《纸牌屋》第二季热播 融入中国元素

The popular US drama series "House of Cards," which has already started its second season, features Chinese elements in its storyline.

Traditional heroes are no longer sought after anymore. Today, it's unconventional protagonists like Francis J. Underwood from "House of Cards" who are winning audiences' hearts.

The political drama, which airs on the Internet streaming service Netflix, has won the applauses of viewers around the world since its debut on February 1, 2013. At the same time, it has caught the attention of real politicians, including US President Barack Obama.

Dark political villain

Kevin Spacey is infamous for his portrayal of villains including his roles in blockbuster hits such as "LA Confidential," "Seven" and " Usual Suspects."

In "House," directed by David Fincher, Spacey plays Francis J. Underwood, a cold-blooded Democrat who moves his way up the political ladder by any means necessary. He often positions himself in the grey zone and uses his under-exposure in media to carry out misdeeds that will later benefit him.

The revenge theme plays a heavy role throughout the storyline. Underwood, who had high hopes for an appointment as Secretary of State in the first season, was betrayed by the US President and his former colleagues. He and his wife then concocted a plan of revenge and swore to unseat those who turned their backs against him one by one. Through their plan, Underwood's own hunger for power grew and empowered him to eliminate whoever stood in his way.

A new way of delivering messages

One of the most eye-catching points of "House" is the collaboration between Fincher, who's most known for shooting films with criminal themes, and Spacey, an acclaimed actor best known for his portrayal of big screen villains.

In the series, there are shots where Spacey looks directly into the camera and seemingly 'looks' and 'talks' to the audience. The aim, "to simplify and clarify and deliver the essence of politics directly to the fans."

Spacey delivers on this aim.

It's hard to separate Spacey from Underwood in "House." The insidious and ruthless character of Underwood seems tailor-made for him. What's more, though Underwood is labeled cruel, clever and cold-hearted, Spacey's meticulous acting makes it hard to dislike the character he plays.

President Obama is a fan

The release of the trailer of the second season excited millions of viewers around the world, including US President Barack Obama, who has been a loyal fan since the series debuted.

During a meeting with CEOs from the technology industries at the White House in December 2013, Obama asked Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings if he brought advance copies of the second season.

He has also expressed his admiration for Underwood.

"This guy's getting a lot of stuff done," said Obama. "I wish things were that ruthlessly efficient."

Although the President is anxious to watch the story unfold, he'd like to do it at his own pace.

After the release of the second season on February 14, Obama sent wrote on his Twitter account, "Tomorrow: @HouseOfCards. No spoilers, please."

Chinese elements

The second season has promised to be darker, with more unexpected turnouts, and is to include more Chinese elements.

"Perhaps the team, including myself, has realized that in the next decade, Asia will be an extensively important region, and China will play an active role in its transition and change," says Spacey.

流行美剧《纸牌屋》第二季已经开播，中国元素出现在故事情节中。

传统英雄已不再受欢迎。如今，像电视剧《纸牌屋》里的弗朗西斯·安德伍德这样的非传统主角才能俘获观众的心。

这部在网络电视公司Netflix上映的政治剧在2013年2月1日初次上映时就赢得了观众的掌声。同时还吸引了真正的政治家们的眼球，包括美国总统奥巴马。

黑暗的政治恶棍

凯文·斯贝西以其对坏人的出色演绎而闻名于世，如《洛城机密》、《七宗罪》和《非常嫌疑犯》。

在大卫·芬奇导演的《纸牌屋》中，斯贝西扮演弗朗西斯·安德伍德一角。安德伍德是位冷血的民主党人，他用尽一切手段攀爬政治阶梯。他总是将自己至于灰色地带，用其在媒体前的低曝光率干为己谋利的坏事。

复仇主题在整个故事情节中扮演重要角色。安德伍德在第一季很有希望成为国务卿，但却遭到美国总统和他以前同僚的背叛。安德伍德和妻子制定了复仇计划，发誓要一步一步把那些背叛过他的人拉下马。通过计划，他自己对权力的欲望慢慢膨胀，并且手中拥有的权力也助他扫除了前进道路上的一切障碍。

传递信息新方法

《纸牌屋》最吸引人眼球的是芬奇与斯贝西的合作。芬奇以拍摄犯罪题材的电影出名，而斯贝西以演绎荧幕坏蛋闻名于世。

在剧中，有一些斯贝西直接面对摄像机的镜头，仿佛他正在与观众“说话”。目的在于“直接向观众简化、阐明、传达政治的本质。”

斯贝西不负所望，成功传达了剧情目的。

《纸牌屋》中，斯贝西和安德伍德难舍难分。阴险无情的安德伍德一角似乎是为他量身打造一般。然而，尽管安德伍德被贴上了残忍、聪明、冷血的标志，但是斯贝西细腻的演技使观众很难讨厌这个角色。

奥巴马也追剧

第二季的预告片使全世界数百万的观众为之兴奋，这其中包括美国总统奥巴马，他也是这部剧的铁杆粉丝。

2013年12月，奥巴马与多位科技领域的首席执行官们在白宫开会，他曾问Netflix公司的首席执行官里德·哈斯廷斯是否可以提前拿到第二季的片子。

奥巴马还表示了对安德伍德的崇拜。

“这个家伙可以完成很多东西。”奥巴马说，“我希望事情真的可以那样无情的有效。”

尽管总统很想知道接下来的剧情演变，但他还是会以自己的速度追剧。

2014年2月14日第二季开播以来，奥巴马在其推特上写道，“明天：@纸牌屋，请不要剧透。”

中国元素

第二季剧情更加黑暗，有更多意想不到的转折，并且融入了更多中国元素。

“我们的团队，包括我在内都意识到在未来十年，亚洲将会是个十分重要的区域，而中国在这个过度和转变中将扮演重要角色。”斯贝西说。