"Ms. Marvel"

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🆕 For your reference, my star rating system is explained on the right sidebar. 🆕

"Ms. Marvel" is a six-episode series on Disney+. It is the origin story of, of course, Ms. Marvel.

Kamala Khan is a typical American Muslim teenager who is in high school and enjoys spending time with her friends. She also happens to be an Avengers superfan, especially of Captain Marvel. Kamala attends AvengerCon, wearing a mysterious bangle that was handed down from her grandmother to her mother. Kamala soon discovers she has a unique super power. The rest of the series focuses on her getting to know more about this super power and about the history of the bangle. 

This series is in my top three favorite Marvel series, with WandaVision and Loki being the other two (neither of which I have reviewed yet). "Ms. Marvel" starts out the way some of the other Marvel series do, with everyday life taking place until something happens that changes the course of the show. This series is unique because it features a younger main character than the others do and the first episode especially has a very teenage vibe to it. I found this to be a refreshing change, while knowing that the entire series wasn't going to stay this way.

It gradually evolves into a blockbuster of a series that could easily have been a movie. There are some parts of "Ms. Marvel" that move along a bit slow for me (which would be resolved in a movie that takes less time), but for the most part, I really enjoyed it. Using a bangle as the mysterious accessory was clever. I can remember growing up, wearing lots of bangles. Bangles are very popular in some cultures.

Marvel Studios has a history of being spot-on with their superhero casting (except with Captain Marvel, in my opinion) and they once again struck gold when they discovered and hired Iman Vellani. Her passion for the comics in real life shines through brilliantly in this series. When I watch her on screen, I see someone who is truly enjoying what she is doing. She masters every aspect of this role, from being your typical teenager to lighting up (literally) the world as Ms. Marvel, who she eventually becomes known as.  She excels with every emotion she portrays and she brings a certain kind of youthful energy to Marvel that I have not seen with any other superhero. (Peter Parker is great in his own way, but Kamala Khan is a different kind of youthful greatness.) And it doesn't stop with Iman Vellani. The entire supporting cast is also a joy to watch in this series.

I am a little disappointed that Eid was a mere fleeting mention in Ms. Marvel and not a bigger part of at least one episode. The "Hawkeye" series clearly revolved around Christmas when it aired, so why couldn't something like that have happened with "Ms. Marvel" to a greater degree, which took place around Eid? It was a missed opportunity.

However, I do like the way Muslims are accurately portrayed. Some of the scenes, especially the interactions with family members, are so spot-on relatable that they made me laugh out loud. I love that Kamala and Nakia, both female Muslim teenagers, are portrayed differently. Nakia wears a hijab (head covering), while Kamala does not. I also love that Bruno is Kamala's best friend and they care a lot about each other. All of this variety is real life.

"Ms. Marvel" has all the makings of an outstanding Marvel series. With a standout cast, relatable characters, laugh-out-loud as well as light humor, music that matches the series, raw emotion, and an engaging storyline, it all comes together for one amazing story. The mid-credits scene at the end makes me excited to see what's next for our newest Marvel Studios superhero.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi"

⭐⭐⭐⭐💖

"Obi-Wan Kenobi is a six-episode Star Wars series that takes place in the time period between "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope". Of course, it features Obi-Wan Kenobi and his whereabouts during this time, but it's so much more than that. I expected to see what Obi-Wan Kenobi was doing on Tataooine and perhaps some interactions with Luke. Instead, it went in a completely different direction.

Feisty young Leia is kidnapped and Obi-Wan Kenobi is tasked with rescuing her. All the while, he's being hunted down by the Inquisitors and the one and only Darth Vader (who Obi-Wan just realizes in this series that Darth is the former Anakin).

With the exception of the third episode, which I thought was a snooze fest, this is a strong, action-packed series. It has the same kind of Star Wars vibe that the original movies have, which was nice to see even after having re-watched all of the live action ones last month.

Ewan McGregor reprised his role as Obi-Wan and he was great as always. However, three other characters stole the spotlight in my opinion. One was Darth Vader, played by Hayden Christensen and voiced by James Earl Jones. He's the villain most Star Wars fans love to hate. Include him in any Star Wars movie or series and you have my undivided attention.

The second character who stole the spotlight for me was Reva, played by Moses Ingram. (As a side note, I just found out she went to school in Baltimore. Woohoo! Maryland's got talent!) Anyway, she makes an outstanding villain who almost measures up to Darth Vader. I would love to see her carry her own series. 

The third character who I simply adored was young Leia, played by Vivien Lyra Blair. Good grief! How did they ever find such a talented young actress?! I think Carrie Fisher would be proud of her. She fills this role flawlessly and I can totally see her become the Princess Leia we're familiar with in the original movies. 

While the series is strong and I thoroughly enjoyed it, it lacks originality. This is why I gave it four instead of five stars. If you've seen "The Mandalorian", you'll most likely notice some glaring similarities in the plot, just with different characters. I have to give more credit to "The Mandalorian" because the plot is not only original, but their is also more creativity in the characters. There's also at least one scene in "Obi-Wan Kenobi" that seems to copy a scene in one of the sequel trilogy movies, again just with different characters.

If you're a fan of the movie episodes, then "Obi-Wan Kenobi" is a must watch. It does effectively bridge the gap between the end of the prequel trilogy and the beginning of the original trilogy. It probably could work as a movie of its own, with some edits, but as a series it's still definitely worth adding to your watchlist.

"The Book of Boba Fett"

⭐⭐

Unlike my reviews of the Star Wars movies, the review that follows is spoiler-free, with only a general description of the plot and my thoughts.

"The Book of Boba Fett" is a seven episode space western spinoff series from Star Wars. Each episode is approximately 45 minutes long (give or take a few minutes). When we last saw Boba Fett in "Return of the Jedi", he supposedly met his demise when he was swallowed up by a gigantic sea monster.

"Nevermind!" says "The Book of Boba Fett". It turns out, the bounty hunter who we love to hate managed to survive that whole ordeal. Talk about beating the odds! Even for Star Wars, I have a difficult time accepting this. If his return in "The Book of Boba Fett" had been better, I might be okay with it. Unfortunately, such was not the case.

It's too bad because this series had a lot of potential. Very early in Chapter 1 (the episodes are called chapters), we find out how Boba Fett managed to survive being swallowed up by the giant sea monster. We also learn that in order to heal, he must sleep submerged in a water bath. When he sleeps, he dreams and we see flashbacks of what exactly happened to him.

In his waking present tense hours, the series follows Boba Fett's quest to rule where Jabba the Hutt was once in charge and Boba Fett vows to be more good-hearted. Okay, so I guess trauma can change a person. However, there are, of course, obstacles standing in his way.

With the exception of the character Fennec Shand, played by Ming-Na Wen, the acting was really good. I didn't like the way the character of Fennec Shand was portrayed. I realize she was supposed to be serious...like really serious... most of the time, but it was overdone. Other than that, the acting was impressive throughout the series.

This serious also had some of the best action scenes I've seen in Star Wars and they truly did have a western vibe, in an alien sort of way. My favorite action scene involved a train. As I've mentioned before, I love train scenes in movies. This one was both unique and entertaining. The one action scene that I felt was too drawn out was in the final episode. It was pretty obvious what it was all leading up to based on what we had seen before. The build up could have been shorted and I would have enjoyed it more.

Flashbacks were necessary and I benefited from a small dose of them, but there were too many of them and some of them were too long. Some episodes were almost entirely flashbacks. This disrupted the flow of the series. I've seen this style of filming done really well, such as in "Greta Gerwig's Little Women". It was too choppy in "The Book of Boba Fett".

I really enjoyed the return of some familiar characters from "The Mandalorian", but there are a couple of episodes where Boba Fett hardly makes an appearance and I questioned whether I was watching season 3 of "The Mandalorian" (set for release in February 2023) or still "The Book of Boba Fett".  Sadly for Boba Fett, those episodes were my favorites in the series. 

The series went off in too many different directions. It all came together in the final episode, but until then, it was unfocused and disjointed. Unlike "The Mandalorian", I think "The Book of  Boba Fett" would have been better as a movie, but even then it would have needed to be refined. I honestly couldn't wait to be done with it.

I was left feeling hopeful, though. It's a nice setup for the upcoming season 3 of "The Mandalorian". If you're planning to watch season 3 of "The Mandalorian", you'll definitely want to endure "The Book of Boba Fett" first. And if you do, don't forget to stick around for the mid credits scene at the end of Chapter 7.

"The Mandalorian" (Season 2)

⭐⭐⭐⭐½💖

Click here to read my review of "The Mandalorian (Season 1).

Unlike my reviews of the Star Wars movies, the review that follows is spoiler-free, with only a general description of the plot and my thoughts.

Like season 1 of "The Mandalorian", I watched the second season last year and I watched it again this past week. 

This is a very strong series that seems to get even better with time. Season one impressed me, but the second season stepped it up a notch. It had everything I liked about season one, but this time the story was more compelling. Because of this, I went into hyperdrive with season 2. I watched the first half of season two over a few days, but I watched the final four episodes all in one day simply because I was so excited to see what happened next (even though I already knew the outcome after having watched it last year...lol). 

Whereas in the first season the plot is centered around keeping The Child safe while Mando makes a living as a bounty, season two's main mission is to reunite The Child where he belongs - with the Jedi. In season 2, we also why the enemies are on the hunt for The Child. Mando learns The Child's name in this season and when he calls him that, it's unbelievably cute how The Child responds. Seriously. That alone makes this season worth watching. But there is more.

Of course there are obstacles along the way, the kind only Star Wars can dish out, and Mando must overcome dangerous situations, bizarre beings, and a team of enemies led by someone whose demeanor is made to resemble Darth Vader a bit too much. That's my main issue with this season. Moff Gideon reminds me too much of Darth Vader, a villain who, in my opinion should not be made to copy in any way. I just wish Moff Gideon was a little more unique. Something new would have been refreshing. It's a minor complaint in an otherwise stellar season, though.

The main characters in each episode are Mando and The Child, with appearances from other characters throughout the two seasons. As the seasons progress, some new characters are introduced and some are the same ones from previous episodes. All Star Wars fans will recognize some of them, which is a real treat. Those familiar characters, as well as the space travel to the different planets, help to connect the series to the overall saga. Although this is a spinoff series, it fits like a glove into the Star Wars galaxy. (Like season 1, it takes place after "The Return of the Jedi", but before the sequel trilogy.)

One thing I really love about "The Mandalorian" is that it really does work as a series and not a movie. As is the case for most series, there is an overall storyline, with new adventures taking place in each one. I've seen some Marvel series that might work better as movies. This is not the case for "The Mandalorian".

"The Mandalorian" is not exactly action-packed, but each episode does have its fair share of action scenes. They continue to be used sparingly, which I find refreshing. Too much action overwhelms me. I found the pacing of season 2 better than it was in season 1. Some may still find it a little too slow at times, but for me, it was just right.

I know that season 3 is in the works and I'm very curious to find out what happens next. Season 3 has a tough act to follow, but I'm excited for the possibilities that have been left open after season 2.

Next I'll be watching all seven episodes of "The Book Boba Fett", then reviewing the overall season. I have not seen it yet, so it will be completely new to me. It received less than stellar reviews, but I'm going to give it a chance anyway.

"The Mandalorian" - Season 1

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unlike my reviews of the Star Wars movie, this review is spoiler-free, with only the overall plot explained.

"The Mandalorian" is a spinoff series of Star Wars, consisting of 8 episodes ranging from 30-50 minutes each. I watched the series for the first time last year and I'm re-watching it this year, this time paying more attention to it so I understood it better.😎

"The Mandalorian" takes place after "Return of the Jedi", but before the sequel trilogy. The main character, who some call Mando, is a bounty hunter just trying to make a living and survive after the fall of the Empire. On one of his missions, his first mission in the series, he is tasked with obtaining someone, dead or alive. The only thing he is told about this someone is the age - 50 years old...who becomes known as "The Child". Our leading Mandalorian has a soft spot for this child and will do anything to keep it safe. As the series progresses, Mando continues on missions that will allow him to collect his bounty, while keeping The Child safe. This is no easy task because The Child is a wanted creature. Mando and The Child travel to various planets and meet others in their adventures. Some turn out to be allies, while others are clearly enemies. Season one is one continuous story, packed with various individual adventures.

While this show does have a heavy Star Wars vibe, it is also a lot quieter than the movies. At times it moves a little too slow, but for the most part I appreciated the quieter pace, with action scenes used sparingly. Each episode has action scenes, the kind we are used to seeing in action/adventure flicks, but they do not overpower the show. The series is committed to telling a story, which doesn't always have to be action-packed. 

One thing that amazes me about this show is how effective even the droids, The Child (a puppet), and Mando are in conveying emotions. There were times when I could simply look at them and feel how they were feeling. Mando doesn't take his helmet off, so he needs to be able to communicate without facial expressions. And he does. There is also a good bit of humor throughout the series, though it's not overly done. Especially in the final episode of the season, I laughed out loud at a verbal exchange had by stormtroopers. There was also one scene that almost made me cry. Throughout the season, I think I felt every major emotion possible.

I recommend watching "The Mandalorian" if you haven't already seen it. While this first season of "The Mandalorian" is probably not something I'll watch again anytime soon, I'm glad I watched it the two times that I did. If I had paid more attention to it last year, I most likely would have fully understood it then. The plot is not complicated and the overall pace of the series flows well. I would have had a hard time waiting until the following week for each episode to be released, so I'm glad I was able to watch them all in one week. Most days I watched two episodes a day, but the last two I watched on different days. After each episode, I came away feeling satisfied, yet wanting more. 

The cinematography is outstanding. Each planet has its own "personality" and the visuals are effective in conveying this. It often felt like a big budget movie. I thought the musical score was spot on also.

I am looking forward to re-watching season two, beginning today. After I finish watching all eight episodes, I will review the season as a whole. 

UPDATE: Click here to read my review of "The Mandalorian: Season 2".

"Downton Abbey" - Season 4 (SPOILER ALERT)

Scroll to the bottom to click on the reviews for other seasons.

 

Season 4 opens on a gloomy note about 6 months after the tragic death of Matthew Crawley. The entire setting is a symbol of the grief Mary is experiencing. Grief has clearly changed her. As someone who has experienced grief myself, her pain is easily relatable. Grief changed me, to some extent, the way it changed Mary. She always had a slightly abrasive personality, but this was deepened after she lost her husband. Yet, there are also glimpses of the softer side of her as well. All of this is completely valid and realistic. I wish they had shown Tom grieving in a similar way after he lost Sybil. It is true that everyone grieves differently. However, I feel like this sent a subtle message that men are stronger than women. He was upset after losing Sybil, but his character seemed to overcome it rather quickly. Of course, one can also argue that some people put up a front, so who knows. Mary's grief is definitely more evident, though.

 

The other significant change as Season 4 opens is that O'Brien suddenly up and left. She was one of the main characters "downstairs" and she seemed to have a fairly descent, though slow-moving, story line, so this was surprising to me. After doing some research, I found out that her three-year contract, like those of the actor and actress who played Matthew and Sybil, was up. None of them wanted to renew their contracts. 

 

I have been saying all along that Anna is my favorite character and that still remains the case after Season 4, perhaps even more so. Tragically, she was raped in Season 4. Anna is a truly good person. Some may find this boring, but I find it refreshing. She appreciates the simple side of life and she's deeply faithful to her loved ones. So you can imagine the pain I felt when she was so brutally attacked. It's the most heinous crime, in my opinion, and it couldn't have happened to a sweeter character on the show.

The way the show dealt with this was interesting. I imagine there weren't a lot of options back then to seek help. Anna confided in only one person at first and she didn't want to tell Bates for fear of he might do something to the attacker and end up in jail again, but with a worse outcome for him than before. So Anna dealt with the pain of not telling most people what happened or who it was even though he was a frequent visitor to Downton!

 

To some small extent, I can relate to her way of thinking. When I was going through a tough time years ago, I didn't want to talk to those close to me about it because I was afraid of the way they would handle it. I don't think they would have done anything that landed them in jail, but I was afraid the way they would handle things would upset me even more. So for a time, I kept my day to day struggles to myself or shared them with people who I trusted, but were not that close to me. And to this day I stand by that decision to do so. It was a way of protecting my emotions. So I can completely understand why Anna dealt with this the way she did. By the way, Joanne Froggatt is an amazing actress. She has played every aspect of Anna flawlessly.

I am not sure I agree with the way the show handled Bates's response, though. Yes, he was extremely sympathetic. However, something he said to Anna rubbed me the wrong way. They were alone at dinner and he asked that she forget about the whole thing for one night. DUDE! Do you have ANY idea what your wife has been through??? How can she just forget about it even for just one night??? She's traumatized!!!

Rant over. Moving on.

 

It's beginning to seem like Downton is a bit about checking off boxes so they can say they covered certain issues, then quickly moving on. It happened with the disability story lines, and in Season 4 it happened with the issues of abortion and race. Edith got pregnant with her man who is now missing. She came very close to having an abortion, but changed her mind at the 11th hour. Her mulling over this issue didn't last long. I would have liked to see both sides of the abortion issue further developed. And then there's the fun niece, Rose, who falls for a Black jazz singer and he falls for her. However, enter Mary who convinces Jack Ross to end his plans to marry Rose. So he ended it and that was that! And this doesn't bother Rose for very long either. That was another missed opportunity to develop a deeper story line.

 

Season 4 ends on a much more uplifting note than when it began. The downstairs crew has a fun day at the beach and it is here that we see Daisy's character starting to develop more. She no longer is experiencing jealousy the way she was before. She's genuinely happy to see others happy. It seems that she is beginning to appreciate who and what she does have and "trust the process". 

 

Also by the end of Season 4, Mary is showing her emotional strength and she is beginning to take more charge of how things at Downton run. She is starting to emerge from her grief and move on with her life. I'm sure it helps give her a boost that there are two very different single men interested in her.

 

However, despite all the happiness, there's a murder mystery now brewing. Anna's rapist died. There are questions and several possibilities for how he died and who killed him, if anyone did. 

Overall, I enjoyed Season 4. There is a lot of drama brewing and the new inventions, such as blenders and sewing machines, provide for some quirky fun. Also fun to see are the Americans (Lady Cora's family) visiting England...and clashing with them.

 

The benefit of not becoming interested in a show until after it's gone off the air is that when it's streaming I don't have to wait months to see what happens next. And if the interest doesn't ignite until many years later, then hardly anyone will be talking about it, which decreases the possibility that I'll hear spoilers. I'm so glad I can enjoy this show and be surprised along the way, the way Downton's fans were when it first aired.  

Read Season 1 review here.

Read Season 2 review here.

Read Season 3 review here.

"Downton Abbey" - Season 3 (SPOILER ALERT)

Scroll to the bottom to click on the reviews for other seasons.

 

Season 3 redeemed the show, but not because they got the disability story line right. They didn't.

 

Matthew's disability was a non-issue in Season 3 since he miraculously completely healed by the end of Season 2. However, Sir Anthony Strallan does appear in the first half of this season. As you may recall, he lost the use of his arm when he was injured in the war. In Season 3 he is frequently referred to as "crippled". In a way, I can forgive the use of that word since it probably was used back then in real life. However, his disability is viewed as a burden and he sees himself as a burden. 

 

Edith, however, thinks differently. She seemed to want to be his wife and not just someone who took care of him. A true partnership was forming between the two of them, despite the age difference. 

 

Apparently and unfortunately, the producers of the show saw his character as a burden because he leaves Edith alone at the altar as they were about to get married and he is never to be seen again! Once again, this was a missed opportunity to develop a compelling disability story line. Ugh. So much for that!

Other than this major problem, I really enjoyed Season 3. It was filled with significant changes and deep emotion. There was also more scenery, which was a real feast for the eyes. Lady Mary and Matthew finally tie the knot. Sybil gives birth to a healthy baby girl...and then Sybil dies. When Edith was left at the altar, the actress did a phenomenal job expressing how hurt she was. I felt her pain. She does find love again...but it's complicated. Because of some unwise investing decisions, Downton Abbey was about to go down. However, because Matthew was left tons of money from Lavinia's father after his passing, Downton is saved! The season wraps up with Lady Mary giving birth to a healthy baby boy and she herself not suffering the same fate Sybil did. Whew! Both are healthy. Matthew sees his baby boy. After they meet, we seem him blissfully driving in his sharp-looking car...and then getting into an accident that instantly kills him. I did not see that coming! The season ends showing Mary content holding her baby boy (a new heir to Downton!) and the rest of the family chatting, unaware of what had just happened to Matthew. I am glad I don't have to wait long to see what happens next!!!

A lot happens downstairs, too. Mr. Bates is finally released from prison during this season and he and Anna can further develop their relationship. (Anna is still my favorite character in all of Downton Abbey.) I love the scene where the two of them are blissfully enjoying a picnic. They can bask in the glory of being together after all they've been through.

 

A new housemaid, Edna, has her heart set on Branson after Sybil died. However, when this is discovered, she is let go. Thomas misinterprets the feelings of another man, Jimmy, and it is then discovered by others that Thomas is gay. He almost loses his job, but is eventually allowed to stay. Thomas later saves Jimmy's life (he literally takes a hit for him) and this looks like it will at least heal their friendship. And then there's Daisy, Ivy, Alfred and Jimmy. Alfred (the footman) has his eyes on Ivy (a new kitchen maid). However, Ivy has her eyes set on Jimmy, who does not appear to be interested in  her. Meanwhile, Daisy loves Alfred. It's complicated! In this season we also meet, Lady Rose MacClare, Lord Grantham's distant and rebellious niece. By the end of the season it has been determined that she will live at Downton Abbey, at least for the time being. Lord Grantham and Lady Cora have their marital difficulties in this season due to their disagreement over how to treat Sybil when she was ill, but with the help of Lord Grantham's mother and a little white lie from their doctor/friend, they hug it out and all is well between the pair of them.

 

So, yes. Season 3 was jam packed with compelling story lines. It left me wanting more and eager to watch the next season. Season 3 will be a tough act to follow, but I am hopeful.

 

Read Season 1 review here.

Read Season 2 review here.

Read Season 4 review here.

"Downton Abbey" - Season 2 (SPOILER ALERT)

Scroll to the bottom to click on the reviews for other seasons.

 

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.

"Downton Abbey" - Season 1 (SPOILER ALERT)

"Downton Abbey" is a British historical drama that ended in 2015. Because of my newfound fascination with period dramas in the past year, this show was recommended to me. I just finished watching Season 1 and I'm looking forward to watching and reviewing all six seasons.

Season one begins in 1912 with the tragic news that the unsinkable Titanic has sunk. Included on the passenger list were the men who were to inherit Downton. Their presumed death sets the stage for the two main conflicts in the series. Who will inherit Downton since the entail requires it to go to a male and the Granthams only have daughters? Secondly, who, if anyone, will Lady Mary, the eldest daughter, marry? She was engaged to one of the next heirs who was aboard the Titanic, though she does not miss him as one would normally miss a fiancé they just lost. Next in line to inherit Downton is someone they do not know and they are not sure they want an unknown to be the new heir.

Of particular interest to me is the character of Mr. Bates and how the other characters interact with him.  Mr. Bates was injured in a war, walks with a limp, and uses a cane. I had not heard of a disabled character being in Downton Abbey, so this was a welcome surprise for me. It is great that the disability community has representation in this series. However, it is my understanding that the actor who plays Mr. Bates, Brendan Coyle, does not have disability in real life. I can't find anything online that confirms or denies this. I believe it would be clearly stated somewhere if he did have a disability, so I am going with the assumption that he does not. He's a phenomenal actor and his character is very likeable. However, this role should have gone to an actor who is disabled. Nevertheless, I am curious to see how his story will unfold over the next six seasons. If you already know, please do not spoil it for this latecomer!

I am not sure what it was really like for people with disabilities back then, but it surprised me when he threw his limp corrector in the pond after it started causing him more problems. Medical equipment like that, at least these days, is not cheap. I've had problems with my leg braces, but instead of throwing them into a pond, I got help to make them work for me. But again, perhaps times were different back then. I'll have to do more research on that to satisfy my own curiosity and to see how accurate this is. I don't want to do too much research into anything having to do with Downton Abbey at this time, though, because I may end up accidentally reading a spoiler for seasons I have not yet seen.

The interaction Mr. Bates has with the rest of the characters is realistic. Some are accepting of his disability and are willing to give him a chance, while others assume he is not capable of doing his job and insist he leaves. Especially bitter is Thomas whose job Mr. Bates has taken over. Throughout the season, Thomas and O'Brien work together to try to have Mr. Bates fired.

Another aspect to Mr. Bates's character is the budding (more than) friendship with head housemaid, Anna. Anna is probably my favorite character in this entire series so far. She is the only one who accepts and befriends Mr. Bates from beginning to end. She sees the good in people, but she stands up for when something isn't right. She has a quiet strength about her. Eventually, Anna confesses her love for Mr. Bates. He is hiding some dark secret and insists that he cannot reciprocate, but it is clear that he does love her back. We never do get a final answer on this deep, dark secret that Mr. Bates his hiding in Season 1, which makes me curious about Season 2!

There is so much depth to Season 1 and its characters. It is filled with love, hate, kindness, deceit, mystery, and themes that, even though it takes place more than 100 years ago, are still relevant today. I could easily do entire blog posts on many of the characters. Perhaps eventually I will.

Something else I love about this series is all the fun facts I'm learning. For example, there's a quirky little scene involving a swivel chair and the fact that Thomas Jefferson invented it. Who knew??? I sure didn't! Season 1 takes place during a time when the telephone had already been invented, but it was not yet widely used. In one scene, it was rather amusing to watch Carson, the butler, play with a new phone they just got, as if he were a child playing with a new toy. Cars are relatively new as well in Season 1, and so is electricity. In fact, Daisy, an assistant cook, wonders out loud why they even need electricity. The world sure has changed!

Season one of "Downton Abbey" begins with a tragedy and ends two years later with yet another tragic event beginning to unfold. (How in the world did two years go by in just 7 episodes?) The final scene in Season 1 is a garden party where Lord Grantham receives a distressing telegram. He announces to all the guests that they are at war with Germany. World War I has begun.

 

Read Season 2 review here. 

Read Season 3 review here.

Read Season 4 review here.