by Temujin

This is a set of three series each containing four episodes about 50 minutes in length. It's set in a fictional late 80s-early 90s Britain, Thatcher has died and been succeeded just lately. The main character is a Francis Urquhart, a Machiavellian man played with supreme subtlety by Ian Richardson. Indeed, the series were so popular that Urquhart's most famous catchphrase has entered the vocabulary of Westminster.

The three series chart three major events in Urquhart's politic life, beginning with his bid to become Conservative party leader, his political duelling with the King of England and a threat to his own premiership. Urquhart is ably assisted by his wife, who is utterly devoted and plays Lady MacBeth to his own Thane of Cawdor.

The premise of the series may be difficult for a non-Briton, or even a young Briton, to see as clearly as an adult in the UK. After four successive election victories, three by Thatcher and one by Major, the Tories were largely loathed and got hammered by the 'whiter than white' (ha) Labour party. The Tories were seen as self-interested, too close to business and utterly ruthless, and Urquhart is presented as the fictional embodiment of all the best (cleverness and competence) and worst (mercilessness, arrogance and limitless ambition)parts of the Conservative party at the time.

The format of the House of Cards Trilogy is slightly unusual. As is typical, the main protagonist is in most scenes, but unlike any other drama of this type I've seen he speaks directly to the camera, and to the viewer. This serpentine man speaking directly to you with sly asides and the like creates a very interesting twist to a Trilogy packed with political intrigue, superb acting and more than a few memorable moments.

So, what rating would I give this? Five star? First class? As FU might say "You might very well think that, I could not possibly comment".