Downton Abbey: The London Season (Christmas Special 2013) [DVD]

what can i say that hasn't been said before, wonderful story line, wonderful cast

I thoroughly enjoyed the London Season series and am in awe of how well Julian Fellowes keeps the story's various links so flawlessly and intricately intertwined week after week. He is a fabulous scriptwriter - apart from his other many talents - and I really enjoy the way he holds it all together so consistently. Although much of the upstairs/downstairs interaction is not quite accurate as master/servant behaviour, especially of 100 years ago, the story is still gripping. No servant would come into the drawing room to discuss servant problems with the master while visitors are there, for instance, but I don't suppose most viewers would recognise that and the story must be moved along at a good pace regardless. This nitpick is really a trifle in the greater screening of things.I enjoy the acting, which is excellent from every participant, and the costumes look superb on screen. For me it is a blessed relief to watch a show without the loud violence of some US series. The scenery and backgrounds are beautiful and the human interest story lines grip me. I look forward to every 'next episode.' What I did NOT appreciate was the media leaking the climactic points, such as the death of Matthew Crawley, to the public before the episode was screened. That was very bad form and spoiled the impact. Such a pity. Bring on the next series though! Cant wait for No 5!

While this is the Christmas Special 2013, it is set during the Summer of 1923, and is the seventh instalment of the Downton Saga. To make sense of what is going on you are recommended to buy all previous instalments. This one features the welcome return of Cora's mother, Martha Levinson, played so wonderfully by Shirley Maclaine who enjoys a couple of beautifully scripted sparring sessions with the Duchess of Grantham, Maggie Smith.It mainly features the character Rose's "coming out" when she is presented at Buckingham Palace and afterwards during the debutant's ball. As things unfold a scandal involving the Prince of Wales which threatens to engulf the royal family. You need to watch it to see how things play out!As usual, everything about this instalment is superb. Stirling script, fabulous costumes, sumptuous sets, in particular those involving Buckingham Palace and wonderful acting performances.The DVD was released just after it had aired on TV at Christmas and arrived just a few days later.Superb on all fronts.

My husband and I both love Downton Abbey. It's good to get a Christmas Special - funny it makes me sad to think one day Julian Fellowes will not have a Christmas edition to offer us. But that's me being pessimistic. For the time being, we shall kid ourselves. It's a world long gone and watching the film makes me wish I was part of it - so right, such fun, such luxury but my less dreamy side brings me back to my senses and like Edith's aunt says "things change but not that quickly" and Edith has to quash her longing to be near her baby and I say "hooray" it's me and I don't have to go through that aching longing. Both rich and not so rich share the same feelings. Yes, it's entertainment with laughter and tears just like life is - Lady Violet is such fun though especially when Cora's mumcomes to stay!

I loved this. I think the series is wonderful and can't get enough of it. I will be devastated if Season 5 is the last Season, as has been stated. I am hoping they will change their minds. "The London Season" is great and follows the family as they decamp to London for Rose's "coming out" when she is presented at Buckingham Palace. Mary is still juggling suitors, but can't forget Matthew and Edith is still trying to solve the disappearance of her baby's father. A clever and interesting twist in the plot that involves Edward V111, Prince of Wales and his mistress Mrs Freda Dudley Ward. Of course the wonderful Shirley MacLaine, who returns in the Special, along with Maggie Smith, have some scene stealing lines. A great finish to Season 4.Anne Draper

Very enjoyable watching for the family (if you're into the period costume drama genre). I watched this over the Christmas holiday with my family and we were all glued to the screen. Watching on DVD also means not having to endure increasingly frequent and long TV commercial breaks which are obtrusive and detract audience focus. Downton Abbey benefits from uninterrupted viewing. Perhaps not quite up to the standard of the initial two series when we were still getting to know the characters but certainly more uplifting then the 2012 Christmas Special. Despite the turmoils and tremors of exiting cast members and new faces, Downton Abbey still manages to deliver. Naturally,The London Season Works best if you have been watching the series from the very beginning. If you haven't yet acquired the earlier stories then do so!

I had no idea this existed. I buy my Downton DVDs from Amazon in the UK, because I can watch them before the new season has even begun here on Australian TV. I had bought season 4 and didn't realise there was another Christmas special. I should have known.SPOILER ALERT!!!: I love the historical aspects of this special, being filmed inside Buckingham Palace. At least, I think it was filmed inside. I can't see how a TV show would have the money to recreate the inside of the palace in such a grand scale. Seeing King George V, Queen Mary and Edward the Prince of Wales being portrayed, was wonderful too. :)

This is the Christmas 2013 special whereby the family get to meet the King and Queen in Buckingham Palace. some new members in society are not what they seem to be. and when Mr. Bates said he went to Newcastle on the day the man who attacked his wife was killed. a railway ticket was found in his coat pocket made out to London. now, we will have to see in the next series of Downton Abbey what will happen to Mr. Bates? this series get's more better as you watch it. first class five gold star drama at it's finest.

Super

loved it! it is now with my Christmas decorations so I can watch again this year

Faccio chiarezza per quanto riguarda le edizioni inglesi (quelle "Regno Unito" per intenderci): avendo comprato il cofanetto con le prime tre serie che includeva anche "Christmas at Downtown" pensavo di essere a posto invece ho dovuto poi acquistare a parte un altro DVD singolo (Special for Christmas-"A journey to the Highlands" ovvero quello con la morte di Matthew) per essere al completo. Poi se si compra il cofanetto "Series Four" bisogna comprare anche lo speciale DVD singolo "The London season", e se si compra il cofanetto "Series Five" bisogna comprare un altro DVD singolo ovvero "A Moorland Holiday" per avere la puntata finale ed essere completi. In poche parole: ad ogni serie manca lo speciale di natale che è un singolo DVD a parte.

Como siempre una delicia. Lo único que no entiendo es que si el especial navidad de cada año iba incluido en cada temporada, porque este año no y lo he tenido que comprar a parte, sin posibilidad de encontrarlo en castellano.

Je ne suis pas d'accord avec le commentaire précédent qui dit qu'il ne se passe rien dans cet épisode spécial. Bien au contraire!!.. De toute façon on sait que les épisodes de transition comme "A christmas at Downton" ou "a Journey in the Highlands" ont une trame moins développée que les saisons complètes et c'est normal car ils ne servent qu'à faire la transition entre deux saisons tout en développant un thème particulier (noël, l'Ecosse, londres..). Cependant il s'y passe toujours des choses importantes qui rendent un peu ardue la compréhension des saisons suivantes si on ne s'attarde pas un moment sur ces épisodes de transition.. la demande en mariage de matthew ou sa mort en sont quelques exemples. "The London Season" n'est pas en reste puisqu'on entre dans la quotidien de la famille Crawley au sein de leur superbe résidence londonienne. Bals, réceptions ainsi que l'éblouissante présentation de Rose aux souverains à Buckingham palace (filmé en réel aussi bien à l'extérieur qu'à l'intérieur) ajoutent à la splendeur des décors et tout ce petit monde s'agite, comme à son habitude, pour que tout se déroule sans fausses notes.. L'impitoyable Carson ainsi que l'indulgente Mme Hughes sont de la partie, et on retrouve également Daisy, Mrs Patmore et Mr Molesley. On fait également connaissance avec la famille américaine de Cora qui sont tout à fait le contraire de ce que sont leurs homologues aristocrates anglais.J'ai donc beaucoup apprécié cet épisode qui nous permet de rompre un peu avec les décors familiers de Downton abbey. Les nouveaux personnages de la saison 4 prennent également toutes leurs dimensions et d'autres font leur entrée. Donc à voir au plus vite et vivement la saison 5..