Downton Abbey - Season 3
Entering its third season, Downton Abbey leaves the World War behind and moves on to the twenties. Without the pressing appearance of soldier costumes and international matters, the television phenomenon once again spends more time on characters than plot. That’s how season three feels more like the first series, with captivating performances and intriguing affairs of a time few can remember.
Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) have finally found each other and are eager to start their lives together. Matthew, however, is still the heir of Downton and leaving is hardly an option. Especially now Downton is in trouble. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) has to accept the world is no longer the same and the great economic crisis is affecting everyone, even the wealthiest. After a bad investment, Lord Grantham sees his fortune is shrinking, ultimately to the point that no new staff members can be hired. Consequently, Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) has to work with less than what he’d pleased, causing uncertainty and friction between the footmen of the abbey. With Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, there’s a vacant spot and everybody seems to want it. Meanwhile, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) tries her best to proof her husband’s innocence.
The season mainly focuses on the preserving of the estate. The classic battle of new and old ways is prominently featured with Lord Grantham relying on everything that worked before and Matthew trying to find new ways to keep the family and the house afloat. Employment of the people in the county is important for the abbey, but what will come of it once the money has run out? This is a topic that’s incredibly relatable in our time, when people are holding on to their jobs as big companies face hard times. It makes the glamorous world of chandeliers and caviar accessible and relatable. However, that’s not where this season finds its strength.
Among the quarrels about legacy and customs, the characters of the show shine brightly as ever. Guest star Shirley Maclaine adds some fun spice to the Dowager Countess of Grantham’s (Maggie Smith) sassy appearance. Mr. Bates, even with a prison story that drags on far longer than it ought to, remains charming and endearing. Mary, as dramatic and classy as ever, is hardly softened by finding her true love in Matthew, who in turn truly steps up. Surprising returns are Ethel Parks (Amy Nuttall) who finds work with Mrs. Crawley (Penelope Wilton), to much dismay of the village, and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) who’s role significantly expands as he and Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) return.
Downton Abbey’s third season battles many stories in a way very few ensemble drama’s can handle. It finds the time to put every person in their own spotlight, even if the stories are a bit chewed out with a medical scare, a love triangle and a ‘Atonement’ style affair. Even so, the season also features deaths, weddings and births which, by now, is what the drama excels at. These deaths, however, will sting very badly. The wedding will be remembered and the births are only as joyful as the moment they last. The season ends with the usual Christmas Special which takes on a very different tone compared to the last regular episode of the season. It surprises you unpleasantly and moves the show in a way that doesn’t quite fit the rest of the season. Whatever your opinion is on the off-screen casting drama, the on-screen drama is guaranteed to ignite strong feelings.
Featuring some of the best scenes of the year, the show is still very much in its prime, but after the dust of this tumultuous season settles, one can only wonder how long it will stay this good.
Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) have finally found each other and are eager to start their lives together. Matthew, however, is still the heir of Downton and leaving is hardly an option. Especially now Downton is in trouble. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) has to accept the world is no longer the same and the great economic crisis is affecting everyone, even the wealthiest. After a bad investment, Lord Grantham sees his fortune is shrinking, ultimately to the point that no new staff members can be hired. Consequently, Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) has to work with less than what he’d pleased, causing uncertainty and friction between the footmen of the abbey. With Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, there’s a vacant spot and everybody seems to want it. Meanwhile, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) tries her best to proof her husband’s innocence.
The season mainly focuses on the preserving of the estate. The classic battle of new and old ways is prominently featured with Lord Grantham relying on everything that worked before and Matthew trying to find new ways to keep the family and the house afloat. Employment of the people in the county is important for the abbey, but what will come of it once the money has run out? This is a topic that’s incredibly relatable in our time, when people are holding on to their jobs as big companies face hard times. It makes the glamorous world of chandeliers and caviar accessible and relatable. However, that’s not where this season finds its strength.
Among the quarrels about legacy and customs, the characters of the show shine brightly as ever. Guest star Shirley Maclaine adds some fun spice to the Dowager Countess of Grantham’s (Maggie Smith) sassy appearance. Mr. Bates, even with a prison story that drags on far longer than it ought to, remains charming and endearing. Mary, as dramatic and classy as ever, is hardly softened by finding her true love in Matthew, who in turn truly steps up. Surprising returns are Ethel Parks (Amy Nuttall) who finds work with Mrs. Crawley (Penelope Wilton), to much dismay of the village, and Tom Branson (Allen Leech) who’s role significantly expands as he and Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) return.
Downton Abbey’s third season battles many stories in a way very few ensemble drama’s can handle. It finds the time to put every person in their own spotlight, even if the stories are a bit chewed out with a medical scare, a love triangle and a ‘Atonement’ style affair. Even so, the season also features deaths, weddings and births which, by now, is what the drama excels at. These deaths, however, will sting very badly. The wedding will be remembered and the births are only as joyful as the moment they last. The season ends with the usual Christmas Special which takes on a very different tone compared to the last regular episode of the season. It surprises you unpleasantly and moves the show in a way that doesn’t quite fit the rest of the season. Whatever your opinion is on the off-screen casting drama, the on-screen drama is guaranteed to ignite strong feelings.
Featuring some of the best scenes of the year, the show is still very much in its prime, but after the dust of this tumultuous season settles, one can only wonder how long it will stay this good.
