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frizzy140 says:
I love this series and recommend it to anyone and everyone. Who cares what this man thinks, the world's opinion obviously differs.
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RambuJill says:
Mr. Heilpern, Your pompous review insults the intelligence of those who enjoy this series. What mean-spirited muck! Reminds me of the worst posers in grad school. Those who can't do, critique in your pretentious manner.
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cuffhead says:
Calling this series no more than a "escapist kitsch". You could say the same thing about Football. Idiot.
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shenboe says:
The previous comment alludes to a female dog.
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shenboe says:
I have never read a more ****** review. He seems to reserve his particular venom for the female actresses. The reviewer seems pretty "******" herself.
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RambuJill says:
,Oh come down from your high horse, Hallpern! Your article is petulant, begrudging, and a mean-spirited attempt at putting a damper on everyone's enjoyment. It won't work. You criticize people for liking this series, but yourself end up as the butt of a joke regarding stereotypes--as a pompous ass. Yes, what is your point?
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24zen says:
Despite Heilpern's assertions, as incorrect as they may be, this is one hell of a "Soap Opera". I wish all of Television could contain as much intelligence, wit and class! Long live "Downton Abbey"!!!!
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pjsuther says:
Man, what a snark-meister! He's just pi**ed he never got to work for News of the World before RM shut 'er down. Certainly that's the quality of his prose. You'd think VF would have higher standards...
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lordpeterwimsey says:
Mr. Heilpern shows a lamentably poor grasp of social history in the Edwardian period and during WWI; otherwise, he would not be writing about "escapist kitsch". He might want to read Barbara Tuchman's "The Proud Tower" and "The Guns of August" to get a better sense of what people went through in those periods and what the social conventions were.
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jackobyte says:
Pretty good description of the series and the background explains a lot. I must say.

Hard to believe that family is so goody goody, mind you their wealth is inherited so it isn't entirely impossible. The stalwart Mr Bates is completely unbelievable though.

The best thing about it is the theme music, but is beginning to wear thing.
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