What I’m Watching: Downton Abbey (Season Premiere)

Downton Abbey: Season 4, Episode 1 (B+)

It feels like forever since season three aired, the first set of installments of this show that I watched live after marathoning the first two seasons over Labor Day Weekend in 2012 in advance of the Emmys. Not much has changed in the world of this show, which is to say that a great deal has changed at Downton but the state of affairs and how the characters interact is pretty much normal. Mary is in a miserable state, and I’m glad to see her assert herself at the urging of Branson and Carson, since it will give her an opportunity to be rude and abrasive for a good cause rather than simply mean to her sister and to anyone who tries to do anything nice for her. It’s strange to see Mary and Branson being handed their babies, two single parents who don’t quite have the paternal instincts needed which happen not to be vital in this particular society. Edith has once again found a wonderful and charming man who she’s not supposed to be with, and I hope it doesn’t end in heartbreak. O’Brien’s exit was odd since it didn’t feel right as a finale for her character, but it should bring an interesting dimension regarding Branson to the show. Daisy and Alfred need to just get together already, but clearly that’s a few seasons away. I enjoyed the bonding moment between Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore in the aftermath of the new technology mishap. Thomas is back on top after he got the nanny dismissed for talking down to him, but it was really her own fault since she made the mistake of talking down to Branson’s child while Cora was in earshot. This season is sure to be full of drama at Downton, and I’m eager to see what comes next.