- To start, the iconic theme music has undergone a drastic change. The uplifting piano melody that once symbolized the aspirations and vulnerabilities of the nation has been replaced by the gloomy tones of “One” by Metallica. It’s clear that this is a new chapter for Downton.
- In the premiere episode, one character becomes so overwhelmed by the British class structure that he literally collapses. While I won’t reveal who it is, his initial symptoms include a rigid upper lip that leads to the shattering of his mustache.
- The Crawley family is introduced to a new guest: a coal-haired exchange student from Austria named Adolf. While he passionately discusses Germany’s grievances post-Versailles, he quickly endears himself to everyone at Downton with his spot-on Charlie Chaplin impersonation. The direction the writers will take with this character remains a mystery, but they’ve promised significant plot twists.
- Keep an eye out for a glaring anachronism in episode six, where Lady Edith Crawley, upon learning her Picasso has sold for ten thousand dollars, sends a telegram filled with contemporary slang: “OMG I can’t believe dis Megalolz YOLO ☺.” It’s highly improbable that a noblewoman in 1923 would have penned her own telegrams rather than dictating them to a servant.
- Season five introduces numerous new characters, notably the well-known British character actor Philpot Scraggs, who portrays a drunken, dazed man who unexpectedly looks into the camera and exclaims, “Straight bananas, is it, Brussels?” It’s as if he just wandered onto the set.
- The Crawley family continues to grapple with the pressing social issues of their era, including bizarre laws that require the poor to harm themselves when speaking to aristocrats, the entitlement of the elite to use the impoverished as transport, and the rights of aristocrats to hunt the poor during months with vowels.
- A hallmark of contemporary dramas is the unexpected demise of a main character. Without divulging the details, let’s just say that the three-week-long Charleston marathon in episode nine reaches a shocking climax.
- Episode three serves as a playful nod to Scooby-Doo, complete with self-aware humor and quirky antics.
- In a moment of subtle foreshadowing in episode four, Robert Crawley comments, “I hear U.S. President Warren G. Harding has a dicky heart. It will certainly be interesting if he dies this August, leaving his scandal-plagued administration to be stabilized by Vice President Calvin Coolidge, a man with the vision to restore confidence in both the White House and the economy to a beleaguered electorate.” Lady Branson simply replies, “Yes.”
- Long-time butler Carson holds a deep secret. This revelation not only explains his survival of an accidental shotgun blast in episode six but also paves the way for a crossover with Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles in episode eleven.
- Episode five features a riveting 13-minute sequence showcasing the meticulous process of making tea and crumpets in real time.
- A wave of motorcar enthusiasm takes over the estate in episode eight with the arrival of the first mass-produced British car, the Quiggsley Silver Sprat. One servant splurges an entire year’s salary of sixpence on it, culminating in a nail-biting seven-miles-per-hour car chase in episode ten, which results in a bruised knee.
- Episode twelve tackles the harsh winter of 1922-23, during which the residents of Downton resort to burning first-edition copies of James Joyce’s Ulysses and old Gainsborough paintings they unearth from the attic.
- In a surprising twist revealed in the finale, the entire storyline of Downton Abbey is unveiled as a prequel to Breaking Bad, hinting at a long, winding journey leading up to the events of the latter show.
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In summary, season five of “Downton Abbey” is riddled with outrageous missteps, from anachronistic dialogue to unexpected plot twists that create a bewildering viewing experience. Each episode introduces new characters and absurd situations that stretch the boundaries of reality while addressing the social issues of the time.