Downton Abbey

Yes, it was gentle Sunday evening viewing wasn't it, a bit predictable, but how lovely to sit and watch something which looked good, I could actually understand what they were saying, and no bad language. A 'feel-good' piece of television I think.

A good review I'll miss Downton on Sunday evenings but hopefully the Christmas Special will shake things up a bit.

I love watching Downton.O.K., its slow and full of one liners, but I must admit its my ideal Sunday night viewing.So genteel!
And during every crop of adverts(which I mute), my DD texts me saying OOh and eeehs and things like, I always baton my carrots!(re the ads)

I agree it paints rather a rosy picture of life below stairs, and is enough to turn anyone into a communist, but it's a bit of escapism for a Sunday night by the fire. I'm sorry it's finished .ah well now I can watch homeland live!!!

Perhaps the anachronistic fields of rape were an ironic reference to the unhappy plotline.

Yes, tanith, You're right, and actually some of it was on screen! That's how good my memory is!

Lona I think rape and murder qualify for violence even though it was committed off screen...
I agree though its pretty easy watching and there is a 2hr Christmas special on Christmas day and they've just said they are making a 5th series so thats good news..

They should rename it "Much Ado About Nothing", but it's pleasant, easy watching. No swearing, no violence and the rather lovely Tom.

Just as it starts to get really interesting.....it ends.

We were laughing at the fields of rape. So 1920's

I think there must have been a page two which I didn't notice this morning as my comment was about the early postings re last nights episode!!

I thought it had!!

It is definitely perking up a bit now. I am sure that there will be a baby on the horizon with Anna.

Poor Anna - wonder if there will be a baby as a result of this? What cads the card sharp and his chap were. Maggie Smith just gets better and better. What will happen to baby Sybil if Tom goes off with the dodgy ladies maid? Loving the costumes, and that black horse ridden by Lady Mary's new eye candy was wonderful. Great Sunday evening viewing, even if it is going on perhaps rather longer than it's sell by date. Carson's outrage at modern ways makes up for it though.

( I think that should be a ?) Time for bed, said Zebedee.

Stewth indeed! Whatever next!

The image of Dame Kiri wearing a Peach Melba on her head singing, 'I Yi Yi Yi Yi Yi Like You Veeeeery Much' IS rather silly but that's what I have to put up with.

Just getting silly now!

Don't mean you merlot

DH was driving me mad throughout the Dame Kiri bits.....'Isn't she supposed to have a bowl of fruit on her head?'

Dear God! Don't they just love winding you up?

Strewth!

NOT boring this week! All the bustle and activity below stairs reminded me of the opening scenes of Gosford Park and as for poor Anna - ....it'll end in tears!

Didn't feel Dame Kiri added much to it however

I agree, Eloethan. Being in service at Downton must have been a cushy number by all accounts. You hardly ever see them doing any work, they always seem to be sitting down for one of Mrs. Patmore's delicious meals and 'them upstairs' are always bending over backwards to help them with their problems.

Julian Fellowes makes the days of upstairs downstairs seem rather comforting and cosy, with all the "toffs" looking out for their staff and being thoroughly decent. I'm sure that there were employers who were OK but many of the accounts given by people who worked "below stairs" do not paint such a rosy picture.

Having said that, on a purely entertainment level, I've quite enjoyed Downton up until now but I think it's on a downward trajectory and getting rather silly.

There will have to be a bit more natural dialogue- not just posturing and bringing out one liners. The crowd scenes get on my nerves. All the workers in their tip top flat caps and warm thick coats. They could have looked at few photos from that era and made everybody a bit shabbier.

I can't see us watching to the end- to Christmas.

We've loved it from the start. My DH stopped watching at the end of the last one saying he's never liked soaps.