Downton Abbey

[LowRyter]

at toast!

[wymple]

Bad enough that my wife hogs the TV with this..........

[balvenie]

How did I ever become a fan of that thing?
Well it's kind of interesting to posit theories about this or that situation with one's better half while watching a replay. That gives you time, via the pause button, to consider the motives and schemes of the characters all of which is shared in friendly exchanges with our loved one, thus enhancing the relationship.

[molly]

The English aristocracy is still going strong albeit with a few less servants.

My local castle.  http://www.belvoircastle.com/ which they kindly allow me to fish for trout on the Capability Brown (18th century gardener to the gentry) designed lakes.

[rocker59]

I really enjoyed the series.

Acting, costumes,  sets.

All very well done.

[leafman60]

I watched it too.

[Carlo DeSantis]

Yep -- great series.

It became a world-wide sensation for good reason(s).

Best,

Carlo

[charlie b]

Wife and I loved it.  Will be sorry to not see more of it, even though the ending was very well done.

[segesta]

I've got this season on DVR but have not watched it yet, so no spoilers please.

I liked the show because it was so innocent--potential social scandals could be waved away with a wise, understanding word from Lord Grantham. All wrapped up in 56 minutes. True escapism, even though the story ostensibly occurred in the real world.

[rocker59]

Wife and I loved it.  Will be sorry to not see more of it, even though the ending was very well done.

The last two episodes did seem a bit rushed, but lots of loose ends to tie up, I guess.

Don't want to spoil it for Segesta, so that's all I'll say.

[PJPR01]

I used to be a fan of English shows on Masterpiece Theatre years ago, but for some reason, I couldn't get into this one.  Saw 1 episode and found it rather dull and stuffy...

[charlie b]

Yep, I've watched a lot of first episodes and discarded the series.  Then a few years later I'd go back and watch more than the first one and get hooked.  Black Sails was one of the more recent ones.

What we usually do is wait until most of the season is over and then 'binge watch' the series.  Breaking Bad, Sopranos, Game of Thrones, etc, etc.  That way we can get past the usually boring first episode(s) quickly.

The problem these days is if you wait too long you have to pay extra.  The networks are starting to charge for past seasons' episodes.

[PJPR01]

That could be it...might just have to put a pot of tea on, serve up some extra dry scones and sit down for an evening of Mah Stah Peace Theatre and see if I can get past it.  Nah, who am I kidding!  Perhaps only if I'm stuck at home with a miserable flu I'll get thru it!   

[drlapo]

Not my cup of tea

[rocker59]

I used to be a fan of English shows on Masterpiece Theatre years ago, but for some reason, I couldn't get into this one.  Saw 1 episode and found it rather dull and stuffy...

I could watch it with the sound muted, and just enjoy looking at Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern.

[PJPR01]

My local castle.  http://www.belvoircastle.com/ which they kindly allow me to fish for trout on the Capability Brown (18th century gardener to the gentry) designed lakes.

That's a beautiful castle!

[PJPR01]

I could watch it with the sound muted, and just enjoy looking at Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern.

Good point...I shall have to revisit it and see if my interest is piqued again!

[rocker59]

What we usually do is wait until most of the season is over and then 'binge watch' the series.  Breaking Bad, Sopranos, Game of Thrones, etc, etc.  That way we can get past the usually boring first episode(s) quickly.

Yes.  Me, too.  That happened to me with Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and Downton Abbey.

[oldbike54]

 The Brooklands scenes were a bit weak , where was the banking  I watch it in pieces , usually late at night so no one knows  Hope Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes live a long and happy life , and if there is bad news in the last episode don't tell me .

  Dusty

 

[LowRyter]

I think there were two great period dramas (soap opera-comedies) over the last ten years:  Mad Men and Downton Abbey.  Both seemed to be two sides of the same coin.

Mad Men: existential, amoral, realistic, nostalgic.

Downton Abbey: romantic, moral certainty, fanciful, nostalgic. 

Mad Men was my favorite of the two.  Deadwood was my favorite of all and is perhaps in a similar category but doesn't quite compare.

[LowRyter]

The Brooklands scenes were a bit weak , where was the banking  I watch it in pieces , usually late at night so no one knows  Hope Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes live a long and happy life , and if there is bad news in the last episode don't tell me .

  Dusty

I doubt if the budget would allow for them to build a Brooklands replica.  I admit that it looked like a modern track. 

I think we wish them all a happy life.  Unfortunately the children will grow up to fight Hitler. 

[rocker59]

The Brooklands scenes were a bit weak , where was the banking   

Yeah.  But the cars were COOL !  Watching a 1920s Bentley rolling down the road was good fun.

Also, Vintage Sunbeam and AC cars I'd never seen before.  Not to mention the expected Rolls.

They did a great job casting the cars.

[JeffOlson]

My wife and I both love the series. We have watched all of the episodes and often would begin a new season by watching all of the previous episodes.

[ejs]

My wife and I have watched the 5 first seasons on Netflix, waiting for season 6 to come there.Or we have to bay season 6 on DVD

[Devildog]

The Forsyte Saga was equal to if not better. Less of a costume soap than Downton. Damien Lewis proved he is one of today's great actors.