A Critical Review of Downton Abbey: Failing Quality and Plot Choices

Downton Abbey has often been celebrated for its lavish production and historical context, but this review delves into some of the key reasons why the series struggled despite its initial popularity. While the show had its moments, it suffered from poor writing, irrelevant diversions, and plotlines that were so ridiculous they bordered on comedic.

Core Actors and Plot Contrivance

One major flaw in Downton Abbey was the failure to retain core actors for the entire run. The producers faced the challenge of keeping the main characters on screen, leading to several plot contrivances to push beloved actors away after predetermined seasons. For instance, Lord Matthew Crawley, played by Dan Stevens, met a contrived death after a car crash due to Stevens' scheduling conflicts. Similarly, Lady Sybil died during childbirth, not because of a medical emergency, but because Jessica Brown Findlay had to vacate the series after only three seasons. The deaths of these crucial characters not only disrupted the narrative but also added a layer of artificiality to the storyline.

Illogical Plotlines and Melodramatic Storytelling

A recurring issue in Downton Abbey was the creation of illogical plotlines for the sake of providing dramatic tension and driving the story forward. A prime example is the character of Lady Edith, who was left pregnant, only to have this pregnancy and her son die in a nonsensical manner. Lady Edith’s lover, Michael Gregson, not only died in a clichéd manner—disappearing during the Nazi era—but also in a manner as improbable as being killed by Nazi stormtroopers while in Munich. Fellowes struggled to tie up these seemingly impossible plot elements in a believable way, leading to convoluted and ridiculous endings. Such plot convolutions were not unique but were a recurring issue, making the narrative feel artificially constructed rather than a natural progression of the story.