Lay in supplies of red wine, firewood and Kit Kats. Put the kids to bed early and take the phone off the hook. Downton's Back!
I'm desperately excited about the new series, but also a teeny bit apprehensive too. It's set in the same period as the book I'm writing now, and have had in my head for the last 6 years or so - what if it turns out to be freakily similar to the central story in my book? (and annoyingly better?) So much has been written about this time period already and there's no limit to the number of stories still to be told and unique ways to tell them, so I suppose it's unlikely that I'm going to see my particular take on it spookily played out before a TV audience of millions. But let's just say if any of the men have enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps I'll be watching from behind the sofa...
Better stock up on extra wine and Kit Kats, just incase.
15 comments:
Hi India
Can't wait for Downton either. I just love that period. And looking forward to reading your book when its finished too. I'm sure it will be brilliant and you will give your own wonderful style.
Linda
Hooray. Downton's back. I'll add Kit Kats and red wine to my shopping list. Good suggestion.
Put up the bunting, Downton's back!!
After watching umpteen repeats, new episodes to savour.
Can't wait for Sunday night.
xx Karen
Ooh, WWI Royal Flying Corps? I'm already thinking Flambards and having my heart broken.
We won't be able to see season 2 of Downton Abbey until winter 2012.
(Jane, I can't believe that you have to wait until winter 2012 to see it - please tell me that's January 2012, rather than December?? And forgive the following Downton Debrief...)
So ladies - what did we think?? All highly satisfying and lovely, except for the opening scene at the Somme where Matthew appeared in No Man's Land in the middle of an advance, then promptly got up, slinging his comrade over his shoulder and headed back to his own lines where he announced he was going on a few days leave. Blimey! I wonder if he'll be court martialled in episode 2?
Anyway, once I'd had another glass of wine to get over that little shock, I thought it was an hour and a half of gorgeousness. How was it for you??
I thought Downton was luscious and compelling - EXCEPT for the battle scenes, which did look a bit like sixth-form production of Birdsong.
Not sure that I like Mary love-lorn - she works much better as a bitch....and has Matthew's weight-loss rendered him a tad less hunky?
I'd heard so much about the battle scenes, and authenticity thereof, but have to agree Shazza! I guess it must be v hard to replicate Somme conditions without breaching a few Health and Safety regs, but was a bit surprised that the 'battle theory' seemed so misguided. The way I understand it, you'd only ever be in No Man's Land during an advance, and in those circs the name of the game was to keep going. Turning back to your own lines = desertion. Bad Matthew.
(If Matthew's looking less hunky, did you think that Bates was looking more chunky? Hmm. Team Servants must have been first in line at the catering truck this series!)
India, it is January. There's a countdown clock on the PBS sites that says there are 110 days to go before season 2 arrives here. I don't mind spoilers. I'm dying to find out what happens.
Totally agree re Matthew swanning off mid battle for a bit of downtime at Downton! Not so heroic.
On the topic of your project (sounds amazing btw) - my dh's grandfather was a medic in the Royal Flying Corps and got the MC for pulling wounded men out of No Man's Land.
Perhaps that's what Matthew was doing?
LOL on the servants and the catering truck.
Can't wait for next week.
Jane, 110 days still seems like a long time, but better than 365 I guess. I'll try not to give too much away here - it's infuriating that we can't all share the Downton love together, but it'll be nice to relive it with you all over again in January!
Wow Catherine, that's really interesting about your DH's grandfather. I'll no doubt be grilling you on the details when I get to writing that bit! I don't reckon Matthew has that excuse as he's clearly infantry (thank goodness, though do you think Branson the chauffeur is one to watch for the RFC?)
Oh joy, Downton is back!
So glad to hear you're a fan too, Liz. It's what winter weekends were made for, and Mondays are going to be so much more cheery with a bit of Downton Debriefing to do!
I enjoyed it, but felt a little grief for the old preWar Downton! I agree the battle sets left something to be desired, although I'm always fascinated by any depiction of WW1... my grandfather was in the artillery for all 4 years of the war and kept a diary which I have--it really is amazing reading. The last shell he fired on Armistice Day is used by my parents as an ashtray :)
Anyway, I also agree I like Mary when she's fighting rather than moping about. And what is going to happen to Bates?!
Fascinating about your grandfather Kate, and how brilliant that he kept a diary throughout - the writing gene must have come from him. I also love the idea of him going back to retrieve that shell on 11th November 1918! (Was he Canadian?)
I don't know what the script has in store for Bates, but I do hope he's gone off to a spa or something to recover some of the sex-appeal he had in the last series. (Ahem ... glass houses... stones...)
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