[Liparus]

Anyone looking forward to this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/paradesend/

I like a good period drama though it is already being compared to Downton Abbey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...atrocious.html

[Doghouse Riley]

Originally Posted by Liparus

Anyone looking forward to this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/paradesend/

I like a good period drama though it is already being compared to Downton Abbey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...atrocious.html

That's inevitable and would we be getting it if Downton Abbey hadn't been a success?

It says five episodes, so there must be confidence at the BBC to be involved in its production.

But then it's on BBC2, so aren't they expecting really high ratings?

Still, it's another new drama, so we shouldn't complain.

[Liparus]

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

That's inevitable and would we be getting it if Downton Abbey hadn't been a success?

It says five episodes, so there must be confidence at the BBC to be involved in its production.

But then it's on BBC2, so aren't they expecting really high ratings?

Still, it's another new drama, so we shouldn't complain.

Indeed perhaps not. Downton certainly brought the period drama back into popular focus.

The BBC's revival of Upstairs Downstairs is no more I believe. I liked it but somehow despite the lower production values the original series had a charm that was lacking in the new production.

As you say a new drama should be cheered rather than scathed.

[guestofseth]

The only thing it has in common with Downton is the time period, also I already know it'll be better than Series 2 of that, it'll take quite a bit of doing to be worse. It's an adaptation of a book I've wanted to read for a while, and it's a co-production between BBC and HBO so it looks promising. The Radio Times' Moment of the Week has me especially excited:

Spoiler

The unhappily married Sylvia Tietjens (Rebecca Hall) may be shallow and a world class flirt but she's also pretty cool. When a young lover in purple Rolls Royce persuades her to elope with him, she soon grows bored and regrets it. As she writes from a French hotel room to ask her husband's forgiveness, her lover brandishes a pistol and threatens to shoot her. She calmly ignores him, pausing only to bemoan the quality of the hotel's newspaper.

[Doghouse Riley]

Originally Posted by guestofseth

The only thing it has in common with Downton is the time period, also I already know it'll be better than Series 2 of that, it'll take quite a bit of doing to be worse. It's an adaptation of a book I've wanted to read for a while, and it's a co-production between BBC and HBO so it looks promising. The Radio Times' Moment of the Week has me especially excited:

I've read the spoiler now...err... is it a comedy?

[LolaSvelt]

I'm really looking forward to this. I was reading an article on Daily Mail (I know, why did I do that to myself) and the comments were hilarious, a bunch of Downton Abbey freaks (the show is not that good) bashing Parade's End because there are nude scenes. Apparently they are gratuitous even though they haven't seen it yet!

[Tangledweb7]

Originally Posted by LolaSvelt

I'm really looking forward to this. I was reading an article on Daily Mail (I know, why did I do that to myself) and the comments were hilarious, a bunch of Downton Abbey freaks (the show is not that good) bashing Parade's End because there are nude scenes. Apparently they are gratuitous even though they haven't seen it yet!

Is that what anyone who likes Downton Abbey is called quite interesting. My self who is a fan of Downton Abbey is quite interested in anything around this period would have no problem watching this show.

[Tangledweb7]

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

I've read the spoiler now...err... is it a comedy?

I was thinking the same after reading that synopsis.

[LolaSvelt]

Originally Posted by Tangledweb7

Is that what anyone who likes Downton Abbey is called quite interesting. My self who is a fan of Downton Abbey is quite interested in anything around this period would have no problem watching this show.

Oh no, I wasn't bashing EVERY Downton Abbey fan. It's just that every phenomenon has its 'fanboys' and very annoying ones at that. Wish they'd stop acting like it's the first period drama ever.

This was written by Tom Stoppard and co-produced by HBO AND stars Rebecca Hall. What more could you want?

[ftv]

Also stars Benedict Cumberbatch

[Liparus]

Does anyone think this will avoid a wider scope due to being on BBC2? Or will it gaurantee a good loyal audience?

[Liparus]

Not long to go now until this starts.

[guestofseth]

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

I've read the spoiler now...err... is it a comedy?

Originally Posted by Tangledweb7

I was thinking the same after reading that synopsis.

Given that it's only one part of one scene, I say it's most likely a comedic moment, good drama often has lighter moments but still keep a serious tone. For me that particular one sounds like it'll be great since it's in the safe hands of Tom Stoppard and Rebecca Hall.

Single out one of Maggie Smiths one liners out of context and you'd think Downton Abbey was a comedy as well

[Liparus]

Indeed. The best dramas can always carry off comedic moments well. There is comedy in real life after all.

[Doghouse Riley]

Originally Posted by guestofseth

Given that it's only one part of one scene, I say it's most likely a comedic moment, good drama often has lighter moments but still keep a serious tone. For me that particular one sounds like it'll be great since it's in the safe hands of Tom Stoppard and Rebecca Hall.

Single out one of Maggie Smiths one liners out of context and you'd think Downton Abbey was a comedy as well

What concerns me is that it's on BBC2. Now ITV wouldn't put Downton on anything other than ITV1.
So how much confidence has the BBC about it, that it will get good ratings?
Do they think the two programmes between 9 and 10 on BBC1 will attract a bigger audience?

[SeasideLady]

Not a fan of the ubiquitous Mr. Cumberbatch so don't fancy watching it.

[guestofseth]

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

What concerns me is that it's on BBC2. Now ITV wouldn't put Downton on anything other than ITV1.
So how much confidence has the BBC about it, that it will get good ratings?
Do they think the two programmes between 9 and 10 on BBC1 will attract a bigger audience?

BBC2 has aired loads of brilliant drama, the reason ITV don't put their drama on anything other than ITV1, is because first they don't have that much great drama and secondly BBC2 is a terrestrial channel unlike ITV2/3/4. It was commissioned for BBC2, it wasn't dumped on there.

I really don't understand this attitude, it's on BBC2 so it must be crap or the BBC must have no faith in it.

[jimbo1962]

Im in love with Becca Hall after watching The Awakening

thats not a buildig BTW

[seejay63]

I've had to give up on this - I couldn't follow it, and struggled to know who was who. I won't bother with any more episodes.

[derek500]

Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley

What concerns me is that it's on BBC2. Now ITV wouldn't put Downton on anything other than ITV1.
So how much confidence has the BBC about it, that it will get good ratings?
Do they think the two programmes between 9 and 10 on BBC1 will attract a bigger audience?

Parade's End is adapted by Tom Stoppard, not the sort of playwright who gets his stuff on BBC One or ITV.

Downton is written by the far more 'user friendly' Julian Fellowes whose work is suited to the more popular channels.

[LolaSvelt]

Good lord, Adelaide Clemens is a glorious mix of Carey Mulligan and Michelle Williams. Also got some Abbie Cornish vibes from her, too.

[tealady]

That was...quality
"It justifies the licence fee on it's own" *

* for older viewers only.

[tealady]

Originally Posted by SeasideLady

Not a fan of the ubiquitous Mr. Cumberbatch so don't fancy watching it.

I think you are confusing BBC2 with Radio4.

[guestofseth]

Loved it, certainly not as viewer-friendly as Downton Abbey but excellent drama and surprisingly fun considering it's subject. The script was brilliant and thankfully it has a cast to match, I think I'm going to have to watch it again before next Friday, not because I was confused, but because it's too good to only watch once.

Loved Sylvia, although I think Rebecca Hall played her well I imagine she's a character who's better off in a book than on screen. I really want to read the book(s) now but I think it's best I wait to the series is over.

[Aerrow]

I mildly resent that the BBC seems to think it necessary to put on a Parade's End documentary immediately following the first episode in order to explain to us plebs and thickies just Why This Is A Bloody Important Series. OK, we get it, the source material is higher brow than that of Downton Abbey. But guess what: for all its ham and melodrama, Downton teaches the same broad lessons about the period. And does it in a more engaging manner. Not that P.E is entirely ham-free either, by the way.