In which once upon a time, I called a midwife and Sherlock to Downton Abbey

I haven’t been committed to a show from start to finish since I was sprawled on a twin bed in a dormitory with a gaggle of girlfriends to scream with delight when Ross finally kissed Rachel. Ever since Friends, I’ll watch a show a bit here and there, but I always get bored with it very quickly. I’d rather be reading, I admit.

(So I can’t figure out if I’m excited that I am obsessed with four shows right now or mortified. Probably a bit of both.)

Since I returned from Haiti, I’ve been in full hibernation mode, which means television watching, and ordering Indian food take-out. It’s not pretty but it’s true. Brian is happy to oblige. (And for my fellow non-Britons and non-Americans, let me introduce you to Tunnel Bear. Best $5/month I spend from our Entertainment line of the monthly budget.)

Call the Midwife

Set in the east end of 1950s London, this show follows Jenny Lee, a new midwife, and her co-workers. It’s based on a memoir, but it’s not mawkish or melodramatic in the least. It delves deep into the themes of women and work, birth and life, poverty and privilege, loneliness and community, with such gentle insight. (However, this is one show that Brian does not watch with me, as the occasional birth scenes are a bit too realistic for him to handle with a bowl of popcorn in hand.) Chummy is my favourite character, and I love her a bit too much. Okay, so most of the supporting cast steals the show. Series 1 is running on PBS right now, Series 2 will be on BBC in 2013, but I heard of a possible Christmas special this year, so here’s hoping.

Downton Abbey

Of course. Of course. I’m into series 3 now, watching it from the UK. I love the characters of this show so much, and I am far too attached to each of them. I’ve talked enough about this show, and I won’t give any real spoilers to those of you waiting until January to watch Series 3 on PBS but rest assured: I will never forgive Julian Fellows, and I cried for real.

Sherlock

Sherlock places Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in present day London, and I have lost count of how many times Brian and I say “CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!” while we watch it. It’s smart, interesting, complex, dark, the dialogue is brilliant, and even the cinematography and editing is mind-blowing. Let’s not even talk about Moriarty – okay, let’s: Bloody brilliant bit of casting and acting, absolutely chilling. And go ahead and say his name out loud: Benedict Cumberbatch. Just the best name to come out of Britain in eons, don’t you think? Our biggest problem is staying up too late to watch “just one more episode.” We’re on series 2 by DVD right now. Series 3 comes out next year, I believe, on the BBC.

Once Upon a Time

From the creators of Lost, this drama/fantasy show has layers upon layers upon fairy-tale layers. My friend, Megan, is a dedicated weekly parser-and-reviewer of this show, and that has helped me move from “Hey, this looks good” to “OMG, I can never miss an episode, who wants to talk this over with me right now?”  I watched the Season 1 wrap-up/summary show to catch up and get to know the backstory, so I’m watching Season 2 on ABC as well.

What shows are you watching these days?