Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey - Episode 4

The conclusion of "Downton Abbey" finds a surprising possible heir alternative to Matthew coming to the fore; Sybil's secret political life causing her harm; Anna investigating Mr. Bates' past while in London with Mrs. Patmore, who needs eye surgery; Mary meddling with Edith's romantic plans; and Thomas planning his exit strategy.

Joining many legendary British tomes depicting life of the Gilded Age, Edwardian times to the 1920's industrial England, the television drama "Downton Abbey" reveals a country and time in the throes of major upheaval, with an insular upper-class fighting the changes tooth and nail with only the stubbornness that stiff upper lip types can do with such style.

It is set in a time just prior to the "Boardwalk Empire" days, and like that fabulous HBO effort, reveals how women slowly but surely got a leg up, so to speak, and gained opportunities and aspired to be more than a poor man's daughter condemned to servantry, or a wealthy man's daughter whose future was solely hinged on the match her parents ensured through societal machinations.

In fact, if you love 'Boardwalk," you will truly appreciate this snapshot in time that is as deeply delicious as a custard-filled fruit and cake filled Trifle, spiked with good Sherry and whipped cream. Lots to savor here in a lush production filled to the rafters with brilliant actors.

"Gosford Park" witer Julian Fellowes' beautiful period drama "Downton Abbey" begins January 9th on PBS' Masterpiece Classic.

Downton Abbey is the country estate of the Crawley family, and in proper upstairs-downstairs fashion, exists on two planes and even has an American mother and lady of the house, played by Elizabeth McGovern, paired in scene with the formidable Dame Maggie Smith, the Dowager Countess of Grantham and her mother-in-law, who sniffs still at her American ways, twenty-odd years after the wedding.