Downton Abbey

[Aravis Kenobi]

So I'm a little sad that there's no DA discussion thread here. Surprising! I got into the show by the end of season 3, though I was able to watch episodes 5-7 as they aired on PBS.

Any other DA fans? Who's your favorite character and why?

Note: please steer clear of frank discussion about Thomas. His character is a touchy one, and I'd prefer to keep that aspect out of the forums. If you're going to make a remark about him, please do so without referring to certain aspects of his character. I dislike him as much as anyone else, but this is forum rules.

 

[inkspot]

Nice to see you here, darling! I loved Downton Abbey seasons 1-2. Amazon Kindle offered them for free download to Prime members!

Sadly, Season 3 was not offered for free, so I have not been able to see it!!!

My favorite character is the beautiful Lady Sybil. She reminded me so much of Susan from the Narnia films. Gorgeous looking, and so spunky. I loved her romance with the chauffeur of all people. Oh, wait! Maybe my favorite, most favorite character is their grandmama, Maggie Smith! She is such a riot, so practical, so down-to-earth, and yet so observant of the strict class rules ... she is delightful. Also I love the dad, the earl, is it? He is such a good man, trying so hard.

A lot of the characters are quite good, aren't they? It's difficult to choose one!

I hope Kindle maybe will offer season 3 for free soon; I would love to see all I missed. It was killing me not to see it!

 

[Lionsmane]

Mr. Bates!

Because his character had my attention from the very first, and he hasn't disappointed yet...would rather keep silent and "fall on his own sword" rather than betray another, even if it would save him from being fired or worse.

That and his romance with Anna...so lovely and sad both at the same time.

 

[Aravis Kenobi]

Nice to see you here, darling! I loved Downton Abbey seasons 1-2. Amazon Kindle offered them for free download to Prime members!


My favorite character is the beautiful Lady Sybil. She reminded me so much of Susan from the Narnia films. Gorgeous looking, and so spunky. I loved her romance with the chauffeur of all people. Oh, wait! Maybe my favorite, most favorite character is their grandmama, Maggie Smith! She is such a riot, so practical, so down-to-earth, and yet so observant of the strict class rules ... she is delightful. Also I love the dad, the earl, is it? He is such a good man, trying so hard.

A lot of the characters are quite good, aren't they? It's difficult to choose one!

I hope Kindle maybe will offer season 3 for free soon; I would love to see all I missed. It was killing me not to see it!

I had to watch season 1 on Netflix, season 2 on HuluPlus (not ashamed to say that I signed up for a week's trial for free then deleted my account ), and caught up on all the season 3 episodes on PBS.org. They've since taken down all the episodes though. :-(

I love Sybil too! Since you haven't yet seen season 3, I can't say anything else about her, but she does remind me of Susan also. She could be Anna Popplewell's older sister.

Mr. Bates!

Because his character had my attention from the very first, and he hasn't disappointed yet...would rather keep silent and "fall on his own sword" rather than betray another, even if it would save him from being fired or worse.

That and his romance with Anna...so lovely and sad both at the same time.

I LOVE Mr. Bates and Anna's romance. Some people don't like him, but I just adore him. He's so freaking cute and so dang honest! And Anna....goodness. I just don't know. I guess I love underdogs.

 

[Aravis Kenobi]

And I'm VERY ashamed to say that I didn't include Matthew in the poll. Stupid me!

 

[PrinceOfTheWest]

He can be added, I think. What would you like the option to say, just "Matthew"?

(I've heard a lot about the series, and have some friends who just love it, but we have no television!)

 

[inkspot]

Matthew and his mother should both be in the poll, but I don't remember her name. She is a hoot, too. I love that she livens things up. But Matthew ... I don't know, not my cup of tea, as it were. Sybil has such style and such ambition -- she wants to do something, and she's not afraid to give up her easy life to be with Branson. He's a good character too, but that chip on his shoulder! He should try to learn some moderation.

So do you think that I can see Season 3 on Hulu-Plus? (If I sign up for a week?) I know Shirley Maclaine was going to turn up as the American mother-in-law. That must have been a riot.

OK, now, saddest moment of season one -- when Lady Grantham lost the baby. Their little son that would have solved all their problems ... and her stupid maid was to blame! She felt bad and all and tried to make it up, but ...

I like Bates and Anna, too. Did you watch "Lark Rise to Candleford"? The same actor was the dad on that program, and he did a good job there, too.

 

[Aravis Kenobi]

He can be added, I think. What would you like the option to say, just "Matthew"?

(I've heard a lot about the series, and have some friends who just love it, but we have no television!)

Yes, please! I feel bad for leaving him out.

Matthew and his mother should both be in the poll, but I don't remember her name. She is a hoot, too. I love that she livens things up. But Matthew ... I don't know, not my cup of tea, as it were. Sybil has such style and such ambition -- she wants to do something, and she's not afraid to give up her easy life to be with Branson. He's a good character too, but that chip on his shoulder! He should try to learn some moderation.

So do you think that I can see Season 3 on Hulu-Plus? (If I sign up for a week?) I know Shirley Maclaine was going to turn up as the American mother-in-law. That must have been a riot.

OK, now, saddest moment of season one -- when Lady Grantham lost the baby. Their little son that would have solved all their problems ... and her stupid maid was to blame! She felt bad and all and tried to make it up, but ...

I like Bates and Anna, too. Did you watch "Lark Rise to Candleford"? The same actor was the dad on that program, and he did a good job there, too.

I don't remember her name either; I should though!

Sadly, I just checked on Hulu, and right now they don't have streaming rights to season 3. It will probably be late summer/early fall before that happens as season 3 has been over in the US since late February.

I know; it made me hate O'Brien to be honest.

No, I haven't seen that, but I've seen the miniseries "North and South", which not only starred Mr. Bates, but Thorin also.

 

[inkspot]

Wow, Bates and Thorin! Fabulous!

Well I am mad about not being able to see season 3 - my sister saw it but is not telling me any spoilers because i still want to see it somehow.

o'brien! i couldn't think of her name. she is a bad one ... but after that misstep at least she got a little bit nicer and wasn't scheming quite as bad as before.

i liked daisy, too, except i felt like she was being too scrupulous about that young boy who loved her; especially when he was so badly wounded, and her father wanted her to be more like his daughter-in-law, and she wouldn't have any of it. she could have just played the part for a bit. and i guess she kind of did, in the end, because everyone pressured her so ... she's a good character but also a little headstrong.

i forgot about the butler and the head maid or whatever you call her; i can't remember their names! they are delightful, too. he is especially touching in his devotion to the family and particularly to lady mary, almost like a second father but only he is a servant and is very observant of all the rules and things. i like him very much. i can't believe i can't think of his name!

i hope that back in those days it really was like that, with servants like him and some of the others feeling as if it is their place and their privilege to look after "their" family, and the family feeling it is their place and obligation to look after their servants. branson didn't see the dignity in it, but i think it was an honest and good way to earn a living. what are their names?!

 

[Lionsmane]

No I haven't seen "Lark rise to Candleford" either, I'll look for it though.

i forgot about the butler and the head maid or whatever you call her; i can't remember their names! they are delightful, too. he is especially touching in his devotion to the family and particularly to lady mary, almost like a second father but only he is a servant and is very observant of all the rules and things. i like him very much. i can't believe i can't think of his name!

The butler is Charles Carson and the head housekeeper is Mrs. Hughes...love them both especially Mrs. Hughes and her patient ways in dealing with crisis.

"Cheerful Charlies" lalala

Hope you get to see season 3 soon!

 

[-Jewel the Unicorn-]

YES YES YES!!! I'm so wondrously thrilled to find that other members love Downton Abbey too! Thank you Aravis Kenobi for making this thread!!

Ever since i first watched the series, Lady Sybil has been my absolute favourite! I love Branson too and, honestly, I thought their romance was the sweetest in the whole show- especially with them being from different classes in society

Well I am mad about not being able to see season 3 - my sister saw it but is not telling me any spoilers because i still want to see it somehow.

Inkspot, if you thought season 1 + 2 was good, season 3 is brilliant! Thats all i'll say

 

[inkspot]

Ever since i first watched the series, Lady Sybil has been my absolute favourite! I love Branson too and, honestly, I thought their romance was the sweetest in the whole show- especially with them being from different classes in society

I agree, I loved their romance, and I love Lady Sibyl. She knows her own mind, and she is willing to take risks; she's the tops. Plus so pretty.

The butler is Charles Carson and the head housekeeper is Mrs. Hughes...love them both especially Mrs. Hughes and her patient ways in dealing with crisis.

"Cheerful Charlies" lalala

I forgot about the Charming Charlies episode! Yes, Carson and Hughes, thank you.

If you're my Facebook friend, I posted a funny graphic of the cast with nicknames, and the only one who had their actual character name was first on the list, CARSON. All the others were names like "The mom," "The Mean Sister," "The Ugly Sister," "The Sister Who Marries Car Guy." It was a riot.

If you are on FB, friend me: visionaryjax@me.com -- just in your friend request put your username and TDL so I know who you are.

I know, I can't wait to see Season 3! It's very maddening not to be able to, especially with Bates in jail for a crime he did not commit! I hate that.

 

[Lionsmane]

I agree, I loved their romance, and I love Lady Sibyl. She knows her own mind, and she is willing to take risks; she's the tops. Plus so pretty.

I forgot about the Charming Charlies episode! Yes, Carson and Hughes, thank you.
-You're welcome
If you're my Facebook friend, I posted a funny graphic of the cast with nicknames, and the only one who had their actual character name was first on the list, CARSON. All the others were names like "The mom," "The Mean Sister," "The Ugly Sister," "The Sister Who Marries Car Guy." It was a riot.

If you are on FB, friend me: visionaryjax@me.com -- just in your friend request put your username and TDL so I know who you are.

-just did so

I know, I can't wait to see Season 3! It's very maddening not to be able to, especially with Bates in jail for a crime he did not commit! I hate that.

-I know I hated that aspect as well...so hard not to spill anything having seen season 3...

 

[Sir Cabbage]

I liked the first series, and quite liked the other series. A bit so-so as ITV dramas can be. Some of the plot decisions weren't great. The Christmas episode could almost be called boring.

I rather like Lord Grantham - but not so much when he had that minor affair; otherwise an interesting and mostly fair chap. Mr Bates kindly character was good to see, so indeed, the wrongful imprisoning was frustrating. I like how Thomas and Mrs O'Brien have developed and shown they have more depths from the initial nastiness. Sybil was probably my favourite of the daughters. Actually, a lot of the characters are reasonably likeable.

I will keep watching it , but it has lost some appeal - though the third series did improve some on the second. I do think it's probably a tad overrated.

 

[inkspot]

I like Lord Grantham too, he's such a good man. And though he didn't really have an affair, I did not like that part of the plot. Why would they throw that in when all along he has been a good guy? It was dumb and out of character.

PBS seems to be running season 3 again in my area -- but the plot summaries don't tell which episodes they are ... and they are running like 3 in a row one Sunday, then one by itself a couple hours later, then 3 in a row the next Sunday. As best I could figure out I told Tivo to tape the sets of 3, which I hope will be in order!

Can't wait to see what happens in season 3.

 

[Aravis Kenobi]

I like Lord Grantham too, he's such a good man. And though he didn't really have an affair, I did not like that part of the plot. Why would they throw that in when all along he has been a good guy? It was dumb and out of character.

PBS seems to be running season 3 again in my area -- but the plot summaries don't tell which episodes they are ... and they are running like 3 in a row one Sunday, then one by itself a couple hours later, then 3 in a row the next Sunday. As best I could figure out I told Tivo to tape the sets of 3, which I hope will be in order!

Can't wait to see what happens in season 3.

Well, I guess you could TIVO all the episodes, then watch them in order if they don't air them in order!

 

[inkspot]

Do they have anything that signifies "Episode 1" or something in the credits? I wouldn't know how to tell if they are in order or not. I am hoping the three right together are in order -- and that I don't need the one that's standing alone as part of the series. I can't figure it out!

I wonder if my PBS channels' website would help me? I couldn't Tivo them when they were originally airing because my husband was taping something else at the same time; I didn't think to look at their airing alternate times. Can't wait to see what happens!

 

[Aravis Kenobi]

Do they have anything that signifies "Episode 1" or something in the credits? I wouldn't know how to tell if they are in order or not. I am hoping the three right together are in order -- and that I don't need the one that's standing alone as part of the series. I can't figure it out!

I wonder if my PBS channels' website would help me? I couldn't Tivo them when they were originally airing because my husband was taping something else at the same time; I didn't think to look at their airing alternate times. Can't wait to see what happens!

Well, on TV no. Online, they should have episode numbers. They do not have episode titles as with normal series (I don't know why).

Usually the episodes have a "previously, on Downton Abbey" opening sequence, where they recap previous episodes. So that might help you figure out which are which. Other than that I don't know.

 

[inkspot]

Usually the episodes have a "previously, on Downton Abbey" opening sequence, where they recap previous episodes. So that might help you figure out which are which. Other than that I don't know.

Oh, that's a good thought. Thanks. I wonder how many total episodes there are for season 3? I will go look online, so I can try to be sure to get them all.

 

[Aravis Kenobi]

Oh, that's a good thought. Thanks. I wonder how many total episodes there are for season 3? I will go look online, so I can try to be sure to get them all.

There are 7 in all for season 3.

That's the only thing I hate about the show: very short seasons.