Downton Abbey - I'm hooked

[dhermann1]

I saw the second episode of Downton Abbey (or maybe I just came in halfway through the first episode . . . ) and I'm hooked. Anyone else?

 

[Yeps]

I saw an article in the Washington post, so I looked it up. I am up to episode 4. I love it.

 

[dhermann1]

They're describing it as the warm up act for the new Upstairs Downstairs series. I believe the new USDS will be a continuation of the lives of the characters into the next couple of decades. Can't wait for that, either.

 

[Yeps]

They're describing it as the warm up act for the new Upstairs Downstairs series. I believe the new USDS will be a continuation of the lives of the characters into the next couple of decades. Can't wait for that, either.

Did you see the three episodes of Upstairs Downstairs from December?

 

[Tomasso]

Downton Abbey is a winner!

I caught the tail end of the premiere episode on Sunday evening and immediately went searching for it online only to end up watching the first three episodes that night. I finished the rest off by Tuesday. I couldn't stop; it was like crack.

I am somewhat surprised that none of our UK members made mention of DA as the series was met with critical acclaim as well as high ratings on its maiden run in the UK last Fall. BTW, it's produced by the people who brought you 'Jeeves and Wooster' and 'Poirot' among others.

 

[Yeps]

Well, that took up a lot of my time for a couple days. I finished the series. I can't wait for the next one to start.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I don't know anyone who *didn't* watch it - maybe we just discussed it too much over on FB

They apparently cut some of the inheritance story out for the US market, seems pointless as not many Brits would know the ins and outs of it all these days anyway!

 

[W-D Forties]

I did't mean to watch Downton Abbey at all as the Edwardian era isn't really me, but after one episode I too was hooked. The cast is excellent, especially Maggie Smith, and the costumes were gorgeous!

Upstairs Downstairs looked beautiful, but I felt a little let down by the rather shallow plotlines. I shall, of course watch them both when they return.

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

I'm hooked. We accidentally caught the first episode by channel surfing. I was slightly disappointed to find that it's not a self-contained story, but part of a series. Split series annoy me, I'd rather watch all the episodes at one go.

I've since found the broadcast schedule and will watch as able. They're repeating each episode quite often, so I may watch each one twice, there's something about a British accent that takes me a while to understand.

 

[dhermann1]

I caught episode 2 last night. I've been reading more about how and why they cut the original. Seems PBS didn't think we Americans could keep up with the issues of the entail, upon which the whole story hinges. This really irks me. Apparently the new heir doesn't even appear till the second episode in the original.
Anyone who is familiar with British mysteries should be well aware what entails are. People bump each other off left and right in Miss Marple stories over entails.
I hope the original becomes available on DVD some time, or that maybe PBS in their infinite wisdom will give us the whole thing when they (inevitably) rerun the series.

 

[skyvue]

I've watched only the first episode (of the original version, not the PBS-butchered one), and I'm following the notion of the entail well enough. It's new to me, but it's not that hard to grasp.

 

[sheeplady]

I'm enjoying it, I think it is well-done all around. I also like the focus on the servants and their relationships with each other and the lord's family (being descended from people who were servants contemporary to the time the film portrays is fascinating to me- although my family is not English).

 

[Berlin]

I am watching the first episode right now!

 

[Tomasso]

I hope the original becomes available on DVD some time, or that maybe PBS in their infinite wisdom will give us the whole thing when they (inevitably) rerun the series.

The entire first season, as shown on ITV, is available online right now.[huh]

 

[dhermann1]

I must say, it's especially irksome to think of hoity toity PBS dumbing the show down.
Grumble.

 

[Marla]

Anyone else notice that the side story about the flower show in Episode 3 is an exact copy of the one in Mrs. Miniver (1942)?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

What did PBS alter?

 

[Doctor Strange]

According to Wiki:

On PBS the program was broadcast in four 90-minute episodes, requiring PBS to alter the beginning and endpoints of each episode with minimal editing.

I actually saw the series on the DVD set, which uses the same configuration as the British broadcast, minus commericals. That's seven episodes, all the but the first running around 50 minutes.

Either way, it's an outstanding series, and I'm anxiously awaiting PBS showing the second season next month!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

...Either way, it's an outstanding series, and I'm anxiously awaiting PBS showing the second season next month!

Please let us know if you hear when it will be airing when you find out. All I have seen is episode 1 & 2 of season 1.

 

[PADDY]

Christmas 2 hour special coming up