Downton Abbey -Series 2 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

Critics have plunged in the knives and given a good twist, Downton Abbey's plight during the Great War and Spanish Fever provoking sneers.

Admittedly some plot contrivances did not really convince and Mrs. Bates exuded so much venom she seemed to have strayed in from "The Wizard of Oz". Much drama of quality, though, remained as tragedy struck both upstairs and down, all concerned having forever to improvise. Conditions depicted were the result of extensive research. It is easy to mock Lady Sybil's wish to play her part, which meant first learning how to fill a kettle. That is how things were - so many of the pampered classes at a loss how to do even the most basic things for themselves.

The romances rather left me cold, except for Bates and Anna (Joanne Froggatt excellent). Unexpectedly the most moving moments were not the big set pieces but almost incidental: Thomas (of all people) weeping after a sudden death; his crony sourface O'Brien surprisingly sympathetic towards the shellshocked replacement valet Lang.

Maggie Smith's Dowager, as ever, reigned supreme. When Matthew was reported missing, she observed, "The next heir will probably be a chimney sweep from Solihull." Magnificently she championed the cause of badly injured footman William - casting aside pompous officialdom, cutting down to size that odious vicar. In every way a performance to treasure. Others, less showy, also impressed - not least Phyllis Logan as the housekeeper.

The television showing suffered from clutter. DVD spares viewers the adverts, promotions of forthcoming shows (one segment insensitively timed about five minutes from the climax of each episode), the pre-credit spoilers. Interesting bonuses include deleted scenes (several worth a look), features on costumes, romances, the challenge of converting the Abbey into a convalescent home.

Despite disappointments, there is much to admire - full worth perhaps more greatly to be appreciated when a little time has passed.

I like Downton Abbey, both series 1 and 2. Yes, they are not high drama, they are soaps dressed up with lavish sets, costumes and accessories. But that's not bad, it's entertainment. Unfortunately my copy of series 2 came with a faulty disk, but Amazon was great at replacing it. I am not usually one for the bonus material that is included with DVD's, but I found the deleted scenes from series 2 very helpful and I really wish many of them had been included in the final cut. Some bits of the story now make more sense. Well done, great set, looking forward to more.

Downton Abbey - Series 2 [DVD]

The 'mixture as before' in Series 2 of this great-rating drama. I have to confess that I was panting for the dvd to arrive and when it did, saw the whole 8 episodes over a few days in an orgy of Downton-watching.

Obviously, it has all the same problems as Series 1 - implausible plots, historical inaccuracy and so on - but like the first, Series 2 is strangely addictive. And the good news is that, since it ends on a cliff-hanger, there must be a Series 3 in the pipeline.

In the throes of war the main motif is 'nothing will be the same again' and some of the relationships are strained to prove it. Regrettably, Lady Sybil did not meet the nice young officer I predicted at the end of Series 1, although Thomas does not enjoy his time in the trenches (as predicted). Both Lady Mary and Lady Edith improve enormously and find that being occupied makes them a lot less bitchy. Lady Edith thought she had met a nice officer, and one of the housemaids certainly did, but those wartime romances can be dodgy things and surprisingly (or not) not everyone behaves quite as they ought.

It's often hard for the family and servants to keep track of all the comings and going and what everyone's up to behind the scenes, but fortunately they don't have to rely on the simple expedient of telling each other things people ought to know and keeping quiet about those they shouldn't. Eavesdropping gives sneaky O'Brien and Thomas plenty to plot about, and listening to servants' gossip keeps the family informed about important events.

Poor old Bates has a terrible time with his ex-wife. The twists and turns of the plot are so devious and interminable that in the end I would willingly have run her over just to bring it all to an end. I was also dying to tell him not to be so limp.

Some genuinely affecting moments between Matthew (as gorgeous as ever) and Mary, while shadow is provided by nasty but rich Sir Richard Carlyle.

There's no point in complaining of the soapiness or amazing coincidences and chances. It's that sort of show. Gosford Park it ain't, but it's highly enjoyable, with great settings and frocks (a bit toned down due to the exigencies of war). Acting is good, Maggie Smith stealing every scene she's in, with justification!

Roll on Series 3!