Netflix sets 'House of Cards' return date
Kevin Spacey stars in the Netflix hit "House Of Cards," which has been booked for a second season starting in February. Credit: AP
"House of Cards," the series that sent Netflix soaring into the brave new world of binging and original production, has set a return date for the series: Feb. 14.
And yes, in case you are wondering, the entire 13-episode season will be available immediately. "Cards" -- followed by "Arrested Development" -- truly established what was then a curious template for viewing, and which was voraciously debated at the time. Wouldn't an immediate, all-at-once download, for example, eviscerate that all-important "buzz" that viewers feed off during a series' run?
As it turned out, didn't much matter. "Cards" was considered a success, or at least that's the claim of Netflix -- which never releases download figures, much to the chagrin of traditional networks which say Netflix is playing by a different set of rules that it doesn't care to divulge.
Nevertheless, there's little doubt this is exactly what many subscribers want -- instant gratification, and all at once, or over a 13-hour stretch. Netflix even went ahead and ordered an entire second season of "Orange is the New Black" even before the first episode appeared. That would now seem to have been a good bet: "Orange" got critical love and presumably subscriber love, too.
Meanwhile, a few new details about the second season, as follows:
In the second season, Francis (Kevin Spacey) and Claire (Robin Wright) Underwood continue their ruthless rise to power as threats mount on all fronts. Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara, “American Horror Story”), an up-and-coming reporter and Francis’s former paramour, is inching closer to the truth about his crimes. President Garrett Walker’s (Michel Gill, “The Good Wife”) billionaire confidante Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney, “Southland”) demands that Francis reciprocate political favors or face retribution. And Claire must confront the increasing glare of the spotlight as it eats away at her and Francis’ once private existence. The Underwoods must overcome these dangers -- past and present -- to avoid losing everything, regardless of collateral damage they leave in their wake.
Meanwhile .?.?. a tease, and Newsday app readers, please go to Newsday.com/tvzone:
Most Popular
Top Stories
