Just got Netflix back after a long break. After watching the Academy Awards Sunday night, with Kevin Spacey showing up in a few memorable moments, I succumbed to the hype and watched the first episode.
Never read the book, but I did see the British version back on Masterpiece Theater on PBS some years ago. I was riveted to that one and I am riveted again. I remember back to the PBS commentary that an English politician had written the book on the potential excesses of what might be done in a democratic, parliamentary system, but that things like this "don't really happen".
I love stories of "what might happen".
If you haven't seen it, here is the setup (not much spoiler alert here). Kevin Spacey is Francis Underwood, the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives of Congress. Robin Wright plays his wife to eerie perfection.
The President-Elect promised him Secretary of State for his work on behalf of the newly elected leader of America. Then he renegs on his promise. Kevin Spacey does not even get the benefit of a meeting with the President-to-be, just a meet and greet with the Chief of Staff, whom Francis Underwood got into her job in the first place.
Francis is needed in Congress to shepherd the new President's legislative agenda through. The decision was made some time before. They just got around to telling him. The Majority Whip doesn't get mad, very much. He decides he will get even.
Therein lies the premise to the show. Cut to a scene in the National Cathedral. The priest is preaching to those who have just won electoral victory, and he is trying to temper their fervor with humility. And he delivers a line about how defeat can teach and promote humility within the human soul.
I am going to have in my head the theological notion of Christ-like humility as I am sure there will be a human-level systematic humiliation of the new President at the hands of Congressman Francis Underwood. This promises to be a lot of fun, especially if they keep coming back to church.
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