To be honest there was one filmic bit that did spoilt it a fraction last night ... and it was so out of place with the rest of the outside filming. The scene where Robert Bathurst's character is taking Edith out in the car ... it was filmed against a back-drop. It just seemed so out of place when the rest of this series has been so visually outstanding.

 

Kath

Edited November 1, 201014 yr by Kathyp

To be honest there was one filmic bit that did spoilt it a fraction last night ... and it was so out of place with the rest of the outside filming. The scene where Robert Bathurst's character is taking Edith out in the car ... it was filmed against a back-drop. It just seemed so out of place when the rest of this series has been so visually outstanding.

 

Kath

That was rather strange as it was so obviously a backdrop. Maybe they had to re-film it at a different time of year.

I thought it was meant to look jolly as a bit of a nod/homage to obvious green screens/projections of yesteryear? It's not as if the rest of the show is consistent in its filming style anyway - the filmic look is only used for the upstairs staff, not the downstairs.

That was rather strange as it was so obviously a backdrop. Maybe they had to re-film it at a different time of year.

 

I think that as well. Quite a few people have mentioned it (this is a really popular show with loads of people I know ... and we all commented on it). Given that the outside filming of this show is as magnificent as it is. We think they may have been forced to re-do a scene or certain actors weren't available at the right time, etc. Either way ... it was a trifle off-putting. It really is a Brideshead Revisited for the noughties but for a moment it seemed like we'd been thrown back to a sixties episode of The Saint.

 

Kath

I think that as well. Quite a few people have mentioned it (this is a really popular show with loads of people I know ... and we all commented on it). Given that the outside filming of this show is as magnificent as it is. We think they may have been forced to re-do a scene or certain actors weren't available at the right time, etc. Either way ... it was a trifle off-putting. It really is a Brideshead Revisited for the noughties but for a moment it seemed like we'd been thrown back to a sixties episode of The Saint.

 

Kath

It reminds me of a scene in Grange Hill may years ago. Again it looked like they'd had to re-shoot the scene but, unfortunately, one of the boys had grown about six inches since the rest of that episode was filmed :lol:

Didn't know about this until just now, but the show has been commisioned for a second season next year.

 

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a28157...ond-series.html

 

Really disappointed this is the last week, it's become a sunday night staple for me and my mum, and it's been a while since I've got so pantomime about a show: I literally booed Thomas and Miss O'Brien; swooned when Mary and Matthew finally got it on and sighed when Bates and Anna were interrupted (although I will eat my hat if they don't kiss as one of the dramatic final scenes next week). Dame Maggie also got one of her best lines of the season last sunday when she snapped that Sybil has no opinion, and will have to wait she is 'passed on', and then she will have to think only what her husband allows her to. Of course this was said in a much more witty way then I've worded it, but it was the unexpectedness and the delivery of it that had me in stitches :lol:

 

A fantastic 9.21 million viewers also tuned in last sunday, the fact that it's audience share has grown despite the competition from the BBC with David Tennent's first, post-Doctor Who drama is quite an achievement; no wonder ITV want a second season.

 

As a side note, Julian Fellowes has gone down in my estimations a bit after complaining in an interview with The Sunday Independent about the unfair criticism from "the left". I don't see what politics has to do with this at all. Also, we all know that he has clearly been 'inspired' by classics, so it was quite humourous seeing him trying to wiggle out of it by saying "Some of the scenes could have stuck in [my] mind. Who can say what is lodged in one's brain?, I am not conscious of lifting either, but it doesn't mean [the viewers] are wrong." Although he does have a point regarding people who nitpick about minor goofs.

Edited November 2, 201014 yr by Daniel II

I'm going to miss this so much. A superb, lavish feast that only comes along once in a while.

 

This Sunday's episode is going to be fab ... with the inheritance matter being taken somewhat offtrack with some unexpected news.

 

Kath

 

And O'Brien is going to be a 110% bitch this Sunday.

And O'Brien is going to be a 110% bitch this Sunday.

Down from her usual 120% then :lol:

Down from her usual 120% then :lol:

 

She's baaaadddd isn't she? If ever they do another version of Rebecca ... she'd make a splendid Mrs Danvers!

 

Kath

Down from her usual 120% then :lol:

 

That was wicked what she did last night! You could see though ... she regretted it straight away ... but sadly not in time enough.

 

Lady Mary truly got her own back on Lady Edith!

 

And just what is Bates playing at? If he dithers much more over Anna she's going to give up on him. Already she has another admirer!

 

Yes! I know we'll have to wait until Spring 2011 to find out what happens. Julian Fellowes had better be quick too ... he's been told he's to finish all scripts by this January!

 

Kath

Edited November 8, 201014 yr by Kathyp

I think I read that Fellowes had already written (or at least storylined) an entire second series before this one even began airing. He thought ahead!

 

Brilliant final episode. I did feel sorry for poor Edith though. I reckon that's the last we'll see of her admirer and she'll be forever single.

Brilliant final episode. I did feel sorry for poor Edith though. I reckon that's the last we'll see of her admirer and she'll be forever single.[/size]

 

 

 

It did look like it was her last (only) chance to become a 'Mrs'. It was awful though, what she did to Mary so she sort of deserved it.

 

I actually felt a bit sorry for O'Brien ... that act will live with her for the rest of her life.

 

And yes! I know it is only a TV series! It's not real!

 

Kath

 

I'm sure Fellowes had a whole load of material stashed away anyway for future reference.

Most of last night's episode seemed to be written as though the series was a one-off. There's no chance of the second series being shown as early as spring 2011. They said last night that it would be next year. However it wouldn't surprise me if we have to wait until 2012. Writing approx 8 hours of drama in three months is a pretty tough assignment. Then it will take months to rehearse, film and edit and fitting in filming with any other commitments the cast may already have for next year. If they try and make the second series too quickly it could end up being awful.

Most of last night's episode seemed to be written as though the series was a one-off. There's no chance of the second series being shown as early as spring 2011. They said last night that it would be next year. However it wouldn't surprise me if we have to wait until 2012. Writing approx 8 hours of drama in three months is a pretty tough assignment. Then it will take months to rehearse, film and edit and fitting in filming with any other commitments the cast may already have for next year. If they try and make the second series too quickly it could end up being awful.

 

I'm not so sure I agree with that ... a couple of the closing scenes seemed to be a prelude to something else. I know it is claimed that Fellowes has been taken by surprise to be commissioned to write another series ... but I agree with Jark ... I think he had something up his sleeve for an encore.

 

Incidentally ... do you think it is true that this series is reputed to cost £1M per HOUR to film.

 

Kath

Yes. I've actually read conflicting articles - one said that ITV paid £9m. They only paid 75% of production costs (compared with the usual 100% for a bought-in TV drama) which would make the total cost of production £12m. That would definitely make it the most expensive of recent times if not ever. A typical British TV drama costs between £500-800k per episode.

Yes. I've actually read conflicting articles - one said that ITV paid £9m. They only paid 75% of production costs (compared with the usual 100% for a bought-in TV drama) which would make the total cost of production £12m. That would definitely make it the most expensive of recent times if not ever. A typical British TV drama costs between £500-800k per episode.

 

I think it was money well spent personally. We need more stuff of this nature on TV.

 

Kath

I think it was money well spent personally. We need more stuff of this nature on TV.

 

Kath

And no doubt they will make more from DVD sales than they were expecting and will be able to charge advertisers more for the next series.

I've really enjoyed this. I will rather shamefully admit to having dipped off watching it midd-way through but caught up this week with everything. I'm so pleased it seems to have cuaght on and everything, ratings seem extremly impressive and I very much so look forward to another series (whenever we may get it.)

FAB NEWS GUYS. In addition to the 8 part second series there's going to be a CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! I am literally frothing at the gob.

FAB NEWS GUYS. In addition to the 8 part second series there's going to be a CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! I am literally frothing at the gob.

Is that before or after series two? A Christmas special followed by a series in spring 2012 would seem to make sense.