Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey - Season 2

It's good

I have a firestick; and all of the bonus episodes were hard to find and more difficult to watch because of the buffering. This solved the problem and was extremely affordable. Plus, now I can watch it again and again !

I don't care if Downton Abbey isn't exactly realistic as some unhappy commenters have stated. It's entertaining and GOOD entertainment without being hyper sexed and sleazy or ultra violent. I love the characters and the story lines. This show beats anything that's out there today. I came across some scenes on Youtube and was fascinated so I took a gamble and bought the first season. I wasn't disappointed and now I own 4 seasons. Bravo Downton Abbey!!!

If you're wondering if Season 2 is up to the high standards of Season 1, then rest assured the cast remains the same, the gorgeous photography remains the same, the writing is still Julian Fellowes, and the extraordinary study of the class system in England at the beginning of the last century is intact.As we were informed in the last episode of Season 1, World War I has begun and this adds a new set of circumstances to the Abbey upstairs and downstairs. There is considerable dialogue about the desire vs. the fear of going to war, and the British military strips many of the Abbey's dwellers for the greed of the war. Footman Thomas goes off as a medic, is unable to endure the stress, gets himself shot by the enemy, and moves back to the neighboring hospital to Downton Abbey as a nurse. There he cares for a blinded victim and his efforts are rewarded by being placed in charge of the newly formed/transformed Downton Abbey Convalescent Hospital. Lady Sybil continues her feminist beliefs and trains to be a nurse, Lady Edith has all but given up on finding a husband and so learns to drive a tractor for the farmer whose life was saved in the last season and also becomes involved as a nurse, Lady Mary still struggles with her on again/off again desire for solicitor Matthew, Carson still rules the roost, Bates' distant wife appears and causes Bates to leave Downton much to Anna's displeasure and the disappointment of the entire staff and owners , and the entire season continues to be influenced by the steady performance of Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess of Grantham!The war affects the family of the Abbey in many ways, not the least of which is the loss of William whose valor saves Matthew from dying on the battlefield. Lady Mary's secret liaison/tragedy still haunts her and directs her toward an unwanted journalist Richard Carlisle who blackmails her into promising to marry him (Lady Mary still loves Matthew despite Matthew's move from invalid due to his injury to his decision to marry Lavinia. Bates is back, hounded by his ex-wife - a reunion that ends in a tragic manner. The haughty O'Brien continues to side with the returned Thomas but also is devoted to the head of the household Cora, Lady Sybil becomes a nurse - a feminist move - and is enchanted with the chauffeur. The war ends and the effects are felt in every corner. The Spanish Flu of 1919 enters the confines of Downton Abbey and alters the story considerably. As an 'extra' on the DVD there is a sequence titled Christmas at Downton Abbey, a two hour bookend to the two hour opening episode during which many problems are resolved and the seeds of the coming Season 3 are planted.There is so much to love about this series - story line, costumes, setting, music, and a incredibly fine cast of actors (Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Rob James-Collier, Dan Stevens, Iain Glen, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Joanne Froggatt, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Amy Nuttall, etc) - that owning Season 1 and Season 2 on DVDs makes us all eager for Season 3 to start. This is indeed on of the finest series from PBS that has drawn a large following of devoted Abbeyites! Grady Harp, February 12

After watching Season 1 of this show, I couldn't wait to dive into Season 2. I'm happy to report the sophomore season continues the same high level of storytelling as featured in its freshman year... for the most part. A few storylines push the limits of credibility, but we all know this show is really just a glossy soap, right?SPOILER ALERT! This season, we get the old cliche about a stranger with amnesia stirring up trouble for the family when he claims to be a long-thought dead relative; we get the old cliche about a wounded, impotent soldier pushing away his sweatheart right before he miraculously recovers; and we get a surprise illness that neatly wraps up several storylines in time for a happy ending. END SPOILERS.Cliched storylines aside, most of the time the show manages to avoid becoming the victim of melodrama. Despite little misteps such as two characters suddenly "sensing" two other characters' fates from miles away, I still found myself caring about the lives of the Crawleys and their servants. I can't wait to see what happens to them in Season 3! Fortunately, this season is two episodes longer than Season 1, but I wish it were much longer than 9 episodes. (What happened to the days when shows averaged 22 episodes per season? Sigh.)The fact that this set has 9 episodes means it does indeed contain "Christmas at Downton Abbey." This isn't a one-of-a-kind special episode; it's a continuation of plotlines and definitely needs to be seen to learn the full story. Even though this set is put out by PBS, it's my understanding this is the unedited version of the show--the way it aired in the UK--not the version that was broadcast on PBS stations in the States (hence, the label "Original UK Edition" on the cover). I may be wrong, but after reading others' comments on Amazon, that was the conclusion I came to. The episodes vary in length from 53 minutes long to 1 hour 34 minutes long, which is another clue that they're unedited.My gripes about this product are the same ones I had for the Season 1 set put out by PBS, so I'm going to repeat them here...Because I'm reviewing the product and not just the show itself, it wouldn't be fair to ignore the blu-ray set's shortcomings. My first gripe deals with technical issues: the set should have been released with 1080p resolution and 5.1 lossless audio. After all, it's 2012 and we're talking blu-ray, not DVD. I know there's a UK set that has 1080p resolution, but there seems to be some question as to whether or not it will play on American blu-ray players (which is why I went with this set instead). The difference in resolution is subtle to some, but the difference becomes more obvious on bigger screens. That's not to say the 1080i presentation is bad because it's certainly better than DVD quality. I just know I would have appreciated the highher resolution on my 120" screen.As far as the audio goes, this set definitely would have benefited from surround sound. Instead, it comes with a 2.0 DTS-HD MA track. (At least that's what my PS3 says it is. The back cover simply says Stereo.) When my receiver tries to create a surround experience using DTS Neo:6 Cinema mode, the dialog in the center speaker is not as clear as it could have been with a dedicated front channel, and there's little bass effect coming from the subwoofer. That lack of punch is sorely missed during the many battle scenes depicted this season.My second gripe is the lack of an episode guide in this set. There's isn't one on screen nor is there a printed version included in the case. The disc labels don't even specify which episodes are on which discs. It's not until you load each disc that you discover which episodes are on it. There are only 3 discs, but I find this inexcusable when plenty of other studios release TV seasons with some method of tracking episodes. For instance, the Season Play feature on the "Lost" blu-rays is an excellent way to keep track of your progress, especially if it's been some time since you've watched the show. The on-screen menus on these discs, however, don't do much to help the viewer recall which episode they left off on: each episode is simply titled "Part 1," "Part 2," etc., except for "Christmas at Downton Abbey," offering no hint as to what each episode is about; nor is there a synopsis of each episode that viewers can read before playing an episode.Like Season 1, the quality of the show itself overshadows the blu-ray's shortcomings, so don't let them stop you from getting this set, especially if you enjoyed Season 1. The sudsy fun continues. Bring on Season 3! Highly recommended.

Bought this as a present for my mum who is a fan of Downton Abbey and was surprised to find myself enjoying the series as well. Engaging period drama, good performances overall by the cast and an interesting insight into people's lives during that time. Throughout the series, contrast and statements are made on the way of life for the working, middle and upper class divisions, as well as some often moving personal dramas between various characters.

Love Downton Abbey. People think it's for oldies but I am NOT old and I love it. It's got sex, lies, love, heartbreak, and scandal and it's well worth watching it. People who are old describe it like it's a boring saga but once you watch it properly with no distractions I guarantee you'll be hooked. I must warn people that if you get bored really easily and are easily distracted then you probably wont enjoy this. You have to watch the first few to really get into Downton. Give it a chance!

This Blu Ray was just as the supplier advertised it. The quality is first rate, and it arrived on time. First rate in every way.

To write about this in isolation to the other series surrounding it is not possible; because it is part of the overall story, with nearly all of its characters known to us.But what I will say, most firmly. to those that might be thinking of buying it, that they should also buy the first two series as well. It will not mean much in isolation. And if, like me you buy series 3, you should find no flagging. It still maintains its 5-star quality.But with a warning. It ends in the most heart-wrenching way. So, maybe wait until series 4 appears.

Downton Abbey showed a unique quality, especially in his first 2 seasons: mixing a fine, uncommon and intelligent storytelling with a true, sincere hearthwarming sentimentalism. feeding heart, brain and soul. the Christmas special is the clearest expression of that.So don't be ashamed of open your heart:your brain will be glad, too.