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House of Cards: Slate's Spoiler Special

David Haglund and June Thomas dive into the first season of Netflix's 'House of Cards,' sharing their thoughts on the binge-watching experience and the show's complex characters. They analyze the plot, performances, and the unique release strategy that defined this early streaming hit.
The discussion centers on Frank Underwood's ruthless climb to power, from being passed over for Secretary of State to his manipulative schemes involving reporter Zoe Barnes and Congressman Peter Russo. The hosts praise the performances of Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, and Corey Stoll, while noting the show's unrealistic but engaging character development. They critique the open, transactional relationship between Frank and Claire Underwood, driven by ambition rather than love. The conversation also covers plot holes, such as Frank's manipulation of the vice president and the weak final episode. The hosts debate the impact of the binge-watching format, arguing that ease of watching doesn't indicate greatness, and discuss Netflix's business strategy of releasing all episodes at once to shift viewing habits. They compare 'House of Cards' to the upcoming 'Arrested Development,' suggesting the latter might better explore the format.
00:00
00:00
Binge-watched all 13 episodes on Netflix.
05:44
05:44
Ambition, not love, drives their relationship.
14:03
14:03
Frank Underwood plans to become Vice President by manipulating Congressman Peter Russo.
28:30
28:30
Frank is the only smart person in D.C.
36:35
36:35
Binge-watchability doesn't indicate greatness, just a baseline quality.
39:00
39:00
The business of House of Cards is more interesting than the show