Downton Abbey, Anyone?

For those of us on American soil, season two of Downton Abbey premiered last night.

I've been waiting on bated breath for months to see the new installment (and cursing myself for not living in England since they saw it last summer/fall). I hate to say it but I was a little disappointed. I didn't like that they picked up two years later and I thought that they crammed in all of the juicy bits at the beginning and then the rest was a bit of a snore. I hope things pick up a bit in the succeeding episodes.

I continue to be perplexed by Lady Mary. Just when I think she's getting her head on straight, she goes wandering down a different road. Really? Sir Richard Carlisle? (And poor Iain Glen--he's lost a lot of hair since "Wives and Daughters.") I can't see Mary's motives on pursuing this one. Is she so hard up for a husband that she has to throw herself at the first available bachelor with a million in his pocket? He seems like a foil to the otherwise breathtakingly boring Lavinia Swire. I thought the introduction of her character was rather odd. She's just...there. It seems that more of her story will be divulged in the next episode, but geez... Is she supposed to be a sympathetic character, an obstable, or a baddie? And she has absolutely no chemistry with Matthew. Yes, I am firmly in the Lady Mary and Matthew camp.

I must say that I was rather irritated with Bates' abrupt departure as well. He just got back to Downton (and to lovely loving Anna's arms) and then he has to leave again. There was no gratification in that at all! And what about Sybil and Branson, not to mention Edith and the farmer (who's name escapes me). I was slightly shocked, but in the end, not so surprised given that poor Edith just wants some attention.

In the end, it seems that the war will be convenient background device since we're already to April 1917. Another year or so, right? I'll admit that WWI is not my strong suit!

So for those of you who are loyal Downton followers---what did you think? If you missed last night and want a run down, I found mildly amusing one here. And from what the author says, we're in for a wild ride this season. Hoorah!!