49 school days until graduation
I’ve previously shared that I love to spend unquantifiable amounts of time scouring the vast abyss of Netflix. Recently, I’ve become obsessed with the series, House of Cards. Now, before you say anything, know that I’m not only talking about the new one, but also the BBC version from the 1980’s. While talking to my old man about the great things I’d heard about the new Netflix original version, he told me that the British version would be much better. He was right! Seeing them side by side is a great way of comparing them, and I must be honest the British version is outstanding. Not to say that the American one is bad, but it just doesn’t have the same suspense, articulate vernacular, or overall class as the BBC’s rendition. Let me give you an example to show you how they compare. The American version is like riding in a plush and comfortable Cadillac. Sounds great right? Well, the BBC version is like being driven around in a stately and luxurious Rolls-Royce…powered jumbo jet with 50 assistants at your beckon call, a large TV with Madden playing, unholy amounts of Chipole, and Michael Jordan sitting next to you. Yeah, it’s that good.
Let me explain myself. The American version is much too dark for my liking. It’s no more twisted than the BBC version, but the viewer doesn’t get the same bits of humor along with the drama. The plot and almost every detail is identical, but in execution, the BBC version seems much more believable. On that note, it could be said that it’s more believable that the portrayed corruption happened in the 1980’s than in 2013, but I disagree. What Netflix did was take an extremely intellectual show that makes its audience think and dumb it down. You see, the British version didn’t simply tell us what a character was thinking or feeling, it showed us. Netflix lost that art with its screen writing. There have been times when I’ll see the same scene in both of them and say “No Netflix, don’t tell me! Let me guess what he’s thinking first!”
I understand that not everyone might like my opinions so I again stress that both are pretty darn good. After watching an episode of either House of Cards I just feel so much smarter. This is how TV should be. Say goodbye to the preconceptions that the only thing you can watch are about “real” celebrities or pawn stores. Real TV is witty, clever, fast pasted and has you gripping at your chair to find out what happens next. You as the viewer have two options to watch right now and for some who are just torn at the idea of watching one and spoiling the other, flip a coin. You know where I stand, but only time will tell which of the age old rival’s version is better. Will it be the cheeky Brits or the new Americans? Tell what you guys think.
