Countdown to Downton (part deux!)

Downtonites... can you stand the anticipation? It's been impossible to miss all the buzz about the third season of BBC's Downton Abbey, kicking off tonight @ 9pm! The Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award winning period drama begins its seven week run in on January 6 and concludes with a ninety-minute finale on February 17. That means there's 9 1/2 hours of Eduardian-upstairs-downstairs drama ahead. What to look forward to... Let's recap the haps at Chez Crawley...

Upstairs... By now we DA fans know that the Countess of Grantham (Cora's) out-spoken and carefree American mother (played by Shirley MacLaine) will arrive at the Abbey and no doubt will try to shake up her in-laws. Look for some witty exchanges between her and the Dowager countess (Dame Maggie Smith, the DA queen of one-liners). Lord Grantham learns that he's lost the "lion-share" of Cora's money in a bad railway investment (YIKES! Very major news); Lady Mary and Mathew Crawley are slated to marry—she'll be a gorgeous bride and she won't even have to change her name or monograms; Scruffy voiced Lady Sybil has eloped to Ireland with the waaay too passionately political-minded chauffeur Branson, and we just learned that she is expecting a child; Lady Edith, the unfortunate awkward middle child is pining for a much older man with war wounds. She is a bit of a bitch, but surely she could do better. Time will tell what karma has in store for her.

Downstairs....Rumor has it that Carson has to break in a new butler; Mr. Bates is still falling on swords and behind bars for something else he hasn't done, leaving a loyal Anna back at the castle  (this story line bores me a bit, I must confess); Ditzy Daisy is still trying to work her way up the downstairs ladder; And what trouble will the wickedly evil former footman Thomas stir up this season? I hear it has to do with his sexuality, and the equally O'Brien is the one stirring up the pot this time. Oooh! The plots thicken. Should be a fun season—Thank you, Julian Fellows!

Isis... Good dog!