I quite enjoyed the Christmas Special. I found more happened in those two hours (including adverts) than in the whole of the last series! Loved Mary standing at the front of the house in the snow in just her evening gown - and that brave, stiff-upper-lipped dame didn't shiver once! Incredible.

 

Would like to have seen more happening for Lady Edith though.

 

And ... did they really need that rubbish storyline with the dog?

 

Kath

Has BJ forgotten this GEM for the last 2 years?!

 

A good first episode to series 4. I still continue to enjoy this series immensely.

Has BJ forgotten this GEM for the last 2 years?!

 

A good first episode to series 4. I still continue to enjoy this series immensely.

 

I still enjoy the series immensely - but the writing (and a lot of the acting) is laughable.

 

Still love Maggie Smith and Rob James Collier though - shame Siobhan Finnernan is no longer in the show.

Yet they've replaced her with an almost identical character!

Yet they've replaced her with an almost identical character!

Do you mean Edna? She's a poor substitute for the magnificent O'Brien!

Very strong episode tonight - the undertones with Branson's isolation between the class divide, the juxtaposition between the opera and Anna's shocking rape. This was quite the step up from last weeks.

The rape storyline is going to be laborious and silly. Not telling him because he might kill the man?!

 

I can see the storyline is going to develop into a Bates not trusting Anna/Anna gets pregnant type of affair. CBA.

I finally caught up with this yesterday, I love it so much! I don't find anything wrong with the writing or the acting, in fact I think it's brilliant. The lack of DA fans on BJ is disappointing.

I finally caught up with this yesterday, I love it so much! I don't find anything wrong with the writing or the acting, in fact I think it's brilliant. The lack of DA fans on BJ is disappointing.

I'm a fan but I still find loads wrong with the writing and the acting. Most people I know still love the show despite some of its failings.

Some of the dialogue is a bit clunky. At least there don't seem to be so many anachronisms in this series. There was a lot of criticism of the rape scene but I think, overall, that story line has been handled well.

Is MY THOMAS still in it, I haven''t watched it since Series 2 but I do have the Series 3 DVD somewhere as I got it for my birthday.

Is MY THOMAS still in it, I haven''t watched it since Series 2 but I do have the Series 3 DVD somewhere as I got it for my birthday.

 

You sir have to watch to find out ;)

Is MY THOMAS still in it, I haven''t watched it since Series 2 but I do have the Series 3 DVD somewhere as I got it for my birthday.

Yes he's still in it ... but for my money - there isn't enough of him!

I still enjoy the series immensely - but the writing (and a lot of the acting) is laughable.

 

Still love Maggie Smith and Rob James Collier though - shame Siobhan Finnernan is no longer in the show.

just seen the Christmas special tonight and it was fantastic!! Wasnt sure about what to expect when I started watching Downton a couple of months ago but really enjoyed the 4 seasons and looking forward to the 5th! Im from Yorkshire originally and its funny hearing the accents!

I totally love the interiors of downtown abbey, wonderful period art.

I've just got round to seeing it. The story line about the Prince of Wales - who later, briefly, became Edward VIII - was all rather ridiculous.

I've just got round to seeing it. The story line about the Prince of Wales - who later, briefly, became Edward VIII - was all rather ridiculous.

I thought the whole episode was ridiculous! Lazy, lazy writing from Fellowes. Hugh Bonneville must cringe when he sees the script he has to work with. I mean - they all must - but Bonneville especially as he's supposed to be the main character in this and yet I think the most exciting thing he did in this episode was fold his newspaper!

It was a better special than last year's. The final scene between Carson and Mrs Hughes was so very lovely. That said I'm still of the belief that season five should be the last, and then Lady Mary is free to take Hollywood by storm.

let's be real. the xmas special was a cross between murder on the orient express, keeping up appearances and a carry on film. HAMMY don't even cut it!

 

why do they cast such similar looking actors too? daisy to ivy, blake to gillingham. it's like twins.

 

that final scene was so unexpected yet totally to be expected but most of all ever so moving. i will definitely be back for season 6.

i've been watching this show since the very start, and love it. series 4 is no acception

 

maggie smith is amazing

 

hmm, i hear that series 5 could well be the last series

 

anyone can tell me if that's right or not?

 

would be ashame if it is