Break out your award winning flowers, ring up the valet, and make sure all the wine in the wine cellar is accounted for because the second season of the Emmy Award winning series from Masterpiece Theatre, Downton Abbey, starts tonight! (PBS 9PM EST) I'm not the only one excited for it. It's been a huge hit over in Britain where it's already aired. And judging from the eager anticipation here in the states, (its been featured in New York magazine and EW and it seems every blog and entertainment site is talking about it. My favorite is the quiz to find out which Downton character you are. I'm Lord Grantham. Boring. But, at least I get to live in a kick-ass castle/house.) it's sure to be the first must-see event of the new year.
I find it amazing that a period piece miniseries on public television has captured the public's attention the way that it has. I'll admit, I hadn't heard about it until the Emmys in September and was amazed that it won Best Miniseries or TV movie over the more publicized (and starrier cast) Mildred Pierce. But, luckily I was able to catch up on Netflix where all the episodes are Watch Instantly (All the episodes are also available online at PBS as well). My main question was, how did I live without this in my life before? Following the life of the Crawley family and their servants at the estate of Downton Abbey is an entertaining treat. Each episode unfolds in ways you don't always expect. You really care for these characters. Their lives may be from a different time and place, but their relationships and emotions are real. It's just great storytelling.
In honor of the new season tonight, I have assembled a list of my five favorite characters and their goings on from Season One. Spoilers follow...
