Netflix Finally Does Something Right

Don't get me wrong, I've had a Netflix account for years. Back when I had actually free time I organized my queue on an almost daily basis. The hardest step in my last serious relationship was giving the boyfriend at the time access to my queue. I finally had to create a separate queue for him because I just couldn't take all the rearranging. That being said, whoever is in charge of business over there should be fired if they haven't been already. Netflix in 2011 will forever be a case study for poor business making decisions, just like what New Coke will forever been seen as in the marketing world. In 2011, Netflix raised prices and had a very blase reaction to the backlash, then split the streaming and mail offerings into two separate things to pay for. The last straw was that they then invented Qwikster, everyone is like WTF is Qwikster, then in the blink of an eye Qwikster was gone and consumers were confused. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Well, Netflix has just done something to keep them in the game in terms of streaming video sites. I just got some watching their original series "House of Cards," which was released as a full 13-episode season on February 1st. The buzz and press they've gotten for this is all rave reviews but their reaction is hilarious. Basically they're like yeah, it's great but don't think of us as a producer of original content, we're still focused on showing licensed content. Reading between the lines, this is basically Netflix not wanting to be seen as a content producing competitor in case that messes up their licensing deals.

Enough about Netflix, let's talk about "House of Cards." This show is a brilliant remake of a UK government drama, moved to take place on Capital Hill. A lot of the show's success can be attributed to the amazing acting of Kevin Spacey. Spacey hasn't been in anything notable since 2011's "Casino Jack" (except for a great supporting roll in "Horrible Bosses"). This is just another reminder of his acting chops and the fact that he will always be a force to be reckoned with. In the series he plays Senator Francis Underwood, the majority whip and a formidable character not to be reckoned with. His public asides with the viewing audience give us insights into his plotting. Francis has a power marriage (and open marriage) with Claire, played by the beautiful Robin Wright. While she'll always be Princess Buttercup to me, the lady has aged well and is perfectly cast as Claire, the seemingly cold and manipulative congressman's wife and CEO of a clean water NPO. Kate Mara (real-life sister to Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Rooney Mara), plays inquisitive journalist Zoe Barnes. Since this is a Netflix production, they probably used up their money getting these 3, but the remaining B-list actors are all pretty good too. Corey Stoll plays Senator Peter Russo, a congressman with a propensity for cocaine and hookers. Michael Kelly plays Doug Stamper, Underwood's right hand man. Beau Williamson, who did Ides of March, is the co-creator and executive producer. The series gets a variety of different but well-know directors including the genius David Fincher of "Fight Club" and  "The Social Network." People doubted Netflix for releasing all the episodes at once, saying it wouldn't have the chance to become addictive for views. Untrue. I, like many others I know, became instantly obsessed and watched the whole season in one week. Now I'm scouring the news wondering when Season 2 will come out (filming is expected to start this spring).

Netflix is premiering an original horror series, Hemlock Grove, in April. They're releasing the resurrected Arrested Development in May, which should be a big success.