Dispatches from Home – Downton Abbey Revisited.

DOWNTON ABBEY – After all the hoopla, I’m finally getting around to watching this series from the beginning via Netflix. How I missed it from Jump Street is a mystery to me. The time period is one of my favorites if not my favorite! I’m liking it . . . but . . . I’m not sold as of yet.
I’m beginning Season Two. Those sisters! What bitches! Sorry, ladies. And the lady playing the American mother. . . hummmm. In December, I watched the entire Upstairs Downstairs series for the first time in almost 40 years. I adored it back then, and its age did not diminish my enjoyment of it now! I loved it!!! I also loved the characters’ flaws, quirks, and endless predicaments.
While watching Downton, I could not help but compare the two series. Of course, Downton was given the whole “Hollywood” treatment. On the other hand, Upstairs was filmed on stage, with an occasional outing outside. I found the following similarities: 1. The scene with the gay footman – the same thing happened in Up Stairs. 2. The death of the Turkish gentleman, which had to be covered up to avoid a nasty scandal – sorta the same thing happened in Upstairs. 3. Anne’s character – caring, loving, and concerned – is like Rose in Upstairs, and they are good servants. 4. The Cook and the Scullery Maid are copies of Mrs. Bridges and Ruby from Upstairs ( I liked them better.). That’s what I’ve seen so far. And that scene where Violet, the Dowager Countess, gives up the rose prize is straight out of the WWII movie, “Mrs. Miniver,” staring the exquisite Greer Garson.
Two staging things have bothered me. When the telegram concerning the Titanic’s sinking is given to Robert Crawley, it would have been on a silver tray held by the butler or at least a footman – not one of his daughters. Also, does that lamp cord hanging behind one of the lamps in the drawing room bother anyone other than me?
Now, before you lovers of all things Downton Abbey run me out of town on a rail for besmirching your baby, let me assure you that I’m enjoying the series! I’ve got to get Upstairs Downstairs out of my mind and let Downton Abbey fill it. One question: Does Patrick, who supposedly perished on the Titanic, return? Don’t answer that. LOL. I will now step behind the parapet and await the slings and arrows of your horror and dismay.
Later ‘Gaters!
(Originally posted January 21, 2015.)
(Update January 21, 2025. I ended up loving every character in this series, and the storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. Ten years have passed since writing my 2015 post. While watching the series, never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I’d actually get to visit Highclere Castle, where much of the series was filmed. Thankfully, in September 2022, I did. What a joy it was!)


