The final big reveal that the whole show had been building up to happened off camera ! What a let down. Otherwise I quite enjoyed the whole thing.
Having said that it was a very tame affair designed to appeal to people who don't like to be upset when things don't turn out right, so everything did.
The final big reveal happened off-camera:
That’s typical of Julian Fellowes. There were so many instances of it in Downton Abbey. He did it in Doctor Thorne, too.
What a letdown for viewers.
I think he does it that way because seeing it acted out cannot possibly live up to one's hopes for it. So why even try.
shareMaybe that is why JF doesn’t write those scenes, because he’s worried. What a copout. Have some courage. Plenty of other screenwriters write those scenes and viewers feel rewarded for sticking with the story, especially if the story is dragged out as long as JF did on Downton. Give the viewer their catharsis. Give the viewer a reward.
shareMaybe there's something rather traditionally British about it too? To do things by subtle implication rather than directly coming out with it?
shareActually, I don’t think that is a Brit characteristic. All kinds of programs, including comedies (The Vicar of Dibley), dramas (The House of Eliott), portray anticipated scenes on-stage/on-camera. I think Fellowes is an exception, and I don’t really feel like he does it to be different, or as an artistic choice. Imo he’s just lazy. 🙃
shareThe big dramatic water scene was unconvincing. Did Bellasis know Pope couldn’t swim? Why did Trenchard dive in if he couldn’t swim either. Guess that summer lifeguard job paid off for Oliver though.
shareIt would have been much better to play the scene for laughs I think. As the rescue squad arrives at the scene Bellasis is desperately trying to heave Pope into the water but struggle as he might he just can't manage it.
We already knew the "final big reveal". It was build up the whole season. We also saw the reveal on many occasions with almost all the characters.
I didn't feel it was rushed at all. They made a decision to cut that scene for whatever reason.
Yep they had already had eight little reveals:
John Bellasis
Susan Trenchard
James Trenchard
Anne Trenchard
Lady Brockenhurst
Lady Maria Grey
Lady Templemore and family
Oliver Trenchard
So by the time they got around to Charles Pope and what should have been the big reveal it was redundant.