"The New Man" is the first episode of the second series of the British television series, ''
Upstairs, Downstairs''. The episode is set in the summer of 1908.
Cast
;Guest cast
*Colin Cunningham (Milkman)
*
Bill Burridge (Muffin Man)
*
Lilian Padmore (Nanny)
*
Joanna Robbins (Maid)
*
Andrew Pitcher
*
Lori Portugal (Children)
Plot
Without consulting her daughter,
Lady Marjorie has engaged a house cook for
Elizabeth
Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to:
People
* Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name)
* Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist
Ships
* HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships
* ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...
and her new husband, the effete show-off and moderately famous (but not financially successful) poet
Lawrence
Lawrence may refer to:
Education Colleges and universities
* Lawrence Technological University, a university in Southfield, Michigan, United States
* Lawrence University, a liberal arts university in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States
Preparator ...
. On a flight of fancy, Lawrence insists on engaging a valet, rather than the more economical alternative of a mere boot-boy. Despite not being consulted, and not being given a chance to manage the household budget, Elizabeth has to bear the cost out of her moderate
dowry
A dowry is a payment, such as property or money, paid by the bride's family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage. Dowry contrasts with the related concepts of bride price and dower. While bride price or bride service is a payment ...
.
Thomas Watkins
Thomas David Watkins ( – ?) is a fictional character in the ITV (TV network), ITV drama ''Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series), Upstairs, Downstairs'' and its spin-off ''Thomas & Sarah''. He was portrayed by John Alderton.
Greenwich
Tho ...
applies for the job as valet and is engaged to start after a superficial interview by Lawrence, whom he quickly assesses as a complete pushover. Meanwhile, Lawrence increasingly excludes Elizabeth from his daily activities, obviously little interested in his wife's company.
In the new Kirbridge residence, Thomas makes advances towards
Rose
A rose is either a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus ''Rosa'' (), in the family Rosaceae (), or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred species and tens of thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be ...
, who is flattered, and she almost succumbs, but Elizabeth discovers the two flirting. After yelling at the two servants, she retreats to her room and then bursts into tears, clinging to Rose for comfort.
References
Updown.org.uk- ''Upstairs, Downstairs'' Fansite
- Upstairs, Downstairs Episode Guide
Upstairs, Downstairs series 2 episodes
1972 British television episodes
Fiction set in 1908
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