Nowadays, it appears that no franchise ever really concludes. We are in an era filled with endless sequels and continuations, which means that when something finally reaches it’s conclusion, there are significant expectations surrounding that ending. This is undoubtedly true for Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale, which wraps up fifteen years of narrative this weekend.
For us, Downton Abbey has been a significant part of our life since our high school days. As a Harry Potter enthusiast during our childhood, we was excited to see Maggie Smith in a different role, which led us to start watching the series with our parents. It became a treasured experience for us, and even after it’s conclusion, we held onto those memories. When it returned in 2019, we were overjoyed.
Between the series finale and The Grand Finale, Downton Abbey has experienced two endings. Both endings provide emotional and straightforward conclusions, allowing the characters to find happiness and embrace new beginnings.
However, the latter ending may hold an even greater significance than the original finale. In just a few fleeting moments, it encapsulates everything that fans have cherished about the franchise.
Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale’s Final Scenes Pay Tribute To The Past
The conclusion of Downton Abbey – The Grand Finale sees Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) officially taking her place as the mistress of the renowned estate, while her family departs for new residences.
The sight of Mary alone in the main hall might seem like a surprisingly melancholic farewell for such a spirited character, but the sequence does not conclude there. The Grand Finale brings back our beloved characters who have passed away – Matthew (Dan Stevens), Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay), and the Dowager Countess, Violet (Smith).
Even though it has been quite a while since we last witnessed their presence on screen — especially for the first two — Downton Abbey concludes with them alive and dancing in a room filled with their loved ones. When we initially watched the film, we anticipated shedding a lot of tears, yet we found our-self surprisingly dry-eyed.
It was only when Matthew showed up that we became genuinely emotional; by the moment Sybil glanced back, we was completely undone. Right in front of us were characters we had lost and grieved for, and we never thought we would encounter them again (except during subsequent viewings, naturally).
The true essence of Downton Abbey lies in the ending of The Grand Finale. While it heralds a new chapter, it also honors all that has transpired before. The series owes much of it’s success to characters like Matthew, Sybil, and particularly Violet.
Although they are not present to witness this concluding moment, their memories remain alive and cherished. By concluding the film in this manner, creator Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis allow devoted fans to reflect on their personal journey with the series.
As we share these memories with Mary, it feels as though we are included in this family as well. We have experienced all the highs and lows with them, and now we have the opportunity to observe an intimate moment at the conclusion of it all.
Despite the conclusive title and ending, discussions have emerged about the potential return of Downton Abbey, possibly through a reboot featuring new characters.
However, we believe such a move is unnecessary. The Grand Finale provides the closure we crave and beautifully ties it to it’s history. This is precisely the ending the franchise merits, and we are truly thankful for it.