Since neither the Fall 2011/Spring 2012 TV thread or the Netflix Instant Watch thread is a great place to discuss all things Downton Abbey, I've started a catch-all. Season 1 is available on Netflix Instant Watch, and Season 2 just came out on Blu-ray/DVD February 7th (You can use the GWJ Amazon search on the left to order it for $25 USD on Blu-ray and $20 USD on DVD). Season 3 is scheduled for next year, thank goodness! I am through all but the last episode of Season 2. As with the first season, I couldn't stop watching last night. It's definitely one of the most entertaining dramas currently airing. I'll post some more thoughts eventually. Everyone please be diligent with spoiler tags! This is not a good show to spoil for people.
If you don't know about the show, the wiki page is here, but I don't recommend looking at it to avoid spoilers. Just know that it is a period drama set in the early 1900s at the fictional Downton Abbey estate. I believe the show is best described as Dickensian.
I don't think I could call the show Dickensian... Specifically, it starts the show in April of 1912, and the bulk of the overarching plot of the first season hinges on the sinking of the Titanic. (If you count something from the first 2 minutes of the show as a spoiler, then I just can't reason with you). Like Truffalo, I tore through the first season like it was tissue paper. I can't put my finger on why this is such a great show, but it is. I am not a huge fan of period pieces, and I don't have some fawning love of the noble/peasant divide but I loved this.
There are certainly some great performances, by just about every actor on the show, and the story just works, so maybe that is why I am so enamored with it. I might have to buckle and order season 2 (and season one) on Blu-Ray just so I don't have to wait to see it.
It's awesome. I've been watching Season 2 via iTunes, but I'm an episode or two behind right now.
Tagged for future commenting. But I will say that while I am way behind and only on the first season, I definitely love this show. And, if I ever get the chance to actually just visit the real house used in this show, I would.
I'm not talking about time period Dickensian. I just mean that it has multiple story lines going on at the same time, deep character development, twists, etc. It feels like a Dickens novel set in a newer time period. You can always disagree, though, I don't have a problem being wrong with the definition of Dickensian.
I think that description is apt. And I think the time setting is key to why I've enjoyed the show as much as I have. I told a friend who was highly skeptical in the show as I was describing it (and was even more skeptical that I enjoyed what I was describing) that I think having series 1 be almost literally at the dawn of WWI really aided my sympathy. Their lives are very vacuous (I think it was the last ep PBS aired where Isobel described it as "Changing clothes, killing things, and eating them all day"), but knowing how terrible things were about to get made them much more tolerable somehow.
Also: f*ck you, Sir Dick! You gunna get yours, believe it! And I still haven't forgiven Edith for being a goddam rat. Snitches get stitches!
Tagged because my wife discovered this show and we love it. Season 2 DVDs are pre-ordered on Amazon and should arrive this month, I think.
I'm not talking about time period Dickensian. I just mean that it has multiple story lines going on at the same time, deep character development, twists, etc. It feels like a Dickens novel set in a newer time period. You can always disagree, though, I don't have a problem being wrong with the definition of Dickensian.
I thought the Dickensian tag went on things where you have the downtrodden, the sad and the weak triumphing in spite of everything, just a nomenclature thing (I could be SOOOO far wrong it isn't even funny).
I love the show, though.
I think a better way to describe the show would be "Dickens mixed with Austen set around the time of WW1."
Bravo! I think you've got it!
IN BEFORE THE LOCK.
I mean. Tagging.
I got my wife Season 1 on bluray for Christmas and we've been watching religiously. We got the Season 2s DVDs in the mail on Tuesday and quickly ripped through the rest of the season. Good stuff. As it goes along its showing more and more of its soap opera flavor, but we still both love it.
As it goes along its showing more and more of its soap opera flavor, but we still both love it.
Yeah, I've been less than pleased with Mrs. Bates and the burned soldier.
Seriously, Edith, grow a damn brain.
Just finished the first season (LOVED IT). Now I need to catch up on the PBS website. Season 2 has yet to hit NIW.
I also took the time to download the soundtrack from Amazon. Love the music too.
I got into the show recently myself. I had heard so many of my friends talk about how great it was but I just couldn't get myself interested in watching. My sisters eventually got the episodes and so I tried one out and was immediately hooked. I love Maggie Smith's character Violet Crowley, Countess of Grantham. She always makes me laugh.
I got into the show recently myself. I had heard so many of my friends talk about how great it was but I just couldn't get myself interested in watching.
Same here. Despite all the goodjer praise I had low expectations, and was immediately impressed. Time to watch a couple more episodes before work.
The final episode of season 2 (Christmas at Downton) is amazing. Cannot believe how much they packed into it. I know it's 90 mins, but still. Fantastic.
The final episode of season 2 (Christmas at Downton) is amazing. Cannot believe how much they packed into it. I know it's 90 mins, but still. Fantastic.
Yeah, really pulled everything together well.
I love Maggie Smith's character Violet Crowley, Countess of Grantham. She always makes me laugh.
The Dowager Countess should just be in everything. She should lead the Avengers, join the Walking Dead, become Raylan Givens' new partner, help Gordon run the Gotham PD. Everything.
Somebody made some Downton Abbey paper dolls that are hilarious.
They are the best thing!
I just discovered this series yesterday...just finished the finale of Season 2 now. And I'm not a fan of period shows/movies. Wow.
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