Bed Rest Discovery - Downton Abbey

I have not watched much TV since I've been on bed rest, mainly because I'm not much of a TV person.  I hate the idea of spending time in such a productive-less pursuit.  I don't have this problem with movies (not sure why), but TV feels different.  Unless I am watching it with my husband (which feels like a productive investment because we are spending time together ;), I really don't watch much.

(photo credit)

Enter Downton Abbey.  It's no secret that I love anything British and am a fan of Jane Austen movies and the like.  I had heard for some time that this was a great show I should watch, but for some reason I didn't get around to it until my friend Kristin suggested we watch it on an evening Rick wasn't home.  We watched the first two episodes together and then I finished the season the next day - the whole thing in less than 24 hours.  Here are a few reasons I like it:

• It was only a century ago--the first episode commences immediately after the sinking of the Titanic. It's cool to see how different life was, even just a hundred years ago!
• The characters--they are witty, believeable, and human.  And they have cool British accents.
• The hierarchy--there is a very established class system, and even though the Grantham household treats its servants well, there are still moments of serious discrimination toward the servants and "lower classes"
• The scenery--this show is filmed in an actual British mannor (with the exception of basement kitchen and servants quarters, which are filmed on a soundstage) and it is beautiful

Season 2 is not on Netflix (GRRR), but I think I found it for free through Amazon.  My husband has a student membership which entitles him to the benefits of Amazon Prime at a discounted rate.  So my next week is going to be full of Downton Abbey, Season 2!