In which I informally mash thoughts at the keyboard while watching the first episode of the new season of Upstairs, Downstairs. Contains spoilers for the entire episode.

It’s baaack… the Downton Abbey substitute. I thought the first series had potential, but they were blazing through it at such a frenzy that I didn’t connect with most of the characters. (Why did they only do three episodes?) But this series is supposed to have six, so there’s more room for development.

And the opening scene is of Sir Hallam talking with George, the Duke of Kent. George is saying the things that so many people felt then—he wants peace at almost any cost. It’s cool that they’re including that! Most movies/shows portray WWII as this pre-fated crusade against Nazi Germany (or maybe that’s because I’m American?), but the sentiment at the time was more along the lines of abject dread. People were willfully blind about how serious Hitler was because they were so desperate to avoid another conflict like the one in their recent memory. But here, Sir Hallam is arguing with the perfect 20/20 hindsight that is often gifted from screenwriters. (I’m so critical, sorry! But I love it when shows are brave enough to make the protagonists more than mouthpieces for our perspectives.)

Lady Agnes apparently had another kid (go Agnes!) and had a rough c-section, so she’s not as chirpy as she normally is. (The music sounds like Mrs. Miniver!) Mr. Pritchard is totally loving his air raid warden duties—it’s quite sweet, really. 

There’s a new kitchen maid, Eunice. Where’s Ivy? (Did they ever explain her absence? And what about Lotte?) I had to laugh when they killed Lady Holland off instead of just writing a better exit for her. From what I understand, Eileen Atkins was unhappy with the script and bowed out. I guess they weren’t hedging their bets with a possible return for the character later. :P Being the astute viewer that I am, I totally missed Ms. Buck’s absence until they pointed out in-story that she was gone. She wasn’t really the strongest personality on the show, but hopefully they’ll develop her more when she comes back later in the season.

And oh hey, here’s that actress from all of the Dr. Who graphics! I’m not familiar with Alex Kingston from anything else, but she seems great in this. Bossy characters tend to be my least favorite (I’m looking at you, Isobel Crawley), but Kingston plays Blanche with this perfect warmth that evens out the bossiness nicely. And I’m definitely glad to have Mrs. Thackaray (the cook) back; “You’d think that obstetrician had set to with an axe!”

There’s another new maid, this one named Beryl. I like her so far—she seems to have some spirit that isn’t founded on her looks. She and Spargo—awww. Not sure she’s going to go for him, though.

That gas-proof pram looked exactly like a coffin. Yikes. Poor Johnny; so well-intentioned, yet always doomed to be the token monkeywrench in every plotline he’s given. (Was the monkey a drain on the production budget? Writers to the rescue!)

Am I the only one who is thoroughly creeped out by the Duke and baby Veronica? O_O

Underhanded hints from the Duke to Agnes about Hallam’s career. Technically, the Duke’s motives are good—he’s trying to stop a war—but he’s going about it most dishonorably. (Moral grays! J’approuve.)

That policeman had the best transition from being kindly to downright malicious in his prison scene with Pritchard. I wish I had a better sense of how people at that time treated conscientious objectors. I sympathize with both, though. And I like how militant Pritchard is now, how eager he is to do his part. Whether or not he looks at it that way, I think he’s trying to make up for the past. (Am I the only one who thought this storyline feels slightly pilfered from Gosford Park?)

“Come upstairs, Hallam. Come upstairs and kiss our children. They’re the future.” Who says stuff like that?? Come on, screenwriters. Keeley could have brought more to that scene if she hadn’t had any lines. 

Mr. Amanjit is loses his cool fast, and Beryl’s awesomeness is showing—“Well it didn’t end all wars, did it? You have nothing to be smug about.” lol I love how Eunice the kitchen maid has absolutely no input. (Please let her have a decent storyline and not be the fat background character only used for comic relief.) And Agnes seems to have matured; she’s quicker to take charge and not throw up her hands at any trouble that comes along. I wish she’d kept the pistol. :P

Not sure what I think of Sir Hallam and Percy. They always had tension; I think that he and Agnes are both choked by their own drive to do what they should, and he’s drawn to Percy’s utter lack of concern for such things. She’s spoiled, selfish to the core, but she has no pretensions of being anything else. And at that point, he’s cornered by his politics, his stance being challenged from all sides; he’s going to be drawn to the person who is seemingly unaffected by the world around her. It could be interesting (particularly if it deepens her character any), but I suspect it’s going to be overwrought. 

“Peace in our time!” ;___;

So far, it’s decent. Hopefully, it will hit a good stride this series!