Background: For weeks, if not months, friends Kaitie and Mackenzie have been trying to get me to watch Downton Abbey, a British period drama that takes place in the early 20th century. The show follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawleys and their many servants. Romance and clothes and classes and servitude, all with British accents. What’s not to love?

Many sentiments have been tweeted about my stubborn refusal to watch the show.

I finally gave in on Saturday, since the entire first season is on Netflix and my next disc of Veronica Mars hadn’t arrived yet. I binged and am now on the final episode of the first season, a mere 48 hours later. Mackenzie requested a live blogging of my reactions. I doubt this is what she expected, but here it is. I’ll try not to post any spoilers in case you haven’t seen the show and are intrigued by the premise.

Here we go!

9:47 p.m.: I don’t understand why Laura Linney is the one who introduces Masterpiece Theater.

9:48 p.m.: I looooooooooooooove the music.

9:51 p.m.: Aha, World War I is about to begin. We’ve come a long way from the start of the season, when the Titanic had just sunk.

9:55 p.m.: Poor Anna. It’s not exactly unrequited love, but man, it still sucks.

9:57 p.m.: Damn, Netflix isn’t loading…

10:01 p.m.: There we go!

10:02 p.m.: Pregnant? What? Whoa.

10:05 p.m.: I went, “Ugh,” out loud. Kaitie walked in. “I know that scoff,” she says. “That’s the ‘Thomas, you asshole’ scoff.” She’s right.

10: 10 p.m.: “You poor thing. Is there anything worse than losing one’s maid?” #theyarethe1percent

10:12 p.m.: Matthew is dreamy. I’d marry Matthew. Don’t be dumb, Mary!

10: 15 p.m.: Oh noooooooooo. Bates can’t leave! He’s actually a decent human being and O’Brien is a hag. But what is in this letter?

10:19 p.m.: More technical difficulties. Le sigh.

10:23 p.m.: Success! Also, they got phones. Cute.

10:25 p.m.: “Why Granny, you’re a romantic.” “I’ve been called many things, but never that.” Maggie Smith is fantastic.

10:30 p.m.: Can I meet someone who’ll battle with me the way Matthew and Mary do? Ah such chemistry. kthxbye.

10:33 p.m.: “Will you miss me?” “Try not to miss me. It’ll be good practice.” Ahhhhhhhh. I don’t care if it’s not proper. Kiss him, Anna! Damn it.

10:39 p.m.: Sybil is great. What a lovely little first wave feminist!

10:42 p.m.: Everyone keeps talking of this odd business with Bates. Just tell me what it is! Argh.

10:44 p.m.: WOW. Screw you, Edith. I’m glad I don’t have younger sisters (or at least, one like that).

10:46 p.m.: “First electricity, now telephones. Sometimes I feel like I’m living in an H.G. Wells novel.” And, “Put that in your pipe and smoke it!” That last one actually made me lol.

10:50 p.m.: I don’t really care for Daisy. What does William see in her?

10: 52 p.m.: Always with the technical difficulties.

10:57 p.m.: Awww. Bates covered for his wife. Good man, that Bates.

10:59 p.m.: Oh god. I wouldn’t want Thomas being in charge of making me healthy. That seems horrible indeed.

11 p.m.: It’s all going to blow up at the garden party, isn’t it? Calling it now.

11:03 p.m.: Cora and Violet have been getting along this entire episode. It’s weird.

11:05 p.m.: I suddenly have a bad feeling about O’Brien. Cora, watch your back…

11:06 p.m.: oh.my.god. No. Terrible woman. Terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE woman.

11:08 p.m.: Damn. Damn, damn, damn, damn.

11:10 p.m.: THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

11:14 p.m.: Well, at least Bates isn’t leaving. I’m with Lord Grantham on this. I need good news.

11:15 p.m.: Branson! Ah, the dear socialist has barely been in this episode. So cute.

11:16 p.m.: Mother. Effing. Thomas. Ugh.

11:18 p.m.: YES. YOU GO, WILLIAM! Doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do since episode 1.

11:19 p.m.: Yes, go away, Thomas. Good riddance.

11:20 p.m.: “Well, you’ve been under an evil spell.” Perfect description. But hopefully for William’s sake, they won’t be just friends, even if I don’t care for her.

11:22 p.m.: Ha, the phone rings and everyone freezes. I can’t imagine this world.

11:23 p.m.: If Branson and Sybil don’t get together, I might die. Obviously, all I care about are the relationships on this show.

11:25 p.m.: Ooooh. Cold, Mary. But if my sister had called me a slut, I’m not sure I would have been able to control myself either…

11:26 p.m.: I can’t decide if I feel bad for Edith. But…that’s what you get.

11:28 p.m.: That’s right, O’Brien! You read it all wrong! Feeeeeeel the guilt!

11:29 p.m.: Oh nooooooooooooooooo Bates is still married. BUT HE’S KEEN ON HER!

11:31 p.m.: Matthew, don’t leave! No, no, no. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

11:34 p.m.: “I very much regret to announce that we are at war with Germany.” Man. Talk about a cliffhanger. On to Season 2! Which doesn’t air in the United States until January. Hmmmm.