(Source)

While, I loved Episode 6, it seemed a little disjointed to me. There were so many storylines going on at once, I almost preferred the one hour segments in order to let you really take in and absorb what is happening. (Not to mention to savor the goodness before it all fades away next week.)

Thomas – Thomas stepped into the limelight this episode and although there have been times I’ve had to go to confession for wanting to beat the @#$% out of a fictitious character, this time I really felt for Thomas. It was painful to watch him be manipulated into thinking that Jimmy had feelings for him and to see his shame and humiliation as he realized not only his error but the price of that error. Seeing this vulnerably human side of his character makes you understand why he acts the way he does. I read in another review that his character calls to mind Mother Theresa’s quote:  “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.”

Although, I didn’t understand why Thomas was not on his guard with O’Brien in the first place. He knew that he pushed her too far with his mistreatment of Albert and she told him herself that she would get even with him one day. He should have been on red alert whenever she walked into the room and instead he fell right into her trap. The real question now is if Thomas will soften towards Bates since he owes him big time or will he go back to being a pain. I think it would be fun to watch a tentatively reserved bromance between Bates and Thomas.

Bates – Speaking of Bates, I don’t know what I think about him anymore. His whole story line was so drawn out and we saw a few uglier sides of him that understandably came out in order to survive in jail. I am just not as happy as I thought I would be to see him and Anna together again. However, I was swooning over his defense of Thomas. That seemed like the old Bates I used to know.

O’Brien – Wow, she was all kinds of evil this week. And the scariest kind of evil that acts loving and kind while she lunges the knife into your back. It will be interesting to see the backlash to come now that Thomas has been promoted and Alfred demoted.

Alfred & Jimmy – Was it last week that I said I wasn’t sure what to make of Jimmy? Well, I know now. Both Alfred and Jimmy are such unlikable characters to me. Their arrogance and weakness makes it hard to watch them.

Branson – The other star of this episode, in a good way, was Tom. Tom has really hit his stride and found his balance. His love for the late Sybil and Baby Sybil has helped smooth out his rough edges. Tom has remained strong in his beliefs but by controlling his temper and passion, he has learned to persuasively voice his opinion and sway Robert’s thinking. That is a miracle in itself. He also looked exceptionally polished and gentlemanly when compared to his boorish excuse of a brother. And I loved him particularly this week for putting baby Sybil’s welfare above his own desires in allowing her to stay at Downton, under his watchful eye, that is.

Mary and Matthew – I loved to see them getting along, working together as a team and being flirtatious with each other. I also loved seeing them interact with Baby Sybil and I was ecstatic to see that Mary was pregnant in the previews. All their work in the baby department must have paid off. 🙂

Edith – Edith, Edit, Edith. Can’t that poor girl get a break? The writers can’t seem to give the girl her own voice. Instead she is a caricature of various characters. First she is Jan Brady always complaining, “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.” Then she starts to learn to drive and get some confidence only to slip into a Miss Hussy role as she messes around with another woman’s husband.  Then she finds her groove and channels her inner Florence Nightingale as she nurses the soldiers and becomes a happier and more pleasant woman. Unfortunately the ghost of Miss Havisham enters the story as she is jilted at the altar. Finally, just as she is standing on her own two feet and finding her voice she turns into Jane Eyre in love with a doomed Mr. Rochester. Come on! Granted Jane Eyre is my all time favorite novel but Jane had to go through hell to finally find happiness. Will Edith have to do the same? #teamedith is not amused.

Random Thoughts

• I am so glad Ethel has found a way to be near her little boy Charlie once again. I hope she finds happiness, even if it is Stella Dallas style.
• I love how the characters are never black and white. Like real people, they have their good and negative qualities and there are some days you want to smack them and some days you just want to give them a hug.
• Is it just me or does Mr. Rochester, I mean Edith’s editor, look just like a young Anthony Strallan?
• I read that Rose is supposed to be a replacement female character for Sybil. Really? That leaves something to be desired.
• With the last episode coming, I will finally see that huge spoiler I accidentally read. (Curse you, spoilers!!)  Let’s just say it will feel very Lenten.

Best Lines of the Night

Grand Prize – The conversation between Violet and Isobel.

Isobel: I thought they’d be surrounded by nannies and governesses and you’d only see them for an hour.
Violet: Yes, my dear, but it was an hour each day.
Isobel: Oh, how tiring.

Classic!

Other Faves (I know I am forgetting some because there were so many of them!)

— Violet: “I do think the women’s place is in the home, eventually. But I don’t see any harm in her having some fun before she gets there.”

— Cora: What’s the matter, Robert? Are you afraid you’ll be converted while you’re not looking?

— Isobel to Violet: “Have you changed your pills?”

— Cora: “Is she really so Machiavellian?”

Robert: “Yes.”

— Alfred: They’re showing a movie tonight in the village, down east. It’s about woman who survives in the wilderness by her own wits and courage.

Miss O’Brien: Blimey. They’ve stolen my story.

Okay, that’s it for now. Share your thoughts!