I missed the first ever episode of Downton Abbey and for some reason I never managed to watch that series so when ITV repeated it all before the second series was broadcasted I took the opportunity to watch it.
I love period costume dramas and I’ve seen just about all of them, the first one I remember is the 1960s black and white BBC version of The Forsyte Saga, I must only have been about nine years old then. I’m thinking that possibly I’ve got to saturation point with them because although I’ve watched Downton Abbey I haven’t been as enthralled by it as everybody else seems to be. I know – it’s tantamount to blasphemy in some circles to say something like that.
I don’t want to say too much about the details because I know that people in other countries haven’t seen the second series yet. Suffice to say that Jack and I have laughed at bits of it which have been shudderingly cheesy. It is predictable and the writing is really not very good. I was particularly annoyed when those famous words uttered by the dreadfully snobbish but vulgar MP Alan Clark, about the sort of people who had to buy their own furniture, were put into one character’s mouth.
I think the writing is embarrassingly lazy and this has turned Downton Abbey into something of a comedy for me. I wonder what I’ll think about the next costume drama which comes along!
I’m waiting for season two over here on my side of the pond. My favorite bits from the first season were whenever Maggie Smith was turned loose. She looks as though she’s having a wonderful time with her role!
I agree with what you’ve said in your post. I think “Downton Abbey” is as close as I get to a guilty pleasure. The first costume drama I remember watching was “The Pallisers,” and it led me to reading many volumes of Trollope.
Cathy,
Maggie Smith is the main reason I’ve carried on watching it – she’s having a whale of a time. She must practise those looks in the mirror!
That’s the great thing about them, it does encourage people to read classics, I started reading Trollope after watching Barchester Towers. Julian Fellowes is no Trollope though, or even a Galsworthy.
I watch it and I do like it, it is easy watching now.
I think there was too much pressure to make another series and therefore the polish has been lost on it. I am hoping that the Christmas Special picks up a bit and perhaps a more considered third series if they decide to go down that road.
Jo,
Yes it’s sort of ‘marshmallow’ viewing which we all enjoy now and again. It almost always happens when things are so popular, the standard drops off. I didn’t know that there was going to be a Christmas Special.
Ooh Katrina, wash your mouth out with soap!!!!! I’m loving Downton Abbey! Yes, there are bits that make you laugh and sometimes squirm, but I hate to miss it. I’ve actually had to watch a lot of this series on itvplayer, so don’t have to suffer the interminable adverts!
Can’t wait to find out what happens next! Will he be charged with murder or will he and she get to live happily ever after. Was that one really who he said he was, and will he decide to come back and try again. Who will she marry? Who will any of them marry?
I just love Maggie Smith. As you say, her facial expressions are wonderful! Didn’t know there was to be a Christmas Special either. I hope it won’t be all doom and gloom at Christmas with everyone being wiped out by the Spanish flu that followed WW1.
Evee,
I consider myself ‘carbolic -ed’!! The adverts seem never ending – what a good idea to dodge them. Surely it’ll have to be a jolly holly Christmas, they couldn’t have Granny pegging out on us or anything! I would be charged with murder if I married Bates! I think that chap in bandages was a chancer. I reckon someone will get their come-uppance via the Spanish flu but I won’t say who!
Wait until you see Shirley MacLaine as the AMERICAN grandmother. She’ll give Maggie a run for her money-Ha. My friends just returned from Walking the Thames. Said the second series is showing now, but didn’t like the commercial interruptions. We have it 6 months later on our commercial free public broadcasting channel. Looking forward to it-at least for the costuming!
Lorraine,
I’ve given up on Downton because of the adverts, they drive me round the bend, it seems there are about 12 adverts every 10 minutes. I rarely watch commercial TV for that reason. I was quite tempted to watch the new series when I saw that Shirley MacLaine was in it though. I’ll probably give in and watch re-runs at some point as I did before!