This week's episode of Downton Abbey was definitely more relational. I'm not a lovey-dovey person so honestly I wasn't a big fan or love popping up everywhere during this episode.Ms. Harris takes a night off from the house work and meets up with an old love interest from many years ago at the fair. Apparently, when they were younger he asked her to marry him but she declined. In this episode he asks again years later but she still says no. Her heart is torn and she doesn't know what to do. Mr. Bates has definitely begun to show more interest in Anna. He brings her dinner one night because she is not feeling well. One of the servant boys shows an interest in Daisy and wants to go to the fair with her. Thomas, knowing this and wanting to ruin everything, asks Daisy first. Daisy is too distracted by Thomas to see what is right in front of her. There are remnants of other relationships blossoming as well but these are the big ones for this week's episode.
One theme that can be found in this episode is the keeping of secrets. Whether full or deceit or simply wanting to remain private, it seems everyone has secrets and mysteries building up around them. This is not just happening among the servants either. When Ms. Harris leaves the house she tells no one where she is going or why. Mary is still agitated from the foreign man dying in her room. Isobel works to get Katherine fired from the hospital. One of the girls secretly peruses her dream of being a writer. And this is just the start. In this week's episode of Downton abbey, everyone has a secret.
When this topic of secrets is researched in the biblical text we come to 2 Corinthians 4:2. This verse states "Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." Clearly Scripture does not condone the use of secrets in any way, deceitful or not. Instead, we are to always set forth the truth plainly. This being said, even the secrets people keep for privacy, such as Ms. Harris, are not excusable. There is no exception. The theme of secrets within the house in this episode of Downton Abbey is not supported by Scripture.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Downton Abbey Season 1 Episode 3
This week's episode of Downton Abbey consisted of an interesting twist. The two main events which occurred in this episode surrounded Mary and Bates. First, two men from out of the area stayed at the household for a few days. Naturally, Mary took advantage of the opportunity to show interest in one of them. She chose which of the men she wished to pursue and did so bluntly. The man pursued back in extremely inappropriate ways for this time and culture. He intruded on her bedroom late at night and was able to convince Mary to sleep with him. In the middle of the activity the man suddenly died. Not knowing what to do, Mary got her maid as well as her mother to help move the body back to his room. However, they could not do so without a few of the household servants knowing what really happened. Mr. Bates attempts to make more progress fixing his leg by buying a contraption that goes around the lag and digs into it attempting to straighten the bones. It is extremely painful to him and when he cannot hide it any longer he is encouraged to throw the device into a lake by one of the servant girls. He vows to never do something like this again. In this episode of Downton Abbey the viewer sees more into the traits of individual characters in the show.
One theme that I noticed throughout this episode is the unusual representation of women in this time. Females were expected to be aids to their husbands and always represent themselves in a respectable manner. In this episode we see Mary throwing herself at a foreigner as well as engaging in premarital intercourse with him. Some of the women in the household also take part in lying and deception by working together to move the body from Mary's room to the guest room. In another instance, one of Mary's sisters begins to pursue Matthew on her own. She practically asks him out on a date. Matthew, however, is still courting after Mary. In this week's episode the women did not represent themselves in a respectable manner at all. It was very interesting to see women acting in such a way in this historical setting.
In a way, women acting out of their societal roles of that time is supported by Scripture. There are many times in the Bible when women take a stand or do some action that would be considered against the norms. One example can be found in the book of Esther. In this day, a Queen was chosen based on her virginity and physical appearance (Esther 2:3). It is clear that women were not desired for any more reason than this. Yet, when Esther is established as Queen, she steps out of the societal norms by making a request before the King even when it may mean death for her to do so (Esther 4:16). Through her actions God's people are saved and the Jews are not killed. This is one instance in Scripture when women breaking out of the societal norms is supported. However, it should be noted that there are appropriate ways to resist the norms as well as inappropriate, destructive ones as well.
One theme that I noticed throughout this episode is the unusual representation of women in this time. Females were expected to be aids to their husbands and always represent themselves in a respectable manner. In this episode we see Mary throwing herself at a foreigner as well as engaging in premarital intercourse with him. Some of the women in the household also take part in lying and deception by working together to move the body from Mary's room to the guest room. In another instance, one of Mary's sisters begins to pursue Matthew on her own. She practically asks him out on a date. Matthew, however, is still courting after Mary. In this week's episode the women did not represent themselves in a respectable manner at all. It was very interesting to see women acting in such a way in this historical setting.
In a way, women acting out of their societal roles of that time is supported by Scripture. There are many times in the Bible when women take a stand or do some action that would be considered against the norms. One example can be found in the book of Esther. In this day, a Queen was chosen based on her virginity and physical appearance (Esther 2:3). It is clear that women were not desired for any more reason than this. Yet, when Esther is established as Queen, she steps out of the societal norms by making a request before the King even when it may mean death for her to do so (Esther 4:16). Through her actions God's people are saved and the Jews are not killed. This is one instance in Scripture when women breaking out of the societal norms is supported. However, it should be noted that there are appropriate ways to resist the norms as well as inappropriate, destructive ones as well.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Downton Abbey Season 1 Episode 2
Episode Two of Downton Abbey was amazing. It went much more in detail than the first episode which operated as an overview introduction to the series. In this episode, the viewer had the privilege of observing the different characters in more depth. You could say that everyone's 'true colors' came out. In this episode, Matthew visits the main family. He is the next in line to hopefully marry Mary and inherit the title as well as the family's fortune which comes with it. Matthew comes from a home that is strictly middle class while Robert's family is upper middle class. It is clear to everyone that Matthew is very uncomfortable with having people wait on him hand and foot. This is a constant struggle for him throughout the episode. Matthew's mother also visits with him and begins volunteering at the hospital. Animosity can be seen here in that Isobel does everything in her power to remove Matthew's mother from the hospital. There is also a bit of drama among the servant's community as well. Throughout the episode a few of the other servants and family members discover that Garson was once a performer and has resorted to stealing in order to hide his past. Throughout the episode we see a revealing of the character traits of many different persons.
One of the major themes within this episode is the idea of knowing your place. At many points characters have reminded each other of their duties which stem from their job and class. At one point, someone actually says the words "know your place." In this time and age, knowing your place and staying in it was crucial. In fact, it was so crucial that when certain traits of characters are revealed which do not match their "place" it is treated as taboo. For example, Garson is so humiliated of his past as a performer that he hides it from the others in the house. When word gets out when an old performer friend shows up in town Garson attempts to keep it underground. However, he fails to do so. When some of the people in the house find out about Garson's past he expects it to be the end of him. On the contrary, those who have gained this new information are kind and considerate, not allowing gossip to take over. Garson is in awe of the grace and compassion he receives from these people.Apparently, these traits were unheard of for this time.
This idea of knowing your place is not affirmed by Scripture. In fact, just the opposite, showing compassion, understanding, and love is supported by biblical text. When Jesus is in the home of a Pharisee, a sinful women approaches him and begins to wet his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50). She then anoints him with ointment. The Pharisees who were present scoff at this behavior and judge her immediately. Jesus responds by showing her love and forgiveness for her sins. In an honor/shame culture such as this it would have been considered taboo for the sinful women to approach Jesus at all, but she stepped out of her place in order that she might step into the grace Jesus poured out on her. This is an amazing contrast to the behavior displayed in Downton Abbey Season 1 Episode 2.
One of the major themes within this episode is the idea of knowing your place. At many points characters have reminded each other of their duties which stem from their job and class. At one point, someone actually says the words "know your place." In this time and age, knowing your place and staying in it was crucial. In fact, it was so crucial that when certain traits of characters are revealed which do not match their "place" it is treated as taboo. For example, Garson is so humiliated of his past as a performer that he hides it from the others in the house. When word gets out when an old performer friend shows up in town Garson attempts to keep it underground. However, he fails to do so. When some of the people in the house find out about Garson's past he expects it to be the end of him. On the contrary, those who have gained this new information are kind and considerate, not allowing gossip to take over. Garson is in awe of the grace and compassion he receives from these people.Apparently, these traits were unheard of for this time.
This idea of knowing your place is not affirmed by Scripture. In fact, just the opposite, showing compassion, understanding, and love is supported by biblical text. When Jesus is in the home of a Pharisee, a sinful women approaches him and begins to wet his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50). She then anoints him with ointment. The Pharisees who were present scoff at this behavior and judge her immediately. Jesus responds by showing her love and forgiveness for her sins. In an honor/shame culture such as this it would have been considered taboo for the sinful women to approach Jesus at all, but she stepped out of her place in order that she might step into the grace Jesus poured out on her. This is an amazing contrast to the behavior displayed in Downton Abbey Season 1 Episode 2.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Downton Abbey Season 1 Episode 1
Season one, Episode one of Downton Abbey began in April of 1912 on the morning after the Titanic sank in the Atlantic. The story surrounds an upper middle class family in England. Robert is the husband of Cora and father of three daughters. The Titanic's tragic accident affected this family in a tremendous way. Since Robert does not have a son to inherit his fortune and title it is of the utmost importance that his eldest daughter marry. The eldest daughter's name is Mary and she was supposed to marry a boy named Patrick who was on board the Titanic. Throughout the episode, Mary's parents are on a mission to find Mary a husband so that they inheritance will stay in the family. Also, Robert heirs a new valet named Bates who he served with in the Army. Bates is a disabled man who acquired the job as a favor from Robert. Immediately upon entering the house a majority of the other servants dislike Bates and work hard to persuade Robert that he is unable to do his job and thus should be let go. In fact, one of the servants, Thomas, is trying to get Bates' job. This first episode of the season opened up a multitude of drama and issues in this show.
One theme which was prevalent throughout the first episode was the contrast between the family that lives in the house and the servant who work/live there. Many times we see a multitude of differences displayed between these two social classes. One example consists of a scene displaying the family around the dinner table. They are all dressed in fancy clothes, there are various dishes and bowls on the table, and the servants wait on them hand and foot. Immediately after this scene the show flashes to an identical picture of a dinner table; however, it is crammed in the basement of the house, has few plates on the table, and the servants are dressed in their work garments. The atmosphere in this picture is completely different. There is a clear distinction between these two people groups and yet they are living harmoniously under one roof. At the same time, the respectable statuses are observed.
In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus observes a poor widow putting two small copper coins into the offering. Jesus commended this women for her willingness to give all she could. He also compares her to those who gave little out of their wealth. This is not to say that I am condemning Robert and his family but it is interesting to see the references of economic and social classes within Scripture as well as in Downton Abbey. When it comes to the treatment of others outside of your class, I believe Jesus encourages respect for all people. I also believe that Downton Abbey displays this very well. While social classes are certainly present within this television series, the attitudes between the classes are positive. If anything, the issues lay within each social classes. For example, how the servants treat other servant or how the sisters treat each other. I would not go so far as to say that having social and economic classes is biblically wrong; however, loving and respecting all people is extremely important.
So far, I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey. It has a unique way of presenting an older film to be present to today's society. I cannot wait to watch episode two and blog about that!
One theme which was prevalent throughout the first episode was the contrast between the family that lives in the house and the servant who work/live there. Many times we see a multitude of differences displayed between these two social classes. One example consists of a scene displaying the family around the dinner table. They are all dressed in fancy clothes, there are various dishes and bowls on the table, and the servants wait on them hand and foot. Immediately after this scene the show flashes to an identical picture of a dinner table; however, it is crammed in the basement of the house, has few plates on the table, and the servants are dressed in their work garments. The atmosphere in this picture is completely different. There is a clear distinction between these two people groups and yet they are living harmoniously under one roof. At the same time, the respectable statuses are observed.
In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus observes a poor widow putting two small copper coins into the offering. Jesus commended this women for her willingness to give all she could. He also compares her to those who gave little out of their wealth. This is not to say that I am condemning Robert and his family but it is interesting to see the references of economic and social classes within Scripture as well as in Downton Abbey. When it comes to the treatment of others outside of your class, I believe Jesus encourages respect for all people. I also believe that Downton Abbey displays this very well. While social classes are certainly present within this television series, the attitudes between the classes are positive. If anything, the issues lay within each social classes. For example, how the servants treat other servant or how the sisters treat each other. I would not go so far as to say that having social and economic classes is biblically wrong; however, loving and respecting all people is extremely important.
So far, I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey. It has a unique way of presenting an older film to be present to today's society. I cannot wait to watch episode two and blog about that!
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