Cheap Upstairs Downstairs - The Complete Third Season (DVD) Price

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Customer Reviews of Upstairs Downstairs - The Complete Third Season

The weakest of the series...
Which is not to say that this is in any sense bad television, I just find the 3rd Series of USDS to be the most melodramatic. It certainly is a transitional season, which is never easy, with the introductions of three major new characters and the entrance/exit of scores of peripheral characters and story lines. There is a lot of busy-ness here without as much to show for it at the end of the season. Failed romances for Rose, Mrs. Bridges and Sir Richard? A miscarriage between episodes? It seems a bit rushed, as if the writers didn't know how to fill the time before the war. The politics surrounding the war are introduced quite late, again making it feel rushed. Yes, the episodes surrounding Lady Marjorie's death and the beginning of the war are among the most emotional of the entire series. The writing, while a bit maudlin at times, kept up the continuity very well. To my recollection, The "Titanic" disaster is referenced in every episode, at least indirectly. They also capture the atmosphere surrounding the start of WWI, even the weather, quite well. While not the best of the series, Series 3 of USDS is still better than most of what passes for television drama today.

yet another superb season
The third season of UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS continues the lives of the Bellamy family and their servants of Eaton Place. The time is now 1912, and the Edwardian era is over and the new age of ragtime and the 'flying machine' is on the horizon...

"Miss Forrest" - It is a time of change at Eaton Place. We learn that Elizabeth has moved to America, and James (Simon Williams) has broken off his engagement to Phyllis Kingman. Richard (David Langton) is busy writing a political biography of Lord Southwold, and he has employed the services of Hazel Forrest (Meg Wynn Owen) to help in the assignment. Lady Marjorie (Rachel Gurney) is preparing for a journey to Canada...on the Titanic.

"A House Divided" - The entire house is thrown into shock with the news that Lady Marjorie did not survive the sinking of the Titanic, along with Miss Roberts (Patsy Smart). Richard sinks deep into depression. However, the servants get the shock of their lives when a bedraggled Miss Roberts turns up on the doorstep..

"A Change of Scene" - James is invited for a weekend party at Bunny Newbury's (John Quayle) estate. Hudson (Gordon Jackson) accompanies him in the position of valet, but soon he is caught up in a moral dilemma that will rock his sense of duty.

"A Family Secret" - James, still trying to deal with his mother's death, impulsively proposes to Hazel. However, Hazel tearfully declines the marriage. What is the deep dark secret that prevents her from marrying him?...

"Rose's Pigeon" - Rose (Jean Marsh) gets a huge shock when she discovers ex-footman Alfred (George Innes) on the doorstep, on the run after murdering his male lover..

"Desirous of Change" - Richard is pursued by Countess Lili de Ternay (Angela Browne) who is beautiful but penniless. A touch of romance fills the air as Richard smiles for the first time since the death of his wife. Adding further complications is the new maid Gwyneth (Janet Lees Price) who is a good worker but given to gossip and devious stories.

"Word of Honour" - Richard finds himself in a moral dilemma as he refuses to betray a confidence in the eyes of the law. Once again, Sir Geoffrey Dillon (Raymond Huntley) is called to get the Bellamy's out of trouble.

"The Bolter" - James and Hazel, newly-married, are invited to the Newbury estate for a hunting weekend. James forbids Hazel to take part in the foxhunt, but devious Lady Diana (Celia Bannerman) has other ideas...

"Goodwill to all Men" - It's Christmas, and the entire household is in high spirits. Dowager Lady Southwold (Cathleen Nesbitt) has come for a visit, bringing Lord Southwold's young ward Georgina Worsley (Lesley-Anne Down). Trouble starts brewing when Georgina befriends new maid Daisy (Jacqueline Tong)...

"What the Footman Saw" - Edward (Christopher Beeny) accidentally lets slip some rather-scandalous stories. Refers to events that occurred in "The Bolter".

"A Perfect Stranger" - On her afternoon off, Rose meets handsome Australian sheep farmer Gregory Wilmot (Keith Barron). Romance soon blossoms, but will Rose ever consider leaving Eaton Place in order to marry him?

"Distant Thunder" - Tensions are running high in the Bellamy household. Hazel is in bed recovering from the loss of her baby while James thoughtlessly takes Georgina to a ball, leaving poorly Hazel in the care of Richard.

"The Sudden Storm" - Hazel arranges for the servants to spend the Bank Holiday at the seaside, while World War One looms heavily on the horizon.

Also starring Angela Baddeley, Jenny Tomasin, Joan Benham, Anthony Ainley, Tony Bateman, Arthur Brough, Anthony Dawes, Elisabeth Day, John Flint, Helen Lindsay, Leonard Trolley, Richard Vernon and Valerie White.