Should I Continue Watching Downton Abbey?

Maggie Smith is clearly phoning it in too.

OP, I don't give a fuck what you watch. Also, you're a fucking idiot.

R2 how so?

It's entertaining, and I don't apologize for liking it, but it does get progressively far-fetched with each season. If you have a tolerance for that and just want to be entertained by a period piece, it's fine. I still haven't watched the films they released after the sixth series, but will get around to them one day. I have heard they try to cram too much into them, though.

R4 did you like The Crown?

If you're looking for something that is historically accurate, DA is not your series. Uncle Julian is a storyteller, not a historian. If you can't accept dialogue such as Lady Grantham telling Miss O'Brien that she wants to be "friends" (which I did not take as her meaning that they'd be pals or close but that they'd have a friendly relationship), you're going to blow a gasket when they reveal that Barrow is gay, that they didn't simply sack chauffeur Branson the moment he revealed his politics, let alone became enamored of Lady Sybil, or even that Lord Grantham would hire a disabled valet regardless of their prior relationship (which was the reason he shook Bates' hand).

You mean they treat their domestics like family?? Mercy!

God forbid the “upstairs” people have kindness and good manners to see that those that serve part of the family who help run the massive estate.

I imagine back in the day good jobs were hard to come by. Many of them worked to keep their own families afloat. That might have been their sole source of income. Yes, they were grateful to have those jobs. Back then some of those positions were respected and honored. Some you had to receive training and had to go thru apprenticeships for.

Besides, it’s just a tv show. Don’t watch anymore , no biggie.

I gave up during the first season. Too kitschy, too soap opera-y. Gosford Park was much better.

I absolutely love the series, and have watched it on repeat. I subscribe to the DA Youtube channel, so I can watch snippets when I'm in the mood.

What about The Gilded Age?

You'll miss Tom Branson's deliciously beefy ass.

Its wonderful...im envious youre only starting it. I watched it during covid so was years behind..but i became enthralled. Im watching a pre cursor called Cranford and loving it..very similar with Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Julia Mckenzie and even has the butler and lady mary from Downton.

Regarding the two movies, the first was the better with stunning visuals, a tighter story line, outstanding cast additions (Imelda Staunton, Tuppence Middleton), and overall, more in keeping with the themes and subplots of the series. Again, you have to suspend disbelief; would the king and queen travel with a whatsamajig of the back stairs, a housekeeper, 4 footmen, two valets, two ladies maids, and a cook... but no security?

The second seemed like the writers were sitting around wondering what to do with it and decided that they thought "filming at Highclere was a blast so let's write about that!" and then had to figure out how to pull the beloved Mr. Carson out of retirement (once again) yet dispense with him and half the main cast for 2/3rds of the film. It felt like they were trying to set up a prequel series that would have followed the life and (many) loves of the Dowager Countess in her youth (which I would be all for).

That said, I'm anticipating the next and theoretically final movie. I'd like to see the story progress into the 30s and eventually WWII, but that's not in the cards. There's gold there to mine (George would be at the age to have to go fight in the army, for instance). And so few of the country houses like Downton survived, I'd like to see how they accomplish it (and have thought that it would end up much like Highclere being turned into tourist attractions, and wedding and filming venues).

When this came out, people kept saying it was high brow, intelligent, historically accurate, etc.

OP, the first season is as good as it gets. It gets progressively more ludicrous and anachronistic.

The original Upstairs Downstairs did the same period much better. Unfortunately the flat video quality suffers but if you can look past that, the writing and acting is on a higher level. It’s set in London and the politics of the era also plays a part.

Definitely kitschy and often unintentionally hilarious but fun anyway.

No. I can't believe I forced myself to finish that bore of a series.

The first three seasons had a reasonable amount of good material in a fun, escapist way.

I still believe that Fellowes never anticipated it would run for as long as it did, and season 4 and 5 are a whole lot of treading water as a result. Those seasons suffered due to the departures of a few characters in season 3, plus some nowhere stories through seasons 4 and 5.

Then suddenly, halfway through season 6, all sorts of fun shit starts happening and the last several episodes are a blast.

Yes. But take a shot every time they mention how things are changing.

There wasn't nearly enough homosex.

The show is not perfect but OP's reasons for disliking it are pretty stupid.

I stopped watching after the rape.

First three seasons are terrific. It's fun fantasy and the acting is very good.

I got into Downton much later than the rest of the world did. It was my lockdown show. Just accept it for what it is, OP: a severely idealised portrayal of the aristocracy and their relationship with their servants. Julian Fellowes had an upper-class upbringing, and that heavily colours his worldview.

I like how Daisy the downstairs maid never seems to grow older or gain any wisdom in the decades when the show is set.

And she inherits the tenancy of a farm, has a widow’s (tiny) pension, and remains a kitchen maid for a decade.

It's not high art, that's for sure.

OP, don't get attached to Sybil.

Dame Smith was [bold][italic]not[/bold][/italic] phoning it in, OP.

Ou sont les neiges d’antan?

OP, "Gosford Park" was Fellowes' masterpiece.

"Downton Abbey" is a fun romp. The love/hate relationship between the Dowager and Mrs. Crawley makes the series worthwhile. But as an accurate portrayal of an aristocratic family and its retainers, it's shite.

"Upstairs, Downstairs" is more accurate.

r28 Don't know what went wrong with the code there but I stand by my statement.

When I need white noise playing so I can work or nap, I put it on Amazon Prime. I like that Prime moves onto the next episode so as not to interrupt whatever I am doing. The whole series is borderline camp, which is part of its attraction. Of course it went on far too long, hence the writing (and acting) suffered, but that's the game in showbiz. The movies are a bit like the Sex and the City movies – frosting and sprinkles for die hard fans who wanted more, more, more!

SNORE

[quote] r7 You mean they treat their domestics like family?? Mercy! God forbid the “upstairs” people have kindness and good manners to see that those that serve part of the family who help run the massive estate.

It [italic]is [/italic]unlikely they'd do that, tho... as the English are a foul, unfriendly people, worshipping a corrupt family or veritable mobsters who gorge greedily at the public teat, despite their own vast, inherited wealth.

So yes, it is confusing.

The early seasons were very good but I lost interest after that.

The costuming is the main reason I watched but it was entertaining at the time.

R4- Doenton Abbey always sucked.

Upstairs Downstairs 1971-1975- Writing, Acting and Directing were all superior .

I liked a fair amount of the show but Anna and Bates and their perpetual woes made me want to fling them into the sun, followed by insipid twat Daisy.

A few cute footmen here and there. And Mr. Pamuk, of course.

Glad to see several mention Upstairs Downstairs, which I watched on DVD and really enjoyed, despite the 70s theatrical vibe. Or maybe because of it--PBS Masterpiece Theater nostalgia.

I like The Guilded Age and am happy HBO is continuing with it. Good acting, gorgeous sets and hasn't bored me. It was rough for the working class and that is not ignored.

Without wanting to spoil you, OP, just wait until you get to the hospital storyline in S6! It's nothing short of riveting!

R40 is it better than Downton Abbey?

That's a big NO, r42. American aristocrats are not as engaging as the ones in DA. You also don't get to look at that beautiful mansion in the UK. I watched four episodes of The Guilded Age and thought it was a piss-poor imitation. I'd rather rewatch DA.

With The Gilded Age, I feel the downstairs characters (except for Peggy) really aren't that interesting. With Downton, I was invested in both upstairs and downstairs.

There are only a few gripping characters… and some of them (O’Brian) fled.

Edith finally became interesting, but it took YEARS.

This accidentally sums it up.

OP, this is the anti Downton. Bonkers. I loved it. Prime, I think.

More Pursuit....

the last....

While I agree that the first three seasons were, in many ways, the best, I enjoyed DA until the end. I grew more and more fond of Carson and Mrs. Hughes and there are some lovely moments in the later seasons. Mild spoiler alert——- the two of them walking hand in hand as they take a dip into the sea was a moment of grace and love.

The guy who played Barrow was pretty.

I always wanted Barrow to get a good dicking from Jimmy.

In fact, why doesn't someone remake Upstairs Downstairs, using essentially the same scripts but much better production values? It's not like there aren't a hundred brilliant British actors hanging about who could replace the excellent originals.

OP, add to the list of those who do not give a flying fuck what you watch.

Re The Pursuit of Love--I turned it off after a few episodes, too. First reading a book and then watching an adaptation is tricky, I guess. I highly recommended the book.

R5 I have yet to watch The Crown but many people have suggested it to me, so I plan to start it eventually. Is it good? I have watched a lot of documentaries on the British royal family so I am not sure how I will feel about a dramatized version. I like The Queen with Helen Mirren, but didn't love it, for example.

The funny thing about The Crown is that everyone liked the first couple seasons—it had the single best scene of the whole series with young Elizabeth, now Queen, being greeted by her family and Queen Mary (played by Eileen Atkins). But once the series started getting into recent times, viewers were able to compare it with their memory of events and realized how fanciful the writing was.

[quote]R56 I have yet to watch The Crown but many people have suggested it to me, so I plan to start it eventually. Is it good?

Downton Abbey is better, as the useless, pampered British Royal Family is annoying to watch.

Grabby thought it was "Downtown Arby's"

You might prefer Uptown Downstairs Abbey