Epic saga of the Bellamy family
and their servants at 165 Eaton Place. Many awards went to this most wonderful
series. Richard Bellamy, Lady Marjorie, Rose, Hudson, Mrs. Bridges, James
Bellamy and the rest take from 19th century Edwardian times
through to the end of the Roaring 20s.
Season 1
Not aired originally in the U.S..
We are introduced to Richard, son of a country parson, who had the good
fortune to marry the stately Lady Marjorie, daughter of one of the richest
families in England. Son James and daughter Elizabeth are impetuous and
a constant source of difficulty for their parents. Downstairs, we meet
Hudson, Rose and Mrs. Bridges, who will form the core for the series throughout
its run.
Season 2
Elizabeth has married a guy who
finds sex disgusting, so she turns elsewhere. Lady Marjorie is blackmailed
over an old affair with a young army officer back in Season 1. In the big
event of the season, King Edward comes to dinner at 165, while downstairs
colorful former servant Sarah has returned just in time to have her (and
Bellamy son James') baby. At the close of the season, the King dies. It
is becoming clear that the old order of things-big houses, large servant
staffs, and a wide gulf between rich and poor-is coming to a close.
Season 3
Lady Marjorie decides to visit
Elizabeth, who's now in America. M'Lady takes the Titanic. Heartbroken
Richard turns to work as therapy, and hires the fetching Hazel Forrest
as secretary. Before too long she (of lowly birth) hooks up with son James,
and they wed. Richard's lovely young niece Georgina also joins the household,
mainly to party and have fun. Fun will be in short supply, though, as WWI
begins.
Season 4
The War years drag on. James
is badly wounded, footman Edward suffers shell shock, and Rose's fiancé
is killed in the fighting. Georgina does some serious growing up as she
becomes a nurse in France and sees the horrors of war up close. Hazel has
a brief affair with a young airman, but he dies too. The war comes to a
close, but soon after Hazel dies in the great influenza epidemic sweeping
the country. The postwar world is not the same for the noble families.
Season 5
The Roaring 20s come to Eaton Place, as does Richard's new wife, the bold and charming Virginia, and her two young children. James is depressed at the opening, but eventually goes after Georgina, who shows now interest in romance. The series ends with the great stock market crash, which propels James to suicide and Lord Bellamy gets stuck with all James' debts. The house must be sold. The servants must find new lives. Rose locks up the house and we say goodbye to some wonderful people.