<p>Do you suppose that it has something to do with human nature’s seemingly eternal fascination with aristocrats (the mighty)?</p>
<p>Probably better to just discuss this on the Downton thread.</p>
<p>Maggie Smith.</p>
<p>Have no idea. It’s good, but not THAT good. “Upstairs Downstairs” was far, far superior. IMHO.</p>
<p>Because it’s BBC Dallas. A soap opera with good production values. I mean, it’s very entertaining but it’s not high art. It’s like the TV version of a Barbara Taylor Bradford book.</p>
<p>I have never seen it, and would also like to know.</p>
<p>NJSue nailed it.</p>
<p>I’m not sure. I love it, but I seem to love everything the BBC makes and I always have. I’ve always loved the time period. I remember when I watched the first episode, I had a hard time understanding the accents and telling people apart. I am surprised most people put in the “effort” to watch the show, especially considering how long it is.</p>
<p>It’s fun. The costumes and scenery are beautiful. And Maggie Smith.</p>
<p>What onward said.</p>
<p>Onward said it perfectly!</p>
<p>I heard there was a Black guy this season. And a Jazz club. I think my D watches it.</p>
<p>DH and I both like the show… that does not always happen. It has some drama, history, extravagant sets, interesting characters.</p>
<p>The sets and costumes are eye candy, and it’s refreshing to be engaged by a show that does not revolve around constant overt references to sex, or violence or profanity.</p>
<p>^ What Bay said.</p>
<p>I don’t care for reality TV and I am sick of creepy crime shows. I don’t find the endless sex jokes on the so called comedies funny. For people who share my taste there is very little else on TV worth watching.</p>
<p>Is there anything like it on right now? I think that is why it is so popular. There has always been a market for the Upstairs Downstairs and/or Henry the Eighth type historical costume dramas, and there just aren’t any others on TV right now. And this one is gentler and more slow moving, more character driven; are there many shows like that on now?</p>
<p>That’s why I started watching it. There was nothing like it on, and it seemed fresh. I used to watch those other shows on PBS when I was a kid.</p>
<p>Wonderfully and intelligently written, fully formed characters, human drama. I also am fascinated by watching a very quickly changing world, and how they all deal with it, from Lord Grantham grappling with saving the manor and believing that Mary should have little say, to Mrs. Padmore worrying that all these “toasters, and mixers” will force her out of a job. Thousands of years of custom and tradition, and a way of life are disappearing before their eyes, and to me, it’s interesting to see how the characters deal with that.</p>
<p>The Paradise is a similar type of show that we just recently got into. I initially thought Downton was better, though, and I am not sure why… I am thinking it might be Maggie Smith! And I do love Mary. There are some stronger more compelling characters there, I think. But now that we are getting into The Paradise, it is getting my attention more and more… it may turn out to be the better show in my estimation.</p>
<p>There’s just so much to watch and to look at in these historical period shows.</p>
<p>I love a show that has so many female characters as well. They do not diminish the roles that all in the household play and it highlights just how much society has changed (for better or worse).</p>
<p>Yet the BBC have nothing to do with Downton Abbey! It is produced by ITV.</p>
<p>BBC do produce Upstairs Downstairs, an old show which has been updated. I have no idea if it is available in the US. It exists but is nowhere near as popular as Downton.</p>