arrival Reviews

Junior Showtime (1969–1974)

Some Good News!

[10/10 · 13 November 2010]

I heard recently that this Show had been unearthed some time ago and is awaiting the finances to be restored for subsequent DVD release.

This Show will hold a great deal of nostalgia for those of us over the age of 40. It featured Child Stars that were very entertaining to see, and I can recall vividly as a child and early teen myself, running in after school and playing outside to watch this in its regular teatime slot!

It featured dancing, singing, novelty acts and the like; something that is definitely lacking in our modern-day world - more's the pity...

Great stuff!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Whither Shall I Wander? (1975) Season 5, Episode 16

The Bellamy's pack up and leave...

[27 September 2010]

Summer. 1930, This was the very last episode ever of the award-winning TV series 'Upstairs, Downstairs'. After five years of gracing our screens - and almost thirty in the actual story-telling, 'UD' finally came to an end having reached the summer of 1930, and the end of an era...

We see Georgina selfish and self-centred to the very last here, when all her concerns are for herself; the wedding that she can't pay for because James left debts (to hell with the way the poor man felt...) and her concerns as to whether or not she will be 'liable' for any of those debts... Charming! Whilst this episode is 'good', I have to confess at having been just a little disappointed at how it was done - particularly the final section (Part Three) when it is left to Rose to close up the house, and to wander through all the rooms reminiscing. Now, whilst I do not wish to sound 'overly sentimental', it seems to me, that someone like Rose would have had a few more 'flashbacks' than she actually did, and I suspect that many of these were cut short in view of the time and effort of searching for old tapes from earlier episodes for 're-dubbing'. Whilst this may have been a bigger job back then that it would have been today, I thought it was worth doing, as it is, we are left feeling not only 'cheated' having these scenes cut short, but also made to feel that somebody somewhere felt them not worth the time, trouble and expense, which to me is a great pity... For example; we only really get a couple of 'voices from the past' and both short 'snippets' from the very first ep. 'On Trial' featuring the voices of Sarah and Lady Marjorie. A couple more from slightly later on - and again, from the same ep. Apart from these, we only get 'snippets' from more recent episodes from James and Lily. It would have been nice to have seen Rose hearing perhaps Emily, more of Sarah, Hazel Bellamy perhaps, and some of the real drama that would most certainly have gone through the mind of Rose at such a time in her life...

However, it didn't happen - and a great opportunity lost in my opinion, which makes the closing episode to one the most significant British TV Shows, pretty 'unremarkable'...

Upstairs, Downstairs: All the King's Horses (1975) Season 5, Episode 15

James reaches the end of the line...

[26 September 2010]

October, 1929, James arrives back from America from visiting his sister Elizabeth full of excitement and big ideas. The whole household is swept along by his unnatural enthusiasm - but it's unhealthy... He invests all Rose's savings that were left to her during the War by her intended Gregory Wilmot who was killed at the front. At news of the 'Wall Street Crash', Rose naturally goes to pieces, and Richard Bellamy and Hudson go spare...

James is told some home truths by his father - but there can be no reconciliation this time... James has finally reached the end of the line, and takes his own life in an hotel room...

I must confess, this was the first time I'd ever felt sorry for the character James. I don't believe in the people who say those who attempt suicide are merely attention seekers - and even if they are; the average person in the street would not go about it that way, and so you can bet that there is something not right; they are either ill, or so desperately and genuinely unhappy with their lives, that they cannot contemplate living on this planet another day... In either case, they are to be helped - not criticised. I feel heartily sorry for anyone who is brought to this predicament - whether I like them or not, and I guess that is why I felt sorry for the character James.

This was the 'penultimate' episode of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' before ending forever, and was the final 'shocker' of several that was to be included in this fifth and final season.

Upstairs, Downstairs: Noblesse Oblige (1975) Season 5, Episode 14

Ruby runs away!

[26 September 2010]

Summer. 1929, Georgina awaits 'approval' from the 'Buckminsters' concerning her engagement to their son, Lord Stockbridge. She visits his mother in an attempt to 'win her over', but it doesn't appear that she is getting her way when Robert is sent away for a year on a world cruise!

In the meantime; Mrs. Bridges takes a step too far in her mistreatment of Ruby, and the results being, Ruby slips out of the back door late one night, and leaves without giving notice. She's replaced - temporarily by a cheeky little madame by the name of 'Mabel'. She subsequently gets a slap across the face from Daisy for her pains!

Ruby ends up working for a bully 'Mrs. Waddilove' - played marvellously by the ever intimidating, yet wonderful Joan Sanderson! Ruby writes to Daisy of her distress, and Daisy in turn passes the letter onto Mrs. Bridges, who like a mother hen goes to visit Ruby to sort things out. She tackles the woman who is abusing her. Consequently, Mrs. Bridges brings Ruby back to Eaton Place where she belongs.

Upstairs, Downstairs: Joke Over (1975) Season 5, Episode 13

YES! The joke is DEFINITELY OVER!

[23 September 2010]

Summer, 1928, I'd just about lost all my patience with the character Georgina by this time - yet another bunch of lives ruined by her silly recklessness...

Georgina and a lot of her silly friends (including a Marquis!) and along with Lady Dolly Hale, who we'd already learned from previous episodes was pretty irresponsible, end up in the early hours after a night out at 165 on a stupid 'Scavenger Hunt'. All high, on either alcohol or drugs (or both!) Georgina takes the Bellamys car without allowing Edward, the Chauffeur to drive - tragedy ensues... Driving down a bank at 6 am, Georgina doesn't see a cyclist as he appears in front of her suddenly and ends up under the wheels of the car... The man later dies, leaving a wife and children, and there is an Inquest into his death. The outcome of which is pretty obvious, but it does a pretty good job at highlighting the idle rich and their pastimes during the late and idle twenties. Most of the party doesn't turn up to give evidence, and those that do (re Dolly Hale) actually make matters worse for Georgina... Then, just like the Knight in shining armour Georgina doesn't deserve, Robert Stockbridge - about the only sensible character of the bunch, turns up to give the evidence that will save her! This begins an affair, which eventually leads to their marriage in the Summer of 1930 - just two years later.

Trivia: Features a young Nigel Havers.

Upstairs, Downstairs: Will Ye No Come Back Again (1975) Season 5, Episode 12

James' 'penultimate knock'...

[10/10 · 23 September 2010]

May, 1928, The Bellamys go up to Scotland for a holiday.

This episode I believe was a 'filler', yet ironically for me is one of my favourites from this final season - and quite important too (as it turns out) to the story/plot concerning James' tragic end.

I never thought much about Scotland until I saw this episode, but every time I watch it, it makes me want to rush off up there and stay in some large old isolated house where the winds howl romantically through the night, and one is rather 'cut off' from the outside world - lovely...

This episode is important to the plot, as it's where James takes his 'penultimate knock', before taking his own life in 1929 - his rejection yet again of the love he has for Georgina... Whilst James was never the most likable character and had few redeeming qualities, one has to say that Georgina was a nasty piece of work underneath for those of us who could see through it - that apparent gentleness and child-like innocence did not fool me! She ruined far many more lives than she ever saved during the War with her selfishness, misleading - not to mention her scatty-headedness....

On a lighter note; there is a comic side to this episode in the fear-stricken Ruby, who behaves like a small child running for her 'mother Bridges' in the night after she thinks she's heard the 'dying laird' - coming back from the grave to get her!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Alberto (1975) Season 5, Episode 11

Frederick gets a taste for the new life!

[21 September 2010]

June, 1927, Frederick the Footman is discontented with his lot at 165 - particularly after Edward was made 'Under Butler' instead of him, and so he seeks his ambition elsewhere.

Lady Dolly Hale, a rather 'scatty' friend of Miss Georgian's, takes a shine to 'Fred', and introduces him to a whole new way of life. Frederick likes this new life, and means to have it on a permanent basis! Georgina gets a part in a film as a prostitute to James' fury. What makes it even worse, is that he and 'Aunt Prue' turn up to watch her, only to find out that Frederick is playing the man who's about to take advantage of her easy virtue... This was set up as a prank by Lady Dolly who finds everything in life a joke. James loses his temper and wrecks the whole film... As a consequence, Frederick can hardly stay on at 165 as Footman after this, and doesn't wish to carry on his relationship with Lad Dolly either, and so having felt he's found his 'niche' in society, he leaves Eaton Place to seek his fortune.

One of the most touching scenes ever is featured in this episode, when Lady Prudence, a very old and dear friend of the Bellamy family, sees James' unrequited love for his cousin Georgina, and picks up on his despair of life in general, and sounds almost like his dear mother, Lady Marjorie, when she lightly touches him under the chin and says; 'chin up darling'. Old friends of the family were made for this kind of thing in real-life. James looks like the lost boy he's become, and whose life is in tatters and needs the comfort of his mother, whose children never grow up - and Lady Prue is the next best thing and a wonderful substitute. This is beautifully scened and scripted.

Upstairs, Downstairs: The Understudy (1975) Season 5, Episode 10

Hudson's health begins to fail...

[21 September 2010]

September, 1926, Bad news for Hudson! He's getting older, and his health begins to fail. He suffers a Heart Attack at the time of an important Dinner Party. This of course throws everything into chaos, and raises the question of his 'Successor'. Whilst Frederick appears to be the more capable of the two, it's a foregone conclusion (even to the Viewer) that it must be Edward. He's been in Service longer, and therefore the Bellamy's are much 'fonder' of him - even though they know that he perhaps may not be up to the job straightaway. The big mistake Frederick makes of course is putting himself forward too soon. It appears 'conceited'. Edward is far more likable for leaving it to others to decide. Whilst in some aspects this may appear 'weak' and lacking in initiative, (and whilst there may be some truth in that) it's actually a very nice and endearing quality - particularly to those who are fond of you.

Mrs. Bridges falls to pieces as can be expected, but everything goes off swimmingly. Hudson goes to stay with friends to recuperate, and Edward is justly chosen for his 'stand in'. Daisy like a true and loyal wife, actually threatened to walk out if he hadn't been chosen - she needn't have worried of course! The decision to put Edward over Frederick leads to Fred realising that even after eight years, he's still not 'one of the family'. He gets 'itchy feet' and moves to pastures new in the very next episode 'Alberto'.

Upstairs, Downstairs: The Nine Days Wonder (1975) Season 5, Episode 9

Should the servants join the Strike?

[19 September 2010]

May, 1926, It's the year of 'The General Strike', and the Bellamy household does their bit to keep things running smoothly, However; there are some doubts in the servants hall as to whether the Strike is legitimate or not, and whether they should in fact be out there striking too! Hudson lays the law down as always - but the others still have doubts...

Ruby gets a couple of unexpected visitors from her family who just happen to be Miners, and therefore are not made very welcome by Hudson and are seen as the 'enemy'.

For James it's a reminder of the War that Georgina so desperately wants to forget, and even Rose is unsettled and is glued to the Wireless like a battle station for reassurance that the different parties in the dispute are in fact talking of 'peace'.

This episode, though dealing with an important incident of history, comes across as a sort of 'filler' - this season being somewhat longer, and running for sixteen episodes instead of the usual thirteen.

TRIVIA: Note the scene in Georgina's bedroom when James taps his finger too hard on the Dressing Table, and Simon Williams clearly injures himself!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Such a Lovely Man (1975) Season 5, Episode 8

Ruby starts dating!!

[19 September 2010]

Summer, 1925, Ruby takes up pen-pal writing and meets a man unromantically named; 'Herbert Turner'. She actually gets dated, which is amusing in itself, but it's even funnier the way the staff and everyone reacts. Having no romance in their own lives, the staff at 165 show an unhealthy interest in poor Ruby's short-lived affair! The most amusing part in all this being, that it's actually Ruby that dumps the man - and not the other way round! Meanwhile; upstairs, Lady Virginia becomes involved with a gay man (yet another UD encounter with this subject!) 'Sir Guy Paynter', played by Robert Hardy. Richard's not concerned, as he already knows of the man's 'leanings' and therefore is not threat, and Virginia pretends not to know in order to try to make Richard jealous.

An unremarkable episode in this last season, but amusing in parts.

Upstairs, Downstairs: Disillusion (1975) Season 5, Episode 7

Hudson has an affair with one of the house maids!

[19 September 2010]

Spring, 1924, This episode shocked regular Viewers when it went out, as Hudson becomes romantically involved with the underhouse parlour maid, Lily.

Viewers having watched all five seasons of this series will know how this 'fling' for Hudson, as Mrs. Bridges says, goes against all that he has stood for over the years. From this point of view, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Writers here had made a bit of a 'booby' with this one. Anyway, it survived to tell the tale, and was to become just one of several 'shock' episodes in the final season of what was to become one of Britain's classic TV series ever made! Hudson turns the household upside down, as he first shocks the family upstairs, breaks Mrs. Bridges' heart, having promised to marry her years earlier, and Rose gives him the cold shoulder! This is the first episode we see Daisy with dyed black hair, and becoming way over confident (credibility-wise) as she takes on a personality make-over! Remember the shy, vulnerable and timid little Daisy we saw enter through the door of 165 a couple of seasons back? Is this the same person we ask!??

Upstairs, Downstairs: An Old Flame (1975) Season 5, Episode 6

Too much kissing - YUK!

[19 September 2010]

Spring, 1923, James Bellamy meets up with Diana Newbury - his best friend's wife and 'old flame'.

After years of hesitation and dozens of 'will you's', they decide (or rather Diana Newbury does!) that they should elope and runaway to France together. It begins when they take a cottage borrowed from 'Cocky Danby'. However; they soon find that they bore each other after all these years, and that perhaps the time for 'love' has been lost...

I must confess at the shock of those words uttered by James: 'Why did I ever choose Hazel when I could have chosen you?' Well James; I think I can answer that one for you; Hazel was way more attractive, and was worth twenty of Diana Newbury! Simple as that! I never liked the character Diana Newbury - couldn't stand the woman... Nothing to look at, and a frightful snob with no redeeming qualities whatsoever...

Be warned: There's way too much kissing in this. (nauseating) Particularly as Ms. Newbury is so painfully thin and about to crack under the pressure!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Wanted - a Good Home (1975) Season 5, Episode 5

The Governess is sent packing!

[15 September 2010]

Spring, 1922, One of the best episodes from this final season of 'UD' sees the staff turning on Miss Treadwell, the Governess when she is put in charge of the whole household whilst the master and mistress are away.

Whilst undoubtedly one of the very best episodes of the series, this plot is a little at odds in two places:

Firstly; it seems inconceivable that a Governess would have been put in charge - over and above Hudson, the Butler by the Bellamy's - not least as this is now the 1920s. This may, just may have been done in Lady Marjorie's day - but not really this far into the twentieth century. The Bellamy's had already stopped dressing for dinner!

Second; it is also highly unlikely that the servants would have tolerated Miss Treadwell issuing her authority from the Morning Room and waited upon her as they do here - rewind; remember Miss Forrest!? I'm not so sure that incident and the trouble it had caused would have been forgotten - not even after ten years... Miss Forrest had not been employed in a servants capacity, and therefore had more claim on 'upstairs' yet still was not accepted - far less would have been Miss Treadwell - a mere Governess... However; for all that, this episode is extremely entertaining - if only to see the servants united against the haughty Governess, and to see her sent packing!

This episode is also notable, in that this is the very last time we ever see the children; Master William and Miss Alice.

Upstairs, Downstairs: The Joy Ride (1975) Season 5, Episode 4

Richard Bellamy thinks his son James has eloped with his wife!

[15 September 2010]

Autumn, 1921, Georgina has left for America to escape the press reporting of the recent suicide at 165 of Captain Robin Elliot.

James has bought himself a plane and is full of enthusiasm. He offers to take his stepmother Virginia up in it against his father's wishes. The plane goes missing, and all the household are concerned for their welfare. At this point, Richard calls on faithful old Prue for moral support as his worrying mind starts to assume that perhaps his son James and his wife had planned to run away together, and never intended to return... In view of James' behaviour towards his late wife Hazel, whilst spending his spare time 'sniffing' around his cousin Georgina, one can not really blame him...

It's really downhill all the way for James from this episode, until he ends his life with the 'Wall Street Crash' in 1929.

Upstairs, Downstairs: Laugh a Little Louder Please (1975) Season 5, Episode 3

Don't get too close Captain!

[13 September 2010]

Summer, 1921, Lord and Lady Bellamy are away, and Georgina decides to throw a 'fancy dress ball'. Nothing wrong with that, but for the fact that it has a rather daring theme which shocks the servants, and clashes with the arrival of the new Governess for Lady Bellamy's children, Miss Treadwell.

Georgina has an admirer, Captain Elliot, who gets a bit too close for comfort. Having come through the war, the poor man is rather 'damaged' and is looking for someone to 'hang on to' and decides it's to be Miss Georgina. James attempts to warn him that Georgina is not be taken too seriously. He takes no notice, and finds life without her unbearable when she turns down his offer of marriage...

Upstairs, Downstairs: A Place in the World (1975) Season 5, Episode 2

Edward and Daisy return to Eaton Place!

[12 September 2010]

February, 1920, Edward and Daisy fall on hard times, having left Service a couple of years earlier. On a visit to 165, it is apparent that they are struggling to live, and that Daisy has lost her baby... In an attempt to save face, and to keep the truth from the staff, Edward lashes out at Hudson who never wanted them to leave Service in the first place. Hudson feeling both upset by Edward's words - yet also guilty in some way, suggests to Lady Bellamy new Posts for them both, where Daisy and Edward could return to Eaton Place with some form of dignity - a step up; Edward as Chauffeur, and Daisy as Head House Parlour Maid.

James in the meantime is standing for election, and although he does his best, it can not go unnoticed that during war time, the gentry will expect ordinary people to fight alongside wealthy people, but just as soon as the war is over, they are expected to live the lives they had before - no more wealth, prosperity or change...

One of the reasons I cannot understand how ordinary people can be so gullible and risk their lives for their country - only to be forgotten as soon as it's over... (sorry if I offend anybody - but have witnessed this first hand) If and when war comes, ordinary people should let those that live in comfort during peace time fight it out amongst themselves instead of 'using' people who are having to fight battles every day of their lives during peace time merely to 'survive'...

Upstairs, Downstairs: On with the Dance (1975) Season 5, Episode 1

It's a look back - and a look forward!

[12 September 2010]

Summer, 1919, This is the first episode of the very last season of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' - which is also the longest, having a total of sixteen episodes in all, instead of the usual thirteen. This series spans twelve years, from 1919 through to 1930.

After the intensity of the war years, we begin with a very 'quiet' and nostalgic episode, when the staff find that there is not enough for them to do, and consequently, they worry about their situation. Mrs. Bellamy having passed away six months before, and Richard Bellamy having remarried and not intending to stay at 165, there simply isn't enough work for the staff to do any more... When James gives them all a months' notice, it seems that 'Upstairs, Downstairs' has run its course, and cannot continue...

However; Georgina and James have a cunning plan to invite Lady Virginia and her children to tea - knowing that the children will fall in love with the house and persuade their parents to stay. The ruse works!

This season begins with two new staff memebrs in Frederick (Gareth Hunt) who replaces Edward as Footman, and Lily (Karen Dotrice) who replaces Daisy - the former two having left service the previous year after the war to make it in the big wide world!

Note: A famous line from Mrs. Bridges comes, when Daisy whilst visiting gets above herself and refers to the staff of 165 as 'people' - Mrs. Bridge retorts: 'and we are not 'people' neither Daisy!' Priceless!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Peace out of Pain (1974) Season 4, Episode 13

Meg Wynn Owen takes a tragic exit...

[10/10 · 11 September 2010]

November, 1918, One of the saddest episode's ever, to finish off both this fourth and penultimate series of 'Upstairs, Downstairs', along the end of 'The Great War'.

Hazel Bellamy, having summed up her unhappy life with James at Eaton Place to Georgina, gets caught up in the 1918 outbreak of Spanish Flu which she contracts from her voluntary work at the Canteen where she helps out. She subsequently passes away in her sleep...

I found the death of this character - wonderfully played by the great actress Meg Wynn Owen I might add, affected me deeply, and far more than any other in the whole series - even more than that of the suicide of the little Irish Kitchen Maid, Emily, that had been seen years before. Part of this may well have been due to the 'blase' way in which the death had been dealt with by the Writers - which was very odd indeed...

This is one of the most heart-rending episodes - particularly as the character Hazel had had such an unfortunate and unhappy life; two failed marriages; married to men who both abused and were cruel to her right up to her death - and having been the mistress of a house where for the most part, (excepting perhaps Rose that is) her staff had resented her for absolutely no reason whatsoever... Her character was kind-hearted, and she was exceptionally considerate to the well-being of her servants in a way unseen, both before, and after her death, with no thanks or appreciation shown from them at all... It is explained away in the series, that this resentment of Hazel Forrest becoming mistress of the house had been due to nothing other than the fact she had not been born 'a lady', and therefore had been hard for the staff to accept - yet in comparison, when her successor in the role of Virginia Hamilton, who it is worth noting is a mere 'Mrs.', marries Richard Bellamy, and only inherits the title 'lady' by that marriage, is accepted and welcomed by the staff with open arms... I never quite understood the logic of this from the Writers, which gave the dislike of Hazel Forrest marrying James no real credibility or foundation at all... Nevertheless; we were blessed with one of the best remembered and most well-loved characters to ever cross the threshold of 165, and thankfully, this far outweighed any mis-scripting that may have been involved.

The series ends on a sad note, when Rose is seen sitting sewing in a corner all by herself in the Servants Hall, not participating in the celebrations to end the War. It is implied that Rose would lose everyone she ever gets close to; from Sarah, Miss Lizzie, Gregory, and now more recently, Mrs. Bellamy, of whom she was genuinely fond. Indeed, it is quite satisfying to see her lash out with a home truth to Hudson, when he suggests a prayer for 'the soul' of Mrs. Bellamy. Rose yells: 'poor departed mistress - you couldn't stand her whilst she was alive - leave her alone now whilst she's dead!' Couldn't have said it better myself Rose!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Facing Fearful Odds (1974) Season 4, Episode 12

Lowest point of this season.

[11 September 2010]

February, 1918, This episode must rank as the only other all-time low point in the whole five seasons - along with the infamous 'Swedish Tiger' (this ranking just above that one) from the very first season. This episode features the court martial (and nothing could be more boring...) of a character we don't even know - and of which the outcome bears no relevance and has absolutely no impact on the Viewer whatsoever...

This would be Hannah Gordon's second, and last appearance as 'Virginia Hamilton', before the character marries Lord Bellamy, and becomes the final mistress of the house in the next and final season.

Daisy and Ruby hide Edward so that he doesn't have to go back to the front, and Daisy is only persuaded to reveal his whereabouts when Hudson points out that AWOL will count as 'desertion', and will send Edward to a firing squad!

Upstairs, Downstairs: Missing Believed Killed (1974) Season 4, Episode 11

James is found alive!

[11 September 2010]

October, 1917,

James turns up in Georgina's hospital injured, and there is a bitter feud between Hazel, Richard and Georgina, when Hazel suggests bringing James home from France using a special Ambulance organised by his grandmother, Lady Southwold.

Hazel gets her way, but is resented by both Richard and Georgina - particularly Georgina, who lets her guard down by finally showing her true feelings for her cousin James...

James makes an amazing recovery - physically, but is scarred by his ordeal.

Upstairs, Downstairs: The Hero's Farewell (1974) Season 4, Episode 10

Ruby becomes a star!

[11 September 2010]

September, 1917, Lady Prudence manages to seize the Drawing Room behind Hazel's back whilst she's away, and brings a famous stage actor: 'Gerald Maitland' to organise a 'tableau' in aid of some charity or other to do with the War. Much comedy ensues - with contributions from Fanny Rowe who plays the 'Duchess', and Ruby is chosen to appear on stage, with Mrs. Bridges' astute observation: 'there'll be havin' her in movin' pictures next'!

There is more comedy, when Mrs. Bridges and Ruby have never got on so well! Before Mrs. Bellamy went away, she'd suggested that Mrs. Bridges attend some meetings to learn how to economise in the Kitchen, and to produce wholesome, yet patriotic meals. Mrs. Bridges is not too keen on this for herself - being above such advice, but takes Ruby along instead. The result being, some awful meals (cooked mainly by Ruby) with patriotic titles, such as: 'Win The War Pie' consisting of 'potato substitute' and involves using up all the left over scraps of food that would normally be thrown away!

Rose misses a marvellous opportunity, had she not been so shy, when it is apparent that the famous actor Gerald Maitland takes a shine to her during an air raid, when Eaton Place is damaged by an explosion, and all the actors and guests have to take refuge below stairs in the servants quarters during the black out. This was a great pity, since this would be Rose's last opportunity to escape Service, and would end her days an old maid...

Hudson returns from his duty as Special Constable after the air raid, injured, and having all come through the disaster relatively unharmed, there is a telegram with bad news, when James is missing, and believed killed in action...

Upstairs, Downstairs: Another Year (1974) Season 4, Episode 9

And the War rages on...

[7 September 2010]

January, 1917, Richard Bellamy receives a 'Lordship' which makes Hudson's day more than anyone's! Virginia Hamilton makes her first appearance when she arrives at Eaton Place to see Mr. Bellamy for help with a charity set up by she and her friend. She's sent away - more or less with a flea in her ear, and Richard is hoping never to see her again. However; she reports him to his seniors and then comes back to apologise.

Edward is home on leave, and although he makes a brave attempt to put on a front, is actually quite ill. He is found sobbing on the stairs late New Years' Eve by Mr. Bellamy. He subsequently tries to get him invalided out of the Army using his influence and Sir Geoffrey Dillon.

The Bellamys whilst entertaining, feel and hear an explosion nearby one evening - little do they know it is where Ruby went to work. During the night, Rose wakes the mistress to tell her Ruby has arrived, frightened and homeless in the Servants' Hall.

Viewers will find this episode another tear-jerker with lots of moving moments and nostalgia - particularly as the camera scans the hallway when it's all silent in the dead of night. Thought-provoking stuff!

Upstairs, Downstairs: The Glorious Dead (1974) Season 4, Episode 8

Bad news for Rose...

[7 September 2010]

October, 1916, A 'classic' episode from this season, this one, when Rose gets bad news receiving a telegram to say that Gregory Wilmot, her intended, has been killed in action... Rose goes into shock, and turns to a clairvoyant for comfort. Mrs. Bellamy is furious when she finds out after Rose returns home hysterical, that a good Christian like she should turn to such charlatans for comfort instead of the church. In turn, Rose in her grief forgets herself, and tells her mistress some home-truths. Hazel being the generous person she is, instead of reprimanding her, simply admits that Rose has not said anything wicked at all - but simply the truth.

In the meantime; Hazel discovers from a newspaper that the man she is in love with behind James' back has also been killed in action... Adding to this; James comes home unexpectedly on leave, and for once, we get to see a more generous side of his nature, when he talks to Rose to help her feel better about her loss, and discovers Hazel's affair with Jack Dyson, but says nothing...

Upstairs, Downstairs: If You Were the Only Girl in the World (1974) Season 4, Episode 7

Hazel Bellamy 'plays away'!

[7 September 2010]

July, 1916,

Meg (Wynn Owen) once told me that this was her favourite episode - and one can see why, since it gives the actress a chance to 'branch out' from the character Hazel became, and which also gave her the opportunity of a 'meatier' role. Her acting had been outstanding to say the least since she'd entered the third season, and she would be a great loss to the series when she left a few episodes after this.

Hazel sticks to her guns and refuses to open up the Drawing Room for Lady Prudence's 'Wounded Officers' Tea Party'. Just as well, since only three turn up! However, one of which that does, takes a fancy to Hazel - and she to him. Hazel Bellamy has a full-blown affair whilst James is away. It's hard to 'disapprove' of Hazel's betrayal - firstly; because James is really being unfaithful to her with his cousin Georgina, and second; he treats Hazel like dirt anyway... One cannot begrudge her a little bit of happiness after two failed marriages to two selfish men... Rose approves, and when Hudson suggests 'immorality' and goes off one - Rose defends her mistress, but if I'd have been Rose, I would have reminded his smug face of Lady Marjorie's infidelity years before, that he tried to shovel under the carpet..

Daisy, still feeling put upon since doing the work of four people, becomes rebellious.

Upstairs, Downstairs: Home Fires (1974) Season 4, Episode 6

Rose gets a second chance at marriage - but no fun for Daisy...

[3 September 2010]

May, 1916, Rose's former fiancée, Gregory Wilmot. turns up at Eaton Place in uniform. Having looked Rose up after their split a couple of years earlier, a similar promise to marry is reached with a better understanding. Rose ends up telling Hudson some home truths, when she discovers that the second engagement is also broken, and that Hudson has had a hand in it. This also gives Hazel (one of my fav. characters of the Show) another chance to have a go at Hudson for interfering, whom it is clear has never liked her being mistress of the Bellamy House from the start.

Hazel also falls out with Lady Prudence Fairfax for taking advantage of her good nature, and Hudson gets his own back on the mistress by taking sides with Lady Prudence, when she wants to open the house up for tea parties for wounded Officers against Hazel's better judgement.

Daisy feels put upon, who is now doing the job of three other people as well as her own, without a penny more pay. She shows her annoyance - and who could blame her!.