Downton

[chirpychirpy]

Any thoughts on the Downton Abbey Xmas special? Sorry, but I think some of the acting is very wooden, a couple of storylines silly, and the ouija board game with Anna and Daisy downright ridiculous. Still not a patch on Series 1

[Ann]

Maybe the storylines were ridiculous, couldn't follow the bit about the Earl's dog and storyline about Bates being reprieved from hanging very unbelievable - on what evidence? How do you think he will be proved innocent?.. but I was willing Matthew and Mary to get together - I even said "aaahhh" at the end when he proposed and they kissed. Soppy old me loves a happily ever after ending ..............but I think on that one, we will wait and see!

[Mosaic]

Let's face it, it's gone global across TV networks and by now Julian Fellowes can write any old shampoo and it'll get lapped up.
I watch it so I can look at 'cousin Matthew' and drool. It's pish and tosh from start to finish, but decently produced and entertaining.
If you'd pitched a soap opera about early 20th century aristo's you'd have been laughed at but Corrie probably provoked the same reaction as an idea.

[SueMoneyRowley]

it's worth watching just for the costumes!

[NOX]

I watched it, usually quite enjoy it, but I didn't really last night, and you can see the storyline coming for next season now old nasty git is out of the way and Mary and Matthew are together- it'll be poor old wotsername and the bloke whose arm got injured in a tale of tragic unrequieted love and the Bates saga dragging on to a unlikely overturning of the verdict. It's getting really poor and I'm disapointed in it now and losing interest.

[sunny-dave]

Acorn antiques ....

[nannybooby]

Loved it especially when Lady Marys Betrothed siad he was off and the dowager said "you promise" , Ann86 think this is where the gat out of jail card will come ,she sold Lady M's story to his newspaper and I seem to remember she said quite a bit about Bates too when she found out why he'd bought the story.
I love a happy ending too lets hope this time they get up the aisle !

[Robinia]

I agree, it is a bit of a 'patchwork' but I like it because it all looks good.
Like you Ann I'd like to know what the dog bit was all about. Maybe I nodded off for a few minutes but when I saw Thomas running through the woods & shutting her in the hut I was lost. Can anyone enlighten us please?

[chirpychirpy]

The dog bit was all about Thomas the footman wanting to impress Lord Grantham to get promotion. Thomas hides the Lord's dog Isis in a shed in the woods, with the aim that the Lord misses Isis madly, everybody searches for her, and Thomas then "finds" her. His plan was scuppered when, on going to the shed to retrieve Isis, she'd gone. He frantically searched for her and gets his clothes in a mess while doing so. When h arrives back to Downton empty-handed, he bumps into the Lord happily reunited with Isis. Lord asks Thomas why he's so dishevelled, Thomas claims it's cos he was searching in the woods for Isis, Lord is grateful and impressed and later seeks promotion for Thomas - so Thomas' plan looks to have worked anyway. However, if Bates is set free, Thomas will presumably return to his current post.

[Robinia]

Ah right, thanks very much chirpy...I just didn't understand why he'd done it. :o)

[chirpychirpy]

Thomas and Sarah had great storylines in series 1, but they haven't moved on in any respect. It's same old / same old as Julian Fellowes has run out of ideas

[tiggerblue10]

I only saw the last half hour but it was too noisy to hear what was going on. I'm going to watch it later in peace. I know its gone a bit daft but I still enjoy watching it.

[DTCwordfan]

It wasnt that bad and Maggie Smith had a few gems and far better than the tosh on the other main channels. I can not stand Eastenders or is it now Beasts'n Benders.

[missprim]

I think the problem was we were expecting too much from it. We have enjoyed watching it and then the series ends and we are dissappointed but then we're told there will be a Christmas special and we are looking forward to it and some of us felt a bit let down by it.However, there were some nice touches. I enjoyed the dancing with the upstairs and downstairs people, and Maggie Smith is always a joy to watch.
I'm looking forward to watching Julian Fellowes adaption of Titanic in the new year.

[flipnflap]

Agreed re the wooden acting. In the forest scene it was literally hard to see the wood from the trees. It appears that Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham always has his arms glued to his side - I don't know any men who stand and walk like that. I'm not a big fan of Dan the man either......weird eyes, apart from anything else.

[Mosaic]

I think it's the weird eyes hat do it for me.....ooo c'mere yer little darlin.....

[hellywelly4]

I loved it - it kept me interested from start to finish. I think sometimes we expect too much. I liked all the characters and thought they were well-portrayed. We can nit-pick to our heart's content, but as has already been said, it is very much preferable to those awful soap operas which have become so dark. Very, very pleasant escapism. So glad there's going to be some more next year.

[lilacben]

My husband and I also liked it last night. The dog thing was a bit silly as the first we knew was when Thomas took it in to the woods, there was no mention of him doing it before we saw him. I loved the ending...I couldnt help saying "Yes at last". And very thankful that awful man has gone. Really looking forward to next year and a new series.

[Eastender]

The best thing on over christmas. If not for the adverts, it would have been the top tv show. Love it.

[cathfromsaron]

i agree production has become rushed and quality has suffered!

cath x