Downton Abbey
Jan. 3rd, 2012 02:56 pmSo, I was going to do like I did with Spooks and wait until I'd finished the first season before I posted a review on this. But 1) I wasn't going to marathon this one like I did Spooks, and 2) I liked the first episode so much that I just had to get some thoughts down.
I usually enjoy period-pieces, because even if the plot is slow or dry, there is so much pretteh to look at that its okay. And Downton Abbey's first episode nearly made my eyes hurt with how beautiful the scenery and the costumes was. I knew that the episode lasted an hour, and I was home alone with my little-sister, so I made sure she was entertained before settling down in the couch with my headphones and very determined not to be distracted by the fact that she'd chosen to watch The Smurfs on our television.
I wasn't distracted. I was having so much fun. Everything was just British and pretty and witty. It was absolutely great, especially after watching so much British television and recognizing so many actors every time they appeared. I was sitting there: 'Oh, it's Joanne Froggatt! Oh, it's that guy from Doctor Who. Oh, it's that guy from Stardust. Oh, it's Harriet Jones from Doctor Who. And he was in Doctor Who! And he was! AND THAT'S MAGGIE SMITH!!!! I LOVE THIS EPISODE!'
(yes, I wasn't paying much attention to the main credits, I hardly ever do - it makes for more fun when a familiar face pops up. Also - scenery porn! Distracting)
So, I mentioned yesterday that I had only managed to download a version with Spanish subtitles, and it was annoying me, so I found a new link and happily got that instead - only to discover that this one had French subtitles. I was too lazy to do anything about it though, and it wasn't so distracting after a while - I was too occupied with Mary's eyebrows and how they shaped so perfectly like that. Suffice to say I am never looking myself in the mirror again without weeping bitterly.
So yes, label me impressed. I felt such a fondness for the characters so early on, and I was sitting and cheering for Lord Grantham to stop Bates and was thinking 'no, he won't do it, and then he did and I was so happy I nearly cried and then seriously considered therapy because my attachment to fictional characters cannot be healthy. But Bates is staying and Anna is so sweet and I'm really happy!
I really want to watch the next episode right NOW, but I'm sticking to my one-episode-a-week, especially because I'm starting school tomorrow and will be very busy from there on. I might sneak it in in the weekend, but I also have to watch Spooks, so we'll see :)
I usually enjoy period-pieces, because even if the plot is slow or dry, there is so much pretteh to look at that its okay. And Downton Abbey's first episode nearly made my eyes hurt with how beautiful the scenery and the costumes was. I knew that the episode lasted an hour, and I was home alone with my little-sister, so I made sure she was entertained before settling down in the couch with my headphones and very determined not to be distracted by the fact that she'd chosen to watch The Smurfs on our television.
I wasn't distracted. I was having so much fun. Everything was just British and pretty and witty. It was absolutely great, especially after watching so much British television and recognizing so many actors every time they appeared. I was sitting there: 'Oh, it's Joanne Froggatt! Oh, it's that guy from Doctor Who. Oh, it's that guy from Stardust. Oh, it's Harriet Jones from Doctor Who. And he was in Doctor Who! And he was! AND THAT'S MAGGIE SMITH!!!! I LOVE THIS EPISODE!'
(yes, I wasn't paying much attention to the main credits, I hardly ever do - it makes for more fun when a familiar face pops up. Also - scenery porn! Distracting)
So, I mentioned yesterday that I had only managed to download a version with Spanish subtitles, and it was annoying me, so I found a new link and happily got that instead - only to discover that this one had French subtitles. I was too lazy to do anything about it though, and it wasn't so distracting after a while - I was too occupied with Mary's eyebrows and how they shaped so perfectly like that. Suffice to say I am never looking myself in the mirror again without weeping bitterly.
So yes, label me impressed. I felt such a fondness for the characters so early on, and I was sitting and cheering for Lord Grantham to stop Bates and was thinking 'no, he won't do it, and then he did and I was so happy I nearly cried and then seriously considered therapy because my attachment to fictional characters cannot be healthy. But Bates is staying and Anna is so sweet and I'm really happy!
I really want to watch the next episode right NOW, but I'm sticking to my one-episode-a-week, especially because I'm starting school tomorrow and will be very busy from there on. I might sneak it in in the weekend, but I also have to watch Spooks, so we'll see :)