Autumn has arrived. How do we know? Well it's not because of the weather, it's because Downton Abbey made a comeback to our screens tonight and placed us back into the bosom of the Downton Abbey household.
The fourth series ended on a hopeful note with signs of a romance for Lady Mary and a close friendship of sorts between Carson and Ms Hughes, after the harrowing storyline of Anna's rape and Lady Edith's secret pregnancy and birth. So what did the first episode of series five have in store for us?
Set in 1924, the first episode opened with Lady Edith making her way to the farm and before she had even got off her bike, we knew that she was going to visit her child. Having agreed to let the Estate's farmer, Tim raise her daughter, the scene definitely pulled at the heartstrings as Edith realised she was missing out on seeing her own flesh and blood growing up. Surely Michael Gregson has to return so that they can be a proper family, right?
Edith's meeting with her daughter also gave us the background of the lies that she had to tell when the unknowing farmer's wife told Edith that Marigold's mother "was an old friend of Tim's". The storyline continued to penetrate the first episode as Edith later met Tim where he told her: "We need a way for you to live the truth, without telling the truth". Is there hope for Edith? We sure hope so. Although the very last scene left us wondering about how long Edith would be able to keep the secret when Ms Hughes was seen standing in the background as Edith and Tim talked.
Lady Edith spent time with her daughter (ITV Pictures)
As we were given an update on Edith, we were also welcomed with a new arc in the Downton Abbey storyline. Keeping in line with history, the subject of the Labour government coming into power in 1924, featured prominently in the first episode as Lord Grantham aired his grievances about the changes the new power would bring. In one conversation with Lady Mary, Robert said: "What worries me is that our government is committed to the destruction of people like us and everything that we stand for." However, that wasn't the case for the Downstairs members as Thomas Barrow declared during a conversation with Ms Patmore: "He's not a revolutionary. He believes in justice for the majority, what's wrong with that?". Daisy also got onto the 'change' bandwagon and set about teaching herself arithmetic and cost accounting, much to the dismay of Carson who matter-of-factually told Ms Patmore and Ms Hughes: "I don't think we should encourage it." Boo Carson, Boo. The village teacher, Sarah Bunting who began to take a shine towards Branson, also made her appearance in the first episode known when she fought with Robert over the new government, over dinner and in front of everyone. Awkward, much?
Sarah Bunting arrived at Downton tonight (ITV Pictures)
Away from politics and we saw a new and more modern Lady Mary when she began to toy with the idea of trying before buying when it came to her next husband – if you get our drift. Despite her modern way of thinking, Mary made us chuckle when she told Anna about what she had heard of the idea from a friend: "She was so graphic, I almost fainted."
Fortunately for Mary, it was an idea that Tony Gillingham agreed with when he suggested they become lovers. Offering the idea, Gilligham said: "I want you to come away, just for a week, maybe less but on our own and we'll spend the days talking and the nights together." Oo-er! Putting the subject of sex before marriage aside, Michelle Dockery really made us believe in Mary's search for love when the widow declared to Tom earlier on: "I don't want to get it wrong. I'd like to marry again. I've come that far but I intend to be as happy with my second husband as I was with my first." Tom Cullen on the other hand won the award for being the most corny when Mary asked Tony whether he dreaded the future, to which he replied: "Only if I have to live without you." But cupid wasn't just striking his bow in Mary and Gillingham's direction. Isobel Crawley's love life was the topic of discussion for the Dowager - played by the wonderful Dame Maggie Smith -who delivered her feedback of what men want, in her classic, sarcastic way.
The first episode of the new series finally revealed the reason behind Barrow's hold over Baxter when she told Cora that she "stole jewellery belonging to the mistress; a necklace, couple of bracelets and some rings." However, the biggest bombshell came moments after when she added: "I never gave the stolen things back because I went to prison for three years". We were not expecting that!
Barrow comes to the rescue of Lady Edith (ITV Pictures)
As if the first episode of the series wasn't drama filled enough, it came to an end with a bang when a fire raged in Edith's room when a book belonging to Michael Gregson caught alight. As serious as it was, we couldn't help but laugh a little when the Lord walked in on Jimmy and Lady Anstruther. getting steamy between his sheets. His reaction: "There's a fire…I'll see you both downstairs."
What an amazing start to the series. More of the same please!
Tonight's episode in pictures
1. Who is sitting on Lady Edith's lap and why is she so happy? Is there some sort of connection between them?...(ITV Pictures)
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