Downton Abbey - contains spoilers for season 4

[improvkari]

Thought I'd see who has seen last year's Masterpiece Classics series Downton Abbey, featuring Dame Maggie Smith.

Set just after the sinking of the Titanic, a well-to-do family struggles to keep their British country side estate after the death of an heir. With brilliant acting and scandals from the upstairs and downstairs, I was hooked from the first episode.

I hear talk of a second episode being filmed now, to air in the fall.

If you've seen it, any predictions on how the family will react to the start of WWI?

[Liselle]

Shocked that there's no thread on this because really, I thought it was exceptionally good TV - if a little rose tinted glasses.

I think the cast all round is wonderful - although I do dislike Mary which I am pretty sure isn't the point, aren't we meant to empathise with her or something?! Hugh Bonneville is wonderful as is Maggie Smith - that's nothing new though, she is wonderfully imperious as the Dowager Lady Grantham.

Season 2 is being filmed I believe at the moment or if not so it's about to start, apparently they're going to keep it to the two seasons only.

[improvkari]

You know, I didn't like Mary very much either. I like being torn about her and her decisions. She keeps the show interesting.

I was a much bigger fan of Sybil!

Can't wait for a second season.

P.S. My favorite line is "What is a weekend?"

[Muggle_Magic]

Originally Posted by Liselle

Shocked that there's no thread on this because really, I thought it was exceptionally good TV - if a little rose tinted glasses.

Yes, me too, I'm surprised to see a thread begun only now and with only a couple of responses to it.

Rose-tinted glasses, really?

Hugh Bonneville is wonderful as is Maggie Smith - that's nothing new though, she is wonderfully imperious as the Dowager Lady Grantham.

She's just perfect!

Season 2 is being filmed I believe at the moment or if not so it's about to start, apparently they're going to keep it to the two seasons only.

Why two only? Hope they change their minds if the second season is a big hit.

Originally Posted by improvkari

P.S. My favorite line is "What is a weekend?"

That was such a great line!!!

I also like the evolving social mores, the maid who wants to be a secretary, and Lady Grantham wondering why a young low-born girl would want to leave a good position in an aristocratic household to work in an office.

[improvkari]

I think the sweetest friendship/romance is Bates and Anna. It's grown out of empathy and understanding.

The most irritating (in the best way) is Matthew and Mary. I'm very proud of him for leaving.

On another note, after the first episode I thought that Tom was going to be an underdog character I'd root for. I was surprised and actually sort of excited to see the turn his character took - for the worse. He sometimes seems misunderstood...and sometimes just terrible to the others - upstairs and downstairs.

P.S. O'Brein looks like Alice from The Brady Bunch.

[Hes]

I've only seen the first episode so far but I like it. Favourites are Grantham, Sybil (who seems to have some sense), Anna and Bates.

O'Brien... I already hate her.

[improvkari]

Originally Posted by Hes

Anna and Bates

I'm a fan of them too...

Honestly, I didn't fully trust Bates after the first episode, but I wanted to know more. Now he's definitely a favorite. I admire Bates' courage and Anna's compassion.

[sarah1234]

i really liked the series . i have never seen a series like this before . Mary is kind of annoying as she always makes the wrong choices but it is entertaining to watch . I did not know they where only keeping it for two seasons hopefully that will change if not hope that is has good ending .

[sekhmetlion]

I have watched today the fifth or sixth episode, not sure. It is a great show, and Maggie Smith acts really good. I love the faces she makes when confronting Mrs. Crowley, and her lines are the best of the show. "What is a weekend?" I couldn't avoid laughing when I heard that, but there are many others quite good too.

I don't like Mary, not that I hate her, but it is difficult for me to empathize with a woman who has nearly everything (except perhaps some restrictions when choosing a husband?) and is always choosing to act like a child, she is not good with her sister Edith either (not that Edith is a saint).

Bates and Anna: lovely couple, my favourite.

[improvkari]

Ya I'm getting the feeling that we are supposed to feel torn about Mary. I agree, she is so childish sometimes!

[sekhmetlion]

Ya I'm getting the feeling that we are supposed to feel torn about Mary. I agree, she is so childish sometimes!

And a selfish child, which is worse.

[decarus]

Mary really grew on me though. I mean she was annoying at first but i think by the end she knew that she was annoying and she was doing better. She really wanted the guy to chose her. There was definite character growth there and i think it was good.

[Rastaban43]

I liked it quite a lot and look forward to seeing the second series. In the meantime, you guys should check out Uptown Downstairs Abbey for absolute hilarity:

[improvkari]

Those are great! Thanks for sharing!

[Hes]

They definitely captured O'Brien and Thomas right

[improvkari]

And the stair bit in part 2 was hilarious!

[Desraelda]

I got the unabridged British version on DVD. Apparently they edited the US showings. I haven't had a chance to watch it, though.

It reminds me very much of Upstairs Downstairs, but the DVD was so much cheaper than U.D.

[Prince659]

They put Downton Abbey on Netflix to watch online, in case anyone wants to watch it there.

It's a great show, but I just know they're going to kill somebody in the war. My bets are on either William or Branson...which would suck because Branson is my favorite character along with Grantham and Sybil. I really hate Mary and O'Brien, and I hope that Mary doesn't end up with Matthew. He's too good for her.

[Rastaban43]

For US viewers, Masterpiece is airing the revival of Upstairs Downstairs starting Sunday.

[improvkari]

Originally Posted by Rastaban43

For US viewers, Masterpiece is airing the revival of Upstairs Downstairs starting Sunday.

Unfortunately I don't see this listed here. I would love to start watching it though, as it sounds like it is very similar to DA!

Sesame Street

Sesame Street

Upstairs Downstairs