1.5.13 Downton Abbey

For Christmas, one of my gifts to open was seasons 1 and 2 of Downton Abbey on dvd.  When Dan was sick on New year's eve and day, I ended up not cooking a big dinner and inviting anyone over.  It was just a quiet, restful day.  So I cracked open the dvd s and started viewing.  I was hooked after episode one.

I think the whole class system thing is interesting to American people, because it really does not exist in America.  This series offers such a great view to the era, beginning in 1912.  Their dress, their way of living, the running of the household, are all so fascinating, in addition to the storylines of the characters.  Good authors always give us nemisis characters, and Julian Follows does that.  He also shows the good side of the nemisis characters, making us occasional pit them, then hate them again.  Julian also paints the character flaws of the very good characters that we love.  The cast in this series is simply wonderful. I think I laugh the most at the Dowager Duchess, played by Maggie Smith.  She's the formidable matriarch of the family, and she's an old bat who's used to wielding power and getting her way, so we love it when people challenge her.
In addition to the class system, there is such insight into the role of women in those times..that women of privilege were there to look pretty and be hostesses and so gracious. In season 2, all that changes.

Season 2 has a large storyline of World War 1, and how it impacted the lives of everyone, people of all classes. Matthew Crowley, downtain's herr, came from a family in which his mother was a nurse, his father, a doctor.  They were a working class family. His mother needs to be useful and busy, and encourages the youngest daughter, Sybill, to enter nurses training.  Toward the end of the season, the war has ended, and you find the women examining their purpose, wondering how they can ever return to just looking pretty and living a lift of privilege, dress fittings, and social events, after making real contributions.
Season 3 starts tonight, and I have it programmed in to record.  highlights of the season will be Sybill's baby with her chauffer turned publisher husband, the first grandchild being a commoner. We anticipate the wedding of Mary to Matthew Crowley after previous seasons of roadblocks, and on again off again tension. And of course, Lord Crowley's valet, Mr. Bates, is in prison for murdering his ex wife, and we know he is innocent.  A delightful addition to the cast will be Shirley Maclaine, who plays Cora's mother from America.  She and the Dowager Duchess will spar all season.  I can't wait!