VOD TV review: Downton Abbey Season 4, Episode 2
Review Overview
Cliches
3Coincidences
3Characters
6Neil Brazier | On 10, Oct 2013
In Episode 2 of Downton’s new season, we focus more on the servants’ quarters. Carson suddenly has a love interest and his old partner, now fully recuperated, is off to pastures new, with or without a goodbye from his old friend. Mosley is in trouble; having borrowed money anywhere he could, he’s now a labourer, far from his pristine white shirts. Anna feels for him and so she and Bates concoct a plan to help him out.
Meanwhile, Edith is getting in deep with a married man and he plans to go to Germany to get his divorce. As people expect Matthew’s inheritance to go to his son George, a letter conveniently turns up in one of his belongings that just so happens to be a makeshift will. The letter is verified by Murray and – lo and behold – Mary becomes the sole heir to Matthew’s estate.
In the kitchens, Anna is tricked into escorting Rose to a dance. But it’s for the lower classes and a fight breaks out over who wants to dance with her. One of the folks finds his way into the grounds to meet with Rose afterwards, but Anna thinks quick on her feet – after all, what would anyone think if she had a commoner for a gentleman caller?
Sadly, this is another poorly written episode in Downton’s latest season, with too many cliches and coincidences for the story to make sense. But perhaps the most obscene part of the entire episode is when Carson has a change of heart and makes it to the train station just in time to see his friend off and conveniently bury the hatchet. Things can only get better, though, can’t they?
Downton Abbey Season Four is available to watch on ITV Player or to buy on blinkbox and iTunes. Downton Abbey Seasons One through Three are available to stream on Netflix.