Downton Abbey FINALE

The finale of Series 3 was, to be honest, an anti-climax.

The politics of ‘House vs. Village cricket’ quite literally took over, to the point where no other major themes for the episode, bar ‘judgement’ perhaps, were allowed to develop. Lord Grantham revealed himself as deeply silly. I must say, in his semi-retirement from the running of the estate he’s loosened up a whole lot—in spite of the tantrums. Flatter his ego a little (that’s it Tom!) and give him some glory (Sporting? Yes Captain!), and he’s right as rain. A child!

The major plot-line for Fellowes to tie up was the business of Thomas and his ‘assault of a criminal nature’ on Jimmy. Carson reduced the fellow to a despondent wreck, quite beaten, with his weighty words on Thomas’ habits; it fell to a prison-softened Bates to pick up the pieces, ‘damn fool’ though he was rendered when Thomas miraculously secured the position of under-butler.

‘Her ladyship’s soap.’ That line was genius: it made great use of the audience’s close attention to the workings of Downton’s plot over the last three series. We knew exactly what he was on about with those three little words, and if that’s not testament to the success of the series, I don’t know what is.

The London scenes seemed oddly displaced. It’s about time we got a Bright Young Thing and a bit of jazz in, but the timing of Lady Rose’s introduction felt a little off. Do we think she might come back for Christmas? Terence in tow? Her presence merely enhanced the stuffiness of the Crawleys, but unless Rosamund and Edith had swayed into the Blue Dragon, hit up the champagne and started dancing on the table (I’m sure they’re both perfectly capable of such behaviour), it was bound to be a little disappointing.

Poor Edith is again speeding towards a doomed romance. The flirtatious editor was exposed by Edith’s Jane Eyre style enquiries as having a wife. Edith clearly took great pity on his plight; the sadness of his situation contrasted sharply with Rose’s adulterous suitor’s intentions.

This, the third series of Downton, has been enjoyable enough. Rumours about Downton’s future and longevity may abound, but nine million views pulls something of a punch. A Sunday-night-ritual. The majority of criticism focuses on how plot lines could or should have been further developed, the audience’s vague disappointment stemming from insufficiency, rather than outrage or outlandishness. And you know what they say about never being able to have enough of a good thing…

Until Christmas, then.