Saturday, January 12, 2013

Downton Abbey and British Drama

What is the appeal of  "Downton Abbey"?  Everything -- the time period, the costumes, the excellent script, the acting, the ability of this TV series to put you into the story and care about the characters.

Each character seems fully fleshed out, not cardboard in anyway.  You can take any one and imagine how their day would progress, what they think about, what their hopes are, their strengths and their weaknesses -- and that interesting writing prompt when creating your own characters -- what does your character have in his or her pocket?  Daisy's character would not have the same thing as Lady Mary's, for example.

The series is a lesson in writing and creating characters.

Another series that I would watch again is "Foyle's War," about a detective in a small English town just before the possible German invasion in 1939.  He struggles to solve crimes with the background of the greater threat.  The stories of the black market, espionage, Nazi sympathizers, added to his own personal story make compelling watching.  Michael Kitchen is brilliant in this role, underplayed perfectly.  His driver, 'Sam," played by Honeysuckle Weeks, is another interesting character.  

 Kitchen is such a good actor that the narrowed eyes, the twitch of the cheek -- everything that he put in this role was there for all to see, the indecision, the desire to do what was right, the goodness of the man, made him real to the viewer.  And, there will be more episodes in 2013!

These dramas are like a good book.  You read every word and are disappointed when they end.

Meanwhile, not having seen any "Downton Abbey" "spoilers,"  what will happen to Matthew? Rumors say he will not be back after this season?  Will Downton be sold?  And what happened to the ruthless publisher who was engaged to Mary?  

10 comments:

  1. i wanted to watch it the other night, but i am determined to catch up on the other seasons--as i am a late comer to all the love for this show--can't wait :)

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  2. Lynn, here in Denver, they re-played the first show -- two hours then ran the second episode. Hope you can see it.

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  3. We have loved Foyle's War and are now re-watching it via Netflix! I agree w/ you about
    Michael Kitchen.. I love everything he does... would happily watch him boil an egg!

    Aren't we lucky to have such good choices for reading and viewing?

    hugs,
    I

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  4. Absolutely! I now have another favorite -- the Donna Leon mysteries, set in Venice, dialogue in German with sub-titles. Saturday night, 7-9 PM on 252 CPTWV - KBDI - World.
    Hugs, back.

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  5. Ther's nothing like British drama. I wish I could make the characters in my book as good as those portrayed on the screen. You've inspired me to try harder.

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    1. I don't know how Julian Fellowes does it. But in his interviews which you can see on You-Tube, he says he took many situations from his own family and stories he had heard. Those You-Tube interviews are worth watching.

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  6. Never really understood the British obsession with period dramas when I was living there, but remember watching Tess of the D'urbevilles on BBC as a child, and being blown away.

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    1. I suppose those of us who live here in the U.S. are fascinated by the "ordered world" which was never true here. And of course those who watch the series can enjoy it because we never had to live it, working as a servant, etc. "Tess" was amazing. Did Julie Christie play her?

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  7. And to think I've never watched a single episode...I've heard nothing but good things about Downtown Abbey. I might have to get my hands on season 1!

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  8. Stephanie: You would have so much fun creating some of the Downton Abbey characters with your magic clay! I wish I had your talent.

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