Downton Abbey!

[burlingtonbertram]

Anybody else watching "Downright Shabby"?

I missed the last season because I was "costume-drama'd out" but I enjoyed the first episode of the latest season. They still have a tendency to use modern morals and mores that are out of place for the time; attitudes to sexuality and the whole master/servant dynamic don't really ring true. I think the earlier Upstairs Downstairs nailed it; and the performances were probably better too. Saying that, I think Downton still a pretty good effort.

[Julie2owlsdene]

I'm watching the new series, and it's great. But then I've enjoyed all the series of Downton.

[Eddie Muir]

I also enjoy watching it, Julie, although the storylines are inclined to be predictable.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Series 4 was a bit of a Downton downturn for me but I thoroughly enjoyed episode 1 of the new series. Actually, I hadn't even known there was a new series so I missed it on TV and had to catch up on iplayer. The picture quality wasn't very good so I'm glad one of the characters mentioned that Molesley's hair had turned out blue, as it looked no different from usual on our computer! I'd forgotten that the dog was called Isis!

Looking forward to the next episode.

[burlingtonbertram]

So do many of the staff/family know that Thomas is gay then (I missed last series)? Got the impression that maybe the other footman does know.

[Anita Bensoussane]

James (Jimmy), Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes know about Thomas being gay, because of events in the third series. Alfred knew too. I can't remember whether anyone else knows.

[Moonraker]

I'd forgotten about that!

[burlingtonbertram]

James (Jimmy), Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes know about Thomas being gay, because of events in the third series. Alfred knew too. I can't remember whether anyone else knows.

Thank you.

[pete9012S]

After last night's show I actually felt a little sorry for Thomas.
He seemed genuinely lonely,lost and a little sad.

Hopefully it won't be long before he has a new love interest,or a little mischief to make to restore his usual self assured cocky air!

[burlingtonbertram]

After last night's show I actually felt a little sorry for Thomas.
He seemed genuinely lonely,lost and a little sad.

Hopefully it won't be long before he has a new love interest,or a little mischief to make to restore his usual self assured cocky air!

Almost human for once; I'm sure it won't last.

[Moonraker]

I also felt a little compassion for him. As you say, BB, it won't last!

[Ming]

I want to watch Downton! I have to wait till January to be able to see it! (Cornell blocks devices if the server senses ANY kind of P2P activity so I can't get it like I did back home).

[Julie2owlsdene]

Sunday's is great now, with Downton to look forward to this evening.

I too felt a bit sory for Thomas, but I'm sure he'll soon get back to his usual form!

[burlingtonbertram]

8 page spread (with photos) in today's Mail On Sunday magazine of a debutantes' ball at Highclere Castle, where Downton is filmed. All very Downton until you read that tickets are £500 for two; so, it's a commercial venture then.

The Mail is more fixated on Downton than the Dowager Countess herself. Wonder how many dozens of pages they devote to the programme every season?

[Moonraker]

I must start getting The Mail! Radio 2 news, on Saturday, consisted of seven items. The first was the atrocities committed by IS (Islamic State), the next three were murders in the UK, the next was an attempted murder, item six was a story about a man marrying his father's second wife (his step-mother) and the last item was the weather forecast.

Downton Abbey sounds right up my street!