I started this series once before with season 1, episode 1 and after a few episodes found it didn't grab me. I'm thinking that since it was such a popular series it probably gets much better later? But what is that point? Anyone have a recommendation?
shareWhen the series first aired in the USA, they combined episodes from Season 1 & 2 into a single season. They didn't show the black & white episodes and a few more. It started with 1.1 (On Trial) and then jumped to 1.10 (A Voice From the Past), skipped over 1.11 (The Swedish Tiger) and 1.12 (The Key of the Door), then showed it in order from then on, except for 2.3 (Married Love) 2.6 (The Property of a Lady), and 2.7 (Your Obedient Servant), which were skipped.
You could try that.
Thanks! I think The Swedish Tiger was the last one I saw in the previous outing -- found it really impenetrable, despite the intriguing sounding title. So maybe I should start with the one after that.
shareTbh if you're looking for where this show became a serious, absorbing drama (rather than a period soap opera), you should start with season 3. You miss the whole Miss Elizabeth romantic saga and the celebrated King coming to dine episode, but S3 is when Upstairs Downstairs becomes addictive, absorbing drama. And what a corker of a first episode and second episode to that series (won't spoil it if you don't know what a bombshell the first ep ends with).
shareIf it still matters, The Swedish Tiger is arguably the most-hated episode of the series, by viewers and cast members (per DVD commentaries) alike. Jean Marsh found it incomprehensible. Erase it from your mind!
sharepersonally, I prefer th first two seasons, but if you don't enjoy them there's no reason why you shouldn't watch the later ones qnd see if you like them better.
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