How Important are Characters? Look at Downton Abbey

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My daughter:  “How was the final episode of the season for Downton Abbey?”

Me:  “pretty much like the entire season. Boring.”

Her:  “why did you watch it then?”

Me: “you know, costumes and scenery, mainly.”

Her:  “Do you think there will be another season?  will people keep watching?”

Me:  “yes.  People get invested in characters and want to see what will happen to them, regardless of how boring it gets.”

And that’s pretty much the long and short of it.  I love the visual eye-candy of Downton Abbey, but the stories have often been lame, especially this season.  Not sure why–there’s plenty of good “meat” here to investigate and there have been some good forays but not deep enough to really “say” anything.  Still and all, I tuned in each week mainly out of habit, wanting to know what happens next . . . .