So here we are
again on the wrong side of Christmas, overly full (well I am) and still
digesting the remnants of the Christmas dinner and leftovers, the selection
boxes, the chocolates, the mince pies, the sweets and the Yule time logs.
I have once again
rediscovered why there is no need to watch soaps throughout the year. The
Christmas specials and Boxing Day extravaganzas, alongside a multitude of
annoying questions that I wonder why I’m
asking them as I ask them to the family members that watch the soaps
religiously throughout the year mean, I am currently all up to date after just
three or four episodes.
This year it
seems that the soaps decided that the general depression and humdrums that they
plumb for over the festive season was insufficient, and both Coronation Street
and Eastenders went for fires to really ruin their characters Christmases and their
hopes apparently – although, both in my opinion missed a trick with neither
having been caused by an overcooked turkey or a human exploding from one too
many sprouts! I personally would have found my Christmas dramatically improved
if Pat’s departure from Eastenders had seen Bianca run into the Vic and cry;
“Ricky! Pat’s exploded and there is now a fire at number ten!” But I suppose a
psychopath with arson tendencies was just as exciting if not lacking in comedy
value – oh wait, that’s right I was watching a soap and it wasn’t Acorn
Antiques.
Aside anyway
from the Dales, Corrie and the East End – I do know that there are more soaps
but my family simply doesn’t watch them, there was the Christmas special of
Downton Abbey. Please someone, give Julian Fellowes a Knighthood. It you are fan
and haven’t yet seen it, firstly what have you been doing over Christmas and secondly
don’t read on as there are spoilers!
Bates sentenced
to death but then at the last minute given a reprieve, Lady Sybil absent but by
the end her fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as it was made clear that she
would be welcomed back into the fold (perhaps for a third series), Lord
Grantham’s dog lost but then found – granted that was not the most exciting
part of the two hour special, the truth about Pomook and Lady Mary’s one night
stand came out and Matthew and Mary finally got engaged – yay! It was a bumper
episode which was packed with entertainment and tied up many of the loose ends
from Series Two.
Yet, I have to
take a minute to give a great hooray to the one and only Dame Maggie Smith. I
appreciate that she does not write her own lines, and I bow my hat to the
writers, but her delivery is superb. If I had to give one reason to anyone who
did not watch the Downton Abbey Christmas Special or has not watched the
series, it would be her performance. Her droll delivery of her lines and her
command of the small screen is currently I do not believe comparable to anyone
else on television. I do not know why the servants fear Lord Grantham, I would
fear Lady Grantham. I also don’t know why Thomas was so eager to dance with
her, he may be a “bad ‘un” but he’s no match for Dame Maggie Smith!
I’ve just been reliably
informed that all the turkey leftovers are now finished. After three solid days
of nothing but turkey all I am left with to say, and very much in the words of
Lady Grantham aka Dame Maggie Smith is; “Do you promise?”
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