The anticipation is over for American fans. PBS has aired the first two-hour installment of Downton Abbey Season 3 and we have had 6 days to digest the goings on of the Crawleys, their friends, relatives and spouses. All week people have been asking me: What are your thoughts?
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Let me confess, I saw the entire series before Christmas and have since dithered. How to review a program that contains a minefield of plot spoilers? I decided to share my thoughts one week at a time. So, without further ado, I’ll break down the first 120 minutes.
Shirley Maclaine as Martha Levinson
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I salivated, I yearned, I couldn’t wait for Shirley’s appearance KNOWING that she would be Maggie Smith’s equal in retorts and sarcasm. Boy, was I wrong. My dreams of epic verbal sparring between two battle axes were dashed, leaving me feeling as flat as a bottle of Champagne left open for too long. The best line was Martha’s opening salvo when she first sees Violet:
Martha: “Oh dear, I’m afraid the war has made old women of us both.”
Violet: “Oh, I wouldn’t say that – but then, I always keep out of the sun.
I expected more zingers between these two characters, but alas they were few and far between. Martha is a brash American who wears her fortune on her person and looks a bit too newly-minted. She also apes her youngers in dress and fashion, a species whom Violet refuses to acknowledge as her sartorial betters.
Martha lacks proper manners, and here is where the Brit writers got her wrong, for Martha lives in Newport, Rhode Island, one of the snobbiest enclaves for the rich in early 20th century America. As Edith Wharton so brilliantly attested in her novels, there is nothing snobbier than a New York/New England socialite. A nouveau riche American trying to make a dent in that upper strata would have to learn to behave. Martha might be gauche and her money might be fresher than yesterday’s salmon, but she would have known about proper etiquette and manners, make no mistake about that.
My biggest surprise was Shirley’s physical presence. Maggie looms large in every scene, whereas Shirley’s hunched figure seemed diminished in contrast to Maggie’s stiff upper lip and upright posture. Worse, there was no connection between Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and Martha (Shirley). The viewer was left to wonder about the back story between mother and daughter. A short but marvelously written scene could have given us insight as to what makes Cora tick, but this never happened. An opportunity lost? You betcha.
Sad violin music for Bates and Anna
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As a member of Team Bates I’ve had enough! Will someone please break Bates out of prison before I start rooting for Thomas? I’m sick of watching Anna and Bates making moon eyes at each other across a prison table. Anna does show some moxie in that she’s determined to sleuth in order to free her man. And who knew that Bates could be so ruthless with his cell mate? No patsy he! Still … I yearn to see Bates and his Anna in a more uplifting story line and it isn’t happening anytime soon.
The dissolution of the finest villanous couple in PBS history
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I’m at a loss for words. Who’d have thunk that the writers would mess with Thomas and O’Brien? I never thought of them as separate entities but as ThomasanObrien. They were always plotting in back corridors as we watched in glee. The reason for their estrangement is so piddly it’s barely worth a mention. Thomas is worried about keeping his job at Downton Abbey and O’Brien’s wants to promote her too tall nephew to footman. THAT’s the conflict. It’s llike asking circus lions to perform a kitten’s trick, or akin to morphing The Clash of the Titans into a bitch fight at a “Real Housewives” party.
The truncated wedding of Mary and Matthew
If you blinked at the wrong time you might have thought that you time travelled. One moment Matthew is making goo goo eyes at his bride at the altar and in the next they are dashing around the countryside in an automobile. No I do’s. No kisses. No tossing of rice, and no cavorting under the sheets in wedded bliss. When the wedding scene was cut short, a gasp went around the room (7 of us viewed the first episode together) and then we shouted – “We wuz robbed!” Anna and the viewers do get a glimpse of Mary and Matthew in bed — much much later. All I could think was: “What if Anna had walked into the room while they were doing IT?” To paraphrase Cher Horowitz in Clueless – “Ewwww.”
Lady Edith, shameless hussy
World War One and influenza did more to reduce Europe’s male population than untold centuries of starvation, hunting accidents, duels, or bar brawls ever did. After 1918, there were a gazillion fertile young women for every man. No wonder Lady Edith set her sight, hooks, and clamps upon Sir Anthony Strallan. While considerably older than the nubile Edith, he’s not all that decrepit a specimen of British aristocratic manhood. He still has his teeth and hair, and can offer her a fine house. While one of his hands can no longer do the job for which it was intended, the other can still unhook Lady Edith’s underthings if Sir Anthony so desired. What else would a young lady of breeding age want? With her biological clock ticking and her eggs shriveling by the minute (and with nothing much else to do), Edith hones in on Sir Anthony like a heat seeking missile, which makes Papa Crawley’s innards crawl The viewer is asked to wonder why, since historically young aristocratic British maidens were SACRIFICED on the altar of land and wealth with nary a blink of an eye by their doting papas.
Tom Branson and his Sybil
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Our former chauffeur turned newspaperman wears ill-fitting suits and cannot let go of his political fervor even at the dinner table. The servants sniff and snort within his vicinity, unable to withhold their disdain for a man who married his BETTER. The servants resort to the tools they know best to put him in his place. When serving him at table, the footmen hold platters of food too high or low for comfort, or for too short a time. Others sling sideway looks and lift their noses as if smelling a putrid excrescence. Violet shows much more tolerance towards Branson, for in her book he has become FAMILY.
As for Saint Sybil, she’s turned into the invisible woman. Branson leaves her in danger in Ireland to save his own hide, and when she finally shows up at the Abbey, she’s pregnant, dowdy, and all but mute. What’s happened to our feisty miss? I’m not feeling her this season and apparently she’s not feeling it either..
Violet, the Inviolate
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In this instance the writers have not messed with perfection. Either that or Maggie Smith is able to rise above hasty script writing. She’s given fewer zingers this go-round, but every utterance is platinum in my book. Do not criticize my Maggie or you will be banished from my blog forever.
In Conclusion
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Let’s face it, the first episode is off to a slow start. The writers are juggling too many story lines, but the main problem with season three is the lack of real conflict. Season One featured the sinking of the Titanic, which killed off Downton’s heir, and Season Two played against the backdrop of World War One. The only thing Season Three has going for it thus far is that the earl has lost Cora’s money out of sheer stupidity by investing all of it in one railway, and that Matthew refuses to save the day with Lavinia’s dead daddy’s money because of his tiresome high-mindedness about having let Lavinia down. Mary’s still willing to marry him and not pull a Clytemnestra, which boggles the mind. Meanwhile, as Daddy Crawley is forced to contemplate selling his books and his beloved dog Isis, and firing all the servants in order to make ends meet, his daughter Mary is spending money on her trousseau like no tomorrow.
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With tepid fare like this, the 120 minutes seemed to drag on. At the end of the first episode, I sang in my best Peggy Lee voice, “Is that all there is?” Well, no. There is more to come and the season does gain momentum. There will be plot twists and turns that will leave viewers stupefied, howling with grief and laughter, or wanting more. Too bad that the first episode barely hinted at the drama to come.
I did a quick survey among friends and colleagues this week and tallied up the scores. Half the people I talked to loved the first episode, the others felt like me. All were let down by Shirley MacLain’s performance, except for one. The best line regarding saving Downton Abbey from bankruptcy came from Market Watch, which asked: “Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you were Earl and Countess of Grantham, what would you do?” One person answered, “I say buy life insurance on Mary and knock her off. Ghastly woman.”
Hah!
Please, in your comments, NO plot spoilers.
The New York Times has an interesting take on the phenomenon that is Downton Abbey
Jane Austen's World 
vic you should be U.S.A. consultant to julian fellowes
he probably has consultants galore but as a brit i can see your insights are special
freda
Freda, I imagine Mr. Fellows would like to use me as target practice just about now! LOL
I agree, I was really looking forward to some great banter between Maggie and Shirley and felt very let down. Especially as there was some build up to this on UK tv. I also think you made a really good point about missing an opportunity to add back story to Cora’s relationship with her mother. That said some later episodes strike some really high notes, absolutely worth sticking around for.
Thanks for not giving away the plot and giving viewers hope. That is exactly what I am thinking. The Crawleys encounter some bumpy roads that they face with fortitude.
I’ve not got the time to refute but I disagree on every count. The series is as good as it ever was, or at least no different. You are judging the characters out of particular prejudices which do not take into account the themes or art of the series. It’s an intense relief and part of the debunking of ritual that eliminated the actual wedding. The point was to expose the stuff before. You were waiting for a cat show between the dowagers? That reminds me of 18th century theater goes waiting for pairs of actresses who to make money presented themselves as cats wanting to pounce. It’s falling for the lowest kind of thing. Edith is honest, and her to-be-husband one of the good men around — who else would expose the viciousness of that trick. And so on and so forth. Ellen
Ellen, 50% of the people who I surveyed would completely agree with you! The series does get better, but I stick with my first and second impressions – the first 120 minutes seem flat.
I AM writing with tongue in cheek, for I am determined not to give away any hints of the upcoming surprises. Having said that, this series is head and shoulders superior to anything out there at present, and I intend to watch it again. Still, I do think the previous Series One and Two opening segments were superior to this one.
I agree with your criticisms of the show. For me, the first series was an enjoyable posh soap opera, but the writing in series two was rather bad. Not impressed so far with this series; I haven’t seen it but eagerly spoiled myself on UK sites….
Head & shoulders superior to anything out there at present? Call the Midwife & The Hour just finished here, so they don’t count. When is Mad Men back? Sherlock is a long way away. Parade’s End is on HBO next month–loved the book & mostly loved the series. (We Sherlock fans often have region-free DVD players!)
You hit the nail on the head! But somehow, it just doesn’t matter. I totally enjoy this show, warts and all. To go spend a hour or two with these people, fashions and settings…ahhhhhhh!!!
There are as many critics as not who seem to agree with me, but as you said, it doesn’t matter. PBS received strikingly high numbers and folks,whether they are disappointed or not, are lapping this series up. I really would prefer to watch a tepid Downton over almost anything that’s shown on TV land these days.
Yep, basically all of the people I know online have had similar reactions – I think the first season, being so different from what’s usually on tv, set us up to hope for a show that handles multiple plotlines and grey-shaded characters better.
Re: Martha’s background, that is such a good point and I didn’t even think of it at the time. JF wanted to use the “nouveau riche American who doesn’t care about your social rules” stereotype and didn’t consider the context (which is very odd as the companion book to the show definitely does mention the intense snobbery of the American elite in the section on trans-Atlantic marriages).
Ellenandjim: You were waiting for a cat show between the dowagers? That reminds me of 18th century theater goes waiting for pairs of actresses who to make money presented themselves as cats wanting to pounce. It’s falling for the lowest kind of thing.
It may be ~low~ (let me fetch my smelling salts), but the promotional material concentrated a lot on their rivalry! They talked it up as the highlight of the season, and didn’t really deliver. But also – no, a “cat show”, which I assume is like a catfight, was not actually what was expected or wanted. Violet always has zingers. Martha was billed as bringing her own zingers. Audiences expected them to trade zingers frequently. If you find that lowbrow and disgusting, I can’t imagine what kind of standards you have.
Yes, it was all the hoopla about Shirley’s arrival that set up our expectations. I did like Violet’s strong sense of family, which shines through in this episode, and we caught a glimpse of Martha’s loyalty towards her three granddaughters. The series does get better and I suggest that people start strapping in their seat belts!
Vic, agree with you on all points. Great and funny review. I’d add that Shirley seems to be incapable of giving a better performance as she may possibly be senile. Where’s the Newport lockjaw? Her Newport socialite daughter doesn’t use it either. Yes, by all means spring Bates out of jail right now. We didn’t buy Sybil not forcing Tom to bring evening clothes and a decent suit. That was annoying hokum. O’Brien has either gained a little weight or has had a little botox. She doesn’t look so evil with her cheeks no longer folded on themselves as they were the last two seasons. I’m rooting for Isis to remain in the series.
I’m rooting right along with you, Patty!
Your review was right on the money. Cora’s mom was “gag me,” and I didn’t get a sense of character at all until she showed a little compassion to Edith. Even singing around the piano didn’t do it. As for Matthew and Mary. . . what was that? There was no passion, not even implied passion, they seemed like a polite, old married couple going through the motions. I’m with you on Anna and Bates and ditto with Thomas and O’Brian.Oh what have they done to my show?????? ~Jen Red~
Yeah, the lack of real passion between Mary and Matthew is one reason the first episode seemed flat. She’s furious with his high-minded reasons for not using Lavinia’s dead daddy’s money to save the Abbey, but the sparks never really fly, do they?
I agree wholeheartedly. I had this sense that Michelle and Dan had a falling out and were just going through the motions. Weird! Remember how thw air was just filled with electricity last year?
My Facebook sisters and I discussed episode one at length last Monday, and the vast majority agreed with you: the wedding scene was far too abrupt. I did love Mary’s gown. So right for the period. I just wish she’d spent as much time in the church as she spent on the staircase! One woman wrote, “When I cried out ‘What about the wedding!’, my husband came running from the other room to see what was the matter!” Indeed. Another savvy woman figured out the problem: “Obviously, we were not on the guest list.”
I also agree completely with your assessment of Shirley MacLaine’s role. For a wealthy, well-traveled woman, she has no manners whatsoever. Shoveling in her food, talking with her mouth full, etc.. I realize it was for comic effect, meant to play up the differences between Brits and Americans, but I found it over the top, along with the bright red hair and lipstick. Too much saloon, not enough salon!
Of course, Dame Maggie gets all the best lines and delivers them with perfection. She’s everyone’s favorite.
“Obviously we were not on the guest list.” Funny.
Your Downton review mirrored my thoughts, but It’s the best darn thing on TV and I wouldn’t miss spending my Sunday evening with the Granthams for anything. That said, I expected Martha to stand toe-to-toe in her t-strap shoes with the indomitable Violet. I was hoping that, although Martha knew the ways of the Vanderbilts and Astors, she would still infuse a bit of American brash and brag into the English tea. My fingers are crossed.
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The model the writers used for Martha is Molly Brown, a brash real life American, who did hobnob with some of her betters but who never quite cracked Newport or New York Society. Had the writers given Shirley’s Martha some of Molly’s wit and wisdom and legendary charm (or had Shirley infused some of her own charm into the character), I might have been wooed by Mrs. Levinson.
There are no “writers.” Sir Julian Kitchener-Fellowes had co-writers for two episodes in Series 1. Since then, he has been the only writer. His wife is his editor.
It has been announced that he is working on a series about the American Gilded Age for NBC. His handling of Martha made me hope he does more research. Or, perhaps, NBC will ask him to consider the “writing team” approach–with pre-planned character & plot arcs….
If the model was indeed Molly Brown, Debby Reynolds is still available and could have resurrected her movie role as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” which was very effective. Now that would have been something to behold “Tammy and The Bachelor” vs “The Prime of Ms. Jean Brodie.”
Include me in the “disappointed” category relative to Shirley MacLaine. It seems that, having introduced her as the “ugly American” and the supposed foil to Violet, they didn’t know what to do with her after a few scenes. The only promising scene was her taking Edith’s side, but there should have been more of it. Too bad.
I was disappointed with Sybil given so little substance. Where she briefly talked to Mary and told her Branson is “a wonderful, wonderful man” I wish Mary had asked her about her life in Dublin. Did the live with Tom’s mother? Where did she work? Is she happy?
I’ve read that scenes showing Sybil and Tom’s life in Dublin were shot. They were not used.
Oh I almost wish I did not know that, but thanks. It’s too late now but I think their relationship was shortchanged all around. The scenes in Dublin would have added a lot to the series since the “Irish Trouble” was a major development during that time.
Brava, Vic! I’m with you 100%. What a dragging disappointment. Usually, Fellowes sacrifices characters to plot (and os spectacularly bad at writing women. Cora, especially acts like a child a great deal. And “have gun will travel”? Really?), but this time he sacrificed plot and character. If they had one more dinner, I thought I’d lose my mind. A bit annoyed at how he had Edith practically browbeat Sir Anthony into an engagement. I heard Fellowes say in an interview he hopes to tell the story of the New York set in a future project. The man better really do his research and get an advisor for that!
You and I so often have the same opinion, Christine! Are you sure we weren’t separated at birth?
I happily claim you as sister, Vic!
I was not that disappointed with Martha as everyone seems to be. I did not need to or had the notion to prewrite Downton as most do because they want to see this or that. The scene I loved was how she used all her wit to save the big party when no one could deal with the mess of the broken stove. Truly an American trait, dealing with the unexpected and dealing with being ill equipped. That being said…I hope I can see her interact with Cora more. And I was confused we did not see more of Mary’s and Matthew’s wedding.
That’s precisely what my friend, who liked Martha, said. I think I came in with expectations that poor Shirley probably couldn’t meet, having loved her quirky roles in so many films. Glad you liked her performance.
Vic, besides the fact that you have described my own views of the episode to a “t”, this is a superb piece of writing — must say it again — superb!
*blush* Thank you, Jean.
Sorry I was unable to see Season 3 last Sunday but I did enjoy 1&2 like many others. As a watcher of costume dramas for years on Masterpiece I am so thrilled they have become popular with the masses again. The fact that some folks liked it and some didn’t doesn’t matter so much, it is just great to listen to the audience debate! Case in point, re: the recent movie “Lincoln” ……some/most have loved it while a good friend found it “boring and awful” (?)- well, to each his own! My fav costume drama of all time? “Poldark” (c.1975), also from Masterpiece. It’s on Netflix and wonderful, give it a try!
One of my friends loathed Lincoln, while I loved it. I am fully aware that some folks will disagree with my take on Episode One. As you say, the debate is half the fun.
Vic: You absolutely nailed the season opener! For Downton Abbey fans it was not to be missed but I’m glad I wasn’t the only one saying, “Wait…hold up there!” when the Matthew/Mary wedding (and honeymoon) flew by. So disappointing. I also thought it was disturbing when Anna just traipsed into their bedroom–the newly wedded bedroom, no less. And I agree with your comments on Sybil. She was definitely the shrinking woman. Branson’s rantings made me wonder, too–was he Catholic? Yet nothing is ever said about that. And were they married by a Catholic priest? I can imagine an aristocratic English family would have had a problem with that especially if she had to convert. It would be more realistic for her to have expressed some difficulty adjusting to what had to be a foreign culture. Then he could be solicitous of her and we could feel better about his rantings. (And I’m Irish!)
I’m looking forward to your comments on other episodes!!
Regan
http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com
Great point about Tom’s religion. I do wonder why it doesn’t come up, unless he is a protestant Irishman? Does anyone know?
Well, we know he’s not a member of what was once called the Protestant Ascendancy and generally it was the Irish Catholics who railed against the British.
Were there Protestant Irishman at that time who safely existed in the community? He’s very much in the public eye. He’s a journalist now.
There were Protestant Irish, of course. The Irish Ascendency were Protestant. But the more militant and vocal Irish were Catholics arguing for equality England’s law did not always give them (until the Emancipation Act of 1829 Catholics could not sit in the House of Commons). And because of how strident Tom is, I thought he might be Catholic though his religion is never brought up. The family seemed more concerned he was the chauffeur.
Great review, and so many points I agree with! Martha Levinson was a real disappointment. And where on earth is Sybil’s spunk this season? You raised a real good point there too about Edith–why would her father object to her marrying an aristocrat with land and title? Like you said, he’s got all his teeth AND his hair. Better have her securely married off then left a spinster to care for them in their old age (which they didn’t seem to keen on if I remember correctly). Looking forward to your reviews as the series goes along!
Thanks, Diana. I did wonder about the earl’s vociferous objections. It’s not as if Lord Anthony is destitute or unable to care for his wife. Very odd, considering that age rarely played into whether a woman should marry an eligible man.
I haven’t seen episode 2, but perhaps Lord G knows something about Edith’s intended that we don’t? Otherwise, his reluctance to accept Anthony runs counter to the mores of his class.
This show should be called “The Right Honourable Jerome McGuire”. The only constant thread has been what did happen/is happening/will happen to the Crawley fortune, which is desperately needed to keep the house in existence. Whomever shows up next, the servants will line up in the driveway and all shout, “Show me the money – Sir!”
-Consider Lord Crawley married an American because of her dowry. The fact he fell in love with her, and she has a real brain, and is still a cupcake at fifty, is just gravy to him.
-The death of the Titanic cousin is not a tragedy leaving an emotional gap in the family – it is a loss of the money to a stranger. Not one person has said that s/he misses the poor drowned man. I am really waiting to see what happens when he shows up again.
-Mary is genuinely in love with her husband – until she finds he does not want to accept the large inheritance from his former father-in-law. Sorry, babe. That’s what you get for marrying a man with a sense of honour, which to you is baggage.
-Shirley Maclaine is welcomed as a possible source of money and that fizzles.
-And now the greatest tragedy – Robert put all the money in the Grand Trunk Railroad, which went bankrupt when its clever president, Charles Melville Hayes, died. (Seriously, he went down on the Titanic. He was returning from London, where he had sold British investors a bill of goods about the future of the railroad.)
So, the family is without its defining center – its pouka, as the Irish would say.
Loved this analysis.
I agree with your review on all counts; it was spot on. Especially about Mary and Matthew’s wedding: don’t blink, you’ll miss….you missed it! After all the folderol about will they, won’t they, at least we could have had the ceremony, the reception, the going away part (especially in that lovely dress). The one nice touch about the wedding, though, was Mary coming down the stairs—and BOTH her proud papas (you have to count Carson) beaming upon her. Loved that moment.
Yes, that last image on the post has both papas looking up at Mary. Very nice.
My parents and I enjoyed the 2 hour episode. My parents were disappointed in Martha and though I picked up on her social gaucheness (I visited Mrs. Astor’s cottage in Newport [living history tours] many times before it was sold to a private owner) I still liked Martha. She shook things up a bit and had some funny lines. I thought she was based on Mamie Fish, who liked to flout social convention yet remained one of Society’s hostesses. No one can compare to the Dowager Countess though. I hated Sybil. Ugh! She lost her personality when she decided to run away with Tom. I’m eager to see what happens between Thomas and O’Brien. I wish Bates would be freed and that he and Anna would live happily ever after but it IS a soap opera so you know they have to have drama. I have mixed feelings about this season and don’t really want to watch the melodrama but we have a new HDTV and FIOS cable and my parents will be watching so… I have to stick it out this season at least and just expect lots of plot devices I don’t like.
You’ll be in for a lot of twists. I hope you’ll like a few of them!
I agree, Shirley McClaine’s performance was a let down. Her posture indeed horrid – I have better posture and I have scoliosis, fused vertebrae, and bulging disks! – and I was also expecting more between Martha and Violet. It was such a let down. As for her manners, I’m sure a woman who is part of New York’s high society would know you never clean your plate.
My take on O’Brien and Thomas: I saw it coming. Their relationship had a few rough moments last season, remember when he made fun of the poor shell shocked valet in front of her and she snapped at him? Or how she said she would not see Cora or her family hurt and he scoffed at her? My favorite is when she warned him about the black market, and even quoted the Bard – who knew O’Brien knew Hamlet? – It seemed to me then that they were on their way to being on the outs. I wonder how far it will go though. I’m curious I like seeing them on opposing sides.
I feel jipped with the wedding too! I was sure they cut something out there, since PBS is known to cut a minute or two of footage. I noticed last season they cut the moment from the premiere when the ladies handing out the white feathers try to give one to Branson. I’m hoping there is more on the DVD. If not, then we really did get jipped.
Violet’s one liners do seem a little few and far between, but I would never deam of thinking less of Ms. Smith. She is a jem of an actress and deserves every bit of those Emmy’s she’s one for Violet. My favorite line so far is “I mistook you for a waiter.” Priceless! And I do love how she is on Branson’s side. Seeing her and Isobel pull a What Not To Wear: Downton Abbey Edition on Branson was great. The fact that to her, he’s family, makes me love her more.
I can’t wait until tonight for the next episode!
I’d forgotten about Obrien and Thomas beginning to pull apart last season. Still, I do love how they plot on. Let’s see what happens, shall we?
I do love their individual plotting too! I think we shall watch on to see what happens next.
I haven’t seen series 3 before the current PBS run. But I’ve let myself be thoroughly spoiled. (No, I’m not even going to hint.)
One episode on ITV ended as Mary walked up the aisle. The next began with her & Matthew arriving from their honeymoon. They were edited together but nothing was removed. I doubt the people editing for PBS (this is usually done by the UK production company) would have removed “money shots” like the wedding. It was probably considered too expensive to shoot.
Too bad, because “the pretty” is my favorite part of the show after the shambolic writing for Series 2. Yet another reason I’m already bored by the prison scenes….
That’s a shame. But it explains the choppy and abrupt editing there.
I almost forgot, Edith and Anthony! I love the two of them together. In fact, I apploud her for knowing what she wants and not being afraid to go after it. He’s a good catch. I can’t understand her family’s sudden atitude change toward him. Before the war, they were glad to see her being courted by him, and now they want to prevent it! He’s not terribly old, and you make an excellelnt point, he still has his hair and teeth! Not to mention the age old custom of marrying off your daughter to man with the best fortune, regardless of age. I’m sure only 50 short years ago it would already be a done deal!
I recognized the song (“Let me call you sweetheart”) during the indoor picnic party. It was sung in “Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story” (2000).
Hi Vic,
Most of your assessments were right on. I am beginning to wonder if Bates really IS guilty! (I am in the minority here, I’m sure, but I am not a fan of that storyline at all – I use those scenes to powder my nose as my husband watches.) (The SHOW. Not me powdering my nose!)
I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo disappointed about the wedding!! I can only imagine that the BBC didn’t have enough money for a big wedding “production” either!
Thanks so much for your review! I included it in my new daily “newspaper.” :)
Colette
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I resent Mr Fellowe’s misspelling of my name. Seriously, I think the reason for Mrs Levinson’s crudeness and lack of manners in the script is due to typical British hate/love relationship with all things Yankee. They temper their envy with a large dose of belief in their cultural superiority. While we in the US know a rich widow from Newport would have done eveything possible, short of elocution lessons ( and maybe even that!) to be the mannerly equal of the British aristocracy, the British public, for whom Downton is primarily created, would not. They enjoy seeing us as cowboys and hicks.
First of all, Vic, thanks for continuing this column. I’ve always felt it was filled with great information. (I continually refer back to the Highclere Castle page for it’s great backround on the house.)
Having said that, you are just about right on as to Ep. 1. And without giving anything away, most of the UK reviews were almost as negative about plot points, etc. I felt after last week that the series had lost it’s way a bit. Ep. 2 seems a little improved but this season is starting to look like an uphill climb. That in itself makes me sad.
Hi Vic….just so you know when you asked for us not to include “spoilers” in our comments, this should also apply to yourself……here on the west coast, the only spot we’ve seen about the impending situation in Ireland and Lady Sybil and Toms’ separation is a short glimpse on the preview for next weeks’ (Jan. 20th) episode. Any more information that you’ve told us thus far, would be a “spoiler” in many eyes….however, I do love the chat banter about all aspects of the show you and your bloggers do, I’m glad to be a part of it either way. (and point of fact, I don’t mind a bit of spoiler myself, but others might). I’m sure you didn’t intend to give much away in any case…….
I don’t think Vic gave anything away, we’ve seen the same preview on the east coast and it makes it pretty clear that Branson has left Sybil to save himself per Lord Grantham’s outburst in the preview.
I continue to be most annoyed by the missing wedding. And I don’t buy the lack of money or time explanation. They’re all already dressed to the nines and in the church. How hard is it to cut to the ‘man and wife’ line and a quick church exit? Saving money would be Mary walking out of Downton on her father’s arm, en route to the church, and then cutting to the honeymoon return. No church location shoot with lots of costumes and extras. Which is expensive already. Nope. It’s plain old bad storytelling. Two years of ‘will they?’, ‘won’t they’ means we see the wedding.
Hi Vic, I live in Richmond, VA too! Small world! About Downton – I was very disappointed with Shirley Maclaine’s appearance too. What a let down. The writers really missed a great opportunity.
Upset over them not showing Mary and Matthew’s wedding too.
I would like to add one positive and no doubt out-of-left-field comment about the first episode. I hope I’m not the only viewer who greatly enjoys the automobiles that grace this series, but I have to say that Martha’s entrance was saved for me by her stunning red car with the pristine whitewall tires. Shirley Maclaine may not have accurately represented America, but that vehicle certainly did. And lets face it, the interplay of the two cultures is one of the cornerstones of this story. I think if you go online and take another look at that scene you’ll agree that the car says as much as any of the humans.
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I had the same thoughts as I saw those magnificent cars roll up to the house. Old cars are a visual pleasure to me. I would love to know how the producers chose them, where they got them from, etc. Maybe someday there might be a good book about the making of Downton Abbey with all the fascinating details, material and personal.
Sheesh! Did you like ANYthing about episode one? I guess I’m not dissappointed because I had no preconceived notions about what “should” have happened (especially regarding Shirley’s character), and I’m not going to judge a whole season by one episode. Typical critic – not happy with anything.
Well, I did write some positive views, and added in my conclusion: “There is more to come and the season does gain momentum. There will be plot twists and turns that will leave viewers stupefied, howling with grief and laughter, or wanting more. Too bad that the first episode barely hinted at the drama to come.”
I also mentioned that 50% of those who viewed Ep 1 with me liked it, and 50% agreed with me about Ep 1 only. I have not reviewed the other 6 episodes yet. Be that as it may, there are plenty of blogs and websites that offer glowing reviews. To each their own. In this instance, I chose a tongue in cheek response to a truly snooze-worthy first episode.