6 Reasons Why Downton Abbey is STILL the most binge-worthy series (and always will be)!

That stuck-up monarchist, Lady Mary. Forever downtrodden middle-child, Lady Edith, and social justice champion, Lady Sybil (later to die giving birth to the next heir of Downton).

These immortal characters were more strongly steeped in stereotype than Earl Grey tea, yet global audiences were manically drawn to them week after week, cheering for an aristocratic way of life that caused most of our forebears to remain in poverty. Nearly all of us would have been excluded by ethnicity or gender from even working in the kitchens while others may have killed for a coveted butler’s position. But yet they made us crave “sitting rooms” and watch for lurking undesirables from the windows of the Abbey’s turrets.

Game of Thrones, House of Cards and other pretenders should curtsy to Downton for creating the binge-watching landscape. PBS perfected the model by broadcasting and streaming episodes, and then selling entire seasons on dvd. Entire Saturdays would be consumed with nonstop Downton episodes playing. It was impossible to watch for “just a few minutes”. One was inevitably pulled back to that elaborately laid dining table, carefully watching the servants “below stairs”, or going for a long walk on their 50,000 acre estate...and we loved it!

Cast members were mobbed by desperate fans during taping breaks, yet everyone had a different reason for succumbing to Downton mania. The addictive theme song. The picture perfect costumes. The sex scandals. Matthew Crawley (deceased). Despite these perfectly legitimate reasons for nonstop watching, a few stand out.

1. Downton made tiny things thrilling. It was a nail biter if a guest didn’t know which fork to use. Tom’s “anarchist” ideas about Irish independence made us shudder. The notion of a nouveau-riche American marrying into the ancient Grantham family nauseated us all.

2. Downton defied digitization. The bucolic atmosphere of English country life invited relief from the empty digital bustle of the 21st century. Checking texts and reading posts couldn’t hold a candle to watching Lord Grantham take beloved Isis for a stroll.

3. Downton emphasized details. A subtle eyebrow arch in one episode revealed a major situation 2 or 3 episodes later (oh, that’s what that meant!). Carson’s eye for perfection trained us all to give shoes protracted stares and observe if they were not well-polished or worse, scuffed.

4. Downton dined. Watching the table set for dinner with no less than 3 elegantly turned-out footmen and a butler revealed choreography rivaling the NYC Ballet.

5. Downton went deep. Downton’s characters felt like people WE KNEW. We even cared about the people they liked and loved. We cared when they made mistakes. We cried when they lost loved ones. We empathized with those who had other hopes and dreams besides living/working in a mansion.

6. Downton frowned on first names. Lady Cora, Lady Mary, Lord Grantham, Dowager Countess were all used at the dinner table. I don’t think I’ve ever referred to the characters or the actors by their Christian names. They will forever be Lord and Ladies in my vernacular.

Downton has stood the test of time. It’s now a traveling exhibit. It's boosted the British economy. Unfortunately, House of Cards has suffered a real life scandal. Other series have been unceremoniously cancelled. No such undignified tarnishes for Downton. Fans are eagerly awaiting the long-rumored, Downton movie.

I suppose that the latest “binge” shows must deliver at least some of these aspects but obviously none have approached the globally obsessive phenomenon of Downton.

Downton was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon that took millions by surprise. Before Downton, we didn’t like aristocrats, we thought the landed rich were hateful, idle and above all indifferent. Servants had no other lives beyond cooking and cleaning. But Downton disspelled those myths. Downton told us the stories that our great-grandparents never could for one reason or the other. It was more than a window into the past - it was a walk through time. Tears, hope, devastation and understanding could be experienced in each and every episode.

It was an unexpected balm for the harsh and profane world that TV too often reflects. For those who missed it (purposely) you missed a chance to experience another way of life. Ethics and morals were not as important as duty and honor - even the poorest man removed his hat for a woman.

Sentiment and popular series don’t always make good friends but I would wonder how many of you “miss” your characters from other shows? Do you feel their sorrow and elation? Do you even notice if a character wears the wrong cuff links to dinner?

If these "little things" don’t make you crazy, perhaps your favorite shows aren't as binge-worthy as you think they are!