Dowton Abbey Season 4 image, courtesy PBS
After Matthew’s shocking death, we couldn’t wait for Dowton Abbey Season 4 to begin, certain that we would be grieving alongside his widow and family at the funeral. As we now know, this did not happen. The action, as it were, began six months after the tragedy. Enough of sorrow. So many reviews of DA now exist, that I thought I’d turn the table a bit. I’d love your reactions to my tongue in cheek observations for Epis 1 & 2:
1. Lady Mary’s wooden with grief, or Lady Mary’s always wooden.
2. Edith’s a hussy; her public passion (in a restaurant, of all places) went beyond the boundaries of good taste, or Edith’s finally getting some – good for her.
3. Mrs. Patmore and Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham, have so much in common – they could stand to lose a tad of weight, or they’re so old-fashioned, their heads are screwed on backwards.
4. Violet’s quips are becoming predictable, or the dowager duchess will never wear thin. The Abbey simply isn’t the Abbey without her.
5. Lady Cora showed some feistiness in firing that awful nanny, or Lady Cora has the worst taste in ladies maids.
6. John Bates and his Anna will produce a Batesy Jr., or (after Green’s awful assault) we don’t know what will happen to Bates and his Anna.
7. Tom Cullen as Lord Anthony Gillingham will make a splendid suitor for Mary, or Tom Cullen holds no candle to Matthew (Dan Stevens.) Alternate observation: It’s a bit too soon, isn’t it, to hint of a new guy for Mary? or it’s about time that Lady Mary’s knickers get twisted.
8. Alfred and Jimmy will come to fisticuffs over Ivy, or Daisy and Ivy will have a major food fight over Jimmy.
9. Molesley will prefer ditch digging over working as a footman, or he will trip Carson on the stairs and ascend to the title of Butler.
10. I miss O’Brien, or I’m glad she’s gone.
Please let me know your thoughts or provide a few observations of your own.
Note: In past years, I spent hours pulling images from the review DVDs that PBS sent us. Last year, parent company Universal frowned on another blogger’s similar actions (I am not sure she wants me to reveal her blog), taking the punitive step of notifying Google, which blackballed the blog and drove numbers precipitously down. I have spent arduous hours deleting my pulled images from the many Downton Abbey posts on this blog and from the web. I will no longer pull images on my own and will use only materials released for publicity. PBS has been nothing but supportive of me, and I thank the organization for including me in those heady early years. – Vic
Jane Austen's World 
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on that abysmally snobbish chronicle – good questions! I’d say: 1. always wooden. 2. Good for Edith! 3.Both. 4. I LOVE old granny duchess (and anything Maggie Smith does). 5. Cora – worst taste. 6. Probably a junior. 7. Who cares. 8. Don’t know. 9. Ditch digging is better. 10. Didn’t like O’Brien.
From a Socialist point of view, this show is beyond disgusting. Nevertheless, I watch it online. Female privilege to be inconsistent.
Best,
Lynne
This show is rather addictive, isn’t it? One knows that certain foods are bad for you, yet one is still mysteriously drawn towards eating them. This show, no matter how many shoes I toss at the screen, still holds my attention.
Vic, great spoof. Missing a couple –
Violation is a sad reoccurring theme in the series or who next can stir up the otherwise stogy plot with another violation?
Will the babies of dead cast members turn into brats or will they be well-adjusted and make the series bland?
Rose was subdued and learned to be a young lady in the latest 1 and 2 or when will she get back to adulterous amours strength?
Will Isis get dognapped again?
Your all important point about Isis is well taken. It is 1922 now, which means the dog is over 10 years old. Shall the family weep and hold a funeral when the earl’s dear canine expires, or shall Fellowes ignore it and continue with DA action 6 months later?
Just to clarify, the person using the name Patty below is not the same Patty who wrote many posts here and I’m wondering why this hasn’t been corrected despite my email.
Hi Patty, I added an S to the other Patty. WordPress does not block similar names when people add comments. Vic
I was disappointed in Episode 1 – or so I thought – then I was pulled to rewatch it when it aired again on Wednesday (in Minnesota, anyway) – and picked up things that made it make more sense. Then I found some intriguing things happen in Episode 2. At least they are introducing new plot twists. But the questions I have are – will Anna get pregnant from the rape and Bates knows he is sterile so thinks she was unfaithful, why is Tom being so stupid to confide in Braithwaite – didn’t he learn his lesson when she was a parlormaid and got the sack – but then who else can he confide in – at least he had Matthew before he died. Edith’s boyfriend is less a wimp than I thought – and physically he reminds me of the guy who dumped her at the altar. Rose will scheme to get to London and meet the fellow who was visiting for the house party. and how boring was it for the ladies at the houseparty – other than walking, what else did they do the whole time?
Patty, the daily routine must have been insufferably boring for the upper crust ladies. I can imagine that Rose was just itching to live LIFE and escape her restraints. I rather liked the young man who came to make sure that she arrived home safe and wonder if there will be an interesting story line here. As for Tom’s stupidity regarding his confiding to Edna, all I can say is that Fellowes should leave this story line alone and allow Tom to keep growing in strength and leadership. it would be a stupid, stupid move if he mired Tom in Edna’s muck.
I must say after watching Episode 2, I am so disgusted with the writing, I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch the rest of the season! Here are my opinions on your questions:
1. Mary is always wooden, but she knows it
2. Edith’s a bit of a hussy right now
3. Mrs. Patmore and Lord Grantham are a bit too old-fashioned, but that’s ok
4. The Dowager will never wear thin . . . I love all her zingers!
5. Lady Cora is so gullible when it comes to ladies’ maids!
6. Anna will probably produce a baby, but not sure if it will be Bates or Green’s . . . this is the worst story line of all time
7. Lord Anthony Gillingham could be a splendid suitor for Mary . . . I hope! But another Anthony??? Surely there are more mens names to chose from (Lord Anthony Strallen, Lord Anthony Gillingham)
8. Alfred and Jimmy will probably end up fighting for Ivy?
9. Poor Molesley. Can’t call this one. Maybe the Dowager will ditch her creepy butler and hire Molesley
10. So glad O’Brien and her sideburns are gone! Good riddance!!!
Jane, you are not alone. Regarding the first two episodes, I felt a malaise come over me as I saw them for the first time. Upon second viewing, they got a tad better. I expected more after the car crash that killed Matthew – I expected that DA’s world would be turned so upside down that major changes would happen to each character. Instead, it seems like the same old, same old drama, with repeat story lines.
At this point, I have to agree with John Hodgman’s comment in the New Yorker’s January 6th “Shouts and Murmurs column: “my cats and I agree: we don’t need to see that dog’s ass anymore”.
Hah! Excellent observation. Thanks for sharing.
Farewell Downton? For this middle-aged male viewer – who is not much of a TV person to begin with – the creators of Downton Abbey may gone too far in Episode 2, and I was already on the fence after episode 1.
I was on that fence because I felt tricked, if you will, by having one of the most compelling story lines of last season (Thomas’s growth into a remarkably sympathetic character) pulled out from under me as he resumed his standard role as a turd (I know there’s a more vivid word but I’m trying to conform to the site’s dignity…really). I don’t understand why it’s so hard for the writers to remember their own writing.
This week it was Anna’s rape. I have loved Downton’s focus on women’s issues, many of which remain unresolved today, but I feel the writers lapsed into a darkness that felt more like “Law and Order Special Victim’s Unit” than historical British drama. Specifically, it was the first time I can recall when true evil erupts from an ostensibly respectable character. We’ve had war, disease, violence, humiliation, deviousness and the rest, but no one has been as damaged as has Anna. By that I mean that a character who many here saw as goody-goody has had her entire existence altered in a way I don’t see her ever fully recovering from, in part because she has no path to make it right. Cora seems to be “OK” after losing both a baby and a daughter, but even if Anna could prove what happened, she will never be the same. That’s simply more darkness than I want from this show. I’ll be the first to admit that I watch TV to escape, so I literally jumped when he struck her. I know it makes for what most people see as “good dramatic shock value” but I’m too shallow for that, I guess. The show stretched; I’m not sure I can follow.
John in Pittsburgh
John, I couldn’t agree with you more. After Matthew’s death, Fellowes had the opportunity to create some marvelous plot changes and develop his characters in unexpected ways. In recent interviews, he defends the rape scene. Coming out of nowhere as it did, viewers, myself included, were repelled. This season feels as if all the air has been deflated out of DA. i will maintain a wait and see attitude.
1. Mary’s wooden 2. Edith’s a happy hussy. 3. Crawley, Padnode, and CARSON are horribly old fashioned. 4. Love the Dutchess. 5. Glad Cora sacked the nanny, but she’s still gullible about servants. 6. Anna’s pregnant, by her rapist. 7.Tom is too soon, but that’s where it’s headed. 8.I want to know about the wrist…maybe it will heal when he pops Alfred in the nose. 9. On my wish list, Mosely will replace Tom. So, how do we make Tom fall down the stairs? 10. Glad to be rid of O’Brien, but I don’t like her replacement either. 11. WHen did Rose get her ducks in a row?
Love your #11. In fact, why is Rose at DA at all? Her character was insufferably irritating last season, but now she is practically an angel. Plus she has nothing to do but sit and smile at the table, and sit and smile in the drawing room. Why introduce a new character when she isn’t given a major plot?
1. Mary Is and always HAS been wooden. Ditto, Edith the Happy Hussy. The cook, Carson and the Earl are hopelessly outdated, but I have the most faith in the cook. The Duchess is what brings people back to watch. Cora has her charming head up her butt. Anna will be pregnant, by the rapist. Branson is heading the wrong way, which is too bad. Can’t figure out why Barrow is such a turd, again. Must have missed something. I DO NOT understand the Lobster Quadrille going on with the 4 young people below stairs- the cook should lock them all in a dark cupboard and let them duke it out, or wherever their feelings take them…… ooh! I fear for the babies – the taunting about half-this and half-that and little Earl George – too much. Too much!
Love your lobster quadrille comment. Honestly, Ivy, Jimmy, and Alfred should go. Daisy HAD an interesting plot line. One would have thought she would have quit a long time ago to manage a farm and be an independent spirit. Why was this potentially interesting development dropped?
Thanks, Vic, for the tongue in cheek observations:
1. A wooden & grief stricken Lady Mary, but Lord Gillingham?
2. Lady Edith a temporary hussy; she is evolving give her time.
3. It’s Lord Grantham & Mr.Carson who have their heads stuck in former century. Mrs. Patmore just needs to get out of the kitchen.
4. Long live the Dowager Duchess! DA’s comic relief even if predctable.
5.Lady Cora showed feistiness in firing wretched nanny, but bad taste prevails with current choice of maid.
6. Goodbye, Mr. Bates. Mosely needs to replace you. Anna may need to move to a new show if this assault story line continues. Agree with John T’s comments above.
7. Time for someone new (the next episode might be another 6 mos.later, but not Gillingham.
8. Food fight for the ladies . . . wasn’t Daisy supposed to come into some money or at least some managerial responsibilities w/ f-i-l’s farm?
9.See #6
10.Farewell O’Brien
11. Mrs. Crawley needs professional endeavor;
12. How many frogs does Tom Branson have to kiss before he finds new love?
It’s sad, isn’t it, that Tom has been reduced to becoming Mary’s sidekick and a sad sack character who confides in a maid. I hope Fellowes turns things around for this potential hero.
What surprises me as that so many intelligent people watch this type of program and seem to take it seriously. Then again it may well be a good English period production who knows? Not me I’ve never watched it; but somehow I doubt it, I did see a preview/trailer whatever once; that was enough for me.
But with our Yankee cousins obviously enjoying it I suppose the producers are laughing all the way to the Bank of England :) :) :)
Nice to see you again LordBeari! DA is PBS’s ratings hit. The numbers have increased every year. I believe that DA is popular the world over, including Down Under (which must be enjoying a blissful summer season). As you can tell from these comments, Season 4 thus far has failed to measure up to other seasons. We can only take a back seat approach and wait and see. To see Dame Maggie Smith in all her thespian glory is enough for me! Do look up the Lady Dowager’s quips on YouTube. You will not be sorry! – Vic
I have a cousin in Bath who tells me that she and her husband must be the only people in the UK — or at least England — who do not watch DA.
It is certainly my guilty pleasure and if money is made from such pleasure, so be it.
And I agree with you, Vic, re Dame Maggie Smith. She is worth the price of admission alone.
I love your observation #12!
Somehow I thought Mr. Fellowes was re-writing Gosford Park in Episode 2 with a few embellishments!
1. I think she’s supposed to be wooden because she’s in mourning. She did have a laugh at dinner, so she’s staring to make baby steps back into the world.
4. I liked Maggie Smith’s character in Gosford Park much better than in DA. She was younger at heart in GP. Her quips were executed more painfully too (i.e. the camera showed how the recipient of her barbs cringed).
5. McGovern was in the paper or some magazine this weekend. That’s where I learned she lives in London and hasn’t done much onscreen work in 10 or more years. She was in the right place a the right time to get this role. Also, I can’t see her and not think of her in Ragtime which was set in the same time period, so that’s a nice touch.
7. I like Gillingham, the rare competent in the upper classes. I really liked Mary’s grey outfit when she went for a ride with him. Side-saddle always exasperates me when I see it, though. It’s ok to look at when she’s standing, but it looks ridiculous at a trot.
9. I can’t figure out what the deal is with Mosely. I hope there’s a payoff to all his (and our) trials and tribulations and moanings.
11. I liked the anti-cardshark whathisname that’s going to Germany. He’s upperclass competent male #2. You just know he’s going to get caught up in the nazi bad guys when he gets to Germany.
I read two books recently by retired ‘in service’ staff: ‘Rose’ by Lady Astor’s maid and ‘Below Stairs’ by a cook. Just trying to get a feel for how real the downstairs life is depicted. The heirarchy among the staff seems to jive. The chumminess between the upper and lower classes doesn’t look right – in fact there were often mortifications where the staff felt ‘as sub-beings from a sub-world.’ The lady’s maid did become like a little sister after a few decades of service.
If you haven’t already read it Randy, you might find Monica Dickens’ book ‘One Pair of Hands’ interesting. She was a great granddaughter of Charles Dickens and from a wealthy family, but chose to work as a domestic servant in the 1930s. Her book is an interesting account of the relations between masters and servants by an author who was familiar with life both above and below stairs.
I enjoyed your comments, even though I’m only partway through episode one…it is bothering me that most seem to be on eggshells for Mary when Sybil died young as well and no one was acting that way to her husband (I know he wasn’t “family” but still)…I am watching for the Dowager at this point–and Thomas. He is also fun to watch. But I don’t like where things seem to be going this season, so it may be something I catch up on later, rather than something I make time for now.
Oh, Vic, I’m so glad to hear from you – I was almost convinced you’d dumped DA in the trash. So here’s my take on it all:
The first two episodes have been, on the whole, pretty good. Everyone has had some very good lines and after last year my faith might be restored.
1. Mary gives new meaning to grieving and Michelle does it well.
2. Edith? A hussey? And this is the girl who once called her sister a slut? Oh, the irony of it all. I do like Gregson – but he needs to straighten out his life.
3 .yes…
4 .and yes again…
5. Cora has me cheering – finally. First she calmly sent Nanny packing without batting an eyelash and then she chewed Robert out mercilessly for his dreadful attitude toward Dame Nellie. Take no prisoners, Cora! You’re finally showing your backbone! Cora is still, however, too altruistic about the servants – that damn Edna need to shown the back door for good.
6. we’ll see how that rolls out….
7. Gillingham is not that exciting, so far. Nice to look at – but so was Matthew. But I only see Mary settling for someone with a little fire. A guy that challenges her and encourages her. And I don’t know why she has to be rushed to romance so soon….Fellowes needs to give it a rest.
8. What is with the “children” in the kitchen? They’re all driving me crazy. Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes should give them all time-outs in the larder.
9. I like poor Molesly and want him to find something to do. He’s such a lost soul right now.
10. No one does sneaky and slimey like O’Brien – what will we do without her?
Well, there’s lots more to say but everyone who’s posted has given lots of food for thought – we’ll see how the next weeks go.
Vic, re your comment about images – I know of an excellent blog in the UK that got pulled down last Jan.for the same issues. Apparently, Carnival/ Universal/ITV all got very pissy about the issue. Totally stupid – most of the press photos are all over the internet already. One word – Idiots!! In any event, I love your take on the show because your tongue is always planted firmly in your cheek. And it’s so much fun to disect DA.
Am so over Downton. I’d much rather watch Call the Midwife and, yes, I am a guy.
I admit I am a sucker for anything in period costume, even though the “period” is getting perilously close to my birth, but with Downton, I watched the first two series, and that was really enough. Compared to “The Paradise”, it really is rubbish and it could have been so good.
“I was on that fence because I felt tricked, if you will, by having one of the most compelling story lines of last season (Thomas’s growth into a remarkably sympathetic character) pulled out from under me as he resumed his standard role as a turd (I know there’s a more vivid word but I’m trying to conform to the site’s dignity…really). I don’t understand why it’s so hard for the writers to remember their own writing.”
Amen, John. As if there weren’t enough reasons already to say goodbye to this series, there’s this.
Vic,
Like the others, so glad to see you’ve not thrown in the towel all together on D.A. (although I really thought I would after that rotten final episode in season 3…there were SO MANY things Fellows could have done to keep Matthew/D. Stevens in the game and still allow for him to do his ‘other projects’).
I mean, look at Larkrise To Candleford (Brendan Coyle who played Laura’s father, Robert Timmons took off to work outside of the hamlet so he could start as Bates on the first season of D.A). I know, “get over it” but r-e-a-l-l-y the whole first 3 seasons had Matthew’s character at the core of the show; will the upstart new heir turn out alright? Will he manage the estate or lose it? AND, will he marry one of the Crawley sisters and ‘keep it all in the family?’
As Mary says in this season’s first episode, Matthew survives war, an injury that might have left him paralyzed for life, and, the loss of his betrothed (sorry, but I liked Lavinia – even though Fellows never intended for us to), and FINALLY, getting together with Mary only to be left dead on the side of the road. Yes, I believe Fellows could have handled it all in so many possibly better ways and NO, I don’t think this season or any other (if there are others) will be the same show for that reason.
So, to question number 1) Have to say “both,” Mary’s always been wooden only now she’s just wooden and grieving. Love to compare the famous comment that Kathryn Hepburn once said about Astaire & Rogers; “Ginger Rogers gives Astaire ‘sex appeal’ and Astaire gives Rogers ‘class.’
Well, Mary may have given Matthew a little more class but Matthew gave Mary ‘warm blood!’
2) Oh, for God’s sake – “good for Edith!” I’ve always thought she got the bad rap when her older sister should have been a better example and more gracious to her. I’m still suspicious that Edith gets to be the scapegoat because she’s not the “beauty-in-a-box” like her older sister. Shame on Fellows but not Edith.
3) SO…what-the-heck happened to Robert (aka Lord Grantham) Crawley’s character anyway? Does ANYONE remember his warm and charming (and quite forward thinking) ways in episodes 1 and 2??? My husband and I can hardly believe that Fellows has turned him out to be such a curmudgeon in Season 3 and now 4. Grantham’s character in the earlier episodes made us want to actually ‘like’ the aristocrats – now he’s just a blustering bore.
Not the same for Patmore. She typically has such an acrid but amusing wit and, she IS under a lot of pressure in that overheated kitchen!
4) After 3 seasons Dame Smith still has “it,” and as long as Fellows can keep her lines fresh – she’ll always deliver.
5) Yes, Cora’s shown some backbone (thankfully, an American woman in that era and setting with a mind of her own-how unique…it’s about time Fellows). AND, Yes, she’s still a simpleton when it comes to any instinct about the women she allows to dress and bathe her!
OKAY, am I the only one who isn’t ‘buying’ that Cora would choose someone as inexperienced as Edna (she is essentially now ‘above’ or at least ‘equal to’ Anna – who’s as like family as any servant can be and has a ton of experience and loyalty to the family). Yet another gaffe in the writing – is Fellows doing this again with his wife/daughter, or has he some other assistants because someone needs to help him stay on course — he’s been veering all over the place since season 3…
6) All I can say is; “Will you ever give this couple a real break Fellows?” We were SO relieved to see Anna and her “Mistah Baaytes” finally get a chance at happiness and now this horrible assault on poor Anna — I’m beginning to think Fellows just wrote their characters in for his “go to martyrs!” Please, give them and US a break for Heaven’s sake!
7) Tom Cullen is just ‘okay’ as a prospect for Lady Mary but really, it IS a bit soon to be shoving Matthew substitutes at her. Have to give Cullen some kudos though because he’s showing some real versatility as an actor in the character of Lord Gillingham versus the character he played as a hard working/farming peasant in World Without End.
Remember, we need a guy who can infuse warm blood into Mary.
8) Oh ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz….that whole storyline with the kiddos in the kitchen makes me snooze. But if having Anna’s character violently raped is the alternative – I’ll happily nap through those scenes.
9) The estate and staff NEED Moseley; he’s comic relief and also shows us the less than impeccable side of being a sharply heeled servant.
10) O’brian sideburns and all is far more interesting (and Siobhan Finneran a far better actress than Myanna Buring, the chick playing Edna). Edna’s a little too creepy for what seems to work in the D.A. mix.
Final thoughts: Fellows please leave Tom (Branson) alone – we need him upstairs to keep everyone else’s heads on and facing in the right direction. Having wiped out Sybil AND Matthew, Tom’s character is about all that’s left to keep things real on the upper level of the Abbey. And for Gawd’s sake, get rid of Edna and give Anna & Bates a REAL break already.
Oh yeah, if you’re going to drastically alter the character’s personalities (Lord Grantham, Thomas, et al) then could you at least make some sense of it all???
Thanks Vic /=P
Just re-read your summery and as always you’re right on with most of it. Yes, Fellowes only editor is still his wife – only God himself knows why the man doesn’t get a real editor. (Fellowes only has one son – no daughters. Jessica Fellowes, who wrote the first 2 DA books is actually his neice.) We discussed the Dan/Matthew issue much last season but in the end I think Dan had other issues. It doesn’t make sense to complain that you don’t have time for other projects when all your fellow cast members are busy with lots of work in between filming schedules. We’ll never know… but it’s nice to know that this season we’ll have several choices to drool over – not just Tom Cullen but also Julian Ovendon and Brendon Patrick (remember Evelyn Napier?), as well. We shall see…
1. Dockery portrays a grieving widow well. I have a dear friend who was in shock for 6 months after the sudden death of her husband – so that is realistic. I’ve always seen behind Mary’s façade and will defend her alongside Carson. (Loved that scene where with Carson she allows herself to weep.) Her line to Lord Gillingham about how Matthew changed her speaks volumes.
2. Edith just wants to be loved but so far I think she’s still a maiden.
3. We could all stand to lose a “tad of weight” and I think Lord Grantham and Carson hold the title for holding onto the past with both hands and heels dug in.
4. Ah! The Duchess! God bless her!
5. I’m surprised no one ever noticed how awful Nanny really was before this…poor little Sybie…hope she recovers from the verbal abuse. Did anyone notice how Nanny turned away Mrs. Crawley from seeing her grandson when she came to visit him ? That should have been a red flag right there. So even though his motives were only half altruistic, Thomas did a good turn for the family by pointing a finger at Nanny. And, yes, Lady Cora was a bit too hasty to hire a new ladies maid before checking with the housekeeper in person. Can’t see anything good coming of this ladies maid.
6. This was a shocker – but probably not too fictional unfortunately. Maids were vulnerable to assaults from their lords and masters down through the ages. I guess Fellowes needed to give our heroic couple another hurdle to jump over. It will be interesting to see how Fellowes plays out the repercussions of this assault in the following episodes.
7. Lord Gillingham as the “handsome pirate” has certainly put a smile back on Lady Mary’s face for the first time since Matthew died, as Tom noted, and because he has history with the family she opens up a little to him when they are horse-back riding. But, it is too soon for Mary to even think about her knickers, let alone let them get twisted. Still, Lord Gillingham, engaged or not, has a glint in his eye when he looks at Mary. Hmmm.
8. Alfred/Jimmy/Daisy/Ivy – enough already Mr. Fellowes. Move it along.
9. Good ol’ Molesley! He’s the only one who hasn’t had a love interest! And now no permanent job! But he has a livery that still fits! And Mr. Carson gave him a pair of white gloves!
10. I can see why she couldn’t resist the offer to fly her broom over to India…but I’ll miss her…side burns and all.
And I loved Violet’s scene with Mary where she says “I’m your grandmother…I love you.” She walks into Mary’s room with her humanity and reaches into the darkness where Mary is with those lines.
Well said, Songbird, well said
DA is the show I hate to love and love to hate. It is SO derivative — has Julian F. ever had an original idea? But I can’t give up on it anyway…love the costumes, setting and the “feel” of it. In Episode 1, I loved the scene in the Criterion, where I have supped myself…in Piccadilly Circus…but the plot lines are really straining. Always the case when the writers have to resort to killing off characters or resorting to rape scenes. Nevertheless, like most responders, I will continue to watch…and feel guilty for it when PBS has so many better shows…like Midwife and Foyle.
I haven’t watch it. The killing off of Matthew following the death of Sybil turned it into a soap opera for me.
I know the actor wanted to leave as a regular but there were any number of plot mechanics that could have removed him for an extended period (inheritance of a large property from a distant relative in Australia or South Africa, etc.)
From the criticisms I have read, by people I respect, I don’t think I’m missing much.
I loved Upstairs Downstairs, thoroughly enjoyed Gosford Park, but the past three seasons have slowly ground down my interest.
Perhaps it is because I was raised in a family that had experienced those times and I was born in 1939, not that long after it, when MOST folks still recalled it. Several of the family had lived in England during those times and while not nobility, were “landed gentry” and rubbed elbows with them. There were scandals that ruined not only the principals, but entire families. Marrying a divorced man would have banished any woman from polite society – many such couples relocated to Italy (France was too close), Canada, Australia and also to Africa.
Vic, I would like to add to my comments of yesterday the following: Yes, the assault on Anna was a jolt for our Downton Abbey storyline. But then I got to thinking that we are now in the 1930’s and the world is walking in so much of the darkness that came with modernity – I mean look at how Rose is so willing to lose her maidenhood and Edith is walking a slippery slope with a man who for the moment can’t marry her because of his sadly lunatic wife. Then there’s that hussy of a ladies maid scheming to better herself via Tom. Yup! There’s something to be said for “old fashionied ways.” Which reminds me of the young man who danced with Rose at the local hang out. When he showed up virtually at her doorstep to make sure she was safe – now sure he wanted an excuse to see her again, but he was honorable! Maybe poor – but honorable. He wanted to court her! You see her touched by his sincerity when she bids him a warm goodbye and a tender kiss. That was a Downton Abbey moment.
Just a quick correction – we’re in 1922, not the 30’s. Ohterwise, all well said!!
Yet again, the songbird has a lovely and uncanny sense of things. I’m not sure the younger demographic would agree, but I think Songbird touches upon the heart of the culture for the time.
And someone compared it to Call the Midwife. I think that comparison to be truly one of apples and oranges.
If we want to continue to enjoy DA, then we need to enjoy it at its level. It’s TV and its fiction. The story lines are not as in-depth as they should or could be; and they are somewhat convoluted at times. But they are stories.
Let’s give it time and see how it develops.
By the time DA makes it into the 1930s, they will have made Thomas a Blackshirt, I suppose. And that dog will still be alive.
Mary may be wooden but that is what she is handed. I sympathise with the talented and feisty Michelle Dockery for having to play this role. It is symptomatic of a really missable series. I certainly don’t miss it!
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia about Michellle. In one of the UK fashion magazines – a few months ago- she was interviewed, along with her sister Joanne. Her sister said Michelle created an imaginary character in her youth that was a ringer for Mary. Apparently Michelle was quite a cut-up as a kid and loved entertaining her family with her funny characters. Since she’s from an ordinary working-class family, imitating aristocrats was a favorite thing. Tell’s a lot about this woman’s acting ability.
Hello Imhess (Lynne),
Thanks for the very interesting info on Michelle Dockery’s background–would have never guessed that she was raised in middle class family! Have a greater appreciation of her playing Mary now.
Hi Lacy! You’re welcome. When I read the article and her sister’s description it gave a real perspective on her interpretation of Mary. I also read somewhere that Julian Fellowes lets her have a pretty free hand at creating her character – likewise with Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Allen Leech. Interesting, I thought.
Interesting that John Tessaro used the exact description of “Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit” as I did when I posted it on EW. I guess like minds, right? ;)
I’m officially burnt out on D.A. Fellowes has lost his way and is resorting to every cheap trick in the Soap Opera Digest: multiple deaths, rape, wrongful convictions, death by sex…and the show is ONLY in the birth of it’s 4th season! I delighted in this show and what it should represent: the effect of chaning times and mores upon Upper and Common folk. Now, it’s just tired.
Characters that should have grown, like Mary and Tom are back to the same old, same old. Out goes O’ Brian and IN comes a younger vengeful version of her. The Jimmy-Ivy-Daisy-Alfred quadrangle is just exhausting.
I’ll continue to read recaps because there’s always On Demand if I miss something good but I’ve delelted the show from my DRV recordings. So very very sad. :(
I was so disheartened after last weeks episode with Anna… that I have lost all desire to watch it again :) There is enough darkness in our world this was and I say was a little bit of heaven that is slowly downhill spiraling …so disappointing.
DA will mostly keep recycling old boring plots or rush/drag on new ones. This show is over for me. Julian Fellowes is still writing it (where are the possible other writers?) and he still sucks. Thank goodness Sherlock is back to take the edge off. DA never fulfilled it’s primise as far as I’m concerned, which is toi bad. If someone gave me the DVDs as a present I’d toss them in the trash where they belong!
I agree 100%. I haven’t been watching but have a neighbor who continues to follow it (and complains about the “deadly dull dragging” of the “plot.” And this is a lady who does watch daytime soaps and even watches a couple of the Spanish language “novellas” .
I did watch a few bits after she mentioned the electric mixer because I happen to have one (having collected “vintage” mixers for many years) that is exactly like the one shown – but made in the U.S.A. And I have the original pamphlet that describes its use. Will be offering it on ebay with the note that it is the same model as shown (with the wrong type mixing bowl) on DA.
So perhaps it will be an advantage for me.
I have some friends who are writers of fiction set in that era and they both have stated that the producers would be best served if they would hire Andrew Davies and turn him loose on the “book” of the play.
One said that his DIALOG would be much more ANIMATED than the stilted prose churned out to a staid old formula by Fellowes.
I do hope Mr. Fellowes read these comments. He really needs to see how his work resonates with people.
Just read this response from Julian Fellowes about the Anna rape scene:
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/08/downton-abbey-rape-scene-defended-julian-fellowes
While it disgusted me, hopefully he’ll redeem himself by the end of Season 4, and Anna and Bates will live happily ever after!
Sadly, Connie, I think Fellowes is on a crash course of intentionally tossing his “baby” out with the bath water. What a shame for the fine actors and also the people that own Highclere.
WHAT is it with MALE writers and their need to kill off the MOST sympathetic and wise characters????? From Sybil and Mathew on Downton, to Dale and Hershel on The Walking Dead, and Edard and almost the entire Stark family on Game of Thrones, the creator of these series seem hellbent on leaving alive the WORST OF THE CHARACTERS with absolutely NO contrast of a better/brighter/kinder/wiser character. Watched “Million Dollar Baby” this weekend and again, the character who we’ve been rallying behind for the entire film ends up paralysed and then euthanized!!!!
I seriously think these guys need to get into some hard core therapy!
Vic, great list! I must say, I find at least one thing in every episode that annoys me no end. And yet I keep watching!
I think we could do a satire based strictly on some of these comments.
Episode 2 was very depressing with Anna’s problem/issue. She did not deserve it. But then who does? Feel bad for George with Mathew gone and Mary lost in her grief. oh well.. we’ll see
I have been an avid fan of Downton however the new season episodes have really angered and repulsed me. Mary is in no way ready for a new suitor. Yipee for Edith—bout time!! The writer has taken the program down a very dark alley when he had Anna attacked. Anna and Bates were the only real bright spots. I actually suspected Anna was expecting a baby when she was attacked. She may never recover emotionally. If the story line does not improve I will no longer watch this program. The writer has gone way too far!!!.
Vic: have you decided to stop reviewing the other episodes? I can’t find links to any new reviews. If you did decide to stop, I don’t blame you.
I will probably put another review up, but this season hasn’t stirred my passion like other seasons. I wish that Fellowes would take more time to develop the plot, but it seems that the DA machine is more interested in offering a new DA season every year on schedule than creating a season as splendid as Season 1. Thanks for asking!
Thanks for finding my comment and replying, Vic. I understand exactly where you’re coming from, regarding this season. Sadly, I’ve reduced Downton to now just listening to the action vs. watching it while I do my knitting. There is so little to enjoy any longer, that it’s become background noise for me. Such a sad, sad pity and I really feel for the actors, who will soon ALL be looking for a new gig after this year’s rating dive.