Season 6 of the British period drama TV series “Downton Abbey” will take its final bow on UK TV via a Christmas special which shall also be its final episode to air on ITV. In the US, “Downton Abbey” Season 6 is set to premiere on PBS on January 3, 2016.
British fans and critics who have been following Season 6 of “Downton Abbey” on UK TV believe that the show has really worked hard to set the stage for the perfect finale during its Christmas special, cites Cartermatt.
Season 6 has become the most favorite season of the show in the UK since Season 3 because it was both heart-warming and sad, as well as serious and funny too. It is vintage “Downton Abbey,” critics note.
Excellent handling of storylines
The focus on the married life of Lady Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, as the heiress to Downton Abbey, was quite good as she dealt with troubles in her marriage even as her husband Henry Talbot, played by Matthew Goode, finds it increasingly difficult to settle in. He was not expected to get used to a quiet life in the country anyway.
She also ruined things for Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael, but she eventually came to terms with what happened and was already determined that Henry was right for her.
As far as Lady Edith is concerned, just like most fans of “Downton Abbey” would like, she is expected to get her happy ending with her beau Bertie Pelham, played by Harry Hadden-Paton. The two are still obviously in love, they just needed to mend old wounds, notes the International Business Times of India.
Of course, there are the always light and funny moments between Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes, played by Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan, respectively, as they prepare for their married life and make the subsequent adjustments.
Theirs provided a domestic story on “Downton Abbey” that did not have the insane drama but full of funny and light-hearted moments.
Another interesting thing that the series did is how it handled the story of Robert Crawley, played by Hugh Bonneville, especially when he realized that he has to push forward in order to get Downton Abbey adjusted to the times.
Tying up loose ends
In a recent interview, “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellows said that the Christmas special episode of the TV series will neatly tie up the loose ends in the series and present its fans an ending that pays tribute to each of the characters.
Those who have been religiously following the TV series would like nothing but to see a happy ending for both the upstairs and downstairs residents of Downton Abbey, but some of their expectations may not happen at all.
The promo trailer for the Christmas special released by ITV hinted at a staff member’s departure from the countryside estate and it will be none other than under-butler Thomas Barrowman, played by Rob James-Collier.
He has struggled to find his place in the household and he eventually came to his senses that he has to finally leave his favorite playmate in Master George.
Thomas was also quoted as saying in the trailer that he arrived as a boy in Downton Abbey but will be leaving as a man.
The Christmas episode also features a scene during the estate’s New Year’s Eve celebration. It also showed Mr. Carson, played by Jim Carter, initially getting reluctant to accept the changes that are happening but eventually realized that neither he nor anybody can stop it.