There are occasions where a television show transcends mere entertainment. Each episode is something to be enjoyed and savored. Characters are more than two-dimensional flashes of light; they are people we come to care about. And, as in life, it is refreshing not to be able to predict the next move for each of those characters. Mr. Julian Fellowes created a community of people so many of us have come to genuinely care about. It will be hard to say goodbye. But I suppose the thing it's taught us is, "never say never"...
This blog post is being written before the airing of the final episode. So I am working off the premise of not knowing the direction of each character. I will leave my general impressions for each of the characters. Starting with the head of the family:
- Robert Grantham: from the time we see Robert in the first episode until the sixth season, Robert has undergone more change than any of the other characters. He has been forced to transition the height of Edwardian culture to the modern era -- both economically, culturally, and (most difficult) psychologically. In the end, however, he appears to be at peace with himself, and, if not pleased with the changes, he has nonetheless accepted them.
- Cora Grantham: Cora has changed slightly in our six years with her, which is in part due to her personality. Cora is not as flashy as her mother, Martha Levinson, or as domineering as her mother-in-law, the Dowager Countess. Cora has gracefully negotiated her way through all the picayune minutiae that comes with being Lady of the Abbey. She has been a faithful and devoted partner to Robert, and has earned the respect of everyone, despite being -- of all things! -- an American! Like Robert, Cora has embraced the changes modern life has brought to Downton Abbey.
- Lady Mary Crawley: Of all the characters upstairs, Mary has perhaps changed the least. She started out self-centered, with the myopic vision that Downton Abbey was her divine right; her personality may have softened during the course of her various male relationships, especially with Matthew, but ultimately, she is who she is -- an aristocrat unwilling to bend to modern convention. Her one redeeming quality is her undying loyalty to her maid-servant Anna. It is clear she would do anything to help Anna. It's a wonder if this loyalty would be so heartfelt if Anna had not paid her back tenfold in that same loyalty. Mary will likely be happy, if not at least content, only because she will not permit otherwise.
- Lady Edith: Lady Edith is difficult to read. On the one hand, you have to respect a person of such resilience bouncing back from one catastrophic event after another. Being jilted at the altar, having your lover killed, and losing a prospective husband to fear would test the psychological strength of anyone -- and for that, she deserves our respect. On the other hand, one can't help but think she has brought on many of her tribulations on her own; trying to marry a man who is far too old for her, trying to marry a man with an insane wife, and bearing his child unwed, and losing a marquis by failing to tell him the truth. Each incident showed a real lack of judgment. I do hope she and Marigold have a happy life together.
- Tom Branson: Tom gets second prize for changing the most from the first time we saw him. Coming to Downton as the chauffer, and a rabid socialist, to end up being the Abbey's trusted ranger, who basically oversees the running and the future of the estate. Tom has come to love the Crawley family and, in turn, they love him. Each is willing to agree to disagree in matters of politics, but in matters of family loyalty, they are rock-solid.
- The Dowager Countess: hands-down my favorite character in the entire series, her wit and wisdom are priceless. Let no one think her age impairs her in any way. If nothing else, her age gives her a pass into gathering information others may not have. She is always two steps ahead of everyone, and has the maddening ability to be right 99% of the time. Despite her aristocratic arrogance, she clearly has a moral core that is touching and endearing. Her refusal to allow William, a servant at the Abbey, to die miles from home, was moving; the grant of a job to a young village boy whose family desperately needed the money showed a real depth of character; finally, holding Mary's and Edith's secrets without betrayal to a society which would have shunned them for sure showed a grandmother's love.
- Isobel Crawley: Isobel has always been a strong woman with strong opinions. Little has changed in that regard over the past six years. Not even the death of her Matthew softened her zeal to help others. She has been the perfect foil to the Duchess, opposites in virtually every way imaginable -- and yet, they appear to have the strongest of friendships. I suspect Isobel will continue fighting for her causes.
- Mister Carson: Unlike Robert, and more like Lady Mary, Mister Carson has refused to accept the changes the modern world has brought to the Abbey. He has fought every attempt at modernization, from the telephone to the refrigerator. Despite his resistance, he was able to open his heart to love, and had the good sense to marry Mrs. Hughes, a very welcome change.
- Mrs. Hughes: Mrs. Hughes is unlike most of the characters in the Abbey, in that she was never tied to Edwardian demands. She has always had an eye towards the future, and behaved accordingly. When Ethel had her baby out of wedlock, it was Mrs. Hughes to the rescue. When Tom found himself in trouble with one of the maids, it was Mrs. Hughes who smoked out the evil plan and sent her packing. Although Mrs. Hughes looks tightened-up and buttoned-down, she's as savvy as they get.
- Mrs. Patmore: Mrs. Patmore has an exterior of stone, but has a soft, creamy center. She has proven time and again how she would do anything for the family. Of all the downstairs servants, it is undeniable that Mrs. Patmore works harder than anyone. Breakfasts, (countless) teas, lunch, dinner, soup and sandwiches on a moment's notice, have her chained to the stove nearly 24/7, and yet she rarely complains. Although Mrs. Patmore has bitten on the bridle of modernity, her future looks promising due to her bed and breakfast.
- Daisy: Daisy squarely fits in the column of significant change. When first we meet her, Daisy is a lowly scullery maid making up fires in the bedroom. Now, she has studied to the point where she has put herself in a position where she can earn a teaching job if she wants one. Unfortunately, Daisy's rise in education has not been coupled with a rise in maturity. Hopefully, over time, Daisy will mature and realize that not everyone holds her opinion.
- Thomas: For me, Thomas was hateful from start to finish, despite glimpses of softening his personality. Every time we thought Thomas would turn his nasty ways around, he disproved us by doing something even nastier; the examples are legion to mention. True, it is sad he felt so desperate that he attempted to commit suicide. It will be interesting to see if this last desperate measure for attention will garner some understanding between him and the rest of the staff. For his sake, I hope so.
- Baxter: Despite being new to the cast, she certainly has left her imprint. She's kindled a spark in Mr. Molesley and has been a steadfast friend to Thomas. It is my hope she will be able to finally bury her past and find a future -- if not with Mr. Molesley, on her own, with peace of mind.
- Anna & Mr. Bates - The couple who has endured more pain, and who have deserved it least, than anyone in television history, finally deserves a break. I so hope the bundle of joy Anna is carrying will bring them their ultimate happiness. Thinking back on their road to this moment, it's hard to imagine any couple enduring as much. I hope Mr. Fellowes gives them, if not me, the satisfaction of knowing they will be happy.
These have been my random thoughts on each of the characters. I will have more to say after viewing the final episode. Ta for now!
- Lady Anne
