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

Count me in on this one - hope it is good as most the programmes on TV are not to my liking, but I enjoyed the old version. So a little excited, and fingers crossed

I will definitely be continuing to subscribe, well and truly hooked on House of Cards!! Epic x

I didn't watch the original but have heard a lot about the stories, this might be something that I can have some time to sit down and enjoy.

This may be a bit long, I do apologize, (and I will try to avoid spoilers) but I am just in love with this show...

First and foremost, THANK YOU to Netflix for taking a chance on this as a produced series. So often US adaptations of UK work gets dumbed down (I'm looking at you, IT Crowd), and to see a US adaptation that stays true to the original concept is amazing.

Secondly, I challenge those who have spoken about their icy-ness to watch Ian McKellan and Judy Dench's portrayals of Macbeth, and then re-watch House of Cards. Yes, there is utter ruthlessness there, but what we often forget is every villain is the hero of their own story. In their minds, they are righting a great wrong. They do what they do not because they want to, but because they must. No, this does not absolve them of the frankly horrific things they do (the machinations with Gov Russo are difficult to watch), but to truly be chilled by their actions, one must remind oneself of their humanity. They aren't monsters - they could be any one of us. And we could be either of them.

Could I be like Underwood? Simply, yes. Maybe it's because I'm an American by birth, and we've had exceptionalism drummed into our heads since birth, but for the people I love, I could be a monster. Mind you, I wouldn't consider a political snub to be grounds for unleashing hell on my enemies, but who among us wouldn't be willing to defend our families, our children with our last breath? The same animal instinct that we have is on display in House of Cards, just to a different degree.

I'm very much looking forward to Season 2, and especially some of the small 'Easter Egg' type visual clues - for instance, if you look at the title card (the image at the beginning of the show that has Capitol Hill with the words 'House of Cards' over it) you'll notice the American flag is upside down. For those of you with nautical experience, you'll know the Union is only ever flown upside down in dire emergencies, such as a sinking...or a mutiny.

Thank you again to Netflix for producing this -House of Cards set an exceedingly high bar for your original broadcasting, and I cannot wait to see what you do next!

Kevin Spacey is excellent in this, as is Robin wright, though the plot makes my head hurt a bit...

Wasn't expecting to like it, as I so rarely like American versions of British series (Skins anyone?) but this is an exception.

Kevin Spacey is absolutely terrific in this series. Ian Richardson was great too but it was hard to accept that he would have been attractive to a young nubile. This problem doesnt arise with Spaceys charismatic portrayal of Francis Underwood.

I didn't think I was going to like it as I didn't think the Ian Richardson version could be bettered but it became clear very soon that the original series was of it's time and so much political water has flowed under the bridge since then that it had to be a new series for a new generation. Once I accepted that I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to Series 2 !

I've just been on a massive binge today while sorting paperwork, ending with episode 11. I don't know if we're supposed to avoid spoilers on the thread, but I thought it was a good echo back to the first moments of the series (hit and run dog) and Francis' monologue about useful pain v. pointless suffering. I knew it was coming, but I was gutted.

Kevin Spacey plays the role of Francis Underwood so well and comes across as a very unpleasant and vile character and his relationship with his "icy" wife is very interesting to watch. I am looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

I really like watching the show, but still naively think that people can't be as cruel as Frank Underwood and his wife. I like how they aren't all evil, that they sometimes try and do a good turn for someone. Frank's relationship with the ribs restaurant owner is brilliant and how he is with him is the polar opposite to how he treats political opponents (and sometimes allies too). That makes him really interesting and unpredictable.

Haven't had time to read thru the thread yet, amd not sure if I should in case of spoilers. After getting Netflix last month while i was laid up ill I watched all 59 episodes of Damages in the month so when that was done I decided to start on House of Cards. So far I'm on about ep7 I think, and loving it.

I loved the original and doubt it could be improved upon, but if anyone can do it, Kevin could!

I absolutely loved the first series. We watched it obsessively and are really looking forward to the next series coming out. The characterisation was great, the acting first class and it was fun!

Love Kevin Spacey.

Love all the support he gives to grass roots theatre in this country (Shakespeare Schools Festival etc) and then love he can pull off a huge tv thing like House of Cards.

Tis enough to make up for K-PAX.

Great viewing- although preferred the British version.... love the treachery of the Brits!

We are really enjoying it. DP has a Masters in American politics and it's about the only time it's come in useful. I love Robin Wright and wonder if I've hit a certain age that I far more identify with the wife than the young, single journalist. Plus, I want her hair.

I've heard that the current Netflix series ends abruptly and not seen series two advertised yet?

I really enjoyed it, Underwood is manipulative, very evil. I could never be like that. Characters played well, and their marriage is fascinating

Dammit! Just finished episode 13 and have to wait a month for the next part... I managed to watch all of Breaking Bad within the trial period, but now I'll still be hanging on to watch the second series of HOC. Crafty Netflix...

A brilliant brilliant new take on what was originally and already a fabulous tv series. Can't believe how well it's updated and translated.

Didn't realise s2 was due so soon. Am slightly beside myself with excitement. Second only to breaking bad for me.

I watched the BBC original many years ago and so was looking forward to the US version, and it didn't disappoint! Francis is such a vile and horrible character, yet oozes charisma and sometimes you can't help but hope that he gets away with his scheming - don't know what this says about me! :-) I liked the way that you catch glimpses of humanity in both Francis and Claire's characters, despite their ruthless, calculating natures and thought that Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were extremely well cast. The only character I didn't particularly like as much was Zoe Barnes as I felt that she lacked some of the vulnerability and nativity of the Mattie Storin equivalent. All in all, it was a great first series and I can't wait for the second one.

This series was the reason I signed up to Netflix in the first place and it did not disappoint. I remember the original UK adaptation and loved it: tried watching it again after watching the US version (addicted) but it did seem rather dated now. Perhaps because the US version is so very very good.

Absolutely loved this and, in particular, the relationship between Francis and Claire. Smoking their one cigarette together at the window of an evening are among my favourite scenes. I love the fact that the acting is so spot on you can infer so much about the characters internal life/feelings without them having to verbalise it (e.g. Claire being childless and now entering the menopause). Thought it was beautifully filmed as well. Can't wait for the second series (thankfully just a month to go now).

Great series but I think I prefer the Scandi grit of "The Bridge 2"

We've just started watching this and we love it. Frank is a fantastically ruthless and manipulative character but you can't help admire him. I'm not sure about his wife Claire yet. I originally thought she was just supremely ambitious but there are other layers to her character that I think have yet to play out. I also fancy the pants off Frank. He is a hottie. We will be looking forward to the next season.

Love it, am totally hooked! :)