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It’s now late August, 1940, and bombs light up the night sky on the horizon. Steph and Little Stan are struggling to bring in the harvest. The hired laborers desert in the middle of the night, leaving Steph, Stan, and the blind Isobel to accomplish the insurmountable task on their own. Steph finally collapses under … >
Teresa Fenchurch’s innocent dance with the Wing Commander is taking her in an unexpected direction. He’s smitten with her and has invited her to an outing in the country. Teresa is weary of her secret life and is trying, with Alison’s encouragement, to force herself into this relationship. She’s doing this in spite of the … >
This week we find ourselves in Great Paxford as the Battle of Britain begins. Stanley Farrow teaches his son how to run a bayonet through a German soldier. Steph isn’t pleased and is even more upset by her son’s profiteering in black market butter. The trouble-making Jenny eavesdrops on a conversation where Joyce Cameron urges … >
As June wears on, we learn that both Peter Barden and his accountant Helen were killed in the car crash. The war casts a pall on Helen’s burial, as an air raid sends everyone to the shelter in the Bardens’ basement. Everyone except Frances, who can’t bear to go into the shelter and Sarah, who … >
The second season of ITV’s Home Fires delivers us back to Great Paxford in June, 1940 — one month before the beginning of the Battle of Britain. The skies are sunny and the people we’ve come to know and love are trying to live simple lives with everyday joys, but the foreboding specter of war … >
Bravo, Mr. Fellowes—you got it all right! The episode opens on an idyllic summer afternoon. Henry Talbot is struggling to find his place at Downton. Charlie’s death has put him off racing. Lady Edith announces her decision to live a spinster’s life in London with Marigold. Lady Mary orchestrates a surprise meeting between a remorseful … >
Jonathan Ross hosts an hour-long celebration of Downton Abbey that culminates in Julie Walters’ presentation of a BAFTA Special Award to the show that has become a world-wide phenomenon. The prevailing sentiment of every cast member interviewed is surprise at the show’s unprecedented success and profound gratitude to have been part of it. Respect for … >
Downton Abbey will end forever this week with a feature-length special on Christmas Day. Mary endeavours to build bridges with her sister while Edith’s secret continues to pose a threat, despite having nothing left to lose. As Henry settles into the role of husband and stepfather, finding his place at Downton proves more difficult. Below … >
After six season, fourteen years (for the characters at least) and a lot of hats, Downton Abbey comes to an end next month. The period drama concludes on Christmas Day with a feature-length special, which sees the return of Lily James (Cinderella) and Matt Barber (Being Human) as Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge. If Santa … >
The season finale opens with sunny skies over Downton but storm clouds brewing for both Edith and Mary. Lady Edith is struggling with the decision to tell Bertie Pelham the truth about Marigold. The question is called sooner than she’d like when Pelham arrives at the Abbey after his cousin dies suddenly, leaving Pelham a … >