British TV/General Discussion

@BritMystery wrote:
Thanks for the update, Deedee. I have the first two episodes set to record while I am away thanks to you. I enjoyed the Farewell Special too.

That whole situation with Craig is a shame. He was cleared of all accusations in 2020 and is still dealing with the fallout. I hope things improve for him and opportunities open up.

I'm going to miss this show.

You know Deedee, I am surprised, I didn't realize you were such a big Doc Martin fan. I thought you gave up on the show years ago. Learn something new every day! 😀

@BritMystery wrote:
 

I'm going to miss this show.

You know Deedee, I am surprised, I didn't realize you were such a big Doc Martin fan. I thought you gave up on the show years ago. Learn something new every day! 😀

I had, Brit. I don't remember what drove me away, nor what brought me back! But some of the original characters were grating. They now have a nice mix, and the effort put into the show - any well done show, I imagine - as demonstrated in the Behind the Scenes Special - was amazing.

P.S. They've restarted River on NJPBS and there's a show I can't rewatch at all!

Enjoy your trip.

I had, Brit. I don't remember what drove me away, nor what brought me back! But some of the original characters were grating. 

same here  dee .....  I found the early  years  good  ,  it was different , it was funny  Then I started finding it  plain , drab  , dull  ...  that  Penhale drove me crazy , what a ridiculous  character that was.  I started drifting away .  Wouldn't  mind  going back , revisiting  , the last  parts .   

@solar wrote:
I had, Brit. I don't remember what drove me away, nor what brought me back! But some of the original characters were grating. 

same here  dee .....  I found the early  years  good  ,  it was different , it was funny  Then I started finding it  plain , drab  , dull  ...  that  Penhale drove me crazy , what a ridiculous  character that was.  I started drifting away .  Wouldn't  mind  going back , revisiting  , the last  parts .   

True, solar. Tishal's refusal to grow up annoyed me, as did the Keystone cop. Hopefully it will show up on one of your PBS stations.

Hello All! I am back from a wonderful trip. Highclere Castle was everything I would have hoped. With it all decked out in Christmas splendor it was just as beautiful as you see on screen in Downton. All the holiday sparkle adds the glamour that you expect. That is why I went during the Christmas season - if you're going to visit, this is the time to do it.

We met Countess Carnarvon - she was the one that greeted our group and gave us a history of the house and the family. I am a big fan of her's and she was as lovely in person as I imagined. Total fan-girl here.  We also got to meet the butler who came to the Hubs and my table to introduce himself during Afternoon Tea. Again, what a lovely and friendly man. I mentioned how much I enjoyed the second movie (when the Crawley's visited the South of France) and he was delighted as he was in it. He showed me his photo from the movie on the FB page and was (again) delighted when I told him I saw it on the page when it was posted a week or so ago. He could tell I was a fan!

So happy we went, it is a gorgeous home - the scale is more of a manor house inside, which in my eyes, made it all the more beautiful because with all the extraordinary furniture, rugs and paintings it was still warm and inviting as a home should be. All I can say is the whole experience was lovely, lovely, lovely. (The word of the day).

Ahh  Brit  ..   you're  back .  Glad you enjoyed your  trip .  I can just picture  Highclere  Castle  all decked out in it's  Christmas  best .  I bet meeting the Countess and the butler  was an added  surprise .  Wonder if he'll be in future Eps. of  Downton . I know you'll be looking for him.  Now you can relax a bit and get ready for  Christmas . 

@solar wrote:
Ahh  Brit  ..   you're  back .  Glad you enjoyed your  trip .  I can just picture  Highclere  Castle  all decked out in it's  Christmas  best .  I bet meeting the Countess and the butler  was an added  surprise .  Wonder if he'll be in future Eps. of  Downton . I know you'll be looking for him.  Now you can relax a bit and get ready for  Christmas . 

Yes it was, Solar. I was hoping to meet the Countess, but I was keeping my hopes to a simmer because I understand that she can't attend every tour. 

To have her greet us and spend as much time as she did with us was so nice. One of the few times in my life that I was at the right place at the right time, as I was near the front of the group and I had quite a bit of eye contact with her as she spoke. When she finished she looked directly at me and paused for a moment, I think she was going to stop and say hello, but first she said hello to a person who was towards the right side of her that asked a question - and at that moment the Hubs grabbed my hand to lead me to our group to start the tour (we broke in to two groups) and that was that. 

Meeting the butler was just the icing on the cake (literally).

I did all my decorating before I left, so I am done with my Christmas preparations. We are having a quiet holiday this year which I am happy for as I am still recovering from the time difference and whirlwind of our trip. Wouldn't have it any other way - London in December - the absolute best! 

I was reading your and Deedee's comments regarding "Doc Martin" and we are all in agreement - at some point the series went off the rails for each of us, specifically because of certain characters' portrayals - we all agree on Penhale - and Deedee, you are so right about Mrs. Tishell. The truth is that the series didn't age well. 

I do want to see it out though for old times sake and plan to watch the first episode of the finale season tonight. 

Welcome back, Brit! I can feel the excitement in your words. I would be writing the same if John Thaw talked to me on a visit to the Morse set.

I'm so glad it turned out as you hoped. I assume the critters were glad to see you!

Oh, the final season is worth the watch, if just for the nostalgia of it. I will miss them all, as I miss so many other series.

@deedee713 wrote:
Welcome back, Brit! I can feel the excitement in your words. I would be writing the same if John Thaw talked to me on a visit to the Morse set.

I'm so glad it turned out as you hoped. I assume the critters were glad to see you!

Oh, the final season is worth the watch, if just for the nostalgia of it. I will miss them all, as I miss so many other series.

Thanks, Deedee! My kids did great with the pet sitters. It is a blessing to have found them. They were attached to us like glue for the first few days when we got home. Things are calming down as they are back to their spoiled life with mom and dad (and realize we are not leaving again anytime soon). 

Just finished the first episode of DM and I felt it harkened back to an earlier time. Penhale (who's age is definitely showing) was considerably calmer, as was the 'Doc (he'll always be "Martin", but the outright aggressive rudeness wasn't there). Dare I say we saw a certain self-awareness that we haven't seen before? Anyway, it was good to see everyone again... almost as if we are back at the beginning starting over one more time, if that makes any sense.

Agree, nostalgia all the way and in my book that is definitely a good thing. 

Not breaking with tradition this year... Remembering our Christmas Eve afternoon chats - that often went on until close to dinner time (I was a little late with dinner a few times because of it) 😊. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas Eve⛄and a Merry Christmas! 🌲.

Already got the majority of my dinner prep done, so as of now, I am rolling in to Christmas Eve in good form. Plan to start watching "The Gilded Age" tonight and Christmas Day - I don't want it to fly by, so I may view a few episodes and switch to the "Vera" Christmas Special - it will be our last visit with Aiden before Joe returns. As much as I love Joe, I will miss Aiden. 

An early Happy New Year to everyone, hope it's happy and healthy.

Brit, glad to hear your trip was everything you expected....and more!! 

We still have no snow on the ground, and our lake has not iced over. Such a strange December, and soon to be a new year! Hard to believe!!  One of my PBS channels has begun Death in Paradise from the first episode. Not sure if they will continue on thru the rest of the series, but I enjoyed going back in time for this one. 

Not sure who in this group will remember Selene from our sharetv days, but it will be 5 years this January since she passed away. She is always in my thoughts this time of year. The kitchen was always open, with a thermal carafe of virtual coffee  :D

Happy 2024, hope it's filled with love and laughter for all of you!  

@deedee713 wrote:
An early Happy New Year to everyone, hope it's happy and healthy.

 

Happy New Year, Deedee, Solar and Appara! Wishing you all the best in the new year! 

Deedee, I tipped my toe in to the recent season of "Shetland"... I am now up to E5. Ashley's good Dee, I like her. Unlike the situation with "Unforgotten", she works in the role. I know that there are those who can't get past Jimmy leaving - I get it, but I haven't thought of him once since I started the new season - when he left I knew both he (and DH) were done - so we had to move on. 

I definitely questioned the choice to go with Ashley Jensen, but (to me) she is fitting in and it is great to see Tosh on her "A" game. So good to see her come in to her own out of Jimmy's protected shadow.

Read that Jensen only signed on for one season, so no decisions have been made as yet about a S9 or whether she will continue on in the role.

@appara wrote:
Brit, glad to hear your trip was everything you expected....and more!! 

We still have no snow on the ground, and our lake has not iced over. Such a strange December, and soon to be a new year! Hard to believe!!  One of my PBS channels has begun Death in Paradise from the first episode. Not sure if they will continue on thru the rest of the series, but I enjoyed going back in time for this one. 

Not sure who in this group will remember Selene from our sharetv days, but it will be 5 years this January since she passed away. She is always in my thoughts this time of year. The kitchen was always open, with a thermal carafe of virtual coffee  :D

Happy 2024, hope it's filled with love and laughter for all of you!  

Appara, I think we were both writing at the same time as I saw your post after I wrote mine above! Happy New Year! The Hubs and I had such a wonderful time, we fell in love with London.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Selene at ShareTV... from the way you speak of her I wish I had. We have been so fortunate to meet some lovely people who became good friends through our years on our "TV" communities. So sorry to hear of her passing.

Solar, I saw some "Inspector Alleyn" episodes floating on the 'Tube this week.  Not sure if they all have been put on, but I know you were interested in seeing the series again and I don't think they will last long before being pulled. You may want to check it out sooner than later.

Yeah  Brit  ......   have watched a couple but will speed it up ,,,  you're right , they yank things off  ' The Tube '   without any warning  ...  randomly put them up  ..  randomly take them down  ..  just as quick.  What is in store for us  to watch and discuss in the brand new year  2024 .  Happy  New Year  y'all. 

@solar wrote:
Yeah  Brit  ......   have watched a couple but will speed it up ,,,  you're right , they yank things off  ' The Tube '   without any warning  ...  randomly put them up  ..  randomly take them down  ..  just as quick.  What is in store for us  to watch and discuss in the brand new year  2024 .  Happy  New Year  y'all. 

Solar, since "Inspector Alleyn" is now part of Britbox's streaming service, as soon as they realize it has been uploaded they will have the episodes taken down. So keep going as it is too good to miss and this may be your only chance for quite a while.

I know one of your favorites will be airing in January - "All Creatures Great and Small", and Appara is a fan of "Miss Scarlet and The Duke", (can't remember if Deedee likes this one as well) which is also airing during the month. Not too much for me as I don't watch either - I may drop in on "All Creatures" here and there though.

OMG people, I have watched the trailer for the new season of "True Detective"... I don't know if I am going to make it through!  Have any of you seen it? Oh boy, this looks to be a very, very (very) scary ride. I'll be holding my breath so much I'll probably pass out on the floor. 😬 Seems to be really amping up the creepy/horror aspect. It's giving me the shivers.

Brit, Detective Liz Danvers has her work cut out for her!  Eight workers vanish without a trace! I'm hoping they don't lean too far into the supernatural, but I'm surely looking forward to learning more about her and her state trooper partner! True Detective: Night Counrty has finally popped up on my TV schedule, granted, it's still a couple weeks away, but it's there!!  LOL

Yes, I've been with Miss Scarlet since the beginning, so I'm looking forward to her return. Also All Creatures airing immediately after. 

On my PBS it's showing Funny Woman as a 'new' series but it sounds awfully familiar, pretty sure it aired on my tv in the fall? Then there's a big gap in programming until March!

"Miss Scarlet and The Duke" - I am a fan, Brit, and of "Magpie Murders", which I hope is returning. As I do DI Ray, Astrid, and Annika.

BTW, "Endeavour" (reruns) are going to be on StartTV.

I finally gave up on HBO and Showtime, Brit. Only saved a pittance, bless Verizon's mercenary heart, but at least my channel surfing has been much shortened.

@deedee713 wrote:
"Miss Scarlet and The Duke" - I am a fan, Brit, and of "Magpie Murders", which I hope is returning. As I do DI Ray, Astrid, and Annika.

BTW, "Endeavour" (reruns) are going to be on StartTV.

I finally gave up on HBO and Showtime, Brit. Only saved a pittance, bless Verizon's mercenary heart, but at least my channel surfing has been much shortened.

Only saved a pittance...

I know! I had the Hubs look in to reducing the cable bill which is just atrocious, and getting rid of HBO was only a nominal savings. We have Showtime as part of our package and truly, for us, it is a complete waste. At some point we are going to let them go as just on principal, it is a ridiculous amount to spend on TV programing, particularly because 99% of the time I only watch my streaming services.

I am slowly working through the second season of "Astrid" and the excellence continues with each episode. Right up there with the best of the best when it comes to quality programing.

Speaking of "Endeavour", you have reminded me that I want to rewatch the finale season. It went by so quickly, I would enjoy tucking in again to see the series out. Good thing to do in February when it gets bleak.