Plot, plot, plot -- none of which would matter if the actors didn't carry it. But they do. Shout-outs for Sophie McShera's Daisy on this one: her character is largely stuck on one note here, but it's an important one, and she comes off very convincing. Also of course Maggie Smith, who manages to find the comedy in the drama, and Jim Carter / Hugh Bonneville.
Standout shots: when the hour of war comes to a close, and most of the cast assemble in the main hall to observe its end. As the chimes ring out, the camera lingers a moment for each pair of faces present. This is closely followed by Bonneville and Carter discussing their particular plot line, with a nice closing shot of the actors standing in the house's open doorway, facing out toward the uncertain future.
Standout shots: when the hour of war comes to a close, and most of the cast assemble in the main hall to observe its end. As the chimes ring out, the camera lingers a moment for each pair of faces present. This is closely followed by Bonneville and Carter discussing their particular plot line, with a nice closing shot of the actors standing in the house's open doorway, facing out toward the uncertain future.