Still in Love with Downton Abbey

True confession time; I'm still in love with Downton Abbey.  It's not for everyone; Period British dramas are admittedly a bit of a niche.  And there are those out there who have stopped watching, who have given up on the show.

But I'm not one of them. And last night's episode cinched for me.  Oh sure, there have been moments this season that have been eye-rolling in their over-the-top melodrama... usually involving Matthew or Mary; or some combination of the two.  And others where I have wanted to tell Daisy to grow a backbone; which she finally has now.  Or tell Thomas to be a little nicer.  But I've stuck with it.

I've stuck with it mostly because of the characters.  I'm in love with Lady Violet's (Maggie Smith) gloriously inappropriate one-liners.  This week it was to Sir Richard as he left the season he tells her she might not see her again; she responds: "do you promise?"  It's as if she speaks for the viewer sometimes.

Series 2 told the story of  how the family and servants dealt with World War I. It really made the social classes even; Matthew had William as a fellow soldier, Sybill fell for Branson the chauffeur, and Anna seemed more a part of the family than the servants' world.  Mary was ready to wed Sir Richard, a newspaper magnate from what could be called "new money."  At the start of season 2 there were two separate worlds one above stairs, and one below.  When season 2 ends; it's as if they're one.

The season finale was the Downton Abbey Christmas special.  The family gathers at the house for the holidays.  Anna's husband Jon Bates stands accused of the premeditated murder of his ex-wife and is about to go trial.  Sir Richard is determined to set a date for his wedding to Mary, but ends up as the Earl says "putting her teeth on edge."  


 The episode's ending was worth waiting two seasons for.  The final scene was between Matthew and Mary out in the courtyard at Downton.  They start talk about the scandal that left Mary "damaged goods;" and Mary's plans to go to America.  And it ends up with Matthew making a proposal of marriage.  The scene is the perfect way to end the Christmas special; the snow is falling on New Year's Eve, it's dark and there's nobody around- just the right amount of romance made it the perfect way to end the season.  It made me realize why I am still in love with Downton Abbey.