Was it a "technical glitch" or a marketing ploy worthy of Frank Underwood? Fans of "House of Cards" may never know, but what is well-established is that Netflix on Wednesday released Season 3 of its hugely popular political drama two weeks before its official release -- only to take the episodes down after about 20 minutes.

"Due to a technical glitch, some Frank Underwood fans got a sneak peek," the streaming service later said in a statement, with reference to the show's Machiavellian main character, according to Sky News. "He'll be back on Netflix on Feb. 27."

News of the leak spread on the Internet, and some fans commented that they were able to keep streaming episodes once they had opened the files. More than 55,000 "House of Cards"-related tweets were sent in the hour after the leak, and "House of Cards" itself also used the social network to comment (tongue-in-check) on the incident.

"This is Washington. There's always a leak," the show's Twitter account said on Wednesday.

Commercial director Rod Blackhurst, already in a "House of Cards" conspiracy mood, did not buy the official Netflix version of a "technical glitch," the Wall Street Journal noted.

"You believe (Netflix) accidentally 'leaked' Season 3 of ('House of Cards')?" Blackhurst asked. "That's called marketing. Now you're all talking about it. They win."

The Verge, meanwhile, used the 20-minute window to chalk down episode descriptions that give viewers some insights into what might happen to Underwood in the third season.

Warning: Spoilers below.

His presidency is apparently off to a "rocky start" despite an ambitious jobs program, and his wife Claire "sets her sights on the United Nations." In later episodes, the presidential couple deals with a state visit from the Russian president, a major East Coast hurricane, a trip to Moscow and a high-stakes battle with Congress.

Season 3 opens with a shot of an intersection, The Guardian detailed, and the second episode shows Frank Underwood meeting with his advisers.

For more than just those tidbits, fans will apparently indeed have to wait until Feb. 27.

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