Downton Abbey

[Miss Moppet]

I haven't been following this, but I did catch an episode when staying with family last weekend. I found it very disappointing. Not the acting, set design or costumes - that was all excellent, but the writing really lets it down. The pacing is somehow too slow and too choppy, with lots of little scenes about nothing, and it's subtle as a brick. There's no subtext whatsoever and some very modern expressions seemed to have slipped into the script.

Really surprises me because it's written by Julian Fellowes who also wrote Gosford Park, which I loved. I also really enjoyed his latest novel, Past Imperfect.

Father and stepmother agreed with me but all the reviews seem to be positive and a second series has been commissioned. Was I expecting too much?

[Madeleine]

If it was the most recent episode you saw, then yes it was a bit boring and probably the weakest prog so far, a shame as it started off really well so I hope it's just a temporary blip. There have been a few snipes about dialogue - someone asking for a "raise" rather than a "rise" (in wages), plus the usual costume bloopers.

[Vanessa]

Oh, I've been enjoying it! I think it's amusing.

[Leo62]

I love it too! Maggie Smith cracks me up, though she's basically reprising her role from Gosford Park. It's not going to work coming in on the 3rd episode...lots of little but crucial things (and one great big thing!) you've missed.

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""Leo62""]It's not going to work coming in on the 3rd episode...lots of little but crucial things (and one great big thing!) you've missed. [/quote]

Father and stepmother have seen the first two episodes and told me the entire backstory, but it still didn't grab me. Perhaps you had to be there...

[sweetpotatoboy]

I have recorded the series so far but not watched any of it. But it has proved very successful and they have already commissioned a second series.

[LoobyG]

I'm still undecided on Downton. I normally love this kind of drama, but I'm just not grabbed by it. Maggie Smith is marvellous though, and reason enough to watch!

[Leo62]

[quote=""Madeleine""]There have been a few snipes about dialogue - someone asking for a "raise" rather than a "rise" (in wages), plus the usual costume bloopers.[/quote]
Speech was a lot more modern at this period than you might expect. And don't forget, Her Ladyship is American, so they might have picked the "raise" up from her...

What were the costume bloopers Madeleine? I think the "upstairs" women's costumes in particular are lovely.

[Madeleine]

[quote=""Leo62""]Speech was a lot more modern at this period than you might expect. And don't forget, Her Ladyship is American, so they might have picked the "raise" up from her...

What were the costume bloopers Madeleine? I think the "upstairs" women's costumes in particular are lovely.[/quote]

The only one I can remember is the older sister's (Mary?) riding dress, apparently the skirt was done up the wrong way, or the wrong way round, meaning that if she fell from the horse, the skirt could get caught up in the girth and she'd be dragged along; according to the experts, ladies wore their skirt the other way round to avoid this danger. I'm afraid I can't remember the other errors!

[Amanda]

I just watched the first 2 episodes, and I really enjoyed it it! It a bit like a Pride and Prejudice, North and South, Remains of the Day and Brideshead Revisited all rolled into one. I like Hugh Boneville, Maggie Smith and whoever is playing Mrs Crawley. The sets are beautiful!!