Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Interview with the Vice-Chancellor
    • Country Highlight: The Netherlands
    • If You’re Moving Back Home After Uni …
    • Jane Austen in Lockdown: How her six novels are more relevant than ever
    • All About … Period Poverty
    • My Veggie Journey: How not being strictly Vegetarian is OK
    • Watch with Pride: Your Top TV Picks this Pride Month
    • Globe Trotting on Screen: Your Guide to Summer 2021
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr
    Seren
    • News & Politics
      1. Local News
      2. UK News
      3. Uni News
      4. World News
      5. Politics
      6. Comment
      7. Business
      Featured

      SABB Election: The Full Result Breakdown

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      Interview with the Vice-Chancellor

      May 23, 2022

      Retro? Chip shortage may bring vintage tech to your car.

      May 6, 2021

      Manizha – the artist causing a stir as the Russian representative for Eurovision 2021:

      May 6, 2021
    • Arts & Culture
      1. Books
      2. Games
      3. Film
      4. Music
      5. TV
      6. Creative Corner
      Featured

      Bangor alumni podcast earns Hollywood cameo & BBC features

      By Amelia SmithMarch 7, 20210
      Recent

      Jane Austen in Lockdown: How her six novels are more relevant than ever

      July 7, 2021

      Watch with Pride: Your Top TV Picks this Pride Month

      May 17, 2021

      Globe Trotting on Screen: Your Guide to Summer 2021

      May 16, 2021
    • Lifestyle
      1. Fashion
      2. Food and Drink
      3. Social
      4. Health and Beauty
      5. Travel
      Featured

      Country Highlight: The Netherlands

      By Emily ShoultsMay 6, 20220
      Recent

      Country Highlight: The Netherlands

      May 6, 2022

      If You’re Moving Back Home After Uni …

      August 3, 2021

      All About … Period Poverty

      May 17, 2021
    • Discovery
      1. Science
      2. Environment
      3. History
      4. International
      Featured

      Brewing up a Storm: The History of Guinness

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      Manizha – the artist causing a stir as the Russian representative for Eurovision 2021:

      May 6, 2021

      Japan plan to release radioactive water into the ocean

      May 6, 2021

      The link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots

      April 29, 2021
    • Sport
      1. Varsity 2019
      2. Varsity 2018
      3. Varsity 2017
      4. Varsity 2016
      5. Varsity 2015
      6. Varsity 2014
      7. Varsity 2013
        • Varsity 2013 Results
        • Varsity 2013 – In tweets
      Featured

      Bangor Muddogs’ American Football: a young woman finding her place

      By Jade HillMarch 23, 20210
      Recent

      The 48-hour rise and fall of the European Super League

      April 27, 2021

      The European Super League is announced

      April 19, 2021

      Formula 1’s ‘Drive to Survive S3’ is released

      April 7, 2021
    • Students’ Union
      1. Union News
      2. Societies
      3. Volunteering
      4. Clubs
      Featured

      INTERVIEW: Be Period Positive

      By Caroline CartmillMarch 17, 20210
      Recent

      Bangor University Feminist Society

      March 30, 2021

      INTERVIEW: Be Period Positive

      March 17, 2021

      LGBT History Month in Bangor

      March 4, 2021
    • Issues
      • Current Issue
      • This year’s issues
      • Last year’s issues
      • Seren Archive
      • Seren Teams
    Seren
    Home»Entertainment»Downton Abbey
    Entertainment

    Downton Abbey

    Sophie SmithBy Sophie SmithSeptember 22, 2012No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    It all kicked off with the wedding everyone has been waiting for and after much criticism for last series’ dizzyingly paced leaps through time and outlandish ‘soap opera style’ plot lines, series three is stripping down and going back to basics. Reverting back to a far more relaxed pace and tightening its focus on Downton and its inhabitants is certainly refreshing, allowing us to re-establish what makes this show so compelling, Julian Fellowes’ rich and witty characterisation, which was somewhat smothered by the over-arching historical events and melodramatic story arcs of the previous season.

    Though that’s not to say that this season will be free of any of the drama and scandal we’ve come to love. Indeed, the famous prosperity of the Twenties appears to be something that will bypass the Downton estate, as the series opens with the revelation that poor investment choices in a North American railway company have left Lord Robert virtually penniless and facing the imminent loss of the estate. The Crawleys are set to fight for their very way life, something that will become increasingly complicated by the will of Reginald Swire, whose death offers Matthew the means to save the family from financial ruin, but at the cost of compromising his own idealistic moral code, and force him to stop punishing himself (as well as the viewers) for the death of Lavinia.

    But it’s not all doom and gloom as the introduction of the fabulous Shirley McLaine, as Cora’s mother Martha Levinson, provides a brilliant comic double act with the Dowager Countess, as they battle out their views of the old world vs. the new in a series of pithy put downs. This theme of modernity and change dominates the first episode, most especially through the characters various interactions with Branson. Radical and unwelcome, as well as suffering from a complete inability to talk about anything other than Ireland, his new elevated position is a continual source of ire, fabulously depicted by Carson’s sniffy reception and glass breaking disgust. But despite him being completely abrasive, he provides a brilliant means for Julian Fellowes to show just how far things are set to change at Downton. His budding bromance with Matthew is adorable as they pledge to bound together in the face of their ‘insane’ decision to take on two of the hot-headed Crawley girls, and provide a glimpse into the future of the estate under the ‘new management’. Perhaps most surprising of all is endorsement from the enterprising Dowager Countess, who seems set to make the most of her man on the other side, even if she has to hold his hand on the radiator until he complies her will!

    Downstairs ties are also shifting. With the introduction of new footman Alfred, the scheming partnership of Thomas and O’Brien looks set to be put to the test as she attempts to use her old comrade to help her nephew get ahead and become a new valet, only to be coldly shot down by the disgruntled former footman, suggesting that this might signal a turn in the relationship dynamic of the former duo. Elsewhere, the Bates storyline looks set to continue throughout series three, as Anna doggedly pursues any and every avenue that might overturn her husband’s guilty conviction, hopefully picking up speed and culminating in a gasp worthy resolution involving that shady new cell mate.

    Overall, the series premiere has laid the groundwork for yet another exciting autumn of suspense, petticoats and biting witticisms, and with another wedding, a birth and a funeral due before the season finale, the third series of Downton Abbey is shaping to be just as eventful as its predecessors as the series moves into the booming Nineteen Twenties and beyond.

    Downton Abbey issue225 ITV Julian Fellowes Maggie Smith period drama Series 3
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Sophie Smith

    Related Posts

    Watch with Pride: Your Top TV Picks this Pride Month

    May 17, 2021

    Globe Trotting on Screen: Your Guide to Summer 2021

    May 16, 2021

    Too Close Review: Lust, Lies and Disaster

    May 9, 2021

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    MORE INFORMATION
    • ABOUT
    • ADVERTISE
    • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED
    • MEMBERS
    Links
    • Bangor University Bangor University
    • Google+ Google+
    • Undeb Bangor Undeb Bangor
    About

    Seren is Bangor University Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper

    We have editorial independence from both Bangor University and Bangor Students’ Union. Seren is written by students for students and we’d love you to get involved!

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.