One of the most watched series of the last few years in that of Downton Abbey. We’ve been settling down in our sofas and comfy chairs to see the comings and goings of this well to do family and the opulent wealth they have. The series runs through the turbulent years of the early twentieth century (not that there weren’t many of those in that century) from 1912 to 1926. It covers the effects of the First World War, the serious Government scandals, the creation of Ireland as a nation and the abortive start of Hitlers rise to power and the sinking of the Titanic. Whether you are in your home or are in one of the many Residential Park Homes like those at http://www.parkhomelife.com/ its a Sunday night treat.
It’s basically a reworking, but not a reboot, of Upstairs downstairs and a less funny version of You Rang M’Lord. In this age the Upper classes of Edwardian Britain held sway, just, before the fledgling successes of the Labour party and the First World War began to erode the due deference that the working and middle classes all paid to them. Here, everyone knows their place and talk of bettering yourself or thinking that getting an education that lasts longer than 5 years or maybe some workers rights.
That being said it’s a good bit of historical drama and the performance, Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville and Jim Carter being the standouts. It also illustrates the fact that even the downstairs had a class system operating as well.