Downton Abbey

I caught half an hour of this at the weekend, though I'd never seen more than a few minutes before. I thought Maggie Smith's character was completely overdrawn and, great actor though she is, she was really hamming it up, a caricature of a dowager!

She's probably trying to save the series, Annobel! She must be horrified!

We record this now to watch when we are having a coffee break for the laughs which I presume is I presume what Julian Fellowes is doing all the way to the bank! Do you remember how silly he was in Monarch of the Glen was but I think that was supposed to be funny.

If I remember, his name was 'Goodwillie' in Monarch of the Glen.....now.. should I? No, I mustn't!! He's just made a cock-up of a series that could've been really good! Very silly!

I used to love Monarch of the Glen [well, the first series or so]. Liked the Susan Hampshire character, as it was nice to see another elderly lady with her nose stuck in The Racing Post every day.

green... !!!!

Saw writer and star on the local news earlier......star with not a hair out of place (just how he looks in the trenches....hrmph) writer looking like a toff.... is he a genuine one or is he also playing a role?
Anyway, I shall continue to watch for the laughs AND the wonderful Maggie Smith.... wasn't she married to Robert Stephens once upon a time? ( or am I )

Yes Maggie Smith was married to R. Stephens, he is the Father of her children. I am definately going to carry on watching, it is the comedy of the week.

Ok enough is enough I have given up on this tripe now triued to watch it for laughs and it was so Mills and Boon it had to go! is the cook Mrs Miggens from Blackadder?

I also love the two 'baddies', same pair as the last series.

Well, had to catch up with last week's this afternoon, before tonight's dose ...what a shame it has descended to the level of a 'soap'

Nothing like as good as first series ..how many more episodes are there?

Will I make it to the melodramatic end?

3 more to go Jacey after tonights. I agree that it's nowhere near as good as the first series, I wonder if they're planning a third one

Watched the tail end of last nights; how depressing!

I did enjoy Maggie Smith bullying the vicar, not to mention browbeating the War Office. If you are a Dowager Countess, make the most of it!

Only just discovered its not Downtown Abbey !!! Not very observant, me!
Would that make a difference though?

Mmmm. Guess it's gonna be more UPtown carbon.

For those of us who've been disappointed with this series ...

uk.tv.yahoo.com/downton-abbey-makes-more-historical-gaffes.html

I was obviously more awake then I thought last week ...as picked up on these "not sounding right"

better checks with BBC

I see that we have a 'book' and a 'CD' to go with this series

Just in time for Gran's Christmas gift I think not!!

From being delighted with series 1, find series 2 just so unbelievable and, once I began to find fault, I have ruined the series for myself so I won't be watching any more. The relationships staff have with those upstairs are hard to take, but the very worst bit was when Lady Mary was singing and the Major returned from battle to join her in a duet - for one moment, I thought we were watching "South Pacific"!
I did love "Bleak House" and also "Our Mutual Friend" on BBC, and really enjoy the Swedish Wallander (particularly the latest ones with the big chap - physically more true to the books, I think). Looking forward to the second episode of "The Killing" (didn't watch more than 1 episode of the US version), and love Inspector Montalban in Sicily.I see the Australian series based on "The Slap" begins later this week - should be interesting!

I missed Inspector Montalban although I've heard good reports of it. Perhaps, after The Killing everything was going to be an anti climax. Did you watch Spiral? I think I'm addicted to subtitles. Can you imagine this series of Downton Abbey with subtitles? Perhaps best not to...

I adore Spiral, like you Crimson totally addicted to subtitles, my husband loves them as well as he is deaf as a post.
Downton is completely and utterly 'silly' and thats being polite. I did watch it last nights, obviously a glutton for punishment and it is so stupid that I wait for the next ludicrous situation and can't stop laughing. The ending was wonderful when Mathew in his wheelchair obviously had a 'movement' there are only 3 places the movement could possibly be. Also the new character, the long lost cousin, can't wait to see what other scenarious they are going to throw at us.

Did anyone else wonder about the new maid and son? Possible illegitemat (Sp??) heir to DA?

I was wondering if his Lordship, would finally remove his army uniform (the war has now finished) and have a affair with her, he is very very friendly for a Lord with a maid!!!

I just kepy wondering how the hell they all coped without Sky Sports :-). just a male observation.,,,,, takes cover.

The director is, apparently, being very defensive about accusations that DA has turned into a soap since the stuff about the original heir and the Titanic, plus severe disfigurement, has emerged. I'm not at all sure what any of this is about as I haven't been watching it – just read his response to viewers' comments.