Sorry this is late but as you can imagine, life is a little busier these days. I was solo this weekend while Brian was with him mom at Stanford Medical Center where his dad is still recovering. Today I was busy running errands and helping my MIL with some things. My FIL is doing well, although we were hoping he would come out of ICU today but he was having some heart issues so he’s still there. His recovery is going to take some time and a lot of effort (from each of us.) As such, this may be shorter than normal.

Photo credit: itv.com

Okay, where to start….

She Love Me, She Loves Me Not

Mary decided that she was not in love with Tony and planned to break it off. Although she likes him, she wants him to be her children’s godfather, not their father. I hear a chorus of “I told you so” from #teamblake members everywhere. (Myself included.) Tony is nice and certainly easy on the eyes (wait, can I say that as a married Catholic woman?) but there was no spark. No fire. It was all too vanilla. Now compare that to when Blake and Mary are in  the same room. The sparks are definitely flying. More importantly, they do have a lot in common, they have a similar backgrounds, they work well together and they complement each other. But, that’s just my opinion. 😉

Tony, of course, disagrees. He was shocked and angered that Mary broke it off with him. I was a little taken aback that he was going to fight her on this. Maybe he’s not all vanilla. The one thing I didn’t understand is when Blake told Mary maybe she could soften the blow. What did he mean? My first thought was to get Gillingham back together with his former fiance. (Her  name escapes me at the moment.) Or maybe he wanted Mary to tell Tony she chose Blake instead. That would seem to aggravate, not soften. What did you think he meant?

Unrequited Love

Rose continues to surprise me that she prefers to spend time feeding the Russians in a soup kitchen instead being out on the town. Her character is developing into someone with much more depth than the flighty girl of seasons past. At the soup kitchen we met Violet’s old beau once again. This time we find out that Prince Kuragin once asked her to run away with him. She was tempted to do so but Lord Grantham subtly gave her two picture frames of their children. She declined the Prince’s offer but it seems she never quite ended her love (or fondness) for him.

This was an interesting bit about Granny. I always picture her a little like Mary as a young woman, opinionated with a sharp tongue and definite ideas of how she will lead her life. Knowing she had the opportunity to run away with wild abandon, yet she decided to honor her marriage vow, makes me admire her more.

Now Violet has set it upon herself to look for Kuragin’s wife. It was discovered that many of the Russians ended up in Hong Kong, where they found work as servants, taxi drivers, milliners and prostitutes. Violet commented, “I will not suggest which of those callings the Princess Kuragin was most suited.” It’s obvious Violet did not like the woman yet she said that she owed her.  Why did she owe her? Did something happen between them? Did the Princess know about the Prince’s plan to run away? We’ll see.

Meanwhile, Violet’s gal pal had her own romantic intrigue. As expected, Lord Merton proposed to Isobel. What was not as expected was how eloquently and beautifully he expressed his regard for her. Well, not just regard. He was in love with her. I never gave him much mind but for the first time I really felt for him. I still prefer Isobel with the doctor and she seems to be more suitable for him but now I hope Lord Merton does find happiness with someone.

In the downstairs quarters, Thomas is looking for happiness and seems to be taking extreme measures to find it. He came back from “visiting his dying father” looking like he was dying himself. Baxter, who I admire for trying to be kind to him despite his nasty behavior to her, found him screaming in his room with what looked like a syringe and heroin. Later she saw an ad in a magazine he was reading about “choosing your own path.” I can only assume he is undergoing treatments to supposedly cure him of his homosexuality. It will be interesting to see if he eventually opens up to Baxter and shares his ordeal.

Baxter’s side-kick was not at her side last night. Instead he was doing the numerous jobs of “first footman.” I had to laugh at Carson trying to rid him of holding onto to no longer relevant titles since he is so resistant to change himself.

The Calm before the Storm

Robert was not having a great episode. First he had to deal with his jealousy over Mr. Bricker’s infatuation with Cora. Then he had to once again be jousted by Sarah “I-send-people-to-the-confessional-for-their-thoughts-about-me” Bunting at his own dinner table. Omg, is that woman incapable of shutting her bloody mouth? I have no problem about how she feels. I have a big problem with how she expresses it! It is one thing to hold your convictions but another to insult the man that is feeding you, not to mention humiliating the very man you supposedly care for and who just asked you to behave. If Tom does not distance himself from her after this last episode, I will really lose respect for him.

Back to Robert, I must say that I was touched by how kindly he dealt with Edith as she opened her heart to him about Michael and her fear to know what really happened to him. He explained that knowing the truth, as ghastly as it might be, was better than not knowing. Poor Edith, cannot get much lower. The pain of Gregson’s death was only magnified by being banished from her little girl’s side. I am just waiting for that storm to blow and for her to crack and take her child back.

The other storm that is about to blow is the Bates situation. Not only is Bates under suspicion but now Anna is too! Beloved Anna. She innocently delivered a note to Gillingham’s and then went to where Green was killed. She didn’t know that she was being followed by a police officer who was watching her moves. So now they both are going to be in trouble. Shall I say again how much I detest this dragged out storyline? Shall I explain how much I loath the thought of another “is Mr Bates going to hang” cliffhanger? Shall I express my disdain at the thought of having to watch Anna’s pained expressions again?? No? Fine, then I shan’t mention another word.

Random Thoughts

— I admired Cora for not going further with Bricker when she had the chance last episode but she is treading dangerous ground as she enjoys his flirtations. I’d hate to see her make a mistake she’d regret. (And Brian does not like Bricker one bit!)

— Kudos to Daisy for expressing herself so eloquently to Robert. Kudos to Robert for accepting defeat so gracefully.

— Kudos again for Robert for not jumping over the table and strangling Bunting on the spot. For once I appreciated Mary’s icy response when it was directed to her.

Favorite Quotes

Lord Merton: “I should really get down on one knee but I fear I’d never get up again.”

Robert: “We can talk about it [selling the land] tomorrow.”
Mary: “Not me. I am going up to London first thing. Aunt Rosamond is taking me to a dress show.”
Robert: “It’s good to know you have your priorities straight.”

Blake: “I wish I could work you out.”
Mary: “I wish I could work me out.”

Violet: “Oh dear, Susan has been in a rage since she was playing with her dolls. I am proof against her tantrums.

Okay, your turn. Tell me what you think!

Find other Downton Abbey Episode recaps here.

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd or Instagram. (It’s set to private but I’ll approve you.) 😉

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Phote credit – itv.com

So what did you think of last night’s DA? The storylines seemed to go a bit slower but it was still enjoyable.

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

The show opens up with Mary and Gillingham in bed after a week of playing house. Gillingham is smitten and Mary plays along but as soon as he is out of the room Mary’s expression shows that she is only playing the part and her heart is not in it. (Didn’t I say that Tony was not right for her. He was too “nice” and she needed a man like Charles Blake that would challenge her and keep her on her toes. And hopefully, without having  to get her into bed first. But I digress.)

Unfortunately, Violet’s butler, Mr. my-facial-expression-are-priceless Spratt spotted Mary and Gillingham outside the hotel. Being the little rat that he is (okay, maybe that is harsh but I still can’t forgive him for sabotaging Mosley) he told Violet what he saw. Violet’s jaw nearly dropped but with lightning fast speed and she crafted the perfect excuse and feigned shock that Spratt could think anything so undignified and Spratt gave some of his best facial expressions yet. Grandmama saved the day and kicked butler butt at the same time

Now Lady Mary must face the music with Granny. I am glad someone tells Mary that times may have changed but most people would still be shocked at this behavior. I still think it is odd, particularly after how she suffered when her previous fiance found out about Mr. Pamuk. Mary tried to justify her actions but she really only succeeded in looking like a bratty teenager, complete with haughty looks and eye rolls.

And if all of this wasn’t enough, Mary had the gall to ask Anna to take her diaphragm and sex book and hide it in her cottage. Seriously? But then again, she also once asked Anna to help her carry a dead naked man from her bed so maybe that’s not so far fetched.

On a side note, I am assuming the birth control is going to be found in Anna’s room. Will Bates find it? Will he think that is why they haven’t been able to conceive a child? Will this tie back into Green and the rape and somehow make it look like Anna was guilty of… I can’t even finish the sentence. I don’t know. It just seems like more drama is going to come out of that one.

Speaking of Bates,  a witness has come forward and she heard Green say, “Why have you come?” Apparently Green knew that Bates may come after him for what he did to Anna. He made sure everyone would be suspicious of Bates if anything were to happen to him. Bates gave his alibi but technically he still had the opportunity to get to London. (And there was that ticket to London that Mary burned last season.) You know, all I can think about this did-he-didn’t-he storyline, is two song titles –  Let it go and shake it off! It is getting old and I cannot take much more of looking at Anna’s anguished face as she suffers from worry. After all that she has been subjected to, please let her have some happiness!

(Spoiler alert!! If you don’t like sneak peeks of what’s to come, skip this paragraph……… I was getting a photo for this episode and I accidentally saw a photo for an upcoming episode in which  Bates AND Anna needed to prove their innocence. What the what?? This can’t be good for my blood pressure!)

Rose and Her Russians

Here is another example of behavior that seems out of character. What has happened to Rose? Last year she was scandalously involved with a jazz singer and then sneaking around dance clubs disguised as a lady’s maid. Suddenly she is organizing teas for Russian refugees. I don’t begrudge her charity work but it seems like a big leap without much explanation as to why she has had such a change of heart. Am I missing something?

The one good thing about this storyline is that it gave us an opportunity to see Granny speechless when she came face to face with an old Russian friend (flame?) she knew years ago. Mary teased her about it but she insisted there was nothing to it.

Secrets Revealed

Baxter continues to agonize over whether or not she will tell Cora the rest of her story. I wanted to kiss Mosley when he firmly told her that she should tell the truth on her terms since either way, the outcome would be the same. Baxter had courage and shared the story that she allowed a bad man to change who she was and stole for him. In the end she was left to carry the blame but she has learned her lesson. Cora forgave her and let her stay. Baxter looked obviously relieved and overjoyed that the weight was lifted off her shoulders. (Now go give Mosley a kiss of thanks, Baxter.) 😉

It has already been established that lately Robert has been displaying more love and affection to Isis than his wife. Cora expressed her feeling of uselessness, longing again for he days when she was busy and making a difference in the world. At times Robert treats her more like an accessory than a partner in marriage. Meanwhile, Mr. Bricker is more than infatuated with Cora, not only paying her compliments but he genuinely values her opinions. After their evening at the art gallery, Bricker is about to burst with want to kiss Cora but he lets Cora take the lead. Cora is flattered and enjoys the attention but she knows that she cannot step over that line. They are treading on dangerous ground but I am happy they showed some moral restraint. Cora went back inside Rosamond’s home only to find Robert fuming that she was out with Bricker. He speaks cruelly to her and she goes to bed.

It’s interesting that in the previous season when Robert was feeling useless and unloved, he had his fling with the maid. Now it is Cora’s turn to be temped to do the same. Whenever I see these scenarios play out, I am reminded of the importance of couples to nurture their friendship and romantic love. It is so easy to get bogged down by the routine of the day that we forget that our spouse still needs to feel loved and desired and appreciated. It is something you must constantly work out whether you are newlyweds or married 20 years. When that is not available in the marriage it is much more tempting to acquire it elsewhere. Okay, and that is a completely random thought. Did I mention that it is very late and I am feeling a bit punchy for want of sleep. So let’s wrap this up. Who else haven’t we discussed…. Edith!

Oh, Edith. I can’t help but hear The Smith play whenever you are on screen – “Please, please, please, let me,” “How soon is now,” “Heaven knows I’m miserable now…” It could go on and on. I have no idea where this storyline is going. Will she finally tell the truth? Will she kidnap Marigold? What was Robert saying to Edith in the preview about telling the truth? I have no idea. Where do you think the storyline will go?

Okay, let’s stop there. If I forgot something, please add it in the comments!

Favorite Quotes

Isobel: “Surely servants are human beings too.”
Violet: “Yes, but preferably only on their days off.”

Mrs. Patmore: “Sympathy butters no parsnips.”

Violet: “An unlucky friend is tiresome enough. An unlucky acquaintance is intolerable.”
Isobel: “You’re all heart.”

Violet: “Can we be confident that there will be no unwanted epilogue.” (I cringe at the thought of a baby being refereed as such , but it is a classic Granny quote.)

Violet: “In my day a lady was incapable of feeling physical attraction until she had been instructed to do so by her mama.”

Okay, your turn. Tell me what you think!

Find other Downton Abbey Episode recaps here.

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd or Instagram. (It’s set to private but I’ll approve you.) 😉

PPS – This post may contain affiliate links.

Photo Credit – ITV.com

I was out of town this weekend but was able to catch the latest episode of Downton Abbey at the hotel. However, the recap is a day late. Sorry!

Secrets

The show opened with Anna and Mrs. Hughes discovering the photo of baby Marigold that Edith hid under her pillow. Anna is a woman of discreetness (she’s getting a lot of practice from Lady Mary lately) and the look on Mrs. Hughes’ face showed that she is putting two and two together, especially after she overheard Edith and Drewe talking after the fire.

I am waiting for Mrs. Drewe to put two and two together. Her annoyance with Edith is growing and her anger towards her husband is understandable. I’d be having a “lively chat” with my husband if he was trying to pawn off the child I had adopted into my heart. I think there will have to be some confessions made from Drewe if he doesn’t want to damage his marriage. Whether or not Mrs. Drewe would keep quiet if she found out, or be spiteful, I don’t know. Worst case scenario, she realizes the baby is Edith’s but thinks Drewe is the father.

Meanwhile, the other keeper of secrets is Anna. I wanted to hug the poor girl when Mary kept telling her she wanted to avoid the consequences and Anna exclaimed OMG when she realized what she was being asked. Anna manages to procure Mary’s requested item and Mary ventured out on her “sketching holiday.”

On the downstairs front, Jimmy made his goodbyes and left Downton. There was a sweet exchange between him and Thomas. (And later between Anna and Thomas.) I like that Thomas is not shown as a 100% villain. I enjoy when the veil is lifted and we get a glimpse into the vulnerable and hurting man inside. My heart goes out to Thomas at these moments. However, these glimpses do not last long. Thomas was back to his nastiness as he sought his revenge on Baxter by spoiling the good opinion of the man who cared for her most.

I felt for Mosley as he struggled with the revelation of Baxter’s past and her refusal to justify her actions. She does admit that she may not have acted on her own but she’d say no more. Although, I wish she’d come clean, I admire Baxter for accepting the responsibility and the consequences of her actions. You can see how much it pained her to relive that moment of her history and the shame she felt because of it. Her confession to Cora has seemed to give her an inner strength she did not have when she was cowering under Thomas’ gaze. I do hope things work out well for her (and Mosley) in the end.

Sex vs Love

A new character is introduced tonight, an art historian by the name of Simon Bricker. (A familiar face to the lover of period movies.) It seems that things are being set up for Cora to have a romantic brush with Bricker. In turn, Robert spent most of the show upset about something. (Huh. I said that as if it was unusual.) He is correct to suspect Bricker’s intentions, even though he seems more concerned about his dog Isis than his wife. (I couldn’t stop laughing at that.)

Charles Blake is back and he is not pleased with Lady Mary. He does not hide his displeasure, although he does wish Mary happiness. Her exchange with Charles shook Mary’s confidence a bit. I find ill logic in her thinking that having sex with a man she thinks he might love will help her avoid divorce. If anything, the opposite is true, but as I mentioned before, that is a topic for another post.

Despite her temporary misgivings, Mary secured her hotel room, which was adjoined with Gillingham’s room. Moments later, he knocked on her door looking as dashing as ever. They share seductive banter with one another with lines like, “We’ll make love all night, and in fact, for as long as either of us has any stamina left.” Wait, wait… is this Lord Gillingham from Downton Abbey or Rico Suave from a telenovela? It’s getting hard to tell. (Insert eye roll.)

For me, part of the charm of Downton Abbey, and period movies in general, is the subtlety of attraction and the slow simmer that a glance or a smile can produce. The touching of a hand and eventually a tender kiss can send a heart fluttering and wanting more. I find that more enticing to watch than what actually goes on in the bedroom. I am a big fan of a healthy sex life but that should be left to a husband and his blushing wife. (Or vice versa.) 😉 I don’t want (or need) to see in on screen. But that’s just my opinion. I don’t begrudge you yours. 🙂

Case in point, I love the sweet dialogue between Carson and Mrs. Hughes about the location of the memorial.

Carson: “There’s a bonus. It puts us back in agreement, Mrs. Hughes. I am not comfortable when you and I are not in agreement.”
Mrs. Hughes: “You are very flattering. When you talk like that, you make me want tot check the looking glass to see that my hair is tidy.”
Carson: “Get away with you.”
Mrs. Hughes: “No, I mean it.”

That little dialogue and the looks shared between them was swoon worthy and for stodgy Mr. Carson, it was the strongest testament of affections we’ve seen from him so far.

In the closing scene, a policeman came to talk to Mr. Carson about Mr. Green. (Anna’s rapist.) Apparently there was a witness, which means that Mr. Bates and Anna’s relationship will be raked over the coals once again. Dun, dun, dun… Just please, let Mr. Bates be innocent. (No, it’s not preposterous to think Greene bent down to tie his shoe and then he accidentally fell into the path of a moving vehicle.)  Well, at least do not make us endure another dragged out Bates-is-in-prison storyline. Okay, thanks.

Favorite Quotes

— Violet: “Mrs. Crawley has been distracted lately with Lord Merton frisking around her skirts and getting in the way.”

— Robert: “Do people think we are some sort of hotel that never presents a bill.”

— Mrs. Hughes: “That’s a nice thing you are doing.”
— Mrs. Patmore: “Is it? I think I’ve been a damned fool and doubled my workload.”

— Robert: (Speaking of the wireless) “It is a fad. It won’t last.”

— Violet: “Mrs. Crawley is never happier than when she has the chance to use her guiding hand.” (The only thing better than Violet’s lines were the looks Isobel was giving Violet in return for her barbs.)

— Bates (Discussing Lady Mary’s trip.): “It doesn’t sound much like Lady Mary. It sounds a bit bohemian.”

— Lady Mary: “Charles, I am sorry if I’ve hurt you. It is just only lately that I’ve started to come out of the midst.”
— Charles: “And the midst is clearing around the lithe and supple figure of Tony Gillingham.”

— Cora: “She was a German Communist who was shot and thrown in the canal. We wouldn’t wish that on Miss Bunting.”
— Robert: (Considering the thought.) “Hmmm.”

— Mr. Bricker: “Goodness. Is this what they call a lively exchange of views.”
— Mary: “It’s about now that Papa usually fetches his gun.”

— Carson: “I don’t like it when we are not on the same side.”
— Mrs: Hughes: “We’re different people, Mr. Carson. We can’t always agree.
— Carson: “I know. But I don’t like it.”

— Mary – “You are not being fair. I am not some over-heated housemaid drooling over a photograph of Douglas Fairbanks.”

–Robert: “And tell your friend Bricker to stop flirting with Isis. There is nothing more ill-bred than trying to steal the affections of someone else’s dog!”

— Daisy: “Why is it called a wireless when there are so many wires?”

Random Thoughts

— Like Thomas, there are moments when Miss Bunting is not aggravating me and I was touched that she was determined to help Daisy with her studies. If she can channel a little more of her charitable heart and tone down her abrasive rudeness, I’d enjoy her character much more.

— Brian thinks that Charles Blake knows something about Gillingham that he is not telling Mary. I’m not sure.

— I thought is was so unkind of Robert to say about Edith that he hopes that Drewes don’t get sick of her. (As if he is a bed of roses.)

— I’m looking forward to learning more about Rose’s Russian refugees. One of them is going to have a past with Violet. Hmmm. Do tell!

Okay, now it’s your turn! Share with me your thoughts, comments and predictions! 🙂

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, Letterboxd or Instagram. 😉

Photo credit – pbs.org

(Spoiler Alert! You know the drill.) Well, the time has finally arrived for the US fans to sit down and enjoy another roller coaster season of Downton Abbey. There are many still recovering from the wounds of Matthew’s demise and Anna’s rape and although we may be tempted to swear off DA, here we are again ever hopeful that our favorite characters will find happiness and bracing ourselves for the drama (and traumas) to come.

The first episode picks up in 1924 and the changing times are reflected in the women’s changing wardrobes. (The guys pretty much look the same.) If the first episode is any indication of what is to come, the theme of this season may be sex and secrets, both upstairs and downstairs.

Odd Man Out

The show opens up with Edith “can-my-life-suck-any-more” Crawley secretly watching her baby girl, who has been left in the kind care of farmer Drewe and his wife. Although, we soon see that Edith is not keeping her presence secret. Later she is sitting at the kitchen table cooing over little Marigold. (Someone likes flowery names – Rose, Daisy, Marigold…) I understand that Edith longs to spend time with her daughter but does she really think no one will get suspicious about the fact that she visits the family regularly and fawns on “their” little daughter endlessly, to the discomfort of the rest of the family? Surely, her secret will come out soon. Drewe did guess her secret from the beginning but kept it to himself. However, now his wife thinks that Edith is coming around frequently because she has a crush on her husband.  This smells like disaster. Regardless, Drewe has a plan for Edith to “live the truth without telling the truth.”

Meanwhile, Robert “nobody-loves-me” Crawly is bemoaning his new nickname (Donk) and the Labour Government. He also expresses his displeasure that he was not only overlooked at the school, but he was not asked to be the chairman on a war memorial being set up. Instead, the villagers chose Carson. It was a blow, although he tried to handle it with grace. Luckily for him, Carson only agreed to head the committee if Robert was named the patron.

Tom “will-I-ever-fit-in” Branson still feels like the odd man out. He is such a likable character, I wish he would find the right women to capture his restless and still healing heart. Unfortunately the closest thing he has to a love interest is the annoying school marm Miss Bunting. Last season I was not a big fan but I tried to keep an open mind.  I understand that she has her own opinions and is opposed to the ways of Downton and that she is supposed to spark Tom’s political zeal of old, but when she was unexpectedly invited to a dinner at the Abbey, her brash rudeness was unparallelled. She manged to offend everyone she talked to and was unable to hold her tongue, or at least soften her tone, once. The only bright point was when Carson shut her down after she do rudely insulted her host. No, I do not like this one at all.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me A Match!

Who would have thought that Isobel Crawley would be tangled up in a love triangle that has been much more fun than last season’s Ivy, Daisy, Alfred triangle. Last year we had hopes that Isobel and the Doctor would hit it off but instead Dicky “yes-my-name-is-ridiculous” Merton has been in hot pursuit of Isobel. Gal-pal and favorite Grandmama Violet didn’t seem to give it much mind until she realized that if Isobel married Lord Merton she would actually rise in rank above Violet. Violet takes matters in hand by playing her own version of match.com and tries to pair Lord Merton with Lady Shackleton. (Which made me want to go back and watch the old Sense and Sensibility). The last time we saw Lady Shackleton was during the disastrous luncheon that Spratt sabotaged in fear that Mosley would take his job. Ol’ Spratt the Brat was still spreading his charm as he hilariously displayed his wordless annoyance that he was required the indignity of treating the doctor as a human being on more than one occasion.

Speaking of our favorite odd man out, Mosley has been feeling his age, and a growing attraction to Baxter. In an attempt to recapture his youth, he dyed his hair with typical Mosley results. There were many comments about the situation but the best was from Robert who said, “Mosley, you look very Latin all of a sudden. Do you have any Latin blood?” LOL.

However, Mosley is also the hero in tonight’s episode by giving the best piece of advice to Baxter. Thomas “I’m-a-pain-in-the-arse-but-you-love-me-anyway” Barrow continued to harass Baxter into revealing any secrets she may have overheard, particularly one involving Mr. Bates and Lord Gillingham’s former steward. (Baxter knows that Bates took a journey that he’d deny taking.) Mr. Mosley rescued Baxter from Thomas’ interrogation a number of times but Thomas finally managed to trap Baxter and his threats brings her to tears. If she did not revel what she knew, then Thomas would tell her secret to Lady Cora that evening. Mosley encouraged Baxter to tell Cora her secret before Thomas did. In movies, this plot line usually has the confessor being thwarted from revealing the truth until it is too late. I feared the same would happen here, but alas, Baxter was able to speak to Cora and pour out her heart.

She revealed that Thomas is friends with her sister and years ago she was working in London as a lady’s maid for a Mrs. Benton. After six months there, she stole jewelry from her employer and tried to make it look like a burglary. She was found out but she didn’t have the jewelry anymore. As a result, Baxter spent three years in prison for the crime. Before Cora could respond to her revelation, Robert came in the room. Later, however, Cora further questioned Baxter and tried to get more details about the situation. Baxter was obviously hiding the real reason she stole the jewelry in the first place. I assume Baxter does not tell the whole story in order to protect someone or to not seem like she is rationalizing her crime. Either way, I am certain this is not the last we have heard about it. Lady Cora was shocked and disappointed but she did not dismiss Baxter right away. Instead she said she would think about it. Later that night when Thomas approached Cora, she turned the tables on him and reprimanded him for keeping the secret from her when he recommended Baxter for the job. She left him wondering what repercussions his scheming will have.

Playing with Fire

Jimmy “boy toy” Kent is back in bromance with Thomas and there was plenty of, as Carson puts it, smutty deliberations brewing downstairs. Jimmy was being pursued by his former employer Lady “I-put-the-C-in-Cougar”Anstruther (played perfectly by Carolyn Bingley of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice.) Jimmy tried to put her off but Lady A would have none of that. She pushed her way into the Crawley household and made up a suspicious lie about her car not working so she could spend the night at their home. Of course, it is a ruse in order to trap Jimmy. He, of course, takes the bait and with Thomas’ help slipped into her bedroom after hours. However, Jimmy was not the only one scandalously slipping into a lady’s bedroom.

Lady Mary continues to be courted but, to the dismay of #TeamBlake, Charles was nowhere to be seen! Instead, Gillingham is at the forefront and she admitted that she does love him in her “cold and unfeeling way.” Mary is still sorting out her feelings but she has moved away from wondering if she can love again after Matthew’s death and instead is concerned about whether or not her future husband will please her in bed. (“What could be more important?” she asks. Um, I can think of a few things that could be more important, but that is another post entirely! ) It may seem an odd transition but I suppose it is a reflection of the changing morals, particularly in the roaring 20’s. Her conversation with Anna about the merits of pre-marital sex left Anna saying, “I am afraid I am entirely too old fashioned for you, m’lady.” Good girl. 😉

This conversation laid down the groundwork for an after hours knock on Lady Mary’s bedroom door. Gillingham had his own proposition. He asked Lady Mary to go away with him for a week, a tete a tete that would result in them becoming lovers. This whole conversation seemed very odd. I could imagine it happening in a different situation with different people but it seemed out of character for Gillingham to suggest something that would put Lady’s Mary’s reputation at such risk. Times may be changing, but the consequences of such actions would still be keenly felt. However, drama must march on and I suspect that Mary will partake of the forbidden fruit. Let’s just hope they fair better than Mr. Pamuk.

Meanwhile, Edith was feeling the repercussions of her own dalliance as she mourns the presumed death of Gregson and the absence of little Marigold.  She threw Gregson’s book towards the fireplace and cried herself to sleep. Little did she know that the book caught fire. Luckily, Thomas was still in the hallway and was able to rescue Lady Edith from her bedroom. He tried to warn Jimmy next but Robert beat him to it and found Jimmy and Lady A in bed together.

The fire raged on but thankfully they managed to put it out (with indoor water hoses??) and rescued everyone in time. In the end, Jimmy was sacked and Thomas once again, saved his hide and comes out smelling like a rose with a very sharp thorn.

In the closing scene, Farmer Drewe who was leading the firemen, told Lady Edith he had a plan for her and Marigold. Unbeknownst to them, Mrs. Hughes was nearby and although it is unknown how much of the conversation she heard, from the look on her face, she heard enough to make her suspicious.

So what did you think?? Did you like the episode? Did it seem to jump too quickly from scene to scene at times? What predictions do you have for future episodes. (But, please,. give no real spoilers!)

Favorite Quotes

• Violet: There’s nothing simpler than avoiding people you don’t like. Avoiding one’s friends, that’s the real test.

• Mrs. Patmore: It would be a bit sad if she had no secrets at her age.

• Lady Shackelton: “Of course a single peer with a good estate won’t be lonely long, if he doesn’t want to be.”
• Violet: “You sound like Mrs. Bennett.”

• Baxter: “I will tell you the story one day. But I am loathe to forfeit your good opinion and I know I would.”
• Carson: “No you won’t. You don’t trust me yet but I am on your side.” (Aw, I love these two together.)

• Violet: “Principles are like prayers. Noble, of course, but awkward at a party.”

• Tom: “I am not a hater. I don’t hate anyone. Least of all you.”
• Robert: “Well, that is a more cheerful note to say good night.”

• Thomas: “Well. So Lady Mary is not so ladylike after all.”
• Jimmy: “Me next.”

• Mary: “Lady Edith chose to set fire to her room, but we’re all fine.”

Random Thoughts

— Was Bates deliberately pumping information from Lord Gillingham about his former steward? Are they going to rehash this story?

— Are Anna and Bates trying (unsuccessfully) to have a baby?

— Will Daisy seek tutoring help from Miss “Boudicca of the North Riders” Bunting?

— I really like Farmer Drewe (even if he is keeping a secret from his wife) and how he is tying to help Lady Edith but is he as good as he seems? I’d hate for him to have an ulterior motive or to later fall for Edith since he is a married man.

Okay, your turn! Share your thoughts in the comments!!

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