General Television Thread

[Josh]

Finished Season 1 of House of Cards.

In a word, it's Shakespearean. And not just in the generalized, watered-down, "high praise for performed art" sense, but in a very literal way. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the series is based on actual Shakespearean text in some manner originally. It's intricate, but epic. A very good series so far.

Here's some random, but more specific, spoilered thoughts for anyone else who has seen the entire first season and cares to read/discuss:

- As said before, the first couple of episodes don't quite hold up to the rest, as they spend so much energy on establishing form. It does feel very "Fincher Lite", so to speak. The use of graphics when people are texting and Frank's occasional direct address are the major symptoms here. However, to the show's credit, it handles the initial base of exposition rather well. It rarely felt like "okay, so we gotta get this out of the way if this whole thing's gonna make sense."

- On a related note: the Direct Address. I was extremely leery of it at first, as it initially felt like the flipside of the exposition issue, i.e. rather than showing you these things, here's a few sentences that relay the info quickly. I'm often let down when TV shows, films, or plays use narration or its close cousin, direct address, as it often is a crutch for lazy storytellers. However, as the season progressed, I came to realize these weren't strictly narrative breaks - they're asides, and very much in the tradition of Shakespeare's.

Frank is treating the audience as his one true confidant. The things he tells us are his private thoughts that would otherwise go unspoken entirely. He's (mostly) not catching us up, he's working things out. The church scene in Chapter 12 (I think?) toys with this whole idea, bending it, and perhaps ends up a little too on the nose or lost in its own brilliance. Ultimately though, this is possibly the biggest sign of Shakespearian influence. (Sidenote: It's possible that I'm using Shakespeare alone where an entire class of playwrights should be acknowledged, but it's at least a nice shorthand.)

- To further that idea, when watched through binge viewing (preferably even all in one shot), the show doesn't feel that different from a classic 5 Act Elizabethan Tragedy. The length may be longer, but - for all intents and purposes - not by much. And the viewer gains a lot through that method of viewing.

The show finds a way to straddle the line between Episodic and Climactic (there are smaller stories told with each hour that can almost operate independently from the whole, but there is still a constant construction of the grand scheme), so in one episode you'll get a clearly important seed for something that doesn't sprout until at least (and often in) the next episode. The origami runner is a lighter example of this, but there are many.

On the flipside, the show is careful to give you diversions from the main story (that still serve the main story) within each episode, so you never get drained by a monotonous harping on the grand scheme. The library dedication episode exemplifies this well. There are even thematic runners contained within episodes that bolster the mood or story for an just the hour, without getting off topic from the larger themes of the show. To again use the library dedication episode (can't recall which chapter), everyone we're following is confronting their past and must choose to either embrace or release it.

But yeah, it's an epic multi-party story about power with far-reaching consequences, clearly focusing on one deeply flawed protagonist, carefully layered and constructed, lasting hours, dipping in and out of varying themes, and all observably leading to a major milestone for the main character.

- And on the topic of binge viewing, this show may be better built for that than any I've seen. It doesn't necessarily make it a better show overall (Treme CAN be binge viewed, but doesn't necessarily gain as much from it), but it does greatly improve the experience. I think watching each episode a week apart might remove a good deal of cohesion, and you're obviously picking up on themes and runners more carefully when watching straight through. Game of Thrones is the only show I can think of that MIGHT benefit as much from binge viewing - but even it's not as careful to give episodic diversions from the grand scheme that still feel worthwhile.

- The Cast: Overall, I'm hard pressed to find a weak link. Even the secondary recurring characters bring something wonderful to the table. Michael Gill as President Walker I suppose strikes me as passable more than great. Hopefully that impression will change with the next season.

Spacey is fun and handles the style well. I feel like he actively sees and enjoys the commonalities with Shakespeare.

Robin Wright is just plain phenomenal. I really, really love her character, and I honestly cannot imagine anyone playing it better. Give her all the awards.

I honestly don't remember Corey Stoll from anything before this, but I won't forget him now. He and Robin Wright give far and away my favorite performances on this show. Again, all the awards.

- Complaints: Not many. The one sore thumb for me is an obvious background detail (if such a thing exists) - portrayals of media outlets. This isn't always an issue, as the apparent working relationship with CNN has really benefitted the show. It feels as real as the rest of the world. However, pretty much any other depiction of a TV program - local or national - feels half-assed. The bit that was clearly meant as a Glenn Beck/Sean Hannity/etc. rip-off was a glaring example of this.

Then there's the ending of Season 1. I did think we would see more loose ends wrapped up, but we at least now know that Frank achieved the goal of entering the upper level of the current administration. Plus, the alliances have been redrawn satisfactorily. I suppose I'm saying I'll take this ending, but a tad more closure may have felt better.

Otherwise, the show does exhibit some of the male view sensationalism that most shows fall victim to, but less than you usually find.

Again, not many complaints, at least that come to mind.

Obviously, I'm very impressed and can't wait for more. Everyone that likes drama should at least be trying the first four episodes.

I've only watched the first episode so far; but does the dialogue stay pretty consistent? It's pretty hammy in the first episode, which isn't necessarily a bad thing...

It basically does, but it sort of depends upon the character. Frank (Kevin Spacey) has most of it, but he knows how to play it. Like you said, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Jimmy]

I dunno, the line about irons and fire was pretty bad. But I enjoyed the first episode, I feel it's only going to get better.

[GoGo Yubari]

I'm starting on the second episode now. Spacey's monologue stuff is pretty hammy, I agree. He does know how to sell it. I definitely see Josh's Shakespeare comparisons in terms of plot and tone.

[Josh]

Yeah, ultimately, you probably have to be fairly comfortable with some moments that throw subtlety out the window (the final shot of several episodes would apply here) to dig the show. Sometimes I enjoy those moments, sometimes I don't (or do, but laugh at how blunt they are.)

[Jimmy]

Didn't where to put this, so.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Robin Sachs dies aged 61

British actor Robin Sachs, best known for his role in the hit TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 61.

His villainous character Ethan Rayne was the arch enemy of regular character Giles, played by Anthony Head.

The London-born actor also played the evil General Sarris opposite Tim Allen in Galaxy Quest.

His ex-wife Casey Defranco called him "a wonderful person, extraordinarily talented as an actor."

Staff on his official website wrote: "Please join us in raising a glass to Robin - goodbye, dear friend. Thank you for all the laughter and the cookies. We will miss you so very much."

Sachs' first role was with the British Hammer film studio, in the movie Vampire Circus.

He went on to play Adam Carrington in the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion when the original actor Gordon Thomson was unavailable.

Sachs worked on several sci-fi shows, with appearances in Babylon 5, Star Trek: Voyager and Torchwood: Miracle Day.

His stage work included touring productions of Hamlet and Twelfth Night.

In 1999, he appeared heavily disguised under layers of heavy make-up as the baddie Sarris in the satirical comedy Galaxy Quest, which co-starred Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman.

Later in his career, Sachs provided voices for several video games including Mass Effect 2 and 3 and Resident Evil Damnation.

RIP.

[Josh]

R.I.P. Sarris

[GoGo Yubari]

Ah, bummer. He was a good minor recurring villain on Buffy.

[TheSqauredCircleMessiah]

More House of Cards thoughts....

My one "weak link" when it comes to the cast would be with Kate Mara. I just felt her character never really grew and was just a device to show that Underwood is a bad guy and that he and his wife have this modern relationship. The whole sub-plot with the newspaper and the focus on "new" media felt like another half-assed commentary on how newspapers. Maybe it's just the traditional journalist in me, but everything with newspaper and slug line wasn't really needed. Why did we need meet this fictionalized version of Katherine Graham and Slugline "offices" were a desperate attempt to envision what a "modern" newsroom should look like.

[Josh]

More House of Cards thoughts....

My one "weak link" when it comes to the cast would be with Kate Mara. I just felt her character never really grew and was just a device to show that Underwood is a bad guy and that he and his wife have this modern relationship. The whole sub-plot with the newspaper and the focus on "new" media felt like another half-assed commentary on how newspapers. Maybe it's just the traditional journalist in me, but everything with newspaper and slug line wasn't really needed. Why did we need meet this fictionalized version of Katherine Graham and Slugline "offices" were a desperate attempt to envision what a "modern" newsroom should look like.

Yeah, I think your bias is coming through. I could see taking a different approach to portraying the print/online media angle, but it never comes off as "desperate" to me. I don't think any shots are being taken at either print or online media, as both the Herald and Slugline have a mix of personalities and attitudes. The show definitely acknowledges a conflict of philosophies in media, but doesn't necessarily side with one or the other. It feels more grey than that.

As for Zoe, I think we do see growth. She starts off low on the totem pole with a lot of ambition, forces her way into bigger opportunities - possibly discarding her principles in the process - and finally comes out the other side damaged, but smarter and with more power than she had to start. And, in the end, it's a show all about power.

[Summers]

I kinda wish they'd just cancelled Spartacus. Liam McIntyre just doesn't make me enjoy the show like Andy Whitfield did.

Crixus, Gannicus and even Agron are at least interesting now. It's just kinda hard to get behind the show the way I did previously when the title character now just seems bland, dull and devoid of passion.

So I watched the first two episodes, and I still stand by this.

The show is still entertaining (for those who liked the show anyway), but McIntyre just doesn't feel right for Spartacus still. Other characters I mentioned are shining, and a couple of the Romans are truly detestable (which is the point).

[Benjamin]

I really dislike his mannerisms and his stance, he just doesn't feel like someone who would lead a rebellion on Rome. Other than that, I still like the show.

[TheSqauredCircleMessiah]

Does anybody know a place that I can watch the UK version of House of Cards?

[Summers]

I really dislike his mannerisms and his stance, he just doesn't feel like someone who would lead a rebellion on Rome. Other than that, I still like the show.

Nothing about him suits the role. It's a shame. I do still enjoy the show though. The season has started well.

[Josh]

Does anybody know a place that I can watch the UK version of House of Cards?

Look up "House of Cards Trilogy" on Netflix. That's it, isn't it?

[TheSqauredCircleMessiah]

Does anybody know a place that I can watch the UK version of House of Cards?

Look up "House of Cards Trilogy" on Netflix. That's it, isn't it?

It is, just found it tonight.

[KONGO]

Looking for TV show recommendations. I've been watching a couple British series, Jonathan Creek and Lovejoy, which are pretty plot-based but are also very funny. Does anybody know of American series like this? I can't think of any off hand, it seems most US shows are broad comedies or dramas that take themselves very seriously. I'm not talking about drama shows that have occasional jokes or whatever, I'm sure every drama has a bit of comic relief.

[Berober]

And now in, 'Stuff berober never watched due to his eternal youth'... Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Yeah, how did I never pick up on this properly beforehand?

[TKz]

Man, considering the disappointment that The Following was, Natalie Zea must be kicking herself for leaving Justified for it.

[LL!]

She was just on this week's episode of Justified.

[TKz]

She was just on this week's episode of Justified.

I know! I thought she left though? And that's why she's only in a few episodes?