Wherein I Obsessively Talk Downton Abbey

The last time I fell head over heels for a tv show there were cylons and spaceships involved. My husband and I were unabashedly fans of the show Battlestar Gallactica from the very first robot-infused episode. At first, we didn't know of anyone else remotely interested in the show, but over time friends would admit to being just as hooked.

Then, along came those charming Brits. I can't say that my husband is as much a fan of Downton Abbey as I am, but I will say that when we were re-watching past episodes in anticipation of last night's season 3 opener, he would request that I wait for him before watching a new one.

Find more Downton Abbey paper dolls by Vulture.com here

When we were watching Battlestar, we would speculate about the plot-lines far longer than any sane person should. My husband won the wife lottery in that respect. I may compulsively watch British historical dramas for hours on end, but Jackie Chan, kung-fu movies and most space themed science-fiction shows have the same effect.

All that to say, when I tried to discuss plot details about Downton with my husband last night, it fell on deaf ears, which was less than satisfying. What fun is a soapy-drama without being able to talk about it endlessly?

If you haven't watched episode one, look away now!

FREE BATES! Creepy, brooding, threatening Bates? Not my favorite. DIS-LIKE. I really hope his storyline doesn’t go south. Unjustly convicted Bates is way more interesting.

(KINDA) NICE O'BRIEN... LOVE her as Thomas' foe, but I hope they don't make her all soft and nice and fluffy. Where's the fun in that? She lost her edge in Season 2, which was good for character development, but I hope she keeps a little of that sass. She's always good for a spunky one liner.

SYBIL AND BRANSON - Ugh. Not a fan. I never have been. For such a liberated woman, Sybil sure lets Tom boss her around. "I love you and I know you love me, too you just don't know it yet!" Wow. Swooning here. Then in the season opener when poor, hormonal, pregnant Sybil just wants to have a nice, peaceful visit with her family, Tom chooses to pick fights over dinner jackets. When she calls him on it he says something like, "Sybil, don't disappoint me!"

Because there is nothing better to bring awareness to the injustices the Irish are dealing with under British occupation, than by highlighting the idiocy of formal dinner wear. (Sidenote: the emphasis gentry placed on dinner wear was ludicrous and the mishaps that occurred for Matthew and Lord Grantham were pretty funny.)

EDITH AND SIR ANTHONY - I have hope that the "ugly" sister has her fun this season. Yay for her, for going after her (old) man.Sure, he's a tad geriatric, but he's sweet, she clearly digs him, he clearly digs her. I'm glad they will have their day, even if he's a million years old. Also, he is one classy, classy dude. I may think Tom Branson is arrogant and annoying, but I loved Sir Anthony for calling out that jerk Larry for his antics against Tom. I also applaud the whole family and Larry's family for calling him out as the jerk he is. Well done, well done. Three cheers for Sir Anthony!


"HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL." -  If you don't think Cora and Robert are adorable, I don't know what to do with you. Let's pretend the insanity surrounding Jane the maid never happened. Cora is a gem of a wife and I just want to see them be happy. Please don't mess with my their happiness, Julian Fellowes.

THE OLD HENS - I. LOVE. THEM. All of them. They are amazing. They are funny as heck. They say exactly what they think, even when it makes no sense. (when trying to get money, Dowager spends a TON of money and then says "Nothing says sucess, like excess." Hmmm, nothing says "give us more money" like spending money we don't have!)

We all know that Martha is laughing at the whole lot of them. The fact that it seems Isabelle is deluding herself into thinking that she and Martha are of the same view on things is endlessly hilarious to me. Whatever happens Dowager is going to get her way. This is inevitable. Isabelle is walking the line between entertaining and annoying, though. They need to tread carefully with her lest she become intolerable.

MARY AND MATTHEW - Not much to say here, yay they got married! Drama to ensue! Will Mary wear Matthew down about the inheritance? Should she even be putting the screws to him about this? Is he being to holier-than-thou about the whole thing?

Claire's BIG Prediction: They will take the money, saving Downton Abbey from ruin (the horrors of a smaller estate!) and the other Swire heir will magically re-appear making the proverbial, um, "stuff" hit the fan. I think a trip to India relating to this will happen and that will be the end of Matthew.

But that's just me.

Please, do me a solid and tell me your thoughts.