Episode #1.2

Matthew Crawley, the rightful heir to Downton, arrives, accompanied by his coarse mother (coarse in the eyes of the stuffy Britishers). I won't attempt to try to describe all the comings and goings, only that Matthew isn't what was expected. However, we know there will be some friction that will lead to some very good drama. More suitors for Mary are thrown in the soup. Also, Matthew's mother is proving quite challenging Maggie Smith's dowager granny.

The Crawley family meets the new heir, a distant cousin and solicitor named Matthew Crawley and his mother, Isobel. Lady Mary thinks Matthew as an arrogant and unpleasant person and she disapproves of marrying him to secure her family's fortune. Isobel Crawley also clashes with the witty Dowager Countess. Meanwhile, below stairs, Mr. Carson has a secret he is too embarrassed to share. Bates struggles to fit in.

This episode centers on Matthew Crawley and his mother as they adjust to the lavish life of the aristocracy. This is an amazing continuation to the story. I have to say that I also love Maggie Smith. She is simply hilarious and I really wish she has more screentime.

Many plots churning; some resolved, others only leave us craving more of this multi-layered, well-acted, beautifully produced period drama. I always enjoy the surprise element and dutifully promise not to reveal any major spoilers, but the reaction by Lord Grantham when Mr. Carson's secret from the past arrives and plants himself in his library is classic, the Dowager Countess continues to steal every scene with all her sarcastic lines, and Lady Mary's push of propriety is an eye popper. The Victorian costumes and English locations arrive regularly in jaw dropping splendor. The scenes of the foxhunt were especially picturesque, evoking a time when everything had its place in order of social dictum. Victorian-era fox hunting as a sport is as complicated socially as any Regency-era Ball at Almacks. People, horses, hounds, foxes, you name it. Everyone, and everything had its place. A perfect example for writer Julian Fellowes to use to display the pomp of the aristocratic lifestyle that the upstairs residents of Downton maintain, and the downstairs servants must cater to. My favorite scene of episode two was during the family dinner at Downton with the Crawleys, Matthew and Isobel. As Violet, the Dowager Countess takes pot shots at Mrs. Crawley for volunteering in "her" hospital and disagreeing with the doctors treatment of a sick laborer, Lady Mary, the chip off her grandmother's ole shoulder, taunts Matthew about his middle-class kind not riding or hunting, "unusual among our kind of people." Ouch. If you watch closely the reaction by the people who are observing the discussion, Ladies Edith and Sybil, you can see the tension mounting in their keen interest and surprise, and, the temperature of the room rise by the withering looks like poison darts of disapproval issued by Lady Grantham to the Dowager and her daughter Mary. Ha! Not one to take a hint from her lowly American mother, Lady Mary continues to taunt Matthew's usurper position as heir by telling him the story of Andromeda, with sacrificial maidens, sea serpents and heroic young Gods to the rescue.

Ep 2 pushes the story forward with the arrival of an unexpected, middle-class heir to Downton. His entrance throws a polite grenade into the rigid world of the aristocracy. He's awkward, proud, and not the least bit interested in polishing silver. Which, naturally, ruffles feathers.

There's solid tension between old and new here, especially between the heir's sharp-tongued mother and the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith, still devouring every scene). These generational standoffs are a highlight, delivered with dry elegance and real bite.

Mary remains cool and calculating, while Edith simmers with quiet bitterness. Lord Grantham continues trying to play diplomat, but the walls around him are clearly closing in.

Downstairs, the Bates storyline intensifies. Thomas and O'Brien's constant scheming is beginning to grate, but perhaps that's the point. There's a subtle darkness creeping in, hinting this world isn't as pristine as it looks.

It's a well-made episode... clever, restrained, full of nuance... but if I'm honest, it's not entirely my rhythm. I can admire the craft, but I'm not yet emotionally locked in. Still, it's intriguing enough to keep going.

This feels like a show you learn to settle into rather than binge. Let's see what Ep 3 brings.

My rating: 7.5/10.

After a brilliantly well written first episode, episode 2 is another perfect episode. New characters, including Matthew Crawley and his mother along with Isobel, are well introduced as the story continues the concept of blood relations inside Downton Abbey with everyone continuing their British Social heirarchy during the whole news of the sinking of the Titanic.

Acting-wise, everyone continues to excel perfectly with Maggie Smith continuing to steal the show as the witty Dowager Countess of of Grantham, the cinematography is still gorgeous and authentic to the English 1910's setting, the pacing is very good, the music score from John Lunn is great, and the drama continues to show interest.

Overall, another perfect episode in this brilliantly well written first season.