Heroes and Villains

Julian Fellowes certainly has not lost his flair for the dramatic, heroes and villains galore! Episode 1 was drama-packed with commotion spreading all over including: upstairs, downstairs, the Dowager House, the Crawley House, London, and even a little drama spilling over into neighboring York.  Mr. Fellowes’s drama hit the ground running, literally, as Ms. O’Brien ran off in the middle of the night to join Lady Susan in India. So glad she’s gone!!

            Based on their actions last night I’m going to try to rate each major character as either a hero or a villain. Brace yourself, here it comes!

Robert How can one man be so well-intentioned and still manage to get everything WRONG!?! He thinks he can manage the estate, but he can’t. He thinks wrapping Mary up is good for her, when everyone around him knows she needs to go on with her life. Robert’s unwillingness to share management of the estate rose to the level of shameful when he embarrassed Mary at dinner, with everyone present, by peppering her with questions she couldn’t possibly answer. Grade: Villain.

Cora I am of two minds about Cora. On the one hand, she is becoming a stronger female presence in the Abbey by asserting her opinion more frequently.  She is a strong advocate for Mary with Robert, and the way she dismissed the evil Dickensian Nanny West was brilliant! On the other hand, she remains clueless about the true nature of the people working downstairs.  She allows Thomas to buffalo her into thinking that loyal Anna would damage a scarf.  Her hiring of Edna Braithwaite is exactly as Mrs. Hughes foretold: “a ticking time bomb.” Grade: Undecided

Mary Mary starts off as a villain when she allows herself to be consumed by grief to the point that she calls her son an “orphan”, shocking for any mother.  With the help of Tom, Granny, and steadfast Carson she shakes off the shroud of gloom and comes back eager to carry on Matthew’s work. I think she’s going to be great at running the estate. As a side note, did anyone else think Mary’s hair looked at times like Princess Leah from Star Wars with the two buns on either side of her head, not a good look. Grade: Hero

Edith/Michael Gregson Well their romance certainly heated up last night!  Whereas Mary has been the one to wear elaborate gowns in seasons past, Edith certainly made a splash last night with her mermaid-looking dress she wore into the Continental (even showing some leg!!).  She’s definitely coming into her own. If he’s willing to become a German citizen for her, this marriage better work. Let’s see, what can go wrong with this plan?  We’ll see… Grade: Undecided

Tom I love Tom (and not just because he’s Irish).  He’ll teach Mary everything she needs to know and together they will become a formidable team in running the estate.  I also love the way he is with little Sybbie (sp?) too. Grade: Hero

Cousin Isobel/Mrs. Hughes Last season these two teamed up to save the maid Ethel from an awful life.  Last night they teamed up to save Mr. Griggs, an old chum of Carson’s, from a life in the work house.  I love how Mrs. Hughes was able to convince Isobel to put her grief aside to help this man.  I especially love the scenes with Carson and Mrs. Hughes, she handles him beautifully and was able in the end to help him “stitch up an old wound.” Grade: Heroes

Carson Rock-steady Carson tries to be gruff and intimidating (which he is to the younger staff) but his softer side was on full display last night.  Taking a great risk by being frank with Lady Mary only to be rebuffed, but who does Mary go to for a good cry, not papa, Carson.  You just knew Carson was going to show up at the train station to say good bye to his friend. In the end he always does the right thing. Grade: Hero

Anna/Bates How can these two be anything but heroes?!? She’s kind to everyone, and he adores her for it. He can’t bear the thought she might be sad so he arranges to give poor down-trodden Moseley some money and make it look like he owed him. How romantic!!  I think Bates will need his “prison education” to protect Anna from whatever Edna and Thomas have planned for her.

Thomas/Edna Braithwaite What is it about Lady Grantham’s maids?  Is the position cursed?  First we had the scheming Mrs. O’Brien, only to be replaced by the duplicitous Edna Braithwaite.  As soon as you see her hanging out with Thomas, it’s not good for any member of the household.  Imagine picking on poor loyal Anna!! I hope they’re found out and bounced out. Grade: Definite Villain

Mrs. Patmore She gets to be a hero for sending Daisy a Valentine card to spare her feelings.  Like Carson, her rough exterior hides a softer gentler side.

Rose Trouble finds Rose wherever she goes. It would be easy to call her a villain because she’s so self-centered and irresponsible, and let’s not forget she unwittingly brings Edna back to Downton.  Still she’s young and hopefully will mature before she causes too much more damage.  Grade: Undecided

Daisy, Alfred, Ivy and Jimmy The four stooges. I still am eager to see if Daisy will end up at Mr. Mason‘s farm. Grade: Undecided

The Dowager Cousin Violet I saved the best for last. Violet is clearly smarter than all the other characters.  Her mind is like a chess board arranging people’s lives often without them knowing it.  She’s miles ahead of Robert, and often puts him in his place.  For all her interference though (grandparents are supposed to interfere), things always work out for the best for as she says “I’m never wrong.”  Grade: Hero

My favorite line from the episode (there were lots): As Edith, Cora, and Violet talk about arranging a job for Moseley, Cora dimly asks “As a servant?”  To which Violet shoots back “No, as a Chinese laundryman.”  Love it!!

On to Episode 2 …

Ta for now!