C'mon! Who's excited for series 3? Oh yeahhhhh!!
Though it must be said, many parts of the show are just plain stupid. Series one was great. Series two was kind of crappy (in a good way, though). Now there's some good television right thur.
J
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C'mon! Who's excited for series 3? Oh yeahhhhh!!
Though it must be said, many parts of the show are just plain stupid. Series one was great. Series two was kind of crappy (in a good way, though). Now there's some good television right thur.
J
Right there with you.
Season One was a great, great surprise, so happy I checked it out. Season Two, for me, was just fine until one particular dude showed his face... Then the series clambered back up and finally reached it's good old rewarding self by the very end. Definitely looking forward to Season 3.
Incidentally, since it'll take so long, I was thinking of trying out one of these classic British TV series:
1) Upstairs, Downstairs
or
2) Brideshead Revisited
So I'm going to take this opportunity to make an appeal for advice: Without giving anything away, could anyone weigh in on whether either of these would be interesting to a Downton Abbey fan? I understand the picture quality would be inferior, and the sets and costumes perhaps not at the same level, but I don't know... Either one serve up the same sort of snooty/servanty soap opera?
Upstairs/Downstairs looks entirely too long, but maybe there's a classic season?
Brideshead: is it at ALL similar to DA, or am I way off target even considering it? Or should I read the book?
Yes, great question william!
Ok, while someone answers that, here are some things JoH thought was stupid about Downtown Abbey. Spoilers. Do not read.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. The pregnancy/bye bye pregnancy single episode arch (well it seemed like a single episode).
2. In season 2, Matthew is constantly on leave. Can't miss you if you're not gone, muchaco.
3. Thomas' comeback.
4. Matthew walks again. Doctor says he didn't tell him because he didn't want to get his hopes up- yet he never even mentioned the possibility that his diagnosis could be wrong? Whoops, sorry!
5. Matthew's fiancée's death. We needed her out of the way obviously, but come on. Her last words were the equivalent of "Go for it, bro!"
!!!!!!END SPOILERS!!!!!!!!
Though despite the fact that, at its worst, it is little better than a soap opera, this reader will keep watching!
J
I agree that it got quite obvious. Also the Christmas Special. It was quite obvious SPOILER!!! they had to get rid of his fiancée somehow SPOILER OVER!!!
For the rest I find it pretty well written, from a historic point of view, but it could use some proper basis, some idea, as there seemed to be in the first one... Although it was quite soapy in terms of only what happens and nothing more, it lived for the moment that WWI was going to break out. Now, we are just drifting. The tomboy has left the building because she's in Ireland (she would have been a good twenties lesbian à la Cissy from You Rang, M'Lord?), lady Edith (?) has found an occuption which is highly inappropriate, but her character doesn't have enough charisma to carry that off.
@Bill for Upstairs Downstairs and Brideshead Revisited.
Upstairs Downstairs is similar to Downton Abbey, but it's slightly better, I think. You do have to prepare for a long show as it ran for about 10/20 years (10 seasons I believe) and for the fact that it is studio as it is seventies. Apart from that, it is pretty wonderful. It runs from before WWI, around the turn of the century, through WWI, to the Wall Street Crash of 1929/30. I think it is a wonderful look at how the lives of people changed. And the upstairs-downstairs feel is there more, I believe, than in Downton. I think characterisation is much better and the storylines are more realistic and appropriate as to the context the characters are supposed to be living in. You've got financial problems during WWI, downstairs who are trying to do their bit for the war and trying to balance that with serving their masters, social problems after the War. The series is followed through the eyes of Rose Buck, head parlour maid.
Really a wonderful series.
It was satirised in You Rang, M'Lord.
Brideshead Revisited is not a costume drama like Downton and Upstairs Downstairs, it is an adaptation of the novel and legendary in its kind. It was one of the first costume dramas that went on location and was not made in a studio. Characterisation is so good that it is mind-boggling. There are very few things which are not right.
I would say, watch it, but not for the soapy stuff. You won't be satisfied. You will be satisfied in terms of its look on the novel.
I can't wait for season 3!! I did hear though that the grandma wants to quit and if that is true I will miss her.
I enjoyed what I have seen of BR, good actors. I really enjoyed it.
They have Downton Abbey on the ice?
That almost sounds like they've set the show to figure skating... Which is pure garbage but this reader woild still watch because he's eating it up like Pac Man.
J
yes we have it on the ice and it is very popular.
We have 4 tv channels here, ha lucky us... I only have one though (the only 'free' one) but they often have good UK programs and documentaries.
I remember Brideshead Revisited was extremely popular when it came out. I can't say I liked it that much, but I seemed to be in a small minority. It's only real similarities to DA is that it is about posh people and set in a stately home.Quote:
Originally Posted by billl
Upstairs Downstairs seemed to be almost a soap when it was broadcast in the 70s. The social class themes are all fairly similar to DA, but I am not sure the family were quite as rich. Also very popular. My mother liked it. I think the BBC are re-making it as a response to DA, even though the original series was on ITV.
Yes, Downton Abbey was great. I especially like the part where Thomas was made into a vampire and fed on the wounded troops in the trenches.
No, seriously, I love every scene with Maggie Smith or Brendan Coyle in it. Wonderful acting and characterization!
Silas, you devil! The Downton bug has bitten you too.
So that's JoH, williaml, kiki, Helga and Silas on the wagon. It's a classy show that brings classy people together.
Cheers,
J
I agree with most of the above. The first season was amazing, the second alright. I found that they began to repeat too many plot lines and it got tedious. But I loved the rise of the "lower class" and found it interesting how you started sympathizing with Grantham and bemoaning the fact that more people are gaining liberties and his world is crumbling. Why? Why can't the aristocracy thrive?
All around great characters, and Maggie Smith is just......wonderful.
I see what you mean. I think it is wonderful for what it is: an adaptation of its novel. It really reflects the characters and the feel of a naïve society that is now no more. It's quite gloomy in its view in that respect, but it is a look at 'how it was before' from someone roaming around on the estate in the middle of WWI (?). So, how can it be otherwise?Quote:
Originally Posted by kev67
The images from that estate are absolutely marvellous, though.
It was a soap, I think, but Downton Abbey-style: a limited number of episodes, not like Eastenders which runs all year round. It only ran for five years, though, not 10 (where did I get that from?).Quote:
Originally Posted by kev67
Don't get fooled by the look of it though. The Bellamy family we see in the series living in their London townhouse in Eton Place, Belgravia, do still have an estate which they move into at the end of the series. I believe because of the Wall Street crash and WWI (I remember they shut up certain rooms for that period). Bellamy was also a member of parliament, probably the house of Lords I would suspect, so they had to be in London. Although they are confined in a small space, probably also for filming purposes, I don't think they should be considered different to the Granthams, although there are gradations in weatlh amongst those classes too, of course.
Don't watch the BBC revival as it was without purpose. I found they already solved the most important storylines in their pilot and it only got worse after that. I think the set, colour scheme, cast and sparkly nature of it was great, it could have made something between You Rang, M'Lord and Upstairs Downstairs, but sadly nothing more emerged. Then give me the somewhat drab 1970s look of Upstairs Downstairs any time as it caught you as a viewer at least.
Yes, curious, isn't it, how you're starting to pity him...Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Darnay
Yes, Maggie Smith... How wonderful! I find it somewhat sad that they abandoned the delicious rivalry between her and Mrs Crawley from the beginning a little. Shame that Mrs Crawley had something to do now that proved more important than old Lady Grantham. It was so great to watch. I do hope they rekindle it.
I think they set her up fantastically, though, in that first episode where she complained about 'the glare' of the electric lightling, putting her fan in front of her eyes. :lol:
Yes, it's only a select few :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Jack of Hearts
@Helga:
I can't believe they hae it in Iceland! My hubby was quite amazed too, actually.
Tell me, do they subtitle or dub?
Subtitles!!!! we hate dub! This is actually something we make fun of in american movies 'no movie I have to read' was said in one show. Everything has subtitles here and there are many classic shows from the UK here, and some not as classy like 'the inbetweeners', can't say I like that one.
UK tv has always been very very popular here and so many tv movies and adaptations of the classics. there are also many shows here from Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Even Finland. the big tv station (national station) is very diverse but often very bad too, you find gems in the midst.
Put Charles on the wagon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Darnay
This reader had similarly amusing thoughts. Why can't the humanly-oppressive, non-progressive, ultimately-detrimental-to-progress aristocracy just thrive so the Earl of Grantham can be happy?
!!!!!SPOILER!!!!
When they married at the end of the Christmas special it was just like... finally, jeeze.
J
I am from down under, and I am sooo looking forward to series two this Sunday evening.
Crikey! you're in for a treat. ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by hazelk
J
Do English people think Downton Abbey is stupid?
J
Hmmmm, somehow I don't think so. Let's say it was an absolute hit with serveral millions of viewers each week.
I am sure you will be able to find the viewing figures somewhere, I wouldn't like to stick a number on them, but it must be above 10 million as that seems to be the 'acceptable' threshold.
[edit] The very irst episode drew in about 9 million viewers, but the series continued to a soring 12 million by the end. The second series was less. (still about 9 though)
We've only had Season 1 in SA. Hopefully Season 2 will start soon. *crosses fingers*
MASSIVE SPOILER DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO EDITH IN SERIES 3!!!
Now, here's the thing that has been bugging me for a few days now. How sad can you get when you get obsessed with an issue like this :D.
Sir Anthony Strallan has finally got hold of Edith, but left her at the altar as he was bugged by her family saying 'he was too old for her' (never mind what her opinion about that is).
Here's the odd thing:
In Series 1, when Matthew Crawley has been rummaged up as the heir to Downton and Mary has lost her fiancée (the former heir who has perished on the Titanic), Sir Anthony Strallan is expressly invited to Downton for dinner as part of the dowager Lady Grantham's grand plan to couple him and Mary, the eldest daughter. Seems fine. Mary is of marriageable age and has lost her fiancée, get rid of her as soon as possible before she is an old maid. Strallan was widowed, apparently a while ago, has an estate and money, so he must be in want of a wife, surely. Mary looks nice, so she's good enough, right? :D But Mary chats to Matthew because Strallan is 'dull as paint', according to Robert, the Earl of Grantham and her father. You can only try :rolleyes:.
At that oint in time Mary is about 20 (°1892), Strallan is as old as her father (°1869), so round about 45. Edith is 18 (°1894).
In 1912, although Strallan is found to be dull, he is still seen as a worthy suitor to Mary. When the latter lets it be noticed that she is not going to consider him, he sets his eyes on Edith, ho is also deemed a little dull, I suppose. No protest. Takes her to a concert, etc. Doesn't propose in the end because of Mary, but still, no protest from anyone. Had he proposed, everyone would have been very happy.
Series 2: WWI comes and he is shot in the shoulder/arm and gets paralysed. It is only when the dowager Lady Grantham wishes to re-unite Edith and Strallan (still with a view to get rid of Edith) and invites him for tea, because he refused an invitation to a shooting party (because he is evidently embarrassed about his arm), that they see he's got a dodgy arm. Then she regrets re-uniting him and Edith. Edith continues 'courting' him, under mild protest from him, and in the end it comes to a proposal from her.
Then the protest starts: the dowager Lady Grantham finds that '[Edith] will the wife of an old drudge', the Earl is only happy that Edith is happy and that Strallan wants to keep her happy. How cold a potential father-in-law can you be?
Here's the thing:
In 1912, no-one seems to care about the 25 years' difference between Mary and Strallan. Nor between Edith and him. Suddenly in 1922, 'he is too old', although the age difference has stayed the very same. He is still very dull and very old. OK, old-er, but Edith too.
Is it his arm or had attitudes about age gaps in marriage changed by the 1920s? I read that dating was less strict, so courting wasn't on the porch anymore, but in the car, away from prying eyes ;). Marriage was for love, as you could find 'the right one', because you could date, of course. You didn't have to run before you could walk. Is it that in a still very 19th century pre-WWI world, older men were more likely to exist because of their wives dying early and less so in the 1920s? So were they more acceptable to marry a younger wife if they wished, because they were seen as a kid of calming and caring influence? Or was it that because the world of married people was less segregated that harmonious marriages in terms of age were more desirable in the 1920s than before WWI?
Or was it just his arm?
It was just bugging me. Funny that!!
There seem to be hints at a favourable outcome though, as they are now filming the X-mas special and Strallan features in it too (apart from the Jane Eyre undertones, of course). I so hope so :).
MASSIVESPOILERS OVER
Again, please do not read if you do not want to know what happens to Edith in series 3.
I'll have a lot of patience to see what you think. ;)
You're going to need it as far I'm concerned. I've never heard of such tosh; hilarious but tosh nonetheless.Quote:
Originally Posted by kiki1982
Yes, sorry to disappoint you. I sometimes like to escape :D.
I really do believe I haven't really forgotten my previous life at an English country estate somehow... :lol:
Makes me glad I got rid of my TV as it sounds like a cross between Barbara Cartland and Noel Coward.Quote:
Originally Posted by kiki1982
I can't speak for other English people, but I do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack of Hearts
Do Downton Abbey think English people is stupid?
J
I thought it was Downtown Abbey but there you go that is me getting the sound meddled up.
And no it is a bit too boring so I do not watch it.
I can't stand the shift between american accent and english accent it does something to my hearing it is weird.
I can only take one accent at a time in films or tvs. No idea why but that is me.
I guess itis a good enough reason why I do not bother with it.
I do have to say it is becomig a bit soaplike. Series 1 was really good and now it is going downhill. But then you're hooked, aren't you?
Sorry everyone.
I would still like an answer to the question, but I guess I'd have to look for it myself. ;)
I didn't realise that there were Americans in it but why not go the whole hog?Quote:
Originally Posted by cacian
The Offices of Megacrap Entertainments inc.
"Say Mort, I was watching that Limey Downton Abbey on TV last night and its given me a great idea for a movie.
We could call it Downtown Abbey and set in a ruined church right here in NYC."
"OK, but where's it go from there?"
"Well we could have it as home to some squatters who are really aliens disguised as hippies who are at war with some zombies who want to take over the abbey for themselves."
"Don't forget the vampires Art."
"Well sure, we gotta have vampires. Maybe we could have them hanging in the rafters waiting for whoever wins the war before they attack."
"Yeah but what about the car crashes and explosions. How ya gonna fit those in?"
"Well we could have Sly Stallone play the cop who destroys all the forces of evil."
"What, on his own?"
"No we don't want to exaggerate, so we'll give him a sidekick. How's about that Day Lewis guy?"
"No Art, let's make it a woman. It'll keep the fem critics happy and also grab the girlie audience."
"Yeah you're right Mort and it gives me another great idea. We could get Lady Gaga to play Sly's sidekick."
"But can she act ?"
"Ya gotta be joking Mort? What's acting got to do with it? It's about getting the kids into the theatres and buying the videos."
"Art, that's what I like about the good ol' USA, it's the land where artistic endeavour and big bucks live in complete harmony."
There is only one American actress in it (apart from the character's mother who appeared briefly in Series 3), but that's no doubt because it is a co-production with an American channel or something, so they have a duty to include at least one American. The rest is all British apart from one Irish guy.
Co-productions sometimes lead to weird situations. I remember seeing Danton, which was a huge French-led European co-production and it featured Mr de Robespierre with weird moving lips. ALong with other characters. I later discovered he was Polish and all foreign language actors (read: non-French) spoke their lines in their own language, after which they were dubbed into French. I should watch it again now. I quite liked it when I was a teenager, but my French was not so good as it is now. I wonder how well the film 'works'. The last Laurel and Harduy film was namely made in the same way with a big disaster for its result... But that maybe had to do with their way of acting.
Nobody mentioned this but it's from The Guardian's coverage of the series and now I'm even more glad that I've got rid of my TV.
'Downton Abbey gay kiss cut by Greek state television.'
Really? That's so stupid that they cut it. The Greeks of all the countries?
LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Emil Miller
I did not see this until now.
Well done Emil this is so true haha.
LolQuote:
Originally Posted by Emil Miller
The irony although they should get down here and watch Eastenders. I wonder what they'll make of that. Impose a ban or something stupid.
It is not about the gay or not if anything it is just about the continuous sloppy fake kisses that I find embarrassing.
I was just thinking how it must be like to fake kissing someone let alone get into bed with me and fake sex too.
I know I could not do it.
Lol indeed. Well they are extremely religious the greeks catholics are they?Quote:
Originally Posted by Buh4Bee
I mean in Southern Ireland you are not allowed abortions in this day and age and that is more pressing then a kiss faked by two men.
We have similar problems here too with the religious groups trying to dictate what happens in the majority of the country based on a minority belief system. I listen to the American BBC to maintain some kind of clue about what is going on over there, but it's hard to really understand the politics of places so far away.
By the way, I love this show. I am watching through Netflix.
The Greek religion is Greek Orthodox. although the banning of an homosexual act may have been taken by the TV companyon its own account rather than for religious reasons. In any case it's not something I would have wanted to see. So by not watching the programme I saved myself the trouble of switching it off: that is if I'd had a TV anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by cacian
Anyway what is Downton Abbey doing in Greece?Quote:
Originally Posted by Emil Miller
The whole show is such an English setting there is nothing greek about it.
Should the Greeks only watch Greek TV programs?
Yesterday I caught a radio news item that said this year's Academy Award nominations includes a film about Abraham Lincoln. I immediately thought that it was the one about him being a vampire killer but it turned out to be another film. So now that he has become a hot property, will we see Abe destroying zombies, defeating alien space invaders, teaming up with Sly Stallone to save the world from a mad scientist etc etc? And what about the musical potential? Just stick a beard on that Jagger bugger and you've got the perfect Lincoln and two massacres for the price of one, with scenes of civil warfare while the pop group murder the Battle Hymn of the Republic in the background.
Spielberg's "Lincoln" is a great movie: "Abraham Lincoln, Vampire hunter" is terrible - almost as bad as "Jesus Christ: Vampire slayer". Watch that one if you want a ridiculous movie.