Downton Abbey

[Numtini]

Pretty much everyone hates the Bates storyline as far as I can tell.

[Venkman]

Yea I really don't get it. Heck, I can accept prostitute lady as part and parcel with the era. And this coming Sunday's episode looks like it's kind some bit of abandonment drama.

But this Bates thing: wtf? I sincerely hope there's some master plan where he comes back all macho and taking-no-shit like Tom Selleck from An Innocent Man. Even though that too would be a retarded story arc for Downtown Abbey*, at least it would give some context to this wierd branch.

* I did like "we could call it Downtown Place" 

[pxib]

This show is definitely suffering from "wrote exactly one superb, self-contained season" syndrome. The same amount of love and dedication simply have not been present since the start of series two, but since all the same characters and actors and sets and trappings are present we poor dumb audience members keep watching hoping they'll magically become great to watch again.

[Tarami]

This might have some errors regarding plot since it's been a while...

I watched three or four episodes of season two before abandoning it myself. The characters and relationships became too established far too early on. Already in season one I felt Mary falling in love with Matthew was much too convenient, but could accept it. In season two they had become soulmates and Matthew's new girl was such an obvious red herring. Bates and Anna were the same, starcrossed lovers whose future together was telegraphed with a sledgehammer. Edith's tryst with the farmer was altogether unconvincing. Branson's profession of love to Sybil was hammy and sentimental and lacked personal risk and therefore substance.

Amidst all the lame-handed relationship drama, the estate drama fell by the wayside, which further undermined the former, since the show no longer had any proper overarcing storyline. It was all bits and pieces of sentimentality that didn't feel like it built toward a climax or really much of anything.

I guess the bottom line is that the lack of commitment in writing ruined believability for me. There was no real conflict where someone actually risked something tangible. They were all being too nice.

[Draegan]

Season 2:

Season 3 (this is a full season spoiler, don't read if you're watching it in the US):

[naum]

Downton Abbey for the SNES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3C454Xye_W0

[Trippy]

pillow fluffing

[Numtini]

Full Season 3 + Xmas spoilers

[naum]

Downton Arbys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NMykqW9ibiY

[MrHat]

FYI: Its streaming free to Amazon Prime members.

Or, you know, PBS.

[naum]

FYI: Its streaming free to Amazon Prime members.

Or, you know, PBS.

Amazon claiming "exclusive" but yes, you can stream these right off of PBS (via Web or even their iPad app, which we use AirPlay to beam unto big screen) right now (or at least up to the current U.S. episode showing) instead of waiting until June.

[Chimpy]

I checked out the season 3 bluray from the local library this week. Am going through a marathon today.

[HaemishM]

My wife watched the entire first 2 seasons in a weekend on Comcast's OnDemand. Then started in on Season 3, which is also on OnDemand for those with the misfortune to have Comcast. I started and have so far made it through episode 2, season 1. I like it. It's on my list of things to watch once I catch up to Spartacus.