Downton Abbey--Upstairs/Downstairs, Stiff Upper Lips, and Tea!

[Japanfan]

I enjoy Downton for its soapy aspects, but I disagree that it's better than US TV. IMO, Homeland, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Mad Men, and Sons of Anarchy are all superior and far more creative shows.

I haven't seen Homeland and am looking forward to checking it out, but did enjoy Season 1 of Game of Thrones as well as Pillars of the Earth Series last fall - I don't know how well known the latter is outside of Canada?

This past year I've also watched Rome, I Claudius, and The Borgias.

Downton Abbey is my favourite of all of these because of its attention to detail and slow pace. I enjoyed it almost as Poldark, which is perhaps my favourite Masterpiece Theater series of all time.

Its the attention to detail that makes the difference. HBO had it in Rome, whereas Pillars of the Earth seemed rushed. I haven't yet made up my mind about The Borgias and Game of Thrones, both of which I'm enjoying. It's hard to pronounce an evaluation of a series before it is finished.

I think Fellows may be challenged to bring Downton to a graceful close, but will say no more at the moment to avoid spoilers.

[Alixana]

I, Claudius. Now THAT was a series worth watching.

[dinakt]

I, Claudius. Now THAT was a series worth watching.

Indeed. Shame is was decades ago. It was brilliant.

[skatesindreams]

I enjoyed it almost as Poldark, which is perhaps my favourite Masterpiece Theater series of all time.

I loved Poldark, also.

Downton may be nothing more than high-class "soap opera"; but, there's nothing wrong with that!

[Latte]

I watched it last night and enjoyed it just as much as the last two seasons.
But, early days yet.

[Reuven]

I, Claudius. Now THAT was a series worth watching.

That was where I first saw wonderful actors like John Hurt, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips and Brian Blessed.

[emason]

Downton may be nothing more than high-class "soap opera"; but, there's nothing wrong with that!

Except when it is misleadingly presented to one as high-class Masterpiece drama.

[kittyjake5]

I watched it last night and enjoyed it just as much as the last two seasons.
But, early days yet.

Agreed. I thought it was interesting when Bates showed his temper to his cellmate.

[Scrufflet]

That was where I first saw wonderful actors like John Hurt, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips and Brian Blessed.

And Patrick Stewart, with hair!

[skatingfan5]

Except when it is misleadingly presented to one as high-class Masterpiece drama.

Is that how it's been presented by media in your area? It's part of the Masterpiece "Classic" programming, which basically are "period dramas" (in contrast to the Masterpiece "Mystery" programs which run in the other half of the year), but none of the promotions I've seen here make any pretense at it being anything more than a highly popular costume soap opera. After all, with DA actors appearing on Letterman and Leno and features on the PBS website like the "Which Downton Abbey Job is Right for You?" quiz, they don't seem to be mistaking themselves for Shakespeare -- or even Dickens.

[4rkidz]

well I loved the opening of season 3.. in reading the none spoiled comments my expectations were low.. however I quite enjoyed it.. but then again I've been exposed to north american crap TV for the past few decades so I have likely lost some brain cells

[Reuven]

nm

[Reuven]

And Patrick Stewart, with hair!

That’s right, the wonderfully vile and overly ambitious Sejanus, who gets his comeuppance.

[danceronice]

I, Claudius. Now THAT was a series worth watching.

If you have the Rome DVDs, the commentary on one of the Season 2 episodes includes that episode's director and writer begging the BBC and HBO to remake "I, Claudius" with the same kind of care and expense spent on Rome (they both clearly love it, but also rightly point out the cardboard BBC sets and the "same potted plants in ever room.") In fact they finish up the episode with "And write HBO, tell them to make 'I, Claudius!'")

Japanfan--have you also seen 'The Tudors'?

Regarding last night, anyone else have that one moment where you're torn between this being "Prison changes a man" and "Um...he IS innocent, right?" Which is wonderful on the actor's part.

[skatingfan5]

Regarding last night, anyone else have that one moment where you're torn between this being "Prison changes a man" and "Um...he IS innocent, right?" Which is wonderful on the actor's part.

My faith in Bates never wavered -- that is, my faith in his being innocent didn't. I was/am a bit afraid that he might get into deeper trouble from some prison fight, though. Brendan Coyle is a marvelous as Bates, in my (easily pleased) opinion.

[skatesindreams]

Except when it is misleadingly presented to one as high-class Masterpiece drama.

Shakespeare's work. which we now regard as "high-class drama" was viewed as the "soap-opera" of its' day.
"Masterpiece"/"Masterpiece Theatre" was seen as "important" when it arrived on the scene, (IMO) for two primary reasons: they chose historical dramas, and it was amongst the first programming "imported" from the UK.

[victoriajh]

Japanfan--have you also seen 'The Tudors'?

tudors- one of the best series EVER- i could watch season 2 (aka the anne bolyen season) over and over- Rhys meyers and natalie dormer have some serious chemistry! is on netflix (in the usa) and cbc archived it all on the website- go loose a few hours!!!!

[Artistic Skaters]

I love that little Daisy. They ran her ragged the last two seasons - you go right ahead & stand up for your rights girl!

[danceronice]

tudors- one of the best series EVER- i could watch season 2 (aka the anne bolyen season) over and over- Rhys meyers and natalie dormer have some serious chemistry! is on netflix (in the usa) and cbc archived it all on the website- go loose a few hours!!!!

I got the complete series DVD set for Christmas...have GORGED on "The Tudors." I think my favorite is series 3-Sarah Bolger is great as Mary and I enjoy watching Cromwell slide towards his appointment with the headsman (though it's a testament to James Frain's acting while I can't stand the character I still feel bad for him). And the costumes! I love costume dramas, though Downton moving into the twenties means it's in a period where I'm not really enamored of the clothes.

[vesperholly]

Pillars of the Earth Series last fall - I don't know how well known the latter is outside of Canada?

I LOVED Pillars of the Earth and its sequel, World Without End. It made me sad that no one on the internet seemed to know it existed so I could chat about it! Both had some pretty big stars, too - Matthew Mcfayden, Rufus Sewell, Ian McShane, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell in PotE, and Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson, Ben Chaplin in WWE.