Downton Abbey (TV Series) Episode #2.1 (2011) User Reviews

World War I

[jpismyname · 9/10 · 19 December 2017]

The episode opens on a scene of Matthew in a battle during World War I. Meanwhile, the endearing Lady Sybil wants to be productive and decides to be a nurse for the wounded soldiers. Lady Mary is heartbroken to find out that Matthew has already found a fiancée. Downstairs, Bates expects to a divorce to marry Anna until his wife visits him unexpectedly.

Here, we meet the most despicable and loathsome character in this series, Bates' wife. She's even worse than Miss O'Brien, who at least has a bit of a goodness in her.

It is also fun to see Sybil trying to learn how to cook, clean to get ready to be a nurse. And I did not feel sorry for Lady Mary.

Oh, how I love this show!

War Intrudes on Everyone

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 1 August 2020]

There are so many plot elements that it would take way too long to describe them all. There are, however, tensions everywhere. It begins with the war in the trenches, where Matthew is dealing with hell. Thomas makes a reappearance and, of course, dramatically moves forward. Sybil shows her colors, deciding to put her blue blood aside and work in a convalescent hospital. Bates crazy wife appears and begins her campaign of extortion. Excellent beginning to Season 2.

Back for season 2

[moviesfilmsreviewsinc · 10/10 · 14 May 2022]

1916 opens in the throes of the Great War. Uncertainty and worry have taken up residence in the great house of Downton Abbey. Some newcomers arrive, met with varying degrees of welcome; some young men are absent, desperately clinging to survival in the trenches of France; and some men remain at Downton, their discontent festering.

Robert, ever the honorable patriarch, struggles with the uneasiness of a diminished house and the suspicion that the uniform he wears is empty. The Crawley women, too, attempt to find their place in the new climate, as Isobel helps chart a new course for one sister and Branson exerts his influence over yet another. Among the servants, love is in the air - O'Brien being, as always, the exception - until Bates makes a decision that crushes the hearts of the two people who love him most. What an incredible, mesmerizing premiere. We have been introduced to new characters with cheeky housemaid Ethel Parks and Mr. Bates wicked wife Vera. The war is in full swing and we know we in for a tragedy as so many members of the household enlist and serve in trenches of WWI. Robert, ever the honorable patriarch, struggles with the uneasiness of a diminished house and the suspicion that the uniform he wears is empty. The Crawley women, too, attempt to find their place in the new climate, as Isobel helps chart a new course for one sister and Branson exerts his influence over yet another. Among the servants, love is in the air - O'Brien being, as always, the exception - until Bates makes a decision that crushes the hearts of the two people who love him most. The costumes in this episode were stunning. Seeing the men in their red coats always takes my breath away. It is still very early in the season so I am keeping an open mind to plot and character development.

War is hell...for soldiers, lovers and estates.

[mark.waltz · 10/10 · 5 February 2020]

Don't let the horrors of war hide the fact that this episode is still entertaining in spite of the themes. Yes, it gets very serious at times, but even with changes at the estate, there's a lot of humor among the war effort in spite of the fact that Matthew is now engaged to another woman (Livinia, played by Zoe Boyle) and Bates' cold hearted wife Vera (Maria Doyle Kennedy) has turned up at his mother's funeral. Edith is having fun at sister Mary's expense because of Matthew's announcement, while Sybil is hoping to become more seriously interested in the war effort to provide services and practically turns the kitchen upside down with her efforts to learn how to cook. O'Brien goes after new house maid Ethel (Amy Nuttall) who is instantly snide with her, but as usual, O'Brien ends up with nothing but "Curses, Curses, foiled again!" She'd find her match in Vera, Bates bitter wife who blackmails him into returning to her and leaving Downton.

Despite a few setbacks, Sybil's efforts in the kitchen impress mother Cora whose down to earth personality in herself she recognizes in her youngest. Sybil longs to go to work at the hospital as a volunteer. As for Thomas, unseen until the end, he attempted to be heroic in battle in spite of being petrified and runs into Matthew. Cowardice beats him in the end, and that situation won't settle well with all of Downton Abbey. There's the usual amount of snark from the Dowager Countess (stealing every scene she's in irregardless of not really having a part in the story other than observer), chuckling at a vicious prank pulled on Ethel which nearly gets her the sack. The war scenes only occur at the beginning (prior to the opening credits) and the end, with Robert James-Collier showing a combination of fear and cowardice as he makes his attempt to end his front line involvement in the most desperate of ways. It is impressive and realistic even though it's just another act that proves that Thomas is one of the most self-centered characters on the series.

Downton returns

[studioAT · 7/10 · 9 January 2020]

We're back at Dowton for this 2nd series, that finds war still having an impact on everyone, as well as lots of romantic complications.

I found all the Bates/Anna story wonderfully written, and we have the slow brewing of Mary/Matthew too.

Downton on top form is hard to beat, and this was certainly a good start to the 2nd series.

Bad compared to S1

[hgwsavage · 5/10 · 24 October 2020]

Who ever directed this did a terrible job. The episode moves at such a fast pace and I just really hate it.