Downton Abbey

[ricardienne]

...it's like every. single. line. is not quite arch enough to be arch, but too too obviously genre-savvy to be genuine. Costumes are pretty, though, and Maggie Smith (+ her hats) pretty much makes it worthwhile. OH! And there was a bonus Trollope reference, even though I think it was designed to highlight the boringness of the guy who mentioned Trollope.

BUT. I just watched the third (UK) episode, and WHAT THE HELL?

I just feel that rape should not be played for a "well, she really wanted to consent underneath her social conditioning that made her fight him, and, OH LOOK comedy since he had a heart attack and now we have to drag the body through the house!"

Yeah...no.

Badly played, Masterpiece Theatre, badly played.

Comments

[achyvi.livejournal.com]

Is it still worth watching, even despite the weirdness?

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

I mean, it's very ridiculous, but also very entertaining -- half of the servants are plotting against each other (or maybe just plotting for the fun of it?) and all the sisters hate each other, and everyone has a Deep Secret Past. And Maggie Smith (as the Dowager Countess) really does add a lot, as she waltzes around in gigantic pink and purple hats making snarky remarks at everyone.

I think you would find it amusing, and the costumes are GORGEOUS.