Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is anglophile crack.

Set just pre WWI, Downton Abbey examines England in the final spasms of a mass hallucination.
Inherited wealth conferred godlike status on the fortunate few; born without, one served the rich.
And everyone agreed that this was how it should be.

I'm only three episodes into the first season but am already impressed by the production values and Dame Maggie Smith.
She plays the Dowager Duchess and channels Archer most of the time.
Hilarious.

Soon as I obtain the remaining episodes, I'm going to marathon my way through them and then feel smug.

OK, finished both seasons.
I am hooked.
Pure, uncut British soap porn.

Spoiler: Show

I predict that Sir Richard had Vera killed and will be exposed, thus neatly solving both Mary and Mr. Bates problems in one fell swoop.

If you enjoyed this another older series worth trolling for is Brideshead Revisisted, based on the Eveleyn Waugh book.Brideshead Revisited is another fascinating expose of upper class british mores, and with Jeremy Irons as the lead, it is sterlingly british, also if you haven't seen it yet, the movie Gosford Park is also another great period piece with a wonderful ensemble cast.

I've seen Brideshead, I think Downton Abbey more closely resembles Upstairs, Downstairs.
It's OK though, I like 'em all.

I caught a few episodes during series 2 and was quite impressed. I'm not usually one for period drama's as such but the fact it took place during WW1 kinda grabbed my attention. I was also quite surprised by how funny it was as well and was left chuckling more than once by Dame Maggie Smith, although I couldn't get her role as Prof. McGonagall out of my head at times.

I've managed to download both series now and will watch them both from the start (after I finish the 5 Burn Notice series) as I reckon I could have been missing out on a little gem :)

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Originally Posted by Burnsy

Iafter I finish the 5 Burn Notice series

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Why haven't you given up? The writers haven't taken a step forward since the first episode. Michael is still playing the same game against the same "people". The entirety of the 5 seasons can be summarized as "Shit explodes, burnt spy proven to burn others."

This show is fucking great. I've never really come across theatrically produced drama where it all felt so organic, reflective and empathetic. I was originally put off by the aristocratic periodness of it (before ever watching). I gulped these up over the past 3 days, season 1 on Netflix is what made it so accessible in spite of my earlier inhibitions. All the characters, no matter how pure, droll, cunty or whatever, are no task to keep tabs on.

There was also a "Christmas Special" that aired in December, but it's critical to the plot.

Actually I'm kind of bummed after seeing the Christmas special, it tied up so many of the plot lines that there doesn't seem to be alot for the third season. :blink:

Spoiler: Show

There is Mary's now burgeoning love for Matthew till she rejects him again....sigh, whether John Bates will ultimately get off and whether the mad irish chauffeur will crop up again to forment political unrest, and whether they can pay for it all with the impending estate taxes....

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Originally Posted by Artemis

Spoiler: Show

There is Mary's now burgeoning love for Matthew till she rejects him again....sigh, whether John Bates will ultimately get off and whether the mad irish chauffeur will crop up again to forment political unrest, and whether they can pay for it all with the impending estate taxes....

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Though you weren't sure about the content, you seemed able enough to imagine some of the existing threads. Not to mention...

Spoiler: Show

Carlisle burying the family in the media, Thomas's powerplay antics to make an impression as valet, not to mention observations on the political climate with Ireland's war for Independence, the formation of Communist states and the CCCP, and Mussolini taking power

I read up that the season 2 finale is supposed to air Feb 18th. I can't find the specific reference again, is this true? Also, heard that Shirley Maclaine is coming on as Lady Grantham's mother in season 3. Maggie vs. Shirley, place your bets.

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

I read up that the season 2 finale is supposed to air Feb 18th. I can't find the specific reference again, is this true? Also, heard that Shirley Maclaine is coming on as Lady Grantham's mother in season 3. Maggie vs. Shirley, place your bets.

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The final episode of season 2 aired on Nov 6 2011, there was a Christmas special which aired on you guessed it, Dec 25, but it is the third season which is upcoming and will begin airing in September of this year on ITV1.

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Originally Posted by Artemis

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

I read up that the season 2 finale is supposed to air Feb 18th. I can't find the specific reference again, is this true? Also, heard that Shirley Maclaine is coming on as Lady Grantham's mother in season 3. Maggie vs. Shirley, place your bets.

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The final episode of season 2 aired on Nov 6 2011, there was a Christmas special which aired on you guessed it, Dec 25, but it is the third season which is upcoming and will begin airing in September of this year on ITV1.

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OK, so I couldn't find the original site and post, but this is another with similar info:
http://currentpublicmedia.blogspot.c...on-finale.html

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

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Originally Posted by Artemis

The final episode of season 2 aired on Nov 6 2011, there was a Christmas special which aired on you guessed it, Dec 25, but it is the third season which is upcoming and will begin airing in September of this year on ITV1.

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OK, so I couldn't find the original site and post, but this is another with similar info:
http://currentpublicmedia.blogspot.c...on-finale.html

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I usually go to the 'horses mouth' or in this case itv.co.uk the shows creators to see what they say about the series http://www.itv.com/downtonabbey/ . Although this does confirm that Shirley Maclaine will be joining the cast for series 3 it also says quite clearly that episode 8 was the last episode for series 2 with the Christmas special as a one off.
I think all the ganja smoking people waiting excitedly for February the 19th are going to be severely ripped off, especially those who watch the 10 hour marathon first in preparation for the new episode.

Shirley Maclaine though will be an interesting foil for Maggie Smith, I'm sure many sparks will fly in the upcoming season (not until September though.....).

I am in no ways a fan of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, but sometimes they do some pretty awesome pieces. I guess I could say the same for Jimmy Kimmel. Anyways, here's their recent skit based on Downton Abbey. The best part of this whole thing is Fred Armisen playing the middle sister or possibly the Dowager Countess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFEabHQWntg

So apparently I don't watch anything that mjmacky likes.
I spent the better part of a year thinking it was Downtown Abbey anyway.:idunno:

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Originally Posted by IdolEyes787

So apparently I don't watch anything that mjmacky likes.
I spent the better part of a year thinking it was Downtown Abbey anyway.:idunno:

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I guess I have Beavis & Butthead to thank for allowing me to 'get' the other joke, followed by another dose of sheer disappointment in humanity.

Also, you wouldn't put it passed me to start indiscriminately liking things that you watch just to spite you, would you?

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

Also, you wouldn't put it passed me to start indiscriminately liking things that you watch just to spite you, would you?

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Yes because that's what friends are for.:)

Anyway you wouldn't believe my disappointment in finding out that it was Downton and it's about some olden day English twats.I really thought it might be about cool Black urban guys and their bitches women and have a driving hip-hop soundtrack featuring maybe Lil Wayne and Flo Rida and other Negro types artists of note.

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Originally Posted by IdolEyes787

Yes because that's what friends are for.:)

Anyway you wouldn't believe my disappointment in finding out that it was Downton and it's about some olden day English twats.I really thought it might be about cool Black urban guys and their bitches women and have a driving hip-hop soundtrack featuring maybe Lil Wayne and Flo Rida and other Negro types artists of note.

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Well played, in that you shamed me by mentioning Flo Rida, which is a rapper that thought it a creative, ingenious design to break up our state name into 2 words and pronounce it as such to construct an entirely new name appropriate for a rapper. Well played indeed. Do I need to show you my *cock or something?

*will be explained elsewhere

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

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Originally Posted by IdolEyes787

Yes because that's what friends are for.:)

Anyway you wouldn't believe my disappointment in finding out that it was Downton and it's about some olden day English twats.I really thought it might be about cool Black urban guys and their bitches women and have a driving hip-hop soundtrack featuring maybe Lil Wayne and Flo Rida and other Negro types artists of note.

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Well played, in that you shamed me by mentioning Flo Rida, which is a rapper that thought it a creative, ingenious design to break up our state name into 2 words and pronounce it as such to construct an entirely new name appropriate for a rapper. Well played indeed. Do I need to show you my *cock or something?

*will be explained elsewhere

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I always thought Flo Rida just liked menstrating women. :naughty:

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Originally Posted by Artemis

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

Well played, in that you shamed me by mentioning Flo Rida, which is a rapper that thought it a creative, ingenious design to break up our state name into 2 words and pronounce it as such to construct an entirely new name appropriate for a rapper. Well played indeed. Do I need to show you my *cock or something?

*will be explained elsewhere

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I always thought Flo Rida just liked menstrating women. :naughty:

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He used to play for the Red Wings. He can get together with Al Obama, Al Askya, Del Aware, I Da Ho, Ill Annoy, Ken Ducky, Lou EZ Ana, and 10 Hennessy to form an oversized boy band rap group.