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

Click here to return to the Netflix hub

Omg how good is this! As part of the 2014 austerity drive DP and I are settling down to watch the many box sets on Netflix. His choice Breaking Bad (jury's still out!) My choice house of cards and it is just brill I remember the. 90s uk version but loving Kevin Spacey Only on episode 2 so really can't wait to watch the rest.

Omg how good is this! As part of the 2014 austerity drive DP and I are settling down to watch the many box sets on Netflix. His choice Breaking Bad (jury's still out!) My choice house of cards and it is just brill I remember the. 90s uk version but loving Kevin Spacey Only on episode 2 so really can't wait to watch the rest.

I'd never seen the UK one so checked it out on Netflix after watching some of the US one, as dh wanted me to.

I thought it didn't even come near, I was fairly bored by it, but maybe that's me...

Still loving HoC US. The way Claire plays Francis is fascinating...the characters are so interesting to watch. Just seen Russo's plotted downfall - amazing TV.

Ooh yay, one for me to join in with! My husband already watched this and LOVED it and I've been meaning to get around to watching it myself. Knowing the second series is coming next month, I am eager to get it watched before then!! I love how Netflix puts a whole series up so you can just watch it whenever you want, as opposed to waiting a whole week to pick up the next episode, by which point, you've probably forgotten what happened last week! (Maybe that's just me!) Anyway, I'm looking forward to watching it and discussing it on here with everyone! :D

What will be discussing next? I've finished HoC and want to watch something else. I don't have unlimited TV viewing time so it would be useful to know what has even selected for next month.

Me too.

This is one is one of the best programmes I've watched in ages. It had me gripped. Can't wait for the next series. Kevin Spacey is brilliant in it.

I found both Francs and Clare utterly terrifying, Clare particularly so. Will be watching series 2 as I found it compelling but did start to get fed up with the Francis Stare.

My husband and I are loving it too, after many recommendations from friends.

When we've finished it were going to watch the UK version then back to season 2 of the US version.

The writing and acting throughout is just superlative. It requires real, actual hard concentration and is such an antidote to a lot of the hopeless home-grown drama on UK channels at the moment.

Can we please ask other posters not to reveal plot spoilers? madhairday I am looking at YOU.

I absolutely love this series. It's pacey without being melodramatic and the asides by Frances to the camera are brilliant.

I find him really compelling and fascinating to watch - definitely don't have the capacity to be as power hungry as him though.

I can't work out what I think of Claire. She holds everyone at arms distance, including the viewer I think!

I've got the last episode to watch tonight! Can't wait for the next series.

Just spent a week I was supposed to be packing my house up ready for a move watching HoC.

Kevin Spacie's comedy villain is ace and Claire is fabulous.
Her carachter has supplied some useful tips in being assertive in my new job! Ha ha, I'll be running the joint this time next year.

I enjoy the seedy tone and darkness, ace January post festive viewing, blew away any remaining Christmas sentimentality.

I've been looking for something to watch on Netflix since I finished watching Breaking Bad, and this could just be it.
I've just watched the Season 1 premiere with the husband .... so far so good.
I love the asides and glances to camera and I'm intrigued by Frank and Claire's relationship.
I'll admit to knowing nothing about American politics so this could be an education!
Looking forward to the rest of S1.

As massive west wing fans we were drawn in by the political setting. Didn't quite make it to the end if series one though. I just found it too depressing ... The dull colour scheme and cynicism just bogged me down. Now switched to the good wife and enjoying it enormously.

I was wondering about a netflix subscription...this might just have convinced me! I enjoyed the BBC original enormously so will look forward to this.

Another hooked into Netflix by this thread... Clever marketing. Just watched my first episode and loved it. Very stylish (have total house style envy) and agree there are some parallels with WW.

ONLY pain for me is that our broad band is so slow (2mbps on a really good day) that we can't seem to watch netflix thorough our Apple TV. So we REALLY need another ipad in the house!

The product placements were a bit obvious!! Especially that picture in the park sequence.

Ok, watch Orange is the new Black, last month and love it. Will give this try! Report back shortly!

I recently finished watching HoC and now watching the old UK version as comparison.

I enjoyed Kevin Spacey's portrayal of Francis. He seems to bring a bit more light and shade to the character than the Ian Richardson version although I have only seen 2 episodes of the UK series. I especially liked the US episode about his school reunion

I enjoyed Robin Wright as Clare and as a character found she had lots of contradictions. Even though she has her own successful enterprise, Francis's career and ambitions are deemed by him to be more important than hers which is a situation many woman can relate to

Really loved this - very dark and gets darker. Can't wait to start the next series.

I am a fan of the UK original so was surprised how absorbed I became in this. It is a cut above other US series I have seen. Very well acted.

We've just finished watching Ep.3 and are both enjoying it.
I love Kevin Spacey's accent!

This thread has sparked actual discussion with OH about the characters and plot. We don't talk much

We watched the first episode last night. Loved it. KS is such a brilliant actor.

About halfway through, we're loving it. Superb action, loads of tension, just fab. Best thing I've seen for ages apart from Sherlock obviously

Wanted to watch this as we are massive West Wing fans (sadly watched WW about 4 times as we can't find anything else to take its place). I am enjoying HofC - amazing characters but it is difficult to have sympathy with any of them as they are so awful. With West Wing we really cared about the characters whereas with HofC we watch with appalled fascination!

Stunning, gripping, visually interested. I feel thoroughly entertained - thank you Netflex