From the vast marble halls, plush libraries, and elaborate dining room, to the plain, yet extremely practical kitchen and servants hall, many of us have found something intriguing about the lives and story of Downton Abbey. For those faithful who have made it through five torrential seasons of drama, mystery, laughter, pain, death, life, love, and war, there is a common appreciation about the topic. I am one of the so-called "faithful". When I first heard about the British television period drama sen in the early twentieth century, I was interested in watching it too. Over the next summer, my room-mates and I spent many an evening watching one or two seasons borrowed from the library. We were soon lured into the majestic residence of Downton Abbey and the lives of it's occupants. For us, we enjoyed watching a tastes of history unfold before us.
For those unfamiliar with the story, I'll give a short synopsis. The story involves a family in Yorkshire, England. They are the land-owners of a very large estate of status, responsibility, and leadership in the community. Not only this however, because their estate also provides jobs for many agricultural families as well as those who work service in the "big" house. The family is composed of two parents and three daughters, a highly respected and witty grandmother, the male heir to the estate and his equally witty and opinionated mother, plus a vast array of suitors for the daughters, farmers, doctors, maids, butlers, footmen, kitchen maids, cooks, and chauffeurs.
With this many characters, one can only imagine the drama that ensues in daily life (or one can imagine the same drama in their own). Many times, this family is faced with the challenges associated with changing times and major events. During the war, their lives were turned upside down. Their beloved England put on a face of grim determination to withstand against oppressors. Withstand they did, at the cost of thousands of lives. Even the Abbey's small community changed. Everyone wanted to be involved in the cause for freedom. After the war, society struggled to find "normal" again, especially where the nobility were concerned. They were learning anew the task of the traditional status-quo of family, place, and responsibility, while the world was heaving and changing from the traumatic event. When the world moves, the people move along too. Each of the the characters are found constantly dealing with major choices and decisions, the struggle to work and live together, how meet conflict from the outside, and finding conflict within themselves.
Upstairs, the lords and ladies work so hard to preserve the tradition and grandeur bequeathed to them. They laid in shadow to their true feelings, always having to put on the face of dignity and respect. Throughout the story, the viewers see the family's struggle to maintain this posture, while struck with inner turmoil to be themselves. Behind closed doors, they are different people, arguing about petty issues and striving against the changing society.
Downstairs, it is the same story. There is tension between the servants and their own hierarchy system. Those who know their place in the house are rewarded for doing a good job. They work hard and are honored to be serving such a respected family, and fight to keep their position in the house, yet many search for something more than what they have. They wish for a life out of service. Conflict within the close-quarters of the Servant's Hall happens on a regular basis.
At the end of the 5th season, I began to think through the story of Downton. It intrigued me more than any other story or show that I've watched (and that doesn't say much, because I haven't watched many television series...). As I rehearsed the drama in my head, I soon became frustrated with the reality of it all.
Downton is reality. It gives a picture of the hopeless searching and unfulfilled life people find for their own lives apart from eternal life in God. Perhaps this is the reason so many enjoy watching the show. They are able to see themselves in the personalities and stories of the characters, as they struggle to make a difference and do something really worthwhile. Instead of "being" anyone important, they just find themselves searching and looking for validation in what they see around them. Downton shows on the screen what reality is for people who have no life in Christ.
Time demands perspective. It moves on and on, to an end. The Creator put the world into motion and order, setting a course till He reigns supreme on earth. What does a person live for when they do not know or believe in a God? There is no hope a part from God. There is no reason to live if there is not a God in control, ruling and reigning over the universe. Downton has no hope. Over and over again, both the lords, ladies, and servants ask themselves if they are doing the right thing at the moment.
Should they do this?
Should they keep this secret?
Are they making a difference?
Is there something more?
What happens when the world changes?
The more and more they question like, the more we see the hopelessness of life.
There is nothing to trust. Some of the episodes reveal the characters attempts to trust the one's they love or their country for safety and security. But people die. War ravages lands. Things change.
One of the most beautiful characteristics of God shown in Scripture is unchangeableness.
"God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind.
Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken,
and will He not fulfill it?"
Numbers 23:19
"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you,
O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
Malachi 3:6
When a person comes to understand (through the Bible) that God does not change, they can trust--ultimately God. And they have hope in living each day and making a difference as they have opportunity. They understand that though time is moving on, there is a Being who hasn't changed since He made the world, and will not change till eternity comes.
Oh, Downton, you are a picture of the world. There are thousands of Edith's, Mary's, Branson's, Lord Grantham's, Carson's, Bates', and Violet's in our world.
We can see them.
We can help them see truth, trust, hope, joy in God.
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