of reference, or explain why he's using the exact precise timing he's using. I love this.

Which leads me to the writing of this series. It is masterful story-telling that takes us by the hand and walks us through the bowels of the beast. We all know that whenever this much power is at stake, this sort of political gamesmanship certainly goes on, but rarely do we ever get a chance to see it.

Another great thing about this series is that the pilot as well as 12 episodes were all put out at the same time. In other words, should one choose to, this entire season can be viewed in a weekend. We as viewers are not treated like children left hanging week by week to wait and see how a story unfolds. This would seem to be the great advantage Netflix has over a conventional television, having the flexibility to deliver the series in an unconventional way. Once again: TV history.

The thrust of the storyline takes us to the brink of monumental scandal, and then....well, let's just call it "the promise of another season."

House of Cards is as good as television gets. It has elements of suspense, drama, and intrigue, interwoven with murder, debauchery, and scandal. This might be routine in Washington, but television this good is not routine at all.

Please Note: I have been corrected. This is not the first series produced by Netflix. The first was "Lilyhammer" starring Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band. More to follow about the series. *Thanks Hope*