Downton Abbey

"The Music to My Ears, The Soother of My Soul"

For those of you already familiar with the TV series phenomenon, Downton Abbey, many of you will understand how it makes one feel and why. For those of you who have never seen it, well you have denied yourself of something great. There is still time to right the wrong and treat your heart and soul to something delicious. However, there are spoilers if you continue reading, but not enough to ruin the entire experience. Downton Abbey had actually finished airing on television by the time I realized it even existed! One day, sometime in 2017, my daughter, Angela said, “Mom, you might like Downton Abbey. They refer to the Titanic in it in the beginning.” She knew of my love of anything Titanic, so I said to myself, “why not”!

I embarked on an emotional journey, that I relive over and over whenever I choose, and whenever I feel the need to calm myself, or just enjoy the fine masterpiece created by Julian Fellowes.

The first several times I watched Downton Abbey, I watched every. single. minute. Then as time went on, I would turn it on as my background music, as my “kitchen company” while I prepared meals, or my “end-of-stressful day soother”. The characters of Downton have seen me through so many dark days, and I am ever grateful for their continued and constant support.

The writing is beyond anything I have ever seen. The historical accuracy is jaw dropping! The individual characters stories, the mysteries, human drama, romance, heartbreak, all weave a tapestry of a life gone by from an era never to return, unfortunately. Society today fails in comparison to the manners, etiquette, music, dancing, fashion style and social behavior of that time. Downton Abbey is an education of life. I have enjoyed my learning curve! Julian Fellowes is to be commended on his creation of such unique masterpiece!

Like all of us, I have my favorite episodes and storylines. There are also the scenes, that no matter how many times you view them, they affect you the same way. I have watched Lady Sybil die over 200 times and I still cry, and I doubt there will be a time that it will not affect me. Equally sad was when Matthew Crawley was killed, the same day his son was born, still breaks my heart, always will. When Ethel gave her son to his grandparents, it was heartbreaking to watch her suffer that loss. Unwed mothers of that era were ostracized and held in contempt and suffered unimaginable shame, unlike today.

Let me stress, I love every single person in the show. Everyone played an important part in the flow of the storylines. It is perfect as it is! One character stands out for me - The Dowager Countess a.k.a Dame Maggie Smith. The Dowager has the best lines ever! Dame Maggie is a superb actress and her storyline combined with her sense of humor has kept me sane for many, many months. I wish so many times that I could tell her how much I appreciate all she has done for me. Unfortunately, she may never know that!

“Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.” The Dowager Countess

Season 4, Episode 9: I love the ending with Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson, the beginning of a new “later-in-life” romance. Then there’s Season 2, Episode 9: Matthew’s marriage proposal to Lady Mary! Long-awaited! Heartwarming to say the least. Season 2, Episode 5: Daisy and William’s wedding and Williams’ passing. I cry every time over it! Season 5, Episode 9: here we have dual heartwarming scenes, one with Mr. Carson’s proposal to Mrs. Hughes, and Mr. Bates return. I think this episode could be labelled my all time favorite.

The characters both upstairs and downstairs, navigate the choppy waters of society, with humor, grace, charm, dignity, determination, class, consideration, understanding, finesse, and best of all, diplomacy. While I single out moments in Seasons and Episodes, please bear in mind, that in between all the memorable ones for me, are hundreds more.

Season 6, Episode 3 needs to be singled out as well. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes finally get married! After much frustration they final settle on things and make it happen! Also, Tom Branson (and Miss Sybbie) return. What an awesome moment. Of course, I love Tom (Allen Leech) to pieces! He is a fabulous actor.

I would be remiss if I did not remark on my love of Highclere Castle. What a stunning example of fine architecture. I so admire the current Lord and Lady Carnarvon. They opened their home so we could enjoy such an awesome and perfect show as Downton Abbey. But we have also come to know more about Highclere and the reigning Lord and Lady. If it were not for Downton Abbey, I would never have been aware of such a beautiful estate and the lovely people who live there.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention Mr. Moseley! Mr. Moseley has perhaps the most unique character throughout the whole series and into “Downton Abbey, The Movie”. We can all empathize and sympathize with how Mr. Moseley’s life plays out for him. His career path poses a challenge in the best of times! His kindness and his wonderful sense of humor (which I do not think he realized he had) manage to carry him through his dark days. His life comes right for him and I found it to be a perfect example of perseverance paying off. There is much to be learned in this series if you pay attention to the detail.

In winding up, I would like to comment on the final episode of the final season, Season 6, Episode 9. The Finale. The end of a story. Saying goodbye. Hard on the heart, the first time around. So many happy moments. Lady Edith’s wedding, what a wonderful occasion! And who does not enjoy New Year’s Eve! A New Year’s Eve wedding, it does not get any better than that! Mrs. Hughes starts singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Such a moving moment. I remember the first time I saw it, I felt so sad to watch Highclere Castle, surrounded by snow, fade into the background. It was the end. It was over. My journey was done. All these characters I had come to know and love and welcome into my heart and home, were gone. But then I realized, it is not really gone or over, is it. As I finish the final episode, I immediately start it over at Season 1, Episode 1 and then, once again, my heart soars. I am back where I know I will stay sane and my soul will be soothed. I repeat, there is a lot to be learned from this series, about life and its lessons, if you pay attention to the detail. So, soothe your soul and play “my music”.

Sandra Fowler