This isn’t
a fascinating relationship, a narrative treat for viewers to ruminate over, but
it’s a lovely one, and I’m fond of it.
It has some serious missteps – Sybil and Branson are particularly hurt
by series 2’s time jumps, where they
seem to speak once every six months and have the same conversation in which
Branson comes off as a jerk – but in the end, it’s a fine connection between
two characters I like. In light of Tom’s
less-than-compelling entanglements of late, I thought I’d look back on better
times. Spoilers for Sybil-Branson plots
ahead. (Note – though he’s called Tom
now, I’ll refer to him mainly as Branson, since that’s what the show uses for
most of the pertinent storyline.)
From
the start, it helps that both Sybil and Branson are engaging and rootable in
their own right. Sybil is so sweet and
conscientious, and I like that she not only sees her privilege relative to
those around her, but she actively tries to help others improve their
situations. Her efforts to help Gwen find
a secretary job are a highlight of series 1, and I still wish we were able to see
more of her nursing work during the war.
She doesn’t see inequality and just sigh about an unjust but immutable world
– she rolls up her expensive sleeves and gets her hands dirty. Branson, as a socialist in favor of Irish
independence, is a bit notorious among the Downton staff, he’s not the typical
image of a revolutionary out for blood.
He hates the system of unbalanced power that perpetuates his people’s
subjugation, and he speaks against those who prop it up, but he doesn’t
indiscriminately hate all members of the ruling class. He judges individuals on their merits and
ultimately wants change through demonstration and free speech, not
violence.
It’s impressive
that, for a socially-verboten upstairs/downstairs romance, their relationship is
built on friendship and shared interests.
It’s not an overwhelming onslaught of sexual desire that makes them fly
in the face of society’s expectations and taste forbidden fruit. Rather, they initially connect when Branson
is driving the family somewhere and overhears evidence of Sybil’s interest in
politics. He later strikes up a
discussion with her, giving her pamphlets on political topics and encouraging
her independent streak. I love that he
watches outside the house when she models her new harem pants for her
family. It may not be love yet, but it’s
clear he’s enchanted by this young woman who won’t simply accept the rules that
are prescribed for her.
What episode is the photo from?
ReplyDeleteIt's from series 1 episode 6, when Sybil got Branson to take her to that political rally.
ReplyDelete