Neil Brazier | On 13, Oct 2013

There is a fancy shindig occurring at Downton this week and they’ve invited one of the world’s most famous opera singers to perform in front of the residents and their guests. With the visitors come some of their servants – things are about to get shaken up on both floors of the Abbey.

Life is never simple at Downton. Upstairs, Lady Mary is being courted by another potential suitor. Thankfully, she hasn’t quite forgotten Matthew yet and a faux pas from Rose brings him flooding back. Lady Crawley hasn’t forgotten her son either, but a jolly good opera and a witty backhanded comment from the Dowager is just what she needs to feel back on form.

Below stairs, we get what seems a standard story with Anna as the object of another man’s desires, but unlike upstairs, it has a shocking and brutal ending – one that could change Downton’s dynamic completely. While it rather detracts from the tone of the show, could it be the jolt that it needs?

With more story lines than tea cups in China, it is how they are handled that determines Downton’s fate. In the past, serious events have been presented with an almost blasé approach; everything is very delicate and things tend to get glossed over. But perhaps this will have much more damaging repercussions – now there is a real chance to put some meat on the bone.

Forget Edith (who’ll probably get left at the
alter again); Mary, Anna and Mrs. Pattmore could bring some real and needed emotion back to Downton – if handled correctly. There are only five more episodes to go this season and they will be the real indication of whether the show can keep its brass polish.

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.

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