Downton Abbey, is it worth it?

[ManchesterBea]

Downton Abbey passed me by completely, and I've noticed that it is now on Netflix!

Is it worth it? And has it stood up to being a few years old now, or does it seem dated.

Obviously, I can try it, and probably will, but just wondered what the general consensus was! I know it was super popular at the time.

Thoughts very welcome

Perfectlystill
Am I the only person in the world that thinks it's predictable, trite bollocks?

No, I agree!

Initially I will admit I found it a bit of a guilty pleasure - daft, saccharine and completely unrealistic in terms of attitudes at the time and treatment of staff etc, but useful as a cheesy, mindless distraction from more serious things going on in real life.

By the end it was awful though. Julian Fellowes personal politics and views were being laid on way too thick, to the detriment of the plot/ storytelling/character/script; everything!

Maggie Smith (especially early series - later on I felt the writing of her character went downhill a bit) and Penelope Wilton are brilliant in it.

And I loved Gosford Park!

Nope

I also thought it was shite - wanted to like it!

Much preferred upstairs downstairs

It’s rubbish, and at times ridiculous, but it is a good watch.

I watched it for the first time before Christmas when I was ill with flu . I would say it is worth watching , although the storylines do become a bit samey and far fetched .
I found Lady Mary very annoying and what felt like shoehorning another tragedy in for a season finale etc contrived .
These points are however more than compensated by on the whole the great acting and characters . Dame Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton were brillant sparring partners . Jim Carter ( the Butler ) and Phyllis Logan ( Housekeeper) were also excellent . I also enjoyed the costumes /beautiful dresses .

I couldn't find anywhere to watch the films for free but did find a special offer on Amazon to buy both for £7.99 . The first film was pretty rubbish but the second was better .

I do find the inequality depicted in these types of series / films and visiting National Heritage / National Trust properties slightly uncomfortable , as fully aware that the aristocracy had access to huge amounts of land / resources when no doubt most of our ancestors were crammed into slum housing . Apologies , if I have offended any royalty etc reading this who I have inadvertently lumped together with us plebs ....

However I am also interested in the social history of how people lived ( although appreciate this series is fictional ) and also nosey ...

"A 'weekend' - what's a 'weekend?"
Marvellous stuff !