"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." -- unknown

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results - Albert Einstein

Dowton Abbey
February 01, 2011 - 5:41 pm

One of the main plot lines is that the next Earl of the place is very much in doubt. The current Earl doesn't have a direct male heir.. so it seems the title/lands/Abbey is going to pass to some sort of a cousin or other.

The cousin has a rather modernish outlook on things and views the pomp and circumstance of being an Earl... as well, pointless. He, however, doesn't really have a choice in the matter -- if he is next in line, he's next in line.

He moves to the town and steadfastly sets about not letting the lordly lifestyle change him. As an example, he has a valet.. but he refuses to let the valet do his job (e.g. won't let the valet dress him or do his cufflinks).

In a conversation between the Earl and the cousin.. the Earl points out that if the cousin doesn't let the valet do his job... the cousin is effectively 'firing' the valet.

In other words, while its true a great many of the people in the are servants to the Earl's family.. and that family lives a life of... well, extreme leisure. There's this balance. The Earl employs all the servants, so they have jobs... and can buy food and what not. The Earl funds a hospital and various projects in the village.

It's this sort of.. well, to use the word again, balance. Everyone has a place. A role. A function.

It's true enough that skill, aptitude, and merit don't much factor into things... but that's balanced with a sort of security.

This probably isn't coming out quite clear. I'm struggling to find the words.