Series 3 No. Club. Watch Who`S That Singing Over There 4Shared there. The best thing I can say about this episode is that through and through, this felt like an episode of Downton Abbey. It had a rhythm to it that didnt falter, even though as I observed last week the storylines are largely disconnected from each other. Part of that is, I think, that this season is re establishing a general truth of the show that got lost in the last few seasons This is a show about the house, not the people. All of those adventures in prison, or off to war, might have been realistic and even heartfelt, but they didnt seem related to the show. Im beginning to realize that pretty much every scene in Downton Abbey that doesnt take place in the house or on the estates grounds is doomed to fail scenes in Downton Village, or in that mysterious no mans land called Ripon, get about a 5. But its the house that draws the viewers in, and its the house that is the raison detre for all of our characters. This is a show about investing and defending feudal holdings, a parable about private property. No wonder we all find it so fascinating. Given that context, the story of Annas rape makes some amount of sense. It is one of the most upsetting things Ive seen on the show, perhaps only comparable to Sybils death from eclampsiaso at first it didnt make sense to me. Why a plot point that seems to appear out of nowhere, happening to Anna just as Puccini was happening to the rest of the house, upstairs There is a certain laziness to the pure shock value of it that reminds me of Matthews death by plot device at the end of last season. But on further examination, I think this plotline of Annasthough horribleis an incredible storytelling choice for Downton Abbey. It capitalizes on the inherent drama of the house, the you wouldnt believe what goes on under this roof quality of Downton Abbey. With the shocking conclusion to Season 3, many Downton Abbey aficionados wondered whither, and whether, the series could go on. Season 4 demonstrates that there can. Series One is the first series of Downton Abbey. It premiered on ITV on 26th September, 2010. D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD-6-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BD-1-%D1%81%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F.jpg' alt='Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 1 Part 1' title='Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 1 Part 1' />Annas rape is a crime committed through convenience, in a below stairs that is deserted, an upstairs that is occupied, and the conventions of how a bunch of strangers might suddenly be in the same confined space at any given moment. This rape is just another plotline for a house that is full of intense, awful plotlines. Which is not to minimize it, at all. Im wary of rape being used as any sort of casual plot device, and theres no way to get over the shock of such a thing happening on screen, in what is otherwise a fun, light episode. But Downton isnt just tossing this into the plot for a big gaspor, to be exact, its doing that, but its also giving the story enough weight and attention that it could be meaningful. Joanne Froggatts Anna is one of the unsung heroes of the showan always reliable actress playing an always reliable characterand Froggatt really sells it. This is not going to be a universally adored plotlineits uncomfortable as hell. Watch Green Room Tube Free. But its not like this is unrealistic, either. Of all the ridiculous things that have happened on Downton Abbey, a not that sudden sexual assault of opportunity in a world where rape was still is considered the womans fault is probably the most realistic. That being said, the whole scene where a horrible crime happens as the rest of the house is listening to a musical performance was cribbed right from Julian Fellowes Oscar winning Gosford Park. Points for execution, but not so much for originality. On to the other development of the night The introduction of Tom Cullens Lord Gillingham, as one of Lady Marys handsome new suitors. Unlike Annas storyand like almost every other Downton storythis romance seems to be heavily foreshadowed right from the start. In fact, their little horse ride through the endless rolling hills of her estate felt romantic in a way that Marys marriage to Matthew often didnt. Despite what started out as a romance with serious passion, you never got the impression that Matthew and Mary shared a vision for their lives together that matched up with the others expectations. They disagreed so much about day to day matters with the estate that in some ways, I agree with season fours retconned narrative of the marriage, helpfully voiced largely by Mary herselfshe was a different version of herself with Matthew, someone who was much less the hard as nails character from season one. It feels a little like she got carried away with her first boyfriend, and now she could settle down into something more real. Most of the other storylines continue without too much change. Its interesting to see where theyre all going, but so little happens with them, most of the time, that its more that were getting a brief, immersive visit to the house rather than seeing a story. But this episode, more than usual, is a trip that feels well contained and organized. That might be as good as Downton gets in its fourth season. Stray observations Toms small talk was very funny, as was his mincing little hop step with the Duchess. And it inspires this masterful little zinger from Lady Grantham We cant all be Oscar Wilde. Thank goodness. Ediths halter dress is to die for, but even I am not so dumb as to think that her family would embrace an already married older guy to be their middle daughters life partner. Isnt Daisy supposed to be a sous chef nowIm not sure if I understand hierarchy in the kitchen these days.