Downton Abbey ..

[Quassia]

Although I enjoyed the first episode of the new series, I think the one fault of all the episodes so far of this drama, is the over familiarity of some of the servants with those above stairs ruining any credibility of the story lines. Surely, for example .. 'Mr Carson' giving relationship advice to 'Lady Mary Crawley' just wouldn't happen! Even if Downton Abbey was never meant to be 100% factual .. it should be believable?

[mickrog]

that is why imo it cannot compare with Upstaires Downstairs.

[Quassia]

& the likes of 'Lady Sybil' wouldn't be allowed anywhere in the kitchens.

[Quassia]

I agree mick!

[seadogg]

Drama has always depended on "the suspension of disbelief". Its only a glorified soap anyway so why does it matter?

[DTCwordfan]

aahh well it had to be made to keep (i) Gordon Brown and his lot enthralled and for politically correct reasons - we can't have Brits dominating each other, can we (ii), more importantly the Americans.

[Quassia]

Seadogg .. as mick said ... 'Upstairs Downstairs' was more credible & so was more enjoyable to watch. I love period drama, but Downton Abbey does fail to deliver in this respect .. spoils it.

[Quassia]

Ah well ... Mr Bates is there .. well ... he'll be back .. hopefully!!

[Quassia]

And yet they have a historical expert? ... 'Alistair Bruce'

[emmie]

You would probably be quite surprised at how closely linked they were. Perhaps Lady Mary wouldn't be sitting on Mr Carson's bed, with him giving her advice about Matthew Crawley. Though i can't think of it just this second, one of the characters, perhaps that odious woman, Lady Granthams maid, said something that no one would have heard of in that time, a very modern phrase, more akin to a soap opera than a period drama.

[Quassia]

I missed that em! Might have to re-run it to find out what was said ..

[Euphemia]

Am I alone in finding the running commentary irritating in TV dramas?

[Quassia]

In what way Euph?

[emmie]

Quassia, im racking my brain, it seemed so out of place.

[Euphemia]

I just find it rather intrusive, Quassia.

[Quassia]

Euph ... all I can think of as commentary is the lines the actors do ..
em .. I'll have to re-watch it tomorrow! I'm being put off it ..

[emmie]

don;t be put off i think its still great.

[margie04]

Someone used the phrase "As if!" - surely not, in 1916.

It was interesting to see that, just like today, only the baddies smoke....

[hc4361]

Euphemia, what running commentary?
Have you got the AD enabled?

[emmie]

Margie thanks,
Quassia if you are around, that was it, "As if", no one would have used that then.

[Stargazer]

I wonder if I am the only one who feels that this hyped up drama is rather over-rated. I think it would have made for better viewing if it had been spread out over a longer viewing time as it seems ro jump from one incident to another without the feeling that any time has elapsed. Also the conditions in the trenches in France should have been left to the imagination as it is impossible ever to convey the reality of the horror of what happened there.