Ex Die in Diem

by

Book Review

When I was your age, television was called books”, and the “book” that I’m going to be reviewing today is House of Cards, a Netflix original series. The series centres around Francis Underwood: a United States Congressman and the majority whip. It deals with Frank’s underhand and manipulative ways as he goes about the business of politics.

I’ve been really enjoying the series so far: I’m six episodes in, and it has become my “go to” televisual content when I have the time and inclination to be watching the box (both of these things have been in plentiful supply during my recent bout of man flu). I think it is high praise and honour to say that I consider House of Cards to occupy the space in between The Wire and The West Wing, fusing the intense and complex plotting of the former with the political tension of the latter.

Interestingly, House of Cards has also reaffirmed a growing realisation that I have next to no interest in British political drama or comedy. The show is an American interpretation of a BBC series of the same name, which I have no intention of watching. I’ve also never enjoyed Yes Minister, or even the much-vaunted The Thick Of It.

I don’t know if this stems from my being unable to divorce myself from the reality of the situation far enough to be entertained, or if perhaps it’s just that I prefer to watch television about the relatively clear-cut and planned political system of the states rather than the ancient, corroded, and byzantine political system of my home country. Either way, I’m happy to have found a new DC drama to occupy my downtime.

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