Downton Abbey

[erastes]

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I’m SOO enjoying Downton Abbey – and I’ve been discussing it at length with my mate Henri via email. We agree that it’s perfect Sunday Night Telly, and it so really is. What I like about it particularly is that they haven’t sexed it right up which they could have easily done. Even the hetero sex scene that they’ve had was quite tame, very dot dot dot, and the gay love scene was hardly anything to disturb anyone’s sensibility (not that it SHOULD, but I assume they are going to be selling it to other countries.)

I’ve heard disparaging comments from various people on the radio regarding it, though, real snobbery—and not the kind of thing you hear bandied about when there’s something like Cranford or Lark Rise to Candleford. But of course THOSE are on the BBC and Downton is on ITV…Henri tells me that Janet Street-Porter said that the people who like it are all the type who would be below stairs – which seems bloody obvious to me, considering!  And as for JSP – they wouldn’t have even let her family scrub the pots, I would imagine.

I’m thrilled that they’ve got a second series greenlit, so they can explore the characters more, there’s lots of characters and they’ve been unfolding gradually. Forgive me for squeeing over Thomas the homosexual butler, and the fact that the older members of staff know about his preferences. There was a hugely amusing scene this last week where the scullery/housemaid (I dont think there are the number of staff portrayed that really WOULD be in house the size of Highclere (which is where it’s filmed) because there would be far too many to keep track of) has a massive crush on Thomas but the footman William has a crush on her—and Thomas invites her to the fair just to spite William. She then gushes to the cook about Thomas and the cook tries to put her off him by hinting at his homosexuality.  “he’s not a ladies’ man” she says - “oh, that’s good,” says Daisy. “He’s not the man for you, or rather, you aren’t the girl for him…” “he’s a troubled soul” all of which go over the poor innocent girl’s head. I forsee that there’s going to be trouble ahead, there…I hope they don’t sack poor Thomas, as I think he’s great. Yes people might complain that he’s the EVIL gay – but otherwise he’d be the TORTURED SOUL gay, and that would be worse. No, I think it’s great.

DON’T MISS IT!

Watch the mini videos, particularly the one where they explore “downstairs” which is one enormous set – the upstairs scenes are filmed at Highclere, but the downstairs scenes are on one huge and uber impressive set.

Comments

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

I still haven't had a chance to watch it, but the combination of a laptop that's on its last legs (if it will just struggle on to the date my next bonus is due...) and a large collection of Nectar Points is telling me I should perhaps just wait for the DVDs after all.

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

WATCH IT. WATCH IT NOW.

[jl_merrow]

It's fabulous, isn't it?
Actually, the "troubled soul" line made me wonder if they're going to go for TORTURED SOUL gay to explain why he's EVIL gay.

Loved the bit last week where he tried it on with the Turk and got rebuffed! ;)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I am quite quite sure that they repeat it from the moment it finishes, but I think I may even treat myself to the DVD anyway - which is something i never do for brit tv.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Silly Thomas, he seems to want it all, sex AND valeting!

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

I've only seen the first two episodes (crossing my fingers that the 3rd is still up on the internet or I'll be all discombobulated and probably just pass on the rest of it) and I was kind of disappointed by a) Thomas being ev0l, and b) by the lack of a lesbian subplot.

Yeah, yeah, I know... it was because of that letter in episode 2 which began "My Dearest Mary" and was signed by some girl or other - I completely didn't see the reference to someone's initials we were supposed to be catching onto in the middle of the letter as I was too busy going "No wonder she doesn't like any of the nice men!"

I was a bit miffed when the plot developed...

And William is sweet and Thomas is coniving.

But also the BBC is evil because they started a new series of Inspector George Gently on at the same time as Downton Abbey (and started the same week as well) but now it's completely disappered. :-(

[erastes.livejournal.com]

i was glad there wasn't a lesbian plot, although i'm sure there will be one along at some point, because it always seems like the lesbian stories are more "acceptable" with all of sarah waters stuff being filmed - and the number of gay historicals i can count on the fingers of half a hand!

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about needing more gay historicals filmed.

Just watched ep 3 though so getting all giddy about it again :-) I think I mostly wanted there to be a reason for Mary being how she is without ending up at "conniving bitch" (judgmental? moi?)

Bates & His Lordship keep making me think of Lee Rowan's Gentleman's Gentleman though!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

LOL!!! yes, gay historical fiction does have that effect - that's what's so lovely when suddenly they DO start fondling each other. Can't see Hugh Bonneville delving into Master Bates' trousers though...

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

I wasn't thinking now - I was thinking of when they were younger and in the army...
(yes, I know, neither of them would be that inappropriate. *sigh*)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

oh yes, very probably!!! What happens in the Boer war, stays in the Boer war!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I cannot beleive we are slashing D.Abbey...

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

Why can you not believe it? I know Merlin makes a much easier target, but I know I normally have my slash goggles firmly in place when watching *any*thing!

PS All caught up now - yay! Though the storyline with Mrs Hughes made me sniffle.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Well, i watch with slash goggles on, but I haven't actually imagined a slash scenario since leaving fandom.

I can understand her point, though - i feel that the farmer just wanted a woman to help him manage, even if he was still fond of her - and she'd have a much more comfortable retirement than on a farm.

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

Really? You've not? Guess I've probably not really left yet, even if I'm not the uber-silly fangirl I used to be :-)

Yeah, I can understand why she made the decision she did, but I don't think it would have been an easy one all the same... on the plus side, from the scene with William just beforehand, seems she's got family without the whole 'screaming kids' stage, so I think she won there!

[gaedhal.livejournal.com]

If Jack Darling were to have his own show, I'd be in heaven!