Through 3.6 of Downton Abbey, we begin to see the various new tension in the house take place of the old tensions, during Autumn of 1920. The "roaring twenties" have begun, and relationships, friendships, rivalries, the separation between "upstairs" and "downstairs" of the estate, and the imminent expansion are all being tested.
One of the first tensions we are aware of is Tom wanting to give baby Sybil a proper Catholic baptism. However, tension is initiated here by Robert's firm reluctance to this, because he did not have a Catholic upbringing. However, the rest of the family, including Violent, push him to accept and attend the baptism. We see that the rest of the family, except for Robert, is becoming more accepting of changes such as this. After Robert attends the baptism, more tension arises, but this time between Robert, Matthew, and Tom in terms of what to do with the Downton estate.
It is evident throughout a lot of this episode that Robert feels and is out of the loop. One time that we see this is through Mary and Matthew's fertility tensions. Cora seems incredibly aware of Mary's issue, her small operation, and her reason for going to London, whereas Robert is completely unaware. Indeed, this is because Mary potentially being infertile would be detrimental to Robert's traditional views of the continuance of Downton.
More tensions circulating around the estate are brought up as Matthew, Robert, and Tom decide how to approach it. Matthew and Tom believe that Downton needs to change its approach to its land in order to accomadate to the changing times. Even Violet, tending to be very reluctant to change, supports this, as well as supporting other non traditional things in this episode, such as Edith's employment. However, Robert, with his traditional values, is stuck in the past and, for a long time, is reluctant to change. Instead of this crisis, his focus is on the imminent cricket match.
Throughout the cricket match though, as the new permanent resident of Downton, Tom, tries to persuade Robert to focus on the future of the estate, Robert eases in. The cricket match is worked into the show very nicely: to bring the whole group together, and to allow for focus on specific side conversations. Finally, the cricket match, which started very disjointed, ends with Robert, Brandson, and Matthew embracing after a win, finally. This allows us to think that change, collaboration, and good things are on the way for Downton.
Favorite quote of the episode:
Violet: “It seems a pity to miss such a good pudding.”
Yes! I agree that the cricket match is a lovely metaphor for new AND old forms of collaboration and community at Downton. I find it intriguing, also, that so much is made of teaching Tom Branson how to play. But is cricket ultimately just a sop for Sir Robert, who is ultimately on his way out as an authority figure?
ReplyDeleteThe roaring twenties makes an excellent setting for any story, but the fact that Downton carries its viewers from the time of the Great War into the twenties makes for an even better setting. I appreciate that you picked up on this. What comparisons can we draw between Downton and other stories set in the twenties such as The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises?
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