Kevin Spacey returns as Francis Underwood, the conniving politician, for Season Two of the Netflix original series House of Cards.The entire season premieres on Netflix 2.14.14 which happens
Kevin Spacey returns as Francis Underwood, the conniving politician, for Season Two of the Netflix original series House of Cards.The entire season premieres on Netflix 2.14.14 which happens to be Valentines day. So if roses and chocolates aren’t your thing, you can snuggle up to plenty of blackmailing, backroom deals, and political drama.
Netflix claims the show will be available in Ultra HD 4k, but unless you have a 4k television you won’t see much of a difference. This upgrade in resolution is a first for streaming television, which is impressive, but technicality isn’t what makes House of Cards so riveting; it’s the excellent writing.
If the first season is any indication of what season two has to offer, it’s sure to be full of the same dense diplomacy and deep character development. The characters are the driving force in House of Cards and while I won’t be the first to mention the stellar performances, it is a relief to see the core cast returning for season two.
Kate Mara comes back as the heady, yet ambitious journalist Zoe Barnes. Robin Wright returns as the cold classy Claire Underwood, a role that landed her a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a TV series. The show always had a serious tone but the most recent trailers indicate a very gritty direction, especially for Kevin Spacey’s role as our lead and fourth-wall-breaking narrator Frank.
Last season, Underwood worked his way up the food-chain using his cunning manipulation tactics. He always seems to be two steps ahead of everyone managing to swing things in his favor; all the while boasting a smug attitude. However, season 2 raises the stakes when Underwood is sworn into office as Vice President.
There are mentions of murder and a promo poster has surfaced with a bloodied hand. Any major plot points have yet to be revealed but Huffington post writes, “From the looks of it, Season 2 is about to get a whole lot darker.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/house-of-cards-season-2-trailer_n_4438790.html) It will be interesting to watch how Underwood’s character will evolve with even more power at his disposal. But will his schemes be exposed now that he is thrust further into the public eye?
Graeme McMillan at WIRED writes, “For all his arrogance as he [Underwood] gets sworn into office (“Democracy is so overrated”), however, we’re quickly reminded that there are those out there who have some idea of what’s really happened” (http://www.wired.com/underwire/2014/01/house-cards-season-2-trailer/) The relationship between Frank and reporter Zoe Barnes becomes increasingly complex as she discovers Frank’s dangerous potential.
How far will Underwood go for prestige and power? In the trailer Underwood says, “The road to power is paved with hypocrisy…and casualties.” Until more information is released on season 2, Netflix has added directors commentary to season one which gives us a more detail and room to speculate on what’s to come.
