British period dramas have been the staple fare on Masterpiece Theatre on PBS (now Masterpiece Classic) for decades. It is easy to see why they selected Downton Abbey to open their celebratory 40th anniversary season. A huge hit when it aired in the UK last Fall, this new four-part Edwardian drama is set in an English grand manor house before the opening of WWI. Never one to turn down a superbly-acted, multilayered and opulently produced period drama with bonnets, this series created and written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) was top on my list of must see TV for the season.
Staring Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith and a large and impressive ensemble cast, the axis of the plot centers on English inheritance laws and the present Earl of Grantham (Bonneville) and his wife Cora’s (McGovern) efforts to advantageously marry off their three daughters, Austen-style. Even though this drama is set one hundred years after any of Jane Austen’s famous novels, viewers will see similarities in social stricture, culture, and in writer Fellowes’ gentle nod to Austen in plot and dialogue. Along with the drama of the upstairs residents of Downton Abbey, Fellowes gives equal measure to the downstairs servants whose lives, though devoted (or not) to the family they serve, are as complicated and mesmerizing. Here is a synopsis of episode 1 from Masterpiece.
It’s 1912, and life in the Edwardian country house of Downton Abbey is idyllic and bustling for the Crawley family, aided by their cadre of servants. Robert, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), his American heiress wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), and their three daughters, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) along with Robert’s mother Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) have lived largely uncomplicated lives.
But the sinking of the Titanic hits home in an unexpected and dramatic way — Lord Grantham’s heir, James Crawley, and his son Patrick have perished. It’s personally agonizing (momentarily) for daughter Mary who was supposed to marry Patrick. On a grander scale, suddenly all the predictable succession plans have gone terribly awry, and unheard of questions now loom large — Who will be the new heir to the earldom? And what will happen to this distinguished estate, now in jeopardy? Mary’s grief is short lived as she sets her sights on another suitor, the Duke of Crowborough (Charlie Cox).
As the drama unfolds among the aristocrats of Downton Abbey, changes are happening amidst the servants as well. John Bates (Brendan Coyle) has arrived as a new valet for Robert, but he has a pronounced limp, potentially making him unfit to perform his duties. Also, Bates seems to have some previous link to Robert, and a murky past. And, someone else in the servant’s quarters is darkly entangled with the fortunes of the family he serves.
Despite much angling and consternation, the course of action emerges — a new heir presumptive will soon arrive at Downton. As Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), the heir presumptive, and his mother Isobel (Penelope Wilton) arrive, the emotions of the onlookers range from anxiety to outright antagonism. But in crisis there may be opportunity, and Matthew is considered as a suitor for Mary. Yet, nothing is quite as it seems in the changing landscape and shifting fortunes of Downton Abbey.”
The opening episode of a series is always a fact finding mission for me. Introduction to characters and motivations are key, and Fellowes gives us a great hook, the entail. Readers of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice will be well aware of this legal term. The Bennet family of five daughters and no son is bound to it also in the early 1800’s. The heroine Elizabeth Bennet’s father has inherited his estate and it can only pass to a male heir, the odious Mr. Collins. This is part of the English primogeniture law, “the right, by law or custom, of the first-born to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings.” This of course, even in 1912, still means that only males can inherit property. Since the Earl and Countess of Grantham had three daughters and no son, the estate must pass to the next male in line, which is the Earl’s first cousin James Crawley and then to his son Patrick who is also Mary’s fiancé. When they perished with the sinking of the RMS Titanic, the family is thrown into crisis.
When the Earl married American heiress Cora Levinson in 1889, she brought with her a great dowry that was absorbed into the estate at her father-in-law’s insistence. This cash infusion saved Downton and ensured its future. Now that the estate must pass to a complete stranger, Cora would like the money from her marriage settlement separated from the estate, and sides with her mother-in-law Violet, the Dowager Countess, for the entail to be broken so that her daughter Mary can inherit. Robert, the Earl of Grantham is hesitant and defensive when his mother question his motives and incredulously asks if he cares about Downton?
“What do you think? I’ve given my life to Downton. I was born here and I hope to die here. I claim not career beyond the nurture of this house and the estate. It is my third parent and my fourth child. Do I care about it? Yes. I do care.”
Prompted by his wife and mother he does seek legal advice, but is torn between his family’s wishes and the fact that removing the money from the estate would destroy it for the next in line, Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), his third cousin once removed. It would mean the end of Downton as he has known it. When his wife Cora also pressures him to pursue legal recourse he again defends his position. “Downton is in my blood and in my bones. And I could no more be the cause of its destruction than I could betray my country.” All of the indecision and speculation puts Mary’s social position and marriageability in limbo. She wants to be an heiress like her mother, and she also wants to inherit the estate. She is enraged that her father will not fight for her and instead invites his legal heir Matthew, a middle-class lawyer, to move to Downton. She thinks that the inheritance laws, and the new heir are a joke. Everyone has their opinion on the matter, especially the Dowager Countess who has joined in a temporary alliance with her daughter-in-law, the American outsider, to fight for her granddaughter’s rights and the future of the estate.
Downton Abbey’s family struggles may seem like a breeding ground for a soap opera slosh in period finery, but Fellowes and the three directors Brian Percival (North and South 2004), Ben Bolt (Ashes to Ashes), and Brian Kelly (Monarch of the Glen) never turn to the melodramatic and the excellent actors take the tone very earnestly. Most intriguing in this first episode was the juxtaposition of the nineteenth-century and twentieth-century culture and technology. The world is changing a pace with the introduction of electricity, automobiles and women’s suffrage. We have older characters like the Dowager Countess and the butler Mr. Carson with a firm foot in the past resisting change and the younger generation like Mary pushing social dictums to break the entail and inherit property. When the new heir Matthew shockingly announces to the family that he will continue working as an attorney (horrors, no proper gentleman works) and devote his weekends to learning his new duties at Downton, it prompts the Dowager Countess to ask what a weekend is? Ha! Not only does this irony offer a hearty laugh, it drives home how differently the privileged life of an aristocrat is from the majority of their countrymen, and the world.
Downton Abbey is comfortably familiar period fare, yet so well written it is innovative and wholly engrossing. The second episode airs on Sunday, January 16th at 9pm ET. (check your local listings) I for one am totally entranced. If any movie producers are in doubt that costume dramas are passé, you can come find me in Seattle wearing my “What is a weekend?” t-shirt!
- Watch episode 1 of Downton Abbey online through 22 Feb 2011
- Upstairs at Downton Abbey – A Cast Preview
- Downstairs at Downton Abbey – A Cast Preview
- Visit the Downton Abbey web site at Masterpiece Classic
- My Preview of Downton Abbey
- An Introduction to Downton Abbey at Edwardian Promenade
- Preview of the Masterpiece Classics 2011 Season
© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose
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I loved Downton Abbey and I am glad to see you enjoyed the first episode too :)
Excellent review, Laurel Ann. This was undoubtedly the best 90 minutes of television I have watched in years. The writing was superb, acting impeccable, and the costumes to die for. I appreciate that Fellowes devoted as much attention to the lives of the servants as to the nobility, and in some cases their story was actually more interesting to me.
I felt a particular kinship with Bates. I have never been in that situation and hopefully never will, but I could not help but be affected by his plight. Team Bates all the way!
I’m a big Bates/Anna shipper. They’d suit each other very well – both kind-hearted people and she obviously liked him from the beginning.
Also, William has a thing for Daisy but she’s only got eyes for Thomas. Silly girl. William seems sweet.
Didn’t find Mary very sympathetic at first but she started growing on me. Don’t like her treatment of Matthew, though. Grow up. It’s not his fault he’s the new heir.
[...] My review of episode one of Downton Abbey [...]
[...] Read my review of episode one of Downton Abbey [...]
Looks fabulous
(sighs happily) Wasn’t it wonderful? And I enjoyed reliving it again in your excellent summary! Can’t wait to see what happens next week – which is precisely the way one ought to feel after the first episode of a new drama.
Downton Abbey is why I’ve been watching Masterpiece for 40 years. I think it’s going to be among the top productions that Masterpiece has ever aired. I am so looking forward to next week’s episode.
I love Masterpiece Theater and was anxious to watch this new series. Love the beautiful fashions the women wore.
I liked the first episode. However a few things bothered me. It seemed the servants were too chatty with the family, too much on a personal level.
Second the gay kiss between the Duke and the footman. There are still viewers, like me, that prefer not to have a scene like this, and find it offensive So now are we to expect the gay issue to be flaunted in our faces by Masterpiece Theater from now on? I turned the channel, and I’m hoping this was the only scene in the series. If not and there is more to come, I won’t watch it.
If one can’t deal with the widespread tradition of youthful homoerotic activity in Britain, then one should avoid reading autobiographies or biographies of intellectuals, artists, and “great men” of Britain — in earlier times posh British schools were cold and schoolboys “spooned” in order to keep warm in bed (or out of genuinely affectionate friendship) — of course, many of these men were heterosexual as adults. The scene in “Downton Abbey” was fleeting and relatively tasteful — it’s not as if our noses were being rubbed in this relatively unshocking phenomenon.
Two men kissing? Horrors!
And by “the gay issue”, do you mean gay people existing, having relationships, etc.? If so, I’d suggest you avoid any Virginia Woolf or Oscar Wilde adaptations. You’re of course free to watch what you please, but I’m fairly sure that an on-screen kiss won’t give you gay cooties.
Hi Marie, George and Vita, while I honor your right to any opinion, I would ask you and my other readers not to turn this one scene from Downton Abbey into a political discussion over gay rights. There are many other online forums for open debate of current issues. Here at Austenprose, we attempt to maintain civility, and friendly discussions. Any further remarks may push this topic beyond what is comfortable for many. Thank you for your courtesy in abiding by our guidelines.
Best regards, Laurel Ann
I loved it! I may have to rewatch some scenes online today as I had kids coming in and out of the room at points. I can’t wait for next week!
One of my favorite scenes is when the Dowager Countess used a fan to shield her eyes from the glare of the electric lights in the room-Maggie Smith is spot on here!
I adore Maggie Smith! I think she is brilliant. I love seeing a film that shows the introduction of electricity. I can’t remember any other film that does this….
Thanks for letting me know about this program. I was glad to see the excellent actor playing Bates. I was a little uneasy that the two most reprehensible characters in the story are gay. Hope it gets to be a little more even-handed as time goes on.
Our thoughts are with Arizona.
I missed it! I can’t believe it — thought I was recording it, apparently not. So glad to see the link to watch it online. I will do that for the first episode and catch up with the all of you on the second on Sunday night. :)
Wallace you can watch episode one and the rest of the series after each broadcast online at Masterpiece until Feb 22, 2011. Enjoy.
I missed it as well…with all the snow excitement I forgot! But thankfully I have your summary and can jump in next week! Thanks for joining the Classic Challenge 2011!
Courtney
As always, wonderful post! The cast line up was superb and the acting brilliant. Masterpeice Classics is a rare gem in television. I find it interesting how one can find a little Jane Austen-esque (ie. social class division, etiquette, language, etc.) in most period films. I think that these aspects are still prevalent today, just not as obvious.
I really want to know more about John Bates and his relationship/history with his master. I am also very curious about Thomas. Anna is other “downstairs” character I am going to be looking forward to learning more about (P.S. I loved her in Robin Hood).
Cant wait until next week!
I really enjoyed the first episode and can’t wait until next Sunday! This season of Masterpiece looks wonderful!
I just finished episode 1 and was totally engrossed. I’m more attracted to the going ons below stairs more.
[...] is a recap and review at [...]
I just watched this last night on DV-R and loved it! Great recap!
The “weekend” comment was probably my favorite of the whole episode. I’m really interested in the three sisters and I’m anxious to see where they go from here.
Laurel Ann, I know you will not be surprised that I ADORED this show. I am eagerly looking forward to episode 2! I didn’t intend to have to divide my thoughts on part 1 into two posts, but that’s going to be the case – I found that I couldn’t stop writing about the Crawleys, and their servants deserve equal attention, no? :) It’s a joy to see an original program on Masterpiece (by original I mean not based on a book) that is so engrossing and fresh and new and unique! The actors are fantastic and the production values simply superb! Thanks as always for a wonderful review. And if you know where I can get a “What is a weekend?” t-shirt let me know, that moment cracked me up!
Not only was the line a laugh, but Maggie Smith’s delivery was spot-on!
Mimi, I agree! Maggie Smith’s delivery and the look on her face – that’s a moment for the record books! :)
No Ruth, I am not surprised that you like Downton Abbey! I will not be surprised if everyone does. I think it is the most well-written and exciting period drama since P&P 1995. I think that this is one of the few original, and not adaptations for a novel, that Masterpiece has ever produced. I am trying to remember others. Can anyone help me out? You are most welcome for the review and coverage. I saw it when it aired in the UK last Fall. It was torture not to write about it for 3 months. I hope Masterpiece take a hint and makes “What is a weekend?” t-shirts. Maggie Smith is getting all the great lines.
I’m having trouble thinking of other “original” Masterpiece dramas as well. Would one have to go back to the original Upstairs Downstairs for that?
I finished my two part review of Part One…the craziness has GOT to stop after Part Two, or I foresee my new Downton obsession taking over my blog and my life. ;)
Whoops, forgot to click subscribe to comments… :)
I now have a crush on Hugh Bonneville. :)
Just let me know where to get my “What’s A Weekend?” T-shirt!
I really enjoyed this first epidsode. I’m am really surprising myself. 10 years ago, I never would have ever given a second glance to period productions, especially those of the Anglican persuasion. I’m not sure what brought about the change in interest, but here I am, reading Jane Austen and watching Masterpiece Theatre on PBS!
I actually didn’t dare read too closely as I haven’t seen the first episode yet. Right now, it’s sitting on my DVR, waiting for me to dive in. I really can’t wait!
[...] Read my recap & review of episode one of Downton Abbey [...]
Finally got to watch and really enjoyed the high quality of the production and the acting. I did find it a little off putting how many “nasty” characters there were. It seems like they think most characters can’t be interesting unless they are conniving, backstabbing or mean. I thought Mathew was one of the most interesting characters and he’s none of those things. That aside, I’m enjoying it.
Do we know if the DVD is the full, unedited UK version? I notice PBS is advertising that the iTunes downloadable version is the UK version.
Yes Missy the PBS DVD is the full unedited UK version!
I have enjoyed every minute of the first episode,But Where does the Nasty Duke fit in????
Hi Shelia, they do not say outright, but we know that he and Thomas met the summer before in London when the family was in residence there. The Duke does say in conversation with Lord Grantham that he was there to pay his respects for there loss (the 2 cousins that died in the Titanic sinking), so it is implied that he has a long standing relationship with the Crawleys? Maybe we will discover more as the season progresses.
[...] Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode one [...]
[...] Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode one [...]
I read that the American version was shorter than the original, cutting many scenes about the entail. Is this true? I downloaded the UK “uncut” version on itunes, but it is the same as what was on TV. I am confused.
[...] Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode one [...]
[...] Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode one [...]
I just watched the 4 episodes on line. This is fantastic theatre. Masterpiece Theatre has always produced fine theatre and I think this is one of the best!
I quite enjoyed Downton Abbey at first, but they did make a couple of obvious errors. The main plot hinges on MARY’S position, her right of inheritance – making no mention of/provision for, her sisters. This is legally incorrect; with the exception of succession to the Crown, there is no primogeniture amongst females; Mary would not automatically inherit, in the way an eldest son would. Whilst it is likely that, were the title and/or estate inheritable by a female, the eldest daughter would inherit, this would not be automatic.
And as for the “What’s a weekend?” – the Edwardians loved their long shooting/hunting/fishing country weekends. This, too, is partly a result of primogeniture – younger sons, not being provided for, were expected to make their own way in the world – part of the surprisingly flexible nature of the British aristocracy. The classic routes for younger sons were the armed services or the Church, but they might equally well go into politics or the burgeoning Civil Service – at, naturally, a high level, although the Army, Navy and Civil Service were becoming professionalised – the Navy had long been professional, you could not have a gentleman dilettante with no seamanship in charge of a ship!
Moreover, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=w&p=5&allowed_in_frame=0 :- “weekend” dates from “1630s, from week + end. Originally a northern word (referring to the period from Saturday noon to Monday morning); it became general after 1878. As an adj., meaning “only on weekends,” it is recorded from 1935.”
A friend told me to watch Downton Abbey because she said my boyfriend looks like Robert Crowley. My boyfriend looks exactly like that guy and I couldn’t watch because it was freaking me out! Seems like a good show though.