Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Downtown Abbey

Do any of the bloggers across the pond watch Downtown Abbey? I just read that the show ended on Christmas Day in England while in America, they've just shown the first two episodes of the final season. They end it in 1925. I wish they would have gone to the start of WWI. I find the show fascinating as a time and a place that is gone forever. The rich in the U.S. these days are probably richer than the aristocracy was in Britain and live in huge mansions but don't live in the formal style they did then. Even the servants were kind of snobs in their own right.
Anyway, I find it interesting that they waited to show it in the U.S. until after it was shown in Britain.

FD

14 comments:

  1. One of my favorites! I love it.

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  2. Yes, I did enjoy Downton. I wont say any more as I don't want to spoil it for those who are watching it now.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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    1. We can discuss it after the series finishes in the U.S.

      FD

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  3. Molly and I watch, though this season seems to be pretty slow. Our blog has hypothesized that it would be more compelling if Lady Mary decided to bring extra cash to the estate by opening up a dungeon and exercise her Domme impulses.

    Mick

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  4. We're Downton followers here. My grandmother was a scullery maid in the 1920s in a large mansion and it was nothing like those shown on TV. It was hard work and long hours! The aristocracy weren't especially rich compared to entrepreneurs of the time. They relied on land and not businesses for income. One of the large stately homes near us never even acquired electricity or plumbing because it was too expensive.
    Like Ronnie, I'll keep quiet. I do think Mick's idea for Mary would work very well!

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    1. Interesting that the work was hard with long hours. And how did the land produce income? Fascinating that they weren't that rich except for having the land.

      FD

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    2. Tenants. the richest man in the UK, a duke, still owns a huge amount of London. Farming land doesn't pay as well and over the last 100 years, people moved into the cities. Inheritance tax grippled the aristocracy after ww2.
      Remains of the Day is a good film for showing the decay of the upper classes.

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    3. Thanks for the info. Times have changed.

      FD

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  5. ooooo loved this series FD...and the xmas special too....am glad you are enjoying it as well....lips are sealed...laughs

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  6. Several years ago the first part was shown here and it was settled just before WWI. Perhaps you can find it on dvd.
    My Wife and I enjoyed the serial.

    appy

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