Review: Downton Abbey
Paige Armstrong
Madeleine Rice, Staff Writer
March 26, 2012 • 178 views
Filed under Style, Top Stories
I have one word to describe the fictional PBS/BBC series Downton Abbey: addicting. I often find myself re-watching old episodes, wishing I could forget what happened so I could get the same thrill I did in seeing the episode for the first time. Love, scandal, and betrayal make me grip my couch while I watch intently. It absolutely kills me to have to wait for each upcoming episode.
I’m finding that I might be the only person in the school who actually watches the show; when I ask my friends, “did you hear what happened to Matthew on Downton Abbey?” they just give me a blank stare, as if I’m speaking in a different language. Having to bottle up all my reactions is proving to be quite a difficult task.
The amazing cast is what really makes the show work well. Maggie Smith, who plays Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, is probably the most well-known actress on the show. But don’t underestimate the other performers; they are equally important to the show’s success.
Downton Abbey is a remarkable British import. It is set in the countryside of North Riding Yorkshire during the Edwardian period. The show portrays an aristocratic family known as the Crawleys and the servants that work for them. In Season One, the Crawley family is thrown into turmoil due to the sinking of the Titanic. Season Two follows the family and the servants throughout World War 1. Both seasons draw you in with juicy secrets that slowly accumulate.
Downton Abbey may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I highly recommend it to people who are interested in history and riveting drama; you might surprise yourself and actually find you like it. I was skeptical at first, if only because my mom was watching it, but when I sat down next to her and started to watch, I wanted to know more—I was hooked.
In order to meet your Downton Abbey addiction before the next season starts, there are a number of related books and TV shows so you can keep updated on the subject matter, including:
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by the Countess of Carnarvon
Upstairs Downstairs (TV show)
If you are interested in watching Downton Abbey, you can find it on Netflix. Selected episodes are also available on Hulu. The third season will return with more action and characters in January of 2013. For fans of Downton Abbey, it’s going to be a long year.
