Writer Julian Fellowes continues the saga of his beloved upper-crust family and their downstairs staff. Of course, time has ushered more changes. First, Maggie Smith’s character inherits a villa, so some of the family members travel to the South of France to meet the current owners. While they’re gone, a production company moves into Downton to shoot a movie. Both of these primary plots play out with slightly absurd developments and every remaining character ends up in a promising relationship. The snappy snobbish attitude prevails, but there are also encounters that tie up loose ends with earnest dialogue. Of course, the costumes and locations are lovely and the cast is back in full gracious force. Anyone into the series will want to follow the saga’s continuation for one last taste of this elegant estate and it’s inhabitants. 
(3.5 / 5)
