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**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 04-01-2012 03:01 PM by A Cousin.)

(03-01-2012 04:36 PM)Silktie Wrote: I am enjoying it, but find the characters all rather one-dimensional. The good 'uns are all good, and the bad 'uns are all bad. Not a shade of grey to be seen...

That was my reaction too, Silktie. But - it's a costume melodrama. For what it is, it is incredibly well-made, cast and shot. And a screen filled with Hugh Bonneville and Brendan Coyle at the same time?!? Well, let's just say that makes it more than enjoyable from my perspective. Blush

Our local PBS station has been running S1 in a build up to S2 starting this Sunday. I recently heard that they are going to tack the Christmas Special on to the end of S2 for us as well. Odd thing, though, is the running times of the episodes. It's listed as: Episode 1, 6 & 7 (120 minutes); Episodes 2-5 (60 minutes). Did it run in 6 or 8 episodes in the UK or is PBS combining episodes again? And is 2.7 the Christmas Special?

Tea Lady · 04-01-2012, 06:19 PM

AC, I'm pretty sure it was 8 episodes as it finished after Spooks. Each episode was 90mins including a heck of a lot of adverts. I would probably put the screen time down around 60mins. It got criticised heavily for the adverts. The Christmas special was 2hrs with not so many adverts.

**A Cousin** · 05-01-2012, 03:52 PM

Ah! OK, that explains it. Since we do not have adverts interpolated (very ironically so, if you ask me! Tongue

), I going to go out on a limb and say that the episode 7 listed is the Christmas Special. I still have no actual proof, but it is cursorily mentioned on one of the videos with the cast when they were recently in New York.

**JHyde** · 06-01-2012, 02:06 PM

OK, there were 8 episodes in season 2 plus the Christmas special. I promise.

Fellowes' writing really bothers me a lot of the time. Almost all the characters he writes are two dimensional and he does what Mike Leigh does except with people of money. He treats his subjects as being too 'precious', particularly the upper class ones. He has a vested interest in writing his upper class characters as being 'good' because he comes from gentry and money himself.

Basically I distrust him and that's not how you should feel about a writer. This isn't to say that Downton doesn't have good moments and it has a wonderful cast, basically the reason I keep watching. But he's derivative and that can't be overcome.

**A Cousin** · 07-01-2012, 01:13 AM

As an act of solidarity as well as irony, on Sunday, 8 January, much like those in the UK had to choose between Spooks and DA, I will have to choose between Downton Abbey and the Absolutely Fabulous 20th Anniversary Special.

I suppose I will start with Downton Abbey and move to AbFab. I can always watch DA online later. Sound slightly familiar? Big Grin

**A Cousin** · 25-01-2012, 05:15 PM

Up to series 2, episode 3.

Nope. Don't like it. Don't like it one bit. Did anyone see Simon Schama's article lambasting it as "cultural necrophilia?" Brutal, perhaps, but he has a point. To that I would add "melodramatic cultural necrophilia."

I don't mind that it is historically inaccurate - I know so little about that anyway. I don't mind that it is a bit of a fairy tale - I'm a Jane Austen fan for pete's sake! I luuuurve a good Romantic with a capital "R"AWR story. Wink

I don't even really mind that the pacing is so choppy - that might just be a translation from ITV (with adverts) to PBS (without adverts). What I do mind is the pandering to the viewers and the inconsistency of plot and character development. It just could be so much...more.

Rant over. Thcussing

(*Descends from soap-box*)

**JHyde** · 26-01-2012, 08:59 PM

Thanks AC. You make me feel so much better about it.

Naivety · 27-01-2012, 08:08 PM

I know what you mean about Series 2. It was a bit like a gorgeous looking dessert. Divine to look at and for the first few mouthfuls, but then gets a bit sickly. Luckily, the Christmas Special was like a refreshing sorbet!

Looking forward to Series 3 now!

Tea Lady · 28-01-2012, 02:23 PM

(27-01-2012 08:08 PM)Naivety Wrote: I know what you mean about Series 2. It was a bit like a gorgeous looking dessert. Divine to look at and for the first few mouthfuls, but then gets a bit sickly. Luckily, the Christmas Special was like a refreshing sorbet!

Looking forward to Series 3 now!

Well said Naivety.

Keep with it AC. It's the sort of thing that goes down well on a Sunday evening in the UK. We don't like to think too much before the start of a working week Wink

Sparky · 30-01-2012, 05:57 AM

I've just managed to watch the xmas special and would agree that its a welcome return to form! I thought the last series improved as it went on but I'm hoping that S3 is up to the standard of the first series and xmas special!

I liken it to wrapping yourself up in a duvet and drinking hot chocolate... It has a warm and comforting feeling about it, perfect for sunday night tv!