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.
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