In what was likely a complex, calculated move by Netflix to ferret out the rats among us, the entire third season of House Of Cards was briefly released on the service today, only to be taken down as soon as viewers squealed and were subsequently dealt with. The new episodes (10 of them, at least) suddenly appeared weeks ahead of their scheduled Feb. 27 premiere, causing many to share their excitement on social media and across various blogs. Some 25 minutes later, the episodes were taken down—as were those who spread the information without regard for discretion. Bleating lambs to the slaughter, all.
According to a statement Netflix gave CNBC, the whole thing can be blamed on “a bug in the system,” which is what we all are.