Downton Abbey

[aagold76]

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/67...-downton-abbey


very cute video- The Fresh Prince of Downton Abbey

[maxpowr9]

So I watched the first episode today and it started off slow but it ramped up towards the end. The costumes and setting are nice but I feel the real draw of the show is definitely the drama.

[sokker]

So I watched the first episode today and it started off slow but it ramped up towards the end. The costumes and setting are nice but I feel the real draw of the show is definitely the drama.

And the hot guys I love Branson and Thomas!

[LuvFindsAndyHardy]

So I watched the first episode today and it started off slow but it ramped up towards the end. The costumes and setting are nice but I feel the real draw of the show is definitely the drama.

I totally agree with you here. I think it's slow to mesmerize in the beginning because it takes awhile (at least it did for me, anyway) for the characters and their motivations to clarify.

I also couldn't warm up (at first) to Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary (which I thought would be deadly if I couldn't 'root' for her when I knew I was supposed to) but I soon "got her" as well and then I was completely hooked.

It DID take until episode 2 though to really start to enjoy it.

[maxpowr9]

^ The only reason I even watched the first episode was because I got an email from Amazon I could watch Downton Abbey for free because I had a prime account. Or course I had to do the typical work around to watch it on my ipad. Photon is the best $5 I ever spent on an app.

Even not knowing anything about the show, I immediately knew the Duke was gay because why the fuck would he pick "the ugly one". That was only reaffirming when he requested a specific butler or w/e they want to call it.

My friends call me a dramater as I'm sadly well versed in the genre and hardly anything shocks me. Will be interesting to see how it develops but if there isn't some frivolity in a few episodes, I'll find myself bored with it.

[aagold76]

Thomas and the Duke was sort of new to the genre of Edwardian costume drama, but not writer, Julian Fellowes- Gosford Park had some gay in it...Yeah- you could see the Duke was gay from space, though.

[pat grimshaw]

^ *********** Spoilers!*************

[maxpowr9]

I watched 2 more episodes and does the story actually go anywhere? Outside of the Turkish death, there is just nothing exciting about it. It just seems the characters jostle in place: much ado about nothing. The period piece portion is nice but I don't get the intrigue of the story.

[GregK]

Well, given that it is a 'period' drama, it does have it's limitations, BUT stay tuned, and I promise you'll be rewarded! It really is a great show.

[maxpowr9]

How am I not surprised that the "gay" plays the villain yet again. You would think we would be past pandering to the LCD but, ugh.

[aagold76]

Please- gay depiction in film and TV over the last 10+ years have made most of us into saints...only films written/produced by a gay team shows us as we really are- good and bad.....

[maxpowr9]

I finished the first series and you guys were right. It did ramp up to a good conclusion. I may start to watch the second series later. I had a friend ruin it for me because I heard the sexy Iain Glen plays a love interest in Mary. This guy is getting so much English muffin on TV: first Dany in Game of Thrones and now Mary in Downton Abbey. Although I like my Iain with a little scruff.

[aagold76]

Downton Abbey's twitter feed just announced Ed sPeleers (of Eragon fame) is joining the cast- not sure as who, but the tweet says 'One more for Carson to train up...' I'm guessing a new footman.

[yhtang]

I watched 2 more episodes and does the story actually go anywhere? Outside of the Turkish death, there is just nothing exciting about it. It just seems the characters jostle in place: much ado about nothing. The period piece portion is nice but I don't get the intrigue of the story.

I was hooked from the very first episode.

Perhaps you did not find it that appealing because you were expecting the story to be full of intrigue. I was viewing it slightly differently. I looked at is as a story of a man who was committed to doing the right thing despite losing his family's house, home and fortune.

I find the dialogue has a bit more depth than what I usually watch. i remember at one point in the story, Robert Crawley the Earl of Grantham was asked if he was happy. His reply was, "I am not unhappy."

To me, his answer speaks volumes. He is not exactly happy, but he knows he is more comfortable than many, and so should not be complaining. But yet, not all is right for him. I feel from the tone of his voice that it is very much a case of noblesse oblige.

This answer tells me much more than, "No" or "It's OK".

My two cents anyway.

[rareboy]

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethe...gie-smith.html

Is everybody else looking forward to this as much as we are????

So who do you think dies?

[aagold76]

Could be Maggie- the contract problem they site....can't see Maggie Smith wanting to do a series anyway- when she signed up, it was just a 1 shot mini that became hugely popular...we know Sybil is already pregnant- so that's the birth...it'd be fun if Edith got knocked up by a 20s black jazz singer in a London club....

[Tiloman]

I just fInished the second season. It is a terrific show. I hope something good happens for Thomas next season - god the poor guy struggles. I can't help but feel for him in spite of everything. The only person who seems to care for him is O'brian.

[Tadaa]

I'm pretty sure it's the Dowager Countess. They've hinted at it.

[hanzosword]

The new season 3 premier was good! Spoiler Alert! The Crawleys are gonna have some serious money problems since Robert made a terrible investment.

[Ohiospeedo]

Great show! Just watched both series yesterday. Sucks we in the states have to wait until January.

[pat grimshaw]

IMDB says ITV plans to bring back hit show Downton Abbey for a fourth season. It announced the re-commission on Friday. It finished its third season on ITV1 in early November with a season-high ratings performance, bringing to an end what the network said was the highest-rated season of the show to-date.

[yhtang]

Apparently, Dan Stevens who plays Matthew Crawley will not be returning in Season Four of Downton Abbey.

http://tv.uk.msn.com/drama/downton-a...ntid=252189015

[thatgirl]

Apparently, Dan Stevens who plays Matthew Crawley will not be returning in Season Four of Downton Abbey.

http://tv.uk.msn.com/drama/downton-a...ntid=252189015

Good. I can't stand this actor. He's not even hot.

I hope they upgrade him.

I really need to finish S3. I've only seen the premiere and haven't been motivated to watch the rest.

[GregKII]

Found a link online to watch season 3, I LOVED it, can't wait for season 4. I don't know how they're going to write Matthew out of the show seeing as he wields quite a large role in the series, now more than ever given the events of season 3.

[pat grimshaw]

Good. I can't stand this actor. He's not even hot.

I hope they upgrade him.

I really need to finish S3. I've only seen the premiere and haven't been motivated to watch the rest.

And some people tell ME that I'm a useless, self-obsessed hater.

It would be impossible to continue the series without him or Smith or Dockery. English actors can't afford to turn down job offers. I'm sure this news article is just a PR teaser.

[thatgirl]

And some people tell ME that I'm a useless, self-obsessed hater.

I think those people may be on to something...

It would be impossible to continue the series without him or Smith or Dockery. English actors can't afford to turn down job offers. I'm sure this news article is just a PR teaser.

You will just have to deal. He is so basic and bland, I'm sure the show will easily move on without him. Unless they cast someone equally bland to replace him.

[pat grimshaw]

^ I assure Rihanna would be an unsatisfactory replacement. She wouldn't be able to use auto-tune at Downton.

[GregKII]

Anyone here actually been to the estate, Highclere Castle? I have.. the show doesn't do it justice. It's absolutely gorgeous!

[pat grimshaw]

^ have you Greg?

If I was the owner I'd be anxious having that enormous film crew dragging round my precious rooms.

[maxpowr9]

Ever since I saw topic, I decided to do some catchup watching it online (thank God for Amazon Prime and allowing me to view the episodes ahead of the horribly delayed US release).

Just watched the second wedding episode. That was one of the most depressing things I have ever seen on TV. I'm not one easily moved but I was stirred by that. It seems like everyone will go off the rails again in the next episode.

[maxpowr9]

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I completely lost it when Sybil died

I thought the wedding was bad but holy shit. What a climax. The rest of the season was kind of eh. I still don't get why Tom would stick around and help Matt out. I hope Thomas finds a nice poofter that he could do some late nite reconnaissance with instead of almost raping someone. I wonder if Lord Grantham's stab at Eton was to make fun of PM Cameron.

[maxpowr9]

I just saw the "holiday special". Wow that episode was like a movie at over 90 minutes! The ending is such a tragedy but you could see it coming from miles away.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

The car crash cliffhanger is so cliché that it doesn't phase me. Matthew is highly likely dead though. Whenever there is a time where a character is built up, they must come crashing [no pun intended] back to reality.

We do know that the dowager is gonna get killed off at the end of the next season as Maggie Smith has already said that it would be her last one. That would be a good way to end the series IMO. No real point and dragging it on as the history gets quite dour.

[Ohiospeedo]

Well we got the first episode of Season 3 here in the states last night. Pretty good.

[dougmc92]

I thought it was a little dull....I kept wondering if Richard ran the story about Mary and the Turkish diplomat....if not- as much as she obsessed about it in the first 2 seasons, it should have been mentioned- even if to say- he didn't run the story!!!! You just know Matthew will take the money- from pics- I know they hire another footman- Ed Speleers, so they get money somewhere.

[MissAnne]

I really enjoyed Shirley McClain last night. I thought that she was a breathe of fresh air. DA can get a little stuffy at times. I do love how she and Maggie Smith played off of eachother. I thought that it was a good season opener. Change is upon DA and this reflects that time period in England. I have to say that I did find Mary to be a tad bit annoying and overdramatic. She is fearful of loosing her legacy. I get it but she must realize the man that she married and not expect him to fall into this lifestyle with the snap of her fingers.

[pat grimshaw]

Please remember—

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Please remember to use the Spolier Box. You can just cut and paste it. x Please remember to use the Spolier Box. You can just cut and paste it. Please remember to use the Spolier Box. You can just cut and paste it.Please remember to use the Spolier Box. You can just cut and paste it.

[rareboy]

We actually have broken the first 2 hour opener into 1 hour episodes in order to drag it out longer. McLaine is delightful so far.

[MisterMajestic]

Because The Obama’s and the Media is going CRAZY over “downton Abbey” I decided to pre-set my DVR to record season 3. The only reason I’m the LEAST bit curious is because the Phenomenal Dame Maggie Smith is a member of the cast.

I'm going to read some of the back-story you guys provided. So is the show an easy watch and can I get into it after missing seasons 1 & 2?

[dougmc92]

OK- Episode 2 question.....the parents tried to push Sir Anthony off on Mary in the first season, then were thrilled Edith took up with him after Mary passed....now- just because of an arm injury- he's unworthy of their daughter's hand? The man has money, I sure he can afford a real nurse. Plus, in season one, the parents were talking about Edith probably never marrying and taking care of them in their old age....wouldn't she have better prospects taking care of wealthy Sir Anthony- maybe having a child and inheriting after his death? All of Grantham's possessions will go to Mary and Matthew.....the show is starting to get uneven- creator/writer Julian Fellowes needs to go back and watch his own show!!!!!!!

[MissAnne]

NO THAT MAN DID NOT! My poor Edith.

[Tadaa]

Because The Obama’s and the Media is going CRAZY over “downton Abbey” I decided to pre-set my DVR to record season 3. The only reason I’m the LEAST bit curious is because the Phenomenal Dame Maggie Smith is a member of the cast.

I'm going to read some of the back-story you guys provided. So is the show an easy watch and can I get into it after missing seasons 1 & 2?

You need to watch seasons 1 & 2. Season 1 really pulls you in.

[dougmc92]

definitely try to SEE seasons 1 and 2- so far, much better than 3.....

[pat grimshaw]

Yes I get the feeling that season 3 is going to be falling apart now. Unfortunately.

[maxpowr9]

Yes I get the feeling that season 3 is going to be falling apart now. Unfortunately.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

It goes downhill and the finale aka the holiday episode is trashy tv.

@MM

The show is a serial, so you can't really watch certain episodes to get plot points. It would be like skipping chapters in a book. Some arcs do drag on but I would still watch the first two seasons.

[thatgirl]

You need to watch seasons 1 & 2. Season 1 really pulls you in.

Yeah, S1 is awesome.

Unfortunately, S1 is the best and the quality starts to deteriorate after that...

It's still a great show though but now it's just more obviously a soap opera.

I'm going to read some of the back-story you guys provided. So is the show an easy watch and can I get into it after missing seasons 1 & 2?

No, you need to watch from S1 to get an in-depth understanding of the characters and the inner-workings of the estate. Otherwise, the relationship dynamics between the family members and the workers will be mostly lost on you. It's best to start from the beginning.

It's like trying to watch a heavily serialized, character driven show like Mad Men or Breaking Bad. It's just not going to work if you simply read the recaps of previous season and jump right in. You'd miss a lot.

[MissAnne]

I have to say that I find Matthew's inheritence unrealistic.

"You cheated on my daughter, but please, take my money. You are such a noble man."


I don't get it. I know that the show is called Downton Abbey and not Downton Place, but I would have liked to see the change in scenery and their adaptation to the smaller place. Even if they would have gone back, it would have been fun to see where all of the servants would have ended up.

[dougmc92]

WELL, the father didn't know he got together with Mary- he died shortly after Lavinia- so he thought Matthew was going to do the noble thing and marry his daughter- but yes- it's REALLY stretching it!

[MissAnne]

WELL, the father didn't know he got together with Mary- he died shortly after Lavinia- so he thought Matthew was going to do the noble thing and marry his daughter- but yes- it's REALLY stretching it!

Oh. Oops. Sorry. I guess that I wasnt paying close enough attention.

[MissAnne]

SPOILERS!!!!

SPOILERS!!!!







Im so sad right now. I just watched last night's episode online. Poor Sybil. I knew that they shouldn't have listened to Sir Phillip.

I will miss her so much. Jessica Brown Findlay is a great talent, and honestly, one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. I look forward to seeing her in other projects. Im going to try to stop sobbing now.

[maxpowr9]

^ Don't worry...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Someone else "has it coming to them" in the season finale