Downton Abbey - anyone excited?

[turnitup]

Im so ready for a good period drama,

can't wait

Oh, Attenborough Fan - sneaky - you might be right!!!

Hmm. But there was no body - does this mean that the original heir is 'missing, presumed dead' for seven years? So the provincial cousin will be a heir presumptive, rather than heir apparent.

Yes, deffo to the heir returning. Or else what was the point of Sister 2 loving him from afar?

Cannot believe I am actually this interested.

It was a bit slow, but lots of time to wallow ifysim - and Gosford was over so quickly. The bits they left out, accidentally on purpose, were annoying.
I loved the way the moral fibre of both father and daughter are established early on in series(they see through the cad Duke) even though daughter at first appears unlikeable. I loved the warm supportive relationships below stairs, even thought at first it just appears to be an efficient servant machine. I loved the way you could feel the edginess of the upper classes when they thought were being observed by the lower classes, and the way they relaxed when they weren't "on duty" (bedroom scene between Lord and Lady Grantham)
I thought the characterization of the housekeeper and Butler ("deep" conversation about family life immediately) mildly irritating - all a bit obvious to plunge us straight into Remains of the Day territory.

So, a bit obvious, gripping, lots of plot, lots of costumes, brilliant acting but not much finesse and compared to Mad Men,not much depth in the script or characterization.
Can't wait for next episode

next episiode is better. in fact you could have made a case for ditching first ep entirely, but am glad they didn't.

I don't normally like ITV drama, it always feels like they've gone .... riiiight, ITV star .... what can we put them in? Cop on the edge drama? Serial killer on the loose? Yep, that'll do!

And Liam from Corrie not my favourite person, every time he mentioned having that "baybeh" with Maria it set my teeth on edge.

But this was good. Had a feeling the Dook was a wrong 'un, but hard to feel much sympathy for Mary. Let's hope the lovely younger sisters get a good husband each.

Looking forward to seeing what happens with the new heir, now remind me what he's been in - is it Corrie again?

line of beauty, i think it was called.

I think they chose 1912 as it is sort of on the cusp,ifyswim,between the old order and the new.Edwardian hierarchy about to be swept away in the trenches.
Agree re William being maid's son,although is that too Gosford Park??
Mind you,every time I see Siobhan Finneran (lady's maid) I think of Rita Sue and Bob too!

Yes she was also in Emmerdale and Benidorm amongst other stuff.

The other older maid woman with the Scottish accent, do you think she has a secret crush on Carson?

In a twist, perhaps the housekeeper could be the mother of the quiet footman. She had to give him up for adoption, that's why she kept banging on about his happy home.

Or are we in danger of making up more exciting plot lines than the reality?

She ws the Housekeeeper darnit! Of course she had a crush on him. Not that he was worth it...he behaved very badly over Bates.

Oh yes Rita Sue and Bob Too! Every time I see her I start singing to myself "we're 'aving a gang bang ...."!

Really enjoyed this last night! Definitely going to be bookmarking my seat on the sofa each Sunday

Took me AGES to work out the footman was Liam from Corrie...

Saw the first half on TV last night, just caught the second half on iPlayer (well ITV version), very good. Don't usually go for period dramas but this one looks good.

I know someone who did all the publicity and stayed with Julian Fellowes. He is a scream.

at ep 3.

Aitch, stop it you beast.

I loved it. I thought the acting was a little wooden, and establishing the characters a bit cumbersome but it was FAB!!!!!

so excited about a proper costume drama again. 'Bout bloody time.

I loved it too

DH and i spent most of it going "What's she been in?" "He was in that thing, you know, that thing where he played opposite her from doodah"

Sunday evenings fully booked in the Dreadful house...

I thought it was great too. I especially liked all the below stairs stuff - that's what interests me most when I go round a stately home - the above stairs luxury is lovely to look at, but below stairs seems more real, somehow.

The relationship between Bates and His Lordship did remind me rather of the relationship between Bunter and Lord Peter Wimsey - the regimental connection etc.

Loved it, first thing I've watched on ITV for years too.

I LOVE Brendan Coyle, such a good actor.

DPs step-sister got married at the house they use in this, think its called something else in RL but not sure what.

Highclere Castle,desperate

Ahh yes that's it! Thanks georgina

this was fantastic