DOWNTON ABBEY – Live-action drama created by Julian Fellowes; rated TV-14; airs Sunday nights on PBS as part of “Masterpiece”; 49 minutes. Episode 4.3: “Episode 3” (original airdate, Jan. 12, 2014). Directed by Catherine Morshead, written by Julian Fellows (7 out of 10)
NOTE: This episode aired with a warning that this was for mature viewers only and viewer discretion is advised. To my memory, that is the only time this has happened in the history of the series. And it’s needed.
Previously on Downton Abbey: The Grantham Family lives on a huge estate in England and is faced with creeping modernity as times change in the early 20th century. The family has lost their youngest daughter, Sybil, whose daughter and husband, Tom Branson, now live at Downton. Tom was the family’s driver before marrying Sybil and now serves as manager of the estate. They have also lost the heir to the estate, Matthew Crawley, husband to Mary, the eldest of the Grantham daughters. The Grantham’s servants also live a rich life, and are often as much a part of the Grantham family as anyone.
Last week: Were you one of the 10.2 million who watched the premiere episodes, a record-breaking number for a PBS premiere? Public broadcasting FTW. Oh, and it appears a will has been found, giving Mary controlling ownership of the estate. Lord Grantham is being totally sexist and everyone calls him on it. And Edith’s relationship with Mr. Gregson gets more serious.
In this episode: It is April 1922, and the house is abuzz with organizing a house party featuring a world famous opera singer, Dame Nellie. The old ways are again butting up against the new, including (oh my!) allowing the servants upstairs to hear the performance and (OH MY!) letting Dame Nelly sit at dinner with the lords and ladies!
Also introduced is Lord Gillingham, who could be a romantic interest for Mary. But just as fans might react negatively, or positively, depending on how much you’re holding on to Matthew’s memory, we get sounding boards for both of those points of view.
Also, it appears one of the house guests visiting Downton is a bit of a poker player. This leads to many of the other guests, including Lord Grantham, getting sucked in to gamble with him. The results are surprising and fun, something lacking from the show for a while.
And then, around minute 43, everything goes to hell. I will not spoil this, but. . . wow. This was hard to watch. And I’m sick wondering what’s going to happen next.
Other things to look forward to in this episode:
Things look up for Mr. Molesely? Or maybe not, depending on your point of view.
Mrs. Patmore has a bit of a health scare, leading Alfred to have to finish the dinner.
We get some more great moments between Isobel Crawley and The Dowager Countess, again, that have been sadly missing.
Tom get smacked in the face a few times that as much as he might pretend to be part of the upper crust, he simply isn’t. Edna, the new maid with whom he had a previous relationship prior to courting Sybil, seems a bit too keen on him.
While I felt last week’s episodes were pretty but felt a little flat, this was a return to form. And this makes me want to download next week’s episode and watch it now. But we must be patient and wait for next Sunday.
Dowager Countess quote of the week:
“If I were to search for logic, I would not search for it among the English upper class”
Rating and final review: 7 out of 10
I’ve avoided major spoilers so far, but watch for later in the week for a possible discussion of the major events of this episode and the appropriateness on television.
Until then, see you next Sunday.
CAST:
The regular characters: Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley), Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Brendan Coyle (John Bates), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley), Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley), Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), Lily James (Lady Rose MacClare), Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham), Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason), Matt Milne (Alfred Nugent), Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore), David Robb (Dr. Clarkson), Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham), Ed Speleers (Jimmy Kent), Cara Theobold (Ivy Stuart), Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley)
Guest stars: Tom Cullen (Anthony Gillingham), Nigel Harman (Green), Andrew Alexander (Sir John Bullock), Charles Edwards (Michael Gregson), Joanna David (Duchess of Yeovil), MyAnna Buring (Edna), Patrick Kennedy (Terence Sampson), Kiri Te Kanawa (Dame Nellie Melba)