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Downton Abbey

(154 Posts)
Anniebach Sat 26-Dec-15 10:12:52

What a disappointing end to the series. Soooo happy ever after .

Iam64 Sat 26-Dec-15 18:51:48

I loved it, just the thing after a busy week and Christmas Day. I enjoyed the loose ends being brought to satisfactory, even happy conclusions. I was pleased to see Mr Barrow see the light and choose happiness over negative trouble making. Redemption and a resolution to sisterly rivalry, what's not to enjoy. I also liked Daisy's hair cut and Carsons somewhat reluctant acceptance that as he'd trained Thomas, he must be up to the job. Kindly toffs ?

tanith Sat 26-Dec-15 19:05:05

I loved it too just caught up with it. Very cheesy ending but at least everyone walked on into their futures with smiles, a happy ending indeed.

nigglynellie Sat 26-Dec-15 19:07:46

Here, Here, Iam64, it was totally satisfactory, a good result in every respect!. I loved Daisy's haircut too, also Mrs Patmore clearly had 'expectations' with Mr Mason! another happy event in the offing!!!

Luckygirl Sat 26-Dec-15 21:02:53

I loved it - total schmaltzy bollocks and just the ticket round the fire on a windy night. smile Long live sloppy happy endings! - they will do for me!

SueDonim Sat 26-Dec-15 22:34:20

A lovely, slushy finale, perfect for the festive season. I adored Daisy's hair, Mr Barrow finally getting lucky, young Master Bates (I hear he's to be called Norman grin ) and best of all, the return of some tingling, in Lord Merton this time!

Nannanoo Sat 26-Dec-15 23:06:47

I think Lord Merton is loverly! He can come and tingle with me any time! tchsmile

gillybob Sat 26-Dec-15 23:15:54

Oh no Nannanoo I would much prefer to be "tingled" by Branson. Ooooh Aaah tchblush

Synonymous Sat 26-Dec-15 23:17:44

Well, if they hadn't ended it and tied up the ends so neatly it would have gone on past it's sell by date and the dowager would undoubtedly have had to do a death scene. I am sure Dame Maggie would have done it beautifully and there would have been at least one cracking good line in there for her to deliver in her customary style but I, for one, am glad it was not needed! tchsmile

Anniebach Sat 26-Dec-15 23:35:56

They could have tidied it up without all that syrup surely

durhamjen Sat 26-Dec-15 23:48:04

Haven't seen it yet, but I'll be looking for all the scenes in Beamish Museum, and seeing if I can recognise any of the regulars there.

Elrel Sun 27-Dec-15 00:38:17

I just sat back and enjoyed the setting, the clothes, the places. Disbelief suspended, I liked Barrow's happy ending, the hints of happiness to come for Mrs P and Daisy (cute hair!) at the farm, another hint for Edith's assistant and lovely Branson. Most of all I too, Nannanoo, adore Lord Merton. Good to see his awful S and DiL get their comeuppance!

rosesarered Sun 27-Dec-15 09:01:10

Downton was wonderful! Happy endings all round, and you would have to be rather miserable to want it any other way.?

gillybob Sun 27-Dec-15 09:29:53

Wonderful scenes of both Beamish museum (the location of Branson's new motor company venture) and Alnwick castle too, the new home of Marsioness (??) Edith.

Hunt Sun 27-Dec-15 09:34:24

how about Martianess, Gillybob?

gillybob Sun 27-Dec-15 09:37:16

Auto correct changed it so many times I gave up Hunt hence the insterted question marks. tchsmile

gillybob Sun 27-Dec-15 09:39:53

It was correcting it to Martian most of the time.

It's a bloomin' stupid title anyway. tchgrin

rosesarered Sun 27-Dec-15 09:43:27

Marchioness?

Anniebach Sun 27-Dec-15 09:44:58

I was amused when Lady Mary gave up her bed for her maid to give birth, , expect she and her husband had to bunk in the Bates cottage , and then decides her maids baby will be cared for in the Abbey nursery, bet that pleased Nanny grin

rosequartz Sun 27-Dec-15 09:54:17

Better to end on a happy note than doom and despair! As I watched it (with a couple of 'oldies'!) there were comments from the younger people in the room 'and aNOTHer happy ending!!' which added to the fun as yet another couple got hitched or looked as if they might!

Nice to see all the locations, I didn't realise that was Beamish motor museum, and we wondered which grand castle it was (Edith's new home) and good to see Lacock featured again. They certainly got around didn't they tchgrin
It just reminded me of the time I was in the shop at Highclere and another customer was arguing quite loudly with the staff, telling them that they were wrong, it couldn't be the setting for Downton Abbey. He got very annoyed and said 'it can't be Downton because Downton's in Yorkshire!'.

rosequartz Sun 27-Dec-15 09:57:58

annie there were comments where I was that she would be changing the mattress pdq!

And you're right about the baby going into the nursery tchshock
Nannies had a certain status and wouldn't be looking after a 'downstairs' baby

nightowl Sun 27-Dec-15 10:05:09

And maybe Anna wouldn't want her longed for baby to be brought up by a nanny tchshock

I haven't watched it all yet (fell asleep tchgrin) but was that suggestion made by Lady Mary just so she wouldn't lose her lady's maid?

rosesarered Sun 27-Dec-15 10:18:32

The costume dept deserves a pat on the head, I have never seen a series with such sumptious dresses ( from start to end.)All correct for that particular time period and for the occupation of who was wearing them, just marvellous.

Anya Sun 27-Dec-15 10:21:44

But Baby Bate's parents are the crème de la crème of the servant class Roses - his father is His Lordship's valet and his mother Lady Mary's Dresser. Both Very Superior People.

I've read Georgette Heyer so can claim to be an expert on such things grin

rosequartz Sun 27-Dec-15 10:24:37

Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed it all, including the last schmaltzy 'special'.
Thank goodness they didn't bring Shirley Maclaine Cora's mother over for Edith's wedding (be thankful for small mercies anniebach tchgrin)

Many of us probably had parents or grandparents 'in service' so can identify with aspects of it and pick holes in the relationships between family and staff, but it has all been thoroughly enjoyable Sunday night escapism.

Thanks Julian Fellowes and everyone associated with it, it's been great and ended at the right time!

nigglynellie Sun 27-Dec-15 10:24:42

Yes, I think Nanny looking after baby Bates was only to ensure that Anna could continue as Lady Mary's maid! Undoubtedly a stop gap measure till another arrangement could be come to! I don't think there would have been any suggestion that young Bates would actually be brought up by Nanny!!!
It's true, it was all a bit fanciful, but thoroughly enjoyable!