Official Downton Abbey Season 3, Episode 1 Thread!

[joeybee12]

Go at it...I really enjoyed the first episode!



Ratings Swell for First Episode...

The producers of the PBS series “Masterpiece” had an office pool going to guess the premiere ratings for Season 3 of “Downton Abbey,” the British period drama that has improbably become one of America’s most-buzzed-about shows.

Shirley MacLaine, as the mother of the mistress of Downton Abbey, is greeted upon arriving from America for a wedding.
Five million viewers, surpassing the Season 2 premiere? Maybe six million, even more than the Season 2 finale? Did anyone dare bet seven million?

No. Nobody did. Sunday’s premiere, though, attracted at least 7.9 million viewers, exceeding everyone’s estimation — and catapulting PBS above commercial broadcasters like ABC and NBC, at least for a night.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/arts/television/downton-abbey-audience-swells-for-seasons-first-episode.html?_r=0

“Not since the premiere of 1992’s ‘Civil War’ have we seen numbers like this,” Craig Reed of TRAC Media Services, a consultant for public television stations, said.

[Ilsa]

1. I was so happy to see Matthew and Mary married.

I was afraid it wasn't going to happen.

I wonder how long the estate will be broke before it is rescued? I wonder if Edith's fiancé, Sir Dullness, will bail them out?

[romana]

2. That

That's my guess.

[Silver Gaia]

3. Oh! Yeah, that's a good thought, Ilsa!

Daddy might look upon him in a whole new light if that were to become a possibility.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. During a longish wait in a doctor's office today...

an older woman asked if I had seen Sunday night's episode. I had, but she had been out. The upshot is that she asked me to tell her what happened, so I did.

[joeybee12]

5. I never want to know! I want to see it myself!

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. She REALLY wanted to know!

[joeybee12]

7. Oh well...it's best you didn't make her suffer!

I made the mistake to find out anything about the 2012 Christmas special and I think I found some plot points I'd rather not have known about.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. Yeah, she was very happy to know.

I also think she was a nun and after 12 years of Catholic education years ago, it still is hard to say "no" to a nun.

[joeybee12]

9. I know what you meant...Catholic schools myself...

They'll always have a hold over you!

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. Isn't that the truth?

Actually, this was a very nice group. Three women escorting a fourth to the doctor. Nuns travel in packs!

[romana]

11. Third season

Just finished the third season last night. Will follow the discussion here, but will not spoil.

Fourth season should be interesting.

[joeybee12]

12. Thanks for not spoiling...

It would be easy to find out stuff via google since it already ended in the UK

[romana]

13. No problem

I went in unspoiled until the very end, and yeah, if people want to know, it's easy enough to find out.

I enjoyed the season quite a lot; it has lost absolutely none of its charm.

[Jack Sprat]

14. Best entertainment on TV, imo.

I am on edge seeing each drama unfold as it shifts from one scene to the next. I watch the episode again more relaxed knowing what transpired. I can't wait until the next episode. It's been a long, long time since I have felt like that over a television series. Maybe never.

I recall looking forward to each week's Quinn Martin production of the original "Fugitive" series as a teen in the 60s, but it didn't match the anticipation I have for Downton Abbey these many years later. This is tops. Great to see Mary and Matthew tie the knot. Really it was a relief. It almost looked like it was going to fall apart again on the eve of the wedding.