Downton Abbey Final Season

Tonight in the UK Downton Abbey the sixth and final season premiered. Of course we here in the U.S. won't be seeing it until January but me being the die hard fan that I am that isn't good enough. So I took to the internet and worked my magic and I'm happy to say that I watched Season Six, Episode 1.

Set in 1925. Big changes are afoot. Robert anticipates having to cut costs, and reduce the size of the staff, which worries Carson. Mrs Hughes is nervous about being embarrassed when performing her wifely duties when married to Carson, and asks Mrs Patmore to sound him out; after much embarrassment, Carson says he expects them to have a full marriage, which reassures Mrs Hughes. The local hospital is threatened with a take-over by the larger County Hospital; the board is split, with Violet objecting, and Isobel approving in the name of efficiency. A former chambermaid, Rita Bevan, turns up trying to blackmail Mary by revealing her tryst with Lord Gillingham. Mary refuses to pay, but Rita confronts Robert, who buys her off with £50 instead of the £1,000 she wanted, and gets a signed confession to prevent further blackmail. He admires Mary's pluck, and approves of her taking over Tom's job as the estate's Agent.

Sergeant Willis tells Bates & Anna that a woman has confessed to killing Green, and the matter is closed. Anna is upset at not having a child; twice she was convinced she was pregnant, but it was a miscarriage each time. Edith plans to spend more time in London, and be more hands-on with the publishing business. The family attend an auction at a neighboring estate which is being sold off. Daisy unwisely confronts the new owner because her father-in-law Mr Mason may lose his farm, but this backfires, and she only succeeds in angering him. Although she is liable to dismissal, Cora keeps her on. The owner tells Robert that great estates like theirs are on the way out, and advises him to sell up too.

I'm so excited to be back in this universe, even if this is the beginning of the end for the series. One of the many things I love about this series (and there are a ton of things) but one thing I love is how you can slip right back into this world without missing a beat. There is no re-getting to know these guys. The emotional connection to each and everyone of these characters is still there. Their way of life is coming to an end and everyone can see it, some are fearful of the future and some and taking it head on. Even with just this first episode these characters continue to grow.. some more then others but they are all moving forward. What does the future hold for everyone. I know we won't get nice bows on everyone's story lines but I do hope we do to see the wrapping up on some of the main characters that we've been following since the beginning.

For this episode some of my favorite scenes were with Mrs. Patmore being the go-between for Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson about sex in marriage. Some very awkward but funny scenes.  It's always fun to see Violet sparing with Isobel, this will be interesting to see where this storyline goes, hopefully their friendship can endure the stress. Mary has grown so much over the past five seasons.. it nice to see her not care about her reputation as much. And Bates and Anna are finally off the hook for the murder of Mr. Green. Now I hope these two can finally live happily ever after... I doubt it but here's hoping.

We're only getting eight episodes and the series finale Christmas special and I'm going to relish each and everyone one of them, over and over again..

I can't wait for more.