Downton Abbey

This past Sunday night,  like most of you I bet,  we were glued to the couch for this season’s final episode of Downton Abbey.

Much has been written about this PBS television series and its portrayal of the historically rigid and inequitable British class system,  and the show’s often ridiculous or inexpicable plot lines,  and why,  despite all that,  Americans are so obsessed with it.  My friend Marilyn wrote about it humorously on her blog,  and Maureen Dowd reminded us in her column how tough life in service really was in the early 20th century.

But I can’t help feeling terribly envious of Lady Cora sitting in bed in one of her lovely negligees and chatting with Lord Robert as the butler helps him off with his dressing gown.

Mind you it’s not the elegant clothing or the big house or all those servants that I covet.  (Although truth be told I wouldn’t mind Mrs. Patmore in the kitchen whipping up our meals.)  What I really envy are those chats Cora has with her husband at the end of the day.

When I want to chat with my husband at the end of the day he’s usually staring at his iPad.  Or else he’s watching Downton Abbey.

Dana Susan Lehrman

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