The critically-acclaimed political drama House of Cards is an absolutely binge-worthy Netflix original that explores the seedy underworld of politics in the District of Columbia. What makes this series a particularly interesting pick for Dominion High School students is Northern Virginia’s proximity to D.C. and the immense political affluence and significance this area holds.

House of Cards centers on the personal and professional lives of Frank Underwood, a Democratic Majority Whip in the House of Representatives, where he represents South Carolina’s 5^th Congressional district, and Claire Underwood, a lobbyist and head of the nonprofit environmental organization Clean Water Initiative.

Ripe with corruption, passion, and intrigue, House of Cards will not fail to entertain and bewilder even the most hard to please TV junkies, although the audience should be at least slightly interested in politics to truly appreciate this show.

Kevin Spacey (Frank Underwood) and Robin Wright’s (Claire Underwood) performances shine in this series. Although, some say the show’s script does not live up to the extremely sophisticated acting exhibited by the cast.

Perhaps the most interesting and important angle this show presents is its relationship with the world of journalism. Zoe Barnes, played by Kate Mara, plays a pivotal role in the first season and is consistently thrown into the complex and secretive political environment of Washington D.C. She quickly distinguishes herself as an upcoming journalist and has an unusual and fascinating, to say the least, relationship with Frank Underwood.

Interestingly, Frank Underwood periodically speaks directly to the audience throughout the show and even looks straight into the camera when delivering these stand-alone monologues. Underwood tends to know exactly what the audience is thinking at these moments and makes commentary about events that have previously transpired in a way that is sophisticated, yet humorous.

House of Cards presents its characters in a multi-faceted view that allows the audience both to simultaneously detest and to love the main characters. This series not only stands out for its unforgettable acting performances, character development, and plot, but also because it explores the duality of good and evil in American politics and illustrates corruption at its most despicable, a notion that frequently concerns Americans.

If you enjoy political dramas buzzing with action, intrigue and corruption, then House of Cards is definitely the show for you. Currently, seasons one through four are available to stream on Netflix.