Downton Abbey

[NaTionS]

This series is getting rave reviews and I've only ever seen previews but it just looks really dull. Maybe I'm used to the American style shows but it seems like there's no real plot or overarching storyline that develops as the season goes?

 

[erictheobscure]

"Plot" and "storyline" are so passé. It's all about competitive vocational training or finding valuables in a heap of junk.

Downton Abbey: Top Butler or Downton Abbey: Bidding Wars. Those are shows I could get behind.

 

[Rambo]



"Plot" and "storyline" are so passé. It's all about competitive vocational training or finding valuables in a heap of junk.
Downton Abbey: Top Butler or Downton Abbey: Bidding Wars. Those are shows I could get behind.

lol

So I'm up through episode 5 of season 1. It DEFINITELY takes its time. If you lack patience then this isn't the show for you. The plot is rather boring though.

 

[Rambo]



"Plot" and "storyline" are so passé. It's all about competitive vocational training or finding valuables in a heap of junk.
Downton Abbey: Top Butler or Downton Abbey: Bidding Wars. Those are shows I could get behind.

lol

So I'm up through episode 5 of season 1. It DEFINITELY takes its time. If you lack patience then this isn't the show for you. The plot is rather boring though.

 

[Amelorn]

The plot is essentially the lives and trials of British Edwardian mid-level aristocrats. I found that moderately interesting. World events form a vague "guideline" for the plot, as obviously one's actions are linked to the time in which one lives. It's not a high octane plot, but that's not the point.

 

[Rambo]



i don't know. i'll keep watching, but i caught up on the second episode last night. it's still that damned rushed pacing. the thing that i loved about the first series was the almost jane austen-like pace. this time, it's crash-boom, plot twist to climax to plot twist. it feels so .... [shudder] .... American!

I'm about half way through season 2 now and I can definitely see the difference. You're pretty much spot on with this assessment. Its just not as deliberate and slow paced. I know the war is supposed to "intensify" things, but the whole thing just seems rushed.

 

[Rambo]

Just finished the second season. Predictable, yet highly annoying all the same. The whole Bates story line was just awful. No idea where they're going to go from here for S3.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[Rambo]



Did you watch the Chistmas special too?

Yep. I figured that was the season 2 "finale".

 

[fwiffo]

Vis-a-vis the plot, primogeniture is one of those recurring themes in British fiction of any medium so I reckon you either like it or you don't.

The Christmas special was long but I thought the best paced episode - probably because they had time to film it in the summer. The next season takes place in 1920-1921 so it's not skipping a bunch of years. The daughter being pregnant and the Irish will probably figure into the storyline. However, I can't quite see the Earl making the trip over with his suitcases of white & black tie, tweeds, etc. - his footmen and valet will probably keel over carrying all of it.

Oh and I read there is to be some American connection as they are casting for someone to be the other grandmother ("grand-mama").

 

[Quatsch]

Just four episodes in but I really like it.

That oldest daughter . . . I"d like to inherit her fortune, if you know what I mean.

 

[foodguy]



Oh and I read there is to be some American connection as they are casting for someone to be the other grandmother ("grand-mama").

i've heard it's going to be shirley maclaine.

 

[Rambo]



i've heard it's going to be shirley maclaine.

Already been announced that it will be.

 

[foodguy]



Already been announced that it will be.

maybe that's where i heard it.

 

[Rambo]



maybe that's where i heard it.

Stranger things have happened