House of Cards

A cold, darkly funny political story for people who don't need a likable lead. Kevin Spacey's Frank turns to the camera and explains his moves in a folksy Southern drawl, so the plotting feels like a secret shared with you. Early on he hands a reporter a leak about an education bill, then takes over the rewrite and has young staffers do it fast.

The first two seasons move briskly; the later ones slow down.