Tonight is the first Sunday night without Downton Abbey in two months. For the eight Sunday nights that Downton was on, I had something to look forward to. I loved snuggling in on my couch, ready to be immersed in the admittedly soapy dramas taking place both above and below stairs.
If someone was to ask me why I love Downton Abbey so much, I'd be hard pressed to explain exactly why, except for that ever since I first watched the miniseries of The Thorn Birds when it originally aired way back in 1983 when I was in eighth grade, I have been drawn to sweeping family sagas set in a particular historical setting. Back then, I was drawn to the forbidden romance between Meggie and Father Ralph. Now, with Downton, I am intrigued by the relationships among the various characters: Why does Mary seem to dislike Edith so very much? When will Thomas stop being so scheming? Can he? When in the world will Anna and Mr. Bates EVER be happy?
Though PBS and Masterpiece will soon bring me a new season of Mr. Selfridge and Call the Midwife and a whole new program with Wolf Hall, none of these can fill my Sunday evenings or my imagination the way Downton does.
How will I make it to January, 2016?!?!?
I just got a text from a friend, "What are you going to watch at 9 now that Downton is over?" I totally identify with this post since I walked this afternoon with another friend while we discussed Downton. I am glad that Call the Midwives starts the end of March. "I loved snuggling in on my couch, ready to be immersed in the admittedly soapy dramas taking place both above and below stairs." Wonderful line, you pulled me right in
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't watch Downton Abbey --- but my mom says I should start. Probably for most of the reasons you detail above. What I can connect to though is your relationships to the characters and the questions that keep you wondering what will happen next. I used to feel like the doctors on Grey's Anatomy were my friends and with each week I found out a little more and wondered a little bit more about each of them. Wishing you good entertainment before they return from hiatus. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't watch Downton Abbey --- but my mom says I should start. Probably for most of the reasons you detail above. What I can connect to though is your relationships to the characters and the questions that keep you wondering what will happen next. I used to feel like the doctors on Grey's Anatomy were my friends and with each week I found out a little more and wondered a little bit more about each of them. Wishing you good entertainment before they return from hiatus. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey so I totally understand your post. I don't watch as it comes on TV though as I can't stand waiting for the next show so I tape the shows and then save them for rainy afternoons when I can watch them at my leisure. I do that with almost every series I watch. I am also looking forward to Wolf Hall as I am a British History NERD. (Oh, and I remember The Thorn Birds, too. I loved Richard Chamberlain in that show. I also remember it was one of the first adult books I ever read. Thanks for bringing back that memory. I wonder if you can find it on video?)
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey so I totally understand your post. I don't watch as it comes on TV though as I can't stand waiting for the next show so I tape the shows and then save them for rainy afternoons when I can watch them at my leisure. I do that with almost every series I watch. I am also looking forward to Wolf Hall as I am a British History NERD. (Oh, and I remember The Thorn Birds, too. I loved Richard Chamberlain in that show. I also remember it was one of the first adult books I ever read. Thanks for bringing back that memory. I wonder if you can find it on video?)
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ReplyDeleteI never watched it, but I've heard such wonderful things about that show. I know exactly how you feel since Thursday nights were my favorite night of the week (Parenthood), and the first week without the show I felt so sad and didn't know what to do!
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