Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Downton Abbey

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I've really been enjoying the second season of the UK's Downton Abbey on PBS. If you're a fan of British films like Room With A View or television like Upstairs, Downstairs...then you'll definitely enjoy this.

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It has a great cast, including Elizabeth McGovern (who I've loved since seeing her in Ordinary People and She's Having a Baby so many years ago). It's so nice to see her in something new.

The British cast is really good, but my favorite is Mrs. McGonagall herself..Dame Maggie Smith.

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That woman can convey more with the pursing of her lips or a roll of the eye than most people can express throughout their entire career. Plus, playing the uppity Dowager Countess of Grantham (the Duke's mother), she gets to say so many bitchy lines that a variety of videos have been made to feature them, including this recent one titled "Sh*t the Dowager Countess Says"...



I love how they edited that, re-cutting back to her ringing her bell or giving a look.

She's the best.

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Of course, one of the other stars of the series is the stunning HighClere Castle which is where they film Downton Abbey.

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It's a gorgeous castle that most of us could imagine living in (although I wouldn't want to mow the expansive lawn).

If you have a chance to see both seasons (the second season is airing now on Masterpiece Classics on PBS), you definitely should. Both seasons are also available on DVD and Blu Ray.

If nothing else, do it for Maggie Smith.

And, of course, for the children.

If you watch this show (or want to catch up), New York Magazine does a very entertaining weekly recap here.

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