The downside of Downton Abbey is only that season three is over. There is no other downside, unless you count the deaths of Lady Sybil and Matthew, both of whom are leaving the show for bigger and better and had to be written out of it. I don't know about you, but I was chomping at the bit for four months, furious that season three was airing in Britain last fall, while on this side of the Atlantic, Downton-addicts were having severe withdrawal symptoms waiting for the January broadcast date.
Yes, I resisted all the spoilers, didn't go near the blogs and facebook pages, and watched every episode-- sometimes more than once. I rejoiced over Mary and Matthew, cried for Tom and Sibyl and totally went into soap opera mode over Anna and Bates. I loved that Maggie Smith took her portrayal of " The Dowager" right over the top. It was a breathtaking ride and perhaps, because I had to wait so long for it, like the chocolate ice cream at my fourth birthday party, it was gone all too soon. Now I have a Downton Abbey hangover, and I do not like it one little bit.
So, now, on to season four. I think the wait will kill me this time. I am not the only one begging the powers that be at the BBC and PBS to NOT make us wait. Puhleeeeze.
There is a good case to be made for almost concurrent British and American broadcasts, but it seems there are potent financial reasons ( like ratings and increased post production costs) for keeping things as they are, so I am braced to accept the inevitable. But I'm going on record right now as one UN-happy camper about having to wait.
In fact, I am so annoyed by the prospect of having to wait four months after the UK for season four, that I just may forget all about Lady Mary, and Anna, and Bates and the whole bunch of them. It's not like I don't have other demands on my time.
Take that, PBS and BBC! Downton where?..... never heard of it. Don't keep me waiting too long. OK?
