dolphinboy

Where are you all watching this?

RocShemp

The cast is the sole I decided to actually plow through the previous 3 seasons but I can't say I've ever truly warmed to this show. Is the 4th season so far a vast improvement (in terms of writing) or is it more of the same?

rduncan

Anyone know the number of episodes for the 4th series/season?? I suspect 8 but wanted to confirm.

Thanks,

Rick

chowderhead

8 + 1 Christmas episode.
Last night's 2 hour premiere scored 10.2 million viewers. It was the most watched PBS premiere ever (and tied CBS in total viewers). I don't think PBS cares about demos so they didn't release the demos rating.

I thought it was great to see this show back again after catching up on the seasons through Amazon Streaming. Looking forward to more scheming by Thomas and what happens to Edith. Dame Maggie Smith steals every scene she is in. Hopefully, she wins the Emmy again for her portrayal the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

Easy

You can say that again. The writers love her too. You can tell because she always gets the very best lines. They never fail to make me laugh.

Joe Schmoe

Love this show!

rduncan

I admit I've seen the season already. I refuse to post spoilers but hold on to your hat. I do admit I felt a bit "empty" as I believe this season didn't handle some issues in the best and left things hanging. Not really in a "come back next season to see what happens" but more of a "I don't want or know how to continue this" so just drops things. Perhaps things will be continued......

Oh yeah, Anna and Edith are characters to watch.

bluesix

Surprise to see no comments from anyone on the



Horrifying to see something so horrible happen to such a sweet character.

Kudos to Julian Fellowes for making this show so fun to watch as he tortures the characters he created!

Shannon Nutt

I feel the complete opposite of you...I think he's just using what were once well-written characters (see Season 1 and most of Season 2) for cheap stunts and soap-opera tactics. This latest event has me considering just dumping the show for good.

rduncan

I think I'm somewhere in-between as I agree the writing has become lazy (my term) compared to earlier seasons but think things like this actually do happen to people. Overall, this season doesn't seem to be as satisfying, to me, as did the earlier ones. Perhaps Season 5 will be some sort of redemption for the series.

Neitzl

I thought similarly about the writing. Although bad things happen to good people, this one just came out of left field, and to me, seemed like a stunt. I almost dropped the show because I disliked it so much. But I stuck with it, and the show actually gets much better.

mphtrilogy

still enjoying the show...

Joe Schmoe

It's a soap opera, so I guess I wasn't as shocked by what happened to Anna as some. Prior seasons have had soap opera staples, like the soldier who claimed to be the Crawley heir back from the dead, Matthew's paralysis and impotence from his war injury and Edith getting left at the altar.

Joe Schmoe

I've seen the whole season now too thanks to Blu-ray. I enjoyed it, but this was probably my least favorite of the 4. Yes, some parts were "empty": there was one storyline that was left up to viewers in the end (which I don't like), another storyline line that was mysterious but never fleshed out, and there was a character on the show that was strangley underutilized this season. I won't mention anything specific that hasn't aired at this point... I knew this season was going to introduce an African-American jazz singer, but I didn't know the producers were going to pick someone with a lousy voice. I was shocked at how bad he was. I also found Mary to be her most icy and snobbish, making it a bit hard to like her or feel bad for her when she was mourning Matthew.

E Unit

Season 5 began last week in the UK. I guess the US premiere will be in January.

diditagain

PBS announced a month or two ago that S5 will premiere in the US on January 4.

chowderhead

anybody watching this? Episode 2 was just on for Season 5. I think they are just recycling story lines from previous seasons. Bates is involved in a murder ... or not. Thomas trying to get revenge on Bates and being foiled. Mary being cold and distant. She really has no chemistry with either of the suitors. Edith AND Moosley being jokes/punching bags. Robert being clueless and inflexible. Cora being clueless.

I really dislike the Bates character. I don't see why Anna is with him. They should make him the villain and show that he really did kill his wife and that valet. I also don't like the teacher that is friends with Tom. Really, this show used to be one of my favorites but they really have written a lot of the characters to be completely unlikeable.

Joe Schmoe

I'm a bit disappointed to see Bates involved in another crime, but then again he's an ex-con, isn't he? Maybe it's just in his nature. And I'm disappointed at how long Baxter's secret is being drawn out. Other than those stories, I still love this show.

rduncan

I've seen all of Season 5. I'm not sure if I'm just getting tired of the show or,if the writing this season is the laziest ever. I'm leaning toward the latter especially after reading a couple of other reviews of this season. I will say give Bates a chance. Sorry no spoilers from me. The only thing I can say is the Christmas Special, really the last episode for us here in the US,is the highlight of the season. Unfortunately you have to suffer through the trials and tribulations especially of Anna and Lady Edith.

DVD Josh

I have to agree. What a dismal season this was. Boring and pointless. The xmas special was the highlight of the season. The momentum of last year is totally gone. I would be surprised if season 6 was not the last one. There's just obviously no more story to tell.

slop101

Saw all of season 5 as well, and I agree too. Outside of a some funny bits of dialog from Maggie Smith, this season, while not outright bad, felt tired and just going through the motions. Time to end it - I hope next season is that last and that they go out on a high note.

mphtrilogy

Leave bates alone!

Deftones

upcoming season will be the last.

E Unit

Yep. It sucks, but at least they're leaving on a high note.

kenbuzz

Season 6 just finished over in the UK on ITV.... except for the Series finale at Christmas.

I just watched 6x08 last night.... damn.