50 minSeason 1 • Episode 26
LatestGlencora's health is of concern to all (including us as viewers). She is determined to make sure that her children, especially Mary, have the ability to control their own future. Nothing can stop her passing, but she is among those who love her, and gets to bid each a special farewell to each, almost. Several months have passed since the funeral. Mary returns from a trip, with Marie, to the continent. Mrs Finn is convinced that Mary pines for something more than she can provide but the Duke convinces her to stay. Marie knows that the Duke must be told, but Mary understands that Frank must ask her father first. Silverbridge proposes to Isabel and she insists that he tell his father before she can give her answer. The Duke can barely deal with these two circumstances. Just when it looks like he will be defeated by his children's desires, Marie helps to remind him that they are Glencora's children also, and they deserve to achieve their hearts desire. Silverbridge discovers the
This sprawling BBC saga follows an aristocratic family through three generations of power, wealth, intrigue, and scandal in Victorian England. Based on Anthony Trollope’s “political” novels .
Production
BBC at peak costume-drama budget—every room drips with velvet guilt.
Writing
Trollope's political novels adapted with delicious parliamentary pettiness.
Acting
Susan Hampshire's eyebrow acting deserves its own BAFTA category.
Creator
Anthony Trollope
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Trollope wrote the Palliser novels parallel to his Chronicles of Barsetshire—this adaptation had to condense six novels into 26 episodes, sacrificing some of his obsessive fox-hunting subplots.
The 1974 airing predates both Brideshead Revisited and Downton Abbey, essentially inventing the modern template for multi-generational British aristocratic television.
GB
