House of Cards (season 2)

House of Cards (season 2)

Season 2 promotional poster
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 13
Release
Original channel Netflix
Original release February 14, 2014
Home video release

DVD release

Region 1 June 17, 2014[1]
Region 2 June 16, 2014[2]
Region 4 June 19, 2014[3]

Blu-ray Disc release

Region A June 17, 2014

The second season of the American television drama series House of Cards began filming a set of 13 episodes on April 29, 2013 and concluded on November 8, occurring primarily in Baltimore. On December 4, 2013, Netflix announced that the season would be released in its entirety on February 14, 2014. Set in current day Washington, D.C., season 2 deals with topics such as entitlement reform, Chinese cyberespionage, anthrax scares, Senate parliamentary procedure, and government shutdowns. It begins at the exact time that season 1 ended.

Critics previewed the first four episodes of the season under non-disclosure agreements that they consented to embargo spoiler content. Reviews began appearing as early as January 31. Many critics who previewed the season noted the first episode as shocking, but withheld the surprises of the four episodes made available for preview. Willa Paskin of Slate broke the embargo nearly a day early revealing several spoilers. Whereas critics had been somewhat split on the propriety of binge-watching season 1, they were more supportive of the practice for season 2.

Early reviews were largely positive. The season was regarded as darker than season 1. Molly Parker was praised as an addition to the cast. Nonetheless, many critics were concerned at the domineering presence of Underwood who appears to have no worthy adversaries. Viewership of season 2 was many times higher than season 1 based on early reviews. Favorable critical acclaim was garnered as the season earned thirteen Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards and three nominations at both the 72nd Golden Globe Awards and the 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards. Kevin Spacey won Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for playing Frank Underwood in season 2. Season 2 of House of Cards was one of the first shows available in 4K video format on Netflix' streaming service.

Summary

Francis spends most of the season as the newly appointed Vice President of the United States. Early episodes see Frank vanquish reporters on the trail of a murder he committed in the previous season. However, the drama soon shifts to tensions involving Frank, President Walker, the Chinese government, and the wealthy Raymond Tusk, eventually culminating in a bitter political war between Frank and Tusk. Frank's wife Claire publicly reveals that she was raped in college by a prominent general and pursues anti-rape legislation. The most significant new character is Jackie Sharp, Frank's successor as House Whip, who soon finds herself embroiled in Frank's plans. As the war between Frank and Tusk consumes the Presidency, things culminate in a scandal that leads to Walker resigning, Tusk being arrested, and Frank ascending to the Oval Office.

Cast

Among the new cast members in season 2 are Molly Parker and Sam Page, while directors include Carl Franklin, Jodie Foster, James Foley and Wright.[4] The season features cameos by several notable journalists,[5] including Ashleigh Banfield, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Matt Bai, Morley Safer, Sean Hannity, and Kelly O'Donnell.[6][7][8]

Episodes

Set in present-day Washington, D.C.,[9] season 2 deals with topics such as entitlements, Chinese cyberespionage, anthrax scares, parliamentary procedure, and government shutdowns.[10] It begins at the exact time that season 1 ended.[11]

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Release date Production
code
141"Chapter 14"Carl FranklinBeau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-201
Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) warns Frank Underwood, the newly selected Vice President, about journalists digging into the death of Congressman Peter Russo (Corey Stoll). Wanting to remove all connections that tie him to murdering Russo, Underwood kills Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) by pushing her in front of an oncoming Metro subway train. Although Barnes' death is ruled an accident by authorities and the media, Janine Skorsky, after receiving nude photos of Barnes in her mailbox, is frightened into abandoning the investigation, quitting her job, and moving out of town. But Barnes' lover, reporter Lucas Goodwin (Sebastian Arcelus), is motivated to avenge her death by carrying on her investigation alone. Doug, meanwhile, forcibly relocates Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan), a call girl who can tie Frank to a cover-up of Russo's DUI charge. Frank makes a new ally in Jacqueline "Jackie" Sharp (Molly Parker), a former war hero and his choice to replace him as House Majority Whip. He suggests an open race among the House to elect his replacement so that Jackie has a chance to compete against heavier favorites. Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) deals with former employee Gillian Cole's (Sandrine Holt) potential lawsuit by making a veiled threat and offering her the Clean Water Initiative nonprofit. Claire also consults a doctor about the possibility of becoming pregnant, but decides to support Frank's political ambitions and cancels further scheduled tests.
152"Chapter 15"Carl FranklinBeau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-202
Frank is appointed vice president and rejects moving into the Naval Observatory. Instead, the Secret Service upgrades his home with new security features. At the same time, Frank sets up Secretary of State Catherine Durant's (Jayne Atkinson) team for a bungled trade meeting with China, in order to frustrate billionaire Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney) and loosen his influence on President Walker (Michel Gill). As rivals negotiate to thwart her, Jackie maneuvers to strengthen her race for House Majority Whip, eventually securing the position by destroying her mentor's career. Meanwhile, Lucas looks for a hacker on the Deep Web to access Frank's phone records and establish a connection between him and the deaths of Zoe and Russo. He contacts his former boss Tom Hammerschmidt (Boris McGiver), who tries to convince him to stop his investigations. At his first formal engagement as Vice President, a military awards ceremony, Frank struggles to keep his composure when Claire tells him discreetly her college rapist is the newly commissioned general, Dalton McGinnis (Peter Bradbury), upon whom Frank angrily pins a fourth star. Frank later convinces the president to stand tough against China in the wake of the trade talk debacle, resulting in the Chinese government permanently cutting off further talks with the United States.
163"Chapter 16"James FoleyBill CainFebruary 14, 2014HOC-203
As President Walker crafts a State of the Union address, Frank seeks a bipartisan agreement focusing on a compromise over entitlements with Senate Majority Leader Hector Mendoza (Benito Martinez) to secure the legislation's passage through the Senate and avoid a government shutdown. Eventually the Senate Republicans attempt to filibuster and avoid a quorum, which forces Frank to take drastic measures. Aware of Lucas' intentions, Doug sets up a sting operation with the FBI to nab Lucas in the act. Lucas unsuccessfully pursues Russo's former lover, Christina Gallagher (Kristen Connolly), and is eventually contacted by hacker Gavin Orsay (Jimmi Simpson), who claims to be able to help retrieve Zoe's phone records. Rachel contacts her mother, and then meets Lisa Williams (Kate Lyn Sheil), even though Doug has forbidden her to make friends out of caution.
174"Chapter 17"James FoleyLaura EasonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-204
Before the Underwoods have their first major media interview, Frank attempts to secure the last votes he needs to ensure passage of the entitlement amendment in the House, by negotiating with Donald Blythe, who holds a grudge against Frank regarding the education bill. While meeting, Frank and Blythe are quarantined inside the Capitol when a package containing white powder is received. Doing the interview alone, Claire is pressured into revealing she once had an abortion and lies that the pregnancy was a result of her rape by General Dalton McGinnis. Her account is supported by a woman who was assaulted by him as well. Jackie and Remy Danton (Mahershala Ali) lobby for votes to avoid the government shutdown. Meanwhile, Gavin Orsay, Lucas Goodwin's hired hacker, is revealed to be facing federal charges for his association with a hacktivist group (implied to be Anonymous), and, as part of a plea bargain, is acting as an FBI informant. He is told by his enforcer to lure Lucas into committing an act of cyberterrorism, to force Lucas' eventual imprisonment and end his investigation into Russo and Barnes' deaths. Back at the House, Frank's amendment narrowly passes because of Jackie's maneuvering. Frank and Claire once again enjoy a smoke at their window, and Frank sings the murder ballad "Pretty Polly" for her.
185"Chapter 18"John ColesKenneth LinFebruary 14, 2014HOC-205
While attending a Civil War reenactment, Frank holds back-channel trade negotiations with Xander Feng (Terry Chen), a wealthy Chinese businessman with significant financial ties to Tusk, over a proposed bridge over Long Island Sound. Frank discovers Feng and Tusk are manipulating a trade summit to secure greater profits for themselves and strengthen their refinery projects. He retaliates by sabotaging the entire summit with miscommunication and points blame to Feng. This drives a wedge between Tusk and the President, who orders the U.S. delegation to withdraw from the summit, an action that risks initiating a trade war. Continuing on his quest to seek justice against Zoe's murderer, Lucas gains access to a highly secure AT&T data center under the guise of writing a report on cyber security. While on the tour, he inserts a flash drive containing Gavin's code into one of the data servers. It turns out that his tour guides are actually undercover FBI agents, who immediately arrest him. Meanwhile, Seth Grayson (Derek Cecil) extorts Claire after learning that her abortion had nothing to do with her rape by McGinnis, gaining a position on the Underwoods' staff. Claire, with support from First Lady Patricia ("Tricia") Walker (Joanna Going), advocates with military officials on behalf of sexual assault victims.
196"Chapter 19"John ColesJohn MankiewiczFebruary 14, 2014HOC-206
As Frank helps Walker deal with an energy crisis brought about by a Chinese trade blockade, Claire manipulates Tricia into believing that Christina is pursuing a relationship with the president. Frank proposes establishing a subsidy for nuclear power as part of a plan to wait out the trade blockade, earning the ire of Tusk. Doug, beginning to develop feelings for Rachel, attempts to pressure her into cutting ties with Lisa and discontinuing her regular church attendance. Tom visits Lucas in prison and offers to take over his investigation. Tom meets with Frank to interrogate him, but draws up a blank. Frank and Doug then intimidate Janine and persuade her to meet with Lucas and convince him to accept a plea deal. Janine tells Lucas that he has no proof, agrees that Frank will get away with murder, and says that he has to accept the plea deal because he committed an act of cyber terrorism, a crime that could land him with a significant sentence if he does not plead guilty. Elsewhere, Jackie and Remy meet on legislation to pressure Tusk into cooperating with the strategy and end up sleeping together. Remy realizes that Tusk will fight the President's legislation. Frank tells Walker to stand firm, but when Frank is about to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Camden Yards, Tusk's utility company shuts off the power. To personally retaliate, Frank encourages Walker to address the emergency by having the federal government take over Tusk's power plants. Frank and Tusk meet at Freddy's (Reg E. Cathey) barbecue joint, but are unable to reconcile.
207"Chapter 20"James FoleyBill KennedyFebruary 14, 2014HOC-207
Frank finds out that Tusk is retaliating against the Walker administration by funding Republican attack ads for the upcoming election. Upon digging further, he learns that the donations are being hidden through a Native American-owned Kansas City casino, so he sends Doug to investigate. Meanwhile, Frank helps Claire pressure Jackie to stand behind the sexual assault legislation. Grayson is revealed to be a double agent for Remy and helps him eliminate Connor Ellis; Frank, upon learning this, still decides to employ Grayson, who expresses his desire to work for Frank and achieve power over the money Tusk offers. Doug discovers that Feng is behind the casino money and flies to China to negotiate. Wall Street Telegraph reporter Ayla Sayyad (Mozhan Marnò) links Tusk and Feng to the refinery business deal. The Underwoods have the president and first lady over for dinner and discover that they are struggling through marital turmoil. Jackie attempts to stall Claire's legislation and defies Frank. Feng relays through Doug that he will stop funding the attack ads when the Long Island bridge is approved. Frank meets with casino owner Dan Lanagin (Gil Birmingham) to cut off Republican funding, but Lanagin sends him away, explaining that he prefers Tusk's money to the political influence that Frank offers him.
218"Chapter 21"James FoleyDavid MansonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-208
Wanting to drive a wedge between Tusk and Feng, Frank lobbies Linda and Walker for the bridge proposal. Elsewhere, Claire vows to stand behind fellow General McGinnis accuser Megan Hennessey (Libby Woodbridge). After finding out that the First Lady is estranged from the President, Claire suggests that Tricia convince her husband to pursue marriage counseling. Helping Jackie investigate the casino money trail, Remy tracks down Adam Galloway (Ben Daniels), Claire's former lover. Frank meets with Lanagin and Tusk, who offers Democratic funding in exchange for helping him reconcile with Walker. Frank has Doug arrange a meeting between Tusk and Walker and clashes with Linda in regards to the bridge, resulting in an argument and Linda's subsequent resignation. Remy figures out that Grayson has sold him out. Walker ultimately commits to Frank's bridge deal and to marriage counseling with Tricia. Doug confirms with Feng that the bridge deal is approved and asks him to turn his back on Tusk. Learning that the refinery project is dead, Remy and Tusk decide to get aggressive against Frank. Meanwhile, Rachel and Lisa develop a sexual relationship.
229"Chapter 22"Jodie FosterBeau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-209
A scandalous photo of Claire taken by Galloway is leaked to the press, leading to a strategy meeting between the Underwoods, Doug and Grayson. After agreeing to franchise his restaurant, Freddy offers to buy his son, Darnell Hayes (Malcolm Goodwin), and grandson, Deshawn Hayes (Darren Alford) a new house. Eventually his son accepts and begins working for Freddy. Claire has Galloway deny their affair and explains the photo away as one that Galloway took of her as an anniversary gift to Frank; but, Remy coerces him into releasing another photo, this one of Claire in the shower. Meeting at his office, Tusk orders Sayyad to stop investigating the ties between him and Feng by making a veiled threat to have her killed. Remy then reveals Freddy's gang banger criminal past to the press. Frank attempts to protect Freddy, but is thwarted when Freddy's son violates his parole by threatening a photographer with a gun. Grayson attempts to discredit the second photo of Claire by producing a replica with a look-alike model. When Frank realizes the scale of Freddy's problems, he is forced to distance himself from him. Adam explains that he released the second photo because of a threat to his fiancée, Inez (Carme Boixadera), and her family. After pressure from Claire, Galloway lies and makes a statement claiming that the whole thing was a publicity stunt to stimulate his languishing photography business. Freddy is forced to sell his restaurant in order to pay his son's bail; and, because of the contract's morality clause, Freddy loses his deal for a franchise. Frank meets him one last time in Freddy's home and explains why he is forced to distance himself from him in future. Freddy accepts his explanation but refuses Frank's financial help. Freddy bluntly tells Frank he only ever thought of him as a customer at his restaurant. Faced with the loss of one of his only friends, Frank feels true regret for the first time and is energized to brutally retaliate against Tusk.
2310"Chapter 23"Robin WrightLaura Eason & Beau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-210
Lisa moves in with Rachel, much to Doug's chagrin. As trade wars escalate, President Walker deals with a Chinese blockade of a Japanese island. At Frank's now-fortified home, a Secret Service agent sees a hooded figure at the side of the house, carrying a large duffel bag. The agents successfully intercept the bomber, an ex-Marine who also claims responsibility for mailing a chemical agent to the Capitol building; the ex-Marine confesses that Claire was the intended target for having had an abortion. Frank requests that Edward Meechum (Nathan Darrow) be her bodyguard. During sex, Remy finds out that Jackie gets tattoos as therapy for her military ordeals. To put more pressure on Tusk in retaliation for revealing Claire's extra-marital affair, Frank's team leaks information to Sayyad linking Tusk to Lanagin's casino, which confirms her suspicions regarding a laundering scheme that is heavily influencing Congress; Sayyad questions Lanagin. Frank and Jackie continue their battle of wills over Claire's legislation. Sayyad publishes her story on the money laundering scheme, which causes a huge stir in national media. The resulting investigation reflects badly on Walker, opening him up to legal troubles. He eventually follows Frank's advice to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the story and purportedly clear the White House of any involvement. As Remy and Jackie argue about what secrets should be shared, Meechum and the Underwoods engage in small talk. Frank starts siding with Seth over Doug on strategy. Miserable, Doug gives Rachel his permission to allow Lisa to stay with her. Meanwhile, it emerges that the code Lucas inserted into the data servers earlier was genuine, and Gavin Orsay is now using it to track Doug's movements.
2411"Chapter 24"John ColesJohn Mankiewicz & Beau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-211
At an AA meeting, Doug confesses his obsession with Rachel. Lanagin accuses Remy of making him a patsy to save Tusk. When a photo of Doug sitting at Lanagin's casino along with proof of his trip to China turns up, Frank scolds Doug for linking him to the scandal. Without support for her bill from Jackie or Tricia, Claire encourages Megan to go public with her story which causes Megan to have a panic attack. Doug mends his relationship with Seth, saying that he was wrong about him. Frank encourages Walker to be open with Dunbar, the special prosecutor handling the corruption investigation. Frank stonewalls Dunbar but appears to cooperate by turning over all his travel logs. As her mission falls apart, Claire resorts to drinking alone, but drops a glass. Meechum cuts his hand helping her clean up, and she bandages him. Remy attempts to pressure Jackie to implicate Frank in the scandal by threatening her with leaking the circumstances of her rise to the Whip position. Jackie refuses to be manipulated, forcing Remy into a difficult position. He proposes a deal to Frank, offering to decrease his attacks on Frank's reputation to protect Jackie from involvement. Frank returns home to a drunk Meechum and Claire; they end up engaging in a threesome. While checking up on her, Doug sees Rachel and Lisa having sex through the window of her home, and his jealousy reignites. Dunbar finds Walker's marriage counseling sessions on his travel log.
2512"Chapter 25"James FoleyBeau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-212
Walker accuses Frank of engineering his downfall, dismisses him from the Oval Office, and breaks off all contact with him. On cable news, Jackie is derided by Megan for opposing the sexual assault bill. She retaliates by calling in and acerbically attacking Claire. Frank convinces Secretary of State Durant and special prosecutor Dunbar to ignore Walker's wishes and offer Xander Feng, who has fled from China to Dubai to escape prosecution and potential execution, diplomatic immunity and political asylum. In return, Feng tells Durant and Dunbar of the existence of the laundering scheme to gain influence in Congress. The mass of revelations results in the Walkers waiving an already-thin therapist/patient, priest/penitent privilege between them and their counselor, Reverend Larkin, to appear to fully cooperate with the criminal investigation. A jealous Doug forces Rachel to break up with Lisa and evict her. Now having the upper hand, Gavin presses the FBI for his freedom and other conditions, to which Agent Green says the FBI has agreed. Claire reconciles with Jackie, by dropping the military sexual assault bill. This leads to Megan having a falling out with Claire. Prosecutor Dunbar deposes Reverend Larkin and discovers he was coached by the White House counsel to withhold the fact that he prescribed medication to Walker from his testimony, which further endangers Walker's position with the public. Tusk is subpoenaed but invokes the Fifth Amendment, confident he will get a pardon from Walker. Grayson divides Tusk and Remy by revealing that Remy offered to rejoin Frank's team. The Underwoods convince Jackie to help in guiding Walker's impeachment, reasoning that not doing so will spell disaster for the Democratic Party in the upcoming midterm elections.
2613"Chapter 26"James FoleyBeau WillimonFebruary 14, 2014HOC-213
Walker offers Tusk a pardon in return for implicating Frank in the scheme and exonerating him. Linda speaks on behalf of Walker during her testimony to Dunbar and makes the pardon offer to Tusk, who appears to accept. Claire consoles Megan following a suicide attempt and is pushed away by the newly broken girl. This and her repeated deceptions to Tricia Walker in aim of ruining her family finally make Claire break down. Meanwhile, Gavin, having infiltrated AT&T's cell servers through the code he gave Lucas, has enough leverage to press Green for a meeting with Doug, who ultimately agrees. As Jackie works to secure votes for Walker's impeachment, Claire pushes Frank to reconcile with the president. After the Walkers retreat to Camp David, Frank sends Walker a letter feigning an offer to accept all responsibility for the scandal. Walker states that, in order to gain his trust, Frank will have to produce results by whipping enough votes to stave off impeachment. After Frank accepts the task, Linda is forced to contact Tusk to inform him that the deal for a presidential pardon is off. In retaliation, Tusk sides with Frank and implicates Walker while testifying before a Congressional Committee, stating that Walker knew about the laundering scheme. This leads to Tusk being taken into custody, and Walker's approval ratings drop to 8 percent. During a meeting with Doug, Gavin tells him he knows about Rachel, and pressures him into giving him FBI protection. Doug goes straight to Rachel and tells her to pack, intending to relocate her. He accidentally leads Rachel into thinking that he is about to kill her, and she leaps out of his car while stopped at a traffic light, running out into the woods. Doug pursues her, but she jumps out from behind a tree and beats him with a brick, before fleeing in his car. Meanwhile, the House votes to pursue Walker's impeachment. Seeing no hope for survival, Walker decides to resign. He and Frank part on friendly terms, Walker none the wiser that everything was part of Frank's plan of revenge for his having reneged on nominating Frank for Secretary of State. At Camp David, Frank is immediately sworn in as President of the United States. His first act is to place a call with the Chinese President and instantly negotiate an end to the dispute. Secretly, part of the deal includes revoking Feng's immunity and having him deported back to China, where he faces charges of corruption and almost certain execution. For Frank's birthday, Claire has remade Frank's class ring (which he buried earlier in the season at a Civil War memorial). He enters the oval office, puts on the ring and triumphantly double knocks it on the desk, his signature style.

Background

Season 2 was made available in its entirety on February 14, 2014 (Valentine's Day) at 12:01 a.m. PT.[12][13] Prior to the release of season 1, three reviewers, Hank Stuever of The Washington Post, Nancy deWolf Smith of The Wall Street Journal, and Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times, commented on possible binge viewing by Netflix customers.[14][15][16] Stanley notes that the show "is probably seen best one episode at a time. It's a delicious immorality play with an excellent cast, but the tempo is slow and oddly ponderous—a romp slowed down to a dirge".[16] Smith also notes that due to its "relentless theme", "House of Cards might go down better in smaller portions and thus be enjoyably prolonged", deriding potential binge watchers as people who liken a delicacy to a "bag of M&M's".[15] However, Stuever disagreed about season 1 saying "So, on the iffy chance that House of Cards draws you in and you simply cannot stop watching, then, yes, you may power-binge your way through all 13 hours at once".[14] Upon viewing the four episode season 2 preview Time‍‍ '​‍s James Poniewozik says "I could easily see powering through the season in a free weekend, precisely because no individual episode needs much time to sink in".[13] Stanley also felt the second season was "binge-worthy" upon viewing the preview.[10] However, Ellen Gray of Philly.com supports not binge-watching the season, as she believes it does not serve it well.[17]

Production

Writing

Showrunner Beau Willimon drew inspiration from a book about Lyndon Johnson (pictured).

In interviews during the writing and filming of season 2 showrunner Beau Willimon said he had drawn inspiration for the series from a variety of sources including Robert Caro's The Years of Lyndon Johnson and Jeremy Larner's Nobody Knows. Lyndon B. Johnson was a repeated source for themes and issues. Willimon also commented on the fictional world of politics that the show represented: "It's a rough-and-tumble game whenever power is involved—people's ambitions, their desires, their competitive spirit will often push them to play outside the rules."[18] Willimon noted that "I don't think about topping things ... The evolution of character is not a game of one-upmanship. It is about change. Souls are vast and so the opportunity to explore ways in which characters contradict themselves and evolve is also vast" and that season 2 provided the opportunity "to expand the world and more deeply explore the characters".[19]

Spacey viewed continuing to portray Underwood for a second season as a continuing learning process. "There is so much I don't know about Francis, so much that I'm learning ... I've always thought that the profession closest to that of an actor is being a detective ... We are given clues by writers, sometimes clues they're aware of and sometimes not. Then you lay them all out and try to make them come alive as a character who's complex and surprising, maybe even to yourself".[9] Gerald McRaney spoke about his expanded role by saying that whereas in season 1 the challenge to playing his character, Raymond Tusk, was in "having to learn Mandarin", in season 2 his character has become "somebody who you don't know which color hat he's wearing".[20]

Filming

Netflix had ordered two seasons of 13 episodes when it made its original commitment to the series in 2011.[21][22] According to Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley, production of the first season brought $140 million in the form of 2,200 jobs and transactions with 1,800 vendors to the Baltimore metropolitan area economy and the Maryland General Assembly expanded its Film Production Tax Credit so that season two could have similar impact over the course of 150 days of filming.[23][24] Like the first season, the second season was largely filmed in the Baltimore area.[25][26] Although production was publicized as being in Baltimore, Season 1 had based production in Harford County, Maryland,[27] and season 2 also had its production office in Edgewood and a Joppa sound stage.[28] The April 27, 2013 White House Correspondents Dinner spoofed House of Cards from the Maryland set prior to the beginning of the filming of season 2.[24] Filming began on Monday April 29, 2013,[29] which was just a few weeks later in the year than season 1 had started.[30] On May 14, O'Malley visited the set to publicize the success of the tax incentives.[31]

During spring and summer 2013, the show hosted several large casting calls some of which had over 1000 hopefuls.[32][33] On June 13, crews began preparing the State House for filming on June 17 and 18. The Maryland State House is not available for rent so the producers made donations to various organizations.[34] The show filmed in Annapolis at the Maryland House of Delegates and the wife of House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Cynthia, was cast as an extra. She played a United States Senator as the set depicted the United States Senate chamber.[35][36] The scenes were used as part of "Chapter 16" (season 2, episode 3).[37] On July 24, the show announced that it would film at the Baltimore County Circuit Courthouses in Towson, Maryland on July 31.[38] The filming occurred at this location on August 7.[39]

There was controversy regarding filming at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

On August 3, House of Cards was going to film a presidential motorcade at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. at 3 PM. However, Chief of police Cathy L. Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD) revoked the permits that morning. An MPD spokesperson explained "The Metropolitan Police Department is not the lead agency on presidential motorcades and we did not want to portray ourselves as such". As a result the production crews did a last minute filming of the desired scenes back in Baltimore.[40] The next day, Mayor of the District of Columbia Vincent Gray stated that there was confusion on what role the MPD would play in the filming. A spokesperson from his office stated that ""MPD is not going to rent itself out as extras for film ... That's what MPD's decision was focused on. We're not going to be actors."[41] On October 2, all issues were resolved and the motorcade was filmed as originally planned without any MPD personnel "actively participate in the filming".[42]

In August, several areas in Harford County were used for filming season 2, including areas in Bel Air and Edgewood. Havre de Grace had been used in season 1 to depict Underwood's home district in South Carolina. The Liriodendron mansion was the scene of filming on August 12 and 13. Bel Air police were paid $1550 for August 13 duties at another filming location.[28][43][44]

Although there were reports that the filming was largely completed by October 1,[45] Willimon tweeted on that date that he had just finished writing the season finale.[46] Willimon and others tweeted that filming was completed on November 8.[47][48] The following week, House of Cards workers got involved in the Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts.[49]

According to an October 10 story in The Huffington Post, executive producer Rick Cleveland stated that he believed that season 2 would be the final season because both Spacey and Wright prefer to act in movies than in television.[50] However, Willimon remained optimistic that the show will continue.[51] The Baltimore Sun reporter, David Zurawik contested the journalistic process of The Huffington Post report because he says Modi Wiczyk, CEO of Media Rights Capital, the company that produces House of Cards, told him "I would basically be shocked if there wasn't [a season 3, 4 and 5]".[52] A few weeks later, Netflix's Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos confirmed that Netflix had an earnest interest in continuing House of Cards beyond its second season.[53]

Post-production

On December 4, 2013, Netflix announced that the 13-episode season would be released in its entirety on February 14, 2014.[12] Along with the scheduling announcement, Netflix confirmed that Francis (now Vice President) and Claire would "continue their ruthless rise to power as threats mount on all fronts".[12] After season 1 received four nominations for the 71st Golden Globe Awards on December 12, a season 2 trailer was released on December 13.[54] However, the first official full trailer was released on January 6.[55]

Willimon has stated "In conception of the second season, I put a lot of thought into the doors open to us in seasons three and beyond ... I didn't want to paint ourselves into a corner in the second season."[19] On February 4, 2014, Netflix announced it had renewed the web series for a season 3 of undisclosed length.[56] In May 2014, the season became one of the first Netflix streaming offerings available in 4K video format.[57][58]

Reception

Critical reception

Critics had access to the first four episodes of the season for previewing as early as late January with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).[5][59] According to Pam Brown of The West Australian, the season 2 NDA included the following statement "I understand and agree that any breach of these conditions will cause irreparable harm for which recovery of money damages alone would be inadequate."[60]

The season was generally well received. The review aggregator Metacritic gave the season a score of 80 out of 100, based on 25 critics.[61] Another review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a rating of 85%, based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "House of Cards proves just as bingeworthy in its second season, with more of the strong performances, writing, and visual design that made the first season so addictive."[62]

James Poniewozik of Time says "It is the same show you saw last season, the same weaknesses and strengths intact, but, as it makes clear before the first hour is over, every bit as brutal and sanguinary."[13] According to Sara Smith of The Kansas City Star, "The shock and delight of the showy storytelling ... has faded a bit".[6] Smith says that Barnes, Skorsky, and Goodwin's "investigation sucks them down a rabbit hole into a surreal underworld no sane reporter would explore".[6] Regarding Frank, Smith says "A show can successfully revolve around one man, but a flawless winning streak gets monotonous" and that "it's time for someone to take Frank down a notch".[6] And yet, the second series offers, as Laura Ludtke says in her review for the Oxonian Review, "a serious departure from its transatlantic counterpart and from the first series in the portrait it offers of a couple defined by their political ambitions."[63]

David Zurawik The Baltimore Sun notes that the season starts off with a bang: "The first hour of Season 2 is better than anything in Season 1" and at one point it is "going to knock some fans out of their seats".[59] Poniewozik says "if you really care about spoilers, watch episode 1 the first chance you get, and stay off social media until you do."[13] Michael Starr of the New York Post described the premiere episode as "Wow. Just... wow."[64] Alison Willmore of Indiewire says that "Something shocking takes place early in the second season".[65] Willa Paskin of Slate found the premiere episode of the preview to be notable for its ending, which she described as a literal "F. U." to the audience.[66]

Willmore says that since characters have been introduced, "season two of House of Cards begins in a fashion that's far more free and quick-paced" than season 1.[65] Willmore also notes that, "If season one slowly grew blacker in tone as it went from serious games of power and manipulation to life-and-death ones, season two starts off there and looks to only get darker in content."[65] However, she stated that season 2 appeared to be lighter than season 1: "delivered with more of a wink by Frank than before. It may be darker, but it's also less heavy".[65] According to Zurawak, "Willimon ... and Spacey ... have managed to bring the power of live theater to this drama with a consistency and seamlessness never before achieved in television."[59]

Stanley praises the series saying "It's not clear exactly why this bleak series is so exhilarating and binge-worthy. It could be that just as victims of tragedy find it hard to accept that their suffering is random and purposeless, voters find it intolerable that so many of the petty, shortsighted moves by elected officials have no greater meaning than small-time expediency." She also notes that the series "is more cynical than The Americans on FX and more pessimistic about human nature than The Walking Dead on AMC".[10] However, The Americans "is more complex and inventive" according to Stanley who concurs that season 2 is darker but notes it is more compelling than season 1.[10] Stuever compares the show unfavorably to both Veep for its "bumbling chaos and ego implosions" over House of Cards "prohibitively sinister" execution and The Good Wife for its superior delivery of "nastiness and self-interest in power plays".[67]

Poniewozik notes that "Francis needs a stronger nemesis, if not for the sake of justice then for the sake of excitement. And House of Cards would be a greater show if it had characters who were people more than game pieces. Still, on its limited terms, it's absorbing to watch".[13] According to Entertainment Weekly‍‍ '​‍s Karen Valby, the show's fundamental problem is that "The Underwoods have no worthy opponents."[11] According to Variety‍‍ '​‍s Brian Lowry, as conniving as Underwood is, it is unfathomable that "nobody else in a town built on power seems particularly adept at recognizing this or combating him".[5] Valby notes that neither Tusk nor Goodwin is an effective foe, leaving the audience longing for a comeuppance in the first four episodes that served as a preview for critics and his hopeful that Sharp provides a good foil as the season progresses.[11] He also wrote that House of Cards overplays its depiction of the edginess of "Washington being venal and corrupt". He describes the show as a "mixed bag".[5] Andrew Romano of The Daily Beast claims the second season was better than the first because Tusk is as worthy an adversary as could be expected.[68]

Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter describes the preview of the season by saying "It's entertaining and cruises along with a strong pulse. There's a core mystery and American politics is mocked, appropriately, for being a two-party hustle of recrimination and separatism."[69] Goodman notes that writer Beau Willimon has Frank "pontificate to the point of spouting cliches from time to time" and Frank's "conniving wins too often".[69] Goodman feels that the delayed use of breaking the fourth wall is clever,[69] while Smith feels the delayed use of breaking the fourth wall is coy.[6] Stanley notes that while breaking the fourth wall "his cynical asides are not as clever as his underhanded actions". She notes that the execution of the technique is less successful than in the original.[10]

Goodman sums things up by saying "There's a heavier hand than is necessary at times" and "House of Cards needs to stay more focused to be successful."[69] Starr also notes that "The show's writing, breathless pacing and even its clever use of graphics (visually superimposing phone text messages onto particular scenes) stands head-and-shoulders above most of its TV brethren."[64]

Chuck Barney of the San Jose Mercury News notes that the preview episodes show that the series is as "handsomely crafted and marvelously acted as ever" but the episodes don't "provoke the same kind of adrenaline rush as last season". Barney was also impressed with newcomer Parker: "She's an agile actress who can deliver a sense of soft-spoken warmth but also a steely fierceness that comes with an underlying message: 'Underestimate me at your own peril.'"[70]

The addition of Parker is widely praised among critics. Stanley notes that as Underwood's "protégée and, like everyone else in his poisoned orbit, soon discovers that Underwood expects his people to cast aside principle and pursue his grand plan."[10] Valby describes her performance as one "played with throbbing edge".[11] Goodman notes she serves to somewhat counterbalance Frank.[69]

Verne Gay of Newsday notes that "Spacey's Underwood is even more sinuous, more complex, more treacherous and so—as a result—is the deeply pleasurable show that surrounds him."[71]

In terms of cinematography, Stanley notes that "Colors are so washed-out that the closest thing to brightness in all that gray, taupe and black is an orange Post-it note."[10]

Bob Samuels of The Huffington Post compares House of Cards to The West Wing. He notes that whereas The West Wing depicted "political idealists dedicated to the discussion of public policy", House of Cards presents "the cynical manipulations of isolated careerists". Samuels says that in addition to presenting a new method of distribution of content, the show represents a change in our society by demonstrating the change in what is perceived as popular political television drama: "the series presents a social shift from political idealism to social cynicism". Samuels defines cynicism as "the desire to succeed in a system in which one does not believe". Regarding the extensive use of notable journalists, Samuels says, "House of Cards uses real news broadcasters to appear more realistic, but the end result is that the real news personalities end up being fictionalized."[72] However, Politico reports that rather than give an alternate perspective, the series was misleading in its depictions especially those related to campaign financing.[73] Romano notes that the show is "about power that happens to be set on Capitol Hill as opposed to a show about politics".[68]

The Wall Street Journal‍‍ '​‍s Wayne Ma praises the originality of the China storylines, which are rare for television: "Not since counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer stormed the Chinese consulate in the fourth season of 24 has there been a major story line about China featured on a mainstream U.S. TV series." He also lauds their authenticity of them: "The show deserves kudos for the unusual authenticity of its China story line, which has plot points ripped straight from the headlines. Chinese cyber-theft, currency manipulation, a trade dispute involving rare-earth minerals, and escalating tensions between China and Japan in the East China Sea all make an appearance in the show, rendered in the kind of detail that will ring mostly true with China watchers."[74]

Awards

On July 10, 2014, House of Cards earned thirteen Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.[75] Among its nominations were Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Kevin Spacey, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Robin Wright, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Beau Willimon and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Carl Franklin.[76] The second season was also nominated for several 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including Kate Mara for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series and Reg E. Cathey for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.[76] Other Creative Arts nominations were received for Casting, Cinematography, Picture Editing, Music Composition, Sound Mixing, and Art Direction.[77]

Other recognitions included a TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama nomination at the 30th TCA Awards and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for Wright at the 4th Critics' Choice Television Awards.[78][79] For the 67th Writers Guild of America Awards, the series was nominated for Best Drama Series.[80] For the 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards, the cast was nominated for Best Drama Ensemble, Spacey won for Best Drama Actor, and Wright was nominated for Best Drama Actress.[81] For the 72nd Golden Globe Awards, the series was nominated for Best Television Series – Drama, Wright was nominated for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, and Spacey won for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.[82] For the 67th Directors Guild of America Awards, Jodie Foster was nominated for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series for the episode "Chapter 22".[83]

Impact

U.S. President Barack Obama quipped about his interest in an advance copy of the second series: "I wish things were that ruthlessly efficient ... It's true. I was looking at Kevin Spacey thinking, 'this guy's getting a lot of stuff done'."[19] The evening before the season was posted, someone responsible for the @BarackObama Twitter account (which is run by Organizing for Action[84]) tweeted a request that no spoilers be posted online.[85] Since the season debuted on Valentine's Day, The New York Observer created themed cards in honor of the series with quotes such as "A great man once said everything is about sex. Except sex. Sex is about power"[86] (an Oscar Wilde quote Underwood had stated during season 1).[87]

Whereas less than 2% of Netflix subscribers streamed season 1 during the first weekend last year, over 15% streamed at least one hour during the business day on February 14.[88]

References

  1. ↑ "House of Cards: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ "House Of Cards - Season 2 [Blu-ray]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  3. ↑ "House of Cards: Season 2 (DVD+Ultraviolet) on DVD-Video". EzyDVD. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  4. ↑ Dawidziak, Mark (February 8, 2014). "House of Cards back in scheming form on Netflix". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Lowry, Brian (January 31, 2014). "TV Review: House of Cards – Season Two". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Smith, Sara (February 7, 2014). "Second season of House of Cards is a vote for vice". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  7. ↑ Chariton, Jordan (January 7, 2014). "Chris Matthews, Sean Hannity, Ashleigh Banfield in House of Cards Second Season". Mediabistro. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ Pompeo, Joe (February 20, 2014). "Matt Bai on his ‘House of Cards’ cameo". Capital New York. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Moore, Frazier (February 12, 2014). "Kevin Spacey dealing Season 2 of House of Cards". Associated Press. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Stanley, Alessandra (February 13, 2013). "How Absolute Power Can Delight Absolutely: House of Cards Returns, With More Dark Scheming". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Valby, Karen (February 5, 2014). "House of Cards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Blake, Meredith (December 4, 2013). "Netflix sets premiere date for House of Cards Season 2". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Poniewozik, James (February 12, 2014). "Review: House of Cards Returns for Season Two: Kevin Spacey's D.C. power play still has cynical bite, but some old problems remain.". Time. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Stuever, Hank (January 31, 2013). "House of Cards: Power corrupts (plus other non-breaking news)". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 deWolf Smith, Nancy (January 31, 2013). "Fantasies About Evil, Redux". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Stanley, Alessandra (January 31, 2013). "Political Animals That Slither: House of Cards on Netflix Stars Kevin Spacey". The New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  17. ↑ Gray, Ellen (February 14, 2014). "House of Cards returns, 48 Hours unveils 'The Whole Gritty City'". Philly.com. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  18. ↑ Leopold, Todd (August 28, 2013). "House of Cards creator Beau Willimon plays a solid hand". CNN. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Sweney, Mark (February 12, 2014). "House of Cards fans settle in for one night of drama: Netflix repeats its trick of making all 13 episodes of the drama starring Kevin Spacey available in one dose". The Guardian. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  20. ↑ Hegedus, Eric (February 17, 2014). "Gerald McRaney returns to House of Cards". New York Post. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  21. ↑ Stiles, Nancy (April 12, 2013). "House of Cards To Begin Shooting Season 2". Complex. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  22. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 15, 2011). "Netflix To Enter Original Programming With Mega Deal For David Fincher-Kevin Spacey Series House of Cards". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  23. ↑ Zurawik, David (April 29, 2013). "House of Cards brings $140 million to Maryland, state says: O'Malley administration points To Film Production Tax Credit". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Zurawik, David (April 29, 2013). "House of Cards economic impact put at $140 million for Maryland: As principal photography starts in Baltimore area for season two of the Netflix series". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  25. ↑ Horst, Carole (August 27, 2013). "House of Cards: Spicy Locales at Lo-Cal Costs". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  26. ↑ Button, Matt (August 13, 2013). "House of Cards filming in Maryland [Pictures]". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  27. ↑ Zumer Bryna (January 10, 2012). "Netflix series House of Cards to base production in Harford". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Vought, Allan (August 15, 2013). "Bel Air Police to receive $1,550 for House of Cards security". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  29. ↑ Zurawik, David (April 29, 2013). "House of Cards brings $140 million to Maryland, state says". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  30. ↑ Zurawik, David (April 13, 2012). "Budget impasse in Annapolis threatens thriving local TV industry: Productions like 'VEEP' and House of Cards may go elsewhere if incentives go away". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  31. ↑ Zurawik, David (May 14, 2013). "Martin O'Malley makes it to the Oval Office—But it's not the one in Washington: Governor visits House of Cards set to highlight incentives success". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  32. ↑ Walker, Childs (March 24, 2013). "Acting hopefuls flood Stevenson for House of Cards casting call: Producers seeking 2,000 extras for Baltimore-area shoot". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  33. ↑ Anderson, David (May 21, 2013). "Nearly 1,000 turn out for Bel Air House of Cards casting call". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  34. ↑ Cox, Erin (June 13, 2013). "House of Cards to take over State House". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  35. ↑ Cox, Erin (June 18, 2013). "Speaker's wife cast as House of Cards senator". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  36. ↑ Cox, Erin (June 14, 2013). "House of Cards to take over State House: Netflix political drama to use Md. House chamber as U.S. Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  37. ↑ Wagner, John (February 16, 2014). "Maryland State House, wife of speaker appear in Episode 3 of Season 2 of House of Cards". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  38. ↑ Knezevich, Alison (July 24, 2013). "House of Cards to film at courthouse in Towson: Political drama coming to Baltimore County next week". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  39. ↑ Meoli, Jon (August 7, 2013). "House of Cards cast, crew descends on Towson". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  40. ↑ Neibauer, Michael (August 21, 2013). "D.C. police nix Netflix's House of Cards motorcade shoot". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  41. ↑ Neibauer, Michael (August 22, 2013). "D.C. says House of Cards mess a 'serious miscommunication'". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  42. ↑ Neibauer, Michael (October 2, 2013). "House of Cards to film in D.C. after all". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  43. ↑ Zumer, Bryna (August 14, 2013). "House of Cards films in Bel Air Tuesday, Edgewood next week". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  44. ↑ Zumer, Bryna (August 22, 2013). "House of Cards films at Edgewood apartment complex Thursday". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Filming of House of Cards Season 2 Almost Complete; Speculated Premiere Date". International Business Times. October 1, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  46. ↑ Willimon, Beau (October 1, 2013). "@BeauWillimon status update". Twitter. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  47. ↑ Willimon, Beau (November 8, 2013). "@BeauWillimon status update". Twitter. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  48. ↑ Kelly, Michael, Jr. (November 8, 2013). "@michaeljkellyjr status update". Twitter. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  49. ↑ Zurawik, David (November 15, 2013). "House of Cards team organizing aid for typhoon victims: Donations accepted through Wednesday in Baltimore area". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  50. ↑ "House of Cards Season 2 Likely To Be Its Last, Producer Says". The Huffington Post. October 10, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  51. ↑ Willimon, Beau (October 10, 2013). "@BeauWillimon status update". Twitter. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  52. ↑ Zurawik, David (October 11, 2013). "Here's some actual reporting, context on talk of House of Cards possibly ending: Online reports lack facts, context, confirmation—any journalistic effort to confirm". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  53. ↑ Patten, Dominic (October 26, 2013). "Netflix in Talks For Third Season of House of Cards". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  54. ↑ "House of Cards Season 2 Trailer Promises Sex, Violence & Betrayal". The Huffington Post. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  55. ↑ "Watch the First Full Trailer for House of Cards Season 2". Variety. January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  56. ↑ O'Connell, Michael (February 4, 2014). "Netflix Renews House of Cards for Season 3". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  57. ↑ Spangler, Todd (June 17, 2014). "Netflix 4K Ultra HD Queue Adds ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Smurfs 2,’ ‘Ghostbusters’". Variety. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  58. ↑ Spangler, Todd (October 10, 2014). "Netflix Now Charging Extra for 4K Ultra HD Content". Variety. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 Zurawik, David (February 8, 2014). "Season 2 of House of Cards packs theatrical power". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  60. ↑ Brown, Pam (February 10, 2014). "So ruthless he gets it done". The West Australian. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  61. ↑ "House of Cards (2013) : Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  62. ↑ "House of Cards: Season 2 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  63. ↑ Ludtke, Laura (February 21, 2014). "Mr & Mrs Macbeth". Oxonian Review. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Starr, Michael (February 12, 2014). "House of Cards amazes in season opener". New York Post. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 65.3 Willmore, Alison (February 5, 2014). "In Its Second Season, House of Cards Brings Its D.C. Machinations to the Next Level". Indiewire. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  66. ↑ Paskin, Willa (February 13, 2014). "Hail to the Sleaze: House of Cards returns more ridiculous than ever. Thank goodness for that.". Slate. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  67. ↑ Stuever, Hank (February 13, 2014). "House of Cards returns, darker than ever and with quite an opening jolt". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Romano, Andrew (February 14, 2014). "House of Cards Season Two Review: Even More Bingeworthy Than the First". The Daily Beast. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 69.4 Goodman, Tim (February 3, 2014). "House of Cards: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  70. ↑ Barney, Chuck (February 11, 2014). "Review: House of Cards returns for more political dirty deeds". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  71. ↑ Gay, Verne (February 13, 2014). "House of Cards Season 2 review: A joyride". Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  72. ↑ Samuel, Bob (February 17, 2014). "From The West Wing to House of Cards". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  73. ↑ Tau, Byron (February 22, 2014). "What House of Cards gets wrong about money in politics". Politico. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  74. ↑ Ma, Wayne (February 17, 2014). "House of Cards Does Its Homework on China". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  75. ↑ Carter, Bill (July 10, 2014). "Emmy Nominations Cross a Few Lines". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 Zurawik, David (July 10, 2014). "House of Cards, Veep, Treme, Josh Charles earn major Emmy nominations: Strong Baltimore flavor to nominees for top awards". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  77. ↑ "2014 Primetime Emmy Nominations: The Complete List of Nominees". Indiewire. July 10, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  78. ↑ Hibberd, James (May 27, 2014). "TCA nominations: 'True Detective' starts awards season fight". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  79. ↑ "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are...". Entertainment Weekly. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  80. ↑ Gelman, Vlada (December 4, 2014). "Good Wife, True Detective, Thrones, Louie Among 2015 WGA Nominees". TVLine. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  81. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 25, 2015). "SAG Awards 2015: OITNB, Downton, Viola Davis, William H. Macy Win Big". TVLine. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  82. ↑ Swift, Andy (January 11, 2015). "Golden Globes 2015: Gina Rodriguez, Transparent, The Affair Win Big". TVLine. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  83. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (January 14, 2015). "OITNB, Game of Thrones, Transparent Among Directors Guild Nominees". TVLine. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  84. ↑ "Basically, @BarackObama Is a Parody Twitter Account". February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  85. ↑ "@BarackObama status update". Twitter. February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  86. ↑ Grant, Drew (February 12, 2014). "For Those Who Find Love Weakening: House of Cards Valentines". The New York Observer. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  87. ↑ Killoran, Ellen (February 18, 2014). "House of Cards Season 2 Review: Burning Questions Remain After Netflix Binge". International Business Times. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  88. ↑ Yousuf, Hibah (February 17, 2014). "Viewership for House of Cards soars". CNN. Retrieved February 18, 2014.

External links