House of Cards spoilers within
February 19, 2014 3:10 PM   Subscribe

Want to talk about House of Cards online without spoiling other, slower viewers? Slate offers a few a reasonable guidelines.
posted by donajo (35 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Snape kills Underwood.
posted by The Whelk at 3:14 PM on February 19, 2014 [5 favorites]


I disagree with the "reasonable timeline" of one week before spoilers can be discussed, if the whole series is available for viewing through legal venues. If you want to stay unspoiled, then the onus is on you to stay out of discussions about the show. I stayed off of Twitter until I finished the series, because I didn't want to be spoiled. I still have a #breakingbad filter on my Twitter account, because I haven't watched season 5 yet.

I do think people who post spoilers without using the appropriate hash tags or spoiler warnings are jerks, though.
posted by donajo at 3:17 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]


the most important one to me is -- Distinguish between “push” and “pull” spoilers ... "push" being those spoilers that cannot be avoided (ie: given away in a headline, a title, a simple text or voice message). If you do this, you're either an asshole or a fool.
posted by philip-random at 3:21 PM on February 19, 2014


Underwood had an erotic relationship with Keyser Söze back at the Hogwarts School of Political Dickdom.
posted by Dr. Zira at 3:39 PM on February 19, 2014 [3 favorites]


I'm not sure why 4 pm on Feb 1 was considered the earliest possible time when people might have watched the full season of House of Cards when skajillions of people had seen the entire series in 1996. I haven't watched any of the U.S. version up to now, but I could still spoilerize the heck out of the thing. Do spoiler rules even apply to remakes?
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:41 PM on February 19, 2014


I think any plot point that happens to mirror the original UK series from 1990 is pretty much open game.
posted by bswinburn at 3:44 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]


also FYI, if you ever want to know what it's like to be on the receiving end of a "I'm not serious but" and "juuuust kidding/unless you're into that" pick up line by a married male conservative lobbyist, please to be checking out episode ten.
posted by The Whelk at 3:51 PM on February 19, 2014


I think any plot point that happens to mirror the original UK series from 1990 is pretty much open game.
You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment
posted by unliteral at 3:54 PM on February 19, 2014 [7 favorites]


Don't we already basically have a thread on this, where everyone is talking about the show and everything?
posted by emptythought at 4:01 PM on February 19, 2014


I think any plot point that happens to mirror the original UK series from 1990 is pretty much open game.

You would think that, but I recently was fussed at by someone for spoiling a plot point in a 30+ year old SF book series that's evident to anyone who's perused the book in question in a bookstore (new or used). I love my friends, but some folks are crazy where spoilers are concerned.

I do like the push vs pull spoiler differentiation. I've never understood why people enter into online discussions of media they like, particularly if the discussion is "what do you like about x?" and then complain that they've been spoiled.
posted by immlass at 4:02 PM on February 19, 2014


I think, technically, if you really like House of Cards (well, at least the original UK version), you should enjoy dropping a spoiler or two, especially with plausible deniability and your victim unsure if they have been spoiled or not. Bonus points if one or the other of you uses the term "Daddy."
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:06 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]


The most important House of Cards spoiler is that you don't need to watch House of Cards.
posted by anazgnos at 4:11 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]


The push/pull distinction makes sense to me. I definitely think the major onus is on the person who doesn't want to be spoiled to avoid the comments and reviews, same as after the release of a movie.

And as noted, remakes add another level of complication, as do shows based off of books (like Game of Thrones), where major plot points are known even without seeing the show.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:17 PM on February 19, 2014


I inhaled the first season, but this season? I'm up to episode 6. I don't know, it's like Frank is suddenly a super villain who can't be stopped, so what's the fun? Where's Superman to give him some real competition? It just all seems too easy, too evil, too predictable.

Spoilers welcome at this point, if they'd get me back into watching the series.
posted by MoxieProxy at 4:19 PM on February 19, 2014 [2 favorites]


I think any plot point that happens to mirror the original UK series from 1990 is pretty much open game.

"UK"? That's not any 'Merican state I done seen. {/}
posted by mrgoat at 4:44 PM on February 19, 2014


Kobold whiskey can't be beat
posted by The Whelk at 4:53 PM on February 19, 2014


I was several episodes ahead of my friends this weekend and several others are catching up this week. In an effort to save them from me spoiling it, I have reduced all my commentary to this: WE HAVE MUCH TO DISCUSS.
posted by mochapickle at 5:11 PM on February 19, 2014 [1 favorite]


Francis Urquhart throws Underwood off a building because he knows too much and has outlived his usefulness.
posted by cosmic.osmo at 5:20 PM on February 19, 2014 [4 favorites]


We are really worried about spoiling a 23-year-old show?
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:37 PM on February 19, 2014


I inhaled the first season, but this season? I'm up to episode 6. I don't know, it's like Frank is suddenly a super villain who can't be stopped, so what's the fun? Where's Superman to give him some real competition? It just all seems too easy, too evil, too predictable.

Yep, this season kinda just wraps everything up with a bow and he effortlessly kicks ass through everything in his way.

I have a feeling that season 3 will be the downfall, because there's nowhere to go but down from where season 2 ends.

I think it's worth watching, but nothing super "NUH UH" happens besides things with side characters like doug stamper.

Oh yea, and the freaking threesome scene if you haven't hit that yet. i forget what episode that's in. has nothing to do with the story, and is just total wtf.
posted by emptythought at 7:43 PM on February 19, 2014


We are really worried about spoiling a 23-year-old show?

No. This is explicitly a "pull spoiler" thread, so anything House of Cards related is fair game.

I think it's worth watching, but nothing super "NUH UH" happens besides things with side characters like doug stamper.

RE: Doug Stamper, good riddance. Like Zoe, he was a brick tied around the neck of the show. But I do have a question about his demise - does anyone on Team Underwood know about Doug's connection to Rachel? Frank sort of knows that Doug dealt with her somehow, but he doesn't know that Doug has stayed in touch with her. I supposed Frank's secretary that Rachel lived with for a while might be able to connect the two, but that's only if someone thinks to talk to her. I'm wondering if Rachel is basically scot-free at this point, as long as she has the wits to clean her prints off of Doug's car.
posted by donajo at 7:54 PM on February 19, 2014


That gum you like is going to come back in style.

These pogs are going to be worth a mint!
posted by belarius at 9:22 PM on February 19, 2014


I'm wondering if Rachel is basically scot-free at this point, as long as she has the wits to clean her prints off of Doug's car.

I don't see her riding off into the sunset, unless the writers really wanted to just wash their hands of the character. McPoyle is going to notice and would possibly try to use his knowledge for additional leverage.

I've got to say, I can't remember when I last laughed as hard as I did at the very meta moment at the end of the first episode, going into the credits. I don't think it was necessarily meant as ha-ha funny, but for some reason I just found it so incredibly funny in the wake of what had just happened.
posted by Rhomboid at 10:46 PM on February 19, 2014


Still haven't seen S02. Might have to shell out for Netflix this month and go hard.
posted by flippant at 10:48 PM on February 19, 2014


I just watched S02E02 and saw the first episode yesterday and wanted to read all sorts of commentary on what a bone-headed move Zoe made, and was surprised to find a dearth of Google crumbs on the matter. Maybe I was too OG'd to G-o-o-g-l-e properly last night so I'll try now. I was kind of bummed about her but really annoyed with the bone-head clueless damsel moves she was making, and was actually annoyed with Lucas when he said "don't do anything careless" and then was like "oh yeah she's a dumbass or just a disposable thing for the show to toss out, that's weak."
posted by lordaych at 11:13 PM on February 19, 2014


I can tell my geek friends "Barrett Brown. That is all.", right?
posted by MeanwhileBackAtTheRanch at 11:38 PM on February 19, 2014


But I do have a question about his demise - does anyone on Team Underwood know about Doug's connection to Rachel? Frank sort of knows that Doug dealt with her somehow, but he doesn't know that Doug has stayed in touch with her. - donajo at 7:54 PM on February 19

Francis probably knows due to the fact that when Zoe confronted him with the unfortunate chain of events that led to Russo's falling off the wagon, there is reasonable ties that Francis could figure out what the ongoing connection is.

But as a subtext there's now more people who know about Rachel Posner and Douglas Stamper connection (Hacker Dude & FBI handler) that I wager we'll have that as a threat in S3 to peturb Team Underwood.
posted by Hasteur at 5:43 AM on February 20, 2014


We were discussing how boring HoC is on Facebook, and a friend of mine posted this, with which I fully agree:

So here's how I hope it all ends up... I hope the Kevin Spacey character gets gonorrhoea and dies. I hope his wife gets gonorrhoea and dies. I hope the Zoe character gets gonorrhoea and dies. I hope Spacey's photographer "friend" gets gonorrhoea and dies. I hope the guy who Spacey is using to become a governor gets gonorrhoea and dies. Maybe the final episode whenever they get to it, can be called "Gonorrhoea". I'll stick with the series through the first season, but I do have my fingers crossed about how these turds will end up.
posted by sweet mister at 9:38 AM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


So is the House of Cards going to fall down on Francis? Isn't that basically the promise of the title? Otherwise wouldn't it be called Pretty Stable Architectural Designs or, like, Successful Manipulators?
posted by onlyconnect at 2:50 PM on February 20, 2014 [3 favorites]


Just finished season 2. I've been doing 2-3 episodes per night or so, and even just a couple of days ago, I would not have predicted that things would end up the way they did. Season 3 had best bring some comeuppance because cartoon villians do not get to win _all_ the time. I mean really.

I didn't like how Stamper died. But Frank minus Doug might be interesting to watch.

I kind of love the threesome in the sense that The Underwoods were losing their edge, then they got their rocks off, and then they were ready to go again. I just hope that things end up better for Meechum than for Zoe or Adam.

So... Durant for Veep?
posted by sparklemotion at 8:17 PM on February 20, 2014


TEAM FREDDY FOR VP.
posted by Dr. Zira at 10:15 PM on February 22, 2014


Freddy's skills would translate better in to a chief of staff role, no? THE PRESIDENT NEEDS HIS RIBS.
posted by sparklemotion at 8:19 AM on February 23, 2014


POTUS also needs ribs cracked in the Congress. Freddy can break them AND cook them.
posted by Dr. Zira at 11:09 AM on February 23, 2014


At the end of season 1, I was worried that season 2 was going to be all about the plucky reporters trying to build a case against Frank. I'm glad the show went in a different direction. It gives me hope that season 3 isn't going to be about a weird hacker and his guinea pig doing internet things to take down the president.

I've seen the UK show, but it was a while ago and I don't remember fine details. I'd be perfectly happy if his general character arc stayed the same.
posted by Gary at 12:36 AM on February 24, 2014


I would bet money that guy is going to end up in gitmo or something. Like, just get black bagged for "cyberterrorism" from hacking the ATT servers, and run through some kind of black court system so that he doesn't get a chance to squawk. It would also be all ~topical~ for them to do that.

They totally coerced the journalist dude and built a case against him from nothing in a really entrapment-y. What's to say they can't just file the other dude away since he's already committed a shitload of crimes including the stuff he did post helping them put the guy away?

I'm more interested in what happens with rachel honestly. I feel like the hacker guy is a loss-leader distraction the same way Zoe was at the end of the last season Vs the beginning of this one.

Tusk and Rachel are the enemies for the next season.
posted by emptythought at 5:53 PM on February 24, 2014


« Older Shelf-Reading   |   And this one's the Half Double Decaf Half-Windsor... Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments