(no subject)

[newmoonstar]

Back to the internet at last! I was pretty sick for most of December (a cold, the flu, whatnot!) so any posting during that time would have been nothing but whining about how sick I was, and thus useless. But now I'm mostly recovered, it's back to fun!

First off, Downton Abbey. I'm excited about any period drama that comes to Masterpiece Theatre, and one set in an English country house in 1912 is definitely up my alley. That being said, I fear it's going to be nothing but a soap opera. I'll watch it anyway, but judging from the first episode I don't think it's going to be much fun. The characters seem rather bland and unlikeable, and I already have an idea where most of their storylines are headed. Lady Mary and Matthew will have a contentious, on-and-off sparring romance, the countess will probably get bored and have an affair, the servants will jockey for position and at least one of them (probably the scheming footman) will come to a terrible end. I hear the show is a huge hit in England though, so maybe it'll go in some more interesting and unexpected directions later. If nothing else, the household will be out of mourning in future episodes, and so maybe some more colorful, fabulous 1910s fashions will be in store. (That's all I really require to keep me interested!)

Secondly, I received quite a few lovely treasures for Christmas, one of them being a wonderful book, Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail 1700-1915 featuring beautiful color photographs of the Los Angeles County Museum's exquisite costume collection. If you love historical fashion, for heaven's sake get this book! So amazing.

Comments

[epea-pteroenta.livejournal.com]

Don't give up on it too soon! I should tell you that most of your predictions are entirely wrong. ;)

Yes, it is a soap opera but it does surprising things for a period drama while still remaining intelligently written and eminently watchable, not to mention not taking the easy way out of really any of the issues presented.

[newmoonstar]

Oh good, I'm glad none of that stuff happens! That would be too boring for words! I really appreciate shows that don't take the easy route and actually surprise you in ways that make sense for the characters as people, rather than just to be sensational. I haven't given up on it yet by any means, first episodes are usually just the set-up anyway, so I'm really curious to see how the characters will break out of their molds and emerge as human beings, instead of just snotty rich daughter #1 or housemaid #2. I didn't have much hope for Lark Rise to Candleford after the first episode either, but it surprised me as it went on, and now it's my favorite show. (Though honestly, does Brendan Coyle really have to play the prideful working class hero in everything? I'm getting so sick of seeing him play the same character over and over, I could scream. I suppose it's too much to hope that he'll become a deranged, maniacal villain in Downton Abbey? *teehee!*)