As surely as poor Livinia had contracted The Spanish Influenza in Season 2, I've caught "Downton Abbey" Fever. Though I doubt I'll be killed off because of it.
It started a little over a week ago (yes, that recently!). I'd never seen the show before but certainly due to its rampant popularity I'd, of course, heard about it. I knew the basics; that it was the ups and downs of life among a household of English landed gentry and their servants in the early part of the twentieth century. Well, I thought, hadn't they done this with "Upstairs Downstairs"?
So I thought I'd check it out. Season 1 was available to stream on Netflix and at first I was rolling my eyes at the "surprise" twists and chaotic relationships among the various characters. (I saw the "shocking" revelation about Thomas and the visiting Duke coming a mile away!) But as characters developed and their motives became more and more complex, I saw this was no ordinary prime-time soap.
I don't know how to describe the pace of the show. It seems to me to be an odd mix of slowly-evolving overriding arcs mixed with more sub-plots than you can shake a stick at. The character count is daunting...what, some 18 to 20 regular players? But I don't feel overwhelmed. I can easily keep up with the varied storylines. I thank that to the superb writing and phenomenal acting. I just can't say enough good about this show.
Among a lesser talent pool, this show would likely not succeed with the plot laid out as it is. Let's face it, it does get a little over-dramatic...a handsome Turkish diplomat dropping dead in congress indelicato with a virgin daughter of the Earl, the stately home sufficing as a makeshift wartime convalescent retreat (actually, the real-life estate used as the backdrop for the show actually was a military hospital during the First World War, go figure!) and a handicapped valet who may, or may not, have offed his estranged wife. But these over-the-top plot points become believable due to the personalities that have been sculpted from the characters that carry out these actions.
I had to pony up $20 to view Season 2 as it wasn't available free online (and I don't pirate) but I didn't hesitate since I was by then quite afflicted.
And, now like so many people who have been following this regularly since its beginning broadcast over a year ago, I dutifully set aside my schedule to allow time to watch it as its televised via PBS.
Of course I know we Americans are getting this show as leftovers. The Brits have already completed the full 7 episodes of the most recent season and, I suspect those yet to be broadcast in North America may be available on the ITV website. But I won't even check it out. I can't endure any spoilers.
No, I'll wait patiently with my fellow American fans and watch it each week as it airs on television. To cheat and view it ahead of schedule would be, well, un-gentleman-like.
And wouldn't The Dowager Countess Violet have something deliciously saucy to say about that!