Kevin Spacey showed numerous times throughout his career that he was a great, and immensely talented actor, especially evident in 'The Usual Suspects', 'LA Confidential', 'American Beauty' and 'Se7en'. Also have great admiration for David Fincher, and like to love all he's done, finding a lot to like about (for me) his weakest film 'Panic Room'.
"Chapter 1" turned out, though had no doubt it would be, to be a brilliant way to start a show. "Chapter 2" is every bit as brilliant and has all that episode's strengths. It is not one of the best 'House of Cards' episodes and even better still was to come, with some occasions where the pacing is again on the methodical side. The writing and direction were slightly tighter before but both elements were still of extremely high quality, just saying that in comparison. Still loved the episode though and it is a strong reminder of how good (and that's an understatement) 'House of Cards' was pre-Season 5, before it started feeling like a different show altogether.
Visually, "Chapter 2" is very stylish and atmospheric with cinematic-quality photography, Fincher's style so distinctive that the episode could easily have passed as a film, and locations. Fincher's Primetime Emmy-winning direction in "Chapter 1" fared marginally stronger in that episode than here. His direction still though was controlled, if not as tight, and in the early parts had a particularly cinematic approach to the material. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak, with again some very clever sound quality.
Writing still bites, thought-provokes and engages, most of it still tight. The political elements aren't heavy-handed, are handled intelligently and didn't go too much over my head, a problem so common in film but avoided in 'House of Cards'. Some methodical pacing aside, the story is absorbing, with Frank's and Zoe's storylines being equally as interesting and it is here where "Chapter 2" marginally improves over the previous episode.
Characters continue to engage and intrigue. Frank is already such an interesting incisively written character and further went on to be one of contemporary television's most fascinating lead characters. One of the most consistent elements, as well as the production values, has always been the acting, and it doesn't disappoint here. Spacey's work on 'House of Cards' was some of his best in years and that's obvious here. Robin Wright is also splendid, as is Michael Kelly in his blistering rapport with Spacey.
All in all, brilliant. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Chapter 1" turned out, though had no doubt it would be, to be a brilliant way to start a show. "Chapter 2" is every bit as brilliant and has all that episode's strengths. It is not one of the best 'House of Cards' episodes and even better still was to come, with some occasions where the pacing is again on the methodical side. The writing and direction were slightly tighter before but both elements were still of extremely high quality, just saying that in comparison. Still loved the episode though and it is a strong reminder of how good (and that's an understatement) 'House of Cards' was pre-Season 5, before it started feeling like a different show altogether.
Visually, "Chapter 2" is very stylish and atmospheric with cinematic-quality photography, Fincher's style so distinctive that the episode could easily have passed as a film, and locations. Fincher's Primetime Emmy-winning direction in "Chapter 1" fared marginally stronger in that episode than here. His direction still though was controlled, if not as tight, and in the early parts had a particularly cinematic approach to the material. The music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak, with again some very clever sound quality.
Writing still bites, thought-provokes and engages, most of it still tight. The political elements aren't heavy-handed, are handled intelligently and didn't go too much over my head, a problem so common in film but avoided in 'House of Cards'. Some methodical pacing aside, the story is absorbing, with Frank's and Zoe's storylines being equally as interesting and it is here where "Chapter 2" marginally improves over the previous episode.
Characters continue to engage and intrigue. Frank is already such an interesting incisively written character and further went on to be one of contemporary television's most fascinating lead characters. One of the most consistent elements, as well as the production values, has always been the acting, and it doesn't disappoint here. Spacey's work on 'House of Cards' was some of his best in years and that's obvious here. Robin Wright is also splendid, as is Michael Kelly in his blistering rapport with Spacey.
All in all, brilliant. 9/10 Bethany Cox
