Downton Abbey: New Favorite Show

[mizarchivist]

I rarely talk about tv/movies these days, however, this is worthy.
Thanks to my Aunt Wendy, who said "Better than the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice," I started watching Downton Abbey last night (finished the pilot this morning- which is saying something. Normally I don't watch videos before work). I have the zeal of the newly converted, planning to watch ep. 2 tonight. I already checked PBS to see if they have all of season 2 available: why yes- until early March. So. There. I see myself forgoing all other tv/movie watching at home in favor of this until I'm up to date. 

So, despite the usual several interruptions to my sleep, I'm entirely stoked. If you are already in the fan club, feel free to ping me to gush about it, but please note: I've managed to stay entirely spoiler-free thus far beyond a few unavoidable deductions from screen captures attached to the current episodes. 

Fangirl goes... Squee!

Comments

[badlittlemonkey.livejournal.com]

Season 1 is up on Netflix, and it keeps recommending that I watch it. Just maybe I will. :)

[mizarchivist]

If you like period pieces, English societal upstairs/downstairs - yes. I can see from the start it's just a big soap opera and I say bring it on

[badlittlemonkey.livejournal.com]

I have no problems with it being a big soap opera... c'mon, I've been reading comic books all my life. OF COURSE I like soap operas. :)

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

I have all of season 2, plus the Christmas special. I can burn you a disk if you want.

[tigira.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I should also give it a try. Netflix keeps insisting that I'd like it, and season one is streaming. Hmmmm. And, yet, this is an odd winter where I'm not holed up at home many nights.

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

I like "period pieces" in general, but I don't like whining people who see their lifestyle coming to an end. Thus, I loved "Room with a View", but hated "The Age of Innocence", and was pretty much annoyed by "Howards End".

I'm afraid "Upstairs Downstairs" lost me early on; I don't think they were whining much, but the rigid sense of entitlement was no plus.

That said, I loved the BBC miniseries version of "Pride & Prejudice" with Colin Firth so much, I bought the boxed set of DVDs. I also liked Emma Thompson's take on "Sense & Sensibility" (and, on a colonial note, Michael Mann's "Last of the Mohicans").

Which way would I tip on "Downtown Abbey"?

[mizarchivist]

I think I have access via Netflix and PBS/Masterpiece Theater. If I find myself stuck, I will certainly let you know. Thank you!

Go for it

[mizarchivist]

Worth while- it's a mini series, not a huge US-style season, so the time demands are not quite so dire.

I'd say yes. My longer-winded why that is follows-

[mizarchivist]

I think it's a very interesting view of the British society, how it started changing in the early 20th century from possibly decades of tradition to more modern times, the growing pains thereof- I don't feel (at least in the first episode) that it was whiny.

P&P with Colin Firth was hands down my favorite production over all other things for years. Until I started watching Joss Whedon productions, so to say that this one pilot made me squee as hard as P&P gives you a notion.

Also: Maggie Smith.

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

B & I burned through the first season very quickly. Love it.