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Season 2 begins two years after World War 1 began and ends two years after the War ended, so 1916 through early 1920. It ran for 9 episodes, with the 9th episode referred to as the Christmas special. That episode begins at Christmas and ends shortly after New Years.
While this season doesn't quite have the whimsical charm of new inventions in the first season, it does have a compelling story line with outstanding acting. My favorite character is still Anna, though I feel connected to all of them in some way, whether good or bad. I also love the historical references. History was my least favorite subject in school. If it were taught through Downton Abbey I might have paid more attention!
There is, however, one major problem with Season 2, and that is what this post will primarily focus on. What seems like an attempt at disability representation turns into disability MISrepresentation. There are two character examples of this. One plays a minor role and the other, major.
Let's start with the minor role. In the final episode of the season, the Christmas special, Anthony Strallan, Edith's former love interest, returns to Downton. He lost is arm in the War and as a result, he believes he needs a nurse, not a wife. Edith believes his feelings about himself are nonsense.
While I admire Edith's response, there is a dose of ableism in this whole situation. The disabled person feels sorry for himself and the able-bodied counterpart comes to the rescue. While I realize this is some people's reality, it is not the norm and the film and movie industry needs to stop portraying it as such. Granted, this season aired nine years before I watched it, but unfortunately this misrepresentation does still happen today. If it keeps happening, it will continue to feed into the inaccurate perception that the general population (though not everyone) has. Most people with disabilities do not feel sorry for themselves. They want to live their lives just like everyone else.
The other example plays a more prominent role in Season 2. Again during the war, this time Matthew Crawley is severely injured. He becomes paralyzed and is believed to now be impotent. He feels unworthy and his loved ones simply feed into this. They all want him to just get better, which is understandable. However, they all fail to realize he is worthy even if he never recovers from his injuries.
Then the writers take the easy way out. Instead of allowing a disability storyline to play out, they wrap it all up by miraculously curing Matthew! Ooops! The doctors made a mistake! He will be able to walk again after all! By the end of the season he's completely cured. Again, while this is some people's reality, it is not the norm. Why not keep him paralyzed and show the world that life can still be fulfilling? The end of this season is almost magical. Mathew and Lady Mary get engaged in the midst of the falling snow outside Downton. It's beautiful. (Though I question what Lady Mary is wearing. It's tasteful and she's gorgeous, but isn't she cold?) And it would still be beautiful with Mathew in a wheelchair.
This misrepresentation of disabilities is unfortunate. Other than this I am truly enjoying the show and I can't wait to see what happens in the next season. I just wish they would get it right with authentic disability representation.
Read Season 1 review here.
Read Season 3 review here.
Read Season 4 review here.
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