User Reviews

James returns from America, having made a fortune on the stock exchange. Alas for him, and so many others, it's temporary. James also invests and loses all of Rose's money, which she'd inherited from her fiancé, Gregory Wilmot. This leads to a huge showdown between James and his father, Richard. Bitter words are exchanged.

James goes to a hotel in Maidenhead and commits suicide.

The episode is beautifully acted with Simon Williams giving an excellent depiction of James's depression and his ongoing trauma from his experiences during the war. Despite all James's faults, it's hard not to pity him as he exits 165 Eaton Place leaving devastation in his wake.

October, 1929, James arrives back from America from visiting his sister Elizabeth full of excitement and big ideas. The whole household is swept along by his unnatural enthusiasm - but it's unhealthy... He invests all Rose's savings that were left to her during the War by her intended Gregory Wilmot who was killed at the front. At news of the 'Wall Street Crash', Rose naturally goes to pieces, and Richard Bellamy and Hudson go spare...

James is told some home truths by his father - but there can be no reconciliation this time... James has finally reached the end of the line, and takes his own life in an hotel room...

I must confess, this was the first time I'd ever felt sorry for the character James. I don't believe in the people who say those who attempt suicide are merely attention seekers - and even if they are; the average person in the street would not go about it that way, and so you can bet that there is something not right; they are either ill, or so desperately and genuinely unhappy with their lives, that they cannot contemplate living on this planet another day... In either case, they are to be helped - not criticised. I feel heartily sorry for anyone who is brought to this predicament - whether I like them or not, and I guess that is why I felt sorry for the character James.

This was the 'penultimate' episode of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' before ending forever, and was the final 'shocker' of several that was to be included in this fifth and final season.