2016 is a year in which, sadly, so many good things are coming to an end. America as a shining example of pluralism and democracy, for one. And the show Downton Abbey, for another. I'm not sure which one I'll mourn more: the end of America or the end of Downton Abbey. While viewers of … Continue reading Downton Abbey, Season 6, Episode 9: The End of Everything
In this episode Lord Grantham is out of bed and ready to tear the world a new one. In all my years of watching Downton Abbey, I've never seen him so lively. Maybe all of us should experience the benefits of an exploding ulcer and gain a new lease on life. Along with Lord G … Continue reading Downton Abbey, Season 6, Episode 7: The Circle of Life
After last episode's blood bath, this one offered a much calmer prospect. We see Lord G right away, still alive and propped up bed, reading letters and refraining from strong drink. He looked a little pale, but generally none the worse for the wear in spite of his ulcer exploding, a process in which he … Continue reading Downton Abbey, Season 6, Episode 6: Local Wretches Visit Downton
Wow. I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but Episode 5 of the The Final Season contained so much verbal and visual juice it was hard to contain myself. I'm not even sure how to begin to dig into this one, exactly, but I think I'll take my cue from Julian Fellowes … Continue reading Downton Abbey, Season 6, Episode 5: Night of the Living Dead
I stayed awake for this episode, mostly because Cora did a lot more talking than usual and Edith finally fired her editor (either that or he quit -- I couldn't quite tell) and as a result she, too, did a lot more talking. It perked me up, to see both of those ladies expressing an … Continue reading Downton Abbey, Season 6, Episode 3: Tom is Back Plus a Wedding
Well, we made it, folks. The season is over and we say farewell to the House of Grantham until the Year of our Lord 2016, just ten short months away. I've had a week to recover from the prospect, and think I'm ready to review what happened in the season finale. That is, if I can remember it. … Continue reading Downton Abbey: Season 5, The Finale: Mary Sings Like a Bird
