Downton Abbey Thread

[nadine]

I think the actor wanted out, right?

Yep that is correct. Both Dan and Jessica wanted out - so Julian pretty much had his hands tied when it came to both storylines.

[Vincent Blanchett]

I. AM. DEVASTATED.

[erikdean]

I've seen Season 3 now, save the Christmas episode, which I'll see tonight. It's a strong season but MacLaine was terrible. Also, so so much sad this season.

[haqyunus]

There is not thread for Season 3? It just aired Sunday night. Comme çi, comme ça with some individual slightly memorable scenes/one-liners and good performance by Dockery. No where near Season 1 and MacLaine was indeed terrible. Both her acting and her character, preachy paper-thin dialogues. Just

[Jali]

For me DA is by far the worst tv series of the moment, just awful, all predictable stuff ripped off from another movies or classic books. I think I am done, not going to see more episodes of this crap.

[haqyunus]

For me DA is by far the worst tv series of the moment, just awful, all predictable stuff ripped off from another movies or classic books. I think I am done, not going to see more episodes of this crap.

Agree and not only that, it is so thin in terms of any dramatic (let alone realistic) tension. Crises come and go like a breeze. At first seem like so huge but then resolved like it was nothing. It sole purpose right now seem to be just cashing on to the fad. Not they are just wasting the wonderful cast (mostly downstairs.)

[Zuranthium]

This season started off slow but it built well. Was good to finally see Thomas Barrow's gayness actually become relevant to the plot again and of course the Lady Sybil plotline destroyed me! . I'm not quite sure where else the show can go from here, though. This season would have been almost pointless if it hadn't been for how Lady Sybil's death changed everything and the ending to the season would really be a good place to stop. I don't see much more to explore in these characters, unless there are radical plot shifts that will feel fake. I guess season 4 would have to be all about women's rights to keep it relevant, but I'm not sure if that would really work. Also, Maggie Smith wasn't even that entertaining this season? They aren't giving her much juicy material anymore and/or she has run out of ways to make the character surprising. Another sign that things are becoming played out.

[Critix]

For me DA is by far the worst tv series of the moment, just awful, all predictable stuff ripped off from another movies or classic books. I think I am done, not going to see more episodes of this crap.

There are far, FAR worse TV shows than Downton Abbey, lol.

[erikdean]

For me DA is by far the worst tv series of the moment, just awful, all predictable stuff ripped off from another movies or classic books. I think I am done, not going to see more episodes of this crap.

LOL this is beyond absurd.

[haqyunus]

LOL this is beyond absurd.

Though I can't speak for Jali, but my strong, over-the-top reaction comes more from frustration and disappointment rather than an objective analysis :p The season 1 had so much potential and I am a sucker for period pieces but the creators of the show totally botched it. I don't watch that much TV anyway.

[Jali]

LOL this is beyond absurd.

Well, right now I only see Game of thrones, Mad men, Homeland, The good wife, Dexter, Downton Abbey, Castle and American horror story. And DA is by far the worst, mainly the screenplays.

[erikdean]

Well, right now I only see Game of thrones, Mad men, Homeland, The good wife, Dexter, Downton Abbey, Castle and American horror story. And DA is by far the worst, mainly the screenplays.

Ok, that's different than saying it's the worst show on tv than simply of what you watch.

[Voyeur]

I have to admit, I enjoy DA...but it is, frankly, a soap opera dressed up all fancy like. I hope Masterpiece Theater has some other programs coming up besides DA.

[Artimus]

Downton Abbey's direction is better than its writing. But in the same way Paul Haggis' direction is better than his writing.

[Vincent Blanchett]

Downton Abbey is such a guilty pleasure. I wouldn't say all that melodrama and soap opera is good, but I love, love, love most of those characters so much that I really don't care about those flaws lol.

[haqyunus]

Downton Abbey's direction is better than its writing. But in the same way Paul Haggis' direction is better than his writing.

That is true. I've watched Masterpiece's other period dramas as well and most of the time they are based on renowned classics i.e. better quality source and they usually work. But in this case, it is glaringly obvious the importance of good source material. Money can't buy everything.

[Vincent Blanchett]

Tom Cullen joins Downton Abbey

[dyedred19]

I might need to start watching this again.

[Atonenent.]

Bummer that Finneran isn't returning, O'Brien is just a delightfully evil character But Tom Cullen and Harriet Walter? Wow!

[dyedred19]

I was actually just watching Weekend again recently and harping about how Cullen needed more exposure. Voila!