Hi, Downton Abbey in my opinion is a beautifully written, very well acted drama series on PBS. It centers around an aristocratic lord and his family along with the staff, many who love and respect them. The characters are so well done that I even like the Marxist son in law (wink, wink).
Jumping in, It is the first TV my wife has actually watched in years. Mostly, she listens with an occasional nod of the head to glimpse something, then back to the computer monitor. For Downton Abbey, she actually comes to the couch and really watches. We had a marathon and watched all the first two years in about two weeks. We were up to speed by the time the third season began.
Taken in a broad sense, Downton Abby is about change. It concerns individuals and how they are personally affected by the broad sweep of transition from what was to what is and to the unknown what will be.
The twentieth century is about the death of kings and political change resulting from dead monarchies. Downton Abby is about the death of nobility and loosening of the ties on society. Lord Grantham is the tragic figure that must live through the relatively short period where the turmoil and literal war are accelerated. He is fortunate to have a family and loyal staff that helps him weather the transition.
Agree.
And the Marxist son-in-law is changing his ways as he begins to understand the positive role of the House in the community and his personal responsibility to the family.