These days I am scouring Netflix, Amazon Prime, Acorn, and Xfinity to find a serial costume drama to keep my free nights as satisfyingly occupied as my viewing time with Downton Abbey. I know I have been harsh with my reviews this season. Consider this: One Top Chef’s judge’s explanation of his harsh reviews of the dishes he sampled by the excellent chefs competing on that show was that all the chefs served outstanding dishes. It was his job to find the one dish that stood out from the rest. In that light, I viewed Downton Abbey Season 4 as a sterling show and each episode as a separate dish. The season started out tepid and somewhat disappointing, but finished strong, pleasing my palate and leaving me hungry to see Season 5. Let’s face it, there aren’t many outstanding shows like DA out there, not if you like your characters to be polite, beautifully clothed, and moving in breathtaking interiors and scenery.
Cast for the Christmas Special
I admit to enjoying House of Cards, Game of Thrones, and Vikings – but these violent shows are far from polite, and I prefer my daggers drawn verbally, a la Violet. While I liked watching Mr Selfridge (soon to be aired), Call the Midwife, Sherlock, and other PBS Masterpiece specials, they do not compete with my DA addiction.
Last week, I found myself watching DA Episode 1, Season 1 with my sister-in-law, who rarely watches television, but who had FINALLY been persuaded to give the show a try. By the second night, she had watched the entire first season.
Now that we’ve had a couple of weeks to ruminate over Season 4, what did you think of the final two episodes? Thumbs UP, Thumbs down, Meh, or Can’t Decide? Curious minds want to know.
Other posts about Season 4
Jane Austen's World 
A really good show that cured my Downton Abbey withdrawal, and I think has even taken its place as one of my favorites, is Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries. It’s set in Austrailia in the 1920’s, and it’s currently on Netflix.
Thank you, Madeleine. I will place it on my watch list.
I absolutely agree about Miss Fishers. My daughter lived in Melbourne, AU–the setting for the show–and we found the production qualities to be exceptional for television. In particular, the period costumes and quirky characters are top-notch.
Miss Phisher’s mysteries are on Netflix and look very good. Thanks for the recommendation.
A great period series on Amazon Prime Instant Download is The Duchess of a Duke Street. I am just finishing the second and final season. Starts at the turn of the 20th century and ends in the roaring ’20’s.
Love the Duchess of Duke Street. I saw the first 6 episodes on Netflix. Glad to know it’s on Amazon prime.
It wasn’t the best of the four seasons, but it was better than good enough. And I miss it. The very last scene was so perfect, so charming, so wonderful.
I’m going to sit down and reread your reviews and observations of Season Four – it’s Sunday, and it seems somehow appropriate.
How long is it until Season Five?
Unfortunately, we shall have to wait until January 2015.
Yes, we miss the series already. I was surprised at how talented Bates is – forger, pickpocket. Just wonderful. He reminds me of the cunning safe cracker and WWII double agent, Eddie Chapman.
Tonight I watched a British DVD of Death Comes to Pemberley: it has merit and is part of the Austen film canon: what that is as a whole Downton Abbey also delivered: Fellowes & Company invented this whole world we can fill out – -the scripts and the companion books show the extensions one can make, and we miss it because we move into Downton Abbey land or world. Whatever particulars you may or may not identify with, they all fit. The loss of Dan Stevens was hard on the series, not because he needed to be there as a loving male Ken doll: reading carefully it seems to me Fellowes meant originally for Matthew and Lady Mary gradually to draw apart, become estranged but he was not allowed to do that. If he had then the character would have drifted off as part of this extensive world.
I thought the season ended strongly and I was glad it did because I was worried it was going to be one of those shows that didn’t know when to end. I think now they have the potential for some great future story lines and I hope we don’t lose any more important characters to the show any time soon.
I recently discovered and devoured “Longbourn” – an absolute must read for all who have love for Jane Austen’s work. But also an acquaintance that alters your view of The Bennets, Mr. Darcy and all the other ‘old friends’.
And as
For a film or screen – anyone knows if or when? – I hope it will fulfill every expectation…
I recently read “Longbourn” as well. Loved it and would like to see it reproduced in film as well.
Except for one horrible, never should of happened thing and plot line, I enjoyed the season. I agree the season ended on a high note. As a Mr Mason fan(and fan site Adm), I was psyched that he was back. Best minute ever!! Also, more Madeleine A. please!
Sound advice from a Guardian writer:
‘Spoiler alert: Downton Abbey is a waste of America’s precious TV binge time
In the opinion of one transplanted Brit, it’s a soap opera as inept as any other – and it doesn’t live up to the new US standard’
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/23/downton-abbey-season-4-us-spoilers
Having read the article, I wonder if my disaffection with Fellowes and Season 4 is a result of my having watched Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, etc? As I have mentioned, these shows are often laced with violence and gratuitous sex. They project a bleak POV and cynicism that reflects our modern world, but the writing is so robust compared to the milquetoast dialogue Fellowes often forces DA actors to spout, that one has to seriously consider this young man’s arguments. I would like to see Walter White, Frank Underwood, and Violet, Dowager Countess duke it out verbally.
I found Lark Rise to Candleford and loved it, over 50 episodes. View it on Hulu or find the series in your local library with no boring adds to wait through. Compare with Dowton this series shines brightly from start to finish.
You might want to consider re-visiting Upstairs/Downstairs to help with the withdrawal.
For those who love the Edwardian period THE HOUSE OF ELIOTT is a must see! It’s about two sisters who set up their own haute couture fashion house in London; clothes and hats are to die for, just as gorgeous as Downtown’s and compelling story lines throughout the three series.
The last episode was the best of the four seasons and what the series should have been all along! I’m not giving the show a thumbs up just because the last episode finally measured up (except the “non-ending” at the beach. What was that? And the 8 month jump so Julian Fellowes wouldn’t have to show 1) Mary liking men again, 2) Anna and Bates finally getting over the rape, and 3) Edith’s delivery and giving up the baby – all dramatic, plot-driving moments we should have seen instead of the perpetual, hair-tearing-out-in-frustration b.s. between Daisy and Ivy and Baxter and Thomas, etc.). Someone should boil Fellowes in ink and feather him with quills for his very bad, terrible, awful writing. The first season fooled us all! Too bad it’s never been what it could have. Happily, I just received my copy of “Austenland” and that has kept me very happy, mega-camp movie that it is.
Oh, Chris, that’s a bit harsh! ;-) … But I must agree.
Love Downton Abbey. I have enjoyed all the characters . It was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other shows.Please stay on as long as possible. Your devoted fan. Janice
I bought the soundtracks to the show as they came out. They’re enjoyable to listen!
I was annoyed by the pledge pitch that went on and on after the finale! And the filler conversation between the two hosts. I had to turn it off and go to bed.
Next up: “Mr. Selfridge” starts its 2nd season on March 30th.
I absolutely agree with the choie of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I’ve been watching it on WETA UK so it is available in addition to Netflicks. It’s delicious!.
As for DA I think that it is the tremendous acting ensemble that draws us back each week. Even with story lines that have left us wanting at times, the depth and skill of these fine actors keep us wanting more and more.
That being said Bates is quite the little devil, is he not?
Well, VIc, I’m losing my mind – I wrote my post last night and must have forgotten to hit the button when done….aagh! So I’ll try again. I am so glad you revisited the show and feel better about it. As with any drama it had its limping moments but I felt it was so much better than last season – which came close to tanking, as we all know. And the dialogue was sharp and clever with all cast members, not just Granny, getting a chance to amuse. In spite of what Mr. Squire (above) says, it’s much higher class than anything on the air – unless your taste consistantly runs to violence, vulgar language, blatent sex and of course, the ever present explosions and car crashes. Some of us in the world find all that a waste. And DA gives us a taste of a gentler time. That time may be past but it is a nice place to escape and relax. And there’s much to look forward to next year – plenty of cliffhangers that may or may not be resolved. I love your comment about liking your “daggers drawn verbally”…quite a sharp anology. I think I’ll chose DA anytime for my verbal daggers.:)
It began strongly enough as it went on, it stretched credibility. 1. Edith’s boyfriend disappearing in Germany – the girl was due a bit of luck, and now she has lost her baby too. 2, BATES. This Vigilante thing defied credibility . I was expected to believe that Bates traveled to London to find Greene in one day, (Piccadilly I think) had the great luck to find him walking along the crowded street, and somehow got him under a tram car killing him outright with nobody seeing what happened. Apart from the problem i have with vigilantism, it would’ve been better if he had contacted some London-based prison crony who owed him a big favor to go and get Greene.
But perhaps Fellowes was sowing the seed for Bates being in trouble in Season 5? Maybe Greene has hinted darkly to his mother; ‘if anythin’ ‘appens to me, Mum, if I turn up dead, look to Yorkshire. There’s nowt as queer as the folk up north.’
So maybe we will see an angry determined Mrs. Greene arriving as the new nanny, Mrs. Motherwell. Her and Barrowes could do some plotting together.
What would other people like to see happen in Season 5?
I know it isn’t very long, but have you see North & South? It’s fantastic and who doesn’t love Richard Armitage?
I cannot tell you how many times I have watched the ending of North & South, Lori! Who doesn’t love Richard Armitage, indeed!
We bought the DVD version around Xmas so it’s a long time since I’ve seen it. I enjoyed it, though my husband felt much of it seemed to be setting up for the next season rather than a meaningful season in itself. I understand him to a degree, but I enjoyed particularly the way it handled the social change occurring that time in England – re land ownership and management, and simply re relationship between people.
I didn’t much like the rape storyline, particularly because I didn’t like the way Bates was painted. Who is he? I don’t think he is a clear character the way others are, and that bothers me.