# Downton Abbey S3 - spoiler-free until broadcast in the U.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 2, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791 "2013-01-02T01:45:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 55
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1081 "2013-02-23T00:19:03Z")
If DA were on FB: [http://www.happyplace.com/21471/downton-abbey-facebook-recap-season-3-episode-7](http://www.happyplace.com/21471/downton-abbey-facebook-recap-season-3-episode-7) ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1082 "2013-02-23T00:58:00Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > If DA were on FB: [http://www.happyplace.com/21471/downton-abbey-facebook-recap-season-3-episode-7](http://www.happyplace.com/21471/downton-abbey-facebook-recap-season-3-episode-7) I love these things! _Deadspin_ did several featuring NFL quarterbacks. ---
**Author:** ![brownMouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@brownMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownMouse)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1083 "2013-02-23T02:50:56Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Since adjusting my frame of mind from “period drama” to “period soap opera”, I’m enjoying it more. Now I don’t have high expectations for quality writing and serious story lines. _blink_ (as light goes on over head) - Wow. You are absolutely right, Rhiannon. I see now that I’ve been expecting it to be the former, so no wonder I was getting frustrated with it. Perhaps it started out as a “period drama” but it’s morphed into a “period soap opera”; but it can still be entertaining in that context. Your comment will actually allow me to enjoy the series again. Props. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1084 "2013-02-24T04:26:56Z")
I saw today that our library has a display of books on British country houses and high society in the Twenties under a sign reading, “For your _Downton Abbey_ withdrawal symptoms.” ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1085 "2013-02-24T11:01:52Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I saw today that our library has a display of books on British country houses and high society in the Twenties under a sign reading, “For your _Downton Abbey_ withdrawal symptoms.” That’s hilarious! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1086 "2013-02-24T13:06:00Z")
Wow, what a hamfisted bunch of writers they have. Prior to Season 3, I remember reading that Downton had shucked its Season 2 soap opera ways. That’s hysterical, in hindsight. I’m watching the Sopranos for the first time, which probably has a lower body count per episode in its Season 3. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1087 "2013-02-24T15:55:21Z")
[QUOTE=Labrador Deceiver] Wow, what a hamfisted bunch of writers they have. {snip} [/QUOTE] Sadly, while the show appears to have been written by a bunch of writers who refuse to talk to each other about what they are writing, there is but one person to blame for this: Julian Fellowes. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1088 "2013-02-24T16:08:17Z")
This probably should be its own thread (or not) but, I would really like to see Edith Crawley as a Doctor Who companion. The first adventure should be set in the 1920s. Edith, while in London to meet with her editor, meets the Doctor and helps him save the world. She then travels with him to the future and helps save the universe. When she returns to earth, she becomes a very successful science-fiction author, whose predictions about future technology are astoundingly accurate! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1089 "2013-02-24T18:12:01Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > This probably should be its own thread (or not) but, I would really like to see Edith Crawley as a Doctor Who companion. I can see him taking Mary as a companion and abandoning an entire planet that’s in danger of annihiliation to take her back to Downton because he can’t stand it anymore. Hmm, maybe Steve Moffatt will take over for Julian Fellowes and Season 4 will beging with Matthew either regenerating or learning that he can’t be killed. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1090 "2013-02-24T18:33:39Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > This probably should be its own thread (or not) but, I would really like to see Edith Crawley as a Doctor Who companion. > > The first adventure should be set in the 1920s. Edith, while in London to meet with her editor, meets the Doctor and helps him save the world. She then travels with him to the future and helps save the universe. When she returns to earth, she becomes a very successful science-fiction author, whose predictions about future technology are astoundingly accurate! Edith–_and_ Violet. [BTW, Mrs. Quercus and i just watched [“From Time to Time”](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1031241/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast) last night on The Netflick. Lots of familiar faces in that, with Maggie Smith playing another crusty-compassionate grandma in a crumbling manor house…] ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1091 "2013-02-24T18:55:26Z")
One of my favorite things about the film _Best Exotic Marigold Hotel_ was seeing Maggie Smith play a blue-collar retiree rather than an aristocratic dowager for a change. She was still irritable but in a scared-racist-bitter way rather than pompous-snobbish-classist way. Though one of my favorite ever of her performances was as a small town social climber in _A Private Function_: “I think sexual intercourse might be in order.” ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1092 "2013-02-24T19:04:48Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > One of my favorite things about the film _Best Exotic Marigold Hotel_ was seeing Maggie Smith play a blue-collar retiree rather than an aristocratic dowager for a change. She was still irritable but in a scared-racist-bitter way rather than pompous-snobbish-classist way… I like to think her character was just a reincarcation of Violet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1093 "2013-02-24T20:13:09Z")
For you young’uns here, check out Maggie Smith in _[The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064840/?ref_=sr_1)_ ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1094 "2013-02-24T21:21:05Z")
Well, considering _Downton Abbey_ and _Doctor Who_ both do Christmas specials, they should consider a Christmas special crossover. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1095 "2013-02-24T21:29:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > For you young’uns here, check out Maggie Smith in _[The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064840/?ref_=sr_1)_ She and David Niven were a good pair of Nick-and-Nora knockoffs in _Murder by Death_: [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiwX4mY9N94/UFw1NzXFnKI/AAAAAAAAAuE/g7YO6VPvzi8/s1600/Murder+by+Death2.jpg](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiwX4mY9N94/UFw1NzXFnKI/AAAAAAAAAuE/g7YO6VPvzi8/s1600/Murder+by+Death2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1096 "2013-02-24T21:38:21Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > She and David Niven were a good pair of Nick-and-Nora knockoffs in _Murder by Death_: [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiwX4mY9N94/UFw1NzXFnKI/AAAAAAAAAuE/g7YO6VPvzi8/s1600/Murder+by+Death2.jpg](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiwX4mY9N94/UFw1NzXFnKI/AAAAAAAAAuE/g7YO6VPvzi8/s1600/Murder+by+Death2.jpg) I love that movie! ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1097 "2013-02-24T21:53:36Z")
Anyone else digging those lampshades at Duneagle Castle? Love those lampshades. They should be available at the Downton Abbey store. > [@Sampiro](#): > > I can see him taking Mary as a companion and abandoning an entire planet that’s in danger of annihiliation to take her back to Downton because he can’t stand it anymore. > > Hmm, maybe Steve Moffatt will take over for Julian Fellowes and Season 4 will beging with Matthew either regenerating or learning that he can’t be killed. Matthew was blonde, well mannered, played Cricket. Naturally he’ll comeback frizzy haired, irritable and in a patchwork jacket. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1098 "2013-02-24T22:13:44Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > Anyone else digging those lampshades at Duneagle Castle? > Love those lampshades. They should be available at the Downton Abbey store… I have to say, I didn’t notice them. What did you like about them? This is the only pic I could find online: [http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/susan.jpg](http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/susan.jpg) In the past few days I’ve seen two shows described as perfect follow-ons for DA fans: On PBS: [Mr Selfridge - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Selfridge) And on HBO: [Parade's End (TV series) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parade%27s_End_(TV_series)) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1099 "2013-02-24T23:08:52Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > Anyone else digging those lampshades at Duneagle Castle? Me. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1100 "2013-02-25T12:20:39Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I have to say, I didn’t notice them. What did you like about them? This is the only pic I could find online: [http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/susan.jpg](http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/susan.jpg) > > In the past few days I’ve seen two shows described as perfect follow-ons for DA fans: > > On PBS: [Mr Selfridge - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Selfridge) > And on HBO: [Parade's End (TV series) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parade%27s_End_(TV_series)) **Parades End** is good until the last episode where it falls apart. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791.md?page=56)