Downton Abbey Christmas Special

[silverducks]

Ok, so I finally had chance to watch it last night and I was definitely not happy with the ending - but I’ll come to that later.

Firstly, I just want to say that as a whole, I quite liked the Christmas special. It was nowhere near as perfect as the last, and I wasn’t too keen on setting it in summer, but for the most part, it was good.

So here are my

Comments

[koloagirl]

Without intending any sarcasm or snark, I am sure DA will find a way to carry on without Matthew. Back in the 80s, when US soaps actually had decent writing staffs and budgets, it wasn't unusual for the favorite pairing to be split up either temporarily or permanently because the actor/actress was moving on to other projects or because there were behind-the-scenes tensions between actor / producer-what-have-you. And that's likewise the norm on Coronation Street, EastEnders, etc., correct? As a result, I suppose I'm somewhat accustomed to something like this happening and moving on with the introduction of new characters.

Mary will remain a (the) feature character in S4, as will her journey after Matthew. I suspect it's little accident that Mrs. Hughes gave Tom Branson 'the speech' toward the end of the Christmas Special re: eventually finding someone sympathetic. They've known DS was leaving for some time, it's only us who are new to the reality, so little bits and pieces have been laid along the way -- at the very least, they've set up the foundations for a good friendship between Mary and Tom.

[silverducks]

The thing is though, DA isn't really a soap, it's more of a drama and has a much more close knit cast. It doesn't have as many characters that continually come and go.

The show started with Matthew becoming the heir and to me that feels like the natural close to the show too.

I'm sure there will be good bits in series 4 - there's still potential there in other characters, but the show will just not be the same. To kill off such a pivotal character in such a way is just going to do too much damage I think. I bet a lot less people tune in to series 4 now. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if that series is the last.

I mean, the main direction of the show and the main story arc is gone! The main couple is no more! You've now got not just one, but two grieving spouses! Maybe if it had just been Matthew, but with it being so soon after Sybil...

I just don't know where they can satisfactorily take the story now - upstairs at least.

And as for Mary and Branson - friendship yes, anything more and I doubt I'll be the only one hunting Fellowes down!

Knowing Matthew wanted to leave, and reaching such a natural position for closure, they really should have just let the show end on a high with the Christmas special.

[koloagirl]

*chuckles* Oh, it's a soap. Evening dramas and daytime soaps are not all that different from one another -- the main difference is what time of day they air and how much violence / sex they can contain as a result. There's very little difference to programs like Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Dallas, Ally McBeal, etc.

[silverducks]

Hmmm, I guess I'm thinking of British soaps, and Downton isn't really that much like them. It shares elements of course - one could argue that a soap is just a long running drama - but it is different enough I think. For a start, a soap needs enough plots to keep it going day in, day out, week in, week out, year in, year out. Downton Abbey only has a relatively short series, so they don't need to dreg the bottom of the barrel for storylines quite the same. And it is only on for a short period each year.

But I guess it depends on just how you define a soap compared to a drama.

And I'm not saying the show won't keep going, but it just won't be the same. In fact, a lot of my friends who never seemed to be that into Downton Abbey are annoyed about the way the Christmas special ended. I think they made a big mistake in killing Matthew off and in such a way - and in a Christmas special! I do think it will definitely have a massive impact on the show's popularity and success next year. I also don't think Fellowes will be able to get things back on track enough now.