Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Downtown Abbey

I started watching this British period drama series Downtown Abbey some time ago and just fell in love with it. It is like many other historical drama anthologies but the perfect cast, cinematography, characterization, the royal ambience, life and times of people of the 1900s are all depicted so well. It is very slow paced but that feels completely in sync with how life would have been then. The series captures so many tragedies which happened then like the drowning of Titanic (1912), world war I (1914 - 18) , Spanish flu (1918 - 20)  and many more historic events of prominence. The royal family members, their heritage, lineage and, the not so privileged/poor servant class are simultaneously shown and you can clearly understand the aristocracy...the rich becoming richer, poor remaining poor concept. You will also be amused to see so many cadres in the servant class of the estate. Lady's maid, house maid, Footman, butler, under butler and so on!😊

Image source : here

So many rules which people used to follow then can't be imagined in the present day. The law being partial towards men, the properties being inherited by men and many other discriminations towards women since times immemorial are well captured...but the series also shows how in every century there will be strong women who question the baseless rules, twist the norms and break the ceilings! I especially like watching such episodes....be it the one where Edith Crawley, one of the lord's daughters decides to write columns, be a journalist, even if she is frowned upon...or the one where Sybil wants to be a nurse and serve in war. Mary Crawley is also a fire brand who decides to play her role in running the estate. 

All the characters are strongly etched. If Miss O'Brien and Barrow (footmen) are always busy plotting and involved in foul play, the innocent Mrs. Patmore is only passionate about her cooking. The conversations and happenings in Kitchen and servants hall are always fun to watch with Mr. Carson being the strictest of all. You would remember every character small/ big by names. They all have an important role to play in the series. Even if they are class apart from the royal clan...it is amusing to see how the servants talk to their bosses, sometimes suggesting and, at times reprimanding....goes to show that there at least is a friendly vibe between the upper and lower classes even if there are boundaries, hard and fast rules. There come many junctures when the problems faced by rich, poor, downtrodden, could be same and equally severe.

My most favorite character is Maggie Smith. She is one helluva lady who plays Lady Grantham...the grandmother of all the younger ones. She plays a strong character who is stern but has a great sense of humor with twinkling sarcasm filled eyes! Half of her acting skills are embedded in those deep boring eyes. I loved her as Prof Mc Gonagall in the Harry Potter movies but honestly loved her more in Downton Abbey. Even if she is from a much older era and finds it hard to change with changing times...she does stand up for girls whenever required in her own unique ways. 
Maggie Smith - here

When I watch the series, I feel like I time travelled to the 1900s. It is so well made. You will also thank the scientists and doctors, when you look at some painful deaths which happen in the family. The Spanish flu also reminded me of the on going corona. The industrial revolution picking up, the transition of life, 'the war' changing people's minds and lives is all captured well. The British invasion in India is also touched upon.

As it is I find the British accent quite rhythmic. Some of the interesting slang words I learned:

"Don't be daft" -  Don't be silly

"Dandy" - a man unduly concerned with looking stylish and fashionable.

"jolly good thing" - A very happy/nice thing.

"hobbledehoy" - Raw , awkward youth.

''Johnny Foreigner'' - A derogatory term for a person from a country other than those which make up the United Kingdom.

"Tuppence"- Short form for two pennies.

"Don't be such a goop" - Goop means a stupid person.

and there are many such words to boost your vocabulary :)!

I am still not done with the series as I am a slow watcher due to baby, work and chores and I also would like not to rush with it. If you get a chance, watch it. It is streaming on Netflix!!

I am participating in Blogging from A-Z challenge 2022 and this is my 4th post for letter D - Downtown Abbey. I would mostly talk about Covid life (which would include some of the shows and, movies I watched in this time) and the daughter diaries! Good luck to all the participants :)

Some amazing blogs you must give a try this April:

32 comments:

  1. I love Downton Abbey, especially the earlier seasons. Since back in the day my great grandmother was employed by a fairly large estate to care for the linens, the show has helped me to get a feel for what her life must have been like before she married and moved to the US with her husband and young children.

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  2. Nice Theme Afshan! You always get to learn a lot from period dramas.

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  3. Downtown Abbey sounds really interesting! I've always loved Dame Maggie Smith since the Harry Potter films. There's one especially funny interview of hers on the Graham Norton Show while she was promoting Downtown Abbey and I'll never get bored of her humor. Great post!

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  4. My mother is a huge Downton fan - we have to buy her the DVDs for Christmas so she can rewatch it on her little telly in the kitchen while she is ironing 😆. That and Gentleman Jack. She has her fav eps she likes to watch over and over.
    Maggie Smith always plays the best character, no matter what she is in 💖
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings: YouTube - What They Don't Tell You (and free fiction)

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  5. That seems a fascinating period drama. You have aroused my interest.

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  6. I do like a bit of Downton, it's such exquisite escapism in our mad world.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and all the best for the rest of the challenge.

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  7. I watched Downtown Abbey last year and enjoyed it very much. Saw the movie too.

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  8. Maggie Smith was THE BEST! This series was so good and completely lived up to the hype.
    My wife and I just finished it and are taking a break before watching the movie.

    I am also pleased you recommended other blogs, that's a great thing to do and wish I had thought of it as well.

    --
    Timothy S. Brannan
    The Other Side | A to Z of Conspiracy Theories

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  9. I have heard that this series is enjoyable to watch and a lot of people like it but I have yet to see an episode of it. That might have to change in the weeks ahead! Have a great day!

    betty

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  10. I enjoyed Downtown Abbey. I have been a Downton Abbey devotee since Season 1, Episode 1. Huge fan of the witty dialogue & the humour and memorable one-liners.

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  11. Period dramas can be so interesting and informative, and Maggie Smith is always amazing. It's great you still have episodes to watch, so you can prolong your enjoyment.

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  12. Huge Downton Abbey fan. Lovely castle and all the inhabitants. Lady Grantham is definitely the best, enjoy her short but cutting lines throughout the show. Carson is another delight, love the way each character develops. Beautifully written and executed.

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  13. Thanks for dropping by my blog. What an interesting theme you have going!

    I haven't watched Downtown Abbey but sure sounds interesing.

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  14. Trying to find time to watch Downton Abbey. Trying cause I already have enough series to pull me away from my writing goals. Perhaps next week?

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  15. My husband loved Downton Abbey, but I hated it! But we often have very different viewing interests! Fortunately we have enough in common that we can stay married :D

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  16. I haven't watched this as yet, but now will put it on my list :)
    https://radhikasreflection.wordpress.com/2022/04/06/e-endangering-nature/

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  17. I watched the entire series and the movie as well. I would gladly watch it again!

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  18. After hearing about Downton Abbey for years, I finally decided to check it out and see what the hype was all about. It was love at first viewing for me! :)

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  19. I watched the first episode.. yet to go back for the rest!
    These are very lengthy episodes!!

    Hopping in from the A-Z community,
    Dream
    https://thedreamgirlwrites.wordpress.com/2022/04/05/explosive-emotions/

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  20. " The law being partial towards men, the properties being inherited by men and many other discriminations towards women since times immemorial are well captured...but the series also shows how in every century there will be strong women who question the baseless rules, twist the norms and break the ceilings! I especially like watching such episodes....be it the one where Edith Crawley, one of the lord's daughters decides to write columns, be a journalist, even if she is frowned upon...or the one where Sybil wants to be a nurse and serve in war. Mary Crawley is also a fire brand who decides to play her role in running the estate." The power in relationships varies with time. Many time women wield great power and get things done according to their wishes. In people who believe in rebirth, you do not know when you will be a woman and when you will be a man. Endless cycle of births and deaths.

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  21. 'The industrial revolution picking up, the transition of life, 'the war' changing people's minds and lives is all captured well.' Well said. I binge watched this during the lockdown too.

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  22. I started watching Downton Abbey recently, also. I thought I was the only one left who hadn't seen it. :) I am very much enjoying it.

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  23. Wow. I haven't watched the show but it seems quite interesting. Will definitely give it a watch. It's crazy how hierarchy can be seeped in everything. All a power struggle at the end of the day. Thank you tons for the kind mention at the end of the blog. Beautiful way to promote others.

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  24. One of my favorite series of all times. Your review really captures it. Well Done.
    And thanks for visiting and commenting.
    See you tomorrow

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  25. I love Downtown Abbey just for Maggie Smith!

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  26. Not watched yet but i loved reading your article.
    Great job...

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  27. Very very impressive work done Afshan . I m really excited to watch the series👍👍🤩🤩 starting it tomorrow 😇😇

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  28. I love Maggie Smith. She is such an amazing character actor.

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  29. I have seen all of Downton Abbey and loved all of it. You've described it beautifully and yes we Brits had some strange customs and even stranger words lol. I also watched a lot more TV during the pandemic. Thanks for your visit and good luck with the rest of the challenge.

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  30. Thanks for the mention dear. I love the series and Maggie Smith rocks. Have you watched the Downtown Abbey movie released in 2019? I think its there on Netflux And i believe there is one more slated for release this year

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  31. British dramas depict the class/gender discrimination, lifestyle and many such finer elements of those era very well. I watched Jane Austen's books made into movies, vanity fair zmong others that does a good job in this aspect.

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