Lightning doesn't strike twice. It's been proven time and time again with second seasons of TV Shows that hit it big and become cultural phenomenons in the first season. GLEE was practically perfect it's first season and then fell short it's second season and has fallen even shorter in it's third season. I was enthralled with the first season of THE GOOD WIFE and completely let down by the following one. The list goes on and on.....LOST, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, MAD MEN, etc. I fell in love with and became completely obsessed with DOWNTON ABBEY when it premiered in January of 2011. I was too young when UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS swept the nation in the early seventies and I was so excited to see this new gift from Masterpiece Classic. With a Cast of some of the best Brits in the business and a welcome return to acting by Elizabeth McGovern, the first season was a delicious mix of romance, elegance, and style that hadn't been seen on TV in several years. DOWNTON ABBEY became an Event and won several awards. I, along with most of America, counted the days and months until the second season premiere this past January. I had hoped that the integrity and uncompromising brilliance of the first season would carry into the new season. It was about 45 minutes into the 2nd season Premiere that I realized my expectations were too high. And as each week has gone by, I have found myself increasingly disappointed. The "soap opera" element has been pushed too much. Paralyzed victims suddenly realize they can walk, a Housemaid begins an affair with the Patriarch of the family, vindictive ex-wives are murdered so there can be a trial....etc. Maggie Smith was such a standout in the first season, but has been pushed off to the sidelines in this season. She enters, makes a quip, and exits. It seems that in an effort to get thru the War and the years so we can enter the 1920's, storylines have been rushed and characters motives have no true meaning behind them. Instead of being swept away each week as I was with the first season, I found myself just mildly entertained each week and not invested into either the characters or the dramatic situations. My hope for the third season is that the focus gets back to the relationships. Less drama and more solid storytelling. This season is still worlds above what most of TV has to offer, but it was an absolute comedown. Hopefully Season 3 will raise the bar, just as Season 1 did!!!
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