House of Cards (2013): Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1234 Ratings

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8.9

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8.9	Your Score
8.9	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1234 Ratings

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House Of Cards

Now Playing: House Of Cards

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: February 1, 2013

Starring: Sakina Jaffrey, Robin Wright Penn, Michael Kelly

Summary: The US remake of the 1990s British political miniseries moves the shenanigans to Washington DC. After learning he won't be appointed to a coveted Cabinet position, House Majority Whip Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire plan revenge on the administration he helped elect.

Creator: Beau Willimon

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Chapter 13
Air Date: February 1, 2013
tbd
S1:E12. Chapter 12
Air Date: February 1, 2013
tbd
S1:E11. Chapter 11
Air Date: February 1, 2013

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Feb 6, 2013

Watch at whatever pace you'd like--immediately. Given its quality, I think you'll be drinking it all in sooner rather than later. Read full review

Tim Goodman

Jan 28, 2013

It's a heavyweight new contender in the drama category, just as Netflix now is as a content provider. Read full review

Joanne Ostrow

Feb 1, 2013

Deeply cynical about human beings as well as politics and almost gleeful in its portrayal of limitless ambition, House of Cards is a wonderfully sour take on power and corruption. Read full review

Troy Patterson

Jan 31, 2013

Too jaded to lament the backroom maneuvering of politicians, the creators of House of Cards instead take that state of affairs as a given, tart it up, and fashion a wry piece of escapism--a backstabbing procedural delivered in a sophisticated style. Read full review

Emily Nussbaum

Feb 22, 2013

I found the first two episodes handsome but sleazy, like a C.E.O. in a hotel bar. Yet by Episode 5 I was hypnotized by the show’s ensemble of two-faced sociopaths. Episode 8 was a thoughtful side trip into sympathy for Spacey’s devilish main character, but by then I was exhausted, and only my compulsive streak kept me going until the finale--at which point I was critically destabilized and looking forward to Season 2. Read full review

Tom Long

Feb 1, 2013

Fincher's unemotional style comes through in the first two episodes, and the show could use more heat. But Spacey makes it worth watching. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Jan 31, 2013

This series is about as inside-the-Beltway as Fiji, and Fincher's main plan to compensate for the stupidity level is to have the gentlemen whip off their glasses and the ladies whip off their clothes. Read full review

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User Score

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8.9

User Reviews

marquesR

Feb 1, 2013

Absolutely amazing! Loved it, from the beginning to the end of the first 2 episodes I've watched. It has the David Fincher mood in it, Kevin Spacey's constant neutrality in every bit of the show in a really cold blooded character, and the fluidity in which the story unfolds. Seriously, greatAbsolutely amazing! Loved it, from the beginning to the end of the first 2 episodes I've watched. It has the David Fincher mood in it, Kevin Spacey's constant neutrality in every bit of the show in a really cold blooded character, and the fluidity in which the story unfolds. Seriously, great show, watch it if you can, or get 1 month free on Netflix just to watch this. Best premiere I've seen in a series for a LONG time, maybe the best since Breaking Bad.… Expand

24 of 28 users found this helpful244

TheLooseHunter

Dec 3, 2014

Kevin Spacey made this TV-show great.
This has some of the best and realistic acting there has been in tv-shows.
I don't know anything about the American government,
but this show really showed me some great things in it.
Good job to the producers and keep up the good work.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

winstonQsummers

Sep 17, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The writing is nothing short of brilliant. SPOILER ALERT: STOP READING NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SERIES.

Spacey's asides draw us into his confidence, but we are slowly inclined to betray him as the series progresses--just as other characters do.

It's an amazing affect I've never experienced, and it's utterly absorbing.

This is not interactive tv, but it feels like it. And we are drawn into the action as we learn every characters' weaknesses and desires.

Little things matter, too: The subtle change in Claire's character when the homeless man fashioned the twenty dollar donation into a swan and flicked it at her. Genius. Moments like that make great drama.

winston Q summers… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Flaneur

May 3, 2013

Kevin Spacey is indeed fantastic as always. His wife, played by Robin Wright, is great as well; I just wish she would fill that deep hole in her neck or wear a necklace to cover it up as it tends to be distracting from her great performance. The rest of the cast is also terrific The cd'sKevin Spacey is indeed fantastic as always. His wife, played by Robin Wright, is great as well; I just wish she would fill that deep hole in her neck or wear a necklace to cover it up as it tends to be distracting from her great performance. The rest of the cast is also terrific The cd's did a great job! I look forward to more episodes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nikhs159

Sep 1, 2016

Welcome to the dirty inner politics !!
The first season of this American adaption of BBC's mini series is a cynical,slick and engrossing.Kevin Spacey superbly plays Frank Underwood,a Democrat who starts out as the Secretary of State and rises to new political levels through ruthlessWelcome to the dirty inner politics !!
The first season of this American adaption of BBC's mini series is a cynical,slick and engrossing.Kevin Spacey superbly plays Frank Underwood,a Democrat who starts out as the Secretary of State and rises to new political levels through ruthless pragmatism.Rob Wright as Claire Underwood is as good as Spacey. "The House of Card spirals high on a twisted foundation"-in the words of Mark A.Perigard of Boston Herald.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Lyn

Jan 2, 2014

Found this riveting, if not terribly realistic. (Hardened cynic that I am, I still think there are limits to what even D.C. denizens would do in the way of homicide and whoring around!) Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey are a really interesting power couple she had bad hair, he had an imperfectFound this riveting, if not terribly realistic. (Hardened cynic that I am, I still think there are limits to what even D.C. denizens would do in the way of homicide and whoring around!) Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey are a really interesting power couple she had bad hair, he had an imperfect accent, but both were great. After binge-watching over two days, I had a few quibbles an Upstate SC pol would say "Upstate," for example, not "upcountry." Also need to add that this was one of the least imaginative series soundtracks ever. But the "Gaffney peach" episode genius!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jerusalemlady

Nov 15, 2017

Season 1 is fantastic. You get an intense intra personal drama series that follows Frank Underwood on his way up the political ladder. The series strength comes from its ability to weave strong dramatic intra personal relationship conflicts with a main protagonists struggle to reach the topSeason 1 is fantastic. You get an intense intra personal drama series that follows Frank Underwood on his way up the political ladder. The series strength comes from its ability to weave strong dramatic intra personal relationship conflicts with a main protagonists struggle to reach the top of US politics. Its tense, shocking, superbly acted and binge watch ready.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

SEE ALL 173 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

73

Series Overview
Season 6

62
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: November 2, 2018
Season 5

60
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: May 30, 2017
Season 4

76
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: March 4, 2016
Season 3

76
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: February 27, 2015
Season 2

80
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: February 14, 2014
Season 1

76
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E13. Chapter 13
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E12. Chapter 12
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E11. Chapter 11
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E10. Chapter 10
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E9. Chapter 9
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. Chapter 8
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. Chapter 7
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. Chapter 6
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. Chapter 5
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. Chapter 4
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. Chapter 3
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. Chapter 2
  Air Date: February 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. Chapter 1
  Air Date: February 1, 2013