Downton Abbey
Jan. 3rd, 2012 02:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
keep_countingSo, 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 :)
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no subject
Date: 2012-01-03 02:53 pm (UTC)Ep 1: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=7H6LEFCX
Ep 2: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=KT45M7ZF
Ep 3: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=G6UCVUQP
Ep 4: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=QDM1YGCS
Ep 5: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=B5W868WO
Ep 6: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=AH0PG8I5
Ep 7: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=JXU5CXKU
And YAY, flail onnnn!! It isss lovely! Anna/Bates!! And Maggie Smith only gets better and better, I just don't understand who it's possible, but she does. 8-) (Why don't I have a Maggie-Smith-as-Lady-Grantham icon? I must be crazy!1!)
then seriously considered therapy because my attachment to fictional characters cannot be healthy.
It would probably be more unhealthy if you stopped, skat. <3 Some of us are like that, it's destiny.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-03 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-03 04:49 pm (UTC)Aw, I suppose. It just makes me a little worried when I've spent less than an hour with a character, and I get all emotional and weepy. At least I cry over the News as well, if they're horrible (or really good!), so I can use the excuse that I just generally care too much. It's an uncurable disease :)
no subject
Date: 2012-01-03 04:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-03 05:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-04 11:08 pm (UTC)But your reaction reminds me of my absolute 'SQUEEEEEEE' phase when I started watching! =D I was totally playing the 'recognise all the actors from other shows and flail' game, and bawling at the scenery, the witty lines, the acting... Also glad you love Lord Grantham and Bates! But tbh I love everybody on this show, even the mean characters are interesting and well-written.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-05 01:59 pm (UTC)It was so good! I was not at all expecting it to be that brilliant. Good? Yes. Amazing in one episode? No!
A complete convert ;D even if it did take me a few months to get my ass together: job well done!