Watch House of Cards with Mumsnet and you could win an iPad mini

[RachelMumsnet]

We’re back again this month with Watch with Mumsnet, where we watch and discuss some great TV series together. Last month we watched Orange is the New Black and this month we’ll be watching another Netflix exclusive, House of Cards.

Some of you may already have watched the original BBC miniseries of the same name, which ran in 1990, or read the book by Michael Dobbs, which this new series is based on.

House of Cards is an uncompromising exploration of power and ambition with the series orbiting Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey). Underwood is the politician’s politician - masterful, beguiling, charismatic and ruthless. He and his equally ambitious wife Claire (Robin Wright) stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy.

Netflix have already announced that Series 2 is coming on 14th Feb so this is a great chance to catch up on the first series and share your thoughts with other Mumsnetters.

Here’s what Mumsnetters have been saying about the show already:

“I am gripped by this. (US version) Kevin Spacey is fantastic, the woman playing his wife is amazing... in fact all the actors are great.” Calypso2008

“I'm watching the US version with Kevin Spacey. It is very compelling.” Smearedinfood

“The American one is good too, different, as you would expect, but good. KS's wife is played by Robin Wight (once married to Sean Penn): she gives very good icy.” aoife24

You can watch the whole series instantly on Netflix here, and if you subscribe to Netflix now you get the first month free.

Netflix are offering you a chance to win an iPad mini. All you have to do is watch and discuss the series with other Mumsnetters on this thread to be entered into the prize draw. All contributions are welcome, whether or not you've watched the whole series - but if you’re not sure where to start, here are a couple of the questions that we think the series prompts:

What do you think of Francis Underwood? Do you think you could ever be as ruthlessly power hungry?

And what about his wife Claire played by Robin Wright? Which characters do you like and want to find out more about?

Happy watching!
MNHQ

Watch with Mumsnet is sponsored by Netflix

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Watched this as soon as it was released last year (or whenever) - it's brilliant. Can't wait for series 2! We watch more on Netflix than on 'normal' TV these days.

(Please can I have my iPad )

you cant muscle in from LAST YEAR

I watched this and really enjoyed it. There were a few episodes that required me to suspend belief, but it pulled it back. Kevin spacey is fantastic in it, as are all the cast. So believable. His asides to camera are amazing, and I also really liked the journalist characters.

I could never be as ruthless as Kevin Spacey's character, but I did find it (mostly) believable. I was quite sympathetic to the wife's character, although she was also very ambitious, but she played it really well and I could almost believe her flaws stemmed from a good place.

An excellent series, I have recommended it to many, and am planning to watch the original bbc version when I get the chance.

We were about to cancel our Netflix subscription when I heard about this series being released. It was pretty groundbreaking as Netflix commissioned it as original content then all episodes were released at once. We loved it!! Binge watched it, now re-watching in preparation for the new series- can't wait.

We have kept our Netflix subscription because of this but have also watched all series of Breaking Bad on here now, as well as some other bits - enough to make our subscription worthwhile whereas I have cancelled lovefilm - not enough fresh content.

Chracter wise, I loved the cleverness of Francis and had more sympathy with him than Clare although I felt she became more human as the series progressed.

Ooh, people have been telling me that House of Cards is the next series to watch now that I've been left bereft by finishing Breaking Bad... Now MN has given me an iron clad excuse. I have to watch it. For research. . Also, if I won an ipad mini, maybe the DD's would stop sealing my iPod for the furby to poo on.

Ooh I wondered what you'd pick next. I do like Kevin Spacey!

Looks like one DP will like watching with me, so will report back soon.

Have to say I'm so sucked into Netflix though, this will be the 4th series I've started watching and I on,y signed up last month

Is breaking bad on there? Cool

Just watched the first episode and am hooked. Great strong characters, but much more ruthless than I think I could be, even at this early stage! I can't wait to see what comes next.

I was a massive fan of the first series and watched it religiously!
I don't think I could be that power hungry as I don't think it's in my nature. But who knows, in certain circumstances who knows how power mad we could become?

I love the portrayal of Claire she is brilliant and is a character I particularly enjoy watching being played out on the screen. Although I am not like her the character resonates with me in a way.

It is a brilliant watch! I would recommend it, and have recommended it to many

I love house of cards. Kevin Spacey is such an excellent actor. Robin Wright is great too, the scarier of the two!
I kind of hoped she'd get together with her old flame (Brit actor from cutting it) because that was pretty much the only time we saw a softer, more human side to her character. Looking forward to the return of Francis and his rowing machine!

I find their marriage absolutely fascinating. I especially like the scene where she describes why she married him to the dying guy in the hospital and how utterly she puts him in his place whilst explaining why her husband was the man for her. That is a real defining scene for her character for me.

Also the affair with the younger reporter and how frankly she deals with him treating her like a whore by demanding her share of the transaction - there is a really cold sex scene which is more fight than fuck and a total battle of wills.

It's a joy to see complex female characters that don't just exist to tell the male characters story or be a prop to it itms.

Will definitely be watching season 2.

I loved this, can't wait for series 2.

Proper Good Telly.

We initially caught the first two episodes on a Virgin flight. So good, DH and I can rarely find a shared TV series to immerse ourselves in.

We subscribed to Netflix when we got home and consumed the rest of the series. We had to make ourselves switch it off so we could get some sleep.

KS and RW are fantastic together and apart. The way she manipulates the great manipulator are fascinating.

I feel most sorry for the White House CoS, she's no match at all for Frank.

Cannot wait for the next series.

I preferred the US version but only watch this with DP...

It's an interesting show but it hasn't really gripped me.

I was a bit unsure about this as I loved the original but it is amazing! I watched the whole lot in a netflix weekend mega marathon and I highly recommend it. I really hope they put out a second series, it is quality viewing.

Just read the OP properly, so excited for 14th Feb, I'd rather have House of Cards day than Valentines! I found Francis fascinating and it gave me some insight into the behaviour of some people I have to network with, it would be going a bit far to say it helped my career but it certainly helped me understand motivations and behaviours far more than some of the courses I have done.

Love it. We watched it when it first came out (this version). I'm fascinated by the colours, Robin Wright in her dark but not black dresses, all tight, constrained, controlled. The rooms dark, would it be too basic to say dark for the dark and evil ones? And light like Zoe's white dress, the only one she has, and her untidy but bright office and apartment. It's like her, messy, bright scatty but with flashes of dark, she's not going to be quite so easily manipulated this time by Francis.

Brilliant show. I think I shall plan a fab eat in front of the tv meal for valentines / HoC opening night.

Watched the whole series in pretty much two sittings, utterly addictive. Spacey is awesome. They were all so ruthless, Zoe sleeping with Francis for info, and all his manipulating of pretty much everyone. Loved every second.
Staying in on V Day for series two, woo hoo!

I enjoyed it, but don't agree that it's better than the West Wing! It started strongly and ended well, but I felt it did dip in the middle and was quite hard work.

I am looking forward to the second series and seeing how the characters develop, neither Francis or Clare are likeable in the least!

oh way better.

West wing is simple and folksy

Utterly different to the west wing, in my opinion. The characters are as compelling, but less likeable. The plot is more engaging, but the script less clever. There isn't as much wit in house of cards, but I love the balance of male and female characters in both series.

Buffy, what about Abigail Bartlett, Mandy, Amy, Congreewoamn Wyatt, the Bartlett daughters, the Glenn close character who becomes the new supreme justice...

I have to say I did not especially enjoy the American version of this. I don't particularly enjoy dramas about American politics anyway( West Wing etc). Shame as I really like Kevin Spacey- he is very good in the role but it just didn't grip me the same way as the original did- as with most American dramas, there were too many episodes in the series to keep the story lines gripping enough for me but there again perhaps I have a short attention span!

I am watching the original UK version on DVD again and loving it. Ian Richardson is perfection in the role of Francis Urqhart and I love the portrayal of the royals in the second series ( wonder what the reaction of the Prince of Wales was at the time?)