Making our way Downton
By: Rachel Harper
What is it about period dramas that captures audiences everywhere, and the rampant popularity they leave in their wake? Over the last few years, show after show and movie after movie have sprung out of the woodwork and are being devoured by enthusiastic fans. Out of all these contributions to the entertainment industry, Downton Abbey is by far the most popular – both in Canada and America as well as the United Kingdom, where the show originated. So what is it about this show in particular that has a large chunk of the world wrapped around its silken-gloved finger? For many fans – myself included – the answers are not hard to find.
The first of its five seasons aired in Sept. 2010, when we were first introduced to the Crawley family during the year of 1912. They are a rich, high-society English family, living with their servants in the magnificent Downton Abbey. You can already imagine the kinds of drama that can be stemmed from this setup: forbidden romances, competition and betrayal within the aristocratic community, secrets that could ruin one’s entire reputation, and a war brooding on the horizon.
What’s interesting about this series is that you don’t only get to walk in the shoes of the English aristocracy (which is quite enjoyable), but you also delve deeply into the lives of the servants. Exploring their goals, fears and desires showcases the differences between the two classes, and adds to the complexity of the overall story.
The characters of Downton Abbey are all engaging and different from each other, making the show even more compelling. There are many main characters with numerous storylines, oftentimes intertwining with each other. This guarantees that something interesting is always going on. The abundance of personalities makes it easy to find at least one character you can really connect to and become familiar with. The more you watch, the more you become increasingly invested in watching them navigate an older world undergoing rapid change.
Downton Abbey is back in Canada, with the fifth season having begun at the start of January. So far, it’s been an amazing season, with a lot of happy endings (for the time being). Many new characters are introduced, and a few shocking secrets belonging to the pasts of a few elderly characters are brought to light. The Crawley family is doing their best to adapt as various other aristocratic families are slowly folding under the weight of a changing society, while the servants struggle to do the same.
This show is just delightful in so many ways. If essays or labs become too stressful, lose yourself in Downton for a few hours. Get caught up in the worries of the early 20th century, the fashions, the drama, and the seemingly simple ways of life. Let Downton Abbey sweep you away into a whole new world.
