:heart: The new series is just lush, I was also a fan of the original series.

It was a massive disappointment. None of the humour of Downton and very few likeable characters. I wanted to love it because I love a glossy period piece and I love Keeley Hawes but this was boring, smug and a severe case of style over substance.

It was a massive disappointment. None of the humour of Downton and very few likeable characters. I wanted to love it because I love a glossy period piece and I love Keeley Hawes but this was boring, smug and a severe case of style over substance.

 

I loved the original Upstairs Downstairs in the 70's ... and when you look at repeats these days ... the acting and attention to detail is still impeccable. But for this generation's sake ... I think Downton Abbey got there first. I'm glad we watched Gran Torino tonight instead.

 

Kath

I thought it was decent, having just finished watching it on I-Player. The recent broadcast of Downton was always going to damage it quite a lot inevitably. It took an episode or two for me to properly get into Donwton but I enjoyed the opening episode to this a lot more, so it succeded there.

Loved Eileen Atkins, but Keeley Hawkes was really not at her best.

It did not help that Keeley Hawkes was playing a character that required her to be at her most insufferably smug. I wanted someone to give her a good smack in the gob.

 

On the plus side, QUEEN JEAN MARSH

Hmm. Wasnt sure what to make of episode 2. Parts of it improved but on the whole it was extremly slow and tedious in places. I cant help but feel that with only 3 episodes, plots like Rachel and probably the Fascism one aswell could have been better used for an actual proper series run which I think is looking likely given how good the ratings were for yesterdays episode.

The majority of the characters however are now starting to come into their own, all except Lady Agnes who does indeed need a slap.

I thought this was fantastically subtle and elegant. It's made me think what a parody of characters 'Downton Abbey' are in their obvious/over-stated roles. Don't get me wrong, I like it nonetheless.

 

The subtlety of the characters in UD, such as Sir Hallam and the Duke of Kents obvious "dalliances" earlier in life. Lady Percy's obvious naïvity. It left the viewer a lot to work out for themselves, historically and emotionally between the characters. Very good stuff. I hope we see a return to it next year...