Real Estate and the Downton Abbey Effect - It's Not What You Think

 

 

By "effect", I don't mean that longing you have for sweeping staircases, ancestral portraits, wide hallways and liveried staff.  No, I mean the effect that Downton Abbey has on men, or more specifically, my man.  It starts when he hears the first few notes of that doom-laden piano piece that opens each episode and before I can say Lady Mary, he's out of the room, muttering about needing more space and another television.   

I swear he was quite happy with our square footage and general coziness  prior to Lord Grantham, Mr. Carson and the assorted, scheming footmen.  Now, it's all talk about how we need a garage and a second room that he can escape to and curate his endless collection of backpacks and black socks.

I have to admit, my love for DA aside, that I do see his point.  Our current second bedroom tends to function not so much as the serene-office-space-with-room-for-a-guest that I fondy imagined it would be, but more as a staging area for all of Mr. Bubbly's sundry bits and bobs needed for various business trips and leisure pursuits. 

As of this post, that room currently contains the following items, none of which, I an sure, would be found at Downton Abbey, at least not above stairs...

1. A year's worth of Economist magazines
2. a generator (you see my point already)
3. several running caps in dubious repair
4. camera lens sans case
5. hiking maps
6. a cd of Greig's Piano Concerto No. 2
7. protein bars
8. an Old Spice stick deodorant
9. a Personal Locator Beacon (I could do with that, actually)
10. numerous chargers
11. a collapsible mini-berm (don't ask)

 

 

 

 

But back to the more important point; Downton Abbey itself.  Thank god Julian Fellowes wrapped up the Mr. Bates-in-Gaol melodrama  (for now anyway, as there does seem to be some ominous foreshadowing around this plot line.  I sense many more trips to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher as these scenes are being played out). 

And, Matthew!  Well, what can I say...unfortunately when I was in London over the Christmas season, I heard about his demise.  Oddly enough it didn't affect the pleasure I had in watching the final episode of this season, as knowing he was about to get run over made watching all of the sentimental baby scenes almost bearable.  Actually, I did like his character; he brought an energy and warmth to the saga which will be hard to replace.  And, of course, Lady Mary.  She might want to start looking at the real estate ads...we have a lovely condo for sale, just cozy enough for two like-minded souls.

Comments

[Lindsay Kennedy]

Oh my...what a season...I am not looking forward to Lady Mary reverting to type - prickly, judgmental etc. Can it be Edith's turn for drama next season. I swear Julian Fellowes better not mess with the dowager duchess!!!

[Brooke]

Lindsay, LM is my upstairs favourite (downstairs - Anna), even when she is prickly! I hope it's not too Edith-focused next season as she just doesn't have the charisma to fill up the screen IMO!