Whither Shall I Wander?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style.
Please rewrite this article or section to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective.

“Whither Shall I Wander?”

'Upstairs, Downstairs' episode

Episode no.

Season 5
Episode 16

Written by

John Hawkesworth

Directed by

Bill Bain

Original airdate

21 December 1975

Episode chronology
← Previous	Next →
"All the King's Horses'"	–

List of Upstairs, Downstairs episodes

Whither Shall I Wander? is the final, concluding episode of the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs. It first aired on 21 December 1975 on ITV.

1 Plot
2 Cast
3 Footnotes
4 References

[edit] Plot

The family solicitor Sir Geoffrey Dillon stops by to advise of the massive debts left by the late James Bellamy and advises that 165 Eaton Place be liquidated by his creditors. Georgina, without any finances and and refusing to accept charity, decides that her wedding must be put off due to the financial obligations, but Virginia and Geoffrey conspire to secretly transfer £2000 from Virginia's investments to Georgina as a last-minute windfall from James' estate and the wedding is set for June 12, flourished with a massive cake baked by Mrs. Bridges. We see the reception but not the actual wedding, and the plot moves on to those of 165 Eaton Place going their respective ways. Richard, Virginia, and the kids move away to a small house, retaining Rose and inviting the servants to take keepsakes from 165 Eaton Place that are precious to them. Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Bridges announce that they married in a brief civil ceremony, "...in the eyes of the Lord, better late than never." Ruby aspires to move on to other lines of service and become an usherette, but Mr. and Mrs. Hudson, feeling that simple Ruby would be unable to fend for herself, decide to take her along to their boarding house by the sea. (Sadly, Angela Baddely [Mrs. Bridges] died the next year and, with her, the anticipated spin-off series.) The series concludes with Rose walking alone through the abandoned, lifeless house, recalling memories associated with each room, and finally leaving the property, which bears a sign showing that it has been listed.