bluetoast

I feel like the Downton Abbey theme can be easily mashed up with the X-Files theme. They have a somewhat similar style.

Apple Gooncha

I was just going to wait for the dvd/blu release in a month or so, but caught myself watching the entire episode tonight. Am I right to believe that PBS edited two episodes together? Given the length, I believe they did, and they cut out around 10 minutes or so. I knew there was a reason last year that I just waited for the dvd release.

Autotelik

Season 3 ep 1 runs 1hr7min. ep 2 runs 48min. don't know how PBS presented this tonight.

bluesix

I believe they combined ep 1 and 2 tonight so that they could add the christmas special shown in the UK as part of this season. It also runs 2 hours and will most likely be split into ep 7 and ep 8 fo this season. Just guessing...

diditagain

Here is how PBS is separating S3 of Downton, based on the timeslots given on the Masterpiece website (this pattern is similar to what PBS did last year for S2):

1/6 - UK 3-1 and 3-2 (120-minute slot, with a few minutes edited out)
1/13 - UK 3-3 (presumably uncut, since it is a 47-minute episode in a 60-minute slot)
1/20 - UK 3-4 (uncut)
1/27 - UK 3-5 (uncut)
2/3 - UK 3-6 (uncut)
2/10 - UK 3-7 and 3-8 (120-minute slot, with a few minutes edited out)
2/17 - UK 3-Christmas (90-minute slot, with a few minutes edited out)

CRM114

I haven't heard a single spoiler about Season 3 nor have I watched any S3 episodes before last night. People are pirating Downton Abbey?

CRM114

The local PBS stations here had local programming on last night and a pledge drive. What a bunch of boneheads.

Luckily, I also get WHYY Philadelphia who had Downton on as scheduled. Duh!

Noonan

Is this show hard to get into if you haven't watched the first two seasons? My gf got hooked during the last few episodes of last season and is now recording it. Could I jump in with the new episode last night or would I be completely lost?

rduncan

I doubt you'd be "completely" lost but it sure does help to have seen previous seasons to understand the relationships between characters.

bluetoast

I would strongly suggest watching through from the beginning. As said, relationships between characters change, and there's a lot that has happened, such as World War I!

BDB

I watched S3 when I was at home in Europe Travelling as it aired, had not watched any of the other seasons, but mrs bdb was able to update me as we went along.

Enjoyed the show. Didn't realise there was a Christmas Episode.

adamblast

A very pivotal Christmas episode. I don't see how they can treat it as optional, as Brit TV shows often do. Watching S4 without the Xmas special first would be seriously jarring.

I was curious why they didn't actually make it Christmas-themed; perhaps it's so their huge PBS aftermarket can use the episode "whenever". It really must be included, in either S3 or S4 packages ultimately for the plot to hold.

diditagain

As I noted in my post above with the S3 schedule, PBS is treating the S3 Christmas special as the S3 finale, airing it the week after episodes 3-7/3-8 (PBS did the same thing last year with the S2 Christmas special).

bluesix

With all the buildup leading to Shirley McClaine and Maggie Smith meeting up for a smackdown I was incredibly underwhelmed.

I hope that isn't all we are going to see of Shirley. I wasn't really a fan of her character but I hope they are going to do more with her than just those 2 episodes.

Julian Fellowes did a much better job in Gosford Park bouncing the American characters off the British ones. With Shirley there just wasn't any chemistry and it seemed too jarring.

MrX

wow, 7.9 million viewers last night.

Autotelik

Jumping into S3 probably wouldn't be a problem, but this show deserves to be seen from the very beginning. The characters will seem richer. Try your best to not click on any spoilers or any news relating to S3. I made that mistake in another thread here. You will need to watch the entire season, down to the very last second of the S3 Christmas episode.

rduncan

+1


Very important not to see any "spoilers" or it will ruin the experience.

Joe Schmoe

Watched last week's premiere twice. Can't wait for tonight's episode!

mphtrilogy

Lady Cybill... no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dex14

I still havent taken the plunge in to this....but it cant be better than Breaking Bad or Mad Men...can it? Can it???

mphtrilogy

its a total Soap, nicely acted and fun period pieces...

but its not in the class of those two shows, but fun nonetheless, and a good show to watch with your wife/gf..

Daytripper

It's not in the class as what, "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men"!? It's very much in the same class. Exceptional television. And you don't have to have a girlfriend or wife to enjoy t.

Joe Schmoe

Haven't seen Breaking Bad, but Mad Men bored me so much I quit it after about 5-6 episodes. Anyway, I'll miss Cybill, but I can see how she was expendable. And her departure sets up more conflict between Tom and the Crawleys. Can't wait to buy Season 3 on blu today so I can see the rest of the season when I get home tonight!

mphtrilogy

Sorry, didnt mean to offend.. but imho BB and MM are the two best shows on TV. Although my wife enjoys MM, she doesnt like BB, DA is more her speed if you are looking for all around family viewing selections, which sometimes are hard to find common ground.

I do recommend the show for everyone, it is a great watch.

Easy

+1
I am in awe of Maggie Smith. She really is brilliant.