Did you know? I mean, it was a really well-executed Chekhov's gun - they only showed the car once, and even had the nice last-episode misdirect. Anyway, season 3 was enjoyable. Much better than season 2 almost front to back, though not even close to season 1. I'm not sure how season 4 will be relevant, however, since they've answered all the real "class" questions that Matthew joining the family brought up waaay back in the beginning, and because the two interesting characters (Matthew and Sybil) are now pushing daisies. Seems all that's left is interpersonal drama. Oh, and Cousin Poochie arrived right on time! Just perfect!
Yet -- as I'm sure was true for many if not most viewers (who didn't already know what was coming) -- the instant it came on screen, I shouted: "Oh Lord... WHY are they showing him driving that car....No, no, no, no!... surely this cannot be happening...." <cut to a truck> "....Wow... this is happening...." I guess Mary's just gonna be that much more icier henceforth? She may as well be the Lady of Winterfell. By the way, after I watched it a few weeks ago, I looked into the reaction of British viewers -- and found out the episode actually aired in the UK on Christmas Day! People were furious! Kinda funny, now. . . .
I have not watched the series. At first glance, the series appears to be a knockoff of upstairs downstairs.
Now now, no need to be sarcastic. I never understood, why someone would want to be so bold as to create a copy of an original. It's not as if it's been 50+ years since Upstairs Downstairs was on TV. Do producers think that people forgot or they all died that no one would notice?
No it is not! Totally different story, totally different settings. Up and down was set in london with all it's side stories. Downton is set in the country at Highclair Manor. But I guess you've already made your mind up...without seeing any of it. Funny, This doesn't sound like you at all. Never mind. Sort of like saying, I've seen the godfather so all other gangster movies are copies. I saw the longest day so any other WWII movies are just copies. Etc etc...
Yeh and gangsters use Thompsons or baseball bats. While WWII stories use Thompsons, Garands or Lee Enfields. C'mon Alberto, I expect better from you..
Some of the characters and stories have been reupped or changed around. For instance the Cook andtThe Scullery Maid are direct copies even down to personality They also riff on the same periods - pre war, ww1 etc. But Downton is way more of a soap where as UD showed much more of London life and the political aspects
The thing is that Upstairs Downstairs is one of the great series in the history of television. It's context was always framed by commentary that set the tone for the episode by late great Alistair Cooke. Upstairs, Downstairs appeared on Masterpiece Theater. So when I see a show that is set in the same time period, with the same theme, the class contrast between the Aristocratic homeowners and their staff it does raise questions as to why someone thinks they could improve on the original. People criticize remakes of great films all the time. Remaking Upstairs, Downstairs falls into this same category. It's an entirely fair criticism. Here is an interesting article where Jean Marsh commented on Downton Abbey. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...airs-Downstairs-makes-Christmas-comeback.html Now granted at the time she was busy acting in the sequel to Upstairs Downstairs and took a shot at Downton, but I must say this borders on outright theft of intellectual property. Interestingly enough Marsh was the co-creator of Upstairs, Downstairs. If you are under 45 years of age, you probably would bash me, since you never saw or heard of Upstairs, Downstairs.
As someone who watched all of Upstairs, Downstairs last year - Downton doesn't bother me at all as it is far less serious. Yes you think from time to time that stuff is blatantly ripped off. But there is a completely different vibe. Upstairs, Downstairs is miles better. Its like comparing a proper period drama with Melrose place.
No, your math is a bit askew. However, it has been 38 years since Upstairs, Downstairs completed it's run on PBS's Masterpiece Theater.
It wont. After killing 2 characters on the episode their babies where born in 1 season, ill be surprised if Downton can recover from that shoddy writing. If they wanted to kill them off, Matthews death should have been pushed to season 4. imo.
I don't think it was a matter of wanting to kill them off. I thought it was because the actors wanted to leave the series. Maybe it could've been done better, but I don't think it was solely the writers' decision so much as a practical one.