TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episode Two

There's all sorts of romantic entanglements going on at Downton this episode. We've got Lady Mary off gallivanting with Tony Gillingham, Charles Blake turns back up to throw a spanner in the works and then there's Cora flirting with Withnail, I mean Mr Bricker (this was the one I was rooting for - Cora needs a plot of her own goddammit! Also RICHARD E. GRANT). Then Bricker starts flirting with Isis the dog. God forbid! Oh and then there's Molesley and the thieving ladies' maid whose name I've not learnt yet, but I'm struggling to retain interest in that particular plot line.

And with love comes war, more specifically, Lord Grantham arguing with just about everyone he can reach with a booming voice and a shake of his head. The tone was set in an early mealtime which was less a luncheon, more a battle ground before dinner that evening became the dining room equivalent of the Western Front. Amongst the more trivial stuff is resisting Rose's attempts to get a wireless for Downton, but that soon gave way to the Lord and Branson going at it about whose politics were better. Everyone bristled beautifully when Branson mentioned the killing of Charles I in response to Lord Grantham's repeated accusations about the atrocities occurring in Russia. It's all delightfully polite but shots were most definitely fired.

I think Fellowes is missing a trick by not adopting the Hero versus Big Bad approach for a series. It may just be my liberal politics, but Branson is the unsung hero of the piece, fighting for justice and an end to the oppressive social class system that he has managed through the convenience of marriage to rise through. Clearly in opposition, the Big Bad could be Lord Grantham. I want to see Hugh Bonneville in full villain mode, tearing down any threat to the establishment and bellowing "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CRICKET?!" in the faces of bewildered villagers.

Lady Mary's impending sexpedition with Tony Gillingham led to some beautiful comedy moments, both with Anna and Charles Blake who turns up all charming and mentioning sex to get her a bit flustered. But still, Gillingham's got his allotted week to prove he's the man for Mary. Contraception according to Lady Mary is wonderful; read a book and send your maid out for condoms. It's like the equivalent of your mate asking you to pop to the pharmacy for you because her parents are wandering around town, but with enforced societal servitude instead. I also loved the judgemental pharmacist; things haven't changed all that much apparently.

The much-anticipated meeting of Gillingham and Lady Mary was all awkward and not at all romantic. Doing the gentlemanly thing, Gillingham gets separate rooms connected by an adjoining door and allowing Mary to stay under her own name to not attract any suspicion. But this struck me as a little silly really. The manager's in on the arrangement and it's hardly going to take investigative skills to find out Gillingham was staying next door, put two and two together and get 'illicit sexual affair'. Apparently a scrumptious dinner was the going rate for a whole week of 'making love' in those days, so clearly interest rates in that respect haven't changed all that much either.

I could talk about Lady Edith's struggle to gain control over daughter Marigold, but I kept being distracted at those points. I am obviously sympathetic to her plight, but she needs a bit of spark about her. Bring back Gregson I say! Yes, I know he's likely dead at the hands of some proto-Nazis, but still, she was much more interesting when he was around (which goes entirely against my usual rage about women characters who are only defined by the men around them, I know). 

- Becky

Catch Becky's review of the previous episode here.

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episode One

I've developed a rather love/hate relationship with Downton Abbey of late with its shoehorned historical context, clunky exposition and paper-thin characterisation. I've returned for this series in the hope that it might have been a particularly cranky mood that made me give up on it last time. As the first instalment progressed however, I realise it may not have just been me...

This episode finds the Downton gang reeling from the news that a Labour government is in power. We know this because we get a whole scene in the library in which the family talk about it all in nicely phrased pieces that let us know exactly what this means for this particular class. Lord Grantham thinks it's about the most apocalyptic thing to happen since the working class began demanding things in the first place, Mary uses it to wind him up and Branson's there to lend an air of 'working class hero' to the proceedings. 

Below stairs, we have a similar discussion from the servants' perspectives, once again divided between Carson's 'it's the end of all we know' attitude to Jimmy's enthusiasm for a Prime Minister who is representative of a different social class. It quickly fades into the background though once the more salacious plot developments take hold; Thomas is plotting (obviously), Jimmy is fending off the amorous attentions of Lady Astruther (a wickedly game Anna Chancellor) and Lady Mary is wondering how to know who to marry without trying to, ahem, test drive him first (does she not remember the last time she tried this, she ended up in bed with a corpse?). 

Oh, and there's a fire. But it's neither as dramatic or as spectacular as you might have hoped.

The historical context has always been used to hang plot points on from the moment Lady Sybil decided to become a not-very-committed suffragette to the arrival of the First World War. It's dropped on us with all the subtlety of a grand piano crashing through the library roof and comes across as a little insulting. But then again, Mr Fellowes is the man who also thought he needed to rewrite Romeo & Juliet because us poor people without expensive educations couldn't possibly understand Shakespeare in its original form. 

It may be that I was too enamoured with all the glamourous trappings of the Abbey and its inhabitants, but it felt at several points in this episode as if it was lurching into self-parody. Thomas loomed from shadows like a moustache-twiddling pantomime villain even more so than usual whilst the aforementioned contextual conversations may as well have been offered a companion history textbook in a sort of readalong game. I also get the increasing sense that these characters simply cease to exist when the camera isn't on them. Anna and Mr Baaates have a conversation about Lady Mary which seems to pause once their offscreen and just resume from where they left off in a scene taking place a day later. I don't expect to have a detailed update from each one on what they've been up to since they were last onscreen, but it would help to at least have a sense that they do something other than stand prettily until the plot requires them.

I make a point of never watching things 'ironically'; if I enjoy something, I'm more than happy to admit it. I still enjoy Downton. I love how completely unaware of its failings it is, how the characters might as well just freeze in one place until the camera is back on them and they can carry on their conversation (despite it being days/years since the first half of their talk) and I still love these characters. Despite the newer faces amongst the cast acting as largely ciphers of whichever issue Fellowes has decided to explore this week, the old guard are still as brilliant as ever.

It's the regular cast that consistently keep me interested, rising above even the dullest material (honestly, how many times can Daisy try to do something different only to be told not to by Mrs Patmore. Every. Damn. Series). Michelle Dockery still brings a lovely warmth to the icy cold exterior of Mary and her romantic woes once again form her storyline, but that's all right, because she clearly knows how to handle a farming business. Rob James-Collier may fall into moustache-twirling, but there's a great inner conflict to Thomas that looks set to be explored further than it has been before. Obviously, Maggie Smith is awesome too. I love any scene where she goes up against Penelope Wilton. 

And so it all begins again with a wiggle of a dog's bum and the usual upstairs/downstairs shenanigans that we've come to know and, in my case, begrudgingly love. However, one can't help thinking that when Lord Grantham announced at the end of this episode 'the entertainment's over', he might just be right.

- Becky

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episode Two

The pace at Downton has slowed of late, what with the passing of Matthew and the transformation of Mary into a beautiful walking corpse. Thankfully, the show itself isn't entirely lifeless, though it's still a little lacking in the madcap plot twist department.

I'll mention the Ivy-Alfred-Jimmy-Daisy-possibly now Rose polygon briefly because it happened but still failed to get me caring about it. I'm not even sure who likes who really, just that there seems to be a lot of furtive glances and whispering about it. I also add Rose in now because Jimmy accompanied them to the dance and then caught her dallying with her bit of rough before dinner. Jimmy was an interesting character last series when he was the target for Thomas' affections, but he seems to have been reduced to wallpaper so far. Maybe a fling with Rose will liven the place up? Give them both something to do? Romances on Downton have certainly started for less and yes I'm totally grasping at straws here because the episode left me very little to go on ok?

Speaking of potential romances, might there be a possibility of a Mary-Branson relationship in the offing? Or a Mary-Tom relationship... I'm with the Dowager, it's too difficult. Anyway, now that Dame Maggie has instructed Tom/Branson to be Mary's instructor in the ways of the estate, the pair are about to spend a lot of time together and in TV Land, that's tantamount to getting engaged. Not to mention all the knowing grins that Tom/Branson was exhibiting throughout the episode. 

Well there's that and the fact that it would royally get up Lord Grantham's nose, a man already campaigning fervently for 'Git of the Year'. I'm aware it would have been completely anachronistic for Mary to chuck her no doubt expensive Sauvignon Blanc right in his face at dinner, but I was totally gunning for it. However, whilst Lord Grantham may have given a wonderfully contradictory speech (remember when he was campaigning for Mary to inherit the estate?), it was left to the deceased Matthew to steal the show in the most convenient plot development since Miss Lavinia Swire felt a bit ill.

From the moment Lord Grantham began reading the letter, I knew it was going to be a moment of pure Downton gold. And it did not disappoint. "I suddenly realised..." Did you now Matthew? How very prescient of you. Speaking positively, whilst it may have been hilariously convenient, it also wrapped up the whole issue of Mary's inheritance neatly and quickly because I don't think anyone could have been bothered with another Series One entail plotline running all the way through it. On the other hand, it was terrible writing. Just terrible. Nuance has never been one of Downton's strong points, but if there was ever a moment for it, that was it.

It was left to the below stairs crew to get the nice storylines this week as Carson finally came around to forgiving his old friend in a lovely station-set scene with Grigg (though I was half-expecting a 'Daddy! Oh my Daddy!' moment a la Jenny Agutter). The story of Alice was quaint stuff, the type of story you'd expect to hear over tea and scones and therefore proper Downton stuff. I also enjoyed the Molesley-Mr Baaates storyline though Thomas' meddling with the Baaates family is getting a tad dull. Where's Miss O'Brien when you need her?

Oh and Edith is well on her way to become 'the other woman'. Brilliant. There's never a dull moment is there?

- Becky

You can read Becky's review of the previous episode here.

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Christmas Special

The Granthams head up to Scotland to visit Rose's parents, but everything is far from idyllic up in the Highlands. Branson is left behind to oversee the running of the house and the remaining servants take advantage of the family not being around. Very major spoilers abound!

Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) travel up to Duneagle in the Highlands to visit the rather hilariously named Shrimpy (Peter Egan) and his wife Susan (Phoebe Nicholls), parents of the wayward Rose (Lily James). Also in the travelling party are a heavily pregnant Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens), Edith (Laura Carmichael) with her lovelorn editor in tow, Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards), the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) and several servants including Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Mr Baaates (Brendan Coyle). Back at Downton, a new housemaid Edna (MyAnna Buring) is trying to convince Tom Branson (Allen Leech) that he should be ashamed of his new progression into the family while the other servants prepare to go to the fair. Thomas (Robb James-Collier) finds himself stepping in to defend Jimmy (Ed Speleers) despite the latter trying to avoid him.

Last year's Downton Abbey Christmas Special was very festive and with their engagement, brought joy to the viewers who had shipped Mary and Matthew from the start (and drew weary sighs from those who were just happy for it to be over). This special was considerably less festive and was more of an extension of the third series, following on from the plots established in the final episode, including Branson attempting to fit in with the family, Mary and Matthew trying for a baby and Thomas and Jimmy still reeling from the development of their relationship. From this image alone, we looked like we were going to have the usual Downton scandal:

With so many plot strands on the go and so many people invested in these characters, the festive special should have been action-packed, full of reeling plot developments, inexplicable twists and Maggie Smith's one-liners. It was absent of all these. In the whole 90 minute episode, there was only a good ten minutes where something actually happened. The rest was all furtive glances, limp dialogue and predictable directions for the new series. The entire episode felt like a poorly constructed bridge between three and four; one that was more concerned with setting up a starting block than being an episode in its own right.

There were positives though and a couple of storylines had potential; if you've followed my reviews then you know I'm a big Allen Leech fan and it was great to see him get some scenes to himself that didn't involve being the token outsider. Settling into Downton is a big transition for a character and his development and anxieties felt very real, despite being pushed by a very annoying servant. MyAnna Buring is a good actress, I've liked her in other things, but the character Edna was so irritating that I was really relieved when Mrs Hughes sacked her. Let's just hope she doesn't have a change of heart.

Also, Thomas' development from pantomime villain to a man trying desperately to hide his identity has been well-written and performed beautifully by Rob James-Collier. The character always had the potential to be fairly one-dimensional but since he no longer hangs around O'Brien so much and has become more cautious and fragile since the revelations of last series, he was one of the most interesting characters to watch in this episode. The tug of war was also quite fun.

That being said, it wasn't difficult to stand out in this episode because the rest of it really was quite dull, which is something Downton has never been known for. Even at its most ridiculous and plot-twisty, Downton was always entertaining, whether that came from gasping incredulously at the latest convenient plot twist or laughing at one of Maggie's great one liners. In the last series, the Edith/editor relationship had all the hallmarks of developing into a crazy Jane Eyre-like romance but here was reduced to low-voiced conversations in corners. Let's hope Fellowes gets his Bronte on for next series. This plotline in particular was a good example of the simple fact that Downton seems to have lost its spark in this episode. That is, until the last fifteen minutes or so.

Just in case you missed the first warning, what follows is a MAJOR SPOILER.

Still with me? When Mary declared she would be fine and that going up to Scotland whilst heavily pregnant, you knew something was going to happen. After Lady Sybil's disastrous childbirth, all attention was focused on her. They couldn't possibly kill off another Grantham sister could they? Then the baby was born with no complications and Matthew started making all these declarations about how they were all going to be together forever and thus signed his own death certificate. 

We all knew that Dan Stevens didn't want to return for the fourth series but I must admit, I didn't expect his exit to be just yet, or to be quite so spectacular. Stevens has been a great member of the cast throughout the series' run and it's a shame to see him depart for hopefully bigger and better things. Whether this will detrimentally affect the series remains to be seen but I will definitely miss seeing the developing bromance between Matthew and Branson, it was a thing of beauty. Matthew's death twist was pure Downton, predictable up to a point, completely outlandish and left me sat there speechless as the credits rolled.

Now if the entire episode had managed to capture that same feel, it might have been a lot better. Sure Downton is mocked for its tendency to go from the sublime to the ridiculous in a matter of seconds, but that's what keeps us all watching. In his attempt to set us up for the fourth series, Fellowes seemed to have forgotten that and the result was sadly lacking for this Downton devotee. Let's hope the fourth series fares much better, despite the lack of the ever-charming Matthew.

- Becky

You can read Becky's previous Downton Abbey reviews here.

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episode Eight

Once again, a series of Downton Abbey comes to an end with a slow-burning yet very entertaining and heartwarming episode that takes in sexual politics, baby problems, the Charleston, a madwoman in an attic asylum and a rather jolly cricket match.

Downton Abbey finales have always been overly dramatic affairs, in keeping with the series naturally but always going the extra mile to make you shout 'WHAT?' at the screen whilst throwing that cup of tea you made in the advert break all over yourself. In the first series, it was the breakdown of the Mary and Matthew relationship, Cora's miscarriage and the outbreak of World War One whilst the second saw Bates arrested, the further breakdown of Mary and Matthew's relationship and Sybil running off with the chauffeur. The third finale had a lot to live up to but whilst it wasn't necessarily as dramatic or as shocking as what had come before, it was a fantastic end to the series with every required ingredient that is loved about Downton.

After the kiss last week, Thomas (Rob James-Collier) finds himself preparing to leave Downton as Carson (Jim Carter) is blackmailed into forcing him to go without a reference by spurned footman James (Ed Speleers) who is in turn having his strings pulled by Miss O'Brian (Siobhan Finneran). Thomas finds himself with an unlikely ally in the returning Mr Baaates (Brendan Coyle) who works with Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) and Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) to ensure that the former valet gets to remain at Downton. Meanwhile, Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Branson (Allen Leech) push on with their plan to reform the estate, much to the Lord's chagrin and furthering the best bromance on television at the moment. Mary (Michelle Dockery) is taking herself off mysteriously to London at regular intervals with only Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) really knowing what's going on. The Crawleys take on babysitting duties for a relative, the wayward Lady Rose (Lily James) who is singlehandedly responsible for the lead-in to one of the funniest lines of the series. Edith (Laura Carmichael) continues to write her column but discovers a secret that might change her relationship with her editor and the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) and Mrs Crawley (Penelope Wilton) manage to find a suitable position for Ethel (Amy Nuttall) to start again. And then there's a cricket match!

That's a lot of plot but with an hour and a half runtime, Downton had a lot of stuff to get through and each narrative strand was just as entertaining as the next and although, as with the previous episode, the resolutions were pretty much a given, the real strength of this instalment was the writing. Maggie Smith is usually the actress gifted the most sublime one-liners but several characters got their moment to shine. Phyllis Logan's Mrs Hughes has always been the dependable sort and her reaction to Thomas' indiscretion were wonderfully non-stereotypical. The reaction of all the characters to Thomas in fact was a great running joke; apparently, his sexuality wasn't as well hidden as he probably thought it was. The best line of the night though had to go to Dan Stevens for his impeccable comic timing when the flappable Matthew came face to face with a 1920s jazz club: 'It's like the outer circle of Dante's Inferno'. Mr Stevens, I salute you.

Some of the specific plot points were also more to do with placing foundations than bringing certain storylines to a close. With Mary and Matthew now all biologically ready and raring to baby-make, I'd imagine that it won't be too long before Sybil Jr. has a cousin. Likewise, I don't think it will be the last we see of the Lady Rose either though she was more than a little irritating. Then again, with Sybil gone, the family needs another rebel in their midst. Perhaps the most intriguing though was Downton Abbey Does Jane Eyre in the form of the Edith/Editor narrative. Although she's initially shocked that her potential beau has a wife, the revelation that she's more Bertha Mason than Mrs Beeton means that Edith may be heading into another potentially controversial relationship. Let's hope this time, she doesn't get left at the altar (though of course if they continue to follow the Jane Eyre path, she'll do the altar-abandoning...).

It may not have been as dramatic as its fellow finales, but it was all the better for its gentler pace and lack of major revelations. After some of the truly sad moments in this series, Sybil's death for example, it could have gone from bad to worse but I think that taking the show in a more positive and light-hearted direction was an excellent choice for the final episode. I'd previously thought that Downton could not be any more English if it tried, but then of course they decided to hold a cricket match. All it needed really was the mention of a ginger beer and we'd have some walking stereotypes on our hands (well, more so than we do already). The cricket match could have gone on for a bit longer in my opinion as it would have been hilarious to see Lord Grantham get all competitive and bluster across the wicket. The last-minute police confrontation felt like a very strange after-thougt; more of a quick tying up of loose ends than an actual, credible development. But the status quo is (sort of) restored and it looked like the House might finally beat the Village. Jolly good show indeed.

The final slow motion shot of Lord Grantham, Matthew and Branson going in for a hug was unbelievably cheesy but I could not help having the biggest grin on my face. Rather than eagerly awaiting the Christmas special for a resolution to a cliffhanger, I'm going to be looking forward to it as a regular televisual comfort blanket because when all is said and done, that it is exactly what Downton Abbey is and should be.

- Becky

You can read Becky's review of Episodes Six and Seven here.

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episodes 6 & 7

In the aftermath of Sybil's sudden demise, Branson and Lord Grantham are at loggerheads, Matthew and Lord Grantham are at loggerheads and in fact, Lord Grantham falls out with just about everyone. Cora seeks to blame him, the Dowager Countess goes into damage repair, Bates is officially in the clear and Edith takes steps to escape her solitary lifestyle. 

After the monumental upheaval that was the fifth episode ,which saw one of the most beloved characters leave the show, Downton Abbey seems to have scaled back quite a bit. Episode Six continued in the excellent vein established by its predecessor and was thankfully not as weepy or traumatic. Maggie Smith has never given a bad performance in the show and here, she was excellent again, attempting to solve the marital difficulties between Cora and Robert. 

Whilst it handled it excellently, the episode was very much a foundation for the conflicts that are to arise for the remainder of the third series. They say you should never talk about religion at a dinner party though Lord Grantham was sort of asking for it by inviting the local Reverend round in an attempt to convince Branson that the christening should not be a Catholic ceremony. However, he failed to understand the power of the Crawley women en masse and the poor Reverend found himself made a complete fool of by the girls and Branson. It was a great scene, written well for the characters and allowing the Dowager Countess to once again steal the show.

Elsewhere, Matthew is still campaigning for his estate reformation though much of it is falling on the deaf ears of Lord Grantham who appears to be doing the 1920s equivalent of sticking his fingers in his ears and repeating 'la la la' at a loud volume until Matthew goes away. Though of course Matthew is right, because he's Matthew and he's awesome and I'm getting carried away again. Nevertheless, there's still an issue here and the treatment of the estate is fast becoming the most symbolic presence of the twentieth century in Downton. Whilst Lord Grantham represents the stoic attitudes of his predecessors, Matthew's middle-class pragmatism demonstrates the need for change. It's always been an interesting dynamic and one that is being continually brought to the fore after the first episode's insistence of the oncoming modernisation of the post-war era.

In Episode Seven, Branson's brother comes to stay and causes a bit of a stir as Branson decides that he will go reside with him in Liverpool with Sybil Jr while Lord Grantham huffs and puffs a bit. Again. Matthew locks horns with Lord Grantham over the management of the estate and manages to offend the existing estate agent while eventually winning the argument. Edith goes on a date with her new editor as she prepares to write her column and finally looks as if she's going to enjoy herself for at least a little while.

For a series that has been pretty great so far, the penultimate episode was actually pretty lacklustre in its predictability. The central conflicts that had been developing in the previous episode just sort of fizzled out, without any real explosion or argument. The issue of the state in particular had practically signposted episodes earlier that it was going to be the way in which Branson stayed at Downton Abbey. The christening was always going to go Branson's way, as predicted by Mary, and additionally, the return of Mr Bates had all the dramatic tension of a damp newspaper seeing as it was inevitable anyway.

One plotline that still has great potential though is the developing relationship between footman Jimmy and everyone's favourite panto villain, Thomas. Although we predicted in an earlier review that their relationship might be of a romantic nature, Julian Fellowes is still toying with us. The scene between Thomas and Mr Carson in the aftermath of the kiss was excellent from the knowing way that Carson handled the issue to James-Collier's performance. He's long been one of the standout actors and it is always good to see him given something else to do other than plot and scheme with O'Brian. It also offers Downton an opportunity to explore the issue of homosexuality in that time period and how vilified it was. But then again, that kiss was not necessarily one-sided... Could it be a case of Jimmy protesting too much or is he genuinely so disgusted by Thomas that he'll get him fired?

Another plus point of this episode was Hugh Bonnville's performance; despite all of his incredulity, Lord Grantham is forced into giving way on just about everything he disagreed with in previous episodes this time and Bonneville is managing to make his performance thankfully more than one note. The christening in particular was a fine exhibition of both his dramatic and comedic skills and was a nice, gentle scene with which to end the episode.

Other than the final scenes between Jimmy and Thomas, which could lead to some interesting issues being presented, there just seemed to be a lack of spark in the episode this time.

- Becky

You can read Becky's review of Episode Five here.

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episode Five

The fifth episode of Downton Abbey is both one of the most dramatic so far, and naturally therefore, one of the best. I usually try to avoid major spoilers for my reviews but be warned, there is one massive spoiler here that it would be impossible not to discuss.

The house begins preparing for the arrival of Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) and Tom's (Allen Leech) baby while Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Mary (Michelle Dockery) are still longing for the pitter-patter of tiny feet (Oncoming Tragedy Klaxon). Daisy (Sophie McShera) is taking being someone's superior a little too seriously and is yelling at the new kitchenmaid a lot while Anna (Joanne Froggatt) has discovered the evidence that could lead to a pardon for Mr Baaates (Brendan Coyle). The new footman, Jimmy (Ed Speelers) finds himself in a rather compromising situation with the amorous Thomas (Rob James-Collier) thanks to O'Brien's (Siobhan Finneran) plotting. Then as complications start with Sybil's pregnancy, Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) are forced to make a decision that could jeopardise Sybil's health and the baby. How they managed to keep this one secret is anyone's guess, but the episode was so much better for not having a clue about what was just around the corner.

The sense of foreboding was slow to creep up in this episode, most of the focus was on how happy everything was going to be once the next generation of the Downton dynasty arrived. The construction of the episode was one of its strongest points with ebbs and flows that constantly made you question the outcome, particularly once the baby had been born. Then, there was that scene between Sybil and Cora in which the daughter pleaded with the mother for her help with carrying out her husband's wishes for the child. Suddenly, the third daughter's future looked pretty certain and not in a rosy, everything's going to be all right kind of way and in one of the bravest moves the show has ever made, we saw the departure of Sybil, who was possibly one of the most beloved characters.

It's a brave plot point for two reasons; firstly, as I mentioned last week, it shakes up the well-worn path that Downton has been treading this series. We all felt safe because we always knew that everything would always be all right, because it always had been. Well that's now completely out the window and you get the feeling that, for the remaining episodes at least, anything goes. Minor characters have always been dispensable (the footman William for example) but up until now it was always safe to assume that the main characters would survive; Matthew magically recovered his ability to walk and do, erm, other things while Cora survived Spanish flu. Secondly, it's going to make the family dynamic all the more interesting. After all, who is going to defend Branson now that Sybil isn't around? I strongly suspect that the usual family loyalties are going to start shifting. And when I said I was all for seeing more of Branson, killing off his wife was not exactly what I meant but it nevertheless promises an interesting plot-line for the former chauffeur. 

The death scene itself was slow and heart-wrenching, from Branson and Cora's pleas for Sybil to stay with them to Lord Grantham's disbelief at the sudden turn of events, and the scenes that followed just added to the tragedy. I personally could no longer hold it together after the brief scene between the Dowager Countess and Carson in which the usually formidable Countess weeped openly, just for a second. Maggie Smith has always been the standout performer in Downton but this moment was so well-judged and so measured that it made an already galling episode even more so. With people group-grieving everywhere, it would have been easy for one actor to pantomime it and try and outdo the others, but each member of the cast gave a great performance in the final scenes of the episode, particularly James-Collier showing a rare moment of compassion in Thomas and Leech, as the grief-stricken husband.

It's the biggest upset we've yet had on the series and it has set up some very interesting narratives for the rest of the series. With Branson now the only link to Lord Grantham's grandchild, there's naturally going to be even more conflict. Elsewhere in the episode, there's other troubles on the horizon with Mary and Matthew most obviously with their baby struggles but also with the estate itself. Something tells me things are only going to get worse at Downton now. And let's face it, none of us would have it any other way.

- Becky

You can read Becky's review of Episode Four here.

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TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episode Four

With Downton Abbey now safely in the possession of Matthew Crawley and Lord Grantham, attention is turned to getting the house in order with the arrival of a new footman. Meanwhile, Branson lands himself in hot water both sides of the Irish Sea with a loyal Sybil following in his wake.

Continuing with its weekly well-dressed melodrama, Downton Abbey has slipped back into everyone's lives like a warm, sequinned comfort blanket of tears, romance with a patchwork of Maggie Smith's one-liners. It's never been challenging viewing but last night felt like the show had relaxed into itself and was simply treading the well-worn path of previous episodes of light comedy followed by Lord Grantham shouting at someone in a belligerent manner. 

This someone was of course Tom Branson (Allen Leech) this time around, facing the Lord's fury after his political activities get him into trouble with the authorities, forcing him to abandon Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) in Ireland and run away to safety. It's the most interesting plotline of the episode and I'm a big advocate of any development that involves more Allen Leech. It also gave us one of the funniest scenes in the series so far as the Dowager Countess proceeded to side with Branson for the most hilarious reasons; namely that she didn't like the castle he was alleged to have helped burn down. But poor Branson, he just can't keep his mouth shut can he? But then again, he would be a much less interesting character if he did. And with that, we get to one of my gripes with this episode.

Downton has always been a fairly conservative show and maintaining or recovering the status quo has always been one of the key tropes across the series; Mary and Matthew should be together-Lavinia gets in the way-Lavinina dies of Spanish flu-Mary and Matthew get married is a classic example (and one I do keep coming back to because it's hilarious). Now we have Sybil and Branson's socially unacceptable marriage, they leave for Ireland and look set to make a life together outside of Downton. But that simply cannot be! It's just far too leftfield for the residents of Downton to cope with. So Mr Fellowes, master of convenience, gets Branson into trouble with the Anglo-Irish and Lord Grantham comes to the rescue by imprisoning his wayward daughter and the former chauffeur in the house. We're back to where we were in the last series, with everyone back at Downton. 


But wouldn't it have been far more interesting to have Branson and Sybil remain in Dublin and have the Crawleys go and visit them? Just think about it - the Dowager Countess bulldozing her way into Anglo-Irish negotiations with all the subtlety of an elephant but all the wit of Oscar Wilde. This is the roaring 20s after all, everything is going a little topsy turvy but short of the fashion, you can't tell that Downton even made it through the First World War. Martha Levinson kept going on about how the Crawleys can't cope with change, but we don't see them getting a chance to; everything just goes back to normal. I want a big shake-up, the kind of upheaval that the loss of Downton hinted at (though was of course conveniently averted).

Thank God then for Edith (Laura Carmichael), new footman Jimmy (Ed Speelers - from the film Eragon. Remember that? No me neither) and the ever-schemeing Thomas (Rob James-Collier). The first meeting between Jimmy and Thomas prompted both me and my friend to predict a future dalliance between the pair or at least provide O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) with an opportunity for revenge so it'll be interesting to see where that goes. Meanwhile, Edith has soldiered on after the heartbreak of being left at the altar and gone all feminist on us. Hurrah! Maybe Edith will get a happy ending after all? 

Elsewhere in the episode, Daisy (Sophie McShera) has her hopes of love with the new footman whose name I still haven't learnt because of a pretty new kitchenmaid (the same kitchenmaid she's begged for from Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol). Oh Daisy), The Anna (Joanne Froggat) and Mr Baaates (Brendan Coyle) storyline continues to be a bit of a snorefest as something goes awry with the pair's letters and they pine over each other for a little while before getting their letters back and pining over them instead. And Mrs Crawley (Penelope Wilton) helps Ethel (Amy Nuttall) give up her son to his grandparents which was actually quite sad.

Tune in next week for more corseted shenanigans!

- Becky

You can read Becky's previous Downton Abbey reviews here.

Follow Becky on Twitter @beckygracelea
Or follow her blog beckygracelea.wordpress.com

TV REVIEW: Downton Abbey - Episodes Two and Three

Did you really think that we'd left behind all the ridiculous and convenient plot developments in the last series of Downton? Well think again, as these two weeks take us through a cancer scare, an attempted shanking, a wedding and (gasp!) the potential loss of Downton Abbey. But never fear, gentle viewers, Julian Fellowes and his amazingly convenient plot twists are on hand to save the day!

If that opening paragraph makes it seem as if I'm laying into everyone's Downton Abbey this week, I can assure you it is only gentle mocking born out of my deep affection for this show. Even the most diehard Downton fans have to admit, the shocking revelation that Matthew (Dan Stevens) was actually in the clear to bestow his money on Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) was never in any doubt. I must admit though, I didn't see the whole letter plot twist, I just expected Matthew to get worn out from all of the not-so-subtle insults from Mary (Michelle Dockery). But we can all rest easy; even though Mary's and the Dowager Countess' (Maggie Smith) hilarious plans failed last week with Martha (Shirley Maclaine), Matthew was once again on hand to save the day!

The second episode, despite some wonderful one liners from Dame Maggie, was the more lacklustre of the two and served more as a lead-in to the big moments in episode three, particularly concerning Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan). Ever the stalwart right-hand woman of Mr Carson (Jim Carter), the housekeeper's strength was tested across these two episodes after discovering that she might have cancer. It isn't one of the strongest plot-lines the show has come up with but it was a chance for Logan and Lesley Nicol's Mrs Patmore to shine. Aside from the lack of originality, it also wasn't the best source of tension because we know that death in Downton is a rare occurence, utilised only when it is incredibly convenient for the existing cast members for people to die (see Patrick Crawley, the long-lost heir or Lavinia, the woman-shaped blockade to the Mary-Matthew marriage). Therefore, Mrs Hughes was NEVER in any danger and now it looks like a possible romance blossoming between her and Mr Carson. D'awww.

Speaking of romance, poor old Edith (Laura Carmichael) was put through the emotional wringer yet again in these episodes as her off-on-off-again romance with Sir Anthony Strallen (Robert Bathurst) heads towards the altar. Or does it? Edith has long been the curmudgeonly spinster of the Crawley clan, spitefully alerting people to Mary's involvement in Mr Pamuk's untimely demise which promptly led to Mary's first destruction of the Edith-Strallen relationship. After the second episode saw the pair engaged, despite the age difference and sum total of only three arms, the third sees the wedding approach. As Edith gleefully observes, for once, an event at Downton Abbey is all about her. Though not for long, as Strallen decides to leave her, rather ungallantly at the alter (in a truly gorgeous wedding dress). I'm developing a theory that Julian Fellowes doesn't like Edith because the poor girl never has a happy ending. Maybe we should all start a campaign? Happy Ending for Edith please!

Because I've covered two episodes here (sharing many of the same themes), I'm going to deviate slightly from the format now and give you a rundown of my other noteworthy moments:

• - Anna (Joanne Froggatt) continues to search for the evidence to prove Bates' (Brendan Coyle) innocence though it's looking a little unlikely. It also continues to be a bit of a yawnfest. 

• Matthew and Branson (Allen Leech) develop their bromance over a game of billiards. Just lovely. Next time, please show the billiards match. 

• - The new, freakishly tall footman (whose name I still don't know) seems to be attempting to cop off with any female member of staff after the American lady's maid in last week's episode and then turning his attention to Daisy (Sophie McShera) and Anna.

• - The war between O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) and Thomas (Rob James-Collier) starts to heat up as she steals the dress shirts he's supposed to be looking after, whilst he tells Molesley that O'Brien is about to leave Downton. After seeing the two of them attempt to bring down everyone else in their path, it's great to see the pair turn against each other.

Next week looks like a focus on the runaway romance of Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) and Branson as the preview featured the former chauffeur in tears and a lot of rain (which we all know means sadness and tragedy). Whilst it may be predictable, over-the-top and ever so slightly daft, it's still cracking entertainment and I'm enjoying the emotional upheaval.

- Becky

You can read Becky's review of the first episode here.

You can follow Becky on Twitter @beckygracelea

Or follow her blog here beckygracelea.wordpress.com