It’s 2014, so it’s time for another season of everyone’s favorite upstairs/downstairs fancy-schmancy soap opera. Yes, again, we got it after our friends across the pond, but, c’est la vie. But to make up for it, PBS is giving us two episodes in our season premiere.
We begin almost exactly six months after last year’s terrible events of the last few minutes of the Season 3 finale in 1922. With this turn of events, (avoiding spoilers for those who aren’t up to date) once again the ownership of the estate is in a strange state of affairs. It’s also shaken up the family exactly as you’d expect it would. And in the second episode, is there a will that shows up?
These episodes are good, not great. It’s like returning to a favorite restaurant after several years of living away from it. And somehow the food is somehow just not as good as you remember it. But you’ll come back for more, as it’s still better than most of what’s out there. And who knows? Maybe the cook staff is just having an off night.
Here’s some other highlights:
[from 4.1]
O’Brien has completely shaken up the entire household (you’ll see in the opening minutes).
Carson receives a note from someone from his past.
Thomas begins a feud with the children’s’ governess, Nanny West
There’s a new beater/mixer in the kitchen!
Edith and Michael Gregson seem to be getting closer to furthering their relationship.
[from 4.2]
Mr. Mosely is having a hard time finding gainful employment, so Mr. Bates and Anna are plotting to help him.
Exactly the opposite, Thomas is once again plotting against Bates and Anna.
Lady Rose checks out a local dance hall, causing a bit of a stir.
And, for those like me who love to link up their favorite shows and movies based on the actors in them, there is a mention of Gwen, the maid from Season 1 who went on to take a typing class and become a secretary. They receive a letter from her saying she is engaged to someone from the north, but his father is having some health issues and had recently died, so they hadn’t made an announcement of it. Fans of Game of Thrones will giggle at this. Oh, yeah, because this was Gwen the maid:
Oh, you don’t know her?
Yeah, so that happened.
Overall, these episodes were ok, but nothing great except for a few tiny moments of brilliance. But it’s good to have Downton back.
Final verdict:
2 1/2 stars — the “Community” return was better, as was the epic Mythbusters season premiere featuring Star Wars myths
But I’m still watching it and still glad it’s back — we’re promised Shirley Maclaine will return and Paul Giamatti will make a guest appearance later in the season.
Dowager Countess Moment of the Week:
“It’s the job of grandmothers to interfere.”
See you next week, and until then, keep your pinky extended! Fancy!