Downton Abbey: It's not just a show. It's a sickness.

I think I might be obsessed with Downton Abbey.

A couple of months ago, I read an entertainment news article that talked about this "sleeper hit" Downton Abbey.  I had never heard of the show, but upon seeing the words "period drama," I was convinced that I must watch it.  I quickly watched the entire first and second seasons online.  I might add that, at this point, the second season hadn't even premiered in the US yet.

Then, I started watching the repeats of the 1st season that were airing on PBS.

Then, the 2nd season premiered on PBS... and I continued watching it weekly, as well.

After watching an episode on TV, which I had already seen online, I would then go and rewatch my favorite parts online again.

I got sick of fastforwarding through the boring bits, so I started watching fanvids on YouTube.

Still wasn't enough Downton Abbey.  I started looking at IMDB and Wikipedia pages...pictures...and maps.

I am now a walking Downton encyclopedia.  I have seen every episode 3 times or more, have looked at all pictures of all cast members, all Wikipedia and IMDB pages possible, and yes, have even resorted to studying maps of England.  Does it matter where Downton is?  Of course not - it's not a real place.  Though, I have read articles about the estate where it's filmed... I'm not well. 

Oh, and I'm about ready to print out these paper dolls to play with:  http://www.vulture.com/2012/02/print-out-vultures-downton-abbey-paper-dolls.html.  I'm telling you... it's a sickness.

Now, this week was the "finale" of Season 2 on PBS.  I'm kind of in a state of shock.  I don't think it's completely set in that there will be no more Downton Abbey until Season 3 premieres in Europe.  That's at least six months away!  I keep reminding myself that at least there is a Season 3 to look forward to.  But, then I just think more about how I want to watch it right now.

I don't do well with delayed gratification.  I kind of feel like my cat when I go to feed her.  She puts her head down in her dish before I even put the scoop of food in.  If she does not have food deposited immediately, she will try to start eating out of the big container of cat food (bad kitty!).  It has earned her many lectures on delayed gratification and has caused me to engage in countless experiments to determine a way to get the food into her dish without her putting her head in there right away.

Maybe I'm a hypocrite, lecturing my cat on delayed gratification (yes, I use that term when speaking to my cat), when I am hovering on the edge of a nervous breakdown over the prospect of Downton Abbey withdrawal.  I haven't felt this on-edge since I discovered True Blood and devoured the first couple of seasons, watching multiple episodes a day... until I caught up to *gasp* live TV.  Waiting a week between episodes was bad enough.  You can only imagine my dismay at having to wait almost an entire year for the next season.  Luckily, True Blood is not as good as it used to be, so I'm not as depressed about the off-season.  But, now I have Downton Abbey to obsess over!

Is it a little embarrassing that I can be this obsessed with a fictional TV show?  Perhaps.  I feel a bit like a Belieber or something... but I suppose, at least Justin Bieber is real, and 13 year old girls have an excuse as to why they are obsessed with a teenage pop star.  Though, I did put Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens on The List.  But, I figure, being addicted to Downton Abbey has to be way better than being addicted to almost any other TV show, especially reality shows.  Like, I could be addicted to Real Housewives, Teen Mom, The Bachelor, those "true life" murderer shows, Hoarders, Intervention, Toddlers & Tiaras, Jersey Shore, Dance Moms... well, you get my drift.  There are much worse things than Downton Abbey.  And, no I don't actually watch any of those shows.  Ok, maybe I sometimes watch those murderer shows, but that's educational...