Downton Abby

I am completely and totally in love with Downton Abby.  I discovered series 1 in December, through a recommendation of a woman I met in a cooking class.  And immediately went home and glommed all seven episodes.   It was amazing.  And I was in love.  I actually counted the days until the premiere of the second series, jealous (as always actually) of people living in England because they’d already seen it and even had a Christmas Downton Abby special.

According to Mark Berman and the New York Times (in separate reporting) Downton Abby is a bringing some of PBS’s highest ratings.  People are watching the show in record numbers.  Even having ‘theme’ inspired viewing parties.   I haven’t gone that far.  But I can’t remember the last time I was so distraught when a television program ended for the evening.  SEVEN long days before another episode.  And because it’s British TV, there aren’t that many episodes to begin with.

What is it about period pieces that are so appealing.  I absolutely love them.  Not every single one, and interestingly not every single period.  But if it’s English you can most likely count me in.   (In fact, now that I think on it, I also love English comedies, As Time Goes By, To the Manor Born,  Good Neighbors…but that’s another post).  I count the BBC versions of Jane Austen’s novels as some of the very best.   And I recently watched Cranford and Return to Cranford, with Judy Dench, and was totally besotted.  And went through a box of Kleenex.  I even have a special shelf for my BBC DVDs.

But there’s something even more compelling than usual about Downton Abby.  Maybe it’s the Upstairs, Downstairs (another brilliant BBC series) nature of the story.  Or maybe it’s the time period.  Or the characters.   What’s not to love about Maggie Smith as the matriarch, and her fabulous one liners.  Or Elizabeth McGovern and her gentle nature and backbone of steel (although she really needs to watch her back when it comes to Miss O’Brian. )   And of course we’ve got romance.

Matthew and Lady Mary, who may or may not ever get together.  But who I am growing to love more and more every episode.  And Mr. Bates and Anna, the star-crossed lovers who never seem to find the right moment.  And I fear are still far from the happiness they seek.   And then there’s Sybil and her fight for women’s rights.  It’s interesting to watch her pulled between her independence and a family she truly loves.   And although initially I didn’t like Edith, the middle daughter, she too has grown on me.  Along with the Earl and Matthew’s formidable mother.  The scene this week between Isobel and Cora was priceless.

And perhaps best of all we’ve got the parallel lives of those living above stairs and those living below.  The parallel most telling when watching the Earl, the head of his family at least for the time being, and Carson, the butler, head of the staff below stairs.   Their journey through a world changing faster than is often possible to cope, is an integral part of what makes the series so compelling. 

So what about you?   Are you watching Downton Abby?  Do you like period dramas?  The BBC?  What are some of your favorite shows?  Favorite characters?  Why are BBC dramas often more fun than their American cousins?

And for another blast from the past, the third novel in my time travel trilogy has been re-released.  The Promise is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

Tagged as: BBC, British drama, Dee Davis, Downton Abby, Lady Mary and Matthew, Maggie Smith, Mr. Bates and Anna, Upstairs Downstairs