Letters to Calendar: A superb ‘Downton’ start, but ‘Sherlock’ -- that’s another story

Superb ‘Downton’ start

I thoroughly enjoyed Meredith Blake’s excellent article [“‘Downton Abbey’: Our Long Romance With the Crawleys,” Dec. 30] about “Downton Abbey,” and then watched it — twice. So many awesome moments to savor, from incredible sweetness (Carson and Mrs. Hughes), laughing out loud with the indomitable Dowager Countess superbly handling a situation, then commenting how it was sometimes better to rule with fear. And how wonderful to see the upstairs nobility run downstairs to celebrate the Bateses’ good news. They were all at the top of their game, with a special shout out to Julian Fellowes for giving his characters such luscious dialogue. If this first episode is the standard for the season, I can’t wait for the rest.

Gloria Paternostro

Diamond Bar

1/11

Maggie Smith and director Michael Englar discuss a scene before filming “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For the Los Angeles Times)

2/11

Joanne Froggatt and Brenday Coyle relax between takes in the downstairs servants’ quarters set at Ealing Studios in West London.

  (Matthew Lloyd / For The Times)

3/11

Michelle Dockery poses for portraits between filming a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For The Times)

4/11

Hugh Bonneville and Kevin Doyle talk with crew members before filming a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For The Times)

5/11

Crew members prepare before filming a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For The Times)

6/11

Penelope Wilton has final touches made to makeup by a crew member as Maggie Smith waits before filming a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For The Times)

7/11

Jim Carter talks to Phyllis Logan before a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the downstairs servant quarter set at Ealing Studios in West London.

  (Matthew Lloyd / For The Times)

8/11

Elizabeth McGovern rehearses before filming a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For The Times)

9/11

Makeup and hair artist Amy Boyd touches up Sophie McShera on set, as historical advisor Alastair Bruce waits for a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the downstairs servant quarter set at Ealing Studios in West London.

  (Matthew Lloyd / For The Times)

10/11

Laura Carmichael poses for a portrait during the filming of a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the upstairs set at Highclere Castle.

  (Bethany Clarke / For The Times)

11/11

Lesley Nicol waits for a take to start during filming of a scene of “Downton Abbey” in the downstairs servant’s quarters set at Ealing Studios in West London.

  (Matthew Lloyd / For The Times)

Regarding: “A Masterpiece Evolves: The Grand ‘Downton Abbey’ Is Winding Down on a Very Up Note.” [Jan. 1] Nicely written. I look forward to the “Downton Abbey” conclusion — though it is hard to say goodbye to these endearing characters, the darling music and the magnificent old abbey.

Paul L. Hovsepian

Sierra Madre

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When did Violet, dowager countess of Grantham, receive a promotion to dowager duchess? That would, of course, be an impossibility. She’d have to marry a duke and then be again widowed. Pretty surprising, after five years, to get that wrong.

Ron Samuels

West Hollywood

Latest ‘Sherlock’ loses its way

I watched the latest episode of “Sherlock” with Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Abominable Bride”) [“Cumberbatch and Freeman Go Victorian for Classic ‘Sherlock,’” Jan. 4] with dismay, shaking my head at the Cuisinart narrative style.

Paulino Lim Jr.

Long Beach

Rose Parade hosts had to go

It is definitely time for Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks to retire [“Stephanie Edwards and Bob Eubanks Sign off From Parade,” Jan. 2]. This year she hit a new low, equating gaits of horses to types of glue they use to attach flowers on the floats.

Carolyn Aliotta

Orange Park Acres

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The Rose Bowl game isn’t until 2 p.m., but tailgaters started early. But it was the Iowa fans who got going really early.

Haskell Wexler remembered

Regarding: “Cinematographer Haskell Wexler Was a Man of Vision” [Jan. 1]. Haskell Wexler and my mother met in the 1930s at a progressive private school in Chicago, Francis Parker School, which still exists. They remained friends throughout their lives. I think Haskell always saw my mom as the young woman she had been, and they both remained liberal activists for their entire lives.

Lynn Leatart

Sherman Oaks