Monday, February 11, 2013
Downton Abbey
A few weeks ago my husband brought home the first 2 episodes of Downton Abbey from red box. As we have seemingly watched movies where gratuitous violence and sex is the major appeal, this show to me was a breath of fresh air. My husband slept and twitched next to me and I sat mesmerized watching the consequences of human behavior play out on a screen. Downton is a PBS TV series showcasing the perks and privileges of wealth with all the glitz and glamour, the clothes the servants the land the travel, all of it. What a life! And fun to see the styles, the hats and gloves they wear to have lunch with just each other. The abbey is enormous with spectacular rooms and views and halls of servants quarters. And yet with all of this to take in, the real excellence of the series is not in seeing the abundance but in the stark realization there is no immunity of the wealthy to human conditions, death, infertility, infidelity, addictions etc. The super rich with all their money and available options, still have many of the same struggles as the poor with no money and few options. There is no escape from the problems of life. We all have the same battles no matter what our social or economic status. The show to me is about what I know but am not always sure I believe... happiness does not come from money.
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I love, love love Downton Abbey!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am hooked on DA. And I like it for the same reasons and observations you do. I would have loved to have have met the Dowager Countess~
ReplyDeleteI have watched this program from the start and now that the current series is out, I make sure I am tuned in! Your observations says it all. Check your local PBS station for aire time, for this season is truly remarkable!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been an indefatigable "Downton Abbey" fan for the three seasons that it's been on the air. The show is superb. There will be a fouth season, but unfortunately two of the actors have quit (bad career moves, in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteHere in the wilds of West Texas, most people call it "Downtown Abbey".
I meant to say "fourth", not "fouth". Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI love that show!
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey! ill watch the new episode tonight:)
ReplyDeleteHarmless viewing. We've given up on most movies.
ReplyDeleteJane x
I have heard so much about this show that I decided to try it. I watched the first season last week with Netflix on Wii. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLove the show. It's wonderful to watch Robert deal with the modernizing of his world and the struggle he has with it. Maggie Smith, a treasure. :)
ReplyDeleteI think if it not for PBS we would be watching a lot less television! I love this show too, I think you're right, you know ever time I see your name it makes me smile, I just love your name.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Downton!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much about that show lately. I just may have to give it a chance.
ReplyDeleteAnd the rich worry about lising stuff, a condition I seldom experience.
ReplyDeleteI am hooked on DA and stayed up waaaay too late last night watching the two hour episode..I am not a huge movie viewer but this one I can't miss. xo
ReplyDeleteA great show. Me and Mrs. Chatterbox wouldn't think of missing it.
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much about this show lately. I am definitely putting it in my blockbuster by mail plan soon!
ReplyDeleteWell that's true, happiness doesn't come from money, but sometimes it does come from knowing it is Sunday night and Downton abbey is coming on!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm such a fan. My mother recommended it to me and I may have said something like "Pfft" but I tried it and now I'm hooked. We just finished Season 1 (available on Netflix) and have purchased Season 2. We were watching Season 3 each Sunday evening but it got confusing between the two seasons so we'll probably purchase that one too and then start fresh with Season 4. Hopefully, there will be a Season 4... It's a beautifully done show, with such interesting characters. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove the show!! I love how prim and proper everyone is. And the granny cracks me up! I'm glad that they show the human struggles that we all go through.
ReplyDeleteI love this show. I won't even answer the phone when its on!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen it—but you've made me want to!
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie, My wife loves Downton Abbey!! I'm more like your husband in that I'd fall asleep or just leave the room. I like action! The rich may not be immune from the trials of life but I'd like a real opportunity to check out life from their viewpoint! Too bad...no one is leaving me millions... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeletehere is my confession...we watch downton abbey...smiles...i actually enjoy it, not as much as my wife...and i have grown to like the family more...i am much more bransons type...ha...
ReplyDeleteI've see one or two episodes, but then saw a parody of it. But who knows... Maybe I'll have to spend a weekend on it someday!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is bugging me to watch that show. I know it get good reviews.
ReplyDeleteThis cracks me up! I started my first series this weekend and yes it is quite addicting. A couple of weeks ago I got together with a few girl friends and THIS is what they were talking about, I was feeling so left out! I'm gonna try and catch up, I don't sit that often in front of the screen but when I do I can't wait to slip one of the DVD's right in. FUNNY!
ReplyDeleteI like most of you can not miss a show. I must have perfect quiet so I go to bed and snuggle in while husband is watching something else. I even lock the cat out so she will not interupt me moving around.
ReplyDeleteCathy
One great show indeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you enjoyed the best of British.
ReplyDeleteMrs Jones is an avid watcher (and I'm the one falling asleep!)
I just started following this series as well. Much like your husband, the appeal is lost on mine as well. What a great description of the appeal of Downton.
ReplyDeleteI agree the older I get the more I agree money does not bring happiness. I love this series particularly their clothes
ReplyDeleteWe have watched it from the beginning and love it. Sounds crazy, I know, but my husband is caught up in it. Wish the series didn't have to end next week.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! The human story, it's passion and it's trials, knows no economic boundaries.
ReplyDeleteI need to go rent some episodes as well. I have never seen any of them but I hear people rave about the show.
ReplyDeleteThe rain falls alike on all, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm (hoping) that Downton Abbey (in full boxed sets) will be my birthday present in a couple of months!! I have not seen one episode yet, but I'm KEEN!
ReplyDeleteI know that I'm one of the very last people who haven't seen it, lol. Everyone who has just raves about it, so it must be good. Glad you found a show you like, and you're right...money can't make you happy (but it can allow you to travel, woot! ;) ).
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday.
I have not watched it yet. But I have heard so much about it, I will have to sit down and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteDo you watch it with your boys? Or should I say, would the boys be interested in it? Thanks! My guys are 10 and 12.
Yup! We are all the same. Some just wear fancier clothes. xx
ReplyDeleteI hear such wonderful things about this series, and we have loved watching the old English period piece movies in the past like those with Emma Thompson. But woe is me, I did not start watching it from the beginning and now would never be able to catch up!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so much about this show but have not seen it yet...I'll have to remedy that one of these days!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, money does not buy happiness.
Hi there, I am among one who has not seen this yet-I do plan too when I have the time(because I hear it is addictive). I did see a special on the castle yesterday and it was fun to learn where it is filmed and about the family it is taken from. I have been told that the costumes are incredible and authentic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Noreen
Downtown Abbey is my favorite show. It is actually is the only show I watch with any regularity. Next week I this seasons final show I think. I may be in mourning.
ReplyDeleteI have heard it's an amazing show!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this show, but I've heard a lot about it.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen a few...I think I need to start at the beginning to get acquainted with all the characters. The scenery and costume are amazingly well done.
ReplyDeleteAfter everyone started talking about this show, my husband and I finally noticed the shows are available on the Amazon Prime channel. We are going to watch it starting next weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am probably one of the few that has never seen this show! lol I hear about it all the time! :)
ReplyDeleteNext week is the last episode of this year and how sad we will all be when it comes to an end. Unfortunately, it played in Great Britian last fall and through other bloggers I read, I know the last scene. Bummer!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jennifer- haven't seen the show. But I do have to agree with you- rich or poor, life has trials for everyone. And blessings, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's been an amazingly successful worldwide hit. Here's a link to where it's all set.
ReplyDeleteHighclere Castle
As an old and long time friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote Downton Abbey.
i do agree we have the same battle no matter we are rich or poor. ....each have their own problems
ReplyDeleteSuch a good show. We watch a lot of PBS.
ReplyDeletewe stayed up "late" to watch it on Sunday. My husband and I are both big fans of the show.
ReplyDeleteVery true about money. We're all the same inside.
ReplyDeleteI just posted on FB last night that I need to start watching this show! Everyone raves about it.
ReplyDeleteI need to check this show out, too. From what I read, I'm pretty sure I will love it.
ReplyDelete=)
I've been going back and forth on if I'm going to watch this show. I think I likely will soon but I'm just starting Sparticus and from what I understand it might be a little TOO hardcore for me so maybe the PBS aspect will lighten up my load a bit.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of Downton Abbey. I've been hooked since the beginning and have managed to hook others. I'm a big fan of almost anything Masterpiece Theatre produces. It's on auto DVR.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me wanna watch Downtown Abbey, Thanks for sharing Annamarie.
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing good things about this show, but I haven't seen it yet.
ReplyDeleteThat's filmed not so far from me the other side of Newbury, keep meaning to go and get some photo's
ReplyDeleteI have got to start watching this show....I am hearing more and more about it....and it all sounds great....
ReplyDeleteWe are Downton Abbey fans. The time period is post WW 1, and changes are massive. Wonderful show. A must see.
ReplyDeleteI've never actually watched it, but I've heard so much about it that I'm really tempted.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check this show out, you made it sound so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the show, but after this post I've got to google it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDownton Abbey is a great series - and you are right that as well as being set in the past it feels as if it is from an older nicer era of TV. Hope you are having a good week.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that I have never watched that show.
ReplyDeleteHi Annmarie, I've not seen this show. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week ahead,regards.
Downton is wonderful! Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteOh Annmarie, I am so hooked on this show...and indeed it is the humanity, (and humor), filmed and written in such a beautiful way, that keeps us coming back season after season...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
xoxo,
- Irina
I'm so hooked to this... if only to convince me everyday that wealth and fame does not excuse anyone from the same problems and challenges we all get in life. The series just puts all these in a tightly new package :)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the show, but have heard nothing but good about it.
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing about it, I've just started watching too, so it made me smile to see your post. I thought I was the ONLY ONE who hadn't watched any of it yet. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like DA for the same reasons. Not quite so much vulgarity as on cable TV. And yep, money is the not answer.
ReplyDeleteI love DA too! Those beautiful clothes!!
ReplyDeletesomeone gave me season3 for my birthday recently and i had planned to just watch one episode each wk. like i would if i were watching it on t.v. well.. i ended up watching the entire thing and i won't give away any spoilers about the ending except to say, "oh, ya'll.. ya'll.ya'll ya'll!!!!" it's riveting. that's for sure. lovelove it!
ReplyDeleteI have never watched DA, but I agree with you money doesn't buy happiness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that seeing movies without the sex and violence is a breath of fresh air. I'm making my husband watch 31 days of Oscar on TCM and we watched Mrs. Miniver and Mildred Pierce the other night. My husband made the remark of it is nice to see a movie without all the extra ......
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeleteTrue!
ReplyDeleteI love this show, too! Discovered it when I was living in Singapore. Could watch it all day long. =)
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey! I caught onto it late, but I zoomed right through it, while my husband was in the hospital! I agree with you. Money is one of those funny things. It makes life easier to navigate, but it doesn't give you the basic qualities that make a human happy with their circumstances.
ReplyDelete- Carmen
I have heard a lot about this series; I must look into it. You have piqued my curiosity.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!