Downton Abbey Thoughts Pt. 1
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No spoilers here. Oops. Lied. I'm giving one spoiler. So tread lightly through this post. And, please, no spoilers in comments. Let's keep this reader friendly today. Tomorrow, we'll be a little freer.
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Who knew that I was going to glean useful cleaning tips from Downton Abbey? Not I that's for sure! My beautiful FlyLady feather duster, circa 2005 or something, is perfect for cleaning light fixtures and especially when the end is cinched with a cute little ribbon so that the ostrich feathers don't flail about so. Achoo! So pay attention to those opening scenes of DA, you never know what household tip might work for you.
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After the second Sunday of Downton Abbey, I'd quite decided that I would not be tuning in for any more episodes. That's just how frustrated and angry I was. Then I decided to search for the full episodes and watch them all in a great day-long marathon, which is exactly what I did. I don't know if this is legal, moral or ethical, but multiple sources were easily found. I watched on my iPad without even hooking up to the tv. So I have watched every episode of Season 4, including the Christmas Special. Spoiler: This is a lame spoiler, though I feel that I must include a warning for the purists out there. Avert eyes now! Remember how this season began six months after Matthew's death? There is going to be an even more fantastic leap of time within this season. Interesting, eh?!
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Susan Branch has written so wittily about Downton Abbey without giving any spoilers at all, though she warns of one. If you'd enjoy reading that post, you'll find it *here.* I agree with her entirely!
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Now I have some questions for you, presuming you're still here:
1. Are you watching this season?
2. Have you found a way to watch the entire season or are you viewing on a weekly basis?
3. Would you enjoy a vague discussion of episodes shown thus far tomorrow? If not, I understand.
Comments on this post are now closed.
I am one of the few people who does not watch DA. Just from blog friends, I know many are frustrated with this new season. Home and Garden and Food networks are about all I watch these day.
ReplyDeleteNice to visit with you today and I hope you have a lovely afternoon.
I have the first three seasons on DVD and am watching Season Four episode by episode. Each season has been different, but I've enjoyed them all. When I've watched all of Season Four I'll buy the DVD and enjoy it again over the summer. I might enjoy a discussion of the season so far........
ReplyDeleteDear Vee, I have not DA, but I just ordered season 1 from our library. And I did watch the first one of season 4 when it aired. I am recording them and planning on watch them as I have time. I was shocked over the incident of the Maid that was (HURT)! I felt let down!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I am out of the loop a bit :)
Blessings, Roxy
Good morning! Well I am certainly watching and doing so episode by episode. I'd love a discussion as I don't know what I am thinking so far. We tape it on Sun nights and then watch on Monday nights. I am off to read the link you posted. Enjoy your day Vee
ReplyDeleteI am with Mildred of Blackberry Lane. I don't watch DA so I can't comment on the show.
ReplyDeleteI love this show. The elite in the house are so very pompous that I have a good laugh just watching them. Something happened in the last episode that did upset me. I watch it on our local PBS weekly. Tell me again how you were able to watch them all at once.
ReplyDeleteI am new to DA and have the last 2 episodes recorded and hope to watch them BEFORE next Sunday. Louis Dean is not interested (can you BELIEVE that???) so I try to watch when I'm by myslef - which is practically NEVER!!! I LOVE the music.......just makes me feel good!! I took a little quiz on Facebook and it says I am 'Anna.' One of my friends was 'Mr. Bates' and my sister (Luann) was Anna as well.
ReplyDeleteI had never even heard of this show until so many of my blogging buddies talked about it. If it's British, I'm so there! If it's American I won't watch it. For the most part I watch Home and Garden shows (if at all) with an occasional "reality" show like "Gold Rush" or "Yukon Men". But my favorite thing is to have light classical playing in the background and reading an Agatha Christie that I can't put down. Guess I'm out of touch. *lol*
ReplyDeleteI stopped watching half way through the second episode of Season 4. Just did not care for where it was going. I have had friends who have seen all of the episodes tell me to stick with it because it gets better but right now I have no plans to do so.
ReplyDeleteI may watch the very last episode of the season, perhaps.... not sure.
I have heard so much about Downton Abby that it just sounds like my kid of show, but for some reason every time I plan to watch it something else comes up! I've see part of one episode and had no clue. sigh
ReplyDeleteI think it's time to rent every season and watch away... I'm always late to the party.
We all watch it here. This last episode had such quotable lines...at least for us in a British loving household. I plan to buy Season 4 hopefully at Costco on the 28th of January when it is supposedly released for sale here in the states. I plan to do a marathon of the remaining episodes then. Of course I do not like it when bad things happen but life is filled with bad things...just read the Old Testament or watch the news. Now I better go dust something...
ReplyDeleteBob and I have watched all of season 1. However, we haven't made it to season 2. We thought we'd have plenty of time this winter to do it. Not yet, though!
ReplyDeleteSkip tomorrow's post, Terri! You have a lot of catching up to do!
DeleteI watch on my Roku, PBS Mondays, the day after it airs. I was totally upset (to put it mildly) at the disturbing event at the end of episode 2, 4th season. I announced to my family, and anyone else who would listen, that if this was the road they were heading down I would no longer be watching. I gave up soap operas years ago, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI must say, after watching the 3rd episode yesterday, I will continue to watch...mainly because of one of the things I found distasteful has been reconciled...for good, hopefully. But....they had better not prolong the real shocker too much longer or they will lose me for good.
Thanks for bringing this up..I was wondering if anyone else was feeling the same way. xo
The shows were available on-line the day after they were aired in the UK, so I watched them throughout the fall, ending with the Christmas special sometime just before the New Year. I'd welcome a discussion, but we wouldn't want to spoil it for others.
ReplyDeleteOne thought I have is that the show is reflecting the changing morals of the time and one can see where it leads straight to where we are today.
That was quite a leap in time...
I watched the first three seasons in DVD...and am now watching it one-episode-at-a-time (now that I finally found out where it was on our channel line-up). I can't say I like where the twists and turns have gone so far this season...but really watching a drama unfold in another time and age. Some things haven't changed a whole lot!
ReplyDeleteMy girls and I watched all the episodes online after they aired in Britain. Before we had a chance to watch episode 2 I read about it online and we avoided that one. The rest of the season was good and we enjoyed it. I felt like there was a lot going on this season and that somethings were wrapped up more quickly than other things.
ReplyDeleteI'll happily chat about Downton tomorrow or anyway.
Deanna
Vee how could you! You watched the whole thing?! That's like eating the entire bag of candy. Like reading the last page of the book! The worst thing is, it tempts me to do the same. But I won't, I won't, Lord help me I won't. I wouldn't mind a vague discussion tomorrow at all :>)
ReplyDeleteI am new to DA so watched the first season on Netflicks and have to see if I can find all the seasons there to catch up! So far I have enjoyed it, but looks like I have a lot of catching up to do! I have enjoyed the old cooks character and the rivalry between the grandma and the cousin's mom. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't get DA on our TV so am not watching it. I have seen Seasons 1 - 3. Is season 4 from last year or is it the current year. I'm a bit confused on that. I haven't seen it but should try to on line if I can find it. I'll read all about it here and it won't spoil it for me at all. I'll probably forget what everyone said anyway. Sounds interesting though.
ReplyDeleteA cleaning tip from DA, how clever. My dh and I love DA and are about 5 episodes behind so I appreciate no spoilers. Vague discussions would be fine.
ReplyDeleteI will give big spoiler warnings. You'll be safer to skip tomorrow's post.
DeleteVee
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for the full piano recitation of DA theme-I enjoyed it in full!
I'm going back to watch the 44 minute cast interview later.
I have been a diehard fan and viewer since the beginning. I thought when a
certain fellow I loved left the cast I wouldn't continue, but I have...
I'm too busy to watch it all ahead and I'm not sure I would. It's like a favorite
candy or dessert, I only want a little bit at a time.
Sure, I would love discussing the show vaguely tomorrow-LOL
Hi Vee! Am a total fan of Downton, as I was of Upstairs, Downstairs. I will probably buy the entire series once it's come to a conclusion. As for spoilers, keep mum and vague discussion would be fun, but vague to some is a revelation to others, so one must be careful! And I'm one of those that savors the episodes a bit at a time - always recorded and watched again when I need refreshing ... it's been such a great show, thus far with tried and true characters and new one that are questionable on all fronts ...
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abby but I have seen season 4 and am waiting for season 5 so no spoilers from or for me . I am a British show junkie have been for years guess it's cause I am half Brit lol ! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteNo no I am watching it weekly. Not crazy about the happenings but still would not not watch it. when I watched it ahead online last year I had to battle so many pop up ads I was exhausted. Maybe you have found somewhere better. I hope you agree with what I told you my friend said. We all need hope. Cleaning: are you talking about the chandelier cleaning in the opening? I noticed that this time for some reason. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have to get the DVD's and catch up. I should have done this a long time ago when DA was the talk at the water cooler on Mondays. Can't wait to start!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
I decided not to watch Downton this season. I can't put my finger on it, but I think I'm just tired. Tired of watching people do stupid stuff. I can go a whole week and watch nothing but Antiques Roadshow and a few cooking shows, so I'm no example. I'll just go along for the ride on this one.
ReplyDeleteNot reading the comments, just in case someone spills the beans. I do watch it. Per episode each week, so I don't want to see what happened until after I watch each episode. When I see Downton Abbey in a heading I usually skip the post, just in case....
ReplyDeleteI've watched through the new season's episode 2 so far. I must say that I'm disappointed on a few different levels. Is it me, or does Lady Mary seem quite a bit more uppity (despite her hardships)? I'll continue but am hoping for some changes that may or may not be there.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid to admit this. . .I've never watched any of the episodes. I would, though, enjoy the discussion.
ReplyDeleteThe chandelier and the feather duster, hmm....when I had a chandie with all the pretty dangly prisms and used a duster, it used to get caught in there.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching DA week by week and looking forward to Sunday nights when it comes on. Guess I didn't realize one could find the whole of season 4 somewhere to watch.
I have not yet watched any of Season 4, but plan to catch up on PBS.org. Once caught up I will watch recorded episodes. I will pay close attention to the chandelier cleaning tips as mine seems to look like it belongs in an episode of The Munsters long before my poor eyesight notices.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read a discussion and will do my best to get up to speed before I read other's comments.
I just recently got hook on this show. I saw a few of the last season and watching the currents ones shown. I would love to see them from the beginning. Hopefully they will do a marathon one day of them.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen even ONE episode of this show but I've heard it's so good. I MUST watch it this season...will I need to see ALL 3 previous seasons to understand what the heck is going on.....?? If so, forget it and I'lll just keep watching Jerry Seinfeld re-runs. :)
ReplyDeleteOh...we are up to date with the episodes and don't watch ahead. Somehow that makes the waiting for the next season too long for me and I have always enjoyed saving my treats... thus the boxes of chocolates sitting about from Christmas. If it is safe tomorrow.. and I'll read with one eye closed, I'd love to know what the others are thinking so far.
ReplyDeleteWe are watching every Sunday night and like to just watch the one a week. Gives me something on television to look forward to watching. One of the few shows that we watch. I love the show!!
ReplyDeleteYes, we are watching Downton this season, one episode at a time. When we have watched movies on the computer in the past, we have been frustrated with the hiccups...could be our connection, could be our computer. Regardless, it would be no fun to watch this way. So every Sunday evening, we bring our cups of tea into the living room and go to Downton.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'd enjoy a discussion of the episodes thus far in Season 4.
Now I think I need a feather duster...
I've seen all but the 4th season so far. I'm waiting for the whole season when it gets released. I love my feather duster, have used one for years.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Vee - a marathon to get it over with. I'd do that too if I had the time! We don't have cable (on purpose) so I usually wait for the DVD. In the meantime, I DO want the spoilers! I want to know everything in advance. I knew about Matthew being killed off at the start of the season and kept my mouth shut - even though the information was readily available online since Dan Stevens was leaving not to return and Julian Fellowes had said in an interview that he would be killed off. Weird. Didn't know about Sybil, though. But, I am glad I had my spies who watched it tell me before I saw it in the DVD. I need to emotionally prepare for shockers. Anyway - perhaps I'll look up the episodes online after all. Once I get the spoilers! Ha!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
I'm watching weekly! I did a marathon this past summer to catch up, so now I like the anticipation of watching once a week. I did do a few "sneak peaks" on PBS before the season began, so I have an idea about a few things that will be upcoming. I don't have a feather duster but I do have a lambs wool duster that I love! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it! I've watched therm all and own seasons 2 & 3! I'm hoping for some more visits from Lady Grantham's American mama! LOL
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Downton Abbey and watch it weekly. I told my hubby that it is the fastest hour of my life. I adore the show and when we found out it was on I watched the whole first season in a day's time so I could "catch up". I think a discussion would be fun. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteDropped by to say, and I definitely decided to not read your post. I am enjoying the weekly shows as they unfold. It lasts longer :) On the other hand I made the mistake of sharing the first episode of the first season with known said sister of mine, and there she sat over the Christmas holidays in my living room for three days watching till three in morning sometimes till she got caught up on all 3 seasons. I never...LOL. I am against watching said tv show all in one large clump. How can you possibly savor all week long one of Lady Grantham's hilarious one liners? I prefer the slow drip method ;) I did not read the other messages so sorry if I am recounted already posted sentiments. Say hi to John for me!
ReplyDeleteGood idea not to read. However, if you had, you'd know that I do both. I watched in one large dose, which I absolutely loved doing and I watch again on Sunday evenings. I love that, too, because I get to watch for the extra details I missed in the first viewing. Do NOT visit today! ☺
DeleteExcept that we are NOT doing spoilers. We are doing a discussion of what has already been viewed.
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