Downton Abbey fans - Something to tide you over

It's Friday. Getting itchy for another installment of Downton Abbey? Those dresses? Those rooms? The upstairs and downstairs. Besides Lady Mary upstairs, downstairs I just love Mrs. Patmore, who seems to have a wonderful kitchen to create in, and from the looks of it turns out magnificent food for the Crawley's dining pleasure.

Listen, if you can't wait, you can switch gears and begin watching another PBS masterpiece, THE FORSYTE SAGA, written by John Galsworthy, (streaming on Netflix,) and get lost in this Victorian family drama from 1870's to 1920's London. The Forsyte's seem stiffer than the Crawleys, but the story, wardrobe and sets are just as much eye candy, truly if you want to disappear into a story, this is it. Soames, played brilliantly by a frozen Damian Lewis, (now starring in HOMELAND on cable,) is captivating as the husband who is anchored in a belief that he can have anything he wants and that his wife is his property. His wife, Irene, played by the magnificent Gina McKee has a similar haunting quality about her facial expressions that keep one's eyes traveling her face for exposure to what is in her heart. The blue and white ensemble she wears when Uncle Swithin takes her to Robin Hill is enough to make you swoon. Corin Redgrave as Uncle Jolyon is remarkable in his portrayal of the more sympathetic of the Forsyte men. Don't let him fool you.