Any Downton Abbey fans here?

[AFerri48]

So I recently got hooked on this show. The final season is finally airing in America so I picked a good time to get into it.

Anyway, this show is great. I’m a fan of British literature/television, and this show does a great job of portraying what the era was like back then. The characters are mostly rather likable, there are rather great plots that tie into real life events at times, etc. Plus, it has Maggie Smith, who may be the best actress of all time, so that’s definitely a plus.

 

[jilly4ski]

So I recently got hooked on this show. The final season is finally airing in America so I picked a good time to get into it.

Anyway, this show is great. I’m a fan of British literature/television, and this show does a great job of portraying what the era was like back then. The characters are mostly rather likable, there are rather great plots that tie into real life events at times, etc. Plus, it has Maggie Smith, who may be the best actress of all time, so that’s definitely a plus.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons. The third season sort of put me off, and I only watched a handful of season 4 episodes when they aired. I try and keep up with the general plot flow and major events but don’t watch it anymore. I hear the costuming is still great. And the sets are gorgeous.

Oh, and I recently rewatched a version of Mansfield park and realized that Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham) played Mr. Rushworth. It made me crack up considerably, as the Mr. Rushworth character is a clown, used only for his wealth and situation.

 

[Exiled_Child]

Is that show at all anti-Catholic, by the way? Just curious.

 

[GEddie]

Is that show at all anti-Catholic, by the way? Just curious.

Not at all.

The Downton Abbey of the title is the noble estate where the action takes place. Presumably it had been a genuine abbey in the past, but this never surfaces.

I love the show. Seen all the episodes since it began.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Maelrubha]

We watched every episode and are sad to see it end. :crying:

Julian Fellowes, the show’s creator, is Catholic.

SPOILER ALERT

When one of the characters is set on marrying an Irish Catholic, some anti-Catholic attitudes are expressed by other family members. (To be expected in that time and place.)

In the final season, Cora answers the question about the name of Downton Abbey when showing the original room of the house to some guests. The origin is what we suspected (and involves Henry VIII).

END SPOILER ALERT

 

[Todd977]

Is that show at all anti-Catholic, by the way? Just curious.

The wikipedia article on the show has a small section on this subject:
Anti-Catholic views
The character of the Earl of Grantham occasionally expresses anti-Catholic views and is described, by The Washington Post, as ‘xenophobic’ but ‘at least historically accurate’.[98] The series writer, Julian Fellowes, explains that he chose to address this in terms of ‘that casual, almost unconscious anti-Catholicism that was found among the upper classes, which lasted well into my growing up years’.[99] Fellowes, himself a Catholic, said that he ‘thought it might be interesting’ to explore this in the series and described his own experiences where the British upper classes ‘were happy for you to come to their dances or shoot their pheasants, but there were plenty who did not want you to marry their daughters and risk Catholic grandchildren’.[99] (source)

 

[Rhubarb]

Not at all.

The Downton Abbey of the title is the noble estate where the action takes place. Presumably it had been a genuine abbey in the past, but this never surfaces.

I love the show. Seen all the episodes since it began.

ICXC NIKA

I think the presumption is that Downton Abbey was an abbey before the dissolution of the monasteries. Monastic lands were handed out to courtiers and such during the Tudor period.

And yeah, the anti-Catholic sentiment is due to the period. The same with the anti-German, anti-Irish, and anti-Jewish sentiments. But these are part of the character’s backstories not the message of the show. In fact, I would argue that the theme of modernization and liberalization as brought on by the Great War demonstrates a tolerant message.

 

[Exiled_Child]

Thanks for answering my question you guys. The fact that you’ve seen every episode says a lot about the show’s quality, so I’m going to make a point of checking it out. I gave up television in 1987, and I’ve seen basically nothing since then, aside from The Simpson’s recorded on VHS tapes and the occasional/rare DVD from the library. Plus, I had to watch the news on 9/11, because I was extremely interested in that, of course, like everyone. Anyway, television seems to have progressed to the point where weekly shows are basically cinema quality, so I don’t see any reason to avoid it any longer. As long as I filter it the best I can, that is.

 

[mountee]

My husband and I love it and wish it would go on for more seasons.

 

[GEddie]

Yes, it will be a serious bummer when it ends.

I saw the premiere of “Mercy Street” last night but have no idea how good it will end up being.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Potter]

I watch it on DVD and find it delightful, though some of the characters are pains – Thomas and O’Brien, for instance.

 

[GEddie]

I watch it on DVD and find it delightful, though some of the characters are pains – Thomas and O’Brien, for instance.

Thomas was meant to be a pain; at least that’s how he’s written. He seems to be getting his comeuppance in S6, though.

ICXC NIKA

 

[marytk]

Is that show at all anti-Catholic, by the way? Just curious.

I would not say the SHOW was anti-Catholic, but they did have at least one episode that showed anti-Catholic feelings. It was when Tom had his daughter baptized in the Catholic Church and the Earl was not happy about it. It probably showed how people felt back then. We haven’t seen anything Catholic since. For example we dont see Tom and Sybbie going to their Church on Sundays while the rest of the family goes to theirs. we mainly see religion/church at weddings

 

[Phil502]

I’ve watched them all and was sorry Mathew and Sybil wanted out. Great acting and a very interesting period to observe. Has not Jumped the Shark yet…

 

[lax16]

Thanks for answering my question you guys. The fact that you’ve seen every episode says a lot about the show’s quality, so I’m going to make a point of checking it out. I gave up television in 1987, and I’ve seen basically nothing since then, aside from The Simpson’s recorded on VHS tapes and the occasional/rare DVD from the library. Plus, I had to watch the news on 9/11, because I was extremely interested in that, of course, like everyone. Anyway, television seems to have progressed to the point where weekly shows are basically cinema quality, so I don’t see any reason to avoid it any longer. As long as I filter it the best I can, that is.

Give it a go, you might like it.

For a much more G rated English show on PBS, I highly recommend Larkrise to Candleford. Some of the same actors from Downton Abbey, with a touch of the English/Irish rivalry, set in a quaint village.

A little more my speed these days.

 

[StElizabeth]

Have you ever seen When Calls the Heart on Hallmark Channel? It is an original series set in 1910 and directed by Michael Landon Jr, whose goal is to continue his father’s legacy and promote Christian, family-friendly television. It’s plots are engaging and filled with morality and well-developed characters. The touching storylines, beautiful costumes, and gorgeous scenery add to the surreal simplicity and beauty of the show, and it promotes Christian values (quoting Scripture, attending church services, discussing God, ect.) and is appropriate and entertaining for the whole family! Season 3 begins on February 21, and seasons 1 and 2 are available on netflix, itunes, amazon, on demand, and several other locations, as well on DVD. I know many Downton fans who enjoy When Calls the Heart, and I highly recommend this lovely series!!!
hallmarkchannel.com/when-calls-the-heart
http://cdn.crownmediadev.com/dims4/default/9cda5f8/2147483647/thumbnail/853x570^/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.crownmediadev.com%2F18%2F89%2F942e3117401189b12ac80a05a4c2%2Fwhencallstheheart-newkeyartdl-f.jpg
Blessings,
St. Elizabeth

 

[Luvz2travel]

So I recently got hooked on this show. The final season is finally airing in America so I picked a good time to get into it.

Anyway, this show is great. I’m a fan of British literature/television, and this show does a great job of portraying what the era was like back then. The characters are mostly rather likable, there are rather great plots that tie into real life events at times, etc. Plus, it has Maggie Smith, who may be the best actress of all time, so that’s definitely a plus.

Overall the show has been too soapy for me. Unbelievable character interactions between the class characters that would never have happened in real life. Also SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I HATE the way they screwed up the ending for Tom. I won’t say more then that but you’ll see if in the last episode.

 

[marytk]

I don’t think it was screwed up but… I just got my seasonsix yesterday so I will watch it again before PBS gets there

 

[gam197]

Haven’t watched it all but watched quite a bit and will be watching the last season. I like the beauty of this period even though I realize it was for a very few people.

This series has peeked by interest in this time period and I did not realize that 1.5 million people were in service at that time. It looks like the population of England and Wales was around 37 million.

There is another series done by Dr. Pamela Cox - The True Story of Life Below the Stairs on youtube.

These servants worked 14-15 hours a day for 7 days a week with only a few hours off on Sunday. They were mostly single. The story that she presents on how hard the servants worked to keep these manors going. They received little pay and worked unnoticed in not so nice conditions.

After World War II one third of the manor homes were destroyed with little notice because of the feelings that were held by the British people - they were glad this period was over.

 

[Casilda]

So I recently got hooked on this show. The final season is finally airing in America so I picked a good time to get into it.

Anyway, this show is great. I’m a fan of British literature/television, and this show does a great job of portraying what the era was like back then. The characters are mostly rather likable, there are rather great plots that tie into real life events at times, etc. Plus, it has Maggie Smith, who may be the best actress of all time, so that’s definitely a plus.

She has some very memorable quips in the series.