Where in the world have I been? The music begins in grand orchestra fashion, the master and his yellow lab meandering down the stone gravel pathway…….opening credits showing a petal dropping onto the table from the roses in the flower arrangement, a maid dusting the opulent chandelier, and a beautiful table setting in the grand dining room. What, you don’t live like that either? I’ve heard all the talk, the hoopla and energy surrounding this wonderful PBS, set in the UK show, but have only finished watching Season 2. I know, I’m way behind! Actually, I thought it was Down-town Abbey for the longest. I know….ridiculous! I’m a slow starter sometimes, but I’ll catch up, just wait! So, are you watching too? It’s such a delightful show, I find myself wanting to talk in a British accent and clip my words and say funny, oh so stodgy sayings. What a beautiful display of cinematography in this show.  My roommate, Rhonda, borrowed the DVD for Season One and we quickly devoured it and can’t wait to see the rest. I heard that you can watch the shows for free on Simply June, so I’ve been piling up on my bed, earphones on and just finished Season 2 and beginning Season 3, so no spoilers for me please. They really know how to keep you hanging at the end of every show, don’t they? As soon as I get through Season 3 which no doubt will be before the week is out, I’ve started recording Season 4, so that I can get completely up to date. 
(via Masterpiece Theater) Highclere Castle, location for Downton Abbey From the website: Creator and Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes introduces the setting for the story, Downton Abbey, in his script: “The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear, that it seems as if the way of life it represents will last for another thousand years. It won’t.” Indeed, on the cusp of the end of an entire way of life, the house, portrayed by Highclere Castle, transcends location and becomes a character — and one of the biggest stars — in Downton Abbey. Wow, what a place this is, right? Who could imagine living in a castle like this? Not me, but what fun it is to go inside the halls of Downton Abbey and see all the drama going on. We were hooked from the first episode! 
Inside the Highclere Castle What an amazing ostentatious place! I know we are going to thoroughly enjoy the rest of the seasons, so please don’t tell me what happens! I want it all to unfold as we watch it. 
All images from pbs.org/masterpiece. So, tell me, do you watch Downton Abbey too? Who are your favorite characters and who do you love to hate? Of course, they want us to dislike the villains, right? O’Brien and Thomas are at the top of the list for those you want to see get what’s coming to them. I’m cheering for Bates and Anna and really am happy that Mary and Matthew FINALLY got married. That was a such tease, those two! Nope, don’t tell me any more! I want to watch the rest myself. A few observations:
- Poor Edith, overshadowed by both her prettier sisters.
- Grannie is a total crackup. Her lines are priceless.
- That whole upstairs/downstairs thing is just so old world.
- Thomas is such a brat.
- Yay for Sybil marrying the chauffeur.
- Mary is a little rebel.
- My how the world has changed in the last 100 years.
- Bravo, bravo!
I’M OFFICIALLY HOOKED ON THIS SHOW!! Congrats! Phyllis, Nancy and Gwen are the 3 winners of the beadboard wallpaper and have all been emailed! Posted here on the Rafflecopter widget as well.
I love Downton Abby too! It’s hard to pick a favorite character, though Maggie Smith is excellent! I’m so glad the new season is now on PBS. I look forward to new episodes every Sunday evening! Traveling to England and touring the real Highclere castle is on my bucket list!
I love Downton Abbey! Glad you’re watching it now! I started by binge watching the first two seasons. Love the Dowager and her one-liners! I love the setting, costumes and castle. There’s another Brit series called Restoration Home that I found I love, too. Real people renovating real noteworthy castles and English properties. I watched via YouTube. My fave episode is the man solely restoring the castle he bought. Amazing!
I’ve watched it since the beginning along with Silk and Sherlock and several other Masterpiece series. I will eventually watch The Midwife. I am also addicted to Game of Thrones, Homeland and enjoyed The White Queen and have watched some of Reign. It is a certainty that the BBC and HBO, Showtime and late to table Starz, are producing the quality TV now. What a shame that the big networks have gone to Reality TV instead of quality series. There are nights I never watch a network program. But I love Downton Abbey and look forward to it each week. Just have your tissues ready-I rarely miss crying in an episode.
Hi, Rhoda. YES, I’m a devoted fan of Downton Abbey. I’m a knitter and even found a Downton Hat pattern. I’ll send you a pic when I finish it. For character favorites: Upstairs: The Dower Grandmother Lady Grantham., for her wry humor and glue holding the family together in tough times. Downstairs: Mrs. Hughes as she is consistently a rock to lean on, Mrs. Patmore with her earthy humor, and Daisy ….fun to watch her grow up. Series is beautifully done visually and emotionally. Rhythm of the script is consistently good and the acting is quite believable. It would be helpful to read the story of Lady Almina, upon which Cora’s character is very loosely based. I know, you have that much time on your hands 😉 Anyway, love the series as it brings back a gentility of manners and place we have forgotten and do not practice, all the while making us grateful that we live in the present day. Edwardian era was quite stressful for both upstairs and downstairs folk.
I adore Downton Abbey! I think it would be fun to take a tour of Highclere! You might also want to check out Sherlock…quite excellent…I would highly recommend! Have fun marathoning…is that a word? 😉
I LUV period pieces so I’ve been watching from the very first episode!
Check out these quizzes I put in two posts Rhoda–see who YOU are!!!
Catherine
http://freddyandpetunia.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/have-you-been-watching/
http://freddyandpetunia.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/i-cant-wait-for-sunday-8-oclock/
and just to give you a giggle–
http://freddyandpetunia.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/downton-abbey/
I was hooked from the beginning! I need to order the CDs so that I can get my DowntonAbbey fix when all is over. In fact I love most of the British shows on public television. So glad you joined the Downton followers group. In Lex Ky there is going to be a Fabby Abbey Ball (for charity) in one of the Mansions.
Sheila
Mykentuckyliving
Rohoda! This is so funny. My neighbor across the street just got me hooked. I borrowed the DVD’s from my local library and just caught-up with all the seasons a couple of days ago. The Dowager (Maggie Smith’s role) is hilarious! I love her dry and sarcastic sense of humor. Yes, it does make you want to speak with a British accent. This show is addictive and it does keep you hanging and wanting more. I love this time period and Highclere castle is breath-taking! The show resembles much how the Vanderbilts lived in Biltmore. I doubt, however, that the staff intermingled and shared confidences like they do in the movie. It’s still, nonetheless, very entertaining. I love the music in the opening.
Meant to say Rhoda.
Love … Love Downton Abbey!!!!I did the same thing you are doing when I got a little behind last year!!!! Highclerc Castle aka.. Downton Abbey of course..is just amazing isn’t it?? and without a doubt… my fav character is “Grandmama”.. Maggie Smith is a hoot!!!!! Her little “Snippets” crack me up!!!!!!!!!! Anna and Lady Edith are close runners up !!!! lol
Love the show! Like you, I didn’t watch it in the beginning seasons so I had to play catch up by watching them on DVDs. Then, it was frustrating having to wait for this season to begin 🙂 And, once you watch them one episode after another, it’s hard to wait a whole week to see the next one now. LOL
Hugs,
Kat
I haven’t seen an episode, but will definitely check it out. My daughters read the books I believe and said it was great!
Better late to the party than never having arrived at all! No spoilers, but it gets crazy!
Rhoda, I’m glad you are enjoying “Downton”. PBS also aired a show on Highclere featuring the current Lord and Lady. Seeing how the estate operates in the current times is very interesting. Unfortunately I can’t remember the title of the show but as we know all information is available somewhere on the internet.
It allows you to escape from reality into a fictitious world for a few moments.
Omg I had no idea your roommate’s name was Rhonda! How cool is that?? Can’t wait for you to get caught up so we can really dish about it;-)
I love watching Downton Abbey and I have been watching it since the very beginning and have seen all of the seasons so far. It’s an amazing show! The wardrobe, interiors and scenery are absolutely spectacular! I really like little Daisy in the kitchen and Mrs. Patmore, Mrs. Hughes. Lady Mary is very strong I feel and I think her sister Edith is very pretty. Anna and Mr. Bates, who could not love them! The Dowager and Mrs. Crawley are a hoot and so is Lady Grantham’s mother! Haha! So I pretty much love all the characters and can stomach Thomas at times also! I think the whole era is amazing and sometimes just wish the elegance and respect of that day were still with us! You just can’t beat the fashion of those times! Women looked so elegant and decent, men so respectable!
I’ve also watched ‘Call The Midwife’ and enjoy that as well but I have to say that Downtown Abbey wins hands-down in keeping my attention! Sure beats anything on television nowadays!
Have you ever watched ‘Doc Martin’?? 🙂
So glad you are on board! I knew you’d love it!
Love, love Downton Abbey! I’m married to an Englishman and we live back and forth between England and Georgia (Columbus). We started watching over there beginning Season 1 and have already watched Season 4 in its entirety as it is about 6 months ahead of the States in airing. Look for “Secrets of Highclere Castle” which aired on GPTV. It takes you on a behind the scenes tour of the Castle with the current Lord and Lady. One fascinating tidbit, it was one of the previous lords who discovered King Tut’s Tomb in 1922! Maggie Smith is brilliant! Enjoy!
I finished season two just last night and I am so hooked.
I also love the PBS series called The Paradise and you can watch it on Simply June, also.