Should I Check This Out - House of Cards season one

It was one of the first big shows to air exclusively on Netflix, continued to mark the trend of big names moving to TV and has won two Golden Globes (for both leads Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright) so it's safe to say that House of Cards must have something going for it. But having seen the first season, is it something I can easily recommend?

Updated to the 21st century from the 1990s British version, House of Cards tells the story of Francis Underwood, a congressman from simple means and who works with his wife to twist and turn the people around him to get his way. The series kicks off with a confident Underwood soon feeling blindsided when he is denied the position of Secretary of State and then sets about putting things right.

It's an engaging enough premise and producer (and director) David Fincher does a great job bringing this classy show to life. He is also aided by top performances from Spacey, Wright, Corey Stoll, Kate Mara and Michael Kelly. Typical of Fincher, the show also comes with his signature cinematography that never fails to impress, and the variety of guest directors manage to keep things exciting. Complete with a sharp script, this is Fincher at his best and the critics and award bodies loved it.

However, great while it is, I did find the show to lull somewhere among the first 13 episodes. The politics and the drama that ensues are fantastic to watch, but it's when the show takes a sidestep into some of the character's lives and history that it starts to falter. As with other shows, there are 'those' characters where the audience often tunes out or skips to the next scene. There was the Brody family in season 3 of Homeland and then that pregnant girl in the early episodes of Peaky Blinders which dragged the show out for too long. For some, it is even Daenerys' scenes in Game of Thrones. While it isn't as bad here, Robin Wright is the unfortunate culprit given those scenes which pale in comparison to the bigger picture. That said, she still delivers a fine performance and her scene's improve as the show picks up towards the final.

The bigger picture sees Kevin Spacey at the top of his game, as he takes a reckless Stoll under his wing as he sets about turning the tables with help from Kate Mara. These scenes are great to watch, and the final episode ends with more than enough incentive to return (take note Homeland!).

If American politics isn't your thing then there will be little here to keep you onboard but if the idea interests you, this is certainly well worth a go.