It's taken five episodes to finally gain LEGS

This is a big cast on the order of UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS and it's taken FIVE episodes to finally gain some legs. The witchy matron has finally shown a softer side, the cowed sons aren't emerging very quickly, the singer is still much too farty, and the petty jealousies cheapen the entire rig.

It's NOT a "replacement" for Downton Abbey, sorry ITV. The writers and director are unable to focus on individual threads or develoop characters as well defined, or magnetic, or repulsive.

Furthermore, the characters in D-A were absorbed with appearance, position and propriety, which helped define where each of them existed in the pecking order and their aspirations (and jealousies). There no definition in the Halcyon, just people exerting power or being pressed by it.

The show is amusing, but the first five episodes are definitely not worth revisiting.