We saw the first part of the second series last night.
It was an hour long show (with advert breaks . . .this isn't the BBC) of eight. I think you in the US may watch it in longer chunks.
I find this difficult to enjoy as the unrealistic story-line drives me mad, but I do think the costumes, sets etc are excellent.
They have brought in 'experts' to help with such matters as the 'ladies deportment' (we all slouch these days), how certain military medals/decorations should be worn, the way in which gentlemen and/or army officers stand (eg no hands in pockets). I wish they would do the same for the script and the dreadful 'modernisms/bad grammar' they allow in.

We in Aussieland are hanging out for series two.

Vee -- What is it about the storyline that drives you crazy? Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the American wife, was up for an Emmy. She is my least favorite of the actors. She always seems (to me, anyway) to be aware that she is acting. But I enjoy the show.

sc, I think the thing about DA that I find annoying is the predictability of the story line.
I don't want to give anything away but if you remember the young Irish chauffeur towards the end of the first series . . . you and I just know that something unpleasant is going to happen, possibly connected with the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. Will he have a morse-code buzzer hidden at the back of the garage with which to send messages to the Germans?
How many more of the servants will get 'bolshie' and demand equal rights? And what about the honest, honourable Bates, sweet Anna the house maid and his evil wife? The next thing you know the young ladies will be demanding votes for women.
Please remember I'm an old cynic; everyone else loves this show.

Here is a link that might be useful: Downton Abbey 2

My daughter and I just finished watching the first part of season two. We really did love season one and while we will continue watching, this episode had an almost manic feel to it--perhaps purposely, to illustrate the impact of the war. Who else watched it on PBS tonight? (oh, excuse me if it isn't even called PBS anymore.. I have to have one of my teens operate the TV lately, it takes several remotes, has hundreds of channels and it usually isn't worth my effort.)

I watched the program last night and really enjoyed it, although I do think Elizabeth McGovern's eye color is somewhat spooky at times.

We had a two-hour special last night, and I was hooked right from the beginning. Didn't notice any faux pas but then I was also puppy-minding at the same time. (Avi Puppy is just over a year, and if you can't see him or can't hear him, you have to go find him...)

We watched it too, and enjoyed it. It did seem to be moving very quickly at times, and if any dialogue was missed, it became a bit confusing. I noticed that it some of last season's episodes as well, so it is not new but a characteristic of the series. My favorite character is the head housemaid, Ann or Anna. The costumes are gorgeous, and unlike costumes in so many period movies, I think they would actually be a pleasure to wear.

Rosefolly

Agreed that McGovern's eye color is a bit too much and Anna, along with the romance with Bates, is one of our favorites. Sybil's character is turning out nicely too. That Vera, though, what a nasty piece of baggage--she belongs with Thomas. The costumes are beautiful. The link is to a Post article, with pictures, discussing the change in fashions reflected on Downton Abbey.

Here is a link that might be useful: Downton Abbey fashion

I watched and enjoyed it too. I do have occasional issues with it, but they are so small considering the overall entertainment value to me of the show.

Pat

Actually, Vee, I feel the same way as you do about it. Left to my own devices, I ignore it. But if I'm with people who enjoy it then I go along with the pretty pictures and get a certain enjoyment out of it. I've worked with a lot of the actors, too, and always like to see what they are up to. But I can never help thinking what a boring lot of characters they are, essentially. If they didn't have things that go wrong in their lives - like love interests - we wouldn't look twice at them. At their clothes, maybe? But not the characters.

Dido

I have the courage now to speak up with Vee and Dido, although I think I dislike it more strongly. We get so few quality programs here in the U.S., and I was quite bitterly disappointed that it turned out to be a modern soap opera with WWI-era costumes. But I am glad that others like it. I will just continue to live in hope that at some point the box in my living room will provide something I want to watch for an hour or so. One can't read all the time! (One can try -)

Not only will you be watching the second series of DA, but you should get the 'Christmas Special' which was shown over here on two nights during the holiday period. We are never expected to watch more than an hour or so of an episode in 'one go'; our brains can't cope with all the information.
I did grind my teeth at one scene where Lady Someone is talking to the Hon. Freddie/Georgie/Reggie and introduces him to her maid. I don't think so. And Mr Fellowes is considered/considers himself so au fait with all things 'correct' and probably keeps an etiquette-book under his pillow.
Siobhan, just concentrate on the scenery and the costumes and please ignore the leather gaiters shown in the Boxing Day(?) shoot scene . . . apparently they were no longer de rigueur by 1920.

Here is a link that might be useful: Julian Fellowes and our strange attitude to 'class'

It is a soap opera certainly. And the pacing is poorly done, mostly very rushed. But the costumes are simply gorgeous, period accurate enough for me, and so very beautiful. At first I didn't think the corsets were right, but then this is not an era I know in depth. I was expecting the low mono-bosom and wasp waists of the Edwardian era, but I looked it up. Apparently around 1907 corsets changed to produce a tall slim column effect. They look great, and my compliments to their costume designer. A very fine job!

Yes, I do sometimes watch shows for the costumes alone. Actually, in my experience it is very rare to find good costumes in an otherwise unwatchable movie or TV show. If they bother to get that right, they are usually paying at least some attention to the other aspects of the production.

Rosefolly

First time I could get on in a month or so. I like this show quite a bit and don't mind the soap opera. I missed most of it first season, but using Amazon prime I watched the entire season 1 in the 2 days preceding the new season.

Eliz. McGovern showed up -- live -- Sunday at the local TV studio during a break. She looked younger than she does in the show, and better -- no weird thick, down-drawn eyebrows! And she doesn't speak in a stilted manner like she does on the show, either ... a real improvement.

My favourite characters -- Maggie Smith - a real hoot ... love some of the lines she comes out with and the Way She Says Them and how She Looks when she's saying them. There's a scene in which people at the Abbey are talking at once and in loud voices. MS walks into the room and says (something like this) - "No one converses like this -- except in New York!" Being from New York City I totally "got" this remark.

O'Brian - the Lady's Maid -- Another "baddie." She provides some vinegar to the goody-goody atmosphere, along w/good old Maggie.

Lady Sybil (youngest daughter volunteers as Red Cross nurse) - She's gung-ho about whatever passion she's in the wake of. Love her enthusiasm for Life!

Anna & Bates - Good acting, and pretty good character development, I think. Seems as if the writer took more pains w/ them.

Basically I think this is just a fancy-dress period soap opera. It's some of the acting, the costumes, the lush sets, grand buildings, and the beeeeautiful scenery I love.

Anna & Bates are my favorite characters, too. And I agree, Maggie Smith is brilliant, as always.