Downton Abbey Season 1 Review
I was bored browsing for some new TV series to watch on Netflix until I stumbled upon Downton Abbey. My bestie had talked about the series with such passion some time ago so I decided to have a look.
I won’t go into much detail about characters, setting, and story.
The first episode starts with the loss of an heir to the Crawley’s estate due to the Titanic disaster. This really got my attention since I’m a very big fan of the history of this event. I’m fascinated by the work and effort the producers have put to the series. It has an amazing cast. I only recognized two actresess: Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter) and Penelope Wilton (Pride and Prejudice). Both characters have quarells in the first season. It’s actually quite funny.
I love the irony of the humor presented by Maggie Smith’s character, the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley. She’s very stern, conservative, and traditional, but she has a good heart and the best intensions.
I was absolutely surprised to see a gay scene on this kind of drama/period series, as shown by the character Thomas, footman in the Crawley household staff.
Character development is very well presented. I started to get fond of Lady Sybil, until I just learned that she dies of childbirth in season 3. Another beloved character apparently dies at the Christmas Special at the end of season 3.
It’s a great story, full of classiness, love, hate, intrigue, moral, duty, honor, service. There’s a lot of good stuff here. Not to mention the great locations and awesome costume design. No wonder it has won many Emmys.
I just bought all three seasons on ebay for $29. Season 4 is currently broadcasting, and Shirley MacLaine just joined the series as Martha Levinson.
1
