I am probably one of the only people on the planet who has yet to see a single episode of the Masterpiece Theatre program, ‘Downton Abbey.’

My TV-watching partner, toward whose taste in programs and movies I am typically quite sympathetic, insists that I give it a try tonight – the debut episode of Season 3.

I remain quite skeptical, based on my general antipathy towards stuffy English dramas, especially if they involve aristocratic figures. I can’t ever remember enjoying a movie with Maggie Smith, nor do I care for Jane Austen. I have a general bias against the ‘nobility,’ and can’t imagine caring a whit about their trials and tribulations, even if they are partly being made fun of by those who work in the downstairs section of their manors – unless the latter are plotting murder against the former, and succeeding.

My favorite TV series includ: Twin Peaks, Deadwood, The Wire, The Sopranos, Dexter, Homeland, Walking Dead, Luther, Shameless (British version) and Broadway Empire.

I have, however, enjoyed such lighter fare as Weeds, Nurse Jackie, Sherlock, Doc Martin, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

So, what say you? Will I enjoy Downton Abbey? Or will I feel like I’ve been assigned Jane Austen to read again?