House of Cards question... which version should I watch first, UK or US?

[cui bono]

Iirc, Rachel Maddow said not to bother watching the UK version if you had already seen the US version. I have no idea why, plus I'm not sure I'm remembering it right anyway.

So has anyone seen both and does one of them ruin the other?

***NO SPOILERS PLEASE***

EDIT: Found the video of Rachel saying you HAVE to watch the UK version first. "There's no going back." "You can only do it in one order."

5 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I've seen both and you should watch UK version first.
	4 (80%)
	I've seen both and you should watch US version first.
	1 (20%)
	I've seen both and it really doesn't matter, Rachel was on crack.
	0 (0%)
	I haven't seen either and you should watch them simultaneously on two side by side TVs. I'm on crack.
	0 (0%)
	You're on crack.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[LeftyMom]

1. You should watch at least part of the UK version first.

The first series (season in 'Murrikan) is excellent. The rest? Take or leave. IMO it's really repetitive and the other two series don't really add a lot, but they're also much shorter than the American version so if you do watch them it's not a huge investment of your time.

If you're familiar with the UK version seeing how it gets translated to American politics is every bit as interesting as the show itself. I also found the different treatment of sex in the two shows fascinating.

[cui bono]

6. If I start the UK version I'll end up finishing it since I know it will be good.

Still not sure which one to watch first. May have to pick another series to watch while I decide!

Thanks for the input!

[Duer 157099]

2. I enjoyed the UK version so much more

Have no idea why Radhel would say that.

[cui bono]

12. Which did you watch first?

I found the video of her saying it, and she is very adamant that if you've watched the US version you "can't" go back and watch the UK version. I do think she's talking only about the first series because she mentions 4 episodes.

[Duer 157099]

17. I watched the US version first

and I am a huge Kevin Spacey fan, but was not blown away by the US series like so many others were.

However, I was blown away by the UK version.

Saw all episodes of both versions. If I had to recommend only one, it would be the UK one.

So... different strokes and all that I guess?

[uriel1972]

3. I've only seen the UK version

Ian Richardson was beyond excellent, I didn't watch the US version because I don't think it could match... THE ORIGINAL. And yes I have read the books too.

[sarge43]

4. If you watch the UK version first, you may have a general idea

how the US version will play out. Both are excellent and it's fascinating to do a contrast/compare.

The nuances of UK politics are a bit difficult for us Yanks to follow, but that's a minor point. As noted, Ian Richardson could make reading a laundry list sound riveting. He's even more reptilian than Spacey.

[cui bono]

7. Yeah, the politics of it is one reason why I'm thinking US first, then maybe UK.

Thanks for the input!

[LynneSin]

5. I tried watching the British version and didn't like it

But maybe that's me, I'm not really keen on British Television.

But here's the thing, if you watch the UK version first then it will spoil the US version, since many of the key things that happened in the UK were also done on the US version. And there are some HUUUUUUUUGGGGEEEEE spoilers.

Also, the US version is just amazing. Only reason Kevin Spacey hasn't won any acting awards (he's been nominated) is because he was up against Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad. Now that Breaking Bad show is ended I think you'll see Spacey win. He is absolutely CHILLING and RUTHLESS. And Robin Wright as his wife is absolutely sublime. She's one of those pleasing to your face politician wife who is secretly plotting against you and you don't know it hit you until after it's done.

There is such a talented cast to US House of Cards and if you are American, you'll really get an understanding of the inside workings to our government. I mean I know this is fictional but I really do think there are plenty of Frank Underwoods from both parties doing the same type of evilness that Underwood was doing in HoC.

Enjoy!

[cui bono]

8. Okay, then I might go US first. I want to fully enjoy it and as someone above said

I'll understand the politics of the US version better than the UK version.

Thanks!

[shenmue]

9. The U.K. one

Man, is that guy evil.

[Byronic]

10. They are different beasts.

You should probably watch the US version first, then you can savour the original in all its glory.

Absolutely crazy of Rachel Maddow to say not to bother watching the UK version if you had already seen the US version, though. Ian Richardson - as already stated here - is absolutely spell-binding as Francis Urquhart (and Kevin Spacey would be the first to agree with this) and the whole production is of a high quality. The follow-ups aren't quite as good; 'To Play The King' (complete with Urquhart's struggles with Michael Kitchen's, King Charles III-clone) is interesting, but you really shouldn't watch the last series 'The Final Cut' which almost certainly would spoil the coming seasons of the US version.

Enjoy Frank Underwood, but don't dismiss Urquhart. There's nothing quite like F.U. 'putting a bit of stick about'.

And as for whether Urquhart is better than Underwood, Richardson better than Spacey, well, in time..... "you might think that, I couldn't possibly comment."

[cui bono]

13. Hm... I just found the video where she says it and added it to the OP.

She definitely feels if you've watched the US version you simply cannot go back and watch the UK version.

[Byronic]

14. No accounting for taste.

US House of Cards is a magnificent, glossy production. It is longer and ideal for binge-watching. As an American you will be much more familiar with the political system portrayed (forgive me for making assumptions here; you could be an Australian with a doctorate in German politics, for all I know ) The actors are superb, and it deserves all the awards it gets. Watch it first.

After you've caught up, you have absolutely nothing to lose by viewing the first season of the UK version ('House of Cards'). It is only about 4 hours long, it spoils nothing if you've seen all the current US episodes, and, I hope, you will see why there is so much love here for Ian Richardson's portrayal of Francis Urquhart.

I'm a bit puzzled as to why Maddow seems to think that one version invalidates the other.

You win both ways!

[Demoiselle]

11. UK version for me...

Nobody plays a snake better than Ian Richardson. And the British accents drip venom. AND, I don't think it's quite so easy to be as fast and loose with the power wielding in the American system. (Not that we're saints..it's just that I think our power is more diffused…)

[Byronic]

15. A very good point.

A British prime minister with a huge majority in the House of Commons, and a compliant or cowed cabinet (a Thatcher 1983, or a Blair 1997, for example) has immense power. It has often been written that in such a circumstance, an almost 'elected dictatorship' is run from 10 Downing Street. For someone as ruthless and unscrupulous as an Urquhart/Underwood, you could imagine what they could achieve with so few blocks on their power.

With a neutered upper chamber, the only obstacle in the path, in extreme cases, would be the monarch. This would cause a constitutional crisis. (see UK version, season 2, 'To Play The King').

I agree, power in the American system is more diffused.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

16. I have only seen the US version.

I didn't know there was a UK version. I did like how it focused on the political games, backroom deals, and manipulation that you might expect happens in politics and basically had nothing to do with the merits of any particular political issue. It is a pretty interesting show and worth watching. Despite Underwood being a Democrat, I didn't see it at all at demonizing democrats, but just showing a theory on Washington politics in general.

[elleng]

18. Seen both, doesn't matter,

Rachel wasn't on crack.