Oh, my, Upstairs Downstairs turned down a darker road in the second episode, which can be seen online this week until May 24th.
The arrival of parlor maid, Rachel Perlmutter, changes the mood of the show from light-hearted to somber. She is a Jewish refugee from Germany who is forced to work as a maid, a career that is dangerous to her asthmatic condition.
Rachel (Helen Bradbury) suffers from asthma, which strikes her at the most unexpected moments.
Race and prejudice are the very obvious subtexts of this episode, in which Mr. Amanjit, who at first lived apart from the staff, is slowly accepted downstairs.
This scene, in which Mr. Amanjit was invited to listen to music on the radio, was most gratifying
Harry Spargo, the chauffeur, has developed a political interest that is typical of many people in the 1930’s, but his leanings are towards the far right and with the black shirts of Oswald Mosley’s fascist party.
Harrys social politics will place him at odds with the family and lead to tragedy belowstairs
A bored Ladie Percie flirts with danger as she pursues the chauffeur and his interests.
Bored and rebellious are not a good combination in the mind of a none too bright woman. Lady Percie races up the stairs to join an unsuspecting Harry at a far right rally.
And Agnes, the mistress, is pregnant.
A montage shows the stages of Agness pregnancy in swift succession
While I liked that Upstairs Downstairs embraced the many social upheavals of pre-war Britain, the one hour format is too rushed for these complex plot developments. I know the original series was based on one-hour shows, but back then each episode centered on one plot line that was often developed over several episodes. There were too many holes in the various plots that have been introduced and this series seems rushed, giving almost no time to character development. I hope that the pace slows down in Season 2 next year. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to see what develops in Episode 3, for at this point the twists and turns have intrigued me.
I must admit to being disappointed with the costumes, which did not appeal to me at all.
Other Upstairs Downstairs posts on this blog:
Jane Austen's World 
Vic, yes, you’re so right – the plot is rushed. The acting is great and the only thing that saves this series. What bothers me is the lack of logic in the plot. Lady Percie should be seen perhaps insincerely receiving young eligible suitors instead of just chasing after Harry. And wouldn’t the butler or just about anyone else on the staff report Upstairs that Harry is a nutty black shirt? When Lady Percie is brought back from the police station, wasn’t she wearing her black shirt outfit? So, Upstairs should know that she’s on the wrong side, but there’s no evidence of this in the plot.
I agree that the plotline is terribly rushed, we barely got to know Rachel in this episode, and I find it hard to believe that Lady Percie in just one episode has become such an ardent Blackshirt/facist. So far, I’m finding the servants more interesting then the aristocrats upstairs, apart from Eileen Atkins as Sir Hallam’s mother.
I’m disappointed with Rose. The Rose from the original series wouldn’t have sat down to eat with a uniformed fascist or backed down from what she knew was right. Unfortunately, in this plot, the upstairs folks are the more interesting!
I am not impressed by the butler,definitely, no Mr Hudson who often carried the show, and his constant meanderings about his old cruise line. As for the constantly smoking cook….
As a fan who bought every volume of the original’s VHS tapes, I feel these characters show the weakness of the British, not their strength. Will these folks stand firm under German attack in a few years? Not if they have to depend upon the folks downstairs.
As for her ladyship, who can barely bring herself to be civil to her servants or an orphaned child, she and her sister are characters one loves to hate.
I completely agree with that analysis. I was very excited when I got the DVD of the 2010 series, but after seeing the first couple of episodes, I was deeply disappointed!
The whole lot was a load of codswallop and is not what we expect from the BBC, I must admit that the only reason I watched the complete series,1 & 2, was Claire Foy. who has fascinated me since first seeing her in “Little Dorrit”;(a production of the highest standard which we expect from the Beeb) and who I always see as Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
To me she has the look and feel of Elizabeth written all over her and I do think it’s time the BBC did another production with Claire in the roll of Elizabeth and Richard Armitage as Mr Darcy.
What comparisons we would then have with the 1995 production.:o)
Codswallop. Must find numerous ways to use the word this weekend. Love it!
Yes; but what about Miss Foy as Miss Bennet?
Would you not agree that her looks and stature are more in keeping with Miss Austen’s description than was Miss Ehle, who though magnificent in the part and having the perfect face is somewhat statuesque and seems to tower over all her sisters in the series and pretty well everybody else, whereas Elizabeth is rather petite (that is what I’ve always felt) and Miss Foy gives that impression?
This series is badly written. It commits the sin that the original Upstairs, Downstairs never did–it’s heavy-handed. The characters are cartoons.
After reading a few blogs and responses to UD I’m concurring that the pace is way too fast for us to buy into the whole story. Having said that, I’m still hooked. I had expected quality from UD. Do you think the producers were merely trying to save money or is there a perception that viewers won’t be able to maintain attention for longer episodes and more detailed stories?
I’ve wondered about that, Karen. I think they were trying to adhere to the original UpDown 1 hour episodes, and (I suspect) the producers did not enjoy the spectacular budget of Downton Abbey, one of the most expensive made for television series ever produced.
Given the limitations, I am still enjoying this series.
It’s amazing how similar – no make that identical – one of the story lines of UD is to Downton Abbey. Last week, when the Lady Percie appeared interested in the chauffeur, I thought, “This looks familiar.” Then last night, she goes to a political rally, things get out of hand, and she comes home injured – exactly like Downton. Coincidence? Of course Downton totally stole the flower show competition story from an old WW2 movie that I saw recently. What was the name of it, anybody?
Mrs Miniver! I have been on about that since I saw it. Totally lifted!
This must seem like a silly question but what was the cause of Rachel’s death? Was it her asthma? Or did she commit suicide? It all happened so quickly that I was left wondering. And it’s been so long since I’ve seen Ark Malik (absolutely loved him in Jewels in the Crown all those years ago) that I almost didn’t recognise him until I saw him listed in the credits.
She died from asthma. The condition is that serious. However, I agree with you – the episode was so rushed that much of it was confusing.
Shannon: I’ve seen that movie, too, and I believe it stars Greer Garson or was it another PBS series? I cannot remember it and its been driving me crazy since I saw it in Downton. Anyone else with a better memory?
Yes! It was Greer Garson. Thanks, Susu. So I looked up the movie – Mrs. Miniver. I couldn’t believe the writers of Downton so obviously copied that story line.
[…] Upstairs Downstairs, Second Episode […]
Finally watched it! A big problem for me is that the costumes and sets are gorgeous but none of the characters is compelling. The show lacks the sense of camaraderie and family that the original series had, especially downstairs. The new butler lacks the conviction and authority of Hudson, and the new cook is not a maternal character like Mrs. Bridges; I think it’s right not to make the new characters copies of the originals, but these new ones lack personality. Upstairs, Persey is a brat, Maud’s nutty, and Hallam and Agnes are not much besides social climbers. And I agree with the commenter who said the previous incarnation of Rose wouldn’t have gone along with the crowd and given in to the chaffeur — she always stood up for what she believed in.
As far as political demonstration episodes, the old one of Elizabeth Bellamy and Rose getting arrested as suffragettes and the ensuing hunger strike was far better done. And Rachel’s secret of having a child seemed borrowed from “Berkeley Square,” but Rachel’s story is more complex, too much so for her short lifespan on the show.
Shirley @ Austen in Boston ~ http://janeausteninboston.wordpress.com/
I watched the first two episodes this afternoon with four friends. We all enjoyed it very much, though we were not blind to its faults! I will reserve judgement on until I’ve seen it all.
Considering the negative response to “UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS”, I was prepared to be disappointed. To my surprise, I enjoyed it very much – especially this second episode. Although I suspect that “DOWNTON ABBEY” might be a little better, “UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS” has one major virtue over the Julian Fellowes series . . . the servants are portrayed with more ambiguity – with the exception of Art Malik’s character. And I still liked him.
The particular quality that attracted me to the show in the first place was its originality. This is sadly lacking in this new version. I was really excited and rushed to get the DVD of the 2010 series, but having seen it, I believe I have been finally cured of my addiction to the series!