- Let’s start with the theme music. The uplifting, soaring piano melody that once encapsulated the dreams and hopes of Britain has been replaced by the ominous tones of “One” by Metallica. Yep, it’s a new era at Downton, folks!
- In the season opener, a character is so trapped by the oppressive British class system that he literally implodes. I won’t spoil who it is, but let’s just say his upper lip stiffens so much that his moustache crumbles.
- The Crawley family has a new guest: a dark-haired exchange student from Austria named Adolf Hitler. Although he starts off ranting about Germany’s unfair treatment at Versailles, he quickly wins everyone over with his hilarious Charlie Chaplin impression. The writers have promised some “big developments” for this fascinating new character.
- Watch out for a glaring anachronism in episode six when Lady Edith Crawley, thrilled to learn that her Picasso sold for ten grand, sends a telegram that reads, “OMG I can’t believe dis Megalolz YOLO ☺.” It’s highly implausible that a noblewoman in 1923 would write her own telegrams instead of dictating them to a servant.
- This season introduces a host of new characters. One standout is the well-known British actor Philpot Scraggs, who plays a drunken man that looks straight into the camera and yells, “Straight bananas, is it, Brussels?” It seems he’s just stumbled onto the set!
- The Crawley family continues to tackle the social issues of their time, including the law requiring the poor to punch themselves when addressing aristocrats, and the bizarre entitlement of the aristocrats to use the underprivileged as horses. Don’t forget the right to hunt the poor if there’s a vowel in the month!
- It wouldn’t be a contemporary drama without a shocking death of a main character. I won’t reveal the details, but let’s just say the three-week Charleston marathon in episode nine ends in a tragic way.
- Episode three pays homage to Scooby-Doo in a playful and self-aware manner that adds a fun twist to the storyline.
- Episode four features some subtle foreshadowing of major historical events, including Robert Crawley’s comment about U.S. President Warren G. Harding’s heart issues. Lady Branson’s simple “Yes” response says it all.
- Long-time butler Carson harbors a secret that explains his survival of a shotgun blast in episode six and sets the stage for a crossover with Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles in episode eleven.
- Episode five includes a remarkable 13-minute sequence dedicated to the art of making tea and crumpets in real time. Yes, you read that right!
- An obsession with automobiles takes over the estate in episode eight, thanks to the arrival of the Quiggsley Silver Sprat. One servant spends an entire year’s salary of sixpence on it, culminating in a thrilling seven-miles-per-hour car chase in episode ten that results in a bruised knee.
- The harsh winter of 1922-23 is the focus of episode twelve, where Downton residents stay warm by burning first editions of James Joyce’s Ulysses and old Gainsborough paintings found in the attic.
- In a wild twist, the final episode reveals that the entire narrative of Downton Abbey serves as a prequel to Breaking Bad. They’re just taking a r-e-e-ally long time to get to the point!
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In summary, Season Five of “Downton Abbey” is filled with outrageous blunders, from bizarre character developments to glaring historical inaccuracies and unexpected plot twists. The absurdity and humor of the season make it a memorable, if not bewildering, chapter in the beloved series.