Growing the Beard: The first two seasons are much more light-hearted, and (with the exception of "Guest of Honour") much less popular with critics and viewers, than the third and fourth seasons. The first season episode "I Dies from Love", not seen during the show's original American airings, is also a major exception.
Rose Buck. Rises from the Head House Parlourmaid to Lady Maid to Housekeeper. Suffers through a lot. Loses many people- employers and fellow servants. Her Mistress Elizabeth, despite words of equality, makes her a scapegoat for her problems and involves her in trouble (Forcing her into a Suffragette protest that gets Rose in prison and force-fed). Falls in love with Australian farmer Gregory Wilmot and becomes engaged and ready to leave with him to Australia, but she leaves him at the boat due to cold feet. During the War, she and Gregory reconcile and renew their engagement, but he gets killed in combat. She inherits money, but gives it to James to invest in the Stock Market in October 1929, losing all of it in the Crash. Nevertheless, despite natural moments of pain and grief over these tragedies, she remains strong.
Jerkass Woobie: James Bellamy. Spoiled, entitled, insensitive; bows down to family pressure and abandons his pregnant lower-class girlfriend; proves to be a bad husband to Hazel. However, he loses his beloved mother, suffers a Heroic BSoD from the War that leaves him a Shell-Shocked Veteran for the rest of his life. His post-war attempts to find some interest- getting into politics, renewing relationships with past love interests, getting a plane, investing in the Stock Market in October 1929- all fail (especially the last one). In the end, James, reaching a Moral Despair Horizon, kills himself.
Les Yay: Interpret Rose and Sarah's friendship as you will.
Moment of Awesome: "Guest of Honour", where King Edward VII comes to dinner at Eaton Place, a huge honour for the Bellamy family AND staff... while, upstairs, former housemaid Sarah gives birth to her first child, fathered by James Bellamy, the son of the house.
"A Change of Scene." On a hunting excursion at the Somersby Estate, Hudson is shocked to see nothing has been done to prepare a luncheon for the Shooting Party (the Somersby's Head Butler is too drunk and dazed, unable to give the command to the servants to prepare). Seeing the Party arrive, Hudson immediately takes over the situation, ordering the servants to make the appropriate preparations.
"The Beastly Hun." Hazel standing up to Hudson's Anti-German Xenophobia.
A book shop assistant from "Magic Casements" is played by Harold Bennett, who would later be best known for playing Young Mr. Grace in Are You Being Served?.
Lieutenant Lightfoot from "Facing Fearful Odds" is played by Hilary Minster, who would later be best known for playing General von Klinkerhoffen in 'Allo 'Allo!.
"A Divided House." Miss Roberts' breakdown at the end.
"Rose's Pigeon." The ending.
"The Glorious Dead." James' emotional pain about reassuring people their loved one's death was a noble thing, finding it all a lie.
"Another Year." Edward recounts his experiences.
"A Place in the World." The Barnes' situation.
"All the King's Horses." James's suicide note.
"Whither Shall I Wander?" Rose wandering the empty rooms of the now-deserted 165 Eaton Place, remembering conversations from "On Trial", "A Divided House", "Guest of Honour", "The Glorious Dead", etc.
Hazel Forrest Bellamy. Her first marriage gets her beaten by her husband. Her second marriage to James Bellamy, although it begins well, sours due to James' immaturity and insensitivity. Never found her place at Eaton Place, neither Upper-class like the Bellamys or Lower-class like the servants. Hudson never accepted her as Lady of the House. Suffers a miscarriage and her husband's inability to comfort her (he flirts with Georgina). Later has to deal with James' growing Heroic BSoD in the War. Dies from the Spanish Flu on the Day of the Armistice.
Emily. Scullery (Kitchen) Maid. Often blamed for everything that goes wrong, mainly by Mrs. Bridges. Falls in love with a footman from another house. The footman, ordered and bribed by his Mistress that his association with the lowly maid will hurt his future career prospects, then dumps her. Emily is Spurned into Suicide by hanging herself.
The relaunch (2010-2012)
Heartwarming Moments: "You can't come out here and give him cold dinner. Come in here and give him hot dinner instead.
Moment of Awesome: Pritchard rolling up his sleeves and delivering Agnes's baby.
Pritchard: Blood panics most people. When I see it, I calm down.... Don't worry, my lady. Mother Nature knows what she's about, and so do I.
