10 Problems With House Of Cards Nobody Wants To Admit
7. The Fourth Wall Thing Is Kinda Cheap
One of the stylistic choices carried over from the original, British series House Of Cards is the protagonist's tendency to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience. Like Malcolm In The Middle, only somewhat less whimsical. At its best it allows the audience in on Frank's plans, like you're an accomplice in his nasty business. Ian Richardson conspiring with the viewers in House Of Cards was somewhat ground breaking and definitely helped the audience get on side with a character doing despicable things. In the American House Of Cards, though, the conceit is all too often used to paper over cracks in the scriptwriting and characterisation. A lot of the time it's used in much the same way as all of the cast singing their feelings whenever stuff gets too complex in Glee. Not sure what's going on in Frank Underwood's head? Don't worry, he'll turn to the camera and explain all. Instead of, y'know, all of that coming through with his actions, dialogue with other characters, Spacey's performance...
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
