If anyone else is keeping up with 'Downton Abbey' (flying my geeky PBS flag freely for all to see) you will know that one of the characters, Mrs. Isobel Crawley, is being actively pursued by a wealthy widower. In last weeks episode she met his two ADULT sons who were complete and total douchebags to her. Insulting her at the dinner table (at the Crawley's own home) in the most ill-mannered, discourteous way and forcing her to reconsider the proposal. The oldest son was summarily thrown out of the house by Lord Grantham and his son-in-law for his behavior and chastised by his own father as well.

However, I find the similarities striking. This series takes place in the 1920's and step-hell transcends the generations. I'm not sure, until the season finale next week, what choice Mrs. Crawley will make. She was encouraged by the Dowager Countess to not allow her fiancée's children determine their happiness but it's a lot easier than it sounds, as we all know too well. Just found the parallels interesting...