Chicks On Lit discussion

I am rejoicing in the return of downton abbey to our screens here in Ireland. Are there many fellow fans amongst the chicks?

I saw this last night on the Emmys and I thought it looked interesting but it was the first I have heard of it. I was going to look it up today. Thanks for the reminder

I love the series. Will be looking for Season 2 in the U.S. winter of 2012 on PBS.

I, too, loved this series. It is wonderfully done and like Rebecca, I am looking so forward to its return.

I watched the first episode and loved it, and my husband was loving it too - til a gay kissing scene came up. Maybe if I'd known it was coming, it wouldn't have caught me so off-guard. And I have nothing against gay people at all! But that scene put me right off. I'm thinking of trying it again. It seemed very well scripted and acted.

I highly recommend it ladies - storylines are gripping and maggie smith has some wonderful one liners, I'm such a fan of hers!

I'm ahead of you all so I won't give away any spoilers but would love to discuss more when you all have caught up!

I saw the first episode too and really liked it. Hoping to find it on PBS or DVD.

I've heard such wonderful things about this show - I need to get it on dvd!

Nadia, If you stream Netflix, you can also see it there.

I just started watching this on Netflix last night. We only watched the first episode but it was really good. The cast is amazing.

What is it about?

I can't wait to see Season 2!

Ooh, I loved Downton Abbey. I got to watch it a few months before it was on PBS, and I too am looking forward to series 2!

We all love weekends, right? ;-)

Just give Dame Maggie all the awards!

Mary, it's a period drama set in a British stately home. It tracks the lives of the family of the Earl of Grantham as well as the servants who live downstairs...I HIGHLY recommend it I you are into costume dramas- it's fantastic!

Cate, I couldn't agree more: all hail dame maggie!!

This looks good Thank You

I still have yet to watch Series 2 but I'm definitely excited!

I'm only two episodes in but I'm in love. How amazing is Maggie Smith? I adore her.

Her, "What's a weekend?" comment had me in stitches. She has some great one liners.

I watched the whole of Season/Series 1 streaming through Netflix... I watched it like an addict. It has all the ingredients of a period piece soap opera, but also includes touches of politics and history as well as romance, mystery, fiendish villains, etc.

The only niggling little thought I had chewing at the back of my guilty-pleasure brain was -- am I enabling this flawed and anachronistic social concept by my addictive behavior? It does make excuses for the class system -- almost it cherishes it, a system that has plagued the British and kept them trapped behind the gates of the future even up to the present... the aristocracy & royal blood is still considered in a class by itself.

However, I can't help myself, and I will plug in for Season 2 on PBS in January 2012...

I have a question for those who might be more familiar with the habits of that time and place -- I have the impression that those who work for those who Have, in estates as large as Downton Abbey, commit themselves to "service" and do not marry... or if they do marry, they leave "service." Is this true or typical?

If you enjoyed Downton Abbey, watch The Edwardian Country House. It was a British reality show centered around the lives of the haves and have nots of the Edwardian period. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/th...

Georgie wrote: "If you enjoyed Downton Abbey, watch The Edwardian Country House. It was a British reality show centered around the lives of the haves and have nots of the Edwardian period. http://www.channel4.com/..."

You can find it on youtube
Manor House (Edwardian Country House) - Episode 1/6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9DlV5...

From what I've read, being unmarried in service was typical. Few employers wanted to hire a married couple, or deal with their children. Even if the spouse was living off site. This also extended to dating. I've read advertisements in Victorian magazines and newspapers (from the UK, not sure about the US) and when they were looking for female workers especially, employers would often have a 'no followers' policy. In other words, if they saw you out with a particular man too much you could be fired, or if you got involved with someone else on staff in the house and the higher up servants found out--big no-no there. Not to mention that if employers found out someone in their service was involved with members of the family or guests would also get you fired--if even if you were being harassed or sexually assaulted by these people. There was also the endearing policy of immediately firing any maid found to be pregnant. I'm not sure about houses where the family had hired a married couple knowingly, but from what I've read that was not something that most employers wanted anyways.

(Hope that's helpful and not too much information.)

Excellent information, Cassie, and thank you. It sounds almost like left-overs from the feudal lord system.

And, I'm going to jump feet first into Manor House -- thanks to Dianne & Georgie. Can't wait! :)

Just watched the first episode of Manor House -- absolutely freaking fascinating!

It looks like 10-year old boys are the ones who come out of this with the biggest smiles on their faces... an uber-privileged childhood is the groundwork laid for a class society.

God bless scullery maids and hall boys... on their backs rides the success of nations.

I gave it another try, and I am totally hooked. I love this show. Definitely planning on buying season one thru Amazon - it's a steal at under $20

http://www.amazon.com/Masterpiece-Cla...

At this point, I've been borrowing them from the library (and there's always a holdlist)....just sad there are only 2 episodes to go, then waiting til January for PBS.

If you miss a glance between characters, you've missed a lot, so don't sew or do chores while watching! Put your feet up and enjoy.

I heard last Sunday that PBS is planning on repeating Season 1 before they start Season 2 in January or February. You should be able to see it on TV. But it's nice to have your own copy too unlee you Tivo the show.

A colleague just told me about this today and I saw that you can definitely still stream it on Netflix so I'm really excited to check it out. I love manor house, and from what I understand this is just as gripping...now if only I can get through the first season before they start airing the second!

I just finished season one today.............can't wait for season two!

thanks for the tip on Downton Abbey Lori. I found it on watch instantly on my Netflix account and watched the first season in just a day or so. LOVED IT!!!! I saw the 2nd season is going to be released in February. Any other suggestions? Have a great holiday
Raechel

I agree, Maggie Smith rocks. I was laughing hysterically after that comment. What a great show!!!

I can't believe I was worried I might not get through the first season in time...I have been doing everything I can to space it out and not devour it all at once. There are only 7 episodes and I am already three or four in! It is also available on amazon for 13.99 so I am going to pick it up for my mom for Christmas. I hope she loves it as much as I do!

I heard they got picked up for a 3rd season. I am in love with this show!

The second season just finished in Spain - I loved it!

I'm in love with this series as well! :)

I heard the third season will be the Roaring 20s - should be great!

Laura wrote: "I heard the third season will be the Roaring 20s - should be great!"

It will be very interesting to see how things change!! New decade, new habits :)

I only started watching Downton Abbey now (am still only halfway through series 1) and am absolutely loving it, I can't believe it took me this long to getting around to it xD Can't wait to start series 2 when I'm done! xD

I just love the costuming. Will be fun to see the roaring 20's. What is everyones favorite sotryline.

I just started this series and I love it! I've only watched the first two episodes, so I've a lot to catch up on, but it is SO good.

This is such a great series and I'm hooked. The second season is just as good as the first.

Rebecca wrote: "I just love the costuming. Will be fun to see the roaring 20's. What is everyones favorite sotryline."


Good question, since each character seems to have their own fascinating storyline. The character who seems to be undergoing the most growth/change right now is the Crawley's middle chld, Laura, whose self-esteem and self-confidence is flourishing with the responsibilities of the hospital recuperation annex (but, there's no guarantee against setbacks :).

All the romances are fun to follow, but I think I am most intrigued by the relationship between Lady Crawley (who is so very gracious and so very entitled)and Matthew's mother, Mrs. Isobel Crawley (who is so middle class, assertive, and defensive)... it's interesting to see the tug of war between the two of them for a position of power and a valid sense of self-worth. After all, just what is valued in a woman in that time-frame besides her ability to procreate?

I'm having a great relaxing day watching Downton Abbey on Netflix. I finished episodes 1 and 2 and I'm about to begin 3. I LOVE IT !

Something giggle-worthy my friend stumbled across on the internet, for the Downton Abbey fans (particularly those outside of Britain):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkyNUZ...

Cassie wrote: "Something giggle-worthy my friend stumbled across on the internet, for the Downton Abbey fans (particularly those outside of Britain):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkyNUZ..."

Oh my God!!That was HILARIOUS! :D

Cassie, so funny. Thanks for sharing. I just finished episode 3. OMG! Mary killed him. She's dangerous! LOL

@Trudy! You are exactly where I am in the show. I just finished episode 3 last night.

I'm loving the way this show is unfolding. At first glance it seems like a Pride & Prejudice set up (which I love by the way), but it's totally not. I love how it explores the different social classes, social mobility, and the changing times. I loved the typewritter. And I loved the dowager's question of "What is a weekend?"

It is driving me crazy to have to wait a week for each episode. I devoured season 1 in no time. Not being able to sit down and do the same with season 2 is more than a little difficult!!!

Stacy wrote: "It is driving me crazy to have to wait a week for each episode. I devoured season 1 in no time. Not being able to sit down and do the same with season 2 is more than a little difficult!!!"


That is the exact same thought I had yesterday... having to wait til Sunday for another Downton fix, after having gobbled Season 1 in one large streaming Netflix gulp :) It surprises me how the characters and the ambience of the show creep into my consciousness for no reason, quite unbidden. It definitely resonates.

Maggie Smith makes me laugh. Somehow this series portrays the inequality between the classes without being offensive. Or maybe Brits do take offense? I don't know. The servants are paid, but their employment is at the whim of the upper class. And I do mean whim. One wrong move, and you're gone.

I just finished Season 1 Episode 5. LOVE this show!!

Who is your favorite character?

I don't know which one is mine. There are so many good ones to choose from.