Friday, January 11, 2013

Downton Abbey Season III premiere review


It is now 1920 and the winds of change are blowing through the estate. Lady Mary is to wed Matthew Crawley, Lady Sybil has scandalously eloped with the chauffeur, Branson. Lord Robert receives news that his fortune and that of his wife's have disappeared in a bad investment. Matthew receives news that he will inherit a fortune from his late almost father-in-law, but refuses to help the Grantham family because he wishes to honor a dying man's belief that he was completely in love with his daughter. Last but not least Cora's mother is comes from Newport, Rhode Island to attend Lady Mary's wedding.
This premiere devoted a lot of time to emphasize that the family's desire to hold on to tradition and English culture were at odds with the outside world. Branson had diatribes about the English oppression of the Irish and Cora's mom made many snide remarks about traditions and letting these hold power over one's life. This was further illustrated when a party degenerated into a farce when Lord Robert and Matthew did not have white collars to wear, althoug
h both looked resplendent in their evening attire while the stove broke down and guests had to eat buffet style which was thought uncouth and uncultured.
The sideplot of Anna and Mr. Bates, moved along as we saw that Anna was trying her best to help her beloved husband get acquitted for a crime he didn't commit. One scene hoewever, where Bates shows a violent side is meant to make us doubt his prveiously unquestionable innocence. these 2 characters are two of my favorites and I find myself wanting only the best for them. We will have to wait to see. 
I am found myself torn over Matthew's position and his predicament. Will he help the financially strapped family or will he stay with his conscience and the honor code of gentlemen? The question is not new but is nevertheless very interesting. It is a conundrum that plagues those of us who grow up with the concept that honor and integrity is a defining part of one's character. The question really can be distilled into: If I do this, am I the same honorable person as before, am I the same person who charmed Lady Mary?
Overall I enjoyed the show (as I almost always do). I enjoyed the usual intrigues, repartee between the women and of course romance. All were beautifully presented as usual. I think that the show does not do as well when the characters have to respond quickly to a problem (in this case the degeneration of the party) or if there is a long grandiose scheme which puts everyone in an unusual situation (tranforming the house to convalescent home for soldiers; season II). I think there is a tendency to "overdo" these situations. These are minor imperfections as the series and this episode continues to be remarkably absorbing.

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