tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post8279580568114022755..comments2024-03-29T02:48:55.495-04:00Comments on Its a Wonderful Movie - Your Guide to Family and Christmas Movies on TV: Downton Abbey - Masterpiece TheatreNet - "It's a Wonderful Movie"http://www.blogger.com/profile/01680194388277190995noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-14127950760118479982012-06-04T21:21:58.248-04:002012-06-04T21:21:58.248-04:00This addictive series continued its excellence int...This addictive series continued its excellence into Season 2. It succeeded in introducing a couple of new characters into the mix without watering or muddling the plot. Most notably, it gave Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) a fiancée - Lavinia Swire as played by Zoe Boyle - and Lady Mary Crawley (cast standout Michelle Dockery) a fiancé - Sir Richard Carlisle as played by Iain Glen. Both additions are very effective...for very different reasons: Swire because she's likable and winning, even to putative romantic rival Lady Mary; Carlisle because he is wonderfully complex, scheming and increasingly unlikable (by design). And, it turns out that Carlisle has the goods on both Lady Mary (news of her dalliance with the Turkish diplomat is something he both thwarts as press baron and wields as potential partner) and Lavinia (he also threatens to expose a family secret of hers). How that foursome plays out is one of the dominant arcs of Season 2.<br /><br />Writer Julian Fellowes triumph is that he balances that compelling thread with a number of others of interest to viewers. The next of particular note is maid Anna's romance with Brendan Coyle's Mr. Bates, valet to Hugh Bonneville's Lord Robert Crawley. Coyle - an unlikely sex symbol if there ever was one (as he laughingly admits) - is put through the gamut of the highest highs and lowest lows. The high: the hand in marriage to Joanne Froggatt's Anna, the emotional anchor of story. She's the story's single most lovable character - pure, ardent, resolute, slyly beautiful. The low: tried for murder for the death of his despicable first wife. To say that Season 2 does not end on a high note for Mr. Bates is vastly understating the case.Espanahttp://somuch2thank4.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-67499553070107012772011-01-26T16:17:09.617-05:002011-01-26T16:17:09.617-05:00Anonymous: "Downton" is going to be a se...Anonymous: "Downton" is going to be a series! Isn't that just GRAND!? It is set to return late this year with a Christmas special. =) So exciting!! CANNOT wait! <br /><br />For those of you that aren't watching this because of the couple inappropriate scenes, you should check into "Lark Rise to Candleford." It's a lovely little drama with four seasons to its name, although this (the 4th) will be its last, for the most part I cannot remember too many content concerns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-76106974436776766402011-01-24T15:58:05.216-05:002011-01-24T15:58:05.216-05:00One of the BEST series in years! I do not want it...One of the BEST series in years! I do not want it to end. I keep re-watching my taped episodes. Takes me back to "Upstairs - Downstairs" and I wish this wonderful movie could be turned into an on-going series. I don't want to say "good-bye."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-54018829665221311642011-01-23T23:56:13.190-05:002011-01-23T23:56:13.190-05:00Grand, simply grand ... this fascinating series .....Grand, simply grand ... this fascinating series ... in addition to superlative acting is the attention to details so essential to creating a sense of history. Especially enjoyed Maggie Smith's reprise of the scene in this third episode wherein Dame May Whitty's character Lady Beldon, in the 1942 classic "Mrs. Miniver', in acknowledging changing times and values, awards the prize for the best rose in the county not to herself as was the past 'tradition' but to the town bellringer. Maggie Smith re-enactment of this scene as the Dowager Lady Downton matches the emotional energy of Dame May Whitty ... though without (fortunately) the Second World War supplying the added pathos. If the quality of all television could but approach that of this production and the many other fine Masterpiece Theatre productions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-82134199007311525822011-01-20T11:22:08.302-05:002011-01-20T11:22:08.302-05:00Webdancer: That was a great moment, wasn't it!...Webdancer: That was a great moment, wasn't it!? Matthew's character is a really good one, but... oh, I won't say anything more lest I spoil it for those that do no like spoilers. =) Enjoy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-17737227790360707782011-01-20T08:37:21.077-05:002011-01-20T08:37:21.077-05:00Oops! I seem to have made a mistake: the actor who...Oops! I seem to have made a mistake: the actor who plays Molesley so wonderfully is Kevin Doyle, not Bernard Gallagher.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15943951166188914885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-47122982439143909842011-01-17T21:20:11.578-05:002011-01-17T21:20:11.578-05:00It is, in fact, excellent.
Bernard Gallagher, th...It is, in fact, excellent. <br /><br />Bernard Gallagher, the actor playing Bill Molesley, is absolutely brilliant. He conveys so much with so few words and with such subtle expressions. One of my favourite scenes is when Matthew Crawley, having realized that Molesley's job is just as legitimate as his, finally permits Molesley to perform his valet duties.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15943951166188914885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-18861319596227054532011-01-10T22:33:59.827-05:002011-01-10T22:33:59.827-05:00Just keeping watching, Paula. It only gets better....Just keeping watching, Paula. It only gets better. =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-76548891703895051582011-01-10T00:42:14.510-05:002011-01-10T00:42:14.510-05:00What an intriguing show! I can't wait for the ...What an intriguing show! I can't wait for the ensuing episodes. Was not surprised to see the "Gosford Park" connection, as it is certainly reminiscent of that excellent film...Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441799519616166355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945596937015597963.post-16934774437363585432011-01-08T12:27:35.390-05:002011-01-08T12:27:35.390-05:00Oh my goodness!
Has anyone else seen this, yet??...Oh my goodness! <br /><br />Has anyone else seen this, yet?? It is fabulous! The only downfall is an offensive, minor subplot in E1, that nevertheless makes it inappropriate for family viewing. <br />Even still, if you like British costume drama, this is a must-see. =)<br /><br />Thanks for all you do to post all this info. NetMovieBlogger; looking forward to "Change of Plans" tonight since the other 3 Wal-Mart movies were wonderful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com