The Sinking Of The RMS Titanic | Downton Abbey

The sinking of the Titanic brings with it news of relatives lost at sea.

From season 1 episode 1: The lives of the Crawley family and the servants of Downton Abbey change when the sinking of the Titanic leaves the estate without an apparent heir. Some of the staff plot to make the stay of the new valet short-lived.

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[daniels]

It speaks highly of Robert that he immediately predicts (correctly) that only the ladies in first class would have been gotten off the ship and that he acknowledges the tragedy of the lower classes. Thus establishing him as a sympathetic character, rather than an obnoxious aristocrat who ignores those below his rank.

[teddy]

Robert probably doesn't even know that the servants iron his newspaper every single day, because they've done so his whole life and he's never known any different.

[CSifjrixhrj]

The scene at 1:38, where Robert makes his first appearance in the series... the music, the slow walk down the steps... perfect introduction to the viewer. Before a word is said you know who the boss is.

[nahuelma]

Love the bit of social awareness the apparently main character shows when he says "you mean the ladies in first class?"

[keerthanap]

“you’re late.”
“i know, but-“
“but what?”
“you’ll see.”
chills.

[tomben]

My mate from school, his great grandfather had a ticket for Titanic but was a raving alcoholic. He got hammered the night before and due to his hangover/being poor, couldn’t get there in time as he had to walk from his hotel. That entire family would never have been if he had got there as planned.

[levijames]

my mom basically had to tie me down to the couch and hold my eyelids open to get me to watch the first episode. i had been relentlessly mocking the show and it’s posh setting. i ended up sitting up ramrod straight for the entire episode and watched the rest of the series in the space of about three months. this really is The Best Show.

[brianbommarito]

I knew from the moment I watched the first episode that Downton Abbey was going to redefine the period drama. My mom first recommended it to me because she knew how fascinated I was with the Titanic disaster. It really was like the 9/11 of it’s day, people woke up to the news of this bizarre catastrophe, and it shocked them and let us all know how our experience and intelligence can only take us so far. As one historian said, it is the ultimate fight of Man and Machine versus the powers of God and Nature. We can accomplish great things as a species, but “pride is before a fall.” Never underestimate the elements of this planet, even when the road stretching ahead of you seems to be free of bumps. Death and disaster are always waiting for those unaware of their presence.

[obiwanfx]

However he can be stuck-up sometimes, I always remembered that Robert's toughts instantly went to the lower classes onboard. For everything else, he was aware of unfair treatment between classes and did show genuine concern about it

[ihavetwofaces]

It's weird to think that this was the first episode - the show is already so mature and in its own flow. So many shows begin with shaky, awkward pilots but this show feels already established.

[ClassicJedi]

I have never watched this series but when I hear that the costumes, sets, manners and etiquette are correct, plus the show is British, that makes me so happy.

[fivefive]

This scene made me immediately love the character of Robert. Born an aristocratic, but empathic of those who are not. One line sets this up perfectly.

[lauraclaire]

Love how the first episode mentions one of the biggest events in history. The Titanic wasn't small thing was swept under the rug it was a big deal. Because of it boat and ship safety was changed.

[Juventinos]

who would of thought that james cameron's titanic is a prequel to downton abbey

[Tyrunner]

2:42 Mentions of the Astors (JJ and Madeline), and then Lady Rothes (Countess of Rothes). Very nice touch to have the Crawleys know of a few notable passengers on the ship.

[annabella_prinx]

How it all began... ♡
This series is everything! It makes me cry, laugh and dream.

[shirokisasaki]

oh I just love this, the begining of everything, the script was beautifully written and the pace of the camera was perfect, we all got a sense of this family in less than four minutes.

[rastas]

I was obsessed with Titanic when my family started watching this show. I didn’t want to initially, but my father was like “Titanic is in it” so I agreed.

All I really remember now is the entire rest of the show and Matthews death utterly breaking me. One of the best period pieces ever!

[a.zamora]

Damn when she moved that tray with all those dishes I would’ve been too scared to move it an inch lol

[thestonedabbot]

This scene perfectly encapsulates how horrific and unprecedented the Titanic disaster was. Everyone knew someone who lost a relative. Since 1912 we've had two world wars, 9/11, the Asian tsunami, etc, and the world population has increased eight fold. People in those days simply weren't used to mass-casualty events.

A few days after the sinking, a news reporter went to Southampton, where 2/3rds of the crew had lived (75% of whom died) . He met an old lady on a busy street corner and she pointed out random faces. "Mary there lost two sons... that's Mrs Baker going into the shop, she lost her husband and brother-in-law. The shopkeeper lost his uncle, auntie and their three children."

They went to a classroom of 50 children, amd the teacher asked "If you knew someome who died on the Titanic, stand up". And every child stood up.