Bates (Brendan Coyle) refuses to share the source of his debilitating pain to his co-workers. Carson (Jim Carter) abandons his customary dignity as he skittishly raids the pantry and Lord Grantham’s valet Mr. Evelyn Napier (Brandan Patricks), the wealthy son and heir to Viscount Branksome is invited for a foxhunt, accompanied by the handsome attaché at the Turkish Embassy, Kemal Pamuk (Theo James).ĭownstairs, secrets reflect the ambitions, shames and desperate hopes of the servants, as housemaid Gwen (Rose Leslie) tries to hide the contents of a heavy box set atop the wardrobe in her room the butler Mr.

Both Matthew and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) bristle at the prospect of being matched to one another still, Matthew indulges Mary’s clever barbs even as a suitor in the form of The Hon. Recap of Episode 2 (spoilers)Īs Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Isobel (Penelope Wilton), the newly-arrived Crawleys settle into life in the village, Isobel offers her experience with modern medical techniques at the hospital to Doctor Clarkson (David Robb), to the considerable consternation of Violet, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith). In addition, several themes are developing, but two dominant ones in episode two were discovering or honoring our place in life, and harboring secrets and their consequences. Now we can get to know the personalities at play and watch the drama unfold. We have been introduced to the characters (the aristocratic Crawley family of Downton Abbey) the conflicts have been set up (death of the immediate male heirs) and the hook dropped (the entail must be broken) for us to take the bait. The second act of a play or opera is always my favorite. Great news for North American viewers also since the second season will most likely air shortly after in January 2012. The second season has just been announced and UK viewers will be dished up eight new episodes next Fall and a Christmas special in December. This new co-production by Masterpiece PBS and Carnival ITV was a huge hit when it aired in the UK last year.

The blending of the upstairs and downstairs lives of the residents of this stately manor house is compelling drama, with moments of total surprise and shock from both quarters. After a great opening on PBS last Sunday to a record 7.6 million US viewers, this four-part Edwardian drama continues to charm and amaze me. Downton Abbey continued last night on Masterpiece Classic with episode two.

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