So, with the advantage of a DVR I'm now current with 'Downton' and find enough to write about. Perhaps it's slowed down a bit, but there are certainly enough events floating around the upstairs and downstairs to keep the show in vogue with what are always the two major theme of any era: sex and money.
The show is certainly not fast forwarding through time. We know this because 'The Shiek' has just played at the cinema, and that pegs the year at 1922 with its release in England. Earlier Season Four episodes have been set in 1922, so the needle is not racing at all toward WWII.
We have youth at bay when the horny footman Jimmy tries to go up Ivy's skirt with his hand as they snog on a garden bench after the show. This prompts an outraged rebuff from Ivy and is a morality tale that all men are alike. Jimmy is lucky Ivy didn't come armed with a boning knife from the kitchen and carve his hand up like Garp's mother Jenny does in a movie theater to a man who is what her mother always warned her to be careful of: purse snatchers and snatch snatchers,
If Ivy did have that boning knife, Jimmy would have been sent howling across the moonlit greensward toward Dr. Clarkson's for stitches, and would surely be unable to hold a tray for weeks.
We have Bates playing Hamlet at the downstairs staircase brooding and plotting how to avenge the rape of his wife by Lord Gillingham's valet. Since Bates did hard time, even if it were for something he was later exonerated of, he no doubt would have been exposed to the 'Murder Manual' from other inmates while in prison. Bates no doubt is trying to figure out the best way to get the bastard in a dark alley and drive a shiv through his spine while remaining undetected. Bates may limp, but he's no less of a threat to avenge.
We haven't seen Ol' Shirl in any episodes yet, Cora's mother from across the pond. I thought the advance was she was due to make another appearance in the new season. We might have a clue to that when Lord Grantham receives a letter that lets us in on Cora's brother's involvement in what will become known as the Teapot Dome scandal. Perhaps Ol' Shirl makes a visit to plead for funds to help her son's defense. If you know anything about Teapot Dome, it was the Watergate of the Harding administration (1920 -1923) and people are definitely going down. Ol' Shirl coming out of Washington would be the right touch.
And the younger woman of 'Downton.' What can we say? His Lordship is really flying the flag over a stable of fast fillies.
Mary's already proven to be capable of giving a young man a heart attack while in heat, and Lady Edith finds herself to be 'a gal in trouble' from a married man who has disappeared back into Germany. It's too bad the producers can't sneak Cher's song in about a gypsy girl who gets knocked up. Certainly if Lord G. finds out, 'papa would have shot him if he knew what he'd done' with his service revolver from the Boer War.
And then we have Lady Rose, the young cousin who loves jazz, frequents London night clubs, likely votes and smokes, and makes out with black jazz singers in the pile's kitchen after throwing a surprise party for her uncle.
Mr. Ross, the black jazz singer,does seem a bit effeminate though. The producers may or may not have a spot for him with Thomas, the closeted gay footman who has to keep his orientation well under wraps because it's illegal in England until 1955.
I truly thought with Mr. Ross coyly belting out the lyrics to 'I'm Just Wild About Harry' Thomas would have come bounding out of the drapes. The producers went for Rose making out with him.
What's ahead? We see that Granny gets sick. I don't know what Maggie Smith's contract with the show is, but it would be a loss if she left it too. Okay, a woman who remembers Queen Victoria and what are now very obscure battles in India can't live forever, but the show is not moving fast. If they do get to WWII and that ceiling with the plaster falling, then Granny's tombstone will be all we see of her. But no need for that now.
'Downton,' I'm still with you. There are plenty of other Sherlocks to choose from.
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