in-flagrante

That’s quite funny. I’ve come to see Downton Abbey as alternative reality television. It’s less a documentary of what history was than a fantasy of what it should have been. A fantasy that include spinal injury recovery, Irish chauffeur marrying into the aristocracy, huge and well timed inheritances, a gay servant who is promoted when outed. To this we must add the relatively minor incongruity of antebellum courtship for a beautiful widow in 1920. I’m not joking when I say I’d like to see some steampunk tropes thrown in.

To be honest I was relieved when Sir Anthony bolted at the alter in Series 3. Edith is I think one of the few things that keeps the show tethered to reality. We like Downton for being a fantasy, but it would be a disservice to forget one of the most pivotal social phenomenons of the 20th century.

The fact was WWI killed 17 million men by war and disease. It was a highly unusual war in that the casualties were almost exclusive to military men of a single generation. That means there were 17 million women who could not marry. Basically half the men 18-25 were either dead or maimed. Women born before 1900 faced an impossible situation of having to compete with younger women for the survivors.

It’s extremely unfortunate this generation of women were all but ignored by historians. You’ll find no end to books on WWI, but almost nothing on how the women coped with the aftermath. For the first time being a spinster or pursuing a career was the norm. Women’s role would never be the same. The sociological impact must have been breathtaking.

The only book I’ve heard of is Virginia Nicholson’s Singled Out, and that was just on British women and published only in 2008, decades too late to interview the generation that went through it. For feminist historians and authors out there, here’s a topic that’s time has come.

Actors like playing dramatic roles, they don’t go to drama school to learn how to act contented. Laura is extremely lucky in her career, playing an iconic part in a massive international hit and being well paid for it. She has a pretty awesome life.

I also find it hilarious people keep making ugly sister jokes about Edith and Laura kept showing up in amazing outfits and stunning photo shoots. I love seeing her turning it around. The only time I felt bad for her was that horrible Peter Hall outburst at Uncle Vanya.

I’m sure Laura wants things to work out for Edith in the end, but as Saint Augustine said “O God, make me chaste and celibate, but not yet.”

Her trials and tribulations are who Edith is. There are several more seasons to go, and it would be character death for Edith should everything just fall into place for her. DA is a very simple show really. There’s always a chance at happiness so long as you’re alive and trying. I think that’s one of the messages.

Thanks for the link, I’ll definitely watch it when I have time.

I don’t believe for a moment Edith is a punching bag. She’s the most relatable of the Crawley sisters. There are far more Ediths in the world than Marys and Sybils. Without Edith the aristocracy would seem to be made up exclusively of superwomen, which surely wasn’t the case.

Julian Fellowes created Edith as a high born Bridget Jones. She’s the underdog in high places, and I think she is one of the most memorable characters on the show. People loved The King’s Speech for much the same reason.

Ciroc vodka? You never know, Michelle used to do Kellogg’s Special K ads.

OMG I just realized Ciroc was a sponsor of the June 10th media event. P. Diddy’s involvement with Downton Abbey runs deeper than just his parody.