Downton Abbey (2010-15)

Downton Abbey is a costume soap opera that started out with a phenomenal first season. And it kept it up for a bit, but then they fell into a lull in the fourth and fifth seasons. Gladly, they ended strong with an excellent final two episodes, tying nicely everyone's story lines in a touching and emotional way. As a big ensemble drama, there are a lot of characters. And admittedly, some characters have more interesting story lines than others. You try to equally invest in the upstairs aristocrats and the downstairs servants. The separation between the two spheres was distinct but I enjoyed watching their interaction as well.

The characters that last all 6 seasons maintain continuity in a world of change. The great estates of England are in decline by the end of WWI and we watch the times change and the family adapt. It is a period drama, and the time period always played an important part of the story as new technology was introduced and as events unfolded around the world. And time moves very quickly episode to episode. The music and cinematography of Downton Abbey is really pretty too. It takes place in the gorgeous Highclere Castle.

Mary was known for being mean to poor Edith. Their dynamic was always funny to watch. Mr. Carson and Ms. Hughes also had some great banter. But Dame Maggie Smith was was the star of the show with her never ending one-liners.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is not as good as the first, a little less charming. The first was a pleasant surprise that did well with an ensemble cast of older British actors, meriting a sequel.  The premise of the movie mirrors the success of the franchise; having done well with the first hotel, they are seeking to build a second hotel.  The focus is less on the exotic nature of India than it is on the new lives these retirees are building for themselves, complete with jobs and new love interests.  There is a detour in Mumbai, giving the audience a change of scenery from Jaipur, but we see little of the majesty of Mumbai.  The movie is really more character driven than the first, which is why it loses some of its charm.  With characters as old as these, death looms over the hotel, with constant reminders that time is limited.  Naturally, the best part of the movie, as with most Indian-themed movies, is the dancing scene towards the end.  Indian music and dance is so much fun to watch, especially Richard Gere trying to do Bollywood.