General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI've been binge watching House of Cards
It has changed me. I can feel myself wisening up. Losing my idealism. Understanding the reality of our present politicians.
Binge watching gives you an uninterrupted exposure to a program that you simply can't get if you watch it as one episode a week. I think the effect it has is different for that reason. For me the effect of watching the way I have has been that I realize something about politicians that I didn't really appreciate before. The program basically ignores the American people as an issue for politicians except as people to manipulate in order to keep personal power which has very little to do with any real governing for the benefit of all Americans. It's more about the politicians' personal agendas which are mostly about personal power. That dense exposure, the immersion of binge watching, has left me pretty sure that what I feel is actually real in Washington DC.
Of course there are exceptions though I think these are few. I realize the program is about personal ambition and not any altruistic sense of service to the population, but I can't help thinking that it actually shows our politicians accurately. Our representatives in Washington, DC live in a bubble and that makes a difference. It's like being exposed to a contagious disease which is the pursuit of power for it's own sake. They may go to Washington with every intention of serving their constituents, but once there they find no room for such idealism. They're forced to compromise their core beliefs by indulging in the 'game' of working together. It gives a different slant to the meaning of 'compromise'. Perhaps their original ambition has something to do with serving Americans in some kind of altruistic way, but once there it becomes impossible to do anything without compromising their idealism. If they are in any way corruptible, they simply become corrupt. If they aren't corruptible they have to be exceptionally strong to resist it which I don't think happens very much.
The implications of all this are pretty obvious. We've been watching it for quite a while. It's the reason the 1% and the 99% are a fact of life today.
I just understand it a little bit better now.
katsy
(4,246 posts)It's making my blood run cold. It's beyond disturbing.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)When I watched The Sopranos it was different. I would find myself liking the characters and then suddenly have them commit a terrible crime to remind me that they were bad guys.
Not so with this couple. And they get worse as the program progresses. I have to admit that Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are really good actors to portray the characters so convincingly.
katsy
(4,246 posts)as a morally bankrupt political couple is what hooked me.
brewens
(13,622 posts)that way.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)But the way the show portrays politicians explains much of what's been happening for decades.
hwmnbn
(4,279 posts)the amount of Washington intrigue and back-stabbing rises to Shakespearean levels. It's is a finely written series.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)It's truly educational
hwmnbn
(4,279 posts)but the series "Breaking Bad" is even more addictive. Same level of character development and wicked plot twists.
Consider yourself warned.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 12, 2016, 03:46 PM - Edit history (1)
but the difference is that for some reason you actually like Walter White and the other characters at least every so often. Just like you like Tony Soprano.
There is simply nothing redeeming about Frank Underwood and Claire Underwood. Not only did I not like them at the beginning, but now I'm totally hooked because I really dislike them and want to see how low they can actually go.
hwmnbn
(4,279 posts)but there will be a 5th season, so clear your schedule. LOL
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)'Cause they go really low, sadly very realistically.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)I'm watching the season about Claire going off on her own and stabbing Frank in the back at every opportunity while pretending to be with him when he's running for President.
I find Claire fascinating. I mean really fascinating. She's one of a kind character. There is nothing to compare her to. You can't claim to know anyone like her. You can't know her even a little bit. She's got to be the coldest character ever. And impossible to figure out. It makes her fascinating.
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)I stayed up until 4:00 AM each night! It's really a piece of work... and too REALISTIC!
So WATCH IT if you can! I'll only say one thing... "two for one!"
hwmnbn
(4,279 posts)but I couldn't stop. It's like I didn't want it to end. The last line in the cliff-hanger knocked me out. Brilliant!!!
Glimmer of Hope
(5,823 posts)It was pretty brilliant.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)DawgHouse
(4,019 posts)hwmnbn
(4,279 posts)Unfortunately it's on AMC so we can't binge watch it. Like lunatica noted, it's a different experience when you see all the episodes without interruption.
merrily
(45,251 posts)that US politics was no longer Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; it's House of Cards (or Mr. Deeds, whatever).
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6178637
Small wonder some politicians wish it weren't on TV.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)You were quite right a year ago!
merrily
(45,251 posts)Small wonder comparisons like that bring cries of "conspiracy theory." http://jackpineradicals.org/showthread.php?1706-Conspiracy-theories-Give-Ockham-s-Razor*-a-rest-now-and-again-will-ya
Barney Frank wanted House of Cards banned. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-barney-frank-would-like-to-ban-house-of-cards-20150424-story.html
wheniwasincongress
(1,307 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)I find I have to remind myself that Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright aren't like that at all in real life or in other roles. They're scarily convincing.
wheniwasincongress
(1,307 posts)I thoroughly enjoyed rewatching seasons 1-3 before this new season came out. And I'm loving season 4.
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)The last episode... OMG! For those who haven't watched, be prepared! I think I just made a commercial for it, not like it was needed.
Told myself I would't do it because of the election, BUT I did. YIKES!
Logical
(22,457 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)LannyDeVaney
(1,033 posts)but they do a pretty amazing job of keeping it "neutral". They somehow show him being a politician, without showing him being a "politician" if that makes any sense. He is the "everypolitician"
anamnua
(1,119 posts)Last edited Sun Mar 13, 2016, 01:27 AM - Edit history (1)
is a lot less scary than some of the characters currently aspiring to be POTUS.
Naruto Uzimaki
(24 posts)because Frank is a cold blooded killer who has henchmen to do his dirty work. I don't think any politician in real life murders people to get power, not even Trump or Cruz.
LiberalArkie
(15,729 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Seeking power for its own sake will drive people to do just about anything.
ohnoyoudidnt
(1,858 posts)k8conant
(3,030 posts)of the unelected "underlings" that wield enormous power in DC.
I binge watched Season 4 last Saturday and agree with the OP's analysis.
Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)No lie is too big or small and every single one is calculated.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)One of the things I noticed all through my binge watching was how quite a few things are 'borrowed' from real life in many of the episodes. Of course, all borrowed in creative ways to fit a few of the episodes but without historic factuality per se.
In some ways I wonder how the show ever made it through 4 seasons without being cancelled by the powers that be.