Downton Abbey

As the series is about to air in the US, I thought I'd set up a thread for it here. This is less a place to talk about the plot, than all of the other questions and interesting bits that come up while watching it. We'll try to avoid spoilers here.

My husband and I have already watched the first season (via DVD) twice and we find endless things to hash over and comment on. I'm very impressed with the details one sees - which is why a second watching (or third) is worth it. The DVD includes, of course, the "making of" which mentions that even the relationships have been given some historical authenticity. Admittedly, we thought some of the closer relationships with the servants seemed unlikely in most cases (though this was explained a bit in the 'making of'), and we thought some of the emotional openness of the upper crust a bit of a stretch (in one deleted scene, it shows the Earl holding hands with his middle daughter).

We find the show very sentimental in that everything, for the most part, works out okay. This makes it somewhat predictable, imo (we are already making predictions about next season:-) There's a bit of humor going on also which we really have enjoyed. And while I usually like things with a bit more edge, it is admittedly a lovely escape.

We did notice in "the making of" that no mention of "Upstairs, Downstairs" is made ever. They talk about the series as coming wholly from "Gosford Park" while never acknowledging its more obvious predecessor.

We also think the acting has been terrific. Maggie Smith (Dowager Countess) and Jim Carter (Carson) can do fabulous things with just a slight movement of their heads or a facial movement! And I think the young girl playing Daisy does a fab job.

I'm super excited about this - got the DVR all set up to record it.

Watched the first installment tonight -- loved it! Maggie Smith is, as always, terrific. I think my favorite was her line - "What...are weekends?" Sooo funny.

So far the most vivid impression that I am getting is that the staff is even snootier than the family! 8^)

Interesting (yes, I couldn't resist watching the beginning a 4th time) that they included a scene deleted from the UK DVD version (the part where Edith holds hands with her father).

And also interesting, that the hour and a half US episode cut off in the middle of episode 2 in the UK version. I never realized there was so much splice and dice.

>3 BriarRose72:: I loved that, too! Her role is quite similar to the one she played in Gosford Park, in which she snidely told a film director that none of them would actually watch his movies.

>5 avaland:: We were surfing IMDB after last night's episode (the old, "where have I seen him/her before?" game). I noticed that many of the characters appeared in "7 episodes" but in the US it's being shown in 4 installments. So yes, I think they have to break it down differently.

I have just received series 1 from Amazon UK so am looking forward to watching it. It has not shown on commercial TV in Australia as yet (and probably never will - hence my buying it from Amazon).

>7 primlil: I definitely liked having the whole series at once. And we've watched it 3 times:-) Alex, it is aired on our PBS or public broadcasting station which might still be considered a noncommercial station. Programming is uninterrupted by commercials, but the programs have 'sponsors" and the station is supported by sponsors, donations, and a wee bit from the government.

I think it was in the "Making of" that the historical advisor told them that what went on upstairs was the soap opera for the downstairs crowd.

btw, Happy 40th Birthday to Masterpiece Theatre! I've been watching for 35 of the 40 years (I didn't have access to a PBS station before that time).

I'm so annoyed! I loved the first episode, knew I was going to miss the second, and hunted up these insane times our PBS station re-runs it (seriously - 2:30 a.m.?), and decided to tape it. But then I saw that the first episode was available On Demand. Silly me. I assumed that meant that later episodes would be, too. Well, #2 hasn't shown up and #3 is on tomorrow.

Anyone want to tell me what happened on #2 so I won't be lost?

Lilithcat, you can watch the episodes on the PBS Masterpiece Theater webpage: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch/index.html

Oooh, thank you, kabrahamson!

>9 lilithcat: ha ha, you are addicted already!

I kept thinking that the actress playing Lady Mary looked familiar & when I checked on IMDb it turned out that she plays Susan in Hogfather! Maggie Smith is just great as grandma.

The changing times are indeed overtaking all the denizens of Downton Abbey aren't they? The same thing is happening to those in Larkrise to Candleford! Time marches on for all of us as well as I found it hard to believe that this last Thurs. (the 20th) marked 50 years since the inauguration of JFK. Wow! 8^)

I have watched all episodes of series one now, except the last two and they are going to get watched tonight.... yeah! The whole family has really enjoyed this series - we have been riveted to the TV. Cant wait for series two to be released on DVD.

Also have series 3 of Larkrise to watch as well - like it but its more of a soap opera really, abit like Darling Buds of May was in the early 90's.

It was certainly a great series and took the country by storm in a way that rarely happens these days - just goes to show that no good drama is ever wasted (please note, makers of the usual Saturday night trash).

You may be interested to hear that the one thing about the series that probably caused the most difference of opinion was the way the Earl (Hugh Bonneville) was such a nice character. A lot of people raised on the last 50 years of inverted class snobbery ('posh' is always bad) seemed to doubt the authenticity of portraying any upper class person as kindly or understanding. For me, it was a nice twist on the usual themes of the evil mill-owner/upper class twit and I see no reason why there wouldn't be as many generous and caring people in that class as in any other. Can't wait for the next series.

>16 Booksloth: I admit I think he is a bit too "good" but it's in keeping with the whole sentimental tone. Maybe, it's not 'good' - just a bit too 'perfect', imo (gee, the servants can even borrow the books).

>15 primlil: I stopped Lark Rise after two seasons. It's even more sentimental than Downton. Guess I had reached my tolerance level.

------

So, go ahead, make your predictions of what will happen during the war years:

I predict a juicy scene where Thomas gets to lord over someone from 'upstairs'.

I predict William will die in battle or be wounded. He does seem the most expendable.

I predict Matthew will also be called up,wounded mentally and or physically and nursed back to health by Lady Mary (who will finally show some substance to her character).

And I predict the chauffeur will survive the war and be successful in whatever he takes up, and he & Lady Sybil will get together.

And you?

I don't know about predictions, but the writing on this show is outstanding. Of course, the delivery by the actors (especially Dame Maggie) is brilliant, but the writing is the draw. I could listen to this without the scenery. Not that the scenery is bad, that house is magnificent. Really, is there anything that isn't great with this series? They're even taping series 3 now. Brilliant.

I discovered the show recently (though I'd heard people talking about it) and caught up watching pbs.org last week and then the first episode on Sunday.
I do think the great thing about this series is that it's easy on the eyes. The cinematography, the acting, and yes, the costumes. (On of the funny flashbacks I got was Elizabeth McGovern when she was in "Ragtime", back around 1984.) As far as the writing goes I don't think it's better than a typical historical novel, but the acting is superb and the characters are complex enough to draw you in.
I do think the upstairs characters are shown as a little too paternalistic, although in general I like both characterizations -- it's fairly evenly balanced.

I'm sorry to hear that Lark Rise to Candleford is saccharine--the original book is anything but.

and yes, the costumes.

Oh, my god, the costumes! I would watch this show just for the clothes. In Sunday's episode, Cousin Rosamund was wearing a black, fur-trimmed suit that I would kill for.

>3 BriarRose72: I think my favourite Maggie Smith moment from the first season was in the 7th episode: "Put that in your pipe and smoke it!". Very funny indeed :)

#22I -My favorite line is when she asked-"What is a weekend?" 8^)

>23 Vanye: Haha, yeah! That was a good one too! I'm going to start watching the second season tonight. I'm sure there's many great Maggie Smith moments to look forward to! :-D

I watched the first part of the second series last night, on pbs.org. What can I say if not..MAGNIFICENT!!!!! I love everything, to the minutest detail. The clothes are to die for!

I want all of Lady Mary's dresses! Badly!

I managed to catch up with the episodes I'd recorded off Dutch and Belgian TV just in time to watch the Christmas special in England. Despite the Dutch subtitles, it's much more agreeable watching it all the way through without having to fast-forward through a commercial break every five minutes as you do on ITV. I notice Avaland was pretty close with the predictions in No.17...

Apart from that, it was definitely above the usual standard for costume drama these days. Visually stunning, good period detail, some very good acting. If only they could find someone who can write dialogue! In the old days they would get writers of the calibre of Simon Raven, Alan Plater, and Malcolm Bradbury to do this sort of thing, but nowadays it seems to be anyone who walks in off the street.

It is a bit disconcerting that the house is the same one that was used as Totleigh Towers in the Jeeves and Wooster series, especially as they kept all the pictures and ornaments in the same places — I kept expecting to see Roderick Spode or Madeline Bassett coming down the stairs.

Re the clothes: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2084297/Downton-Abbey-How-dresses-ITV-...

>28 Marissa_Doyle: Cool, thanks for this! I really like the idea of recycling the costumes. It would be a shame if those gorgeous frocks were made only to be worn once.

>28 Marissa_Doyle:
Is it a sign of the times when the Mail grabs its "pictures of actresses" stories from a website (Recycledmoviecostumes.com) instead of sending out its own paparazzi...?

The competition is heating up Downton already has a copy cat. Here's Joanna Lumley, Kim Catrall and Jennifer Saunders in Upstairs Downstairs Abbey (Part 1):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr2mPChkTK8

>17 avaland: I'm taking a cautious victory lap for my earlier predictions. The details aren't quite perfect, but generally I got most of it right. NOTE: If you haven't finished the 2nd season, do NOT read my previous post.

Speaking of costumes, there is a black dress that Elizabeth McGovern wears (Season 2), with sort of a black netting across the upper bodice, that I think is just stunning.

>31 justifiedsinner:,32
Hmm - with Simon Callow to do the personal appearances and avaland to write the scripts, we could easily dispense with Lord Fellowes altogether... :-)

>33 thorold: LOL!

I can't believe we must wait until Jan. 2013 for Season 3. I suppose in the meantime I will just watch Seasons 1 and 2 until I have them memorized. Must order Season 2 from Amazon right away.

The hats!! OMG, I want them all!

I especially admire Maggie the Great and the little Daisy, Sophie McShera. They are especially fabulous.

I can't wait to see Maggie and Shirley battle it out next year :)

Anyone here have the companion book The World of Downton Abbey ?

>20 Marissa_Doyle: I was thinking that - it's a gently sad lament for the lost countryside. I think the bit that upset me the most was the comment that all the cottagers got rid of their solid, old-fashioned oak settles and tables as soon as they could afford to buy machine-made furniture instead. This then fell apart, unlike the old stuff that lasted for generations.

that's sad. I still have some old beautifully made furniture from my Great Grandmother. Its so wonderful and not one nail.

I'm watching Season 3 now (I get it from the UK and watch it on a region-free player), and there is a lot of stuff going on in just the first three episodes! I'm not going to give any spoilers away but...

It's still melodramatic but not to the extent season 2 was (but don't we love it with some melodrama?) Maggie Smith is in top form and Shirley Maclane plays an interesting character, an American counterpart to Maggie. I was a bit skeptical about how she would be presented but she is interesting has some zingers of her own and there is as much truth in them as in Maggie's (and interesting is as good as likable, imo).

In the first couple of episodes there's some nice friction between the gentry and the rebels (Branson=Irish and Martha Levinson (Cora's mother)=American) and it seems that the 'rebels' are the vehicles in the episodes used to deliver some hard truths to the manor-born crowd. It makes for an interesting dynamic thus far.

It's nice to see Thomas and O'Brien in top eye-gouging out form! Me-ow!

And yes, it seems that everything eventually still works out okay for the people of Downton Abbey. Eventually.

Haven't seen any episodes, but heard a spoiler -- the details of which I'll leave you to figure out on your own -- in the context of the fact that Jessica Brown Findlay was shooting a movie in my neighborhood recently.

#40 Oh avaland - just you wait!

Here in the UK we're eagerly clearing our viewing schedules for the Xmas special!

Two words: Breaking Abbey

>43 quartzite:: just saw that yesterday. Absolutely hilarious.
Here's the clip from The Colbert Report, for anyone who's interested.

>43 quartzite: & 44 OMG, that is hilarious.

>42 Booksloth: We finished all 8 episodes in 3 days, I'm embarrassed to say. Usually I find Downton delightfully predictable, but it surprised me on at least one occasion this season.

If you haven't seen the Facebook version of Season 3, you're in for a treat.

Airing later this week on Sesame Street: Upside Downton Abbey.

Also nice. I think the muppet Carson captures him to a T. Or should I say 'tea'?

It was Carson that cracked me up..."yes..MUM..."

I got Downton Abbey withdrawal syndrome when the series ended. So, I watched all of The Grand on Netflix Streaming. Similar era but set in a hotel and has the Upstairs / Downstairs elements. I found it a little more realistic in terms of showing the real lives of the serving classes than Downton. Anyone else seen this series? Great performances by Susan Hampshire and Mark McGann.

Hmmm, I watched it over the summer but got rather bored with it after the first four or five episodes. I thought of it more as similar to The Duchess of Duke Street.

Has anyone watched "Dollhouse Dowton" on YouTube? It's very clever. I can't post a link from this computer, but I'll come back and add it when I get home.

I'm currently reading the book that inspired Gosford Park--it's called The Shooting Party by Isabel Colegate. Not as rosy a world as Downton, but very good.

> 52, Cariola, I didn't know of The Duchess of Duke Street. I will have to check it out.

> 53, Nickelini, I have added Shooting Party to my list too now..... Thanks.

I was also pointed to the books by Phillip Rock about Abingdon Priory, The Passing Bells trilogy. Haven't read them yet, but intend to.

This is funny, and well done, if you have 10 minutes to waste . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O41N2biauc

Downton Abbey, Season 4, the musical

> 55, Nickelini, thanks for sharing. That video was quite well done and amusing.

>54 jennybhatt: I read the Philip Rock books back in the early 80s and enjoyed them. I just donated my copies to the library book sale! (and I see one of them was not in my LT library. Hmm.)

I was looking at a copy of "Bookmarks" Magazine the other day, and they had an article called "If you liked 'Downton Abbey'" with a few book recommendations. One was by an author whose last name is Glyn or Glynn. I can't find anything online that seems familiar.

Does anyone know who this author is, and possibly which book?

Thanks!

#58 Can you remember whether the book was fiction or non-fiction? Any other details about it?

> 58

Elinor Glyn?

No new comments about season 4? I was sorry to see both Sybil and Matthew go, but, I'm sure there are some more great characters to come. I think Mary and Lord Gillingham will eventually get together. It may take some time though. Poor Edith, she is finally in love again but all is not well. I think there is more heart ache ahead for her. I'm devastated by what is happening to Anna....hope she isn't pregnant. I guess you can see how much I absolutely love Downton Abbey! Can't wait till next episode.

Seems like a lot of the Downton Abbey fans casn be found in the 2014 Category Challenge. I need to wait until the DVDs are released...

Downton Abbey. Seasons 1-3.

I. I am not neither a playwright nor a TV scriptwriter, but from this writerʻs seat, DOWNTON ABBEY is tremendous success: there are so many plots, all juggling for time, their entries and exits very complicated, yet needing cohesion, as they work toward some common end, each on its own, and as a collective work. The dialogue fascinated me and the delivery of every line that I can remember was masterful: no doubt, the actors and actresses were very carefully selected -- for handling lines and the acting of their core and developing characterizations.
Short, clipped exchanges supported by body movements, crossings and uncrossings of positions relative to others and their places in the scheme -- are an art to write, indeed, especially if sustained over hours representing years of changes, in and out of peace and war time. I was delighted by the Dowagerʻs inimitable lines, as most viewers say they also were, and by the use of Scripture by the cook, e.g. putting in a nutshell the point at hand, like the line about the Lord causing the lamb to be shorn, i.e. gently if needfully. I think I found the use of the language, matching the acting, the most intriguing. Most watchers of DT have mentioned the plot and the clothes. , , , I love drama in all forms. The dynamics of this series rightly was found and accepted as a Positive Healing Event. DOWNTOWN ABBEY GETS A FULL SIX STARS from me.

I would like to congratulate the Producers (Nigel Marchant,Liz Trubridge), Directors (Brian Percival, Ben Bolt THE Ben Bolt!?, Brian Kelly), and WORDSMITH JULIAN FELLOWES, as well as the marvelous cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens, Phyllis Logan. and all the others, of the smallest parts, of the staff, in particular, for a STUNNING WORK OF ART.

Art today demands commercial backing like organic life needs water and oxygen, sunlight and environmental support. ART is often, and perhaps rightly, seen as Anti-Commercial. For a change, let us celebrate that DOWNTOWN ABBEY is a dual success -- in teaching and delighting . . .well, me, certainly, and my family.

II. There are in this movie enormous social. historical, economic, political, religious, community and personal issues here, embodied in the people of different personal and social assets and capabilities. They are set in a time when England was undergoing enormous pressures to change radically. In that period, the British survived. But the peace lasted only twenty years.

DOWNTON ABBEY is like a preview of those early decades and what followed. And one sees, in the desperate need of the aristocracy to maintain its code of ethics and honour, what the odds were against it and see how it may not have. That it did is due to characters such as Julian Fellowes knows so well and depicted convincingly at least to persons on this side of the Atlantic to whom aristocratic Britain remained half titillation on the social circuits and half mystery on others. Doubting the integrity of the Earl of Granthamʻs high moral ground as though he represented every aristocrat in the country or that he could be fatherly enough to hold his daughterʻs hands is to confuse
statistics where it is not relevant, and notions of general aristocratic reserve as though it were frozen flesh, blood, mind, nerves, and heart.

Season 5 just wrapped up, and I'm curious as to whether or not I'm the only one who has really grown to love Rose MacClare as a character. When she was first introduced, I wasn't a huge fan of her because she seemed almost shallow, but it's been enjoyable watching her transform from a girl to a young woman, especially now that she's taken on caring for Russian refugees and gotten married.

>65 Avdotya_Raskolnikova: Sorry, I'm not in that camp--I can't stand her character.

Oh, she's definitely grown on me. At first I thought she was boring, but now I find her as interesting as anyone else.

I am still missing Downton Abbey and wish it would come back! One of my all time favorite TV programs.