Downton Abbey

Hard to better Bleak House...

No, you're not the only one. I don't think I ever watched a whole episode. Can't stand this English nostalgia for a fictitious country house society. I watched Spooks instead. There was a promising twist at the end of the first episode; so it looks as if this final series will be just as convoluted as ever. Who is Harry, really?

Am I the only person on the whole of gransnet who watched the first episode of the first series and thought it was the most unmitigated tosh? Much as I admire Maggie Smith and much as I enjoyed Gosford Park, Downton Abbey seemed to be full of anachronisms, absurdities and unconvincing characters – in the first episode alone. I didn't watch the rest of the first series and haven't started watching the second. I think Julian Fellowes has got a bit up himself and is beginning to believe that he is a great writer and a charming aristocrat, rather than a fairly competent writer some of the time and an appalling snob.

Have discovered I can watch Spooks at 9pm on bbc and then Downton on ITV+1 at 10pm. However as I said above, I was too tired on Sunday and fell asleep!

I agree with Gally.
We are addicts of Spooks as well as Downton Abbey, so always must remember to record one of them. At least you get rid of the awfully frequent advertisements if you record Downton.
When Strictly returns we will be so busy watching TV, when will I get everything else done?!

I watched the first series because the street scenes were filmed in the village where DIL's parents live. It is supposed to be Yorkshire but was filmed in Bampton, Oxfordshire. Downton abbey is Highclere of course.
I too love Maggie Smith as the dowager duchess.

em; I understand it broke down yesterday due to so many people trying to watch it at the same time!

crimson I agree about the adverts, think next week I may just record the programme and fast forward them, they were so irritating...

Went off early to bed to watch last night and after a rather exhausting week, fell asleep 10 minutes into it. Iplayer then!!

New series very welcome - I've been looking forward to it; but I agree with Ganja - looks like the Earl drew his uniforms from QM stores instead of having them tailored to fit immaculately, which would certainly have been the case. Black mark, wardrobe department, but at least they did a better job on Matthew! Maggie Smith - what can you say? Bliss, bliss.....

crimson the new maid is played by Amy Nuttall she used to play in Emmerdale and a non-discript programme called Hotel Babylon.

The new maid reminds me of Jane Asher; I even wondered if it was her daughter.

I love Downton Abbey and I think The Dowager (Maggie Smith) is wonderful is she becoming a little " soft" on the young members of the family I hope not !
Oldgreymare I agree with you the scenes of the of the ww1 trenches ,I too thought of Black Adder it did spoil it a bit for me then .

Love it, love it, love it!! Where have I seen the new young maid before? Feel I recognise her.

Didn't see the first series as STV in their wisdom decided not to show it, so had to borrow a friends DVD. Thought it was wonderful and really enjoying the 2nd series now STV have finally cottoned-on. Unfortunately it's on at the same time as the last series of Spooks on BBC1 which I am addicted to; have decided to watch Downton and then watch Spooks on I-player. Agree with OGM that the trench scenes were a bit amateur but it's worth watching just for Maggie Smith who is a gem

I'm almost tempted to buy the dvd, though, as the adverts drive me mad. I've never know a programme have so many adverts and so close together.

Fabulous! DH relegated to the TV in the bedroom,no negotiation on what I was going to watch last night.

Best thing on telly! I don't really care that it's not completely historically correct or a bit farfetched at times. It's entertainment, and wonderful entertainment at that. Not surprised that it did so well at the Emmys.

Didn't enjoy last nights as much as I was expecting to..but I'm still not going to miss any of it.

I love it. It is pure escapism to another time and another world. I never want it to end.

Have just been on this site ...

www.itv.com/downtonabbey/extras/

Some interesting clips to watch ...if you can ignore the 'aviva' ad ...and a preview of episode 2 ...my coffee got cold!

An avid fan ...loved the first series ...see that it got four awards last night!

Have been so looking forward to series 2 ...loved the way the odd comment back-filled the missing two years ..and so many story threads developed/introduced ...predict that many are not going to end happily ...going to need our hankies.

One of my grandfather's took the horses to war ...the time when horses still pulled the guns.

Superb! I too think Maggie Smith is wonderful and look forward to the clashes between her character and Penelope Wilton's ( Awful grammar!).
I was a bit disappointed with the scenes in the trenches of WW1... spoiled by memories of Blackadder perhaps! By that I don't mean the scenes should have been humourous, I just thought they were a touch unrealistic as the 'leading man' appeared far too relaxed.

I love, love, love it.
Didn't watch the first series until i got the box set (timing must have clashed with something hubby wanted to watch !!!)
But we both watched last night..I didn't want it to finish.

Love Downton Abbey! The Dowager (Maggie Smith) is just wonderful! The expressions on her face and the voice ...oh! I could watch her all day long!!