DOWNTON ABBEY – Live-action drama created by Julian Fellowes; rated TV-14; airs Sunday nights on PBS as part of “Masterpiece”; 49 minutes. Episode 4.4: “Episode 4” (original airdate, Jan. 19, 2014). Directed by Catherine Morshead, written by Julian Fellows (8 out of 10)
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: Ok, time for being coy is over. Anna’s rape last week at the hands of Green was horrible. My jaw is still on the floor, especially about her decision to keep it secret from everyone else. But it was not the only non-consensual sexual act as Edna got all “Blurred Lines” on Tom (getting him drunk beyond the ability to consent and then taking advantage of him).
In this episode:
It is the next day after the last episode, and Anna is blaming herself for her attack, Edna is pressing Tom to try to force him into a relationship, and Mary, Lord and Lady Grantham all head to London to work out the tax situation with the estate. Rose and Edith come along and get into their own set of troubles.
Other things to look forward to in this episode:
Things get a little racial with the very first person of African origin on Downton Abbey. It causes quite a stir. *Sigh* Diversity. Too bad it has to cause controversy. This is why we can’t have nice things. And why the old ways are best left the old ways.
Wow. At about minute 34. . . Lady Mary and Lord Gillingham. Whoa! Those racists know how to bring the romantic drama!
Way to go, Mrs. Hughes! As she saves the day with Edna.
Thomas gets in a few barbs as he continues to use his evil for good.
Mr. Gregson is about ready to set off to Germany (spoiler alert—this is going to end badly. Germany in the 20’s and 30’s is not a good place to be.)
Dowager Countess quote of the week:
“If only we had moral thoughts, whatever would the poor church man do?”
and a runner-up:
Lord Grantham: “I don’t dislike him. . .”
Dowager Countess: “What a recommendation!”
Rating and final review: 8 out of 10
This was a good continuation of last week’s episodes. This played out in a way that showed that Anna’s rape was not put in gratuitously, but with good reason. “As much as things change, things stay the same” is a main theme in this week’s episode—and we still have a serious, serious issue with unreported rapes today.
Hold onto your butts, since most of us get Sherlock played right after Downton.
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:
Andrew Alexander (Sir John Bullock), Charles Edwards (Michael Gregson), Gary Carr (Jack Ross), Hugh O’Brien (Gentleman (uncredited)), Joanna David (Duchess of Yeovil), MyAnna Buring (Edna Braithwaite), Nigel Harman (Green), Patrick Kennedy (Terence Sampson), Samantha Bond (Lady Rosamund Painswick), Tom Cullen (Anthony Gillingham)