While the fifth season is off to a solid start, I think it is a good time to take a look back at where Downton has been in the previous four seasons. Here are what I consider the best and worst moments of each previous season, beginning with Season 4.
Season Four:
The Best: Carson's eyebrows, and his moment with Mrs. Hughes at the seaside.
While the entire season was plagued by flat dialogue and lackluster drama, Mr. Carson's eyebrows never failed to rise to the occasion. In the presence of any American they remained as close to his hairline as possible in permanent indignation, but never more so than when conversing with the cheeky valet of Cora's brother. Carson's eyebrows spoke volumes with better delivery than the rest of the cast combined. Long may they remain as bushy and expressive as they have always been.
The moment at the seaside was everything that I love about Downton distilled into a perfect exchange between two of my most beloved characters. Beyond being a subtle expression of loyalty and affection, it did more to usher in the 1920s than any other previous attempt by the writers. The sight of Carson's bare feet was more scandalous than Lady Mary's Turkish lover, Sybil's elopement with the chauffeur, and Edith's secret child combined. I almost averted my eyes from the sight of such holy podiatry. Not only did Carson unshod his feet in front of one of his oldest and truest friends, he did it in front of an entire English beach. If that doesn't illustrate a flagrant disregard for propriety and conservative dress, I don't know what does.
The Worst: Everything else.
Season Three:
The Best: Carson's eyebrows, and his moment with Mrs. Hughes at the seaside.
While the entire season was plagued by flat dialogue and lackluster drama, Mr. Carson's eyebrows never failed to rise to the occasion. In the presence of any American they remained as close to his hairline as possible in permanent indignation, but never more so than when conversing with the cheeky valet of Cora's brother. Carson's eyebrows spoke volumes with better delivery than the rest of the cast combined. Long may they remain as bushy and expressive as they have always been.
The moment at the seaside was everything that I love about Downton distilled into a perfect exchange between two of my most beloved characters. Beyond being a subtle expression of loyalty and affection, it did more to usher in the 1920s than any other previous attempt by the writers. The sight of Carson's bare feet was more scandalous than Lady Mary's Turkish lover, Sybil's elopement with the chauffeur, and Edith's secret child combined. I almost averted my eyes from the sight of such holy podiatry. Not only did Carson unshod his feet in front of one of his oldest and truest friends, he did it in front of an entire English beach. If that doesn't illustrate a flagrant disregard for propriety and conservative dress, I don't know what does.
The Worst: Everything else.
Season Three:
The Best: Coming off the previous stellar war-time season, this one was slower and had to work a little harder to create the mixture of drama, romance, and dry English humor the show is known for. That being said, Cora's monologue at the deathbed of Sybil was very touching. The outplay of her continued grief was so painful in its alternating coldness and verbal bitterness toward Robert. No one could blame her, and secretly we all agreed with her. Even so, it was a relief to see the grievance soothed with the balm of yet another mother's love, by the hands of the caring if not under-valued family doctor.
Also, Mary's evening gown with the black beaded overlay. Absolutely divine.
The Worst: All things Edith. Her need to be loved was beyond pathetic or even pitiable at this point. Time after time she had thrown herself at a man, only to be rebuffed by either an older, more beautiful sister, a mistaken identity (and a lot of creepy facial bandages), or the fact that her chosen one was twice her age and just plain weird. I've never liked her, and even when jilted at the altar, I found it hard to wish her happiness in spite of it all. If only Edith and Molesly could cross the lines of the social classes like Sybil and Tom. They could sit around and sigh together because, as everyone knows, misery loves company.
Season Two:
The Best: I am almost obnoxiously loyal to this season. The transformation of Mary from self-centered and coldly composed into the girl that handed her rival a handkerchief was amazing. She became a warmer, lovelier person because Matthew believed her to be one. The to and fro of their friendship and affection for one another over the years of the war was held at a perfect note of longing and strange contentment, and then resolved with sweetness, simplicity and surety. This time, they'd finally gotten it right.
The Worst: All things Edith. Her need to be loved was beyond pathetic or even pitiable at this point. Time after time she had thrown herself at a man, only to be rebuffed by either an older, more beautiful sister, a mistaken identity (and a lot of creepy facial bandages), or the fact that her chosen one was twice her age and just plain weird. I've never liked her, and even when jilted at the altar, I found it hard to wish her happiness in spite of it all. If only Edith and Molesly could cross the lines of the social classes like Sybil and Tom. They could sit around and sigh together because, as everyone knows, misery loves company.
Season Two:
The Best: I am almost obnoxiously loyal to this season. The transformation of Mary from self-centered and coldly composed into the girl that handed her rival a handkerchief was amazing. She became a warmer, lovelier person because Matthew believed her to be one. The to and fro of their friendship and affection for one another over the years of the war was held at a perfect note of longing and strange contentment, and then resolved with sweetness, simplicity and surety. This time, they'd finally gotten it right.
An honorable mention goes to William in every single scene in which he appeared. His genuine sweetness and loyalty to those he loved was wholesome, endearing, and heart-breaking. Daisy could not have been loved by better, whether she wanted it or not. Downton has yet to see another footman that is his equal.
The Worst: The miracles. Matthew's recovery from a spinal injury that had surely doomed him to a wheelchair forever. Lavinia's ability to give up the ghost at the moment when she became truly inconvenient. But above all, the astonishing speed at which Mr. Bates disappeared on the village green when Anna spotted him. The man does have a limp, right?
Season One:
The Best: The sheer beauty of it all. The pale, dark-eyed beauty of Mary. Her gorgeous clothes. The opulence of the Abbey, it's furniture, dinner parties, and even flower arrangements. And of course, The Dowager Lady Grantham and her delivery of the wonderfully witty scripting.
The Worst: The first season was brief enough that not many of the characters, beyond Edith and Daisy, became truly annoying. By the end of the season I knew that both Edith and Daisy were perpetually discontent with their lot in life, and would vocalize it at any opportunity. The good far outweighed the bad in this season, and left me wanting more.
So there you have it. You now know, without a doubt, that I have spent entirely too many hours thinking about and analyzing this show, much less re-watching the episodes.
I can hardly wait to see what the rest of Season Five has in store!
The Worst: The miracles. Matthew's recovery from a spinal injury that had surely doomed him to a wheelchair forever. Lavinia's ability to give up the ghost at the moment when she became truly inconvenient. But above all, the astonishing speed at which Mr. Bates disappeared on the village green when Anna spotted him. The man does have a limp, right?
Season One:
The Best: The sheer beauty of it all. The pale, dark-eyed beauty of Mary. Her gorgeous clothes. The opulence of the Abbey, it's furniture, dinner parties, and even flower arrangements. And of course, The Dowager Lady Grantham and her delivery of the wonderfully witty scripting.
The Worst: The first season was brief enough that not many of the characters, beyond Edith and Daisy, became truly annoying. By the end of the season I knew that both Edith and Daisy were perpetually discontent with their lot in life, and would vocalize it at any opportunity. The good far outweighed the bad in this season, and left me wanting more.
So there you have it. You now know, without a doubt, that I have spent entirely too many hours thinking about and analyzing this show, much less re-watching the episodes.
I can hardly wait to see what the rest of Season Five has in store!
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