Downton Abbey, It's Been A Good Run

         The arrival of the Crawleys onto our television screens was a most welcomed diversion in my life. At first it was only supposed to be the one series. But when the last episode of that first season was broadcast I could tell there was a lot left unanswered and not much time in which to resolve everything before the screen faded to black.  At the end it was announced that Downton would be back for another season. I was elated. And for the next five years a new season of jolly good fun arrived each January to lift our spirits after the inevitable let down once the holidays were over.

         This past Christmas I pulled out seasons one through five and had myself a Downton Abbey marathon in preparation of the sixth, and, dare I say it, final season. I rushed out to World Market and headed straight to the tea section where I purchased all of the specialty Downton brews put out by The Republic of Tea. I added some good chocolate and settled in with my batch of DVDs.  The theme music always sends a chill through me and though I could have zipped through it with each episode, I let it play on.

         Despite being the world’s biggest Downton fan, I was surprised at how much had slipped my mind. There was O’Brien and Barrow plotting away in the kitchen, and poor Mr. Pamuk’s body being carried across the great house in the middle of the night. The ongoing stream of bad luck dumped on Mr. Bates and Anna had me wondering what the actors had done to incur the wrath of the writers. And who could forget the creepy solider who claimed to be the heir to the Crawley fortune? Will we see more of him?  And what about sweet, sweet Miss Swire who captured Matthew’s heart, and maid Ethel and her decent into ruin only to be lifted back up by Isobel Crawley. Lady Sybil and Branson, Mary and Matthew, and poor Edith and Anthony Strallen. There they all were always under the watchful eye of Carson, spewing out delightful nuggets like, “have you done something jolly with your hair?”

         I don’t have a favorite Downton character. I love them all with equal measure. As season six plays out, I am relishing every second, anxious to see what happens next, but not wanting it all to end. I want Mary to find a new love and something good for Edith. I want Baxter and Mr. Moseley to be together, and I want Barrow to find some peace. I wait with bated breath for the next bon mot out of the Dowager Countess’ mouth, and hope Isobel finally agrees to marry Lord Merton.

         Like the rest of the Downton-obsessed world I am curious to see how it all turns out in the end. All I know is that next January won’t be the same. Perhaps Julian Fellows will bestow upon us another gem from across the pond. We’ll have to wait and see if the rumored Downton movie comes to fruition. But until then, I have my DVDs and my tea and chocolate. And that will just have to do.