 " Chapter 1 " ( sometimes " Episode 101 " ) is the pilot episode of the American political thriller drama television series House of Cards and is the first episode of the first season . It premiered on February 1 , 2013 , when it was released along with the rest of the first season on the American streaming service Netflix . This episode became the first web television webisode to earn Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations . " Chapter 1 " was written by series developer Beau <unk> and directed by executive producer David Fincher . The episode also earned 3 other Emmy nominations as well as <unk> : <unk> Drama and DGA – Drama Series nominations . 
