The Hero's Farewell - Misplaced Pages

10th episode of the 4th season of Upstairs, Downstairs

"The Hero's Farewell"

Upstairs, Downstairs episode

Episode no.

Season 4
Episode 10

Directed by

Bill Bain

Written by

Rosemary Anne Sisson

Production code

Original air date

16 November 1974 (1974-11-16)

Episode chronology

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"Another Year"

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"Missing Believed Killed"

List of episodes

The Hero's Farewell is the tenth episode of the fourth series of the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs. It first aired on 16 November 1974 on ITV.

Background

The Hero's Farewell was recorded in the studio on 8 and 9 August 1974. Rosemary Anne Sisson used the diaries of Lady Cynthia Asquith as inspiration for this episode, as she had for her earlier episode Tug of War. It is set shortly before October 1917.

Cast

Plot

Lady Prudence brings Mr. Gerald Maitland, a famous actor, to 165 Eaton Place after German bombing has destroyed many of the prominent houses in London, and persuades Richard to hold a series of historical tableaux, entitled The Hero's Farewell, in aid of the Red Cross. Since Lady Prudence knows Hazel would never agree, she takes advantage of Hazel's being in Eastbourne to plan the event. Lady Prudence and Gerald Maitland present tableaux of "Anthony and Cleopatra", "Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton", and "Columbus and Queen Isabella". Georgina is home on leave and is chosen to portray Florence Nightingale, while Ruby is to portray a Belgian peasant girl with Lady Prudence as a German officer. Lady Prudence asks Hudson to wear a kilt to show in the guests, but he refuses.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bridges and Ruby go to a "War Cooking" lecture after pressure from Mr Hudson. Mrs Bridges starts to make meals from leftovers, including "Win the War Pie", much to everyone's distaste.

At the dress rehearsal for the historical tableaux, an air raid strikes and Ruby becomes hysterical. The whole household takes shelter in the basement, while Hudson goes out as a special sergeant. When he comes back, he faints, having been hit by a piece of shrapnel and goes to hospital. The day after the raid, a telegraph arrives; James is "missing believed killed".

References

Notes

Marson, Richard (2005). "Inside UpDown - The Story of Upstairs, Downstairs". Kaleidoscope Publishing.

Sources

Richard Marson, "Inside UpDown - The Story of Upstairs, Downstairs", Kaleidoscope Publishing, 2005
Updown.org.uk - Upstairs, Downstairs Fansite

Upstairs, Downstairs

Episodes

Series one	"On Trial" "The Mistress and the Maids" "Magic Casements" "I Dies from Love" "Why Is Her Door Locked?" "A Voice from the Past" "The Swedish Tiger" "The Key of the Door" "For Love of Love"
Series two	"The New Man" "A Pair of Exiles" "Married Love" "Whom God Hath Joined..." "Guest of Honour" "The Property of a Lady" "Your Obedient Servant" "Out of the Everywhere" "An Object of Value" "A Special Mischief" "The Wages of Sin" "A Family Gathering"
Series three	"Miss Forrest" "A House Divided" "A Change of Scene" "A Family Secret" "Rose's Pigeon" "Desirous of Change" "Word of Honour" "The Bolter" "Goodwill to All Men" "What the Footman Saw" "A Perfect Stranger" "Distant Thunder" "The Sudden Storm"
Series four	"A Patriotic Offering" "News from the Front" "The Beastly Hun" "Women Shall Not Weep" "Tug of War" "Home Fires" "If You Were the Only Girl in the World" "The Glorious Dead" "Another Year" "The Hero's Farewell" "Missing Believed Killed" "Facing Fearful Odds" "Peace Out of Pain"
Series five	"On with the Dance" "A Place in the World" "Laugh a Little Louder Please" "The Joy Ride" "Wanted – A Good Home" "An Old Flame" "Disillusion" "Such a Lovely Man" "The Nine Days Wonder" "The Understudy" "Alberto" "Will Ye No Come Back Again" "Joke Over" "Noblesse Oblige" "All the King's Horses" "Whither Shall I Wander?"

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Thomas & Sarah

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