TV review: Downton Abbey
We all watched in horror as the last series ended and so it was no surprise to see moaning Mary become mourning Mary for the opening of the new series of Downton Abbey (ITV1), writes Maria Cusine.
But what we didn't expect was that her doom and gloom would last for virtually the entire episode – and what a long one it was at 90 minutes.
And no I don't mean to be heartless, she was of course the grieving widow, but there's something about Mary that at times makes me either want to give her more of a good shake than a comforting hug.
There was a bleak mood in the Crawley household. And Lady Mary was at the centre of it.
It was her handsome husband Matthew Crawley who had managed to melt the ice queen but last night she was very much back to her old self.
She was cold, snappy and miserable – very much her icy best.
Mary took centre stage last night, with her overwhelming feeling of despair.
Of course she wasn't the only one grieving – I'm sure plenty of Downton fans are still reeling from her husband's death in a car crash last Christmas.
Crippled with grief, Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, haunts the corridors of the house like a zombie, dressed head to toe in black.
But thankfully it wasn't all doom and gloom – there was also a sprinkle of humour, love and mischief – as well as the introduction of a an electric mixer in the kitchen which managed to cause chaos.
The dowager countess (played by the fabulous Maggie Smith) was on fine form as ever – and while all around Mary are terrified of mentioning Matthew or the future, she grabs the bull by the horns and persuades her granddaughter to 'choose life.'
Butler Carson, played by Jim Carter, also manages to comfort Lady Mary in her hour of need, offering her a shoulder to cry on as she weeps at the mention of her late husband's name. It was a wonderful, touching scene highlighting how upstairs and downstairs can connect.
Thankfully by the end of the episode Mary had indeed made her choice of life and death. And as the sun rose she cast aside her black wardrobe, turning out for a luncheon wearing a purple gown.
In sharp contrast, Mary's sister Edith lightens the tone with her married editor in London's roaring twenties.
She's a transformed character and is having such a good time that the couple kiss in public, shock horror.
He told her he could get a divorce, but only in Germany, 'the most hated nation in the world'.
Cue drama from the Crawley clan when they get to hear about that plan.
Downstairs, the servants were enjoying Valentine's Day and getting to grips with a food mixer, while mischievous meddler Thomas Barrow was up to his old tricks, managing to get Nanny West fired – although admittedly she didn't need any help from him in that.
Welcome back Downton. It may not have returned with a big bang, but at least Mary's gloom lifted by the end as she made her decision to choose life.
We can only hope that the new series will move on from the mourning of Matthew and wouldn't it be nice to have far fewer ad breaks throughout. It was Tesco-tastic – talk about spoiling the ambience.
