Downton Abbey - Season 3

[Melanie]

Less than a week away from the US premiere of DA. I know we have a lot of DA watchers here, so I'm excited to discuss with you all.

Just a reminder, no spoilers please, that is if you've happened to see the series by another means or have stumbled upon spoilers. I've luckily managed to stay fairly spoiler-free.

Funny, didn't have this spoiler issue last year when it wasn't quite so popular in the US.

[Katzateer]

I think I am all caught up on Season 2 - I watched it out of order which I don't like to do but at least I got to see the shows before Season 3 begins.

Can't wait!

[magicofdisney]

I was formally introduced to the show here on Intercot. I was hooked with the first episode. I LOVE these period drama pieces, as long as they're not musicals.

I've managed to avoid spoilers. I'm looking forward to watching again.

[SBETigg]

I have seen lots of spoilers, unfortunately, and I know all the major happenings. But I will still enjoy watching and it's going to be a great season. Looking forward to watching and discussing!

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

The allies win the war - I won't spoil anything else.

I actually know nothing about where the story line picks up in season 3, so am looking forward to it.

[Melanie]

The allies win the war - I won't spoil anything else.

Oh my god, you just ruined it for me.

[MNNHFLTX]

From what I have heard, season 3 is better than ever. Can't wait!!

[Melanie]

I'm going to ring in 2013 rewatching season 1 (party animal, that's me ), and plan on finishing season 2 by next Sunday.

[Katzateer]

There is a 30 minute show on tonight at 9:30 - preview to season 3.

[NotaGeek]

I can't wait -- I won't even watch the season teaser -- I want to be spoiler free!

[Mrs Bus Driver]

Love this show, I have to wait until it get to Amazon Prime.

[Melanie]

I'm back up to season 2, episode 5 and forgot about the Jane storyline and how much I hated it.

[PirateLover]

Started re-watching season 1 today. I'm through 5 episodes. Can't wait for season 3! I did accidentally see some spoilers-one of which I'm not very happy about

[SBETigg]

Started re-watching season 1 today. I'm through 5 episodes. Can't wait for season 3! I did accidentally see some spoilers-one of which I'm not very happy about

Seriously. I know.

I can't wait to see the clothes again, though. I hope we don't whip through the 20s too fast.

[Melanie]

I can't wait to see the clothes again, though. I hope we don't whip through the 20s too fast.

I think Sybil is my favorite in that regard. I love her outfits.

[Melanie]

Great article on the 'spoiler' factor. And no, NO SPOILERS in the article.

What I found most disappointing in the article is that the season will conclude on February 17. Holy cow, I hate the short 'series'.


Plot spoilers pose 'Downton Abbey' Challenge

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There are many delicious reasons to watch the returning "Downton Abbey" and an exasperating one to skip it: The cover's been blown on major plot twists.

In what may be outsized revenge for the American Revolution — or payback for years of exporting lousy U.S. TV and fast food — the Brits are sharing "Downton Abbey" with us, but only after first airing each season.

That wouldn't matter much in the drama's early 20th-century setting but we're not there, are we, PBS and U.K. network ITV? A little gimmick called the Internet makes it impossible to keep story developments from spreading like germ warfare.

As with sports fans who must avoid all media and big-mouthed friends to keep game scores a surprise, "Downton Abbey" addicts are forced to shun rude news reports and blogs about what happens to character A, B or C (no spoilers here, promise).

Heedlessly type in "Downton Abbey season three" online and you risk stumbling into the startling truth that ... well, never mind. If you know, you have our sympathy. If you don't, live in blessed ignorance and careful isolation from Sunday's debut until the Feb. 17 season finale.

"It is unfair that England gets to see 'Downton Abbey' before us because we beat them in a war" was the saucy comment posted on Twitter by producer Damon Lindelof of "Lost" fame.
It's certainly a development galling enough to draw insults. But as Downton's courtly master, Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), once rebuked a blunt-spoken visitor: Steady on, sir, the ladies have suffered quite enough of a shock!

Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of PBS' "Masterpiece" showcase that's home to "Downton," contends it's premature to assess the impact here of the U.K. airing that wrapped Christmas Day. Will ratings be dented by dampened enthusiasm or piracy?

"It will be difficult to say until it airs in this country," Eaton said, with the size of the audience providing a key measurement.
The bar is high compared with last year, when "Downton Abbey" became the most-watched series ever for "Masterpiece" with more than 17 million viewers across seven episodes. With its swooning, buzz-worthy romances, the drama also fed social media and gave PBS a new veneer of cool.

But what's to be done if the season endgame is stuck in your brain? As a famous Brit said in more dire circumstances, never surrender! Go along for the ride that the beautifully produced soap opera-cum-fairy tale offers, admiring how the devilishly clever Julian Fellowes, its creator and writer, foreshadows the events to come.
As Downton's residents adjust to post-War War I England, "there are chills and spills involved in that for all the characters, some laughs and some tears," as Fellowes neatly summed it up.
Knowing the destination doesn't mean you can't appreciate the scenery, including these highlights:

— Newcomer Shirley MacLaine as an American visitor, talking smack with British in-law Violet (Maggie Smith), each wittily knocking the other's nation and values. MacLaine wears pasty, kabuki-like makeup as armor; Smith meets insults with world-weary eyes.

— Michelle Dockery keeping it real as Lady Mary, who's surrendered to love with Matthew (Dan Stevens) while barely softening her sharp edges and steely devotion to family tradition. Bonus: The willowy actress was born to wear sleek 1920s dresses.

— Fashion and its evolution, as Downton's upstairs ladies move from lovely but fussy wardrobes to sassier, clean-lined garb and (except for steadfast Mary) shorter hair, reflections of liberating changes that include the promise of universal suffrage for all British women.

— Stevens as golden-boy Matthew, emerging intact from World War I and still conflicted about his future role as lord of the manor. A side game: See if Stevens, smart as he is, looks distracted by the novels he read on the set as a judge for Britain's Man Booker Prize.

— Cultural, medical and other period tidbits, which are fascinating and a reminder that wise historians never would choose to live in a time before their own. In one instance, a character who may have cancer is told that test results will take up to two nerve-shattering months.

— Fellows' charming faith in the tender side of revolutionaries, at least ones that mate with landed gentry. Irish chauffeur-turned-activist Tom Branson (Allen Leech), who previously turned moist-eyed over the murder of the Russian royal family, loses it again in season three over fiery political warfare.

— A stately house, but fast-paced action. Fellowes said he took a cue from the American mash-up approach to storytelling perfected in shows like "ER" and "The West Wing," with stories big and small, sad and funny and "all sort of plotted up together." The look is period but the energy is "much more modern," as Fellowes put it.

But modernity can be troublesome, proof being the Internet imperiling the drama's surprises for U.S. viewers. Whatever the outcome, Eaton said "Masterpiece" will tread carefully in making changes.

ITV is the primary funder of "Downton Abbey" and has international premiere rights. While a September debut fits the U.K. TV marketplace, it would mean stiffer competition for "Downton" as U.S. networks launch their fall slates, Eaton said.

"We want to make sure we don't do something with 'Downton' that will hurt it in the long run," she said — which, for now, extends to the drama's fourth season set to air on "Masterpiece," its co-producer with Carnival Films.

As for the current run, Eaton, who's no spoilsport, had only this to say: "I think it's the best season yet."

[MNNHFLTX]

I'm back up to season 2, episode 5 and forgot about the Jane storyline and how much I hated it.

Oh yes, I couldn't stand that storyline either. It just didn't fit in with Lord Grantham's character. Very soap-opera-ish.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

Great article on the 'spoiler' factor. And no, NO SPOILERS in the article.

What I found most disappointing in the article is that the season will conclude on February 17. Holy cow, I hate the short 'series'.

My feeling (consolation as it were) is that I can live with and accept the "short" series because I think that's why the writing is so well done. They generally aren't trying to factor in commercials and stretch a story arc over 20-25 episodes. I generally find the episodes to be lacking in fluff as a result and are much better written. I look at Downton, or Life on Mars, Copper, Fawlty Towers, Coupling to name a few and I don't know if any of them exceed 12 episodes (Fawlty was 6 per season I think).

So while its sad that its over in an 8 week span, I think the trade-off is the high quality that is the end result.

[Melanie]

I agree with that, and equate Mad Men with that same theory.

[magicofdisney]

I too hate short seasons simply because we have to wait so long for the next one.