Downton Abbey: Season 6 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Downton Abbey: Season 6 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 23, 2016

It’s difficult to imagine a pop culture world without “Downton Abbey,” but its sixth season represents the final year of life with the Crawleys and their persistent trends of disaster and glory. The times are a-changin’ for creator Julian Fellowes as well, tasked with creating an extended cool down for a series that’s prided itself on exquisite melodrama, organizing closure for an enormous community of characters. “Season Six” doesn’t live up a level of engagement found in previous years, but as “Downton Abbey” goes, Fellowes and Company do a fine job with finality, using nine episodes to explore heart and hatred, tea and contempt; pulling off the familiar while adding a few new twists to spice up the viewing experience.

The future hangs heavily over “Season Six,” forcing the personalities entrenched in the Abbey way to consider their position as the working class grows in numbers, threatening the potency of aristocratic tradition and financial reward. The house that provided a safe haven for the Crawley family for generations is now facing a new dawn of equality and opportunity, with a life of service no longer guaranteed a lifetime of employment. The upstairs and downstairs way of life is altered throughout the year, finding those accustomed to privilege fighting to maintain clarity as the order of things is disrupted, while those resigned to their stations are exposed to a brighter future of independence, taking opportunity seriously for the first time in their lives.

Not everything stitches together seamlessly in “Season Six,” which tries to make loathsome under-butler Thomas a sympathetic character -- an exercise in futility Fellowes has been working on since the first year of the show. Thomas represents the lost future of the downstairs crew, left without prospects as his job is threatened, confronted with prior villainy. The character has a significant arc in “Season Six,” with Fellowes determined to make Thomas understood as a complicated man of depression and regret. However, it never takes, making his prominence in the overall storyline distracting.

Mary also struggles with likability issues, positioned as particularly ruthless and destructive in “Season Six,” lacking understanding as the character establishes herself in a man’s world, ready to take her estate as seriously as the modern era will allow. Mary is significantly icy this year, besting previous seasons with self-destructive behavior and maliciousness towards others. That Fellowes ultimately envisions her as a woman who simply needs love to cool her mind is condescending, but he’s never been one to cleanly execute a dramatic journey, with “Season Six” teeming with extremes in behavior and resolution, with some members of this elite society treated more respectfully than others.

The modern world also play an important part in the new year, with “Season Six” exploring car racing, bringing the Crawleys to a track for the first time; there’s feminism with Edith as she takes editorial control of her magazine; and the downstairs faces staff cuts for the first time in the Abbey’s history, confronting a world that no longer requires butlers and maids. In the first episode, Mary elects to ride astride her horse instead of sidesaddle, establishing beats of cultural and familial growth that carry throughout the season, spotlighting enlightened Crawleys trying to negotiate a level of change that doesn’t destroy their ways, welcoming a new world through transitions in power and attitude.

Episodes:

Disc One

“Episode 1” (69:33)

It’s 1925, and Robert (Hugh Bonneville) is coming to terms with changes in society, fearing the reign of Downton Abbey as an estate with history and employees will soon be coming to an end. Sharing his thoughts with Violet (Maggie Smith), the news finds its way downstairs, putting Thomas (Rob James-Collier) on edge. Unsure how to approach a marital sex life at her age, Hughes (Phyllis Logan) confides in Patmore (Lesley Nicol), urging her to mediate intimacies with her fiancé, Carson (Jim Carter). Anna and Bates struggle with their own domestic issues as they await resolution to a criminal investigation. And Mary (Michelle Dockery) is blackmailed by a mystery woman who wants to ruin her reputation, holding evidence of an illicit sexual encounter.

“Episode 2” (49:27)

Daisy (Sophie McShera), troubled by the treatment her guardian is receiving at the hands of land owners, decides to stand her ground, allowing her temper to get the best of her. Isobel (Penelope Wilton) and Violet engage in a battle of iron wills over the future of a local hospital, threatening their tentative friendship as hostilities cloud social engagements. As Hughes and Carson begin to plan their ceremony, Family Crawley hospitality turns oppressive, threatening the downstairs character of the celebration. And Edith (Laura Carmichael) remains in a tight spot with her daughter’s hidden identity, causing disruption with the farm couple that raised her.

“Episode 3” (49:34)

Violet’s butler, Spratt (Jeremy Swift), begins exhibiting strange behaviors after dark, raising the curiosity of his domestic enemy, lady’s maid Denker (Sue Johnston). Thomas commences a series of interviewers to find employment after his time at Downton is done, quickly realizing how good he has it with the Crawleys. Edith takes command of her magazine after firing a disrespectful editor, successfully managing an all-night assembly session with acquaintance Herbert (Harry Haddon-Paton). And an issue with Hughes’s wedding dress causes tremendous trouble throughout the estate, with Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) so caught up in tensions between Isobel and Violet, she threatens to ruin the bride’s big day with her temper.

Disc Two

“Episode 4” (49:10)

Returning from a disappointing experience in America, Tom (Allen Leech) arrives at Downton ready to commit his life to the Crawleys, carrying a special reminder of Sybil’s humanity. Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) is pulled into a criminal investigation after her past catches up to her once again, finding Molesley (Kevin Doyle) providing immense comfort and conscience during this difficult time. Gwen (Rose Leslie), a former maid at Downton, returns in a position of power, irritating some while inspiring others with her controversial presence. And Henry (Matthew Goode), a dashing race car driver, returns to Mary’s view.

“Episode 5” (49:32)

Edith is pursued by Herbert, with the pair taking the first steps toward love, which surprises them both. Andrew (Michael Fox) is a newcomer to the Downton staff, targeted for seduction by Thomas, but he finds interest in farming labor, only to be held back by a humiliating secret. Henry and Mary inch closer together, with their game of love shortened by Tom’s impatience. Denker is threatened with unemployment after participating in the hostilities surrounding the hospital dilemma, relying on Spratt to help save her job, sinking to blackmail to achieve his loyalty. And Carson and Hughes settle into married life away from the main house, quickly discovering a rift over the new wife’s cooking prowess.

“Episode 6” (49:48)

To raise money for the hospital project, Downton Abbey is opened to the public for one day, with lines of commoners waiting for a chance to tour the rooms, creating a potential circus atmosphere that doesn’t please many of the staff and residents. During this time, Cora is elected the new president of the hospital, replacing Violet, who’s pushed out due to her stubbornness and age. And Thomas, feeling the burn of employment anxiety, realizes how estranged from the inner workings of Downton he truly is, left on the outside as the world turns without him.

“Episode 7” (49:45)

Long ago, Isobel passed on a chance for romance, only to find her decision returning to view as the daughter of her former suitor arrives in town looking to play nice. Rare educational opportunities arrive for Molesley and Daisy, providing them with a chance to experience life after service. Patmore establishes her very own bed and breakfast, striving for the best once she opens her doors to her first customers. And a big day at the auto races darkens for Mary, who’s confronted with past trauma when Henry’s need for speed proves dangerous.

Disc Three

“Episode 8” (75:51)

Faced with a marriage proposal from Herbert, Edith struggles with her secret life as Marigold’s mother, trying to work up the nerve to tell her love the truth. Patmore’s new business is destroyed after its first guests depart, with an adulterous couple ruining the bed and breakfast’s reputation, inspiring a Crawley Family intervention. And Mary battles her fears, lashing out at Tom and Edith as she explores her true feelings for Henry, who’s desperate to remain in her life.

“Episode 9” (97:48)

As 1925 draws to a close, Carson is hit with a medical issue that threatens his position as butler, with Hughes and Mary urging him to get help. Daisy, initially repelled by Andrew’s romantic interest, warms up to the idea once the young man, taking the hint, begins to refuse her company. Edith strives to find clarity in her confusing life, with Herbert coming to terms with the responsibility of family secrets if he chooses to marry her. Spratt’s journalistic achievements are turned into weaponry for Denker. Thomas struggles with banality of his newfound employment. And Robert begins to see his beloved wife in a new light when Cora takes command of hospital relations.

Downton Abbey: Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation retains the adequate viewing experience "Downton Abbey" has consistently provided on Blu-ray. Once again, when the image is fully illuminated, detail is extraordinary, isolating facial reactions with precision and set decoration is left wide open for study, with distances and textures crisply explored. Contrast has its struggles, and delineation isn't as strong as it could be, with solidification a periodic problem. Colors are healthy, vivid with ornate costuming and interiors, while greenery also carries significantly, emphasizing the beauty of the grounds. Skintones are precise during their finest moments.

Downton Abbey: Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix supports with little emphasis but complete consistency, leading with defined dialogue exchanges, giving dramatics proper detail and range. Scoring supports as intended, carrying along with pleasing instrumentation, surging to attention when moments call for it. Atmospherics are subtle, but add much to the expanse of the show, securing interior bustle and echo, while exteriors retain a sense of wildlife and open air.

Downton Abbey: Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Farewell to Highclere Castle" (6:55, HD) gathers cast and crew to reflect on their time inside the lavish location, which has exploded in popularity since the series began airing. Topics include expensive upkeep demands to keep the estate in working order and awe with its history and decoration.

• "The Cars of Downton" (11:03, HD) returns to the cast and crew, with featurette identifying the automobiles that populate the new season, with the production striving for authenticity and exciting execution as car races are introduced to the storyline.

• "Changing Times at Downton" (14:17, HD) consider the changes facing the characters as they evolve over the season, recounting subplots and shifts in worldly perspective.

Downton Abbey: Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The basics of "Downton Abbey" are managed well by the production, setting aside plenty of time for traditional interactions between well-mannered folk, engaging in verbal warfare with intellectual might, and performances are extraordinary at times, handling hysterics and subtleties with care, making minor beats count as much as grand displays of emotional unrest. There's closure as well, an entire season's worth, with Fellowes up to the challenge of completing journeys without getting bogged down in specifics, leaving on a note of community evolution during an era of seismic change. "Downton Abbey" sticks its landing, which is all that truly matters during this particular year, showing respect for viewers who've spent the last six years cozying up to these feisty personalities.