Downtown Abbey

I started watching this British period drama series Downtown Abbey some time ago and just fell in love with it. It is like many other historical drama anthologies but the perfect cast, cinematography, characterization, the royal ambience, life and times of people of the 1900s are all depicted so well. It is very slow paced but that feels completely in sync with how life would have been then. The series captures so many tragedies which happened then like the drowning of Titanic (1912), world war I (1914 - 18) , Spanish flu (1918 - 20)  and many more historic events of prominence. The royal family members, their heritage, lineage and, the not so privileged/poor servant class are simultaneously shown and you can clearly understand the aristocracy...the rich becoming richer, poor remaining poor concept. You will also be amused to see so many cadres in the servant class of the estate. Lady's maid, house maid, Footman, butler, under butler and so on!😊

Image source : here

So many rules which people used to follow then can't be imagined in the present day. The law being partial towards men, the properties being inherited by men and many other discriminations towards women since times immemorial are well captured...but the series also shows how in every century there will be strong women who question the baseless rules, twist the norms and break the ceilings! I especially like watching such episodes....be it the one where Edith Crawley, one of the lord's daughters decides to write columns, be a journalist, even if she is frowned upon...or the one where Sybil wants to be a nurse and serve in war. Mary Crawley is also a fire brand who decides to play her role in running the estate. 

All the characters are strongly etched. If Miss O'Brien and Barrow (footmen) are always busy plotting and involved in foul play, the innocent Mrs. Patmore is only passionate about her cooking. The conversations and happenings in Kitchen and servants hall are always fun to watch with Mr. Carson being the strictest of all. You would remember every character small/ big by names. They all have an important role to play in the series. Even if they are class apart from the royal clan...it is amusing to see how the servants talk to their bosses, sometimes suggesting and, at times reprimanding....goes to show that there at least is a friendly vibe between the upper and lower classes even if there are boundaries, hard and fast rules. There come many junctures when the problems faced by rich, poor, downtrodden, could be same and equally severe.

My most favorite character is Maggie Smith. She is one helluva lady who plays Lady Grantham...the grandmother of all the younger ones. She plays a strong character who is stern but has a great sense of humor with twinkling sarcasm filled eyes! Half of her acting skills are embedded in those deep boring eyes. I loved her as Prof Mc Gonagall in the Harry Potter movies but honestly loved her more in Downton Abbey. Even if she is from a much older era and finds it hard to change with changing times...she does stand up for girls whenever required in her own unique ways. 

Maggie Smith - here

When I watch the series, I feel like I time travelled to the 1900s. It is so well made. You will also thank the scientists and doctors, when you look at some painful deaths which happen in the family. The Spanish flu also reminded me of the on going corona. The industrial revolution picking up, the transition of life, 'the war' changing people's minds and lives is all captured well. The British invasion in India is also touched upon.

As it is I find the British accent quite rhythmic. Some of the interesting slang words I learned:

"Don't be daft" -  Don't be silly

"Dandy" - a man unduly concerned with looking stylish and fashionable.

"jolly good thing" - A very happy/nice thing.

"hobbledehoy" - Raw , awkward youth.

''Johnny Foreigner'' - A derogatory term for a person from a country other than those which make up the United Kingdom.

"Tuppence"- Short form for two pennies.

"Don't be such a goop" - Goop means a stupid person.

and there are many such words to boost your vocabulary :)!

I am still not done with the series as I am a slow watcher due to baby, work and chores and I also would like not to rush with it. If you get a chance, watch it. It is streaming on Netflix!!

I am participating in Blogging from A-Z challenge 2022 and this is my 4th post for letter D - Downtown Abbey. I would mostly talk about Covid life (which would include some of the shows and, movies I watched in this time) and the daughter diaries! Good luck to all the participants :)

Some amazing blogs you must give a try this April:

• https://moondustwriter.wordpress.com/ - She is writing posts on Ukranian Crisis - gives a glimpse of some actual stories!

• https://fictionpies.com/ - 100 word flash fiction and relating them with books she has read - It is just so unique!

• http://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/ - An edible blog - for all food lovers, I am sure you would leave with one or two cravings from her posts.

• https://montysblahg.com/ - Illustrated versions of short stories and poems- Go figure out. You won't be disappointed.

• https://itsphblog.wordpress.com/ - Very unique new words to learn from here!