Downton Abbey
 

It seems the second series is on this autumn over in the UK (has it already started?) How I envy you all, I will have to wait till the DVD box-set comes out (maybe for Xmas). This morning on SKY news they interviewed Jessica Brown Findlay, the actress who plays Lady Sybille (the youngest daughter who is the sufragette). She has an interesting film called "The Albatross" coming out soon.
In the meantime I have dusted off the original series and am treating myself to it, an episode at a time, while I do the ironing. It's beautifully made in every aspect; costume, scenery, music and storyline. I think it's the best costume drama since the The Firth/Ehle "Pride and Predjudice"!
All the characters are wonderfully portrayed and their individual stories are easily translated into modern times even though they are set 100 years ago. I find myself particularly in sympathy with the Head House-maid, Anna -some paralells here with my modern day role perhaps!

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They are interviewing The Countess of Carnarvon shortly on the Steve Wright show on Radio 2. She owns Downton Abbey.

Don't know whether you can get Radio 2 ?

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Thanks -will see what I can get over the internet -should be interesting, beautiful house...:)

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It's not real.

She owns Highclere Castle.

:D

Was disappoinred last week. Probably because the war's now started.

Got back into it, and am enjoying it now.

Fantastic cast, and production, and although Julian Fellowes is a bit of a twit, he does write a well crafted yarn.

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I loved the original seventies series Upstairs and Downstairs, but Downton Abbey knocked last year's revival of Upstairs by the Beeb into a cocked hat.

Odd really. It's usually the B.B.C. who do these Sunday period dramas to perfection. But it was I.T.V. and Downton who pulled it off so spectacularly.

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True -who do you most identify with as a character.................I have an idea....;)

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Agree about Fellowes -probably made hin a mint. What's the new story line -can't wait to see it...Is Thomas still a swine and is there still "feeling" between Anna and Bates?

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Not telling.

Realised earlier I'd mentined the war had started.

That's enough detail, or it'll spoil it for you.

I don't identify with her,honestly, no truly, but Maggie Smith's Dowager's a hoot, and given some great scene stealing lines.

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You are such a tease as ever -think you could be Bates to my Anna -would be a nice compliment...but as you know 'm fanciful to a fault...Night -night.........GKx

Please say you're back ....can't do without you.
Am such a blood-sucker.sorry. xx

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Be careful.

They'll be locking you away up in the attic.

I'm meant to be whichever character's the most aggravating. Certainly not a romantic lead.

;):D

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Just re-watched the second episode series one - she's fab. but then such an experienced and talented actress.
Brilliant lines when Mathew Crawley talks about taking a job and being free at the weekend and she says "What on earth is that? What's a weekend?"
Hard to imagine words we use everyday being "new-fangled".

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OOPs....probably the best place for me to be "kept".

Aggravating is O'Brien -surely not?

Will have to get my thinking-cap on...

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no, it doesn't do it for me. I just can't get into it at all...but then I am not much of a TV person.
I'm happier on the PC and with my reading.

I know this is off thread, but Mobertol....are you going to flirt with G all through the thread.........I'm going to keep my beady eye on you two:D

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Absolutely Margaret - and I think you could just be Mrs. Hughes the very sensible Housekeeper.....will have to be on my best behaviour...:D

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'Sensible' will be the word etched on my gravestone.

I am glad you are going to be on your very best behaviour......because on here I am G's second Ma! :D

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I feel like the prize, in a tug-of-love contest.

http://www.myemoticons.com/images/ho...tug-of-war.gif

:rolleyes:

My money's on Ma II.

:D

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Sorry my dearest G, not that simple I'm afraid - this will be a three-way contest...;)

I mean , of course, your screen "mother", Mrs. Crawley, she's someone to be reckoned with too, quite a feisty lady - should be interesting...

I shall obviously be far above such "carryings-on", watching from the side-lines as they all fight over the sea-monster - i am far too busy waiting for Perseus...:D x

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I could see you as the romantic lead actually!

i watched the first series, ive got the new ones on sky+, husband and kids not interested in that kind of thing so i'm saving them to watch on my own (one day, maybe when the last little ones moved out :rolleyes: )

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I'm afraid Garinda will be getting to big for his boots with all this praise....

A bit of red karma may be needed to cut him down to size again methinks...:rolleyes:

He can take the pain...:D

(Margaret will probably come to his rescue anyway!)

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Anyway, back to the programme.

Have read that that fellow Fellowes chap is at this very moment busy writing the third series of Downton Abbey.

Which will take us from the Armistice, right into the roaring twenties.

It's all moving a bit fast for me.

I'd rather each series equated to a year...so it would last longer.

Series one started in 1912.

I'd prefer it to be the year before the war now.

No shell shock. No uniforms. No military hospitals, just yet.

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Thought you weren't telling....
Is the big house taken over by the military?
Am going to see if I can pre-book series two on Amazon -this is so unfair!

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Sorry.

Forgot to mention.

SPOILER ALERT!

:D

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Just finished episode 3 series one -the turkish diplomat...am watching Lady Mary with new eyes!
Why do i feel so overwhelmed when i see a scene of a fox-hunt on a beautiful English estate? Am such a patriot at heart...probably acute homesickness which actually gets worse as the years pass.

Hate the hunters here -been around for 3 weeks shooting everything in sight -have to be careful when i let the cats out. They are so ignorant and their dogs keep getting lost and wandering onto the farm.:mad:

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Have just pre-ordered Series Two on Amazon -it won't be released till Feb 7th so quite a wait. I'm sure it will be worth it (at £17-50 it seems good value anyway!).

Like the look of the new box-set cover which echoes the first but the costumes are radically different reflecting the WWI theme.

Can't understand the way you are finding it too fast moving G, unless of course it's just cos you don't want it to finish.. Brideshead for example covers about 25 years and isn't too "fast" and it captures the era brilliantly. Think that's the one I'll be re-watching once I've finished Downton Series I -don't think it'll take me through to Feb though....

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Yes, it's because I don't want it to finish.

At this rate I can only see it being three or four series long.

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If they bring it through to present day -one per decade that's a few to go at...

They could also do a prequel -Lord G and how he persued and wooed Cora!
Never really been explained where the original family money came from either (before Cora's inheritance saved the estate) - presumably from the Industrial Rev...or maybe just landed gentry. Plenty of scope for other storylines I think -Fellowes is beavering away on them as we speak! Let's hope he comes up with something good.

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Bit boring when it came to the fifties and sixties.

Upstairs the elderly Earl and his lithesome Filipino companion.

Downstairs deserted, except for the old couple who act as char and gardener.

;)

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You wish....:rolleyes::D

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How about:
Upstairs the elderly Duchess and her lithesome Filipino companion...;)

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Watched a section on the DVD that I hadn't seen before -special features, which showed how the series had been made. Upstairs and outside locations are all genuine -didn't realise that the "downstairs" and servants quarters were all done in a studio -the ones in the house having been modernised. Two very distinct filming schedules then, but you'd never guess. Explained also the different filming tecniques -"Upstairs" - slow filming and much panning out to give a gracious, luxurious feel. "Downstairs" hand held cameras - much more fast action to give a sense of urgency and show how hard they were all working.

Much of the authenticity is due to Alastair Bruce, the expert on state and court ritual who can be seen on SKY news when they cover state events. He is a brilliant historical adviser and knows all about etiquette of the day.

Julian Fellowes comes across as being very pompous but we must forgive him for having given us Downton, I suppose! I looked him up on Google -did'n't realise he was a Lord in his own right. Knew he'd written Gosford Park but I can't say i remember seeing it -may look into getting the DVD, also Young Victoria with Emily Blunt (great actress) is written by him -will look into that too, in order to keep myself going till Feb when series II comes out!:)

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She's dead by this time.

She fell down the stairs of Green Park underground station, in an air raid in September, 1940.

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Swine!:D I think it was Colonel Mustard in the Biliard room with the lead piping...

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ive just watched the first one of the new series, ooooooooh!! :D

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Why the oooooooh? Is it sad, romantic or what? (Don't tell!)
Have you recorded it? Perhaps i could pop round to your place to see it...

I was watching episode 4 and 5 yesterday evening (series I) - enjoying looking at it anew -see different things in the dialogues and am getting a better understanding of the different characters circumstances second time around.

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everything!

ive got them all stored on my sky+ box for watching when im on my own :D

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Just finished watching the "Flower show" episode - vintage Maggie Smith! Rivalry hotting up between Edith and Lady Mary who is showing signs of befriending Matthew. After the incident with the missing snuff-box, Anna declares her love for Bates -he can't reciprocate because he's "not a full man"!! Tells her he's been married before but can say no more...
Real life pales into insignificance............perhaps I shoul get out more:D

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mobertol- have you tried to watch on ITV player?
Video - ITV Player

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Unfortunately in the FAQ's it says the following:
I live outside the UK and cannot watch programmes, why? We do not hold international rights to all of our programming so video content is supplied only to users with IP addresses in the UK.
Shame, the same thing happened with a BBC one which Garinda told me about a while back when i wanted to watch a prog. about the Pendle Witch Child...
The suspense is not killing me in any case and I can wait till Feb when my box-set will arrive -then I can watch it at my leisure!

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Here at Rishton Towers we're enjoying every second, one of the best programmes to be broadcast on any channel for a few years. Hats off to ITV for making a very good job of it with excellent attention to period detail.

Must admit though that the wartime storyline isn't quite as gripping as the household intrigue of series one but it does give some insight into how the First World War shifted social standings and it is plain to see that nothing will be the same again at Downton.

G, although I sympathise with you about fast progress I would rather see three or four series with a satisfactory conclusion than run it into the ground and have the programme cancelled without a resolution.

So many other excellent series have gone the same way.

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I thought I'd wandered into the Over 18's section of the forum then, and you were talking about sex.

(Until I came to the word programme.)

Whoops.

:o:D:o

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Think you're going to have to explain to me about the over 18's, G. I'm a bit naive even though i'm just over that age! (mentally that is...):o

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There is an Over 18's section on here. Which isn't visible unless someone's verified you.

You need someone to come with their chopper, and then count your rings, as proof of age.

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Crikey what's a chopper (sounds pretty exciting though!) and how could anyone count my rings -i'm not an Oak tree for god's sake...! :D

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Got further on with Series I while ironing earlier (have to justify watching the telly during the day!)
So, it finally happened, the kiss between Matthew and Lady M -she has realised she is in love with him and he has asked her to marry him.....
Cliffhanger moment when she tells Cora that she has to be honest with him and tell him about her night with the Turkish lover first.....

What will happen next?!

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Series one all comes to an end very swiftly and neatly and it has cleared up a few ideas i had about certain characters. Didn't really get the rivalry between Mary and Edith first time round -thought Mary was a bit mean to scupper her sister's marriage offer -this time I felt she did right! Sorry she messed things up with Matthew though -i wonder if they get back together in Series II - but I suppose no-ones telling.

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We wouldn't want to spoil it for you.

http://www.smileys4me.com/getsmiley.php?show=722

:rolleyes:

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Watched Mel Gibson's "Highlander" yesteday evening for the "n"th time. Wonderful recreation of him being hung,drawn and quartered at the end -and all because he wouldn't speak...;)

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A plea to my favourite "Spoiler" -please feel free to let me know what happens in tomorrows episode - can't wait!;):D: Dx

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ive caught up now :D

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Well, I've only caught a few bits of this show before but tonight I decided to go for the lot. It's a little bit like the 'owd 'Upstairs Downstairs' on acid. Anyway, I'm a bit puzzled....with a big estate like that, what's happened to all the gardening staff? Did they all sign up en masse - like at Sandringham - go to the front and get massacred? Presumably that's in some episode I missed.

And what's this buisness with the bloke turning up with his face burnt off? Where did he come from? It looks like Baron Fellowes has nicked this bit of the story line straight from the Tichborne case. I'll see what happens next week, because I should be back in Church & its no pub for me on a sunday night.

...and one other bit. Did anyone see that advert for perfume with Keira Knightley? I'm amazed they put that on....she used to be a smart tart, now she looks like she's just crawled out of Belsen concentration camp. Someone needs to get her fattened up, fast.

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Has all the romance gone out of Downton?

I expect Mr. Tealeaf is not one of nature's romantics but he makes it sound like the latest splatter movie....and not a beautifully filmed and acted costume drama.:(

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I thought last night's plot was taken from "Random Harvest"

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Finally caught up -3 episodes last night and it's all moving a bit too fast for me.

The episode with the burnt officer who might have been Patrick was rather weak I thought.

Am enthralled by the continuing story between Matthew and Lady M - so glad he is now "tingling" and will be able to lead a full life (thank goodness!), had me worried for a bit - but Mary loves him even without "full tackle"!

Worried by his Lordship's dalliance with the new maid though - most un-gentlemanly but I'd have given in and kissed him too as he's very sweet.:D

Shame I won't be here to see the rest - but hopefuly someone will let me know what happens when the Spanish flu arrives at Downton..:eek:

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"Downton Abbey fans are celebrating the news that ITV has commissioned a third series of the hit costume drama.

They are also heaving a sigh of relief that journalists have so far kept quiet about the last episode of the current series.

In the finale, which goes out on Sunday, three of the leading characters come down with Spanish flu and one dies."
Full article on link below....

http://news.sky.com/home/showbiz-news/article/16103172

It seems ITV made a blunder when releasing the cast list for the next series - one important member was missing. Three will go down with Spanish flu in Sundays final episode and it seems one will not make it....so far the identity of the character who dies has not been leaked.

My bet was on Lavinia to get her out of the way of Matthew and Lady-M's re-uniting...not so sure now. All will be revealed soon to those who can see it ...I'll have to wait for news on the jungle drums!

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Think it's Countess Cora but we shall see...

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What to leave his Lordship free for a dalliance with a maid?

They have been trying to make her seem a little frivolous in the last few episodes though...maybe you're right.

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The War's over.

Mary's breathless.

Matthew will be able to fly a flag from his pole, after all.

Despite his injuries.

;)

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With the speed of his recovery, from "tingling" to "Matthew's leap" -she'd better watch out.

He might pull some other fast one on her...injured or not.:)

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She might have to fight the mouse like fiancée first.

It could be like Scott's epic race with Amundsen in the Antarctic.

Fighting to see which one of them can first hoist their flag, to the top of his now fully erect pole.

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/20...by_tm2cruz.gif

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My money's on Lady Mary -all that glacial exterior but i reckon she had a peep (I know i would have) while looking after him and know's what she's fighting for...;)

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They shot nurses like you.

Dirty spies.

:eek::D

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For such a little thing...surely not!;):D

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:eek:

Bad enough you spied.

But then to spill his beans, and broadcast sensitive information!

No, you'd definitely be looking down the barrel of a gun.


:flamethro

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Lady-M would be far too discreet to spill any beans - unless it was to disuade her adversaries -she knows when she's on to a good thing....;):cool:

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Hope tonight's episode doesn't disappoint -should be receiving the whole series next week as Amazon say it's been dispatched! Can't understand it as it should only have been released in Feb!

In the meantime have started to watch Larkrise to Candleford which my Aunt gave me as a pressy last week...real "comfort" viewing and very chocolate boxy!

Am on tenterhooks to find out who gets bumped off at Downton...hope it's not too traumatic!

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Another cracking episode! And with me being such a nice guy I won't tell what happened for them wot missed it.

But...yet again...another wacky advertisement. A lovely shot of a traditional open market being set up in a classic english small town square, with all the Christmas foods you would expect....and then what happens? Those idiots Freddie Flintoff and Bruce Forsythe pop up to flog some dodgy seasonal tat from Morrisons supermarket. Absolutely pathetic. I felt like I'd got a dose of the flu after watching that.

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Dear Teabag ....thanks for that ...will await the real news from my friends...

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Who has made it to the finale.....

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Apparently it took His Serene Royal Highness Archduke Julian Fellowes something like seventeen years to write, and perfect, the first series of Downton.

Because it was such a ratings hit last year, he wrote the whole second series in seven weeks.

It shows.

Still a great cast of actors, fine locations, and well observed period detail, but the storyline, and the writing stank.

I didn't even care enough to watch to the end.

I switched over and watched TOWIE.

Much more gritty realism.

:eek::D:eek:

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It did decline very rapidly in the 2nd series - it must have been really bad to switch over though- what a shame...

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Thanks to those who haven't let on by the way, even though it sounds like it fizzles out rather badly...should hopefully see the last episode before the week is out.

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Lady Mary was frustrated at not being able to hoist her colours to the top of Matthew's now fully erect flag pole.

The series ended with her leaving for Paris on the back of a tandem, with a stout shod Vita Sackville-West in the driving seat.

To be continued...

;):D

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Will her frustration ever end i wonder?

Have you thought of getting in touch with His Serene Royal Highness and offering your services as a ghost script-writer for the 3rd series?

Think he could do with a little immaginative help...

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I suspect that Rindy's TV writing skills would amount to no more than doing the 'New Year Sale - Television Massive Reductions' signs at the local Curry's superstore.

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"Wasn't there a masked ball in Paris when cholera broke out? Half the guests were dead before they left the ballroom." (the dowagers reaction to people getting ill)

"Thank you, mama. That's cheered us up no end."

best lines ever :D

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My favourite quote, from the first series.

Mrs. Crawley, replying to something the Dowager Duchess said to her. 'I 'could' take that as an insult.'

The Dowager, witheringly 'Hmn...then I mustn't have said it correctly then.'

:D

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shes brilliant, ive liked seeing her softer side :)

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Must have missed the scene with Vita while i was pressing my tricky silk blouse...:rolleyes:

Dvd's arrived yesterday afternoon and i have now finished the series - not totally disappointed but it did get a bit "Barbara Cartland" towards the end. Too many ends to tie up in so little time.

'Fraid Matthew got on my nerves at the end - all that being cursed rubbish...and feeling he's to blame for Miss Mousies death...

Think Mary will have a better time with Vita, though she may have to scrap with Ginny over her....:D

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I think it suffered from Dynasty syndrome.

First series. Firm hold kept on realism.

Lauded with praise. Success went to it's head.

Second series went off on too many fanciful, unbelievable storylines.

Expect the third series to begin, with Lady Mary awaking from a little nap in the morning room, by which it's then revealed that in fact the whole of the second series was some strange sapphic/erectile dysfunction, dream.

Second episode of the third series will see the Queen of Moldavia, played by Sarah Ferguson, arrive for a stay at Downton...courtesy of a spaceship which lands on the roof.

;):D

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Thought all those totems had been cleared up - in any case I'm sure Vita knows what she's doing in that department and can show her the way...with real poetry of course.:D

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Was talking to my mum earlier on the phone and she said she'd heard there would be some kind of Christmas special episode of Downton Abbey. She was rather vague about it -does anyone know anything more....?

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Yes there is... should get the Christmas Radio Times delivered tomorrow, will let you know more then.

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Christmas Day, 9-11pm.

Downton Abbey | Week 52 - ITV Press Centre

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/christmas/santa-dance.gif

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Thanks - looks quite an interesting story-line -presumably they will have pulled out the stops for Xmas:)

I wonder if Bates will make it back in time for that dance:rolleyes::D

Will speak to my friend to get her to make me a copy...

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Did anyone have time to watch it?

Was it any good?

Did Bates make it back in time for a dance? Bet he did:D

Should have my "copy" sometime next week....

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Got bored and went to bed after a chap got the death penalty.
Anne stayed up and watched it - said it was good.

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Watched under duress (Threatened with a poke in the eye & no further Beers if I didn't shut up, sit still & watch by my mates Missus :eek:) Sadly Marion was rather keen (damn) so it now looks like the telly will be subjected to further abuse in the near future. :o :D

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Sounds ominous!:eek:

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You must have had an early night then Steve, that happened about 10pm.

Thought it was better than the second series - got fed up with all the soldiers in that. And Violet had some brilliant lines which I can't remember offhand.

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I won't spoil it for you but basically most of the action centred round a quija board, a missing dog and some nutcrackers.

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The Dowager duchess and her nutcrackers, classic Christmas TV.

Evil newspaper man: "I doubt we'll meet again"

Maggie Smith: "Do you promise?"

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No dancing.

But no dangling.

Let's leave it there.

;)

Boxing Day hunt, and trees all in their full, green leaved, glory.

Shoddy.

Other than that, better than series two.

You'll be happy how it ends, when you see it.

;)

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I didn't watch any of it ...and I'm happy it's ended ;)

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It's not ended.

They're writing the next series, at this very moment.

We'll tell you when it reaches World War II, so you can go and sit in your Anderson shelter, until it's safe to come out.

;):D

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I enjoyed it, thought it answered a few questions and ended some stories :D

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Sounds intriguing - still worried about the death sentence - me being "Little Worrit" an'all!:rolleyes::D

Am not against a traditional hunt in all it's Gory Glory... in Brideshead it's a classic scene -even though Sebastian bunks off to get drunk at the pub...

Maybe the trees were a rare breed of Evergreen from China;)

Shoddy - surely not, you are too critical (think Mills and Boon and swoon!)

I trust to your judgement and await it with "Bated" breathe!:D

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Glad you enjoyed it Emma -you are a woman of romantic nature like myself -hope all goes well with you and that the New Year brings you happy completion of the family with the new arrival -enjoy them while they're young! :):D

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Oh dear - here we go again :D

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I leave my sceptical self in the wings every now and again -it is so refreshing to think one can believe in "real love" and happy endings.

It does exit Margaret and is such a relief from modern angst:rolleyes:;):D

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It wasn't a hunt, it was a pheasant shoot, and it was on New Year's Day not Boxing Day.