I never got to see all of "Downton Abbey" on television so I ordered it from Netflix and we finally watched the last episode. I love this type of series. All those years ago when "Upstairs, Downstairs" was on I didn't miss an episode.
Just as with "Upstairs, Downstairs," I was more caught up with the downstairs people than I was with the upstairs family and their guests. However, my favorite character was the Dowager Countess. The actress must have had a blast playing that role. She was outrageous to the point of being hysterically funny. Every time she walked into a room I chuckled because I just knew what was coming. When she said something uncharacteristically charitable, I said, "Whoa! Did she just say what I thought she said?"
The two conspirators downstairs, O'Brien and Thomas, are characters you love to hate. Unfortunately, O'Brien's heartlessness had a tragic outcome. I can't say much more without ruining the series for those who haven't seen it yet, but the period (just prior to WW I), the clothes, the manners, the confining restrictions on young women, the entail that required the nearest male relative to inherit everything, the architecture are all fascinating and sometimes maddening. The series ends as England declares war on Germany.
I read yesterday that there will be new episodes of "Downton Abbey" next year. Since that will take them into the war years, I'm sure the new ones will be just as engrossing as the last. I can hardly wait.
