Downton Abbey, ITV1, episode one, review
Andrew Pettie delights in the first episode of the second series of ITV1's Edwardian blockbuster, Downton Abbey.
Downton Abbey stars Dan Stevens and Zoe Boyle Photo: ITV1
10:28PM BST 18 Sep 2011
When we last visited Downton Abbey (ITV1), in December of last year, war had just been declared on Germany. When we returned last night, the First World War was already raging.
We found Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), last seen rejecting Lady Mary’s (Michelle Dockery) acceptance of his own marriage proposal, mired in the trenches. “When I think of my life at Downton,” he remarked to another blood-spattered soldier, “it seems like another world.” Millions of viewers must have nodded their heads in agreement.
Yet the reverberations of war were being felt in Downton, too. Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), preparing for the day when even one’s chauffeur would be required at the front, was learning to drive. Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay), also keen to muck in, volunteered to help out at a hospital for the wounded. (To prepare, she asked Mrs Patmore the cook to show her how to perform a few domestic chores that she’d never had to trouble with before. Lesson one: how to make a cup of tea.)
Worst of all, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) had been forced to adjust her daily routine. “War makes early risers of us all,” she declared, doing her bit for the boys in France by getting out of bed.
There was one character, however, who remained magnificently unmoved. He was, of course, Mr Carson (Jim Carter), the kind but curmudgeonly butler whose upper lip remained patriotically stiff throughout. When Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) dared suggest that “things cannot be the same when there’s a war on”, Carson retorted, “Keeping up standards is the only way to show the Germans that they will not beat us in the end” – at which I gave an involuntary salute.
Although events in Europe did cast a sombre shadow, there was still plenty of time for Downton’s familiar romantic twists and backstairs machinations.
There were too many to list here, but the most shocking were the introduction of Matthew Crawley’s new fiancée, Miss Lavinia Swire (Zoe Boyle), who you can bet your inheritance he will not end up marrying, and the arrival of a brilliant new pantomime villainess, the poisonous Mrs Bates (Maria Doyle Kennedy).
Downton Abbey isn’t perfect. Some of the lines are cloying; others are clichéd. But it remains a glorious, escapist entertainment which, as the fabric of society is torn asunder, the economy crashes around our ears and the autumnal rain lashes down, should at least keep us distracted until Christmas.
Unlike truly great TV dramas – such as Boys from the Blackstuff and Mad Men – Downton doesn’t demand to be watched twice. But it is still the greatest, grandest soap opera I can think of.
There were too many to list here, but the most shocking were the introduction of Matthew Crawley’s new fiancée, Miss Lavinia Swire (Zoe Boyle), who you can bet your inheritance he will not end up marrying, and the arrival of a brilliant new pantomime villainess, the poisonous Mrs Bates (Maria Doyle Kennedy).
Downton Abbey isn’t perfect. Some of the lines are cloying; others are clichéd. But it remains a glorious, escapist entertainment which, as the fabric of society is torn asunder, the economy crashes around our ears and the autumnal rain lashes down, should at least keep us distracted until Christmas.
Unlike truly great TV dramas – such as Boys from the Blackstuff and Mad Men – Downton doesn’t demand to be watched twice. But it is still the greatest, grandest soap opera I can think of.