‘Downton Abbey’ series finale review: Maggie Smith and cast wrap series with Julian Fellowes’ deft touch

WHAT IT’S ABOUT Think of this series finale as the second part of the most recent episode, which aired Feb. 21, with many questions in the balance. Will Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) find happiness? Will newlyweds Henry (Matthew Goode) and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) figure out their future? Will Anna (Joanne Froggatt) become a mother? Also, what of Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan), Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera), Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle), Tom Branson (Allen Leech), Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) and Barrow (Rob James-Collier)? Yes, especially Barrow. Answers coming.

MY SAY Just before the outbreak of World War II, Vera Lynn sang a hugely popular song in Britain titled “There’ll Always Be An England.” That word “always” especially stood out — a reassuring bulwark against the rising tide. Some people doubtless wept as they sang, but they also believed. “Downton’s” creator, Julian Fellowes, was born in 1949, on the frayed edge of the doomed empire, in Egypt. But an Englishman to his marrow, Fellowes couldn’t escape the myths a nation tells about itself any more than we can escape those we tell ourselves. In fact, he embraced them — a cherished series coming to a joyous conclusion Sunday night as testimony. He believed, too.

Cultural observer/egghead types have long tried to figure out “Downton’s” vast appeal, but Sunday’s wrap really does reconfirm the obvious. Brilliant writing (courtesy Fellowes), great characters, and a gorgeous setting have all contributed. But “Downton” is also deeply, unashamedly sentimental. Most of us have been taught to scorn sentimentality. Instead, “Downton” long ago disarmed us hardened cynics, and disarms effortlessly again Sunday. Fellowes’ weapon of choice was humor — still is — and his soul mate one Violet Crawley (the great Maggie Smith) who is asked Sunday what makes the “English the way we are.”

“Opinions differ,” she explains. “Some say our history, but I blame the weather.”

Fellowes could have easily used this setting and these characters to rip apart a calcified world of rigid class divisions and the feudal peerage system ensuring their preservation. Never particularly interested in satire — at least of that sort — his Downton instead represented unity — not division — and equality, rarely servility. Of course, “Downton” was a fairy tale and what’s the good of a fairy tale if you can’t believe, too? Fairy tales also need happy endings, and it’s hardly a spoiler to say that you’ll get some happiness on Sunday, too.

The finale is also a forceful and bittersweet reminder of something else that made “Downton” so special. It embraced values that have long fallen out of favor on prime-time TV, if they ever were in favor — constancy, faith, charity, grace and compassion toward one’s fellow man and woman. “Downton” always insisted these values stood above passing fads, that they were the bedrock of a civil society and civilization. Passe? Corny? Maybe, but don’t tell that to the 10 million devoted fans who could find no such conviction anywhere else on television.

Meanwhile, Carson (Jim Carter) says with melancholic resignation in the finale, “The world is a different place from what it was and one must change with it.” At least there’s something we know that Carson can’t — there may be a “Downton” movie one of these days.

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As for Vera Lynn, now Dame Vera: She’s 98, and living in Essex. One hopes she was — and always will be — a “Downton Abbey” fan, too.

BOTTOM LINE Bring the tissues.

By Verne J Gay

Verne.Gay@newsday.com@vernejgay

Verne J Gay is the television critic