The opening episode as all eps go, set up the characters and tried to add some dimension to them and their potential storylines. The backdrop being the war and how it affects the staff and guests at the Halcyon, which being a hotel, will be business as usual. The episode opens with the 50th celebration of the hotel and also the event is interpreted by an air raid siren. Whereby Betsy (Kara Tointon) states they have 5 minutes before they need to get to the air raid shelter, thus giving her an opportunity to get one song in. Which as everyone knows wasn't the case. Cue bomb and an almighty explosion as it rocks the Halcyon.
Thus we get to May 1940 - seven months earlier as the show attempts to set up intriguing plots to drive the show and ratings forward. Thereby we meet the cast/characters, as said and how they'll fit into their respective roles. Such as the secret meeting Lord Hamilton (Alex Jennings) the owner is meant to have his own agenda regarding the war and hoping to appease Hitler, as Chamberlain wants peace whereas Churchill is of the opposite view. They want to get Halifax as PM. Hamilton also brings his mistress, Charity Lambert (Charity Wakefield) to the fore. As she's been to Germany, but that doesn't mean much in the price of things. Who orders drink upon drink and proceeds to embarrass herself. Hamilton has no qualms about the staff knowing of his 'indiscretions' as they all willingly (possibly for the sake of keeping their jobs) have to tow the line and his sordid secret, shall I say. Until his wife, Lady Priscilla Hamilton (Olivia Williams) arrives (no not quite Emma Lady Hamilton, she of Lord Nelson fame.) Who is rather cynical and prim but she's not a fool, even though the staff appeared to treat her as such. Particular Hamilton's manager, Garland (Steven Mackintosh) who tries to cut her off in her tracks as Hamilton is otherwise 'disposed.' Of course she will know of the nefarious endless affairs of her husband, which wife wouldn't. Garland also gets to show at an early stage his many facets, as he comes across as a little smarmy, caring about his daughter and willing to do anything for his boss.
Then there's the twin sons, Freddie (Jamie Blackley) and Toby (Edward Bluemel) being four minutes younger than Freddie who's the heir apparent and also part of the RAF, home on leave. Timely to celebrate their party. As Freddie is clearly the favourite for his choice of a career no doubt and Toby is just the lowly Oxford researcher. As Joe (Matt Ryan) later tells him, his father shouldn't have treated him so abysmally in public. Joe O'Hara, journalist, or I should say, foreign correspondent who's a recent guest at the hotel. Immediately having an eye for Emma Garland (Hermione Goldfield) receptionist and daughter of Richard Garland. Of course it's not conducive to have a reporter around, especially when Hamilton chooses to have meetings there. Naturally he's going to get the low down on what's happening and also report it. Not like they were being particularly secretive about it or anything. Coming in the back way means nothing and he reports the news of Hamilton and his meeting over the radio to the US, particularly after Toby blabs and tells him about Charity being, "blonde with blue eyes" and that's why the German's like her, as she's also been to Munich. And as some would say, she should've just stayed there.
Garland hears about the story and the British press won't report it, aside from one paper and so Garland has words with Briggs, telling him about his meeting with a 'lady' with dates and times. Adding that he likes him, thus having a mutual understanding. Garland is rather shifty, so you know there's more going on with him and yet more secrets to be revealed. As well as Hamilton watching Betsy with a roving eye as he later finds her in the bath in one of the rooms and she wasn't shy over showing off her naked body to him either. As Emma discovered her earlier in another room, earlier on. Well if she was the resident singer seems like she should've just had some sort of room there. But this isn't a hotel for the staff, or some halfway house as some would say. As the housekeeper remarks: "you can still smell some tart" to the stench of Charity lingering.
It's more like an 'upstairs, downstairs' scenario again, as there's some glimpses of the staff too and how they also are privy to every going on here. It's no surprise then that Hamilton carks it as soon as the couple are going their own way and will break the news later, thus leaving Freddie as the heir and Lady Hamilton with a contempt-filled look for Garland. She' s going to call the shots now. As seen in the second episode.
As the name suggests this intro ep was a harkback to days gone by as we return to seven months early on. Some will watch for the story, the characters, nostalgia and how everything plays out whilst some will watch for Matt, whatever your reasons, there's plenty to keep you entertained. Yeah fine, I'm watching for Matty!! So it was only fitting that the episode began with Joe chancing upon the black car entourage at the back of the hotel and being fielded by Emma as he questioned what was happening. Of course he's a journo so he won't be as gullible as she thinks. He knows rightly there's more going on than meets the eye, there is a war on after all. Emma is the 'poor' daughter who has set her sights on the heir apparent who becomes heir by episodes end and having a moment of reminiscence too as she and Freddie find their carvings in the basement. But she's "just the girl behind reception." Quickly moved up the ranks to assistant manager.
As for Kara, think she's more suited to The Sound of Music since she's not so good with the blues/jazzy/swing numbers, actually her voice is drowned out by the music. Not meant in a bad way.
Alex Jennings playing Lord Hamilton, who went onto Victoria as Uncle Leopold, typecasting there then with the womanizing aspect. Now if Downton Abbey had entered the war years...
The hotel exterior building shot is located at 32 Lincoln's Inn Fields. been there often and still do!
Reminded me of Walt Whitman's Halcyon Days: "...Then for the teeming quietest, happiest days of all!
The brooding and blissful halcyon days!
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