Ten Reasons to Watch Downton Abbey

I'm almost certain most of you are Downton Abbey fans. My friend, historical fiction author, Lorna Seilstad, listed her ten reasons to love Downton Abbey on a recent blog and gave me permission to share them with you.

Just in case you haven't been watching Downton Abbey, and I simply can't imagine such a thing, here's a quick overview: Downton Abbey is a television series that airs on PBS's Materpiece Theater on Sunday nights. Set in the early 1900's, it chronicles the life of Lord and Lady Crawley, their families and staff.

Besides offering an opportunity to observe differences between the two social classes, Season 2 offered a glimpse into the eeffects of WW1 on this family and those around them.

The series begins with the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the heir to the estate. Since English law held that estates could not be passed down to daughters, Downton Abbey had to be passed to the next closest male in the family. enter a distant cousin named Matthew and the saga begins.

Season 3 picks up with the after effects of the war, both emotionally and financially.

Now, if you're still not sold, here are ten more reasons to consider taking a look at this series:

1.  Six Emmys and millions of viewers.

2.  Eye candy. The men aren't bad, but oh, those costumes, settings and props. They are the real eye candy. The details are so rich--bright, green lawns, lush floral arrangements, and sparkling goblets on impeccably set tables. Everything from chair rail to light fixtures to rugs is simply breathtaking.

3.  Romance. Plenty of couples, or would-be couples to root for. Plenty of fluttering hears and earnest declarations. Plenty of couples who must overcome great obstacles to be together. Love, and the struggle to gain it and hold onto it, remain in the forefront.

4.  A taste of history.  Downton Abbey captures a point in time. It doesn't try to take on today's situations and drop them into yesteryear. Instead, it focuses on what the characters truly dealt with during that time period.

5.  A foreign "world" to most Americans. We can't resist being a little fascinated with British aristocracy. We may not want a queen or have lords ruling estates, but we are still drawn to this world.

6.  Great character development and casting. Good characters are flawed and evil ones have redemptive qualities. There are devious characters, characters you love to hate, and characters like the butler, Mr. Bates, you can't help but love.

7.  It's a series about families. Though not related, the servants are a family unto themselves. The Crawley family is made up of three very unique daughters, each searching for love and meaning. A wise grandmother, Dowager Countess of Grantham, who often gets the very best of quippy lines is always a favorite.

8.  Gives us hope regarding social progress. The series gives us a view of how far we have or have not progressed in regard to women's roles and social classes. The show details the painful struggles that come with social progress.

9.  There's a little princess in all of us.

10. Downton Abbey teaches us that regardless of class or gender, what really matters is a life well lived.

So are you already a Downton fan? If so, tell me why it's on your "must see" list or tell me why you believe it's so popular.

May you find joy as you continue your journey of a life well lived. ~Judy