Monday, January 21, 2013

Downton Abbey Season III episode 3 review


This episode had one theme of responsibility and another of the role of women in 1920's England. In this episode, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Crawley try to help Ethel and he son, the maids like the new footman, Bates and Anna can't get each others' letters while upstairs, Edith doesn't know what to do with her free time, while Branson runs from Irish authorities leaving Sybil to escape from Ireland by herself.

This episode highlighted the plight of women in that era where Ethel got no help to raise her son, finally making the painful decision to give her son to his grandparents. Edith takes on the women's cause by writing about the discrimination against women who are not allowed to vote unless they are over 30 and a landowner. In the last 2 episodes, you can see Lady Mary being more authoritative concerning the decisions about the running of the estate and the family. Daisy likes Alfred but in the tradition of the times, women weren't supposed to be forthright about making their feelings known. She is torn about what she should do.

Branson returns to ask for refuge from the Irish police who want him for involvement in the burning down of a castle and driving out of an aristocratic family. He earns the ire and scorn of Robert and Cora for it appears that he has run away leaving his pregnant wife to fend for herself and find her way to Downton on her own. Last but certainly not least, Bates finally solves his problems in gaol and his letters find their way to his lovely Anna and vice versa.

I enjoyed this episode immensely because the balance and pacing were excellent. The episode moved from the gut wrenching trauma of Ethel giving up her son to Carson thinking the smoke from a toaster was a fire. I particularly liked the fact that one can be hooked by the simple plot device of letters not getting to their respective recipients. Can't wait for next week.

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