Downton Abbey, Season 2 Premier. No Spoilers

Last evening, Rachel and I enjoyed a free screening of the season 2 premier of the surprise hit Downton Abbey. For those of you poor souls too engrossed in 'Swamp People' and the Kardashian crises, Downton Abbey is part of the 'Masterpiece' series on PBS.

The show is set at the dawn of World War I, just as the notorious class system of Victorian England was beginning to fade. Julian Fellowes, writer, brilliantly depicts the inter-relationships of the upper class Grantham family and their house-full of servants. The plot is thick, varied, and delicately woven together.

Watch Season 1 Episodes Here.

Then on to Season 2, which starts this Sunday on PBS.

Having only seen the first episode of season 2, I can not give a full accounting of what's to come. However, I offer these insights (no spoilers).

Any time I progress into season 2 of a favored show, I worry about 2 problems:

1. That the plot will suffer from a loss of continuity from season 1.
2. That the plot will be too disjointed from season 1.

Neither of these is a problem for Downton Abbey, Season 2. I was happy that the premier of season 2 picked up nicely from the final episode of season 1 while avoiding the confusing gap that sometimes accompanies new seasons. Characters retain their same quirky personae, and the major plot lines of season 1 are further developed in a pleasingly consistent manner. There are also a few new plot lines that figure nicely into the existing ones.

You will see all of your favorite characters plus a few new ones. And a few that figure lightly in season 1 appear to be gearing up for more screen presence in season 2. O'Brian is up to her old tricks, Carson is as stodgy and affable as ever, and the two elder sisters continue to battle in a way only sisters can.

Judging from the premier, season 2 is not to be missed.

But do yourself a favor and watch season 1 first; you'll be hopelessly lost without it. And look forward to season 3. That's right! Season 3 has already been announced and is currently in production.

Oh, yeah. One more thing: everybody dies.