Then about ten years later John was recovering from a serious burn accident, so I sat on the sofa and watched them with him. And the interesting thing was that all the same characters were in the story but.... they were all married to different people. And all had secrets from each other.
So I've never watched another soap until Downton came along. I know it's a period drama. I know it's British television and therefore high class and erudite, but let's face it, it's a soap opera with lovely clothes. And I'm hooked. Some the story lines are ridiculous. No court would ever have found Anna Bates guilty on such flimsy circumstantial evidence. Remember when Matthew was paralyzed from the waist down and then miraculously gets a little twinge when he's near Mary? And walks again.
But in spite of any silly plot twists we care, don't we? SPOILER ALERT!!!!
We feel for poor Edith, left alone and pregnant and then having to visit her child being raised by someone else. We longed for Mary and Matthew to get together and then felt for Mary after his death. And we cried when Sibyl died.
So now it's the last season and we can't wait to see if all turns out well for the Bates, if Edith and Mary will find happiness, if Daisy will help Mr. Mason to keep his farm (another strange plot twist as I think that under English tenancy law he could not be turned out). I hope Carson and Mrs. Hughes ride off happily into the sunset together.
Do you think Violet will die? She must be over 100 by now, surely? Whatever happens I know I'll be glued to the edge of my chair. Julian Fellowes has written some silly plot developments and hasn't always executed them well, but his dialog is brilliant and above all he has made us care about these people. What will we do next year. I might be able to help out a little on that front, but more later....
