Now, I have to admit: I have seen one episode of “Downton”
besides the finale; however, I don’t remember much of it, so I’m willing to not
count it in this, my list of lessons that I learned from watching just the
final episode of the much-talked-about series.
Lesson 1: Hats are cool
Is it just me, or did it seem like everyone wore hats in
Downton? There were hats EVERYWHERE. I noticed especially the head-toppers of
the ladies. Many were the cloche style that I typically imagine when I think
1920s styles.
However, I noticed a variety of styles appearing on many
heads. Servants wore hats. Gentry wore hats. What I’ve taken from this
observation is that in order to evoke the classiness of a bygone era, I really
ought to start wearing headgear.
Lesson 2: If you haven’t found a relationship by the end of
a show, you’re a loser
One of my friends noticed that the formulation of new
relationships was out of control in the last episode. If a character hadn’t
found a significant other by the time the credits rolled, then it was good and
right to pity them.
Seriously. There were wedded couples and sweethearts galore
jostling for attention in the last episode. Servants and gentry, old and young
alike were finding romance in the last episode.
What does this teach us? Things can’t wrap up nicely unless
everyone has a special someone. What a great lesson for an audience that is
likely heavily composed of single young women. Awesome.
Lesson 3: Lady Grantham
I found out who my favorite character is. It wasn’t hard to
figure that out.
Lesson 4: If you’re going to watch just one episode of a
show, watch it with the right people
I watched the “Downton Abbey” finale with several friends
who had seen the whole show. They informed me about the sea of unfamiliar
characters, their backgrounds, struggles, and development throughout the entire
previous six seasons.
Though initially confused, I reached the last scene with a
satisfaction that was nearly as complete as that of my friends. I’d also been
saved the time and trouble of watching the entire series since my companions
told me everything I had wanted to know. As a person who does not like
investing time in television shows, I appreciated the simplicity of watching
one episode and being done with a series.
