210 replies to this topic

[foodie52]

I haven't been and I'd like to know why it's being so raved about. Is it another Upstairs Downstairs?

Also, if it IS that good, how can I watch the first two series? Please advise. Thanks.

[Lippy]

It's fun. If you liked "Upstairs, Downstairs," you'll like it, maybe more, maybe less. There has been only one season. You can watch on-line to catch up. First episode

[Stone]

I like it. The first season is available on Netflix streaming. Second season is on PBS starting January 8.

[GG Mora]

If you liked Gosford Park, you'll love Downton Abbey. The second season is due to get underway in the next few weeks.

[g.johnson]

I didn't see the original Upstairs, Downstairs, but Downton Abbey is superior to the new version of UD in every way,

[ghostrider]

Downton is a snappier show than the original Upstairs Downstairs, for one thing; the pacing is much better. There's also more of an acerbic quality to it, I think, which I for one enjoy.

One tends to think, how many more times can PBS do a show where the tag line is, "It was the eve of WWI & everything was about to change forever...."? I approached Downton expecting to be bored silly. It almost immediately sucked me in. Splendid writing.

[ghostrider]

I'm losing control of my buttons!

[Rail Paul]

Downton is a snappier show than the original Upstairs Downstairs, for one thing; the pacing is much better. There's also more of an acerbic quality to it, I think, which I for one enjoy.

One tends to think, how many more times can PBS do a show where the tag line is, "It was the eve of WWI & everything was about to change forever...."? I approached Downton expecting to be bored silly. It almost immediately sucked me in. Splendid writing.

Yes.

FWIW, I believe this show was written partly with Americans in mind. The original Upstairs / Downstairs was written for a British audience, and developed a much more 1900s sense of class structure and outlook. Marrying off a housemaid who was carrying a child by an upstairs fellow, sending the son off to Canada to look after the family's business interests, etc. Extended discussions about the 1911 Reforms that would be alien to many US audiences, etc.

[Lippy]

Downton is a snappier show than the original Upstairs Downstairs, for one thing; the pacing is much better.

Faster, anyway, not that the slow pace of Upstairs, Downstairs was a negative.

[Lauren]

We watched the first season (only 7 episodes) on New Years Day. Paul wasn't sure if he would get into it but ended up loving it. It's basically a soap opera with better writing and clothes! I've got the second season set to record starting Sunday.

[nuxvomica]

yeah, it's pretty fun. what the doctor said (i couldn't watch the new version of Upstairs Downstairs)

[bloviatrix]

We watched the first season (only 7 episodes) on New Years Day. Paul wasn't sure if he would get into it but ended up loving it. It's basically a soap opera with better writing and clothes! I've got the second season set to record starting Sunday.

Blovie had no intention of watching it with me last year and wound up being absolutely hooked. It's interesting how many men were drawn to it.

[memesuze]

We watched the first season (only 7 episodes) on New Years Day. Paul wasn't sure if he would get into it but ended up loving it. It's basically a soap opera with better writing and clothes! I've got the second season set to record starting Sunday.

Blovie had no intention of watching it with me last year and wound up being absolutely hooked. It's interesting how many men were drawn to it.

Perhaps they're imagining the process of removing all those clothes, one slow piece/hook at a time

[foodie52]

Thanks for the info. I watched the first two episodes last night on my Kindle Fire. Went to PBS.org/Masterpiece. The first season will be removed from the site on the 17th of this month, so there's still plenty of time for me to get caught up!

It's well done, with some really good characters. Of course, everyone loves Maggie Smith. I keep looking at that wrinkled face and remembering Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I must watch that again some time. I also think the American mother is good. So someone clarify this for me. Did SHE bring money into the marriage? And I'm assuming Lord Grantley was a titled pauper before he married the American money.

It's also interesting how elements of Jane Austen are brought into the family, in the characters of the three sisters who are at the mercy of an entailment. There's the scintillating one, the bookish one, and the third, who most likely will have something to do with the equal rights movement eventually.

[memesuze]

Here's a man with a broken heart's take on why some men might like the series