Post: #1

While 99.9% of TV these days is complete garbage, I recently stumbled upon a rare gem. The show is called House of Cards. It is put out exclusively by Netflix. Kevin Spacey is the lead and he plays Francis Underwood, the U.S. House Majority Whip.

The show opens with the scene of a dog getting hit by a hit and run driver. Spacey goes up to the dog and then looks to the camera and in monologue says, "There are two kinds of pain. The sort of pain that makes you strong, or useless pain. The sort of pain that is only suffering. I have no patience for useless things." He then proceeds by strangling the dog.

The setting takes place in Washington D.C., minutes after a new President-elect has been decided. Spacey's character is slated to be the new Secretary of State, but as you will see, things take a dramatic for the worse. This is where Spacey is faced with a decision, to fade into irrelevancy within his party ranks, or to take control of the situation and seize power.

I had done a forum search and I found that only one poster had referenced Francis Underwood (as being alpha), but I would strongly consider everyone to look deeper into this show. Seemingly every episode offers a glimpse into the Machiavellian madness of Spacey's character.

There are many great characters worth analyzing, but Spacey's wife, Claire, probably provides the best example of your contemporary woman. There is a very powerful scene in episode 6, where a man who used to be their body guard, is on his death bed and he professes his undying love for her while he begins to openly hate on her husband at the same time. Since many might not see this show, let me quote what she says to this guy while on his death bed...

"You know what Francis said to me when he proposed? I remember his exact words. He said, 'Claire, if all you want is happiness, say no. I'm not going to give you a couple of kids and count the days until retirement. I promise you freedom from that, I promise...you'll never be bored.' And you know...he was the only man, and there were a lot of others who proposed, but he was the only one, who understood me. He didn't put me on some pedestal. He knew that I didn't want to be adored or coddled. So he took my hand, and he put a ring on it, because he knew I'd say yes. He's a man who knows how to take what he wants."

This was just one memorable scene, but damn, the whole show is littered with practical applications of Red Pill wisdom. I strongly recommend you to check it out. I could go on with pages of great quotes I've gotten from the show, but I will leave that for you to decide for yourself.

Post: #2

I can't wait for the next season, very good series, I went on a total binge on it when it came out losing sleep too.

Post: #3

(05-22-2013 01:09 PM)Emancipator Wrote:  I can't wait for the next season, very good series, I went on a total binge on it when it came out losing sleep too.

I had heard great things about it from friends, but I just watched my first episode yesterday. After that, I went on a 13 episode binge and right now, I can't wait for Season 2. I've got a notebook full of great quotes from this show. Like a good philosophy book, I'm learning more from the actions and dialogue of the characters than I am being entertained by the flux of drama that is continually presented.

"A great man once said that everything is about sex. Except sex. Sex is about power."

Post: #4

(05-22-2013 01:16 PM)Apollo Wrote:  

(05-22-2013 01:09 PM)Emancipator Wrote:  I can't wait for the next season, very good series, I went on a total binge on it when it came out losing sleep too.

I had heard great things about it from friends, but I just watched my first episode yesterday. After that, I went on a 13 episode binge and right now, I can't wait for Season 2. I've got a notebook full of great quotes from this show. Like a good philosophy book, I'm learning more from the actions and dialogue of the characters than I am being entertained by the flux of drama that is continually presented.

"A great man once said that everything is about sex. Except sex. Sex is about power."

I feel like this thread is a dupe.

It's a great show. Kevin Spacey is such a Boss. It actually made me start watching West Wing but I only made it through one season, interesting show though.

Can you post up the other quotes you wrote down?

Post: #5

(05-22-2013 01:20 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  

(05-22-2013 01:16 PM)Apollo Wrote:  

(05-22-2013 01:09 PM)Emancipator Wrote:  I can't wait for the next season, very good series, I went on a total binge on it when it came out losing sleep too.

I had heard great things about it from friends, but I just watched my first episode yesterday. After that, I went on a 13 episode binge and right now, I can't wait for Season 2. I've got a notebook full of great quotes from this show. Like a good philosophy book, I'm learning more from the actions and dialogue of the characters than I am being entertained by the flux of drama that is continually presented.

"A great man once said that everything is about sex. Except sex. Sex is about power."

I feel like this thread is a dupe.

It's a great show. Kevin Spacey is such a Boss.

Can you post up the other quotes you wrote down?

No problem. I also tried the forum search and was surprised I didn't find anything.

"He chose money over power. In this town, a mistake nearly everyone makes. Money is the Mc-mansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after 10 years. Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries. I cannot respect someone who doesn't see the difference. "

"There is no solace above or below. Only us. Small. Solitary. Striving. Battling one another. I pray to myself. For myself."

"Friends make the worst enemies."

"Sometimes the only way to gain your superiors respect is to defy him."

"Of all the things I place in high regard, rules are not one of them."

"Time will kill us all one day."

"Harmony. That's the word in my mind. It's not about what's lasting or permanent. It is about individual voices, coming together...for a moment. And that moment lasts, the length of a breath."

"We are nothing more or less than what we choose to reveal."

"Proximity to power dilutes some to believe that they wield it." (relevant considering that Lewinski write-up I read today)

Many of the good quotes are contextual. Need to watch the scene to entirely get the point.

Post: #6

If you guys like house of cards you should watch the british original, it's really good but it might spoil the story for this one.

Post: #7

(05-22-2013 12:59 PM)Apollo Wrote:  I had done a forum search and I found that only one poster had referenced Francis Underwood (as being alpha), but I would strongly consider everyone to look deeper into this show.

Count me among the few who has been aware of HOC. I actually have had a draft of an ROK post prepared for this for about 2 months now, and I planned to analyze the specific scene featuring Claire that you mentioned. Expect it in a couple of weeks (I'm still trying to figure out how to get video of the scene-might DL the episode, edit it and just upload it that way).
There's been some private discussion among the ROK posters about the show for a while now, but you'd obviously not find that on forum search.

The show is quality, one of the few on TV still worth watching.

Post: #8

Got into it around March after hearing great things. Really good show.

Post: #9

It's a great show, and it's a feat that they've made Spacey's character compelling enough to rot for despite being completely amoral.

It is however NOT a show about politics. In fact the actual politics played out are quite far removed to actual power plays. Still that shouldn't keep you from enjoying the show. I've Purposely neglected to mention the show on the forum because I fear many users on the forum confuses Frank's psychopathy with manliness. And that's not a good model to follow.

Post: #10

(05-22-2013 01:54 PM)zeeman Wrote:  If you guys like house of cards you should watch the british original, it's really good but it might spoil the story for this one.

Agreed, the british version is brilliant. Kevin Spacey is a perfect fit for the role but I have to say, Ian Richardson just took it to a whole 'nother level.

I also think the British parliamentary system just gave the show much more space for intrigue, drama, and competition.

Post: #11

Watched the whole 1st season straight through; just couldn't stop. Kevin is brilliant in the role.

Post: #12

The intro theme tune by Jeff Beal gives me the chills every time. I want to bang a chick with that tune playing in the background.

Post: #13

I don't understand and don't like the bisexual hint they dropped in the reunion episode. Added nothing, and for me personally detracts, from the Machiavellian aspects and makes him an opportunist.

Post: #14

(05-22-2013 04:09 PM)Gator_McKlusky Wrote:  I don't understand and don't like the bisexual hint they dropped in the reunion episode. Added nothing, and for me personally detracts, from the Machiavellian aspects and makes him an opportunist.

It's basically a rosebud moment. Frank is likely a repressed homosexual but puts all that aside for his personal desire for power.

Post: #15

(05-22-2013 02:07 PM)Athlone McGinnis Wrote:  

(05-22-2013 12:59 PM)Apollo Wrote:  I had done a forum search and I found that only one poster had referenced Francis Underwood (as being alpha), but I would strongly consider everyone to look deeper into this show.

Count me among the few who has been aware of HOC. I actually have had a draft of an ROK post prepared for this for about 2 months now, and I planned to analyze the specific scene featuring Claire that you mentioned. Expect it in a couple of weeks (I'm still trying to figure out how to get video of the scene-might DL the episode, edit it and just upload it that way).
There's been some private discussion among the ROK posters about the show for a while now, but you'd obviously not find that on forum search.

The show is quality, one of the few on TV still worth watching.

Video obtained, converted, edited and uploaded. This will drop on Monday.

Post: #16

Outside of Dexter, Tony Soprano, and Dr. House the congressman played by Kevin Spacey is one of the best depictions of a sociopath I have ever seen on televison. I really enjoyed the first season and strongly recommend it to those who have not seen it yet.

Post: #17

Check out the original British House of Cards. Its available on Netflix and it's awesome.

Post: #18

Endorse the show. It's great and his character is awesome. Also I find the girls very attractive - my type of girls Russo's chick and the whore they paid hush money to.

Post: #19

I'm on my 2nd watching of the British version, and plan to watch it again after this.

I don't remember ever watching any movie twice on purpose before.

Post: #20

Spoiler alert









Why is Frank Underwood such an alpha? He's constantly lying in peoples faces and kissing up to the president and others that can aid his elevation. He's also a cold blooded killer. Great show of course.

Post: #21

I'm bumping this thread because season 2 premiers on February 14, 2014. Happy Valentine's day.

Watching Frank interact with his wife (Claire) or his twentysomething reporter slut (Zoe) is like reading an instruction manual. Here's one of my favorite exchanges:

Quote:Frank: Are you cared for?
Zoe: How do you mean?
Frank: Do you have a man who cares for you? An older man?
Zoe: No.
Frank: But you've been with older men before?
Zoe: Yes.
Frank: Then you know they hurt you, and after they hurt you, they discard you.
Zoe: You can't hurt me.
Frank: Take your heels off.
(Then they bang.)

And another, with Frank talking to his wife Claire after one of his political plans fell through:

Quote:Claire: My husband doesn't apologize, even to me.
Frank: (as an aside) I love that woman. I love her more than sharks love blood.

Post: #22

That show is amazing. I'm looking forward to season 2 so much.

Post: #23

Corey Stoll deserved some kind of award for his performance as Peter Russo. Much more than a Golden Globe nomination.

Post: #24

Watched first three shows after this thread. Pretty good, thnx for recommending.

Post: #25

Frank is my Valentine's