Downton Abbey Series 4 (Beware of Spoilers)

[romantico]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 12:02am

Here is the trailer for the new season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g6xg8gKxEk

Updated On: 9/22/13 at 12:02 AM

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 7:44am

I know the date for the US 1/5/14 but anyone know the date it is going to start airing in the UK? So far all I can find is Autumn.

[romantico]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 7:57am

September 22 in the UK. Last year I watched it online. Not sure if I will be able to do the same this year. January 2014 is just too long of a wait for me.

http://www.hypable.com/2013/08/31/downton-abbey-series-4-premiere-air-date-announced/

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 10:03am

EastEnders star Nigel Harman at 0:24

[Gorlois]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 10:20am

I ended up watching Series Three three times last year. First I streamed the original UK broadcasts, next I watched it live on PBS, and then again on BD.

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 10:25am

Thanks romantico.

That is my usual way to watch it as well. Seems in this day and age if you don't want it prior to being shown in the US you already know everything that is going to happen.

PBS has said in the past that it is not a problem that they wait several months later to air it.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 10:33am

Does anyone know why PBS waits so long? I think it would be a great show to put in the October to December slot.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 11:20am

Strategically, after the fall season brouhaha has died down, in comes a mid-season ratings boost. It's worked really well so far, so why tinker with it? Building the anticipation helps. They also have less episodes to air than American shows.

I'm looking forward to it, but I will avoid all spoiler-ridden threads as I have in the past.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 1:16pm

Ahhh...not sure if I can wait til January...

[romantico]

Posted: 9/1/13 at 2:06pm

Goth, I wondered the same thing. Best12Bars explained it best I think. I remember it was a very logical decision and how it made more money for PBS by waiting til January to air it.

I am so glad I watched it online last year because I stumbled onto some spoilers (without even looking) that would have ruined it had I waited til January. I hope I can do the same thing this year.I,like Gorlois, watched it online,on PBS, and then on Blu ray.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 8:01am

There are sites that stream it the day after it airs in the UK if you can't wait.

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 9:12am

Not sure what I'm going to do this year. I waited until it aired in the us mostly because I didn't start until Thanksgiving, I actively avoided spoilers for Downton, which was difficult because I enjoy reading them for my other shows, and the Dan Stevens news was out on several sites without even a hint of a spoiler alert. I'd like to wait again and attempt to live spoiler free, just not sure if that can happen.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 9:30am

^ I had the same thing happen. I avoided everything except for the news of Dan Stevens leaving. I heard it about two days before the season began airing in the U.S. Thanks a lot, Internet "news media."

So, by the season finale, I was ready for something to happen that would take him out of the show. I didn't know how it would play out, but I knew it would happen.

Did that lessen the experience for me?

Yes.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 4:55pm

That's a terrible trailer.

Nigel looks dog rough.
Tom looks chubby.
And Julian looks like a vicar.

[romantico]

Posted: 9/21/13 at 8:20pm

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the beginning of season 4 of Downton Abbey

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/what-time-downton-abbey-season-2281901

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 1:41pm

Hopefully be able to watch it tonight. Let the Emmys tape and get ahead about 90mins or so. I think tonights Downton Abbey is 90 mins. Then go back to Emmys and zip through the commercials.

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 7:12pm

Episode started slow but it pretty much set up a lot of stories for Series 4. Don't want to say anything else until others have watched.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 7:17pm

What site did you watch it on?

[romantico]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 9:34pm

So, what did you think? I thought it was a good season opener. However, it helps to have the last episode fresh in your mind.I had not seen the last episode of series 3 since early 2013, so some of it came back to me. I was expecting a 90 minute episode. It was only one hour and seven minutes.Eight more episodes to go (not sure if that includes the Christmas episode or not)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:05pm

Can someone recommend a good site to watch it on?

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:21pm

@romantico

It was 90 mins there as I believe ITV has commercials. But I thought the same as you it was going to be a full 90 mins.

@Jordan I get the link sent to me from someone in the UK so it isn't from a site per se.

Updated On: 9/22/13 at 11:21 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 5:00pm

Thanks for the site suggestions!

I've brought this issue up before and we've discussed it, BUT I raise this issue again: I wish we in the US could get more access to British tv content. (I'd be willing to pay a small fee to access some shows). I enjoy watching British shows but it's very hit or miss as to what we can get. And some of the sites I've visited require you to download viewers and then don't give the content that I was hoping for. I've been trying to watch the final season of Cold Feet and it's been a nightmare.

[romantico]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 6:12pm

That would be a good idea. I'd be willing to pay a monthly fee like Netflix for some exclusive British programming. The best you can do right now is Acorn.I've been debating on signing up & with winter coming & me watching more television, I am seriously considering it.

http://acorn.tv/?home-link-topper#featured

[Platypus]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 7:20pm

I download torrents. I don't have the patience for streaming. The 2 that I use are TPB and EZTV, and they both have Series 4 Episode 1 available. Yes it's illegal, but it's that or waiting 4 months.

Updated On: 9/23/13 at 07:20 PM

[romantico]

Posted: 9/29/13 at 6:56pm

Great Carson episode tonight. Love learning more about him and his past.So far, I think series 4 is off to a good start.