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Post by ADMIN on Jan 5, 2014 19:03:40 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to the start of the new season. I don't usually get "hooked" on these things, but this one definitely got me. Yes, some of the subplots are a bit of a stretch, but I'm enjoying the great variety of characters - both good and bad. I'm glad they re-capped recently. I'd forgotten how much happened last year. Is anyone else watching?
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Post by chessie on Jan 6, 2014 0:01:39 GMT -5
We hadn't watched this, and decided to borrow the DVD of the first season from the library to see what the fuss was about. Our first impression was that it was a beautifully presented soap opera, but it drew us in and we went back and got the second and third seasons as well; just finished watching the third season a couple of days ago, in time for tonight's season four debut. Some of the story lines are indeed a stretch, but the actors are really good. Maggie Smith's zingers are so artfully delivered that she alone makes the program worth watching. I'm hooked.
Carol
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 6, 2014 8:47:25 GMT -5
SLIGHT SPOILER
I hadn't realized the season opener was 2 hours, but the time zipped by. I was never a watcher of UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS but DOWNTON had me hooked from the beginning. Kind of sorry that O'Brien is no longer on the show as the scoundrel you love to hate (the actress decided to leave, or so I'd read), but it seems that the newly returned and promoted lady's maid--in cahoots with good ol' bad ol' Thomas, of course--will serve as a sufficient replacement.
Ellen
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Post by ADMIN on Jan 6, 2014 14:15:36 GMT -5
Maggie Smith's zingers are so artfully delivered that she alone makes the program worth watching. I'm hooked. I know. I agree. There's some good writing to be sure, but Maggie Smith's delivery is superlative. It's a great cast! Yes, Ellen, I couldn't stand O'Brien - and I will miss her too. Her machinations were truly despicable - and fun to watch. [...and that Lady's Maid she replaced was like something straight out of Rebecca! (Mrs. Danvers?) What a sour puss. Great character/bit part. That's one of the things the Brits do so well.] I'm not familiar with all the legal technicalities of the British inheritance system (other than the basic primogeniture concept). I hope the show lasts long enough to see little Master George in charge of a productive and prosperous realm. Hated the new Nanny. Glad she got dumped pronto (though it could have been fun to watch her deal with Branson). First time I've been on Thomas' (Barrow) side for anything. Oh, and I'm still trying to picture Carson as a vaudevillian (that little "twist" early on, made me chuckle out loud) - or anyone daring to call him Charlie.  If anyone wants to play "catch up" - episodes are available to watch online on the PBS website.Aside: Since leaving the show, Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) has starred in "The Heiress" on Broadway with Jessica Chastain.
Ellen (or anyone else), Did you happen to see this? |
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 6, 2014 15:58:30 GMT -5
Yes, I saw THE HEIRESS. Must have been more than a year ago because I remember Jessica Chastain's telling us at the stage door that she was really excited about her upcoming release, ZERO DARK THIRTY. I found Dan Stevens OK, nothing more; same with Chastain. Although I did enjoy looking directly into his impossibly blue eyes at the stage door.  Actually, I would give the acting honors to supporting players David Strathairn and Judith Ivey. Those old pros stole the show. Ellen |
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Post by njr on Jan 6, 2014 16:41:24 GMT -5
My Dad got me hooked on this! He watched at home in Ohio, but had missed some episodes, so I bought him the 1st three seasons (and watched them too) He's down here in GA (since June 6, 2013) at an Assisted Living facility. He's doing great though, and walks with or without a cane. (he broke his hip last March)
Nancy
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Post by JH4HJ on Jan 12, 2014 17:47:24 GMT -5
A friend brought the whole season home with her from London. The series aired on telly there last Autumn. It's been a cold, snowy week here - and we've ordered take-away food and watched the whole thing over the past few days. Our (US) "premiere" was actually the first two (Brit) episodes. There are eight hours in total. The show on PBS tonight (I think it's the one tonight - with all the guests at a "house party" at Downton) is a doosey! MAJOR "soap opera" twists and turns galore... one of them thoroughly shocking! Some things get resolved, but there are plenty of loose ends to carry on into the next batch (scheduled here for next Christmas?). This season (4?) ends, calmly enough at the annual "Country Fair" gathering.
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Post by chessie on Jan 13, 2014 0:38:44 GMT -5
What a great way to spend a cold and snowy week - sounds like fun. I watched the Golden Globes tonight, so I won't see tonight's Downton Abbey episode until tomorrow - it sounds intriguing.
Dan Stevens was interviewed on the Today show a couple of days ago. He's promoting his film "Summer in February" (set in 1913) which will be out this week. He said that he has been spending a lot of time apologizing over the last few months. Men come up to him and tell him how upset their wives were that he died in the last episode; they then call their wives over so he can apologize to them. He said that he now lives in Brooklyn and loves it.
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Actually, I would give the acting honors to supporting players David Strathairn and Judith Ivey. Those old pros stole the show. 
