[Lily]

Hello everyone! 😉

It’s been a while since I posted something off-topic, and with the latest Downton Abbey now playing in cinemas, I wanted to ask: are there any fans here in the Forum?

I personally love it (though I’ll admit it wasn’t love at first sight! Or first watch, actually). I found it a little pretentious at first, but it slowly but surely grew on me. I now think it’s the perfect series to watch during the autumn months: it always makes me feel so cosy.

My favourite character is Lady Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, played by the amazing Maggie Smith. I only wish I could be half as witty and clever as she is!

Here's the trailer:

I’ve already been to the cinema to see the latest film. What about you gents, will you be watching it?

[Beelzebub]

I recall watching the very first episode.

A conversation went someting like:

A: "When will x be back from America?"

B: "Next week. He's travelling on that new liner. What's it called again?"

A: "The Titanic?"

I switched off at that point

[Lily]

@Beelzebub hahahaha you were like "I think I've seen this show before and I didn't like the ending". The Titanic bit only goes for one or two episodes, it's mainly an excuse to kill the heir of the castle to set things in motion. Downtown is truly a well-written telly but I understand is not everybody's cup of tea.

What's your favourite TV show at the moment?

[Nick]

We watched the first season but then, for whatever reason, never really got back involved in any of the following ones. I thought it was pretty good, clever writing, great photography. Something that captures the attention of the world in the way Downton has must be doing something right! My challenge is that many TV shows these days are almost designed for binge-watching - episodes released at the same time (I don't think Downton did this but I could be wrong) and I don't really like binge watching - or it has to be something very special that is smack-bang in the centre of my lane!

At the minute I'm watching Ted Lasso with my eldest son (We're towards the end of S2 at the minute - brilliant, brilliant writing). My youngest son and I are (re)-watching Friends and Young Sheldon, and my wife and I are watchig Dexter - starting from the beginning. I am very excited for the new season of Stranger Things next month and my wife and I are re-watching the previous series with my eldest son now in anticipation. Now that show is firmly in my wheelhouse.

I miss the days of watching an episode of something on a Tuesday and having to wait a whole week to see what happens next!


P.S. I should also point out that I don't watch all these things on the same evening lol - they are usually spread out over the week lol - we're not complete tv addicts and couch potatoes!

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Lily

@Beelzebub hahahaha you were like "I think I've seen this show before and I didn't like the ending". The Titanic bit only goes for one or two episodes, it's mainly an excuse to kill the heir of the castle to set things in motion. Downtown is truly a well-written telly but I understand is not everybody's cup of tea.

What's your favourite TV show at the moment?

It wasn't about knowing the ending! I just thought the Titanic bit was (a) corny and (b) very lazy writing.

[Lily]

@Beelzebub but it made sense for the story because very rich families travelled and died on the Titanic! (like the Astors). Anyway, do you like historical dramas or do you prefer other genre?

@Nick love love love Ted Lasso! Always makes me want to visit Richmond, used to go there a lot because I have a cousin who lives nearby. The only thing is that I don't like what they did to Nathan in season 2, felt a bit too extreme.

Yup, Downtown Abbey wasn't written to be a bingge-watch, I imagine some people do but it's impossible, it canbe quite slow and there are 6 seasons, plus the 3 movies.

I need to rewatch Strangers Things before the new season comes out, I can't remember a thing of what happened on the last season.

Thanks for sharing your faves Nick!

[Drivingforfun]

I wonder if the Titanic thing was a convenient way to future proof the series? I imagine half the upper class population on earth was on Titanic so it sets the writers up with a nice supply of wealthy widows/widowers with an easy explanation for their status, all at the same time – I imagine tactical marriage comes into Downton Abbey a lot?

[Nick]

We were the same @Lily whilst re-watching Stranger Things, there are some things that I have no recollection at all of.

As we've started to watch Dexter, which on one hand does sound like something I'd be in to - I'm finding it quite difficult to get into, and I'm not sure why. Can't put my finger on it but these first episodes are not grabbing me!

We did watch Reacher recently, which I really enjoy - I love the books, and these series are really good. Another series based around a series of books is Bosch - I think it was on Amazon Prime Video - based around a character created by the crime author Michael Connelly. Really good series!

[Lily]

@Drivingforfun tactical marriages are about 40% of the plot, so you’re completely right! 🤣 The Titanic bit is only mentioned in the first few episodes, though but it impacted the whole story.

As you know, the First World War started not long after, so the writers also used it as a plot device to move things forward. Highclere Castle (the real Downtown Abbey) was turned into a hospital back in the day, they did the same in the series.

@Nick never seen Dexter, is that the one about the guy who is a serial killer? How many season are there? Sometimes the writers simply run out of steam!

[Rolebama]

I have been watching High Potential* and Only Murder In The Building. As for Dexter, I loved it, but, to me, the resurrection first series was terrible although I have been told that the 2nd series is back on track, so I've got that lined up for future viewing.
*I see many similarities with The Mick, which I loved, and was one of the few progs which made me laugh out loud on a number of occasions.