Downton Abbey 6x09 Review: “Christmas Special” (For Old Lang Syne) [Contributor: Hope]

“Christmas Special”

Original Airdate: March 6, 2016

Downton Abbey’s series finale was everything it should have been and more. I went into this episode with all the reserve I usually have about series finales.

There have been some things I haven’t liked about Downton Abbey, but the good has always outweighed the bad. This episode? It was all good. This was the show at its finest, and everything I wanted to expect but was afraid to. Everyone was happy in the end, and perhaps there was a huge amount of joy and love going on there, but I’m an optimistic person, and besides, this episode ended with the holidays. The episode didn’t promise smooth sailing for all the characters from here on out. It ended on a happy moment in many of their lives, and the start of a new chapter for everyone. Even the house was starting a new chapter of its long life. Like the end of a good book, everything was wrapped up but not completely over. This story was over because we had followed the family through this stage of their lives, and now they are embarking on a new one.

I really do hope that we get a Downton movie someday, as long as there isn’t death and destruction in the plot. I wouldn’t want anyone to mess with this ending, because this was as close to perfect as a series finale can get, especially one for a show with plenty of life left in it.

The episode began with the whole family setting off to have a picnic (i.e. a table with crystal glasses and footmen) on the grounds, and any scene that involves Lord Grantham playing with his grandchildren earns an A+ in my book. In fact, expand that to include any scene where anyone plays with their children. Tom and Henry letting the children “work” in the agent’s office was adorable. I love that, throughout the episode, Henry is playing with George. I didn’t care that much for his character in the past, but the fact that he’s stepping into his role as stepfather, and treating Edith kindly, helps. Maybe he can help to build a bridge between the two (in the hypothetical future we don’t get to see). Meanwhile, Edith decided to move to London, work on her magazine, and enroll Marigold in school. But things were about to change...

THE HAPPY ENDING (FINALLY)

While on a trip to London, Edith meets Rosamund at the Ritz for dinner... but as they were led to their table, Bertie appeared, and Rosamund quickly jumped ship. Mary set the whole thing up, booked the table, and contacted Bertie. Later on Mary is kind of blasé about the whole plan, but somewhere in there was one of the best things Mary has ever done (with a little nudge and pointed look from the Dowager).

Bertie quickly made himself very clear: he wanted to get back together. Edith, however, was more than cautious. She almost had a grudge against him. I think she was less angry at him for breaking her heart than she was scared of getting her heart broken yet again. She wasn’t going to run right back to him just because he said he had changed his mind. She wasn’t going to set herself up for the fall again that quickly. Bertie begged. His voice cracked. He looked about to burst into tears while the waiters interrupted them (both Laura Carmichael and Harry Hadden-Paton deserve a huge round of applause for this scene). He said he was prepared for gossip and the possibility of his mother finding out about Marigold — none of it mattered if they were happy together.

Robert and Cora were beyond thrilled to hear the engagement was back on. They went to Bertie’s castle, which was more like a palace or a small kingdom. They’d been impressed by it when they went to visit Rose’s in-laws, but now, they looked on it with a new level of awe. Bertie’s mother made it pretty clear that she was in charge.

And what did Edith do? She let his mother be in charge of her own fate. Without Bertie’s prior knowledge, Edith went to her and confessed everything about Marigold. Bertie then defended Edith’s actions after he found out about their meeting. Edith coming clean showed her character more than anything else she could have done. Bertie’s mother needed a perfectly aimed comment from Robert at dinner, but finally she came to accept Edith. I think that from the moment Edith told her the truth, she had gained a respect for Edith that didn’t necessarily guarantee her approval, but paved the way for it. Edith’s choice showed her character growth, but also highlighted why Edith, of all people, needed a happy ending. Her happiness was in sight, finally, after so many disappointments and heartbreaks, and she risked it all in the name of honesty.

NEW JOBS AND BEGINNINGS (DOWNSTAIRS)

Thomas found a new job and decided that when he started, he wanted to be a new man. The first step was thanking Baxter, Anna, and Andrew for saving his life. The second was saying goodbye to the family (and those going with the family to Bertie’s). The third, saying goodbye to the horde of characters who turned out for his send-off. So many people! Major props to Rob James-Collier for so naturally turning Thomas into person who shoots everyone warm (balanced with just the right hint of embarrassment) smiles and tears up when someone — or himself — says something kind. It seemed like the end of the road for this storyline, and if we had never seen the conditions of his new job, it could have been.

Then we found out what a snooze-fest his new job was. His new lord and lady were approximately ninety years old, and he was one of three servants. Dinner was about as dull as watching paint dry. No arguments, Dowager snark, or blood-spewing here.

Meanwhile, the schoolmaster approached Molesley and Baxter in the village and offered the former a teaching position and a cottage to live in. Molesley couldn’t manage anything more than a squeak, so Baxter piped up and spoke for him. That’s what she does. That what she did for Thomas – she believed in him when he didn't believe in himself. She builds people up. Thomas decided to turn the tables and as a parting gift, told her to put her past behind her and not let the man who ruined her life hold any power over her. So she did just that. She told Molesley that she was moving forward, and he decided to do the same. He took the job, with the promise of coming back as a second footman for special occasions, and to keep in touch with her. That was one thing – one of the few things – I wished was different about this episode. It was hinted that they would end up together, but I would have loved a proposal.

In the kitchen, Daisy and Andy had a whole love story over the course of one episode, which was rushed but not too forced (Mrs. Patmore stated that Daisy’s aversion to Andy was the same as her aversion to Alfred after he realized he liked her. But I don’t completely see that. At that point, she had moved on from Alfred). She decided to give herself a haircut (never a good idea in the world of television), and after Anna fixed it, she chose to move in with Mr. Mason. And presumably, in the future, with Mrs. Patmore. I love the idea of Daisy’s father-in-law and the woman who has been like a mother to her being one happy family. They can all farm pigs and cook together. I’d watch that spinoff.

During the wedding reception, Anna went into labor in Mary’s room. For once, the roles were reversed, and Mary took care of her maid. Bates and Anna holding their baby boy, sitting on Mary’s bed as the New Year came in, was a poetic shot. Finally, after all the angst these two have had. I’m glad their storyline was a quiet, happy one this season. Also, Baby Bates will be kept in the nursery with the children during the day, and that's lovely.

The other one real issue I have with this episode is Carson’s illness. His hands started shaking until he could no longer pour drinks for the family, and he revealed to Mrs. Hughes that his father and grandfather both had the same, unnamed condition. Although I think it was nice to end the series with Carson retiring (but still in the wings, sharing his input) and the Abbey entering a new stage of it life with a new butler (the reinstated Barrow), I wish Carson hadn’t been ill. He probably wouldn’t have retired otherwise (even with the illness, he was very reluctant), but I can’t figure out what he actually had. At first I thought it was Parkinson’s disease, which doesn’t have a cure, although the symptoms can be treated in the modern age... but not back then.

Barrow being simultaneously rehired and promoted to butler ended up being bittersweet as a result. Even more emotional was the scene between Robert and Carson. You know what? I love this show, but sometimes, characters just need to hug. When characters leave, or something big happens, just HUG already! To anyone who had never seen the show before or who wasn’t familiar with how the characters should be acting for their culture and time period, that heart-to-heart would have seemed lacking. But it’s the viewers who have been watching the entire series unfold who can grasp the profoundness of this moment. There is so much said in their simple thank you’s and handshakes. Maybe that’s the magic of Downton — portraying so much emotion is such a collected and controlled way, and still making everyone’s hearts break in the process.

NEW JOBS AND BEGINNINGS (UPSTAIRS)

Edith and Bertie’s wedding was perfect. As was the scene by the stairs between Robert and his daughter. He was so proud of her, so happy that she was finally happy. I could go on, but there’s so much more I have to discuss. Just know that the scenes were touching and the sets were beautiful. It was the culmination of such a long journey, and it was wonderful.

Earlier in the episode, Henry announced that he had lost his love of racing because of the crash, and he and Tom decided to reinvent themselves. Tom, because he wanted something to do, and Henry, because he wanted to “deserve” Mary. I’m glad that wasn’t dwelled on any more than it needed to be, because we tackled that question already. She was supposed to have overcome her prejudice, and later on, when she learns about their new pursuit, she shows it. Tom and Henry open a car dealership, and Tom’s happy (and not race car driving). Mary also reveals that she’s pregnant, but insists that no one knows, so not to steal the spotlight from Edith. She sticks with that decision, too, and it was very mature of her, I’ll admit it. Mary was largely put on the back burner for the finale, which seemed right. Her resolution came in the previous episode. It was time for the pieces to fall into place for the rest of the large cast. Even with over one and a half hours of airtime, this episode could only fit so much.

Tom also seemed to hit it off with Edith’s editor, who also caught the bouquet at the reception. We’re left to assume that these two are next, and I’m fine with that. I’m glad Fellows didn’t try to rush a marriage for Tom, along with the other two. It would have been too much, and I don’t think it would have been necessary (I was just thrilled he returned for this season).

Meanwhile, Lord Merton revealed that he was diagnosed with pernicious anemia, and his son and daughter-in-law made him a prisoner in his own home. They wouldn’t let Isobel inside, even though the one thing he wanted was to marry her. So Isobel fought one more battle and brought the One Woman Army, Violet Crawley, with her, and together they moved him in with Isobel. They also got married, which we didn’t see on screen. I never really was rooting for these two, because I had always wanted Dr. Clarkson to try proposing again, but you know what? I’m happy with this (although it was a little like salt in the wound for poor Dr. Clarkson to be Lord Merton’s doctor). Clarkson broke the news that Merton was misdiagnosed and wasn’t going to die, so these two can continue to be married for (hopefully) years to come.

And last but not least, the heart of the show: Cora and Robert. Cora had embraced her new job as president of the hospital, and Robert was feeling a little jealous. That is, until Rose (returned for the holidays from the States) brought him to Cora’s meeting. She took questions from the audience, made them feel important and made them laugh... and Robert was so proud. In the last few minutes of the episode, they had a wonderful conversation in the upstairs hall. It was an end of an era for them — their children grown and married, their grandchildren running around, and the Dowager come to peace with her diminished control. They talked of the future, of how the house was safe at last, and it was just the sweetest moment. They really are the heart of the series, and the episode could have concluded with them. But Downton had one last thing in store for us.

THE END OF AN ERA

I didn’t know exactly how long this episode was going to be (actually an hour and 36 minutes) so as we neared the end, I kept thinking “oh, now THIS one is the last line.” And there were plenty of moments that would have made for a great final scene, and I would have been happy. The entire servant’s hall even broke into song, but as the camera cut to upstairs and as soon as I saw Violet on my screen, I knew this was it. How poetic it is for her to have the last word.

There were, technically speaking, two final lines of the show. The last lines belong to the whole downstairs cast, who sang "Old Lang Syne" as the camera panned out to a snowy, lit-up Downton. The song is all about remembering the past and the people of it. Downton has had so many characters who have come and gone, but on a larger scale, this series has given us a look at what life was like for these characters and their real-life counterparts. A typical history book will only tell you so much, and you can’t begin to grasp the interrelationships of a family and their servants. Or rather, of the family and the people they depend on, and who depend on them in return. You can’t immediately understand the struggles people faced in adjusting to the changing times, and maybe you wouldn’t realize that both upstairs and downstairs, there were the modern and the old-fashioned, the adapting and the sticks-in-the-mud.

Downton has such a variety of characters that we were able to understand this period of time through so many different personalities and roles. I don’t think you can truly appreciate history until you understand it through the eyes of the ordinary, human individuals who experienced it. The Titanic sinking. The Great War. The impending dawn of the modern age. They aren’t just marks on a timeline. They signify complex changes to society for both men and women. They directly or indirectly involved Downton’s characters and their relatives. With television, we experience events vicariously through the characters, on a specific level. The Titanic wasn’t just a ship that sunk and took far too many people with it — it was the voyage that doomed the heirs to the Abbey, setting the entire series into motion.

The last (non-sung) line belonged to Violet, and I can’t say I would have had it any other way. She had just told Cora that Downton — the village, the whole little kingdom — now belonged to her. She had symbolically passed her crown to Cora, along with an olive branch. Peace needed to be struck between these two, because the show began with them coming into agreement, but never a stable one.

Violet then sat down with Isobel as everyone toasted the New Year. On a perfect note, Downton commented on change one last time:

Violet: It makes me smile, the way every year we drink to the future, whatever it may bring. 

Isobel: What else can we drink to? We’re going forward to the future, not back into the past. 

Violet: If only we had the choice!

Thank you, Downton Abbey, for taking us back into the past for six seasons. I almost forgive you for ending so soon. 

Odds and Ends:

• There were some really beautiful wide shots of Highclere in this episode.
• Why hasn’t every episode included a scene with the family picnicking by that little bridge? 
• Violet was getting over a cold in the beginning of the episode, and I am so glad they didn’t try to kill her off. They had me worried there for a moment.
• “Never let tenderness be a bar to a bit of snooping.”
• “Well, anyone has a chance, don’t they?”
• “Your Mary isn’t my Mary.” “Let us hope it stays that way.”
• “Why can’t men paint themselves out of a corner? Such a waste.”
• “Heaven forbid he might have a bit of good luck without checking with the holy family.”
• “… and only Andrew stands between me and Armageddon.” 
• “Even good things come to an end.” “Well, I don’t know if you’re a good thing or a bad thing, but I know we’ve been together a long time.”
• “You’re cleverer than you look.” “That’s a relief.”
• Don’t try to use a pan as a mirror. It can’t do anything for your self-esteem.
• “We could [change] if our pasts would let us.”
• “Take away his power over you… let that be my parting gift to you.” “I hope you’re right.” “I am right.” Baxter has been so good to Thomas. That’s what she does as a character – builds others up and asks for nothing in return. 
• “You’re not going to believe it!” “She’s pregnant again.” “No.” “She’s been arrested for treason.” 
• “You should know by this point that I never answer any question more incriminating than whether or not I need a rug.”
• Bates and Barrow (temporarily) parted as friends, and I’m glad. 
• “Well, I doubt she’s told Clarkson, he’d faint.”
• “Please don’t make your life more difficult than it needs to be.”
• “And no one’s ever called you stupid.” Carson: the flatterer. 
• “Master George, I will always be your friend, wherever I am.”
• “It turns out, I saved her for better things.”
• “It only shows her courage, her decency, her loyalty. And her regard for truth.” 
• “I quite agree, and I have chosen accordingly.” 
• I think it must take a really, really rude member of the 1920s aristocracy to slam a door in someone’s face. 
• “If reason fails, try force!”
• “She is… unimpeachably honest.” “I have been waiting for someone to work that out.”
• “I heard Lady Grantham’s voice.” “I can well believe it.”
• 1920’s Britain, where bed rest attire includes bathrobes with a dress shirt and tie. 
• “How perfectly marvelous.” “And who can argue with that?”
• “I don’t want to steal Edith’s thunder.” “Which in itself is a sign of happy times to come.”
• Rose and Atticus. A telegram from Cora’s mother. Shrimpie! I’m glad they included some of the old characters. 
• Tom: “We like strong women here.” Downton really has revolved around the strong women of the show, and it has so many of them. 
• Bye Dr. Clarkson. If you had only proposed a little more clearly… 
• Finally, a wedding dress on this show that I liked. The lace was beautiful.
• “If you’re proud of me, you can be as proud as you want for as long as you like.”
• Anyone else imagine Gregson walking in at the very long speak now moment? 
• “You are a woman of substance... and I am lucky enough to call you my wife.” “So I don't have to give it up?” “You wouldn’t have anyway.”
• “I don't want to force your hand, Mr. Barrow.” “And I don't want to twist your arm, Mr. Carson.”
• “Well, she can’t have [the baby] now! In Lady Mary’s bedroom, certainly not!”
• “She never likes to be predictable.” Denker told Violet about Spratt’s column in Edith’s magazine, and Violet got a nice laugh out of it. I don’t know if she really enjoyed his articles that much, or if she just didn’t want Denker to win, but her reaction was true to character, as Spratt said. 
• “Downton will be a very different place without you at the helm.”
• “It’s your kingdom now. Your village. Your hospital.”
• Goodbye, Crawley family. In every emotional scene in this episode, like the one between Lord Grantham and Carson, there was an extra level of emotion that I’m sure was due to the fact that this was a goodbye for the actors as well. The entire cast and crew should be so very proud of themselves, because the writing, production, sets, and acting has been top notch. We can now view the entire series as a whole, and wasn’t it one of the truly great ones?

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Downton Abbey 6x08 Review (You Get What You Give?) [Contributor: Hope]

“Episode 6.8”

Original Airdate: February 21, 2016

The fact that Downton Abbey has both season finales and Christmas specials means that we get two long, climactic episodes in a row. The show's penultimate episode didn’t disappoint when it came to drama, but it let me down in some other aspects.

It all centers on my belief in getting what you give. Some call it karma. If you give good, you should get good. If you treat others terribly... perhaps the world shouldn’t dump a boatload of good into your lap? I believe in second chances and forgiveness, but I also believe in consequences and responsibility to go along with actions.

Mary did not get what she gave. I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt in the past, but this was awful. The episode started with her ruining a ton of relationships — her and Henry’s, Edith and Bertie’s, her and Edith’s, her and Tom’s — and ended with her riding off in a carriage, happily married. If that was supposed to be a satisfying ending, then either my definition is way off or this storytelling went down a wrong path.

THE SISTER DRAMA REACHES ITS CLIMAX

The episode began with breaking news: Bertie’s cousin, whose estate he had been agent of, had died. Briefly, everyone wondered if the new heir would keep Bertie, or if he’d be out of a job. Then the news hit: Bertie was the heir. He was going to be a marquess, outranking them all (a marquess is one notch below a duke and one above an earl, which is Lord Grantham’s title) and if Edith still decided to marry him, she would, too. The reactions of 90% of the family were priceless. Robert looked more proud than he has ever been of anything or anyone. Meanwhile, I was practically bouncing up and down I was so happy. “Poor old Edith” would finally get her happy ending, and TAKE THAT MARY. She would be one of the most powerful ladies in the country AND own her own magazine.

That lasted for about two minutes. With a little help from Tom, Henry stopped by while Bertie was there (to hear Edith’s answer, which was still very much up in the air). Mary then began a downward, out-of-control spiral into horribleness. She was terrible to Henry, and when she found out he had left and gone home — basically what she had told him to do, by the way — she decided to wreck Edith’s future as well. She had gotten Tom to admit Marigold is Edith’s daughter without actually saying the words, and Mary sat down to breakfast with that knowledge to use as a weapon.

Prior to that point, Edith had a few opportunities to tell Bertie the truth (especially that bench scene, which would have been perfect), but she let all of them pass. She hadn’t actually said yes to his proposal, but he took something she had said the night before to mean yes, and he decided to announce the news at breakfast. Edith knew this wasn’t the time, because Mary was a complete loose cannon, and Robert and Carson had left the room, leaving it wide open for her to launch an attack without them there to see her do it.

But who was there? Tom. The very moment Mary mentioned “Edith’s past,” Tom’s face fell and he took on a look of complete disappointment with a hint of betrayal. His “Mary, don’t,” was so soft, he almost couldn’t say it. That was the last straw for him; he had believed in a side of her that was good, but that look said it all, and he said everything else in their conversation later on at the agent’s office. “How many lives are you going to wreck just to smother your own misery? You’re a bully, Mary. And like all bullies, you’re a coward.” He said that, and it was awesome... but he also covered for her when her father asked what had happened. Robert even saw through it, asking “Was it really a mistake?” to which Tom answered, “What difference does it make?” Tom’s really good at admitting things without actually saying the words, isn’t he?

Bertie was shocked by the news and left the dining room, and for home soon afterwards. He and Edith stood on the lawn and talked first, though. This is where I can say that I guessed right. Strict mother or not, he didn’t really care that Edith had a child. No, what was a deal-breaker for him was that Edith didn’t trust him. He said she should have told him right from the beginning.

Of course, I can’t say that Edith was completely in the wrong about that. Society was changing, but she had been raised to believe that Marigold would have been a deal-breaker. She knew that the moment she told Bertie the truth would be a watershed point the size of the Continental Divide. He would either not care, and they would get married… or he would leave her (forget the fact that they’re both very much in love) and she’d be alone once again.

So no, I can’t blame her. She acted out of fear, and fear is an extremely harsh motivator. You can’t blame Bertie either, because he had given every indication that he loved her for who she is and doesn’t really care about old social norms. He would have taken Marigold in as a ward, so why wouldn’t he take her in as Edith’s daughter?

But Edith let it go on too long, and Mary snatched control of that watershed right in front of her. Their showdown in Edith’s room was AMAZING. Mary came to apologize and Edith wasn’t having any of it. An apology wasn’t going to cut it, because Edith knew it wouldn’t mean Mary would change. Maybe she was sorry, but she wasn’t sorry enough in that moment to want to make it up to Edith. She just assumed she’d be forgiven. Edith called her exactly what you know she’s been wanting to call her since forever, and walked out.

HAPPY ENDINGS?

Tom, disappointed and angry, called in the one-woman army: the Dowager Countess. She arrived home from the Mediterranean to talk some sense into Mary, but I think Violet could have been harsher. This is the Dowager we’re talking about here! It was a nice moment though, I’ll give it that. Her directions? “First make peace with your sister. Then make peace with yourself.”

So Mary “fixed” things, but skipped right to fixing her own life. She went to Matthew’s grave and asked for his forgiveness to marry again, while Isobel stood in the background, unseen except by us. But... okay, let’s face it: if anyone knew about guilt over marrying someone else, it was Matthew. I think we’re supposed to believe that all of Mary's lashing out had to do with her loss of Matthew and her fear of losing someone else. What she really needed forgiveness for, however, was ruining Edith’s engagement. Remember how devastated Tom looked in that scene? I am willing to bet that Matthew would have been just as disappointed in her. He believed in a better Mary, too. Mary just wanted a sign that he would have been happy for her, and I can’t help but think of that Ouija board and its message of “may they be happy” from the season two finale.

Isobel walked up and gave Mary her blessing. That was nice. Isobel’s storyline has been largely separate from Mary’s, which I think was the right way for it to be. But at this point, it was important for the series to have Isobel be so happy for her. I’m not exactly a fan of this marriage, but it just wouldn’t have been right without this scene between them.

So Mary calls up Henry, and he appears. He commented on that, even. She was horrible to him, but she called and he came running. Honestly, I’m not seeing the elements of a healthy relationship here. Maybe they are perfect for each other, maybe Mary has “met her match.” They’re both bossy and don’t listen to others, and if he wants to be bossy and unhearing along with her, then be my guest. If he likes that she’s “cool and collected,” then fine. Just don’t keep using “we’re in clearly in love!” as your reason for wanting to get married, because no matter how many times you say it, you’re not actually showing viewers that love. Bertie and Edith didn’t pound us over the head with a sign that said “WE’RE IN LOVE,” but just a look between them showed how much love they shared. Maybe it’s the actors, maybe it’s the writing. Maybe it’s both. I spent the whole Edith/Bertie goodbye scene thinking they might make up right there and then, because they looked like they were having such a hard time of it. They were saying it was over... and yet their expressions just screamed love.

Henry also had a marriage license conveniently on him from the last time he came, because he was just that sure she’d say yes. They get married that Saturday, and Edith shows up for the ceremony, because after all, Mary’s her sister. Edith hasn’t been the best sister either, but most of what she has done, she has done in response to Mary’s actions (like leaking to Pamuk story, way back when). However, this time Mary hurt her more than she has ever hurt her before, and what did she do? She put their differences aside. Edith showed more character growth in this storyline than Mary did, and I’m pretty sure this storyline was supposed to be about Mary’s growth. Even before, after she had finished calling Mary out, she tried to tell her “you’re wrong. Henry’s perfect for you.” Sure, she added that it was a good thing he’d escaped her, but there was something kind in there.

If this was supposed to be about character growth in Mary — to stop pushing away Henry and marrying again, despite social inequality — then it should have gone deeper than that. Matthew was middle class. He didn’t have much money except her father’s and Lavinia’s father’s. Matthew’s personality wasn’t like hers. In spite of herself, they finally married. We didn’t need a repeat of that storyline. What we needed was for Mary to contact Bertie, apologize for how she acted, and ask him to please give Edith another chance. Wouldn’t it have been beautiful if, as Edith stood there watching the children chase each other around Sybil’s grave, if Bertie came up? No words would have even had to been said; the episode could have ended like that.

HOUSE OF ILL REPUTE

Poor Mrs. Patmore. I’m not sure why this was so funny to everyone, but even upstairs they were laughing hysterically. Carson, however, took this too seriously, and was indignant that the family should be tied to the so-called scandal. When Robert, Cora, and Rosamund decided to eat breakfast at Mrs. Patmore’s B&B to foster good publicity, Robert saw something in Carson he didn’t like. “Oh, I think we need to show a little more backbone than that.” Sometimes Carson is way too protective of the family. He would have rather seen Mrs. Patmore’s business fail because of the rumor mill than let the family be seen there.

In a scene reminiscent of when Mrs. Patmore needed eye surgery, she was called upstairs and the Granthams just about made her year. It meant so much to her that they were standing by her side and had such loyalty to her. Their photograph together outside the B&B was also a sweet moment.

GOOD KARMA

Mr. Molesley started his career as an English literature and history teacher, with a bumpy start. The thing about teaching is that no matter how well you ready your material, nothing prepares you for the first time you’re standing there with all those little faces watching you, bored. Mr. Molesley isn’t the kind of person who can automatically captivate a room of distracted children. He had to learn how.

Baxter suggested Molesley tell the children that he’s a servant. And it worked. They saw him as someone much like themselves. He was an example they could follow, if only they worked hard enough. He wanted to “give [them] the shortcut [he] never had.”

What I love is that everyone else is so happy for him. They gave him a huge round of applause, and Bates told him, “You’re a kind man. It’s about time you were rewarded for your kindness.” At least Molesley got back from the world what he had given it. As much as I want to see some of the other characters happy, I am so relieved that Molesley has at least finally found his calling. A lot of the characters have done questionable things in the past, but I can’t remember him doing anything with ill-intent. He deserved this so much.

THOMAS BARROW

As if the Edith/Mary storyline wasn’t enough for one episode. Baxter was going with Molesley to the school to watch him teach and lend moral support, when he mentioned that Barrow has said something kind to him — something kind of sentimental and final.

Baxter immediately ran back to the house. She and Andy found Thomas in the bathtub. I can’t even write about this scene. Long story short, they had found him just in time, and told the rest of the staff that he had the flu while he recuperated. They did, however, tell the family, who were shell shocked. Mary launched a comment at her father about his plan to let Thomas go. It was a low blow and not the time or place for it... but true? Thomas hasn’t been considerate to the feelings of others in the past, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune to what people say to him. He had changed, but everyone kept seeing him as the same old Thomas. He had begun giving the world good, but he wasn’t getting any good back. Whatever Thomas has said or done to others in the past, he never deserved this. No one deserves this.

Mary brought George to see Thomas. She realized that she and Thomas aren’t that different — he was terrible to people and pushed them away, and now he was “paying the price.” It was a bit of a wake-up call for her. He said he couldn’t stop himself from acting as he had. Maybe it was time for her to try to stop herself.

 

Odds and Ends:

• What a heavy episode. Now, take some deep breaths and let the cuteness that is Tiaa calm you down a bit.
• I love that the opening credits have never changed, even as time has moved on. 
• The first scene, where Edith and Cora walked the grounds with their parasols was nice. It reminded me of an earlier era. 
• “You’ll regret it if you don’t [tell him].” “With my luck, I’ll regret it either way.”
• Is Sergeant Willis the only police officer who’s allowed to come to Downton, or...? 
• “But she did give you Tiaa.” “True. I forgive her everything.”
• Daisy passed her tests! But I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen next. Will she teach?
• “Golly gumdrops!” 
• “I think if you expect a lot, you get a lot.” 
• The scene in between Mary and Tom in the woods had such pretty lighting. 
• Bertie inheriting his cousin’s estate and title was reminiscent of Matthew inheriting Downton. A nice way to bring the series full circle. 
• “Representing the people who look after [him]” is a nice way for Bertie to view being a member of the landed nobility. And he was so shaken up about his cousin dying. He’s simply a refreshing character who isn’t afraid to show emotion or be kind.
• TOM AND BERTIE PUT ON A PUPPET SHOW FOR THE CHILDREN. Adorable.
• “If you’re trying to get rid of me, I’m going to make this as hard and as horrible as I can.” Oh yes, that sounds like true love, doesn’t it? 
• Merton’s daughter-in-law-to-be wasn’t expecting someone as sharp as Isobel. 
• “Did you tell him you were coming back?” “A good butler should not need to be told.” Apparently butlers need to be telepathic.
• “Get me a duke, there’s got to be one to spare, so I could put Edith in her place.” There is so much wrong with this sentence.
• “I believe in love. Brilliant careers, rich lives, are seldom lived without a bit of love.” Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: master of harsh wit and poetic philosophy. 
• Um, so Spratt is the person writing the advice column in Edith’s magazine and it’s so random and I’m confused. 
• “You’re my curmudgeon and that makes all the difference.”
• “I assumed you would be fairly sorry, unless you were actually insane.”
• “You’re my sister. And one day only we will remember Sybil. Or… anyone of the others who were people of our youth until at last, our shared memories will mean more than our mutual dislike.” What a beautiful scene. 
• Tom has been best man at both of Mary’s weddings. The first time, as Matthew’s friend, and the second time, for someone he now refers to as his sister. He forgave her pretty quickly, but he isn’t one to hold a grudge.
• “It seems all our ships are coming into port.”
• “A surprise is a surprise, Mama, and I’m sure we haven't seen the last one yet.” That had better be some blatant foreshadowing. Edith’s storyline needs to make a 180.
• Series Finale Wish List: Edith and Bertie married, Molesley and Baxter engaged, Barrow promoted to Butler as Carson retires, Isobel ending up with Dr. Clarkson, Tom happy, and everyone happy and healthy. No more sad tears, show. You’ve put us through enough. Give us one episode of perfect happiness.

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Downton 6x07 Review: (Endings and Beginnings) [Contributor: Hope]

“Episode 6.7” 

Original Airdate: February 14, 2016

There are only two new episodes left after this week’s, can you believe it? I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact this show is ending and that this isn’t just another long hiatus. I can’t believe the span of time this show has covered in six short seasons. I can’t believe how many characters have come and gone. You know, if I wasn’t writing these reviews (which I love doing), I would be tempted to hold off on the finale episodes for a while and stay in denial.

It took a lot of self-control to not title this review NEW PUPPY!!, because while there was, in fact, a puppy – and some other really great, happy things – there were also some somber aspects of the episode. I’m still not entirely sure the old cars had to take up that much screen time (I’m guessing someone in production thought they were cool – which they were – and thought “hey, let’s watch them go around about a dozen times”), but the visual and tonal contrast between the race track and the picnic scenes was effective and just another example of Downton still at its best.

I still understand the whole going-out-on-top thing. It’s something that earns a lot of respect from me, because when it comes down to it, I want a show to tell a complete, structured story, not one that is forced beyond its natural end. A show that milks itself for all its worth loses points in my book. I’m just not convinced that season seven would have been too much – in fact, I think Downton still had a lot left in it. There would have always been something new happening and changing. This season could have progressed more naturally. And we have to remember that Downton seasons aren’t the seasons we’re used to in the U.S. A show with 6 seasons with 23 episodes each is going to run its course a lot more quickly than a show with 6 seasons and 9 episodes (or fewer) each.

RACE TRACK DISASTER

Mary and the family were invited to go to the track to watch Henry race his car. Mary had a hard time watching as drivers cut each other off going 90 kilometers an hour (a speed I found surprising. Think how much faster they could have gone if their aerodynamics hadn’t been so terrible). Now, I haven’t been buying it that Mary and Henry have fallen madly in love, because honestly, I don’t think Downton is showing us that. They’re telling us, sure, but I haven’t actually seen the proof of it, and until I do, I don’t have much stock in this storyline. The point is, however, that as Mary anxiously watched (or didn’t watch) in the stands, there was more to it than her feelings for him. She rides in cars all the time, but note that the family’s car has a top on it. These cars don’t. Matthew’s car didn’t. She watched these men racing around in circles in their open-topped cars, and her anxiety made her feel like a clock was ticking, that it would just be a matter of time before one of them crashed.

And crash they did. Henry’s car had just disappeared out of sight when a crash was followed by a lot of smoke drifting up through the trees. Everyone franticly ran (or stopped people from running) to the scene of the crash, where one of the cars was up in flames. Major credit is due to Michelle Dockery for her reaction in this scene. Mary watches the wreck in shock and terror. It’s as if a nightmare is repeating itself, and she can’t take that.

Henry emerges the wreck with guilt and bad news – the person who crashed was Mr. Rogers, who was his best friend and someone they’d all met. Henry goes off alone, feeling responsible for the fact that Mr. Rogers was even in that car to begin with or going that fast. He wanted to talk with Mary, but she insisted they not. She knew this wasn’t the best time to break up with him, and maybe if he had given her more time, she wouldn’t have done it at all. However, he called after a tense dinner and Tom thought she should at least answer him. He needed someone to talk to, and more importantly, he needed her to talk to. But she couldn’t take it, and while she’d been prepared to hold off on this conversation, her emotions got the best of her. She told him goodbye.

She never saw Matthew’s death coming, but she would see Henry’s coming every time he stepped into a car. She didn’t want that, she couldn’t deal with that, and she certainly couldn’t ask him to give up his love of racing. Tom watched as she broke up with Henry over the phone, and was there for her when she hung up in tears and panic. This was one of the most emotionally raw moments Mary has had, and (with apologies to Mr. Rogers) I’m glad we got to see this scene. If they were going to try to sell Mary and Henry as a couple, there needed to be more emotion, and we certainly got it. We needed to see more emotion from Mary, period, and we needed Matthew to play a part in this. There are emotional stakes, now, and it really helped out the storyline.

THE PROPOSAL

Contrast that storyline with Edith’s. She didn’t have all that much going on in the episode, other than being a happy couple with Bertie at Rosamund’s and the race track. They ended up staying behind in the drawing room when everyone else had gone to bed. Didn’t they look perfect sitting on the couch in that scene? Then things got even better because Bertie proposed!

Edith’s answer was two-part. Firstly, she asked if Marigold, “her ward,” could come along with them. He didn’t see why not, yet another reason they’re meant to be. But he also thought it was a little strange, which was warranted. “I’m much fonder of her than anyone else” wasn’t the best excuse in the world, and kind of makes the others seem cold and snobbish out of context. Edith also said she needed time to think about it, which Bertie was cool with. What she really needs to think over, it seems, is whether or not to tell him that Marigold is her daughter. I’ve previously expressed my opinion of how I think his character would react, and the way he acted in this episode should only back up that hypothesis. So I’m not all that worried about it, unless Mary goes behind her back and tells him. Then facts might get warped, seeing as Mary doesn’t actually know any of them.

But what makes Edith’s storyline so much more believable to me than Mary’s? One, there is more chemistry and narrative between Edith and Bertie. Obviously, chemistry is subjective and that’s just what I’m seeing. However, the story is something we’ve all been witness to. Edith and Bertie hit it off in the season 5 finale, and he appeared earlier in the season than Henry did, and he’s had more scenes with Edith than Henry has had with Mary, and those scenes have been deeper and more personal. Remember the conversation on the (first) couch, after they finished publishing the magazine? They had a heart-to-heart. They’ve had some really nice, quiet moments, and he has fit in with the family nicely, adding his much-needed input on the open house. He wanted to meet Marigold. He encourages and supports Edith, and just wants to spend time with her.

I’m not saying that Henry wouldn’t want to say or do similar things with Mary, but the point is, we haven’t seen as much of him. It’s a scientific fact that the more you see of a person, the more likely you are to think well of them and connect with them. That applies both to the characters and to the audience. More screen time means more connection with the characters. Mary & Henry and Edith & Bertie are different kinds of characters with very different personalities, and maybe I feel more invested in one relationship than the other because of that. After this episode and its emotion, there’s finally something concrete to the Mary/Henry dynamics. Am I completely sold? No. But it’s a start.

CARSON COOKS

Meanwhile, Mrs. Patmore had a devious plan: Mrs. Hughes would feign a hand injury and sit aside while Carson tried and epically failed to cook dinner. He discovered all those things that anyone who doesn’t cook often realizes about two seconds too late: cooking is all multitasking. Mrs. Hughes sat at that table chuckling to herself, and it was one of the best parts of the episode. Carson fell asleep at the kitchen table and upon waking up, found out that he also had to wash the dishes he’d just done all that cooking with. I think if Carson knew about the modern microwave, he wouldn’t have put as much of a fight against it as he did with the electric toaster.

Also a notable scene between these two: when the family was in London, they went into the library and sat on one of the red couches. While Mrs. Hughes had the mentality that it was simply a couch, and a really nice one at that, Carson approached the sitting process like he was about to commit a capital offense. It wasn’t long though until he got comfortable and they both leaned back to relax. Wouldn’t that be a twist, or a really cool spinoff: The family moves out of the abbey! The Carsons, suddenly and miraculously rich, move in! I would watch that. Hey, I’d even write it if I had to.

Then Barrow walked in and they sprung out of the couch (a nice callback to when Alfred and Jimmy sat in the drawing room). They looked completely guilty… but they also snubbed Barrow. He could have sat down, too.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

Molesley and Daisy had their exams, which we never actually saw. What we did see, however, was a picnic between Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, Barrow, Andy, Molesley, and the schoolmaster. Almost everyone else had followed the family to London, so they spend the lunch hour sitting outside in the sunshine. Thomas arrived with the forgotten lemonade, which was a nice touch. When Daisy asked Andy to read something aloud, Barrow quickly stepped in and read it for him, but the truth wasn’t long in coming. Everyone was kind and non-judgmental, and the schoolmaster offered to teach him… but told Barrow he couldn’t teach Andy anymore so the different methods of teaching wouldn’t result in confusion.

Barrow is losing his job, his friends, and now he can’t even help someone. Everyone asked him to be nicer for all those years, and now that he’s being kind, he’s being thrown out into the cold. His scene in the courtyard with Mrs. Hughes was significant. She saw him leaving as a new beginning for him, a chance to change and make friends. He thought he’d already done that. “You see, Mrs. Hughes, this is the first place I’ve found where I’ve laid down some roots.” He might not have always been kind to them, or them to him, but they are his family.

Later on, the schoolmaster came by the servant’s hall with news for Molesley – he had aced the test and was invited to join the teaching staff. Seeing Molesley happy, finally happy, was another checkmark on my mental list of Final Season Wishes. He’s had a hard time, and he gets to start over with something he’s really passionate about. He and Daisy had a nice conversation about how service is coming to an end and he simply has a head start on joining the rest of the world. Meanwhile Barrow sat completely alone at the table while everyone else gathered in the kitchen to celebrate. “Happy” and “ominous” sums up this whole side of the episode.

BON VOYAGE

Violet decided that until she calmed down enough from her dethroning, she needed to distance herself from the family and go to France. But before leaving, she did three things that are crucial testaments to her character. For one, she told Isobel first, and gave her a letter to give to the family. Two, she tracked down Lord Merton’s daughter-in-law-to-be and had a nice little chat with her in regards to Isobel. As it turns out, the woman was a perfect match for Lord Merton’s son. Violet put an (awesome) end to that, and these two things show how much she cares for Isobel. They started off as enemies, then turned into frenemies, and now they have a close bond that unites them. Violet might have wanted to leave without talking to her immediate family – especially Cora – but she chose to tell Isobel for more reasons than that. I love how the show has brought them together over the years.

The third thing Violet did was buy a puppy for her son. I had missed Lord Grantham’s dog so much. Spratt delivered the puppy to the servant’s hall, and Carson didn’t think she should be taken upstairs. How could Carson not be smiling about this? How could anyone not be happy about this? Robert immediately named the puppy Tiaa, in keeping with the dogs’ Ancient Egyptian names. Everyone was so happy, and I’m just now realizing how many happy scenes including almost all of the cast have occurred so far this season. With two episodes left, there had better be plenty more where that came from.

Odds and Ends:

• “I’ll return when I’ve gained control of my tongue.” “You’re an example for us all.”
• “But I’m not in a state, unless it’s a state of boredom.”
• My reasoning for travelling is to make myself eager to come home.”
• Violet: “Well, I’ve written to Tom, told him how to reach me. Of them, he’s the most sensible.” How things have changed.
• “Clearly were going to have to keep an eye on Tom.” I would have agreed, but after that crash, I doubt he’d risk his life when he has Sybbie to think about. 
• “It feels as if we’re trapped in some witch’s curse for all eternity.” 
• The rocky camerawork during the crash scene was A+. They took the normally smooth camerawork used for upstairs and kicked it five notches past the handheld downstairs scenes to achieve complete chaos. 
• “It’ll be you next.” Molesley’s response to his new job is to building up Andy’s self-esteem. A nice reminder that he’s one of the most good-hearted characters on the show. 
• Molesley: “I never think I deserve anything. Perhaps I’ve been wrong all along.”
• Mary wore black at dinner, after the crash. A subtle but telling detail of how much it had affected her.
• Daisy: “I never had much that was my own, you know.” Mrs. Patmore: “You found the love of a father there, and you can count on him. Just as you can count on me.” A nice explanation for Daisy’s possessiveness of Mr. Mason. It was inferable, but I’m very glad it was said.
• “The thing is, I’d like to be trapped.”
• “You’re not offended?” Dude, she’s been waiting for someone like you for years. 
• Mrs. Patmore opened her bed and breakfast… but why is someone is watching her from the shrubbery??
• “Don’t you know anything?” (As most of us go off to Google “Teo.”) 
• “What’s funny?” “Just life… just life.”

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Downton Abbey 6x06 (Principle and Logic) [Contributor: Hope]

"Episode 6.6"

Original Airdate: February 7, 2016

Well, this episode was a welcome change, wasn’t it? Jokes and an absence of fake blood make for a pretty solid episode. Lord Grantham was recovering (!!!) from his surgery and trapped in his room for the entirety of the episode. There was a lot of humor when the doors of the Abbey were opened to the public, and tensions rose when the balance of power was upset.

Let’s begin.

UNINTENTIONAL USURPING

Isobel and Dr. Clarkson had some news for Cora, and the former looked terrified, because two things were happening: the village hospital was to be combined with York’s after all, and Violet was no longer going to be the president... Cora was.

I love, love, love this turn of events, because Cora ran the hospital during the Great War and she deserves to have something to do now. Dr. Clarkson wanted her to be involved with the actual running of the place and be more than a figurehead, but Robert wasn’t so sure about it. Why would she want to work? “So?” she replied, “I had one career already, raising my daughters. I’m ready for the next.” This was amazing, and I am 100% on board with this storyline. Actually, I want there to be a season seven so this storyline can actually play out, please and thank you. From the beginning, Downton has focused its attention on change, especially for its female characters. Edith now owns a magazine. Mary runs an estate. Cora deserves to have something to do other than throw dinners and make calls, because that’s boring. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. Victorian and Edwardian women didn’t have much to occupy themselves with other than some pretty dull stuff, and it’s about time Cora had something of her own. She needs to do something where her opinion is sought and matters.

However, this turn of events caused a rift between Cora and Violet, because obviously the Dowager wasn’t about to be deposed and not put up a fight. It was a done deal, and even Robert pointed out that their time — the aristocracy’s — was over. Social order and tradition (principle) were giving way to qualification (logic), and Violet simply wasn’t qualified to be president anymore. Cora and Violet have never had the best relationship, and we’ve certainly been lead to believe that before the show started, they had never had a good relationship. They were brought together in season one by their fight for Mary’s right to the estate, and while things haven’t been smooth between them, they haven’t been as bad as I fear they’re about to become. It’s hard to fix things when one party stops speaking to the other.

TOUR TROUBLES

I need to start off by saying how hilarious everyone’s reactions were to this plan. Mary and Tom decided to raise funds for the hospital by having an open house and letting the villagers tour the Abbey. Their arguments against how much they money they could actually raise were summed up by Robert’s objection, “but what are they paying to see it? We have nothing to show them.” Even the staff were confused, with Bates saying “I don’t see why anyone would pay good money to come and look.” But Violet had the best reaction: “But why would anyone pay to see a perfectly ordinary house?!” and then continued on a wonderful rant to Isobel, who wasn’t so confused. Of course people would pay to see the house! It’s gorgeous. It’s huge. It’s historical.

Everyone eventually settled down to the idea, but then Bertie came to dinner and started bringing some much-needed order to the event. Everyone was shocked that they needed servants to guard each room, a rope to close off the upstairs, and tour guides who knew something about the house. Which apparently described no one. The best of the bunch would have been Molesley, who looked as if he wanted to pitch in some facts, but thought the better of it (he would have made an enthusiastic tour guide, don’t you think?) Cora, Mary, and Edith led their tour groups with surprisingly little knowledge. They didn’t know who the people in the paintings were, what else the architect built, why the crests were covered up on the fireplace, or even why Downton Abbey has the word “abbey” in its name. I can’t believe they wouldn’t have made that connection (that it was an abbey before the English Reformation and dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII), but I can see where they’re coming from. Everything is ordinary to them. They’ve been surrounded by these objects for most or all of their lives. The objects were just there. You would have thought Cora would have known a little more, however. She must have asked a few questions when she came over from America.

A little boy slipped upstairs and had a nice chat with Lord Grantham in a very sweet scene. His main question was, why not move somewhere cozier? Lord Grantham was like a little kid, tucked in bed, which made the whole conversation even more amusing. He answered the kid’s “Why’s it so big, your house?” with a thoughtful, “I’m not sure, really. But you know how it is — you like what you’re used to.” It’s not that the family doesn’t get out much, but they do live in a bubble. Their lives are perfectly normal to them, and suddenly have hordes of people flocking to see their natural environment has forced them to think more about their way of life than they ever have. It must be mind boggling, and the whole cast is doing a great job portraying it.

One of my favorite scenes of the episode was at the end. Everyone gathered around in Cora and Robert’s room (and by everyone, I mean everyone: Tom, Isobel, I think even Bertie) to discuss the success of the open house. Tom suggests that they make this a regular thing to raise money not for charity, but for the estate. Most of the room thinks it’s an insane idea, but in real life, that’s what happens. The real life owners of the Highclere Castle have turned their home into a business, and Tom gets to be the one to come up with the idea and start it all. Cora understands that their way of life is becoming an endangered species, but Mary argues, “Thankfully George and I are made of sterner stuff than the lot of you.” And like Tom, I don’t doubt it. She’d be the one to keep Downton running after the series is over, and God help anyone who tries to take it away from her. Since it was partially her idea to hold the open house, I don’t see her resisting the idea of making it a regular thing, if it came down to it.

NO CREDIT

This episode picked up where it left off with Thomas — he started teaching Andy how to read. I’ll say it again that it’s such a kind decision and shows a lot of character growth. Old Thomas would have used this information as blackmail, probably, but not this Thomas.

Unfortunately, Carson was still talking about cutting the staff back, and how Thomas will be the first to go, because being the Under Butler is extraneous. “But I am the first,” Barrow interrupts. Because he has a higher station in the house, a station he’s worked his way up to, a station that was respected… but no longer needed, he’s the first to go. It doesn’t seem fair (ignore his various schemes for a moment). Why doesn’t Carson retire? Wouldn’t that be more sensible? Mrs. Hughes could retire as well, and Anna could become Housekeeper after she has the baby. You know Mary would work something out in regards to caring for the baby during the day. Carson himself said that Mary doesn’t really need a lady’s maid anymore. Why not show, WHY NOT?

Mary wanted to keep him on, especially after she saw him playing with George. And maybe she sees a little of herself in him? Mary and Thomas are similar characters, let’s face it. They’re not always the nicest of persons, but they have grown a bit, and around certain people they show a kinder side. Everyone’s used to their harsher sides, however, and they would have to fight a negative bias to get anyone to believe they’re sincere about something.

Old Thomas would have also told Mr. Carson why he was spending so much time with Andy. Instead of telling him the truth and betray Andy’s trust, he asked Carson to take his word that nothing was going on between them. Mr. Carson wouldn’t buy it. “So my word is still not good enough, Mr. Carson, after so many years?” He looked like he was going to cry as Carson left the room… and in the last scene, HE DID. What a sad note to end a rather upbeat episode on.

Odds and Ends:

• “You think they must be having a better time, and next thing you know there’s a guillotine in Trafalgar Square.”
• Mary: “Is he worth it?” Edith: “As opposed to your car mechanic?” Tom: “I’m a car mechanic, thank you.” Oh, the irony that Mary might marry a mechanic.
• “What on earth can we show them? Lady Grantham knitting? Lady Mary in the bath?” CARSON’S EXPRESSION. What even possessed Robert to say that?!
• The exterior of the Carson Cottage is adorable.
• “I can manage without you for as long as you want.” Tom watched these two argue with an amused expression, like they were silly children. (Well...)
• Thomas playing with George was so sweet.
• I love that Tom is tagging along to places with Mary, and that none of their aristocratic friends seem to care anything about his previous social status.
• How come rain happens so suddenly on TV? DRIZZLE FIRST, people.
• Henry: “Well, you’re the boss.” Well, it’s a good sign that he already knows and respects that fact, because dude, it’ll be the truth.
• “He’s nice, he’s mad about you, and he loves cars. I rest my case.”
• What was with Lord Merton and his daughter-in-law-to-be? And how crazy is she to marry one of his hateful sons?
• “Well, you always knew he was old to be trained as a husband.”
• Mr. Mason gave Mrs. Patmore a basket of vegetables, or as I called them in my notes, LOVE VEGGIES.
• What is with Carson?!
• Bertie was introduced to Marigold and does ANYONE have a doubt at this point that he’ll take the truth well? He’s a very good-natured person, and so far he’s neither too old, nor has a wife in an asylum, nor has any intention of going to Germany. And he goes well with Edith. I’m far more invested in them than I am in Mary and Henry, sorry.
• “I feel like the Belgians waiting for the invasion.” “Or a monkey in the zoo.”
• “Oh, well... they were all rather marvelous and... living that life.”
• “Mama, you all of people don’t want to bore [our guests]” Like an argument between their Lady and Dowager Countess in the Great Hall wouldn’t entertain them.
• Molesley was so enthusiastic in insisting that Baxter not go visit that guy in prison. I wish he’d just propose already.
• Goof: Molesley had Daisy run up to the library to cover for him, but he had been stationed in the hall. OOPS.
• “I am sick and tired of logic. If I could choose between logic and principle, I’d choose principle every time!”
• “Why is she in such a tizzy?” — Little kid about the Dowager Countess.
• “He was more of a philosopher than a thief.”
• “That’s sad. It means that our way of life is strange.”

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Downton Abbey 6x05 (Bad Harvest) [Contributor: Hope]

“Episode 6.5”

Original Airdate: January 31, 2016

We’ve known that Lord Grantham has been sick for a while now, and his illness has been hanging over the show like a fog of anxiety. When I watched the season five Christmas special, I didn’t enjoy the episode until the second time around. Watching the episode for the first time, I was constantly worried about him. First, they went shooting; then they were all happy at Christmas. And I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. It never did... until this week. Lord Grantham’s illness retroactively overshadowed everything else that happened in this episode, and it wasn’t until I watched it a second time (bless PBS and its early-release DVDs) that I could write this review.

On the upside — and it’s the only upside other than Violet probably backing off from the whole hospital drama — there are another four episodes left to bring the happy endings. The further toward the end his illness was put off, the worse I would have feared for the outcome.

PIG FARMING 

Well, it turns out that Mr. Mason is actually a pro pig farmer (has that EVER been mentioned before, or was an A+ example of retcon?), so he was right at home. Daisy, Mrs. Patmore, and Andy helped him to move in, and Andy revealed that he wants to not only live in the country, but also be a pig farmer himself. If this isn’t leading to Daisy and Andy ending up together, then I don’t know what’s going on here. The group of four made a pleasant little family, and the scenes were enjoyable.

However, it turns out that Andy can’t read, so the pig farming books Mr. Mason lent him were useless. (Someone go back and watch how Andy read his magazines in previous episodes, and figure out if it looks like he’s just looking at the pictures. I don’t want this to be another retcon.) I thought maybe Daisy would find out and tutor him... but instead it was Thomas who realized what was happening and offered to help. He was almost kind of Carson-y and fatherly for a moment there? I don’t know how else to describe it. THIS is why the other characters are loyal to Carson — because while he’s not exactly the warm and fuzzy type (like Thomas), he does have a softer side that comes out when others really need it.

A RANT ABOUT MARY

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a husband...”

Not. 

Let me put this out there, without knowing if this is popular opinion or not: I’m not feeling this whole Mary and Henry thing. The problem is that it’s so late in the game that it’s going to be really hard to sell this. And I’m not very interested in buying. I’m not a huge fan of Mary. I think she’s an interesting and complex character, but I’m just not all that invested in her. It would have been more organic of a storyline had she fallen for one of “Mary’s Men” (if the competition of Tony, Charles, and Evelyn didn’t epitomize that paraphrased quote, I don’t know what does). Mary and Tom had a lovely heart to heart about how a marriage should be between two equals — one believed between equals of personality and character, the other in equals of fortune. I’ll give you one guess who said what.

Henry might, in fact, be too much her equal in personality. Matthew was her opposite. He brought out her softer side and when she was with him, she was a kinder person. She wasn’t a saint, but she tried to live up to his opinion of her. He saw more to her than her snobbery and pointed comments. He saw a person underneath — someone who could be set free if only Mary let herself. I was imagining what the series would have been like if Dan Stevens hadn’t decided that he wanted to leave. Maybe she would have experienced major character growth. Matthew died and she regressed back to her old self. Fellows could have also played it a different way, however. George (who looks like a miniature Matthew, by the way — good job, casting department) could have been her light, the one to continue to bring out a more good-natured side of her character.

Something Fellows has done, however, is make Tom a character who helps to soften her. Their conversation was warm and genuine, and you could see the cracks in Mary’s attitude. Tom is a good observer and understands situations as a bit of an outsider, and it shows in how he sees Mary. He obviously sees how harsh she can be, and the underhanded comments she slings at Edith, but he also knows there’s another side to her.

So now we come to Henry, who is still largely unknown. He carries himself in a way that isn’t totally unlike Mary, but I just can’t pin down what exactly it is about him. Maybe it’s a strand of arrogance and confidence, mixed with that inability to actively pursue someone. Maybe that’s the difference — Tony, Charles, and Evelyn all vied for her attention (when they mentioned Evelyn, I thought how funny it would be if they ended up together now). Mary and Henry would have to both put in effort to make this work. She doesn’t vie... or at least she hasn’t unless it was for money. Remember back in season one? Mary's purpose was to find a rich, preferably titled husband to marry. It wasn’t about love. Now, it is about love, and she isn’t going to pursue anyone or settle for anyone because she has been in love and doesn’t need to marry again if she doesn’t want to. I would have rather Fellows NOT base her happy ending on finding love again. If the (Edwardian) point of the early series was that she had to marry, the (almost modern era) ending could have been her (with her son) basically in charge of the estate and certainly in charge of herself. Maybe she would find love again, and maybe she wouldn’t — that would be open-ended, and she would be fine with it. It’s in line with her character. And after all, she had told her father she didn’t want to marry again unless she met the perfect person. I would have rather not had that “perfect person” appear shortly after.

However, I’m not minding the execution of this story as much as I thought I would. That is, in large part, due to Tom, who played matchmaker with them and who just wants Mary to be happy. So I’ll allow it. But really, do we have to have the irony in the fact that Henry races cars?

EMOTIONALLY SCARRING STUFF 

If Downton’s objective was to make Robert’s medical emergency as emotionally traumatizing as they could, then goal achieved! Was that much blood necessary? Really? (My question is, did they really film that scene at Highclere Castle or instead replicate the room very well? Because that was a lot of fake blood to risk splattering all over priceless artifacts.) I guess they just wanted to shock us, and since we knew something was coming, they figured they’d double the shock? It was awful. At least Dr. Clarkson was present and jumped right into action. So did Tom, actually. He practically lept backwards out of his chair. Kudos to the cast for looking just as freaked out as I felt.

I don’t really want to dwell on this part, because although it was a huge aspect of the episode, I don’t have much else to say and I just don’t want to even think about it. What I will talk about is what happened afterward, when the ambulance was arriving. Cora and Violet stopped to have a conversation in the hallway, and it wasn’t the best timing for it. Sure, Cora was trying to put an end to at least one source of Robert’s stress once and for all, but both of them had bigger things to think about. What gets me though is that Cora said she thought “they should be honest with each other,” and demanded they have “no more secrets,” the second part of which had next to nothing to do with their conversation. Were there secrets involved with the hospital thing? Violet had been very vocal about it, and the only secret was that she had blackmailed their guest... which wasn’t even that much of a secret. The closest line to draw between Violet and secrets was a line earlier in the episode, when Cora compared Violet to the Sphinx. That’s it. It was a little quip that had nothing to do with the conversation at hand.

So why have Cora say such a random thing? Because Mary was standing in the archway and heard her grandmother reply, “If this is about Edith...” Okay, so this actually was a logical response on Violet’s part, because it was the last secret Cora could be referring to. But this line was said purely so that Mary could overhear it and start to suspect that Marigold is actually Edith’s daughter. This revelation was completely shoehorned into the episode and it just wasn’t very organic. It was trying to be organic, but it was clunky and took attention (the character’s, and attempted to take ours) away from the fact that Lord Grantham just almost died.

Fingers crossed that the rest of the season/series goes uphill from here. It’s not that the rest of the episode was bad or anything... but I need the image of that scene washed from my mind, and I need everyone to make it out of the series in one piece, please and thank you.

Odds and Ends:

• Dr. Clarkson looked so uncomfortable in this episode.
• “Racing cars and pigs, who can top that?”
• “I think the correct response is to say ‘men’ and ‘sigh.’” Geez, Carson was picky about his food.
• “Shall I go back in and ask him to plead not guilty after all?” Molesley and Baxter are perfect. I don’t mind that nothing came of the trial, because it gave them more bonding time and let Baxter deal with some past issues. 
• “You don’t have to marry him, but you do have to let him enjoy this moment.” Find the happy medium, Mary!
• “I’ll make a pig man of you yet!”
• Edith was born in '92... 1892. That puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? 
• “Victorian babies grown into modern women.” “And the price they’ve had to pay.”
• Edith and Bertie didn’t have enough screentime to warrant their own section, but I’m very glad these two seem to be on their way to a happy ending. *knocks on wood*
• Denker was almost fired after she yelled at Dr. Clarkson (the look on his face was priceless). She got Sprat to save her by blackmailing him. Is the drama between these two going to amount to something? It wasn’t a bad storyline, but I feel like they’re taking up a good share of screen time. 
• “These are some of the places Donk and I have visited.” I LOVE that it’s his nickname and all the children are probably going to start calling him that now, thanks to Cora. 
• “The Sphinx is a creature of secrets that she never reveals.” “Rather like Granny Violet.”
• “BAD HARVEST!” Token Bates scene. If less screentime means less troubled storylines, then continue on, show. 
• “If this is it, know I have loved you very, very much.” How was Cora that composed? How was everyone that composed? I’ve seen it the last ten minutes three times now, and I’m more traumatized than they all seemed. “Seemed” is the operative word, though. Look how quietly shaken Carson was. 

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Downton Abbey 6x04 (Purpose and Kindness) [Contributor: Hope]

“Episode 6.4”

Original Airdate: January 24, 2015

A familiar face entered the Abbey this week, and her success brought almost everyone else’s troubles to the forefront. Because this week was all about change.

Wait, what’s that you say? That the entire series has been about change? That’s completely true, and this change in no way negates all that other change. However, this one is larger, spanning almost all aspects of the show and the characters’ societies. Unlike the Great War, which changed a lot for the show, this change is right on the cusp of something else: the modern era. Within a few years of the show’s end, the Great Depression will have struck, and Europe will be building towards WWII.

However, things are a little more peaceful at the moment. There’s a lot of internal struggles instead of international ones. Everyone — upstairs, downstairs, outside the house — feels they want more out of life. They’re all looking for something, and maybe they don’t even understand what that something is, but what it really is, is purpose. Maybe that purpose is something completely different from what they’ve been doing, or maybe it’s regaining old purposes or keeping their traditional ones.

All in all, purpose is a strange concept because it represents something tangible, something we think we can find, even though the word itself is very abstract. We want to make a difference in our lives, in others’ lives... we want to feel that we’re moving forward and making progress. When we don’t feel we’ve found our purpose, we feel lost and stuck. It’s something we can probably all relate to, but also something that isn’t resolved in a moment. If this season is indeed about conclusions, then everyone should find their purpose, ideally by the series finale. In an at least somewhat organic way.

No pressure.

REAPPEARANCES

There were so many characters popping up again or returning home in this episode. Lady Shackleton and her son, whom we’d previously met on separate occasions (Lady Shackleton needs to meet Lord Merton again, and soon), Gwen, Carson and Mrs. Hughes... and Sergeant Willis.

First, I need to say how happy I am that Baxter and Molesley have a storyline, an actual storyline, outside of others’ storylines. At the same time, we’re getting more background on Baxter, whose past had previously comprised a storyline without actually giving us much information. Baxter didn’t see the point in testifying in court and bringing up her crime again, but she came to see it as her way of helping others. It’s also a catalyst that acts to bring Baxter and Molesley closer together. He was there as moral support, and as someone to help guide her in the right direction. He talked to Cora, which WAS going behind her back... but nothing came of it. His conversation with Cora didn’t spur a scene between her and Baxter, and in fact, the only thing it did was create a very temporary rift between the two servants. I’m not even really sure why it happened, other than to prove that Molesley is not only going to support Baxter, but also interfere when she doesn’t know she needs him to. Not that she really needed him to in this case, because as I said before, it didn’t have that much of an impact. However, I understand and like what Fellows was going for.

Meanwhile, Barrow was having fun being butler while Carson and Mrs. Hughes were away. He sat in Carson’s chair like it was a throne, and he went on a bit of a power trip. However, since O’Brien left, Thomas has been showing more and more of his humanity, and Baxter is helping to bring that out in him. Unless Carson retires, though, his story isn’t looking so happy. He became envious and mean when Gwen turned up, and as Lord Grantham pointed out, kindness is the key to Carson’s long reign.

While I’m talking about the staff, we can’t forget that Mary (and Tom) rushed Anna to the doctor in London to prevent her having another miscarriage. Now Anna and Bates are going to have a baby, and maybe — could it be? — a HAPPY storyline?

MORE HOSPITAL DRAMA 

I haven’t been as invested in this storyline as I probably should be. There’s so much else going on that the bitter tug-of-war just hasn’t caught my attention. This week, however, it gained something it needed: a defined central argument that goes deeper than the spat. It was there all along, but this episode brought it to the forefront. Violet’s point, “How could the interests of the village be protected if every decision is made in York?” makes sense without negating Isobel’s in any way. Isobel et al. want the most modern health care they can give the people in their community, but what Violet wants is more than just tradition. Having the gentry in charge of their individual communities makes decision-making more specific, and gives the villagers more of a voice than they might have if power was more centralized. This structure certainly isn’t democratic, but it does put the power in the hands of more than just a few. So although I agree more with Isobel, I understand the Dowager’s point. I’m with Lady Shackleton here — both sides have their arguments. Don’t make me choose.

WHAT WOULD SYBIL DO?

The last episode Gwen was in was the season one finale, which in Downton Time was over 10 years ago. In all that time, no one ever found that Sybil helped Gwen. Sybil was a bridge between the two worlds of the show, because she never saw them as necessarily separate. It’s not that the others never entered their opposite worlds, only that Sybil was way ahead of every other character. Now these characters might consider doing such a thing as Sybil did — setting up a job interview for a servant, helping them to break out of the service — but even that’s a stretch. Gwen certainly took initiative herself, but her success owes a lot of credit to Sybil. The sheer pride on everyone’s faces — especially Tom’s — was beautiful and touching. Even Barrow was put back in his place, because he always did have a soft spot for Sybil.

I don’t think Mary was the only character hit with the impact of it. Everyone there at that moment was reminded that Sybil was the best of them. She lacked prejudice and cared for everyone. And, perhaps, she was the only one who saw through everything and had a clear view of what the world should be. She had purpose. She would have adjusted to society’s changes faster than they are. Actually, she’d probably already BE adjusted. You know that Sybil would have loved that Gwen was providing higher education for women. Edith’s going to be a trustee, as is Rosamund, but Sybil would have been so proud of Gwen. She probably would have helped her, too.

By bringing up a very old storyline, and bringing in some past characters, Downton is continuing to draw the series into a nice, full circle. The use of theme in this episode worked very, very well, and everything is setting up for the second half of the season. Some storylines are closed (thank God Mr. Mason got his farm and Daisy doesn’t have to be angry any more), and some are concernedly open (someone take Lord Grantham to a doctor already), and there are probably other storylines still lurking in the shadows.

Can happy storylines “lurk in shadows”? (Fingers crossed.)

Odds and Ends

• “I hope I didn't steal their thunder.” Oh Tom. You kind of did. Not that anyone minded.
• “Makes a nice change.” “Good to know we can joke about it.” “Well, it’s no joke to Miss Baxter.” This was more than not being told about the sergeant’s visit. Barrow was standing up for her. 
• “All that's needed for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.”
• “Are you here to help or irritate?” 
• “Now we’ve both been snubbed.” 
• *angry mashing of potatoes* CUT TO *classy dinner party* I adore the pacing of this show. All other shows should look to Downton as an example. The way it juxtaposes different scenes is part of its humor, charm, and believability. 
• Violet: “Really Robert, you paint me as such a schemer.” Robert: “No one has sharper eyes than a loving son.” Violet: “You read that somewhere.” Robert: “Why do you think I can never make anything up?” Violet: *amused look*
• “How can I present myself as an expert when I don't know the facts?” “That's never stopped me.”
• “She's still on tracking form.” “If she was 20 years younger you’d just call her a tyrant.”
• “Well, you're stronger than you think, and you're wrong about me. I mind what people say.” The character growth in Barrow is subtle and well-executed. 
• “I wonder if Karl Marx might finish the liver pâté.”
• “You worked here for two years and we never spoke to you. We're the ones in the wrong.”
• “I’ll never forget her. Her kindness changed my life.” KINDNESS. CHANGES. LIVES. Note it, pass it along to every person who scowls at you. 
• Oh, and Mary went on a date. It didn’t quite merit its own header in the review, but you can be sure he’s going to be a keeper. Not because he’s that great, but because there’s only so many episodes left. 
• “You are your own worst enemy. “If I am, I’ve got competition.”
• Everyone trying to hold Daisy back, and Baxter going along with her to Lady Grantham, was really touching.
• “That was rather peculiar.” “I get the feeling I’ve just dodged something, and I don’t know what.”
• “You've used your credit to rescue me.” Actually... it was William’s credit. The family feels loyalty to William. He saved Matthew’s life at the cost of his own. Daisy made them take that into consideration, but “credit”-wise, it was William. I’m just saying. 
• “Rather as we resisted Anna being Mrs. Bates, would it be very irregular if we continue to be Carson and Mrs. Hughes?” “Oh, hallelujah!” Lord Grantham speaks for us all, especially this thankful reviewer. 
• Carson getting sentimental and keeping the label from his room’s door was a really nice little touch. 

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Downton Abbey 6x03 (Happy Stories) [Contributor: Hope]

“Episode 6.3”
Original Airdate: January 17, 2016

There’s a lot to cover this week, but I need to get something out of the way first:

TOM BRANSON IS BACK.

I cannot express how happy I was about this, or how perfect it is for him to be back for the final season. It just wasn’t the same, and besides, he’s an important part of the story and the family. In the beginning of the episode, he had written a letter to the family describing a dream he had, where he was back at Downton with Sybbie... until he realized he wasn’t, and woke up in tears. He must have hopped on a boat right after mailing that thing, since he is now back for good. It came as a surprise, because by the end of the episode there was so much else going on that his letter got lost in the dust. Having him and Sybbie somewhere off in Boston for the end would have been strange, and this is just perfect. Did I say that already? Oh well.

Back to business, and switching the tone a bit more serious: if the theme of the season is “conclusions,” season six should be the final stage of the traditional story format, the resolution, when everything gets wrapped up and the characters go off toward their happy endings. Tom coming back is a wonderful step in that direction. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes getting married — also a step in that direction. Anna possibly being pregnant, Edith stepping up to the plate with her magazine and possibly, finally finding love are all very good steps in that direction. There’s enough drama in the other facets of the series to make up for the happiness in the meantime.

Now, I don’t expect everything to be sunshine and rainbows. I don’t expect them to follow that rising/falling action structure that traditionally includes a happy ending. Downton Abbey is a complex series that veers towards a more literary style of writing; that is, a more true-to-life style without the “commercial” writing’s clear beginning, middle, and end structure. In those kinds of stories, there is a problem that arises, the problem is fixed, and in the end, everything is resolved.

By introducing the theme of conclusions, we should expect a certain level of happiness, and well, resolution, to come from this season for the characters. However, by being a more “literary” series, Downton Abbey has to uphold a standard of realism. The special that aired before the premiere also pointed this out, saying that not everything will be wrapped up, that some characters’ arcs will be open-ended in order to preserve that realism.

All that said, I’m wavering between having faith in Julian Fellows and being truly concerned. On one hand, there’s a lot of happiness going on. On the other hand, there’s a lot of happiness going on. And Lord Grantham had a pain in his chest, which he claimed was “indigestion.” This happened last season, and it ended up being something not too serious, something he would fix by eating healthier and not drinking. What if he hasn’t done enough and it’s gotten worse? This pain was never mentioned again during the episode, which is even more ominous. In a roughly 45-minute show, every scene has to count towards the whole. There’s simply too little space and too much money involved to have random little scenes that don’t contribute something. I do not — do not — want anything to happen to Lord Grantham. There’s no reason for it to. Yes, the show is known for its emotional sucker punches — it has proven that fact, and it doesn’t need to do any more proving. I get that it needs to uphold a standard of drama, but this is a final season, and audiences WILL make an allowance for extra happiness and less pain. Especially when it comes to the health of a beloved character like Lord Grantham.

EDITH MOVING FORWARD

Let’s turn back to some happiness. It looks like Edith might finally be headed towards her happy ending. There was Patrick, who died on the Titanic, Fake-Patrick (or real Patrick, depending on what you believe), who got her hopes up, Strallan, who left her at the alter because he thought he was too old for her, and of course, Gregson, who was killed by the Nazis and left her alone with Marigold. Not to mention that the whole time, she’s been picked on by Mary. Edith hasn’t always been the kindest person, but she deserves to finally have a storyline that ends happily.

Her editor looked like he was going to cry when she started interfering with the new issue, and he promptly hit the road before the end of the scene. It was welcome and a relief, but it left Edith and her secretary (?) with a magazine to publish within a matter of hours.

Cue Bertie — one of the men from season five’s Christmas special — who went shooting at the Sinderby’s. Edith had to cancel getting drinks with him, and he offered to go with her at once, to make her coffee, bring her sandwiches, and “carry bits of paper around” — whatever she needed him to do. It was sweet, and sitting on that couch, they looked like two peas in a pod. He likes that she owns a magazine. He helped out with the writing, but stayed out of her way.

We’ve basically been told that these two will end up together. After 4 AM when the proof is finally sent off, Bertie says “You inspire me.” Edith replies, “Not many people say that,” to which he said, “They would if they knew you.”

On top of being respectful and clearly having feelings for her, he’s not a member of the nobility (as far as I can remember, correct me if I’m wrong), he’s an agent. And so far, from everything he’s said and how he seems to view Edith’s job, he is a modern-thinking man. I don’t see him having any problem when he inevitably finds out about Marigold, and he probably won’t have much of a problem with her having lied that Marigold was only her “ward.”

A POSITION OF TRUST

Barrow found another job to interview for and he was greeted at the door by the owner himself, an older man with a rather sad story. The house’s interior was in shambles: nearly empty rooms, books thrown everywhere, no servants — just an old man and his memories. And Barrow, if he hadn’t been scared off (and rubbed the owner the wrong way in the process), would have been everything: butler, valet, footman (not that the house would need one), chauffeur, you name it.

As they reached the hall with the huge staircase, the man stopped and reminisced about the old days. As he described the candlelight and the women going upstairs into the darkness, it seemed as if he was seeing their ghosts himself. Barrow pointed out, rather gently, that those days were gone, that it wasn’t a “great house” anymore. The man was indignant. “We can’t let them down,” he said, “When the good times return and they come back... we must be ready. We can’t let our standards slip.”

The man symbolized the old days, the last man in a house that was crumbling around him. I wonder if it will make Barrow look at his search and standards differently going forward.

THE WEDDING

Cora brought the whole reception drama to an end by calling Mrs. Hughes into the library and having her say how she felt, once and for all. Cora had offered to Mrs. Patmore, “Don’t hesitate to charge it all to the house account,” but her generosity went further than that. She kindly listened as Mrs. Hughes explained why she wanted her own reception to be one of her own choosing, and the matter was decided.

Until Mary put her two cents into it.  “You think I’m a bully, I think you’re a snob.” Isobel immediately stood up for Cora, as she should have. Cora understood that Mrs. Hughes wasn’t Mr. Carson and wanted — needed — part of her life to be separate from work. She wasn’t being snobby, she was being kind. She was listening to what Mrs. Hughes was (and wasn’t) saying.

Then Mary got back at her. It wasn’t her exact intention, but it seemed like an added benefit. She said Cora wouldn’t mind if Mrs. Hughes borrowed one of Cora’s coats to wear with the drab dress Mrs. Patmore had bought from a magazine for her. And Cora, being Cora, wouldn’t have minded... if she hadn’t come home from a bicker-fest with the hospital crew and found them rifling through her things. She made them get out, but later went down with a jacket for Mrs. Hughes to keep in a very touching scene.

The morning of the wedding, Mr. Carson paced around his pantry nervously while Anna, Baxter, and Mrs. Patmore got Mrs. Hughes ready. The wedding itself was so well done. It was right to have it in the family church, by Reverend Travis, with the servants in the front row on one side, and the family on the other. All the men got boutonnieres, including Lord Grantham. And the reception! Major props (no pun intended) go to the set designers because that was a beautiful scene.

Everyone was happy — the Carsons, the Bateses, TOM... everyone.

Earlier in the episode, Bertie, upon hearing about the butler’s wedding, remarked “I love these stories. I wonder how much longer people will tell them.” I don’t know if the show has ever gone meta before, but it did just then, and it did it subtly and beautifully. The stories of servants getting married and the whole house celebrating was inevitably linked to having servants and big houses that needed them, and kept them in employment for years — in Carson’s case, pretty much his whole life. It was an event for them. Now, we live in an age where this is foreign to most of us, but here we are — watching such a story unfold, one that certainly stands for many real-life ones, and we feel how much it matters to these characters. Almost a century later, and these stories are still being told.

Odds and Ends:

• Toddler cousins hugging. Too much cuteness.
• “By thinking sensibly, you mean am I thinking like you?” “Of course.”
• Violet waved her cane in her son’s face and it was hilarious. Maggie Smith is a treasure. Everyone on the show is top-notch, but they’re so lucky to have cast her as the Dowager Countess. No one else could have ever played her.
• Spratt, HIDE YOUR STAMPS.
• By the way, why did Denker cover for Spratt and his nephew? Just as something to hold over him, or something deeper?
• Mary was so excited for Anna. “Should you be working? I can manage and there’s always Baxter.”
• There were only four people at dinner: Cora, Robert, Mary, and Isobel. Has there ever been so few?
• “He seems to have a large family who get married and buried with numbing regularity, usually on the most inconvenient days.”
• The wide shots of Barrow walking to his prospective new houses in this episode and in last week’s were really nice.
• Isobel and Dr. Clarkson had another spat. Come on, show, you’re running out of time.
• Daisy needs to chill out a bit, I’m sorry, but it’s true.
• “I can’t see the future, Mr. Carson, then I suppose none of us can.” That’s ominous.
• “REMOVE THE FERN.”
• “In my experience, second thoughts are vastly overrated.”
• “My lady, Mr. Carson would forgive you if you attacked him with a brick.”
• “I missed everything, but Daisy doesn’t have to.” Molesley needs and happy ending. PLEASE, show, PLEASE. I think he’s getting Daisy a teaching job and that’s just so sweet.
• Also, Baxter needs a happy ending. HINT, HINT.
• “I learned that Downton is my home, and you are my family.”

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