'You might well think that...I couldn't possibly comment'

 

Now I really should wait till I get round to watching the American series of House of Cards which premieres today, but before that I think I'd like to do a little precursor to the inevitable big, hefty article I'm going to write on the original British series.

 

I don't watch much television but Francis Urquhart's exploits in House of Cards is my all-time favourite miniseries, besting even the likes of Wolf Hall and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The whole concept of a devious political mastermind in lieu of Richard III, breaking the fourth wall but also remain most enigmatic in this openness, keeping the audience on edge with his catchphrase 'You might well think that...I couldn't possibly comment', is ingenious in itself but could've gone awry if placed into the wrong hands. I won't say too much about him yet, but I think it enough to say that Ian Richardson's performance in this series is my all-time favourite performance in anything. Stay tuned.

It also has a cracking theme tune (as does the American one, from what little of it I've seen). It perfectly encapsulates what the series is all about, false sprightly joviality that encases a cold, ruthless interior.

 

(skip to :50 for possibly some of the best acting ever)

 

The whole series has a great ensemble, but two highlights which I'll also save discussion on are the excellent Susannah Harker who plays intrepid reporter Mattie Storin, and the brilliant Miles Anderson who plays the coked up, tragic figure of Roger O'Neill, a most pathetic but ultimately sympathetic pawn in Urquhart's hands.

Anyway, this concludes a very very very short article. Promise there'll be more to come but just thought I'd share a bt of one of the few television programmes I have watched and loved thoroughly, and I promise once I've watched most of the American series I'll be able to discuss the two in great detail.