Upstairs Downstairs 2.2: "The Love that Pays the Price"

Upstairs Downstairs continued its second-season run on Masterpiece Classic with another thoroughly enjoyable episode this past Sunday. The premiere was a fantastic introduction to just how the threat of war is impacting the residents of 165 Eaton Place, both upstairs and down -- and that pressure, combined with the everyday tensions that come from any gathering of colorful, passionate characters under one roof, threatens to fracture the Holland household beyond repair. Here's the episode summary from the PBS website:

The full, formal settings come out as an array of luminaries arrive for a grand evening at 165 Eaton Place. Amidst the jocular conversation, Sir Hallam Holland receives an unexpected and serious offer – one that could significantly alter life for everyone at Eaton Place.

Mrs. Thackeray, the cook, has reconnected with family, opening up the prospect for a different life. And the tug of familial bonds is felt upstairs as well when Sir Hallam and Lady Agnes receive an alarming 2 AM call from Lady Persie, who in the middle of the fiery chaos of Germany, is frantic to come home.

With the pact between England and Germany broken, Sir Hallam discerns that England is on the edge of the abyss. And as darkness encroaches, those upstairs and down unite to intervene, offering hope in fragile times.

Ed Stoppard (Zen), Keeley Hawes, Claire Foy (Little Dorrit) and Anne Reid (Bleak House) star in episode two of Upstairs Downstairs, Season 2.

A major aspect of this episode involves the growth of seeds of tension and discord in the Holland marriage, tensions reflected both upstairs and down, a mirror of the unease bubbling beneath the surface of European politics since the signing of the Munich Pact. The episode opens with Lady Agnes's (Keeley Hawes) tragic discovery that she will not be able to bear further children, thanks to the difficult birth of her second that ended in a Cesarean. To distract herself from this blow (I suspect she's suffering from undiagnosed depression at this juncture), she throws herself into planning an elaborate dinner party hosting Ambassador Kennedy, his wife Rose and son Jack, and a business acquaintance of theirs -- millionaire Casper Landry.

Hallam (Ed Stoppard) meanwhile continues to be deeply troubled by the ramifications of the Munich Pact and his inherent distrust of Hitler and his policies. He's also keeping a secret from Agnes -- the secret that during his time in Munich, his attempts to convince her sister Persie to return to London ended in a kiss, a kiss that he didn't ask for but didn't exactly recoil from, either. Persie (Claire Foy) remains adamant that she plans to remain in Berlin -- but as is her norm a dangerous discontent bubbles beneath the surface of her intentionally carefree demeanor. Her insistence on bringing up their kiss in conversations with Hallam hints that her relocation to Berlin has only served to entrench her less-admirable qualities even more deeply into her persona -- if she has no qualms about sowing discord where she can, even if it involves her only sister's husband.

Meanwhile downstairs, Mrs. Thackeray (Anne Reid) is thrilled that her nephew Tommy (Tom Bennett) has accepted a new position in London, giving her easy access to visit him and his wife Enid (Niamh McGrady) and son Cyril (Joseph Howse). Mrs. Thackeray can be proud, and a little silly at times, but she feels very deeply about family and position and it is glaringly apparent that she loves the chance to spend time with members of her extended family. When she uses Eaton Place kitchen supplies to make some violet macaroons for Tommy, she runs afoul of Mr. Pritchard (Adrian Scarborough), who is nothing if not a stickler for the rules. There's always been some tension between Pritchard and Mrs. Thackeray -- as the butler he is the defacto ruler of the staff, but as queen of the kitchen Mrs. Thackeray is loathe to cede authority in anything involving food.

Events at 165 Eaton Place reach a crisis the night of the formal dinner for the Kennedys. Knowing Hallam's politics, the idea that he's going to find anything appealing about Ambassador Kennedy's (William Hope) pro-appeasement, pro-Germany policies is a long-shot, if not an outright joke. With war apparently avoided, Kennedy offers Hallam a position in America as his family's foreign affairs advisor. One wonders if Hallam felt a little outnumbered, between the presence of Kennedy and a desire to breach the rift that his anti-German views have caused with his long-time friend the Duke of Kent (Blake Ritson). Or perhaps he's running from Persie, willing to consider America for a chance to start fresh with his family? I don't know why I was so surprised by the appearance of the Kennedys, nevermind the stretch of reconciling Hallam's policies with Joe Kennedy's -- no way was Heidi Thomas going to pass up the chance to have the Kennedys grace the halls of Eaton Place.

Businessman Casper Landry (Michael Landes) was a welcome appearance, even if he is determined to hit on Agnes, simply because I think Landes is ADORABLE. Landry is a charismatic Jewish businessman who made his millions by selling a successful "hangover cure" tablet. Landes made (for me anyways!) an unforgettable appearance in the Marple episode, What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw, which I rewatch ad nauseum in large part because of his presence. His looks are SO well suited to films set in the '40s and '50s. Very all-American. :)

When Pritchard and Johnny (Nico Mirallegro) overhear Kennedy's job offer, it creates no little stir belowstairs. But nothing compares to the discovery that Jack Kennedy (Robbie Jarvis), sick on oysters, has made his way to the KITCHEN (oh the horrors!). Here I just have to note that while Jarvis had a decent accent, he has to be the least looking Kennedy-esque actor I've ever seen. ANYWAYS...Mrs. Thackeray takes a very motherly interest in his well-being, even calling him DEAR -- and while Jack doesn't object, Pritchard hits the roof as that familiarity crosses all sorts of class boundaries. Fed up with Pritchard's rules (and still not letting go of the whole conscientious objector thing revealed in the premiere), Mrs. Thackeray quits on the spot and takes off for her nephew's house. (This has awkward mother-in-law-type moment written ALL over it, no?)

Completely oblivious to the turmoil in the kitchen, the Hollands and their guests decide to visit a Soho jazz club. There was something almost intoxicating about the rarefied atmosphere in the club...such wealth, such privilege, such heady dissipation. The whole scene was really beautifully staged -- I do so love this show's attention to period detail.The more Hallam drinks, the more he seems amenable to the idea of moving to America -- and as Caspar flirts endlessly with Agnes, it's clear she finds the possibility of the move and its accompanying prestige intoxicating.

As Hallam and Agnes head home, they share a really lovely moment, even if it is underscored with a desperation born of some inherent knowledge that they are at a pivot point -- and all their future happiness depends on which fork in the road they take. (Of course I'm yelling "run from Persie, but not all the way to America, Hallam you idiot!") When this couple works it's a beautiful thing, and the simple romance of a midnight stroll, taking in the stars while laying on a playground spinning wheel (what the heck are those things called? and more importantly, how sad is it that I can't remember? :P).

Their romantic moment is ruined, however, by a late-night phone call from Persie, begging for help. It is Kristallnacht, Night of Broken Glass, and she is caught in the middle of the terrifying violence that is seeing Jewish businesses, homes, and synogogues destroyed, with thousands of German Jews arrested. I'd like to think that the senseless violence would make Persie realize who and what she's aligned herself with by her reckless embrace of Nazi socialism, but I fear she's too far gone for even the possibility of redemption. News of the violence abruptly awakens Hallam from the fantasy of leaving London -- he's determined to bring Persie to safety and prepare for the coming conflict -- Kristallnacht is irrefutable evidence that Germany is far from dedicated to the promise of peace.

For those paying attention to the pulse of world events, Kristallnacht is a terrifying signal that time is running out for Germany's Jewish population, as Mr. Amanjit (Art Malik) discovers when he's sent to Lotte's (Alexia James) boarding school. Lotte, if you remember, was the daughter of Rachel, who fled persecution in Germany and took a position as maid in the Holland household. Following her tragic death, Hallam made Lotte his ward, determined to provide for her future. Given the poignant friendship that developed between Rachel and Mr. Amanjit, I loved the fact that he wanted to visit Lotte's school for a report on her progress. As a Sikh, he more than anyone can empathize with being an "other" in society -- as he tells the headmistress, no matter how much Lotte wants to shed her German roots, she will always be a Jewess, of another race, and events in Germany are stark reminders that some are never willing to forget the difference.

It turns out that Mrs. Fuller (Lucy Cohu), the headmistress of Lotte's school, knowing Hallam's compassion for Lotte's situation hopes to use his connections to allow her to help foster more Jewish children, whose lives are in increasing peril since Kristallnacht. I was thrilled to see Cohu make an appearance in this show as I think she is such a classy actress, and her looks and demeanor are perfect for a '40s-era period piece. Cohu was just seen on Masterpiece Mystery in the Inspector Lewis episode Fearful Symmetry. Mr. Amanjit takes this idea and runs with it, which is fortuitous since after last week I was wondering what he was still doing on this show. :P

So now that this episode has given Mr. Amanjit fresh purpose, he passes the favor on to Hallam's Aunt Blanche (Alex Kingston), who thus far has served little purpose other than appropriating the rooms formerly occupied by her half-sister Maud. Mr. Amanjit recognizes Blanche's academic background and rather brusque, no-nonsense manner as just the sort of personality traits needed to help organize local efforts to get Jewish children to safety. The reality of what those children faced, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of funds, support, and organizational logistics that those who wanted to do something were tasked with overcoming is just heart-breaking to watch play out on-screen. Even Hallam, an outspoken advocate for anti-German policies, struggles to find the hope, the belief that England's strict immigration policies can be changed in time to make a difference.

But persevere they must and do, organizing the Refugee Children Movement -- also referred to as the Kindertransport -- which ended up saving thousands of Jewish children from the Nazi menace. Buoyed by a hefty donation from Casper Landry (thanks to a coy appeal from Agnes -- seriously what is WITH Casper's obsession with the rumba? LOL), the first wave of refugees are scheduled to arrive. They're met at the station by Mr. Amanjit and Blanche, and over the strains of a children's choir singing "I Vow to Thee, My Country" -- and at this point I nearly lose it. The thought of what those children endured, the loss of family, history, a "normal" childhood -- it just breaks my heart. And then to think of those family members they'd left behind...it makes me want to weep. This was an incredibly moving sequence, and I loved seeing the characters get involved in this effort.

Back-tracking a bit, I'd like to touch on Mrs. Thackeray and the hole her absence leaves in the lives of the Eaton Place downstairs staff. Mrs. Thackeray throws herself whole-heartedly into preparing gourmet meals for her nephew and his family, putting everything "on account" -- which causes no end of stress for her nephew's working wife. I thought the tension here was a really poignant illustration of the cost of a life in service -- Mrs. Thackeray clearly values family, but her time serving the wealthy has impeded her ability to relate to a working family's lifestyle and financial limitations. In many respects one could argue that the price of a life in service was the sacrifice of a normal family life with those they serve becoming a surrogate family.

Pritchard and Johnny have found themselves on kitchen duty in Mrs. Thackeray's absence, which leads to Johnny making a very telling comment to the effect that "everyone is out of their proper place." Of course he's referring to the staffing situation, but it hints at the social upheaval to come with the war's impact on social classes and the roles of women in the workforce. Much like Downton Abbey during the war, this is another rarefied world on the cusp of great change. Happily for Pritchard's stress levels (and the stomachs of everyone in the household), he devises a sensitive way of wooing Mrs. Thackeray back to the Holland kitchens. Placing an advertisement in the paper, he has it delivered by Spargo -- and realizing that continuing to live with her nephew is straining good relations with what remains of her small family, Mrs. Thackeray packs up and returns to work. And both she and Pritchard hold fast to their dignity, with a gentle nod to the new spirit of peaceful agreement between them.

Speaking of Harry Spargo (Neil Jackson), there was not NEARLY enough of him and Beryl (Laura Haddock) in this episode to suit me. I did think the scene early in the episode, when Beryl was shucking oysters and feeds one to Harry was ADORABLE. But poor Harry, when he jokes about how she needs to be careful feeding him aphrodisiacs gets a thorough smackdown when Beryl takes exception to his playful remark. I really don't think he meant anything *too* untoward -- you just have to look at Spargo's face in any of his scenes -- since he kicked his obsession with socialism to the curb there is a wonderful lightness to his expression and demeanor that I just love. Because let's face it, he is ADORABLE (and if Downton proves anything, I apparently have a thing for chauffeurs in period dramas!).

Source: ladygranthams.tumblr.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Considering Harry's romantic history with Persie, it was interesting to note the tone of their first meeting in two years, when Hallam takes the car to the airstrip to pick Persie up from her Berlin flight. (Before I forget, I should note it was interesting to see Persie acknowledge that she's been living as a "kept woman," subject to the whims of her lovers, in her last phone call with Hallam prior to getting her out of Germany. I mean what BROUGHT her to the point where she felt this was some way to live? It isn't as if she was wholly without resources or family connections. Silly twit.) Anyways, Persie gets off the plane and is she grateful? NOOOOO. She also makes a rather pointed remark to Spargo about "old times," but thankfully he's moved WAY past her...Hallam with his "white knight" complex, is I am afraid another story.

I really enjoyed this episode, particularly the Mrs. Thackeray storyline as I found it unexpectedly poignant (Anne Reid really reminds me of my maternal grandmother in certain respects), and the accord she reaches with Mr. Pritchard very well done. More than that, though, I continue to adore how Heidi Thomas weaves the political history of the time period throughout the characters' lives. The "living history" aspect of this series is one of its strongest assets. This episode did a fantastic job of establishing more of the characters -- particularly Mrs. Thackeray, but also Blanche and Mr. Amanjit. (I'm starting to feel rather bad for the new kitchen maid Eunice, played by Ami Metcalf, as so far she's been given very little to do other than look quizzical.) Looking forward to seeing the turmoil Persie's return brings to 165 Eaton Place -- and please, for the love, give a girl more scenes with Harry! *wink*

Gratuitous Harry picture, because this episode needed MORE HARRY:

Source: spoilertv.co.uk via Ruth on Pinterest

Isn't that better? I think so. :)

Upstairs Downstairs 2.1: "A Far Away Country About Which We Know Nothing"

The recently re-booted Upstairs Downstairs, which premiered in the spring of 2011, returned to Masterpiece Classic Sunday night for the premiere of its second and final series. I thoroughly enjoyed the all too short three episode first season, and  am looking forward to seeing where the show takes these characters this year, with the ominous spectre of war looming ever-closer on the horizon. Here's a short episode summary from the PBS website:

A new baby has arrived at 165 Eaton Place in the hands of Lady Agnes Holland, who is weakened from giving birth. Meanwhile, Sir Hallam Holland’s aunt, Dr. Blanche Mottershead, is stirring up tension in the house. Mr. Pritchard is doggedly trying to maintain peace and order in the absence of Miss Rose Buck, while also readying for an unnerving prospect – war.

Gas masks are issued and long-buried secrets about the staff are revealed against an increasingly uneasy political backdrop. While the house staff struggles with the juxtaposition of patriotism and conscience, Sir Hallam stands firm in his diplomatic convictions, helping to negotiate what may be the final chance to avert war. But as the possibility of maintaining peace becomes more apparent, will England be able to sleep quietly for long?

Ed Stoppard (Zen), Keeley Hawes, Blake Ritson (Emma, Mansfield Park), Alex Kingston and Adrian Scarborough (Cranford) star in the stirring return of season 2 of Upstairs Downstairs, from Heidi Thomas (Cranford, Return to Cranford).

It's now 1938, and Adolf Hitler is demanding that the Czechoslovakian government turn over the Sudetenland. Sir Hallam Holland (Ed Stoppard) is one of the only politicians in the foreign office concerned with stopping Hitler's gradual takeover of Europe. But with Neville Chamberlain in office, the policy of appeasement rules the day, and Hallam is forced to weigh the consequences of bucking the establishment (as his wife so helpfully points out later in the episode).

Lady Agnes Holland (Keeley Hawes) is recovering from the difficult birth of her second child, born several weeks premature and leaving both mother and child physically weakened. But when war seems imminent, Agnes is determined to face the coming storm from 165 Eaton Place, and returns home, bringing with her crippling fears for the safety of her children.

Much has changed in the two years since we last visited Masterpiece's most famous address. The indomitable Lady Maud (Eileen Atkins) has died, and her position in the household has been filled by her half-sister Blanche (Alex Kingston), an outspoken archaeologist. Atkins's absence is keenly felt in this hour, as her character was one of the highlights of season one. She bowed out of production reportedly due to unhappiness with the direction the scripts were taking. She sadly isn't the only familiar face missing from this season, as co-creator Jean Marsh, who plays Rose, had her role severely curtailed due to her own health problems. Rose is only briefly referred to in this episode -- the character contracted tuberculosis, apparently, and is at a sanatorium. This is a huge blow for the show, as Rose is in many respects the heartbeat of the series, the thread linking the original run with its current incarnation. (To a lesser extent, Ellie Kendrick is also missed as the vivacious young maid, Ivy -- unless I missed something, her absence remains unexplained.) Also, I should probably note that while I think Kingston is a fine actress, with her NEVER-ENDING tenure on Doctor Who I'm suffering from a bit of fatigue, and this episode she doesn't really do anything interesting except upset Mr. Amanjit. So THAT is boring.

In Rose's absence, the running of the household has fallen entirely on the shoulders of Mr. Pritchard (Adrian Scarborough), the butler, who embraces both that role and his new position as an Air Raid Warden with a fervor that many of his subordinates find a bit grating, to say the least. His passion for wartime preparation reaches new heights when, spurred on by Lady Agnes's concern over a lack of gas masks for babies, tracks down a supposedly "gas-proof" pram. Now, just looking at it, which looks like a miniature portable OVEN, should have been enough of a clue to the family that this invention was a disaster in the making. But it's left to the footman, Johnny (Nico Mirallegro), to prove just how much so in a most unorthodox fashion. Spurred by a short conversation with his mistress after she faints, still ill from her hospital stay and worried over her baby's weak lungs, Johnny decides to test the pram on Lady Maud's beloved pet monkey. Monkey in pram, pram in closed garage, car turned ON...and the poor monkey sacrifices his life for his family. :P

Now, I must admit I was a little bummed to see Maud's pet so quickly dispatched with, as he was the source of much comic relief in the first season. But if he had to go, at least his death saved the Holland baby from suffocation. Given Johnny's past run-ins with the law, he's terrified that he'll lose his position if Sir Hallam learns that he is responsible for the pet's untimely death (especially since it so upsets his younger sister, Pamela, played by Sarah Gordy -- who had been living in a nursing home due to Down's Syndrome until her discovery in the season finale). Mr. Pritchard risks his own standing with Sir Hallam by stepping up and taking responsibility for Johnny's actions -- a sacrifice that leads to an afternoon in jail and the unpleasant revelation of a past that proves most unsavory due to the current political climate.

The arresting officer, a Sgt. Ashworth (Kenneth Cranham), is initially inclined to treat Pritchard leniently -- until he discovers in Pritchard's record that he was a conscientious objector during the Great War. Once word of this leaks to the rest of the staff at Eaton Place, it creates a huge rift in the ranks, as the cook Mrs. Thackeray (Anne Reid) and Maud's former secretary Mr. Amanjit (Art Malik) cannot fathom a world in which that choice can be viewed as anything but cowardice. Mrs. Thackeray lost her husband to the war, and Mr. Amanjit fought, so their pain, and the anger at Pritchard exempting himself from their sacrifices and collective suffering threatens to permanently fracture the smooth running of the Holland household. (This is as good a point as any to mention the addition of a new kitchen maid, Eunice, played by Ami Metcalf.)

I thought the script handled Pritchard's history exceptionally well, particularly in how it informs his current drive to do everything in his power as a warden and as butler to see to the safety of his "family" of employers and fellow servants. The painful tensions that his youthful pacifism (born out of a Quaker upbringing) bring to light the sad truth that really their are no victors in war -- no matter what side one allies themselves with, the conflict will leave you irrevocably changed. Slight aside -- Mr. Amanjit completely losing it and shooting up the garden seems to underscore the idea that without Maud's presence, does he really have a place on this show? I mean I get that his overly harsh reaction to Pritchard can be interpreted as grief over a beloved employer's death and fear over uncertainty about the future, but given how much I loved his character in season one the extreme he swings to in this episode is a bit jarring to say the least.

Interestingly enough the simmering conflict below stairs brings out a flash of the best Lady Agnes is capable of -- much needed as this character continues to be troubled by a distinct lack of warmth, of sympathy. I love Hawes, she is one of my favorite actresses, but unfortunately the scripts often paint Lady Agnes as a bit too cold and emotionally -- perhaps brittle is the word I'm looking for. She really steps up when Amanjit's target practice in the garden forces her to lay down the law and remind every member of her household that no matter what they believe, where they've come from, they all call 165 Eaton Place home -- and united they must stand or the war will see them destroyed. That said, given her apparent lack of support for her husband's anti-appeasement views -- well that discord, that tension, is apt to cause problems in their relationship, or so I predict.

With the birth of her second child, a new nursery maid is hired -- the pretty Beryl (Laura Haddock). Her fashion-forward ways are initially frowned on by the oh-so-proper Pritchard, but I love her spirit and spunk. Haddock is a relative newcomer to me, having previously appeared in Miss Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye. The pretty Beryl immediately catches chauffeur Harry Spargo's (Neil Jackson) eye, and I cannot TELL you how happy the promise of a little romance from that quarter makes me. Much of season one was caught up with Spargo's ill-advised "romance" with Lady Persie, Agnes's sister, and his flirtation with socialism, but since Persie fled London for Berlin Spargo has, apparently, gotten his head screwed on straight. He seems so NORMAL now that he's not caught up with socialist shenanigans, which makes me happy, because I think Neil Jackson is adorable. Also, I appreciate the fact that he apparently wants to do right by Sir Hallam's end of season show of faith in giving him a second chance to keep his job.

I love how any Beryl/Spargo flirtation is limited to MEANINGFUL LOOKS in this episode. They have the potential to be such an adorable couple, and after the mess Spargo nearly made of his life with Persie I have high hopes for his future romantic prospects -- particularly since Beryl is so likeable. I loved the scene at the end of the episode, when Harry rather embarrassingly allowed Beryl to basically give him a manicure, since his hands took a beating digging trenches and sandbagging houses in advance of a feared air blitz. Beryl is all "HUSH AND LET ME WORK, peroxide does wonders" and Harry is all "YOU'RE SO SMART (and pretty!!)" and then she drops the bomb that her mother was discovered with her head in the oven, so that's a bit of an emotional burden to carry around, and he's all sympathy and LET US BE FRIENDS, and she's all this job is only a temporary fix until I save enough money to become a proper hairdresser, and *WINK WINK* I LIKE YOU. Warm fuzzies, right? *wink* :)

Speaking of the infamous Lady Persie -- with rumors of war abounding, Lady Agnes is desperate to see her wayward sister safely home in England once again. So when Hallam is sent to Berlin to accompany Chamberlain for the talks with Hitler (that result in the infamous "peace for our time" comment), he looks up his wayward sister-in-law. Oh, this reminds me -- this episode sees the return of Hallam's friend the Duke of Kent (Blake Ritson), a friendship that is sorely tested by Hallam's commitment to anti-appeasement -- I thought their exchange about the letter from the king, appealing to Hitler to avoid another war, was very interesting. Anyways, back to Persie (Claire Foy) -- she's as shocking and unrepentant as ever, or so it seems when Hallam meets her for drinks in her shocking red dress (cliched sign of a fallen woman? irregardless the dress is TO DIE FOR).

Apparently Persie still likes hanging out with Nazis and has no intention of easing her poor sister's mind by returning to the safety of hearth and home. Hallam does NOT take this well, as he's already depressed about Chamberlain's capitulation to Hitler's demands vis-a-vis the Sudeten, and if last season is any indication this is a man who likes SAVING PEOPLE. And Persie is a prime candidate, because appearances or no that woman is a hot MESS. Before leaving Persie for the evening, the two share an unexpected kiss -- a slip that I have no doubt will haunt Hallam for the rest of the season (because really, he is too smart -- well he has the POTENTIAL, anyway -- to be with a woman as flaky as Persie). At least Spargo has moved on, that is this episode's saving grace let me tell you! :P

This is a very solid start to the new slate of episodes, which has the potential to prove overall more satisfying than the previous season since it covers a six hour runtime versus last year's three. I love, love, LOVE the look of this show -- the bold colors, the gorgeous sets, the colorful characters. But most of all I am addicted to how screenwriter Heidi Thomas has crafted her drama against the backdrop of pre-war London. With Hallam so involved in the Foreign Office, the impact of the coming conflict can never fail to reach his home and it is fascinating to see the effects play out on characters both upstairs and down.

Upstairs Downstairs, Part One: "The Fledgling"

Upstairs Downstairs began its three-part return to Masterpiece yesterday, and for someone almost wholly unfamilar with the original classic show, I found myself unexpectedly moved watching 165 Eaton Place, the most famous address in Masterpiece history, come to life once more. Here's the summary of episode one, entitled "The Fledgling," from the PBS website:

It's 1936, and 165 Eaton Place sees its first stirrings of life after years of neglect when the house's new master, Sir Hallam Holland, and his wife, Lady Agnes, cross the threshold. Though dust shrouds every surface, Lady Agnes is stirred to proclaim, "This house is going to see such life!" And with relish, she sets about an extravagant restoration and enlists the help of the staffing agency Bucks of Belgravia and its owner, former longtime 165 Eaton Place housemaid, Rose Buck.

Rose brings her cherished memories and high standards to the project, assembling a motley staff ranging from seasoned snobs to fledgling teens. Upstairs, the unexpected arrival of Hallam's mother, Lady Maud — returning from India with a Sikh secretary and a monkey in tow — introduces both eccentricity and tension as she interferes with Agnes's management of the house. Somewhat in over her head in her new position, Agnes is further tested upon the arrival of her devil-may-care younger sister, Lady Persie. As King George is dying, and against a backdrop of uncertainty, the residents of 165 Eaton Place host an elegant party to launch the Hollands in London society, and together attempt to field obstacles, both comical and sinister, that come their way.

Are you ready? This is going to be a long post, people. :) It's interesting to get two lavish dramas in the same year centering around aristocratic households on the cusp of great change - first with Downton Abbey and the advent of World War I, and now with 165 Eaton Place witnessing the tumultuous years leading up to World War II. I absolutely love studying World War II history and the 1930s and 40s, so the world of the Holland family and their servants is immediately fascinating to me, and every detail, from the furnishings to the clothes, is a veritable feast for the eyes. An added bonus is that this series dovetails nicely with the recent film The King's Speech - where that film was a royal view of events leading up to World War II, this series gives us a more "everyman" perspective on Edward's coronation and subsequent succession crisis leading up to the crowning of George VI and the advent of war.

Sir Hallam Holland (Ed Stoppard) serves in the Foreign Office, and upon his father's death has returned to England with his lovely wife the Agnes (Keeley Hawes), who is determined to make her mark on London society. Their new home, 165 Eaton Place, has been closed up for years and is in dire need of renovation - but the state of the house is no deterrent to Agnes, who sees nothing but potential. The house is like some sort of decrepit fairy tale castle - through the dust sheets and cobwebs, the filmmakers capture the potential, and hint at the former grandeur and life that once inhabited the walls. In order to establish her household, Agnes seeks out the assistance of Bucks of Belgravia, an employment agency run by Rose Buck (Jean Marsh). When Rose discovers that Lady Agnes is reopening 165 Eaton Place, the house she called home for forty years, when she was in service to the Bellamy family, her face lights up, and suddenly the film is infused with this almost magical sense of anticipation and poignancy. Rose finds the opportunity oversee the resurrection of her old home impossible to resist, bringing her love of the home and tradition to the task, and finds herself tested by the changing times along with the new residents of Eaton Place.

I know I've only observed Hallam and Agnes for an hour, but I'm already a big fan of their marriage - Stoppard and Hawes bring a real warmth and chemistry to their roles. I'm not too familiar with Stoppard's work - he's appeared in Miss Marple and Nanny McPhee Returns, and later this year we'll get the opportunity to see him when Masterpiece Mystery debuts the new Zen series. He's easy on the eyes, no? :) I'm anxious to see how Hallam's work with the Foreign Office impacts his character as the show progresses. He strikes me as conscientious and dedicated, though at present a little overwhelmed by the establishment of his new household and the family drama that ensues when his mother appears. I'm a huge fan of Keeley Hawes, and was looking forward to this series based on her presence alone. Hawes just exudes class, and I'm hard-pressed to imagine a more perfect actress in the role of the up-and-coming, eager to impress society Agnes (and let's face it, Hawes rocks the 1930s clothes!). A Masterpiece veteran, Hawes has appeared in programs like Our Mutual Friend, Wives and Daughters, Under the Greenwood Tree, and Miss Marple (and to top it all off, she's one of the luckiest women alive, married to Matthew Macfadyen...I am so jealous :P). Agnes comes from an aristocratic background, though her family has never been well off, and she's so anxious to impress I'm anticipating her eagerness for social success to cause some strain in her marriage.

Hallam's mother, Lady Maud (Eileen Atkins), is on track to become one of this series' most memorable characters. Atkins is a class act, appearing in everything from Cranford to the most recent adaptation of Robin Hood as Eleanor of Acquitaine. She was also one of the co-creators of the original Upstairs Downstairs, though she never appeared during the show's initial run - so this opportunity, to help anchor the program's return, is really a chance for Atkins to come full circle. Maud's introduction was absolutely hysterical, and sets up a nicely adversarial relationship with her daughter-in-law, whom she's never met, and who unforgettably mistakes her as an applicant for the position of housekeeper. Maud promises to be one of the series' most colorful characters - she's no-nonsense and intelligent, and strikes me as a bit bohemian, especially since Solomon the scene-stealing monkey is her ever-present companion. :)

Maud has brought a Sikh secretary back with her from India to take down her memoirs - Amanjit Singh, played by Art Malik. I am pretty unfamiliar with Malik's work, but it is worth noting that he appeared in Allegory of Love, one of my favorite Inspector Lewis episodes, and he's slated to appear in a Poirot episode, which we'll hopefully see on Masterpiece Mystery this summer. Amanjit promises to be a fascinating character. In his role as secretary, he's "above" the downstairs staff but "below" the family - a bridge between both worlds. He seems extraordinarily kind, especially in his interactions with the younger servants, and he must have the patience of a saint to cope with Lady Maud. :)

Agnes is looking forward to launching her little sister Persephone's society debut. Persephone, played by Claire Foy, should be a very familiar face to long-time blog readers - she played the title character in Masterpiece's stellar adaptation of Little Dorrit. Persie is a disaster waiting to happen. She bitterly resents growing up titled but poor, and she has a fiery, rash disposition that, given the political realities of the time, are guaranteed to get her in trouble. Simply put, she's a self-absorbed twit. I'm also predicting an affair with the chauffer, Harry Spargo (Neil Jackson), as the sparks flew off the screen at their first encounter. (Besides, it's an unwritten rule of these shows that younger women of the household must have an affair with the chauffer). Jackson is GORGEOUS (check out that jawline...just sayin'!), and I must be remembering his appearance in Quantum of Solace as he looked quite familiar last night. Another unwritten rule of these programs is that chauffers must have socialist tendencies, only now, seeing as it's 1936, I do hope Harry wakes up and doesn't fall completely to the dark - a.k.a. Nazi - side.

Jean Marsh's Rose is the heart of the show, a reality I am compelled to acknowledge even though I don't have the history with the show that long-time fans (like my momma) can lay claim to. I found it impossible not to be moved by Rose's emotion on returning to 165 Eaton Place, and subsequently receiving the housekeeper's keys at the end of the episode. Bringing life back to this house is a sort of sacred trust for Rose. She's definitely an "old school" servant, whose devotion to the family she spent most of her life serving is unequalled, and it is a job she holds in honor and respect. I absolutely loved watching Rose's exasperation with Lady Agnes - particularly when she claims that she "doesn't need" a housekeeper, a claim whose fallacy is proven all too quickly. By the end of the episode, when Maud takes matters in hand and reaches out to Rose, offering her the position of housekeeper, I could've cheered. Marsh and Atkins bring their history as friends and co-creators of Upstairs Downstairs to play in that scene, and it's a poignant but heartening moment. The world may be changing at a rapid-fire pace, but there's wisdom in seeking balance between the old and the new as one moves forward. While I'm not as familiar as I'd like to be with Marsh's most famous role, I did enjoy her appearance as Mrs. Ferrars in the 2008 version of Sense and Sensibility.

Two of the Holland family's first hires are Ivy Morris (Ellie Kendrick) as housemaid and Johnny Proude (Nico Mirallegro) as footman. Kendrick made a memorable Masterpiece debut as the title character in the newest production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Flirtatious and strong-willed, the role of Ivy couldn't be a bigger change of pace, and Kendrick handles the change in tone with relish and aplomb. Ivy clearly has a lot of growing up to do, and her spirited personality is guaranteed to get her into trouble - and that is sure to be a lot of fun to watch. The role of Johnny marks Mirallegro's Masterpiece debut, and for such a youthful character the role delivers unexpected depth and poignancy. Working in the Holland household is Johnny's chance to start over, and with a universally likeable personality the world could be his for the taking - if he can conquer his drinking and brawling problem. Oh, the DRAMA! Kendrick and Mirallegro have some wonderful on-screen chemistry, and I look forward to seeing how the show develops their relationship.

Rose rounds out the Holland household by hiring her friend Mrs. Thackeray (Anne Reid) as cook and Mr. Pritchard (Adrian Scarborough) as butler. Reid is another Masterpiece vet, having played Mrs. Rouncewell in Bleak House and the Gypsy woman in the 2006 version of Jane Eyre. I LOVED Mrs. Thackeray's character. She takes extreme pride in her abilities, speaks her mind, and isn't above being bribed by Rose to accept the position of cook in the Holland household, especially after Rose tempts her again and again with descriptions of the new modern conveniences the Hollands are having installed in their kitchen. Scarborough, interestingly enough, had a brief role in The King's Speech as the BBC radio announcer - but more than that, he should be familiar to fans of Cranford since he played mayor/shop owner Mr. Johnson. Pritchard promises to be an entertaining character. He strikes me as extremely kind, but he's so high-strung he's comical, and he's so vocal about his abstinence from alcohol one has to wonder if he's in a constant state of fighting withdrawal. Clearly a man who thinks on his feet, as he proves during the Hollands' first dinner party, Pritchard promises to be an entertaining, worthy, and capable addition to the household.

As I mentioned earlier, the events in this miniseries dovetail nicely with the history depicted in The King's Speech, especially since the infamous Wallis Simpson (Emma Clifford) makes an unforgettable appearance at Lady Agnes' first party. Mrs. Simpson has promised to bring a "particular friend," whom everyone assumes will be her not-so-secret lover the king. Shockingly this "friend" turns out to be Joachim von Ribbentrop (Edward Baker-Duly), Hitler's unofficial official envoy to London, seeking to network with British aristocrats. What a party crasher, especially for a staunch anti-Nazi official like Sir Hallam, who envisions his career going up in smoke if it's assumed that he sanctions Ribbentrop's views by hosting him in his home. Ditching Ribbentrop provides the household with its first opportunity to band together and unite in a common cause, with hilariously memorable results. Ribbentrop's appearance bodes ill for the Holland family, as Persie seems all too taken with him, and I suspect his presence in London will cause Hallam no end of trouble. I absolutely love this type of intersection of fiction and history, and I'm anxious to see how real-world events impact the lives resident at Eaton Place.

I can already tell my biggest problem with Upstairs Downstairs is going to be that the show is only three hours long. And not even that thanks to the commercials that PBS inserts at the end of the broadcast - I estimate that Part One was trimmed to about fifty minutes total. I'm eagerly anticipating watching the series on DVD when it releases later this month, since the DVD runtime is listed at a full three hours.

While story-wise this program doesn't have the luxury of a six hour runtime like Downton Abbey, I loved the world I was introduced to last night. Major kudos go to scriptwriter Heidi Thomas (also a Cranford alum) who crammed such delicious character quirks and historic detail into what felt like an all-too short hour. Director Euros Lynn, who is a familiar name to anyone as obsessed with Doctor Who and Torchwood as I am keeps the action moving at a brisk pace - I just wish he, and all of the cast and crew members, had more time to work with. But all things considered, for a series to leave me wanting more is a pretty good thing, no? :)

Chock-full of memorable characters and gorgeous settings (seriously, I was enthralled by the clothes, jewelry, furniture, and marvelous colors that brought the show to life last night - a feast for the eyes!), Upstairs Downstairs is another not-to-be-missed entry in Masterpiece Classic's 40th anniversary season. I look forward to witnessing this ensemble "gel" as a new family is established at Eaton Place, building the Holland household from the ground up. Well done, and bring on Part Two! If you watched the show I'd love to hear your thoughts!

• Preorder Upstairs Downstairs from Amazon
• Read Laurel Ann's review at Austenprose