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9 Reasons To Give Watching Downton Abbey A Chance Despite Everything

By now, especially after the recently aired finale on PBS, most people probably have some awareness of Downton Abbey. Chances are you saw a title of an article on Twitter or somewhere on the internet about some dumb British period drama called "Downtown Abbey." Then maybe you quickly forgot about its existence. Then perhaps you noticed the show receiving a bunch of awards from various groups and thought hey, that's that show I heard about, oh but it's Downton, not Downtown. And then perhaps you started to hear tons of people talking about it, from people you know personally, to Colin Quinn and Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld's web show. And all of a sudden you were like "Why is everyone crazy about this stupid show?"

[h2]6) It really is a fascinating glimpse into a transitional period for the English class system[/h2]

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This show would probably not be at all interesting, despite the aforementioned hotness of Sybil and Matthew, without the equal attention devoted to the house staff. We see not only how the division works between upper and lower class people, but we see how each division operates within itself, and the systems of class that exist even among the servants. It’s a culture dictated largely by family, duty, and propriety. In other words, power and class.

This becomes more interesting thanks to the specific period of time in which the show is set. At the beginning of the first series, 20th century changes are beginning to reach Downton, but they’re really shaken up when the First World War arrives. Things become really interesting on a historical level at this point because it marks a shift in perceptions of the class system, and this is made apparent through the story of these characters. War brings with it a strange leveling of the playing field, with the servants fighting alongside the aristocrats in the trenches, women serving a vital function in providing medical care, and private mansions operating as public hospices for the injured. When the war ends, many assume that life will return to “normal,” with the previous classes and norms being put back in place, but at this point, there is no return. It makes for some interesting historical context to exciting developments with the characters. And maybe it explains why Robert is just angry all the time as the show goes on.

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