The second season of Netflix's hit show, "House of Cards," has been released, and it's even more shocking than the first. Kevin Spacey portrays, first, a powerful congressional leader who then manipulates his way into becoming vice president. The show is all about behind the scenes power that grows progressively more violent, starting with arm twisting and influence trading but extending to extortion, corruption, and even murder.
It's powerful political drama, and the suspense is addicting. Netflix releases the whole season at one time, so it's tempting to binge watch the whole 24 segments in a few days -- as I'm doing,
Is this what it's really like in Washington? Are the stories put out by press agents mere window dressing to conceal evil and betrayal of the public's trust? It's hard not to think of Shakespeare's "Richard III" when watching, especially given Kevin Spacey's bold star turn in that play in both London and New York a few years ago.
Most likely there is truth being told, just hopefully not this extreme. But maybe more than we would think. Star Kevin Spacey told George Stephanopolis on ABC's "This Week that, when he listens to the evening news, he thinks "our stories are really not that crazy. They're really not."
There was even a joke about President Obama having "Frank Underwood envy," meaning the "ruthless efficiency" that the tv character can use to get things done. I should add that this was said before the new season was released which ups the level of actual criminal behavior in the Capitol and the White House.
Ralph
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