Seriously, I watch so many PBS Masterpiece Theater and/or Masterpiece Mystery programs that I find myself thinking with a British accent. I apologise. My behaviour is uncivilised. In my defence, Masterpiece Theater offers some of the best shows on the telly.

I hope you aren’t taking offence at my new practise of spelling words the British way. I realise that it probably looks odd to you, seeings as you’re not British, and it would have driven my mum entirely daffy. Spelling was her favourite subject.

Ok, ok, I’ll stop. It’s too difficult anyway. But I’m serious about thinking with a British accent from watching too much British television.

You’ve got Foyle’s War, a police procedural featuring Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle. DCS Foyle faces off with criminals during and immediately following World War II who are taking advantage of the chaos caused by the war. He is smart, kind, and entirely honourable (again with the British spelling; I can’t seem to stop). He would make a perfect husband for one of my sisters (except for the fact that he is a fictitious character. Drat.).

Call the Midwife is the absolutely beautiful program about four young nurses who come to work with an order of nursing Anglican nuns in the East End of London in the 1950s. The program is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth. The stories are poignant and lovely. The nurses and the nuns work primarily as midwives. I think it’s my favorite television program; I especially like the music – all songs I remember my mother listening to as I grew up.

I couldn’t possibly talk about my favorite Masterpiece Theater programs without bringing up Downton Abbey. So many people have become fans of this show that it’s almost gotten embarrassing to admit that you’re a fan. But I admit it. I AM A FAN. It’s become a bit soap opera-y as of late, I’m afraid. I’m nearly OVER Bates’ brooding and Anna’s heavy sighs, but still…..those beautiful clothes worn by the ladies upstairs. I do wonder if Elizabeth McGovern (who plays Lady Grantham) ever gets tired of smiling. She did have those two episodes where she was sad about Sybil’s death. I must have been a relief to give those cheekbones a break. I am fully and completely addicted to the histrionics that take place both above and below stairs, however. And I would love, simply LOVE, to spend one weekend having a ladies maid who would pick out my clothes and dress me, feed me breakfast in bed, and listen to me complain about my husband without telling a soul (unless she is one of Thomas’ cronies).

But what got me thinking about Masterpiece Theater is that yesterday afternoon I watched my first episode of Sherlock. Oh. My. Heavens. I totally loved it. The acting is fabulous, the story line is clever, and the overall look of the show is spectacular.

I have been enjoying CBS’ version of Sherlock Holmes – Elementary. I think that’s one of the smartest programs on television. I think Jonny Lee Miller nails Sherlock Holmes, or at least how I always pictured him. And I could look at Lucy Liu all day. I think making Dr. Watson a woman was a brilliant change. I hope they keep her sharp and unwilling to back down to Sherlock’s bullying. And Miller’s accent allows me to continue thinking with a British accent as well. Good news for me. Bad news for my friends and family.

Masterpiece Theater’s Sherlock is a bit different, a bit spiffier. I can’t speak much about it because I have only watched the pilot episode. My sister Bec is watching it and has encouraged me to get on board. I will definitely be frantically watching Netflix episodes to catch up with this year’s Season 3.

Funny thing is, I never enjoyed reading Conan Doyle’s stories about Sherlock Holmes. Being such an avid fan of mysteries, I always thought I would. They just wouldn’t hold my interest. I should try them again now that I have moved into the British empire, at least mentally.

And the good news is that the flag of the United Kingdom, the Union Jack, is red, white, and blue, the same colours as the American flag. (I just had to get one more funny spelling in. Now I have to go and check to make sure there is a spare tyre in the boot of my car.)

Do you watch Masterpiece Theater programs? What do you think of them?