Top Five Lines from last night's episode of Downton Abbey

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Downton Abbey, in all its aristocratic glory is just about the hippest, happinest thing going on T.V. these days.

Go figure.

Even several men I know *ahem* are keeping a close watch on the goings on at the big house.

I mean, who can resist? A family with so much money that they have nothing better to do than walk around on their massive estate and talk about what’s going on downstairs with the servants. And servants who are running around ragged, making sure that the people living upstairs have nothing better to do than walk around on their massive estate.

The servants have no idea that the family talks about them all the time.

Or vice versa.

And the talking they all do is some of the most dry, well-written, perfectly-delivered British television screenwriting that I’ve heard in a long time. Especially the zingers.

Can those women deliver the zingers!

The men remain clueless. And lovelorn.

And so, in honor of the great writing, and the equally great acting, taking place on PBS every Sunday night, I thought I’d share with you my top five favorite lines from last night’s episode of Downton Abbey.

5. “Cook him what he likes; not what’s good for him.” Matthew’s mother, Mrs. Crawley, to her cook. Her just-in-case-he-comes-home-from-war-while-I’m-sulking-in-France advice.

4. “I may not be a woman of the world, but I don’t live in a sack.” Mrs. Hughes to Ethel the maid when she finds her in a compromising position with one of the *ahem* convalescing soldiers. Convalescence takes on a whole new meaning in that house.

3. O’Brien: “Be careful Mr. Bates. Thomas is in charge now, and it won’t do to get on his wrong side.”

Mr. Bates: “Is there a right side?”

Oh that Thomas. He’s a stinker!

Source: pbs.org via Shelly on Pinterest

I think my favorite character is Violet, the Dowager Countess, played by Maggie Smith. Whenever she comes on screen, I can't help myself, I just start laughing. The woman can deliver a line like nobody’s business, so she gets my vote for the top two lines of the night.

2. “It’s like living in a second rate hotel where the guests keep arriving and no one seems to leave.”

And the best line of the evening, one which, I am sure, will become a part of our family vernacular for many years to come:

1. “I’m a woman, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose.”

So there you have it. My top five favorite lines from last night’s episode of Downton Abbey.

How about you? Are you watching? Who’s your favorite character?