I wonder if you might be confused.Is your local PBS station broadcasting the *original* (with Gordon Jackson) or the British remake with Jean Marsh? The remake is,I believe,now appearing on many PBS stations (including the ones I get) and what little I've seen of it isn't at all appealing IMO.As for the original,I never saw it as "spectacular" at all.Technically speaking it looks pretty plain and simple...as opposed to Downton which,technically,is clearly "high budget".The beauty of the original Upstairs was the quality of its actors (and writers) and its success in capturing the realism of the age.Gordon Jackson,in particular,was *brilliant* while most of the rest of the cast was only "outstanding".
I thought I was watching the 1971 series.
I get both the Tacoma and the Seattle stations at my house.
Only one is showing Up/Down.
I can't recall which one.
They hyped the rebroadcast big time during a fundraiser.
I watched about 1 hour total of two episodes, felt really disappointed, and stopped.
I think it's in black and white, so I just assumed it was a cleaned up copy of episodes I had never seen.
I had no idea they made a follow up series on it.
As to production quality, Downton Abbey is just stunning, and is a major part of my enjoyment when I watch.
I think the dialogue is outstanding, too, all written by the same man, I believe.
And the acting is outstanding, although, after watching Maggie Smith in 8 Harry Potter films, that routine is getting a little old.
I felt the plot lines were rock solid in Season 1, less solid in Season 2, and, after reading plot summaries on Season 3, I think they may be rolling toward the ditch.
I have wondered if that influenced Dan Stevens before he decided to leave.