I can thank social media for it; though I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook, it was there I first made her acquaintance.
Friends would not stop talking about her. And I mean friend-friends, the people I know in real life, whose children I've held, whose arms I've embraced, whose opinions I trust and value. Women and men for goodness sakes of the intelligent variety who give me pause to consider what they're saying.
It was their fault for prompting me to watch Downton Abbey the first time – remember, when in ignorance, you called it Downtown Abbey? And I was hooked…sold…enchanted. Downton Abbey was crack cocaine and my addiction was instant. Sure, I was late jumping on her bandwagon, but once I leapt she couldn't shake me.
I feasted on her first two seasons, ravenous, a glutton, devouring episodes the way celebrities pop pills and the way normal women pop M&Ms (or in my case, Dove Promises Dark Chocolate with Almonds). Engaging characters, well-told stories, relational acrobatics that compelled me to applaud. Literally. Downton Abbey joins West Wing as one of the best crafted television dramas of all time (and I'm curious if you'd add anything to this very short list…feel free to tell me because i'll be in withdrawals when DA is over).
The brilliant writers spare no one. No one! Killing off Sybil on the happiest day of her life?! We cared because they wrote her so well how could we not?? Though she was one of my favorite characters, I respect the show so much more because the writers refuse to bow to popular opinion and spoon us bland pablum, easy to digest but utterly forgettable. Something no one wants.
So. Sunday night. The season finale.
They're going to do it again.
Blast them…they're going to do it again!
I accidentally read a season spoiler before I realized what I was reading and I know key events in tonight's episode.
I am equal parts dread and excitement to watch the drama unfurl.
In between the ring of the bell and closing credits, we will be entertained.
We will celebrate, we will cheer.
We will be shocked and dumbfounded.
If you're very quiet, you might hear a collective "Noooooooo!" wailed all across the land.
And you'll be in DTs until Season 4 begins.
I'm seriously thinking about creating a not-so-secret Facebook Group for Sunday so we can banter throughout the episode. Just like poor Edith, my DA partner in crime left me stranded at the alter (aka my daughter jilted me for a college internship. Hmph.). Last week my sister filled in and we savored the two-hour episode, hoping it might go on for three or six.
Isn't it more fun to watch Downton Abbey with a friend?? Even if it's your imaginary friends on the internets? After what I've told you, processing the night's events in real time might help you avoid therapy afterward.
Or maybe I'm just being overly dramatic.
If there's enough interest, I'll create a Facebook group so we can talk amongst ourselves and not bother the rest of our imaginary friends; or clog up our Twitter stream since apparently not everyone on the planet will be watching (I can't imagine. They have no idea what they're missing.).
Tomorrow Downton Abbey concludes for the season (in America…the UK, last year thankyewverymuch). S i g h. Oh, well…at least Mad Man is going to grace us with their arrogant presence come April….
I finished season 3 a few weeks ago while nursing a cold. The finale is so good…up until the last 30 secs. Just don’t think about what you read and enjoy the story…especially the Matthew & Mary storyline!
Bebe!!! I was hoping you'd be in a texting frenzy with me tonight!! YOU'VE ALREADY WATCHED? I resisted the urge once I read the spoiler a few weeks ago…trying my dangdest to savor the few hours of quality TV I had left. I'm sure I'll enjoy every minute of it. Even while I'm throwing balled up socks at the television.
I won’t be watching it Sunday night, but you betcha I will later this week. I hadn’t seen any of it until January. Thanks to amazon offering me a second trial of prime membership, I watched seasons 1 and 2 in three days. (I stay home; I did laundry and watched DA. Win-win.) I discovered that season 3 is on the PBS website, so I got caught up over the next few days. I’ve read all the plot summaries (even tomorrow’s); it was nice to have an idea of what was coming. That did not make it any less disturbing. The show is so well crafted that you can’t help but laugh and cry and be totally invested in these characters and their stories.
You know I’m a HUGE fan, right? Right? You’ve read my “Top Five Lines” after every episode, right? 🙂 (Last week it was “Top Ten Lines.”) I, too, will be going through withdrawals when it’s over on Sunday. And, I, too, read ahead. Just don’t even know what they’re going to do with Season 4, although it could go in many interesting directions.
I’d be on that Facebook page if you create it!
Oh my word… I know! Mama and I are both hooked as well!!! Sadly, I have read the same spoiler…very sad, but excited to see what surprises Season Three’s Finale will have in store! 🙂
Ahhh, Liza Lee…a fellow gluttoness. Misery (and delight) loves company :).
Shelly,
Yes, I know you're a huge fan but I haven't seen your top five lines–those might be some of the FB posts that finally got me to watch, though (and now I'm wanting to go read them ALL, lol. Did you read ahead on purpose? I didn't; but once I started, HOW COULD I STOP? I figured a FB group was better than annoying the heck out of EVERYONE on FB and Twitter; if I can't have a LITERAL person sitting there holding my hand and hollerin', I need my imaginary people doing the same… 🙂
Mary Elizabeth!!!!!!!!
I followed your last comment to your blog and I'm SO PROUD/IMPRESSED with you! You're quite the writer. I had your page up for a bit planning to comment but then, um….closed it out when my computer had to be restarted (and I forgot to check back).
Anyways…since Rachel is in Florida and Tad doesn't quite love DA like me, I'm left with a hole in my TV heart :). Silly, yes, but fans understand what I mean :). I'll be thinkin' of you and your mama tomorrow night. Have fun! (ish)
I’ve already watched it via Amazon instant, but I would totally come watch it with you. Just to have someone to listen to my “OH HOLY COWS.” Because Mr. V doesn’t watch it and doesn’t seem to like my commentary, even though he reciprocates when watching anysportever.
There was weeping & gnashing of teeth in Munich as I watched Season Finale. I literally went stomping off to bed. Hubbie was concerned…until he realized…half-asleep that this concerned fictional characters 😉 Love the idea for FB page-I could have used some emotional support! ha!! I guess you are right..it is many times the bittersweet stories that stay with us. Dag nab it!!
Love Downton Abbey. However in my opinion the best TV series ever was Friday Night Lights. I’m still in mourning over it. I really miss Coach Taylor and Tammy! If you haven’t watched, it is well worth your time!
There is still the Christmas Special to watch when this season ends – don’t forget that!
I have never watched an episode of Downton Abbey. I was an avid fan of Call The Midwife though.
Have a beautiful day 🙂
I am not a big TV person. I don’t have cable, and until recently, I was even lacking in the antenna department to the extent that I had the major local networks but not PBS. I’ve heard A LOT about Downtown Abby, and I’ve decided that twitter is divided into two main groups: Downtown Abby people, and Walking Dead people.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been *thinking* about watching the first seasons of Downtown Abby, but I’m still on the fence. The fact that you compare it favorably to The West Wing has me intrigued though.
Vanderbilt Wife, next season, we must. I wonder if they can maintain their momentum.
Mindy, ha! Your comment made me grin :). Because I knew what was going to happen, I had already grieved his death; so I actually had fun “watching” it with others on Twitter. Crazy use of social media, but fun to see everyone’s repsponse.
Kris,
That is the one show people keep mentioning (in FB, via email, etc.). I love the idea of HS football, it was such a huge part of my youth. So I’m inclined to believe I’d like it… 🙂
Linds ~ last night’s episode aired in the UK at Christmas; so that WAS our Christmas special. But not so cheery regardless of when it aired!!
Janet,
As I said, I jumped on the bandwagon late, after MANY had raved about it. I think people either love it or don’t get it. I fall into the former :).
While you’re DTing, pick up all 6 or 7 seasons of Monarch of the Glen. As a fellow lover of both DA and West Wing, I feel like you would love it. Bonus: It co-stars Julian Fellowes himself as the snooty but affable Lord Kilwillie.
Emily Rose,
Funny…I’m not a big TV person either; I rarely turn it on. BUT…when I get hooked on something, I’m hooked. Unfortunately, that includes several reality series (DWTS, Amazing Race…and I’ve returned to Survivor for now…).
I’ve come to the point that I think most shows make me DUMBER…so I’m down on assinine tv. When a SMART, well-scripted, well-developed charactered show catches my eye, I’ll stick with it. There are few (and since I’m not looking, it takes a while for me to discover them). WW is one of the best, if not THE best. I felt like I got smarter watching it!
Megan,
Is it PBS? How come I've never heard of it?? I'm intrigued… :).
I vaguely remember it maybe having been on PBS at some point but its probably about 10 years old now. I believe you can get it through Netflix. I also thought of Doc Martin, which is another we’ve had to DT from between seasons. Just brilliant writing and characters you would fall madly in love with, for sure.
I work at a local library so I will order it through our wonderful system. I am sure I will be jumping on the bandwagon myself. I have heard such good things about it. 🙂