Downton Abbey Episode 3 Review

At least the fallout proved to be entertaining as Violet found out what Mary had been up to. To think only last week, I was calling for the Dowager Countess to begin meddling in her family’s affairs again. It was fantastic to see Violet lie to cover Mary so easily, I almost believed her myself. We need more Mary-Violet scenes, especially since the two characters are more alike than I remember. One of the high points of Downton in general is that we can really believe that the Crawleys are a family, not just by looking alike but by pinpointing exactly where one character gets their trait from. That’s actually pretty skilful writing.

 

The writing was pretty good all round this week, focusing on the quieter moments. We got some character-bonding scenes between Mary and Branson, Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore, Anna and Mary. Even Baxter’s growing on me as she shared most of her screentime with Cora this week. I’m hoping that this week signals the end of her particular arc. It came as no surprise that she stole jewels for a man - I think most of us guessed - so it was unnecessarily drawn out in that regard. Although wouldn’t it be interesting if that man somehow turned out to be Thomas? I guess that’s impossible though.

 

 

The rape story is even more drawn out, painfully so. Even I’ve forgotten who knew about the rape - I was certain Bates and Carson both knew. If people are starting to forget certain plot points, it’s time to move on. Plus I’m hoping that they don’t make Bates a murderer - it would ruin a pretty likable character. Although we have been promised a ‘shock’ in that regard so maybe this will exonerate him. The bumbling police officer was a good character though, I want to see more of him.

 

 

Meanwhile plot points like Violet’s past were barely touched on, left until the last ten minutes of the episode. And I was disappointed in the plot as a whole. It just seemed like an opportunity for us to laugh at the Dowager Countess for indulging in some ‘inappropriate’ shenanigans herself. At least Maggie Smith’s acting saved the plot but then I expect nothing less from her. Let’s hope this plot actually goes somewhere next week. Also loved Violet’s line about servants being humans ‘preferably on their days off.’ I don’t care if the character is approaching ninety (come on, she must be!), if anyone deserves immortality, it’s the Dowager Countess! She remains the best character on the show!

 

 

The other major plot point this week was the emerging love triangle between Robert, Cora, and Simon Bricker. And wow, Robert is so dislikable as a character now! Was he always like this? It’s like he wants Cora to have an affair. Really, how was she supposed to know about his plans? At this point, I wouldn’t mind it if he did lose his wife to the art historian - in fact, it would make for a better story than the predictable ‘Cora realising what she’s losing and going back to her husband' cliche. Alas I’m not expecting much, especially since Richard E. Grant is only in Downton for about four episodes.

 

 

Apart from the above, not a lot else happened. Anna hid some of Lady Mary’s stuff which looks like it was going to cause some marital tension with her husband until it… didn’t. Thomas was woefully underused this week but I guess his story will pick up again soon. Carson and Mrs. Hughes are acting so much like a married couple that I’m starting to suspect something is happening between them which… isn’t as weird as I thought it might be. And sadly Miss Bunting annoyed me this week, hacking off a Russian (who, to be fair to her, was acting less like a man and more like a petulant child who’d just been told he couldn’t stay up late). Weirdly enough I’m continuing to enjoy Rose. She’s no Sybil but she’s definitely coming into her own.

 

I don’t have much to say about last night's episode which I’m not sure is a good or bad thing, considering that my blog posts are usually three pages long and well over 1000 words. But the thing is, Downton was alright this week. It was nothing special and it just didn’t make me feel much. There was a missing element which I can’t put my finger on. Even the previews for next week didn’t exactly have me jumping up and down in excitement - in fact, I can’t remember what they were. I fear that if the writers don’t buck up their ideas, we’ll have another series like last year which was defined by one plot point, assuming there’s a shock this series. It’s a pity because I know Downton can be so much better. And the writing is good, it's the planning that leaves a lot to be desired.