Sep 16 2011 by Roz Laws, Sunday Mercury
(SPOILER ALERT)
In fact, Downton Abbey is better than ever, because we know the characters by now and become emotionally invested in their futures.
Which are decidedly dicey, as we’ve moved on two years and it’s now 1916, at the height of the First World War. Or Great War, as they call it.
Downton’s heir Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) has been fighting on the front line but is due to return on leave, much to the excitement of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) who still holds a candle for him. But her catty sister Edith wastes no time in telling her that Matthew is not coming alone.
Two can play at that game, and Mary meets newspaper proprietor Sir Richard Carlisle (Iain Glen).
Also seeing more battles than he bargained for is nasty footman Thomas, who volunteered as a medic in the hope that would take him out of action. But he finds himself covered in mud and blood in the hell of The Somme, experiencing horrors that will change him forever.
Back in Yorkshire, Robert, the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) is desperate to help with the war effort. And, shocked at the mass destruction of young lives, youngest daughter Sybil enrols in nursing training and learns to drive.
“Sometimes it feels as if all the men I’ve danced with are dead,” she says tearfully.
Butler Carson (Jim Carter) has only one footman left and has to cope with the ‘upstairs’ family invading the ktichen as they learn how to bake a cake. You can imagine what the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) has to say about that.
Anna (Joanna Frogatt) is pleased when valet John Bates (Brendan Coyle) returns from London, while Amy Nuttall joins the cast as a new housemaid Ethel.
The really good news is that we can look forward to eight captivating episodes and a Christmas special. It all starts with a 90-minute episode. Enjoy!
Downton Abbey, ITV1, Sunday, 9pm
No comments:
Post a Comment