For those watching the second season of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic last night, the fields of France were not the only place where bombs were dropping! Episode three was an eye popper, full of confrontations, shocking surprises, unrequited love, and ingenious plot twists worthy of the best Agatha Christie crime novel.
Recap Episode Two (spoilers)
Downton is deep into aiding the WWI effort by converting its hallowed halls of the aristocracy into a convalescent hospital for wounded officers. Lady Grantham and Cousin Isobel Crawley are co-admins of this altruistic endeavor, and like two bulls locked at the horn, fought for power of its management, while daughters Ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil assist with caring for the recuperating soldiers. Mary, granny and Aunt Rosamund dig deeper into Matthew’s fiancé Lavinia’s background, while downstairs Mrs. Patmore pressures the scullery maid Daisy into accepting William’s affections before he leaves for the front, and Anna and Bates are re-united when Lady Mary discovers him working in a pub in a nearby village. Matthew returns to Downton from the trenches and brings his “candle in the wind” fragile fiancé Lavinia to Downton where she reveals her past association with Mary’s beau, Sir Richard Carlisle to her. Matthew departs for the front kissing his fiancé’s hand while Lady Mary watches with regret. If she had not taken aunt Rosamund’s advice and refused his first proposal, it could be her hand that he is honoring. Here is a brief synopsis from PBS.
It is 1918 and Mary’s new alliance has aroused Violet’s interest in matters of suitability and love. With Sybil in mind, the Dowager Countess declares, “war breaks down barriers and when peacetime re-erects them, it’s very easy to find oneself on the wrong side.” Indeed, among war’s greatest casualties at Downton are the prescribed roles and class boundaries. Thomas is exerting his authority over the servants with aplomb; Mrs. Patmore, Daisy and Mrs. Bird are cooking up a little something on the side; and Ethel has discovered an age-old way to support the war effort. But between Robert and Bates, faith and loyalty transcend class, offering hope when Robert needs it most. Because now, the war has threatened a far more serious casualty.
Favorite Moments:
“Edith has it under control.” Lady Grantham
Wow. The Jan Brady of Downton Abbey is on the move. Lady Edith has always been the “pickle in the middle” – that awkward middle child who could never seem to get it together. Her relationship with her older sister was lethal, her parents just ignore her in comparison to all the attention Mary and Sybil receive, and her attempts at romance have been going after Lady Mary’s leftovers, or horrifically making the moves on a local married farmer. Ack! Poor Edith. Like her family we love/hate her, yet in this episode in every scene she is portrayed as competent, reliable and compassionate; even to her elder sister, and arch enemy, Lady Mary! For those on Team Edith, this is indeed a welcome turn of character.
“And this is your beau?” Dowager Countess Violet
“He lives in a tough world.” Lady Mary
“And will you be joining him there?” Dowager Countess Violet
Whenever the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Lady Mary put their heads together for a tête-à-tête, we know that there will be a conflict of old Victorian mores and new modern Edwardian values. This always results in granny pelting out one-line zingers that pucker up her face and ours: hers in disapproval; ours in cringed laughter. Actress Maggie Smith who portrays DC Violet is a national treasure!
“Of course it would be foolish of me to accuse you of being unprofessional since you have never had a profession in your life.” Mrs. Crawley
Emotions run high at Downton with the administration of the convalescent hospital at odds between Lady Grantham and Cousin Isobel. We are witness to an intense, terse, and emotionally charged smack down of these to adversaries thrown together under the egress of the war. One must say out loud, that we were very disappointed that it did not end in a cat fight in the fountain, but it was very enjoyable all the same. We advise Cousin Isobel not to let the grand front door hit her on her way out.
“The truth is, I will stay at Downton until you want to run away with me.” Branson
The trying non-romance between Lady Sybil and the chauffeur Branson is feeling as doomed as Romeo and Juliet without any of the passion. He declares his love and asks her to run away with him. Shades of an elopement to Gretna Green, which we know from any Jane Austen novel, always ends in disaster. Oh Branson, you dreamboat in the making. Let’s get practical. Do you want Sybil because you truly love her, or is the notion of stealing one of the daughters of aristocracy so exciting to your socialist sensibilities that it has blinded your judgment? How could this ever work? I am a tried and true romantic, but I throw up the red flag of caution to Lady Sybil here. He’s not for you deary.
“Don’t speak ill of Mr. Lang.” O’Brien
“You’re a funny one. Talk about sweet and sour.” Thomas
We know that we are in for some great skullduggery when O’Brien and Thomas put their heads together for a smoke break. But, one does not expect to hear kindness from the evil one. What’s up? Does O’Brien have a thing for Lord Grantham’s former valet Mr. Lang who is suffering from shell shock? Why is she defending him to Thomas? I smell a future romance for O’Brien, if that could EVER be possible. Naugh. What’s was I thinking?
“It’s like living at a second rate hotel where the guests just keep arriving and no one seems to leave.” Dowager Countess, Violet
Stuck at Hotel California granny? More truth to your previous statement about being locked in a W. G. Wells novel. We sympathize, but worry that The Eagles might want credit on that line.
“Watch yourself Mr. Bates. Thomas is in charge now and it won’t do to get on the wrong side of him.” O’Brien
“Is there a right side?” Mr. Bates
Indeed. Best factual statement so far. Glad that someone finally said it.
My Review:
Many of the residents of this stately grand manor house are contemplating their place at Downton. It appears that everyone, but saintly housemaid Anna and former valet Mr. Bates, had their knickers in a knot: cat fight showdowns, begrudged departures, revelations about beaus, scheming, plotting, and skullduggery galore, loved ones missing in action, sex in the storeroom, and a shocking final reveal. Even granny, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was in competition for some of the best zingers of the night. Phew. I am breathless by it all.
What was so enthralling about this episode was the amount of new information, new twists, and resolutions we were fed. I felt like I was at a carb loading party before a marathon. Just when one thinks that the plots is bursting at the seams with drama and pathos, screenwriter Julian Fellowes adds another layer.
What did you think of this episode? I thought it the best yet. I always love the second act of an opera. The plot builds and we are dying to know who will be killed, who will live, and who will be married. Well, we have another 4 episodes before the fat lady sings on this season, so please check back weekly for my recaps and reviews.
I had a blast again as co-moderator of the Downton Abbey Twitter Party hosted by PBS. You can tweet live with us again next week for episode four on Sunday, January 29th at 9:00pm ET and PT. Just use hashtag #DowntonPBS at Twitter or on your favorite Twitter aggregator like Tweetdeck or Tweetgrid.
Episode 4 of the second season airs next Sunday, January 29th at 9:00pm ET on Masterpiece Classic PBS. I will be live Tweeting the entire season, so please join us.
Images courtesy © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE
You’re so funny, Laurel Ann! What a great review. I agree with you point for point. Especially regarding Branson and Sybil. I feel like if he truly cared about her, he wouldnt push her so hard. Instead, it seems like he wants her for a trophy. I’m curious to see how he responds when the Romanovs are killed, something he seems to think the communist is too genteel to carry out.
I cant help but hope that this season ends with a bit of Austenesque happiness and romance. So many hopes and dreams are hanging in the balance. Sort of worried about when the flu epidemic arrives! And hoping some of the villains do eventually grow a heart.
I loved every moment of it. All that you mentioned I agreed with. I’m mostly eaten up with “will they/won’t they” on Matthew and Mary. I am stuck like glue to this series and my husband watches it with me, as he did the first series. Long live Downton Abbey!
Great epi. When Lady Mary started to sing I was sure Matthew would walk in. But I still got teary eyed anyway. I just wanted her to throw herself into his arms :( I am glad Cousin Isobel left — haha! Don’t draw a line in the sand if you aren’t prepared to go. Yea Lady Grantham!!
Episode 3: O’Brien is becoming tiring and predictable. I was hoping she was in for a change but alas, it’s business as usual. I’m still waiting for O’Brien’s payoff for causing Lady Grantham’s bathroom fall, resulting in the death of her unborn son. Payoff is only that she is now more loyal to the woman whose unborn baby she killed? Comes across as a bit too superficial. Captain Crawley’s glaringly spotless, just out of the box, trench coat, with not a speck of mud on it while making his way through a very wet and mud filled trench, as bombs are going off, unfortunately, killed, no pun intended, any attempt to take that scene seriously. And suddenly showing up at Downtown Abbey, with just a walk on cameo was just too convenient and easy. I’m glad to see Lady Edith portrayed in a much more positive light but was disturbed when Lady Mary stood up for her sister to parents that seemed to automatically assume Lady Edith was being unkind. Why are Lady and Lord Grantham always so dismissive/negative when it comes to Lady Edith? I was glad to see Bates return but it does foreshadow an almost unbelievable naivete on his part that wife, Vera, will take the money and run. In a previous episode, Vera made it clear she wanted it all; her husband; his money; and his mother’s home. Lady Mary becoming less self absorbed is refreshing as Lady Sybil and Brandon take their very serious flirtation to another level. I love Downtown Abbey but sadly feel it’s lost it’s way and become too much of a rather predictable soap opera with one too many rushed and vapid plots and ploys, replacing what was once, solid and captivating story development. I felt like I was watching a rushed, part pastiche, part caricature and part Hollywood soap opera, instead of the once captivating story of Downtown Abbey and the lives of people who live within it’s walls, unfolding with meaning. I will continue to watch the series because I love the story and characters, just not how they are currently being rapidly and sometimes very predictably and superficially portrayed.
I know there are many who may disagree with my review but as Matthew Crawley once said, “I have to be myself, Mother.”
My apologies everyone, but I am still having problems with comments going straight into the spam folder. Please do not let it discourage you. I will retrieve it soon enough and you will not be overlooked. Thanks for your patience.
Cheers, LA
Thanks for the fun summary! I have never thought Thomas a believable character, and that he should be “in charge” of Downton is absurd, considering his past actions there. Why not speak up about him?? On the other hand, the scene of Mary and Edith performing that beautiful song, and Matthew coming in really hit me. It was corny in a good way, and I wanted them to truly love each other. I wish Mary’s beau/fiance had had some screen time, with some mention of the war propaganda and more on the absolute cynicism most people felt by 1917-1918, instead of some of the other silliness. Overall, however, this episode was very touching and effective, IMHO!
Loved your review! You air what so many of us are thinking! My daughter and I are watching together (my Father-in-law as well, but in another state). It is so hard to keep one’s voice still as we are watching-we don’t want to miss a single line. So many twists and storylines to follow. We are enjoying every second. This episode was particularly well-done. All plots were furthered along and we have a glimpse of what is to come. A week is so long to wait between episodes!
Laurel Ann, you have outdone yourself in this wonderful review! Could it be that you have within you that same spark as the Dowager Countess? I too am a Maggie Smith fan. She gets the best roles and the best lines. Loved her in “Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood” – favorite there was when her character, oxygen tank in hand, tells the others to slow down because “I’m about to pop a lung”. And how could I forget her remark about Sidda’s thong? Back to the abbey – loved your comparison of Edith to Jan Brady. I can hear her now – “Mary, Mary, Mary.” Regarding Branson, I’ve noticed the absence of sexual tension between him and Sybil from the very first. I think you’re right about his socialist tendencies. He reminds me just the teeniest bit of Rolfe in “The Sound of Music.” Something’s wrong there. But everything’s right about this fabulous show! I love it. Oh, by the way, I watched “Secrets of the Manor House” just before “Downton Abbey” on Sunday. It was wonderful and explained a great deal about the social hierarchy we see in the series; like the series, it was full of gorgeous scenery and fascinating old photographs.
Great review! I thought this the best episode thus far, and can’t wait for the next. You raise an interesting point that one of the reasons Branson is interested in Sybil is because she’s an aristocrat. I mean, really, how does he think this is going to work for them? I can just hear the Dowager Countess now!
["We advise Cousin Isobel not to let the grand front door hit her on her way out."]
Poor Isobel. Her role as a member of the middle-class has been made a target by the aristocratic Fellowes. He has transformed her from a competent and sensible woman to a power-hungry administrator, who is enroaching on the domain of the elite. What in the hell happened?
What joy it is to read your recap and review and find that everything I was thinking and feeling, you felt too! I’m no sold on Branson and Sybil either, there is no passion or romance. I was rooting for them season one, but now it is seems like all the heat is gone. I’m not sure what to make of O’brien, thought she may have a change of heart (with Lang and Lady Grantham) but then she still holds a grudge for (Bates). What is her true character?
Laurel Ann, your review is wonderful, and it is so entertaining to read the comments of others who have been following Downton Abbey, too!
I’m always looking for analogies and in this instance, the one that seems apro pos, is that of dinner the second night, when you heat up the left-overs! You have made the appeal of the flavors and presentation of this last Downton Abbey episode, all the more alluring and tasty, for their being reprised!
Unlike, in the recent production of ‘Upstairs, Downstairs”, where the episodes seemed hurried and the story truncated, here the second season is able to handle the faster tempo because we have been allowed ample time to get to know the characters, and the geography.
Sunday evening cannot come soon enough!
I somehow feel as if we are supposed to root for Mary, but I am rooted for Edith. Mary seems like a narcissistic sociopath. She reminds me of Don Draper. I am sure she is only interested in Crawley because she can’t have him and because there is no other tantalizing fruit waving before her. Mary wouldn’t ever get married if she had the choice. Edith on the overhand has real substance and I am still mourning the irreparable damage Mary has done to her.
I agree 100% about Branson and Sybil. There is an utter lack of chemistry. He is interested in dragging a gentlewoman down to his equalitarian size and she likes the conversation but is too young to discern between intellectual friendship and romantic love. Add youthful rebelliousness and “Mama Mia!” – a recipe for disaster. I wish Sybil and Matthew had fallen for each other. They seem so suited for each other. I will keep my fingers crossed. Besides Mary vs. Edith is just pitiful. Sybil is young enough and pretty enough to give Mary a real run for her money. That would be a real showdown!
After the third episode of this new season, I’m beginning to miss “UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS”. It may have been shorter, but I find the writing more impressive than I did with this new season of “DOWNTON ABBEY”. I hope the rest of the season improves.
As explained, I am writing from England so I have seen all of Season 2 but will make no spoilers.
The song “If you were the only girl in the world….” is from the show “The Bing Boys Are Here”. “The Bing Boys” was the hit of the season in London in 1916. It played at the Alhambra Theatre right through the Battle of the Somme. It starred Violet Lorraine and George Robey and was seen by thousands of men before they embarked for France. It is said that men would go from the theatre to Trafalgar Square where they could hear the bombardment over the channel. During the run of the show George and Violet made a gramophone record of the hit song which, I am sure, would have been in the Downton collection. Here is that 1916 recording:
Thanks for sharing this great video Tony. It added greatly to my understanding of why Mary and Edith chose to use it to entertain the soldiers and why everyone could sing along.
If you saw the original “Upstairs Downstairs” you may recall that Hazel Bellamy suggested going to see “The Bing Boys” with her pilot sweetheart who was later killed.
There are few remaining who remember “If you were the only girl in the world and I were the only boy…”, when it first came on the scene in 1916, but I do remember my father playing it on our wind-up gramaphone, after the Second World War.
Gracie Fields and Vera Lynn both sang it to the troops during that war and it was on everyone’s lips for years after.
I still love it; music is such a powerful medium!
Oh, Laurel Ann, I love your reviews, but Dick van Dyke? Come on. If he was the heir, everyone would love him and his lousy Cockney accent in five minutes. :)
I did have one humorous thought during that wonderful use of “If You Were The Only Girl In The World.” I had a little vision of the cast/crew having to learn that song because they had never heard it. (It is one of my favorites from the era.)
And what a wonderful moment, seeing Lady Mary and Matthew wearing their hearts on their sleeves for each other, apparent probably to everyone except each other. The real cliffhanger this season is will they really marry their current intendeds?
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