The curtain fell with a heavy silence on the final episode of season one of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic last night. What a cliffhanger. Screenwriter Julian Fellowes is such a tease. Luckily, there will be a season two. I cannot imagine being left dangling with (oh I will not spoil it for those who have not seen it yet) the international events that have been announced in the final scene. The summer of 1914 is such a pivotal point in European history. From this moment on, the life as the Crawley’s have known it at Downton Abbey will never be the same.
There were many, many plot points churning in this episode. We barely had a chance to take in one shocking event and another was thrust upon us. Here is a brief synopsis from the good folks at Masterpiece Classic.
Recap of Episode 4 (spoilers):
Change is in the air as the politically awakened Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay) rallies for the women’s vote, in direct violation of her father’s rules. But when Sybil is swept up in the violence surrounding the reading of the election results, Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) wins a heart by defending the girl and bringing her to safety. Meanwhile, back at Downton Abbey, persistent rumors about a family member cause a rift between Cora, Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith). And, a surprise announcement from Cora complicates the larger issue of Downton’s fate.
In London, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) gains a shocking insight, and her Aunt Rosamund (Samantha Bond) – displaying a more than passing resemblance to her mother, Violet — freely dispenses dubious advice to Mary. Meanwhile, the footman Thomas (Rob James-Collier) and the ladies maid O’Brien (Siobhan Finneranen) list the reluctant, smitten kitchen maid Daisy (Sophie McShera) to bring about the valet Mr. Bates’ (Brendan Coyle) downfall, but Bates seems determined to do it himself, much to the distress of parlor maid Anna (Joanne Froggatt), who finds an opportunity to delve into Bates’ past. Concerned about the security of her position, O’Brien sets her spite on a new target, and a misunderstanding provokes a dangerous act of sabotage. Again, Downton is to be hobbled by the entail.
At a resplendent garden party, actions and betrayals come home to roost, and important news arrives that dwarfs the issue of inheritance.
My Review:
Whoosh. What fun. I will spoil the rush and mention a few quibbles. There were many gripping moments in this episode. Too many in fact. I felt overwhelmed at times. We were not given a time to recover from one to the next.
The plot made big leaps in time too. When the Crawley family returned to Downton from London in the summer of 1914, we are only told in passing that Lady Sybil had a coming out party! What? We missed a ball. No way. Big oversight. Everyone knows that all the best stuff happens at balls! Jane Austen knew that and used it to her advantage. Julian Fellowes must have forgotten, or the budget did not allow. Anyway, even if I felt slighted for not being invited to her big party, we did get all sorts of other eye popping personal events. Sisterly feuds, bickering, scheming, murder, fights and more fights. I had a friend tell me he felt that Downton was really the new Dynasty of prime time TV. Remember the wildly popular 1980’s American drama with glitzy clothes, big stars and melodramatic plots? It was an American drama mind you, but I can see the similarities. Big house, family money, family squabbles over power and money. If anyone recalls Dynasty’s most famous scene, will we have a cat fight in the Downton pond with Violet, the Dowager Countes and Mrs. Crawley to look forward too?
There were many great performances, but I will focus on my two favorites: Lady Sybil and the kitchen maid Daisy. Two young ladies on opposite floors of Downton Abbey who could easily be in each others shoes, but for their side of the blanket.
Lady Sybil is developing into a little firebrand! Her political activism is a total puzzlement to her family who think her charitable causes are extreme and her politics even more so. She is a Liberal. Her father is a Tory. He believes that the radical Irish chauffeur Branson (Allen Leech), who claims to be a socialist, has fueled her notions. After she attends a political rally against her father’s wishes, the family dinner conversation becomes very heated – in front of the servants no less. Oh, of course the Dowager Countess must have her share of the conversation and rhetorically questions her granddaughter’s being there at all.
“Does this mean you won’t be presented next month?” – Violet, Dowager Countess Grantham
“Certainly not. Why should it?” – Lady Sybil
“Well I doubt I could be curtsying to his Majesties in June when I had been arrested at a riot in May.” – Violet, Dowager Countess Grantham
*Snort* We witness Lady Sybil’s further wrangling (by dishonorable means) a trip to the election rally which turns violent. Poor Branson, who drove her to the rally, knows better and that her father will be furious, but Sybil feels no fear of anyone it seems. She is passionate about politics and women’s rights and determined to exert hers. Matthew Crawley appears at a critical moment when the rally is crashed by the opposition party ruffians and throws a few punches. Yeah. Go Matthew. He saves the day and whooshes Sybil to safety while poor Branson, who is sweet on her, must watch and take orders.
There is just something so appealing about Sybil’s character. She does not care about her two older sister’s petty squabbles, nor the “great matter” of breaking the entail. She is looking outside her family for her future, while her sisters are dependent upon it. She represents the future for women, even aristocratic ones. The contrast between women being dependent on their family or their husbands, and her ideals of wanting the vote and working in a career to better themselves are a great divergence. I see future story lines including her, much more interesting than her sister’s romantic plights or petty fights.
Daisy. You gotta love her. As kitchen maid she is low man on the totem pole in the servant’s hierarchy. She looks like she is about fifteen and acts about twelve. We know that she is from a large family and probably had little formal education. Mrs. Patmore the cook browbeats her, Thomas taunts her, and William is sweet on her. The plot featured her quite prominently in this episode. Thomas the sleazy footman has her wrapped around his little finger. She openly admits she will do anything for him and later we see this in action when she fibs to Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) the butler about seeing Mr. Bates coming from the wine cellar. Later riddled with guilt, she comes clean, and admits to him that she lied for a friend. Again she is influenced by pressure when in the cook Mrs. Patmore’s (Lesley Nicol) absence, she follows her wishes and spikes the food with soap so the Crawley’s will not like the new substitute cook Mrs. Bird’s (Christine Lohr) fare better. More yelling. I am not exaggerating when I say that half the conversation to Daisy is in a decibel above common polite conversation. Everyone is always reprimanding her in stern and angry tones. She looks as frightened as a rabbit and beyond hope half the time. Kudos to actress Sophie McShera, who portrays this terrified, impressionable girl. Her looks and facial expressions are just brilliant.
One last observation – no two. Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley has not been given much to work with up until this episode. Besides having blue eyes that you could drown in, he is really a fine actor. I loved him as honorable but confused Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility 2008, and he proves to be a wicked wit on Twitter. I think Hugh Bonneville’s influence as an actor and tweeter bring out a positive rivalry that inspires him. His scenes when Lady Mary is waffling over the decision to marry him and later says yes, but he knows that it is no good, are really brilliant. He gives Matthew enough angst with empathy that we are compelled to watch and wonder what he will do next. Season two might see him in uniform and away from the wretched wench Lady Mary. I hope he meets a nice nurse in a trench, or someone more worthy.
Final observation. The lifestyle at Downton Abbey revolves around one very important ritual. Formal dinners every night. Think about it. If they all sat down to a causal family dinner and passed their own potatoes, the whole aristocratic hierarchy thing would be out of business. No need to dress for dinner in frocks created by seamstresses and maintained by ladies maids. No need for valets to dress earls and starch their collars. No need for maids to dress daughters hair. Dowager Countess’ wouldn’t need to advertise for new ladies maids. Chauffeurs wouldn’t need to drive guests home in an expensive automobiles. Cooks and kitchen staff would be at a minimum. No footmen to serve. No butlers to butle. Oh, I could go on, but all those servants would be out of work. The whole system is predicated on fancy food, fancy frocks and fancy service! Take formal dinners away, and there would be no more Downton Abbey. Interesting to think that the British social hierarchy was created because of hunger.
Downton Abbey continues next year. We will just have to wait to see who dies in the Great War, and you know that is coming. If the heir is killed, one wonders if there is a fourth cousin in the wings? Oh, they might be an American! It could then be Dynasty Abbey.
- Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode one
- Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode two
- Read my recap & review of Downton Abbey episode three
- Downton Abbey Entailed? Understanding the Complicated Legal Issues
- A Downton Abbey Etiquette Primer
- Downton Abbey’s stunning film locations
- Visit the Downton Abbey web site at Masterpiece Classic
Images courtesy © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2010 for MASTERPIECE
I hadn’t thought of the Dynasty comparison but I dare say you’re right. DA is quite focused on money and family feuds. A historical soap opera, really. But a well-acted one with a well thought out plot. Can’t wait to see what happens in S2.
Sibyl is definitely my favourite character. William is very likeable as well, though so I hope he will finally get together with Daisy. Anna and Bates are a lovely couple as well. Two sweet souls.
The writing on this is much better than Dynasty and the hats really sell it too!
I loved this series and I too look forward with anticipation to the next season. So much for them to delve into with this being a turning point in world history and British history. I found it well done and I loved the costumes and scenery. I hope the next season keeps up the standard.
My head was reeling from the final episode, so full of incident. I have it on DVR so I am going to watch it again. Actually I have it on DVD but I am going to hold off watching it for awhile — I am wondering how much was really cut for PBS? Do we get anymore London scenes? I, too, really missed Sybil’s ball.
However at the end, I felt myself wondering who will go off to war? We know how devastating WWI was for Britain. An entire generation of young men wiped out. Will Matthew Crawley survive? What about William? Will Lord Grantham serve as an officer again?
I fear we have a long wait for Season Two but delighted we will see one eventually. I can’t imagine they ever thought Downton Abbey could end after only one season.
Virginia, I have seen the full UK version. About 40 minutes were cut. I did not find it disruptive, but I do enjoy every minute.
I like Lady Sybil’s generosity of spirit(especially in helping Gwen with her job hunt) and the Dowager Countess is incredible in just about every scene.
However,I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Lady Edith when that poison pill Mary planted in her potential beau’s ear went off. Edith was absolutely wrong in writing that letter but considering the way both her sister and her mother consider her to be of lesser importance,it is sort of understandable.
Also loved it when William finally punched out Thomas and I hope that next season,he and Daisy get the chance at love they deserve.
I have mixed feeling about Edith. I fear they will kill William off in the war next season. They won’t kill Thomas, though they should.
I think since Thomas has hooked himself up to some sort of medical position through the doctor, that William is going to be injured or shell shocked and will end up where Thomas is working. And unless Thomas has some sort of metamorphic change, he’ll be pretty nasty to William. I think they’ll eventually get William back to Downton Abbey where it will be Mary who helps take care of him and arranges or takes William to visit the horses. The animals would be very therapeutic for William.
And season 1 made such a big deal about Pamuk being Turkish, that I think something must come of that in season 2…after all, the British and Ottoman Empires were enemies in WWI. Maybe Mathew will have some sort of job in intelligence and finds out about the event that way or he’s captured and there are issues.
Just some thoughts. I hope they don’t get too soap opera’ish, but they’ve bent that way a bit already.
I think Thomas will meet the wounded Duke of C as a male nursing assnt. or whatever he’s volunteered to be, and as Thomas is spiteful, it will not be good for the duke.
I certainly hope Matthew DOESN’T meet a nice nurse in the war! I’ve been rooting for Mary and Matthew since episode 1 and was very annoyed when they left them hanging! They make such a brilliant couple, lots of chemistry, smouldering looks and repressed passions! They remind me a lot of Darcy and Elizabeth.
I know Mary isn’t everyone’s favourite character, but I love how she’s developed as the series progressed. I’m sure in series 2 we’ll see her develop more and, hopefully, convince Matthew to give her another chance!
Mary will have to evolve quite a bit before I will accept her as his equal.
I think at the end, Mary is very much Matthew’s equal – even Mrs Crawley agrees that it’s Matthew now making the mistake!
I think Mary finally realises just how important Matthew is to her when she realises she’s lost him. Not the best time to realise, but often the most realistic and common way…
I too think they are wonderful together. They are very much alike, you know. She doesn’t like to be told who she is to marry anymore than he does. It was the 1st thing she ever heard him say. And they are both clever and honest, and they love each other. They are in fact perfect for each other.
But I think Evelyn Napier also loves Mary and if she meets him again in Series 2, when she believes Matthew is lost to her, she will come to be profoundly grateful for his love and develop a deep respect for him as a man of integrity and honor, and they will marry and have a happy marriage. Matthew will hear of her marriage after the fact and will realize how very deeply he loves her, though his love was buried under his anger, resentment and bitterness. Sometime later, they will meet and it will be obvious to him that she loves him but will not be unfaithful to her husband, whom she loves for his goodness and kindness to her, for protecting and defending her, when she needed it, for his enduring love for her… and whom she respects very deeply, and to whom she is very, very grateful. Evelyn Napier will do important work for the country and will be decorated. Mary will bear him a son and heir, who will be loved very much by all. Then, he will be killed on a mission. She may even be pregnant w/ his 2nd child when he dies. Matthew’s mother will take care of her and become very close to her and come to love Mary as the daughter she never had. Matthew, deeply in love with Mary, will be by her side and will take care of her interests, as designated by her husband. They will marry about a year after her husband’s death. Marrying Mr. Napier would have put a stop to all the rumors about Mary, as people will no longer believe them, as Mr. Napier was with Mr. Pamuk during the latter’s fateful visit to Downton Abbey.
Mary’s wartime marriage to Mr. Napier will be a quiet one, and not at Downton. Only Mr. Napier’s father, the rich viscount, his bestman, Mary’s parents, granny, and beloved sister Sibyl will be at the wedding. And perhaps Carson, if he can be spared from Downton Abbey. Edith will be excluded according to Mary’s wish, supported by Mr. Napier, who will tell her nonplused father, that he not only supports Mary but he too wishes it.
When her mother, grandmother and sister, and perhaps also her father, learn–after Mary’s marriage–that it was Edith who, with malcious intent, deliberately published Mary’s secret, with the view of ruining her sister, they will view her with the utmost dislike, even horror, deep and quiet horror–Note: the servant Mr. Bates did not spill the beans on Thomas, who tried to frame him [Mr. Bates] for Thomas’ own theft of wine! Edith’s action is simply not forgivable.
Edith will meet someone from Australia, marry him quickly and leave with him for his country, where she will be thought highly of as the daughter of an English earl. She will never return to England and will not be missed by her family.
As I said in a previous comment, I think Thomas will meet the wounded Duke of C as a male nursing assnt. or whatever he’s volunteered to be, and as Thomas is vengeful, it will not be too good for the duke.
I think Branson and William will be among the many young men to die in the Great War.
Lady Sibyl will meet and marry a suitable young man who shares her values and interests. Mary and she will be close, affectionate sisters, who lovingly support and stand by each other. She will be loved as a sister by both of Mary’s husbands.
I must admit that I have not been this enveloped by a mini series since Brideshead Revisited and have truly relished every minute!! With that said, I will also admit that I was a touch disappointed with episode four……The wheels of change may be churning fast in the world of Downton, but the pace of the storyline suddenly seemed frantic. I need to re-watch as I am sure that I must have missed some things here!!I was mystified that what looked to be the beginning storyline of a crush on the part of Lady Sybil for Cousin Matthew went nowhere. Lady Mary’s sudden engagment went virtually unnoticed upstairs and down – We see that Lady Granthem is of course thrilled but what about Mathew’s Mother? What do the sisters think? I think it shocking that we get absolutely no reaction on that score. I was also surprised that the pregnancy storyline was never fully developed. Although, the condition itself would hardly been the stuff of polite Edwardian conversation- the ramifications of a new male heir would certainly have given rise to much lively debate from the Dower house to the Abbey itself!
I love the Bates/ Anna storyline but truly wonder if a man so proud would have welcomed such personal inspection. I am reminded of a scene in Sense & Sensibility where Elinor asks her mother to enquire of Marianne whether or not she is egaged to Willoughby – Mrs. Dashwood is horrified by the prospect of prying, “…I would not attempt to force the confidence of anyone…..” (Chap 16.) (In the movie she goes on to reprimand, “nor should you, Elinor….”). Anyhow, Bates’ comments to Moesly at the Garden Party give hope to a wamer connection between the two! I really don’t know how I will be able to wait ’til next January…….for PBS seems to air Masteriece Classic only in the first quarter of the year…….ahhh such delicious and delayed gratification is not something that we often are able to experience today!!!
I think the much faster pace in episode 4 is due to the cuts PBS made. For a start it combined UK episodes 6 and 7, meaning all the drama of the riots/Sybil’s injury was pushed into the same episode as the drama of Cora’s pregnancy.
Also, A LOT more was cut out of the final PBS episode than earlier ones. From what I’ve read (I’ve only seen the UK/DVD version) a lot of scenes have been cut or shortened – about 20-30 minutes I’d wager, including things like William’s mother being ill and the reactions of people to the news of Cora’s pregnancy.
If you can, I highly recommend the DVD, which has the full, uncut UK version in it’s original 7 episode format – how it was originally intended.
Zoe, no you did not miss anything. A few plots points were left unresolved. It was a frantic pace. And yes you will have to wait another year for season two. :-(
Really enjoying reading everyone’s comments; hope to post more later. Did want to share the following Twitter posting from PBS earlier this afternoon:
Attn #DowntonPBS fans – 2nd season airs on MASTERPIECE Classic 2012! Until then – Upstairs Downstairs in April! http://bit.ly/hz9XMX
So, they are now confirming we’ll get Downton Abbey season 2 in 2012. (I really wouldn’t mind sooner…hint, hint. LOL)
Oh thank you Missy. Great find. I knew PBS would not let use down.
Matthew Crawley in a trench! *sob* WWI is just so sad….
Dear Julian Fellows: Please resolve the Anna and Bates storyline as early in Season 2 as possible. Thanks.
LOVE Downton Abbey!
I must admit as much as I want the story to continue (and resolve) I dread the onslaught of WWI and all of its ramifications. Given the rich foundation that Julien Fellows has created, I feel that a prequel to Downton could be positively brilliant! Just think of all of the possibilities….Robert as aristocratic fortune hunter wooing Cora with the backdrop of New York’s Gilded Age – why they even admit that it took a year of marriage to fall in love! Imagine the the machinations of of Violet – a matriarch in the height of her power! Downstairs the positions would be altered …a younger Mrs Patmore in the position of Daisy or Mrs Hughes as Anna………
Loved, loved, loved this show! I, too, wish for Mary and Matthew to figure it out. I think she has matured and finally seen that she loves him. I don’t think that bedside conversation she had with her mother after eating sandwiches with Matthew and then that kids was a fake. I think she did realize that she loved him. I think the following events cause confusion for her and I don’t like the way she responded but I still think that she’s going to figure it out.
I, too, wonder who will make it through the war and what actors won’t be back and which new ones will come in?
I also wanted to see The Ball. I think they needed to give a little more explanation as to the Lady Sybil’s debut. As a Jane Austen/Regency reader I have some understanding of that in that time period but I’d really like to have had a little more understanding of what carried over to the Edwardian period.
I put a post on facebook requesting info on a multi-region DVD player with the idea of trying to get this in the fall from the UK, I’m that desperate to see the next part!
Mary is very complex. I am not sold that she is a good egg yet. Maybe next season they will let her be a nurse in the war and she will find her calling and Matthew in a trench!
The second season will air in the UK this Fall. The DVD will be available if you want to see it before it airs in the US.
She’s definetely a good egg – all the hints are there! Her sadness over Pamuk, her not wanting to lead Napier on after Pamuk, not wanting to lie to Matthew like her granny wanted, her helping Sybil defend Branson and, though I think it’s somewhat cut in the PBS version, the concern she showed for William regarding his mother and her encouraging him to visit him.
She just seems determined to not appear good, but hopefully as she grows up, she’ll see that appearing so cold and aloof is not necessary – I’m just glad Matthew sees through her charade and loves her anyway!
Definitely a good egg – we must not forget Anna’s strong endorsement of Lady Mary (at the fair) – and she is surely the best egg of all!!!
Oh how I’ve loved this show! I am already anxious for 2012 and its return to my TV screen. Dan Stevens was really brilliant in this episode – as you say, just the right amount of angst. And he could be SO good for Mary, if only she was smart enough to allow it. Silly girl. *sigh* Such a brilliant show!
Feel like at times I’m the only pro-Mary on here! I think she did realise that Matthew was just the man for her, but then her silly aunt put doubts in her mind – very much like in Persuasion!!
Then, when Mary is finally ready to accept him, it’s Matthew who’s had enough! I think at the end Mary truly understands how much she loves Matthew and how important that love is.
I just hope in series 2, she’ll have a chance to prove her love and Matthew will give her a second chance.
I agree with you. You are not the only one with faith in Mary. I’m hoping for series 2 to do the same. Go Team Mary!
Glad to see I’m not the only one on Team Mary!
You know I was thinking about this earlier – Sybil isn’t quite so perfect and selfless as we all seem to make out. She had no reason to go to Ripon for the count other than the fact that she wanted the excitement and adventure of it all – it wouldn’t have helped anyone.
Yet she lied to her father and Branson and got him nearly fired! Her actions in this I think are quite selfish and though she does fight for him later, it shows that even Sybil isn’t completely selfless – she has flaws too!
So after watching Episode Four a second time around I realize that I was really off-the-mark on my previous post which characterized the storyline as “chaotic”…… quite frankly I think my reluctance for the series to end induced temporary insanity (if not partial amnesia – and I don’t drink)l!!! At this juncture I think it best that I follow Lady Mary’s lead and ask all to please “not listen to all I say”!!!
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
I like Sybil, but I think Mary is more complex and has changed some during the season, which makes her storylines more interesting to watch. Her original nastiness seems to have shifted primarily (and sadly!!) in retaliation toward Edith’s acts. (Why do Robert and Cora, who seem nice and balanced, never check these two? I can only think of one or two times when either Mary or Cora are encouraged to be nice to the other…but their nastiness, even when seen, is never reprimanded or corrected?) But it is Mary that is sent for when Sybil is hurt and it is Mary who is with her mother after the miscarriage. It is Mary that first shows concern for Branson and who helps William. And yet, Mary is both kind and flippant about Mr. Napier’s broken engagement. And she cruelly gets rid of Edith’s suitor. She’s complex! I can’t decide if she really loves Mathew but is confused and still maturing, or if she’s changed less than I think and is still using him some. It’s fun to watch, unless she reverts into a female JR Ewing, and Michelle Dockery does an excellent job.
Like others I thought the last episode, particularly the final hour, was too choppy with so much going on. I’ve seen both the PBS and DVD versions and think this of both. PBS seems to have cut about 20 minutes from the UK episode 6 (about 44 minutes long, including credits) and episode 7 (about 62 minutes, including credits). Hugh Bonneville tweeted today: “There’ll be 1×90 +7×60 + Xmas special (dunno how long) – timings include ad breaks.” That’s one episode more than this year…so maybe they too know too much was crammed in.
Well, can’t wait to see more! WWI…so much!
Sorry, this is so long and poorly worded. The storm outside and the electricity flickering is distracting. Stay safe! :-)
I agree she is complex. Does she have some good qualities? Yes. However, she is young and very resentful of the limited position she is in as woman. I feel perhaps the situation she finds herself in now is probably the worst of her life to this point and she is feeling anger and frustration. I believe she needs to grow further as a person and perhaps learn some compassion towards others (starting with Edith who is in the worst position of the sisters). I think after she learns compassion, she may be more of an equal match with Matthew.
I bought the PBS DVD which states it’s the “Original UK Edition.” I am holding off watching it until I need a real Downton Abbey fix. I assumed the DVD has restored the cuts made by PBS for TV. Is this true or is it exactly what we saw on PBS?
The show’s original production company made the cuts for US TV–not PBS. From what I’ve heard, the DVD’s have what was shown in the UK. (Except without commercials.)
And I’d bet the ball scene was never shot because of budget constraints.
Hi not Bridget, thanks for visiting. Both ITV Carnival and PBS Masterpiece were co-producers on Downton Abbey. PBS did make their own decisions on what to cut for the US broadcast and the DVD is the full uncut version with no commercials. Wonderful production. I so enjoyed it and am in Downton withdrawls.
So what is the general consensus on why Lady Mary eventually refuses Matthew? Is it because she cannot bring herself to explain her “affair” with the randy Mr Pamouk? Is she embarrassed for holding him off so long – especially in light of brief period when the succession was again held in question? She seems so genuinely distressed by his intention to quit Downton…….hhhmmmm….. Lady Mary’s character is certainly complex if not baffling at times – but I think that’s what makes her so truly real. Not a caricature all good or all bad……..a nuanced mixture of both. It is truly shocking how incredibly cruel the two sisters are to eachother. I wonder if perhaps this sort of extreme rivalry was more common than we realize – a sort of sad way for women to excercise power in their small and stifling worlds……
Yes, I think Mary and Edith’s bitter rivalry is very much related to the repressed, trapped, claustrophobic lives they live. I’m surprised Sybil turned out so normal!
As for Mary – she did actually accept Matthew at the end, but it was him who rejected her acceptance of his proposal. She’d waited so long and he just couldn’t be sure, so he withdrew it. Or at least that’s what we’re meant to infer – we never actually hear/see Mary say yes.
She did love him though, as she told her mother and I think she was about to accept him when she came back from London, but her Aunt Rosamund put doubts in her head.
I think Mary’s main reason for delaying accepting Matthew is because she’s putting off telling him about Pamuk. Also, I think Mary is still coming to terms with the whole idea of love and marriage and trying to reconcile her stubborness and desire to NOT do what people want with the contrary knowledge that what she really wants now IS what everyone else wants and what she’s always been determined to not want. If that makes sense! LOL
I see lots of Jane Austen in Mary and Matthew – maybe that’s why I like them so much! There’s the obvious Elizabeth/Darcy element, with their love/hate relationship, there’s shades of Persuasion with her aunt giving her doubts and there’s the Emma in her, who doesn’t realise how much she loves Matthew until she sees someone else interested in him (aka Emma realising Miss Smith likes Mt Knightely!).
Your parallels to Persuasion, P & P, & Emma are spot on – bravo!!! Meanwhile, in terms of unlocking the intricacies of Lady Mary, I keep thinking about her comment to Pamuk, which went something like……’you and my parents are alike in thinking me more rebellious than I actually am…..’
I am an American. Please do not compare this exemplory English drama to the trashy American series, Dynasty. There is such a difference in classic versus raunchy. British acting is superior and the plots are much better. Superior does not have to resort to sex and violence, whereas American has to have it to get by…it seems to be our addiction. This is no Dynasty, this is far superior.
Hi Mais, thanks for your comment. I agree that Downton is far superior to Dynasty. Hands down. No argument. The comparison was a jest. There are similarities, but they are each their own unique production. There are, by-the-way, sex and violence in both shows.
I wanted to make this comment on Charity’s blog at:
http://charitys-place.blogspot.com/2011/01/life-at-downton.html, where she has a fine recap,
but it didn’t seem possible without subscribing to some sort of comments atom and/or feed.
Another blog that I read was:
http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com/2011/01/downton-abbey-part-two.html
I really enjoyed Downton Abbey, despite Fellowes pinching parts of the plot–perhaps unconsciously–from other sources, such as the classic WW II movie Mrs. Miniver…
There are 3 characters in DA whom I detest, namely, Thomas, O’Brian and Edith; the rest are flawed, as we all are, to a greater or a lesser extent.
I will not devote any time here to Thomas as others have written enough about him.
I think Edith’s actions, her corrosive jealousy, her venomous spite, her destructive hate… her desire to see Mary ruined forever unforgivable.
And she feels no remorse, not even when Mary confronts her with it. Instead, she brands her sister a slut, which must contribute to Mary’s feeling of unworthiness, under that veneer of elegance, wit, and heartlessness, her wanting to delay accepting Matthew–I’m really not sure she isn’t delaying because she thinks it would be dishonorable not to tell him about Pamuk, and she has a hard time telling the man she loves of the man, who forced himself into her room and would not take her initial, terrified refusal for an answer. What her Aunt Rosamund says to her may be a cover for her delaying, a cover she would not otherwise have had, as she can’t admit to others the real cause of her postponement. I think she is roiled and needs time–and Aunty R’s advice gives her a reason to ask for time–but doesn’t get it because Matthew–and everyone–thinks it is for another reason, the reason for which Aunt R advises her to delay, which is the reasons he gives because it is a reason she can give. If so, then it is very sad: for one night not of spite or hate but, at worst, merely of folly, at an age, when, as Lord Grantham tells his mother, on that fateful evening when Mary is surrounded by her admirers Evelyn Napier, Kemal Pamuk, and Matthew Crawley (and I paraphrase), “at her age, no one is sensible. It is our job to be that for her and to protect her” to ruin the happiness together of two people who love each other, and her forever!
Mary’s ensuring Sir Anthony doesn’t propose to Edith happens after Edith’s betrayal of her sister, after Mary’s told of it and Edith hatefully admits to it, and, what’s more, it will not ruin Edith forever. She could always marry another man, or remain single with honor and respect. Edith, on the other hand, hears her mother tell Mary that were her night with Pamuk to become widely known when Mary is still unmarried, then all doors in London will be slammed on her face. Having heard that, Edith writes to the Turkish Ambassador! If that isn’t an act of hate, maliciously calculated to destroy her sister forever, what is? Clearly, that is what she wants for her sister. I don’t know about you, but I think good-natured Sir Anthony is blessed not to be hitched for life to so vicious a woman, so hateful a human being, so a malevolent sister. Would he–or any man–propose to, wish to marry, and live the rest of his life with a woman who is capable of such hate, such cruelty?
Also, Edith appears to try for any man entertained as a suitor for Mary, although, back in their day, a family would want the oldest daughter settled before beginning to think of the next eldest. She wanted Patrick, she wants Matthew, she wants Sir Anthony. And it is quite possible she wanted Evelyn Napier too. He flees when he sees her approaching him and Matthew, in the drawing room, the night that cad Pamuk forces himself into Mary’s room. And Matthew, who, being family, cannot flee, makes it obvious by both his expression and words that he too finds her company a plague.
True, Mary does not seem to want most of the men brought as suitors for her. Still, Edith, as the younger sister, should know that the older needs to be settled first. When she is, then it will be Edith’s turn–if a man should exist, who’d have her, knowing the truth about her nature, her character. Until the eldest is settled, the eldest will, naturally, be the focus. But Edith can’t take that (anymore than Lydia could in P&P, though they are otherwise quite different), and tries for Mary’s suitors. But, as it happens, Mary is more attractive to men and Edith can’t stand that. Mary has no compassion for Edith, but it would be hard for Mary to be kind to her, given Mary’s age and lack of maturity, and the upheaval in her life due to (and insecurity in her position with regard to) the entail, and given Edith’s constant open hostility. Think of how Edith behaves when the sisters are dressing to meet the duke and all through that episode. She just can’t stand the idea of Mary marrying a duke, even though she has never met the duke and is not in love with him, as she is supposed to have been with Patrick, who appears not to have had eyes for her.
I don’t understand why Mary did not scream, when Pamuk invaded her chamber, but Pamuk appears to have known just how to manipulate her fear, shock, and naivete–she thinks, at one point, that he is proposing to her! The poor girl is at a loss! She is the victim here, but the image of heartlessness and hauteur she projects makes it hard for us to see that. But I too, like Charity, was left with the sense that it might well have been rape. But at the very least, she was manipulated and therefore still a victim. Even if it were an act of folly, one act of folly does not make a person evil (as malicious hatefulness like Edith’s does). And Edith is unrepentant. When Mary returns from London, Edith speaks up, in the family circle, to encourage her to delay giving Matthew an answer, because she wants to marry but have her older sister be unmarriageable and a social pariah. That is a terrible thing to wish, to want for anyone, leave alone one’s sister, who does not merit such hate. It’s beyond the pale.
I hope Mary and Matthew resolve their problems and marry happily in Series 2 because they love each other and Mary was willing to marry him, even if he were not her father’s heir and says so to her Aunt Rosamund.
I think Evil Edith needs to pay for her malice–more than just have Sir Anthony get away.
I think childless Aunt Rosamund, who married a rich banker, needs to leave Mary her fortune, for the disservice she has done her.
And I think O’Brian’s going to have to redeem herself by sacrificing her life for the family of Lord Grantham.
I wonder who will die in the Great War.
I want to correct an error in my post above: Lady Rosamund in DA, is not, as I said, childless. She has a son and daughter.
Another point I found interesting is that Mary and Sybil appear to be the sisters who are close.
And it is Mary, who supports Sybil, whereas Edith does not, when Lord Grantham is furious with Sybil for canvassing etc. (her first excursion). And later (2nd excursion), Mary sticks up for her again.
Their affection for each other is good to see.
Thanks for pointing out that Mary is a good sister to Sybil Allison. I liked how they developed this side of their relationship. It does make Edith look horrid in comparison. Mary obviously cares for others beyond herself. A good sign. LA
LA, Series 1 shows Mary to care for others beyond herself in her arranging for the footman William to go home to his ailing mother. So, yes, you are right; she does care for others beyond herself. But in Sybili’s case, I think Mary actually loves her, and Sybil, likewise, loves Mary. They have a close and affectionate relationship.
And Mary will not deceive Matthew by accepting him and then backing out, if her new sibling should be a boy, as dear old granny advises her to do.
I went back and saw the Pamuk episode again–happily, it is still available for viewing online on the Masterpiece webpage, should anyone wish to do so. For how long more it will be there, I cannot say.
And having viewed that episode again, I am now certain that Mary was raped. She is shocked and terrified when he enters her room. When she says she’d be ruined even if it gets out they had “this conversation,” he asks how then would she explain a man being in her room. In other words, if she screams, it will be known he entered her room and she’d be ruined. And who would hear her ring her bell, as the servants had all retired for the night. He tells her that he is maddened with desire for her–and she is clearly innocent, naive, inexperienced, way out of her depth, unequal to the situation, by no means his match in this–that she has no choice but to submit to him. She very clearly is coerced.
She is, however, confused as she was attracted to him (as were most of the women, upstairs and downstairs, in the household–not to mention one of the men!–but she was the only one he desired), and their illicit union presumably was pleasurable. But that does not mean that she invited it, wanted it or expected it or should have had it happen to her.
She clearly was abused. And like many people who are abused, she is having a Stokholm Syndrome type reaction, made worse by the trauma of his death, and having to carry him out, the shame, feeling of guilt, the need to conceal it and act normal, feeling unworthy… I think she’s confused and traumatized by it. All this on top of the turmoil over her status viz-a-vis at least her American heiress mother’s fortune, which, in a just world, and indeed normally would go to her mother’s children, and not to some stranger with no connection whatsoever to her mother.
Thus far, I think there are 3 villains in DA: Sarah O’Brian, Kemal Pamuk, and Lady Edith Crawley. And Thomas is a base, utterly unsavory character– although O’Brian is the mastermind behind many of his actions–who could also probably be classified a villain, which would make for 4 villains.
[...] My review of episode four of Downton Abbey [...]
I have just seen the whole of Downton Abbey in two sitting. I would have liked to have watched it in one, but I had to sleep sometime. Anyway, I absolutely loved it! I made my sister watch it with me, and even though she wasn’t sure she’d like it, she was into it just as much as I was by the end. I hadn’t read your reviews before watching, so I didn’t know what to expect. We couldn’t help cheering on the good and booing the bad. Thomas and O’Brien are wonderfully awful! I found it very hard to like Mary. I know she has a lot weighing on her, but she was too often cruel. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Edith. I know what it’s like to live in the shadow of other sisters, and while I don’t agree with her actions, I felt sorry she was pushed aside so much by her family. I was extremely pleased to see Dan Stevens, who won my heart in S&S 2008. He won it again in this. Love him!
I can’t wait until the new series next year. I wish it wasn’t so far away.
I too think that Mary and Matthew are in fact a good match for each other. I think season 2 will have Matthew go off to the war and hopefully he will come back to Mary! I also like Lady Sybil since she cares about all the “gloomy” causes. I see her becoming even more political in season 2. As for her unlikely suitor (if he can even be called that), Branson, I hope he actually does go into politics and helps bring about the change that is inevitable. I do feel sorry for Lady Edith and wonder what will happen with her. Maybe Sir Antony will come back?
I cannot view Edith as some one-note villain, as many are inclined to do. Yes, her actions against Mary were horrible. But Mary’s act of ending Edith’s romance out of retaliation wasn’t any better. I don’t see how anyone can condemn Edith’s actions and condone Mary’s act of revenge. Both did wrong. Which makes both sisters very ambiguous. But I can say one thing. I find both of them a lot more interesting than Sybil, who is nice but a bit too noble for my tastes.