Photo Credit: PBS.org

Wow, what a great Downton last night! After weeks of so-so episodes,  this one actually gave us answers to numerous lingering questions. (It felt like a season-end wrap-up episode but I think we still have three episodes left.)

Edith, Mary and the Bob

Let’s start with Mary.  Her opening discussion with Anna consisted of the usual rude (and sometimes humorous) comments while Anna shakes her head at Mary. (I was getting flashbacks of my youth when my sister would shake her head at me and reprimand, “Don’t say that!” Sorry, Bridge.) 😉 There was much talk of the upcoming point-to-point race. Blake and Gillingham were both participating, and thanks to a change in the rules, so was Mary. However, before the race was to take place, Mary was feeling a little frumpy so she decides to shake things up with a new haircut.

Now normally, I would be all over a great make-over and Mary did look fabulous in her chic bob cut buuuuut the timing was ill considered because Edith received the official report that Gregson was indeed killed by “Hitler’s thugs.” I was a little disappointed that we never saw Edith’s reaction to this. When she received the telegram, she did not say who it was from. It was referred to later. We also did not see when she was told the news of Gregson’s death, again, it was referred to later. I felt bad for Edith that she was not allowed to properly grieve over Gregson. Everyone just sort of expected her to move on because they already knew he was probably dead. But as anyone who has every been faced with sorrow, one holds onto hope for as long as possible before brutal realty must be faced.

Photo credit – downtonreactiongifs.tumblr.com

Perhaps the family’s seeming insensitivity is because they think Edith simply had a crush on Gregson and it was not a big deal. They don’t realize just how much they meant to each other and that she bore his child and is still suffering from her separation from Marigold. Perhaps it is not their fault. When Edith does finally, say something to Mary when she comes in showing off her new do, I was just dying inside. I wanted to shake Edith and tell her to go get her baby and live her life! Little did I know that is exactly what she was going to do!

Photo credit – ITV

This is where I have to give some kudos. I thought Edith would takes the coward’s way out and kidnap Marigold in the dark of night. Instead she went to the farm and told Mrs. Drewe the truth. What a heart wrenching scene!  I have always felt sorry for Mrs. Drewe and never more so than tonight. My heart went out to her as she realized the truth and had to accept that she must give Marigold back to Edith. That was no easy task. However, I am proud of Edith for standing her ground and fighting for her baby.

Granny put the pieces together and went searching for Edith at the farm only to find out that she left with Marigold. It will be interesting to see what everyone says once they learn the truth about Edith and the double life she was leading right under their noses. I seriously hope she is able to return home with her child and have baby Marigold be brought up with her cousins. I don’t know if that is feasible with the times they live in, but one can always hope.

Photo credit – ITV

Okay, back to Mary. Blake is in rare form as he plots and plans with Mabel to get Gillingham back in the arms of his ex-fiance. Either Gillingham is none the wiser or he is slowly warming to the arrangement. I loved the scenes between Mary and Mabel. There are moments when they want to throttle each other yet there is a sort of secret admiration for the similar fire they see in each other. Through it all, Mary remained the queen bee and I can’t help but mourn a little the kinder Mary we saw when Matthew was alive. He helped to tone down her selfish and haughty tendencies and brought a softer side out of her. Without Matthew, her self-importance and vanity go unchecked.

Love Is in the Air

The younger set were not the only ones being courted by love. We learn that Prince K is still in love with Violet and he admitted that had his wife been found dead, he would have asked Violet to run away with him right now. Violet is flattered but turns him down politely, all while precariously holding the cup of sludge he offered her as a beverage.

Likewise, Isobel has made her decision that she will accept Lord Merton’s hand in marriage. Had she decided to marry him a couple episodes earlier, I would have been a little shocked. However, after hearing his heart felt proposal and seeing them interact, I agree with the doctor. They are suited for one another. I truly hope he makes her happy and that their marriage won’t keep her from her BBF Violet.

Meanwhile. Cora FINALLY puts her foot down with Robert and and says he can stay in a separate room “if he never let a flirtation get out of hand since they were married.” Of course Robert’s fling with maid Jane comes back to bite him in the butt and he concedes and returns to Cora’s bedroom. I am glad to see Robert able to forgive and, Cora, let’s see a little more of that spirit, girl! I mean, milady.

Photo credit – ITV

In the downstairs world, Anna left her button box in their cottage so Bates offered to go get it for her. Well, we all knew where this was going! Bates searched for the buttons and instead found the items Anna was hiding for Lady Mary. Of course, Bates assumed that Anna was using the birth control to prevent them from having a child and that’s why they haven’t been able to conceive. He also assumed it was because she thought Bates was a murderer. After months of secrecy between them, finally the window of truth was opened wide and fresh air filled the stifling room as their secrets were laid bare. Green was the man that raped Anna. Bates was planning on killing Greene. Bates had a change of heart and DID NOT kill Greene. Tears of relief were shed, until they realized that they no longer had a way to prove Bates innocence. (If you remember from last season, Mary and Mrs. Hughes conspired to destroy Bates’ ticket to London, thinking they were helping his case. In fact, that ticket was his proof of innocence.)

Their prospects of innocence are looking even more dire as the police continue to investigate the case. They received a letter  from a concerned citizen (cough…Thomas!) that Baxter was withholding information. That seemed to come to a dead end since she didn’t actually know anything concrete but the damage was still done.

Photo credit – ITV

Speaking of Baxter, can I just admit that I am loving this girl more and more each week.Her heart automatically goes out to those who are suffering and even with Thomas, she doesn’t let his nastiness deter her from reaching out to him. Her past sins have humbled her and have served as a tool to open her eyes and her heart to see people as they really are. She understand human weakness and frailty and she knows first hand that people can change and better their lives. Although she may regret her past, accepting it has helped shape her into the empathetic woman she is today. She is a wonderful example of how God can take something bad and bring good out of it… but I digress.

I know many people hate Thomas but I truly feel for him. His nastiness comes from his interior pain and I love when we are given glimpses of the vulnerable man inside. I was surprised when he actually opened up to Baxter and told her about the procedures he was following and the damage it was doing to his body. He sought her help and I am glad he did. She in turn took him under her wing and gave him the sisterly love he needed. It was also confirmed that Thomas was trying to “cure” himself from his same sex attraction and the Doctor explained that it can’t be cured and that he’d have to learn to live with it and make peace with it. In the Doctor’s thinking, speaking so candidly to Thomas was best because “harsh reality is better than false hope.” Baxter in turn spoke so lovingly to Thomas and really tried to bring out the better side of him. It was a tender moment, even though I suspect that Thomas will be back to his “old self” all too soon.

Lastly, Mrs. Patmore shows Mrs. Hughes and Carson the cottage she is going to purchase. In a surprise turn, later that evening Carson wants to ask Mrs. Hughes something and she is all agog. He suggests that they purchase a cottage together as a “business venture” so they can rent it out and save money for their retirement.  My goodness! For Carson to suggest such a venture, he may have been whispering sweet nothings into Mrs. Hughes’ ear! Mrs. Hughes knows it too. She dismissed him but when she turned around she blushed and smiled like a love smitten school girl. Aw, be still my beating heart. I love these two.

Okay, seriously, I need to stop typing because this is already way too long and Brian is wondering why am I on the computer instead of cozying up on the couch next to him now that the kids are asleep. Sunday night is our bonanza night of shows and our DVR is bursting with gems, including Downton Abbey, Grantchester, The Walking Dead, The Talking Dead, Star Wars Rebels… need I say more? I’ll close with the usual favorite quotes, although there were too many to list them all!

Favorite Quotes

Mary: “I’m tempted to remind them of what they are missing.”
Anna: “You’d never be that heartless.”
Mary: Hmmm.

Violet: “Why don’t you ask Spratt. He’ll help you.”
Denker: (Sarcastically) “Oh he’ll help me, will he? That’s good to know.”

(After Spratt nearly busts a blood vessel over the laundering of the Dowager’s unmentionables.)
Violet: “I do apologize.”
Isobel: “Oh, don’t. I’m enjoying it immensely.”

Violet: (After seeing Mary’s haircut) “Oh, it is you. I thought it was a man wearing your clothes.”

Violet: “All this endless thinking. It’s very overrated. I blame the war, before 1914, nobody thought about anything at all.”

Mabel: “Then why turn up looking like a cross between a Vogue fashion plate and a case of dynamite?”
Mary: “Well, I can’t make it too easy for him.”

Isobel: (Speaking of Mary.) “I think she’s splendid.”
Violet: “I think she’s cracked.”

Violet: (After learning that Atticus is Jewish.) “There’s always something, isn’t there.”

Okay, now tell me your thoughts about the show! Favorite scene? Favorite quote? Predictions? Do tell. 🙂

Find other Downton Abbey Episode recaps here.

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