The Downton Abbey of seasons past is back, warts and all. Last night viewers were treated to a 120-minute episode of pure Downton Abbey-isms, with Violet spewing her wisdom left and right, character development galore, only an occasional plot twist that stretched the story line into unbelievable territory, Tom Branson as super hero, and even a glimmer of passion ‘tween the sheets twixt Mary and Matthew. So let’s dive in, shall we?
Bates leaving prison. Image courtesy PBS Masterpiece Classic
All bow down and hail Bates’s release from prison!
Thank you Julian Fellowes for putting an end to our misery. I had reached a point where I didn’t care if Bates rotted in prison for the rest of his life. This week we were treated to Bates and his Anna sitting side by side, walking side by side, and painting side by side. Their tepid kisses told me that they should stop taking lessons from Mary and Matthew and embark on another steamy honeymoon night.
Ethel and her miasmic scarlet letter washed clean
It’s becoming clear to Violet that: “Ethel is notorious in the village.”
“I don’t think so”, replies Isobel, who will counter her nemesis any time, any where, even at the price of being wrong. Violet always has the upper hand: “I know so. You have touched this house by a miasma of scandal … “
In this episode the two battle axes are at it in full force. Violet shows no quarter, even to the hapless Ethel, who ventures to brag after receiving a compliment about her cooking from Isobel: “These days a working woman must have a skill.”
To which Violet replies: “But you seem to have so many.”
Our dowager does have a heart and even keener powers of observation. Noticing Ethel’s extreme unhappiness at her treatment in the village, she joins forces with Mrs. Hughes and Isobel to remove the fallen woman from her scene of social crime to another position in another village. Violet places an advertisement in Ethel’s name “to wash her clean.” But the only appealing offer comes from a Mrs. Watson near Cheadle, a village tantalizingly near her son, Charlie, and the Bryans. who are raising him. This is when Violet comes to the rescue!
She invites Mrs. Bryan, who, in defiance of her meany of a husband, encourages Ethel to accept the position, for she feels “uncomfortable keeping a mother separated from her son.” With Ethel working nearby, she can see how Charlie is getting on, and later, much later, reveal that she is his mother.
Lady Rose’s nubility vs the Downton nobility
Let’s see. Lady Rose’s mama is Violet’s niece and godchild. Lady Rose is 18. She is pretty. She is a flapper and a trendsetter, for her wardrobe is years ahead of its time. She is also a liar and a sneak and (blush) the girlfriend of a slimy married man with a house in Warwick Square. This minx’s sole reason for appearing on DA is to spice things up, and I must admit she is more interesting than that dishrag, Lavinia Swire. (Will she hook up with Branson, super man, in future episodes? Curious minds want to know.)
Before the nubile Rose is packed off to her family’s estate in Scotland in July, she will stay with Violet at the Dower House. When questioned if she was capable of keeping such a young girl gainfully occupied and interested, our stalwart dowager replied: “The thing is to keep smiling and never to look as if you disapprove.”
Somehow Rose finagles her great aunt into letting her go to London with Edith so that she can arrange a surprise for darling mummy. Matthew also needs to go there on some mysterious business, and so, like the lion, tin man and Dorothy, the three of them start off for Aunt Rosamund’s place.
Once there, Rose makes her escape in a taxi and disappears ’round the bend. The taxi driver, kind man that he is (and hoping for a fat tip), returns Rose’s scarf and relates the sordid tale of her escapade.
Gullible Rose is rescued at the Blue Dragon from the clutches of lying cad who has (if inferences can be read correctly) fornicated with the girl.
This story arc is so contrived that I felt myself getting mad, except for the fact that we see Matthew in heroic action and Aunt Rosamund look down her aristocratic nose at that dreadful two-timing Terrence.
Once Rose is safely deposited at her great aunt’s home, Violet, with a smile that could neutralize poison, announces that Rose will be trundled off to Scotland after the cricket match to stay alone with her Aunt Agatha.
The camera pans to Rose’s horrified face.
Do we really care? Except that this gives Julian Fellowes a perfect excuse for sending the whole troupe to Scotland for Episode Seven of this season. Stay tuned to find out what happens.
Edith, the not so invisible woman
Credit: Courtesy of © Giles Keyte/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Praise Saint Julian, for he has given Edith direction, a job, a nice wardrobe, and a splendid man. Although, let’s be realistic, life will never be perfect for our scrappy gal, who has learned to make do with her eldest sister’s cast offs. We first meet up with our heroine at her granny’s house for tea. Violet is aghast when she discovers that Edith actually means to accept the position of columnist for The Sketch. When Edith reminds granny that it was her idea that she find something useful to do, Violet retorts, “I meant running a local charity or paint watercolours or something!”
At dinner Edith announces that she accepted the job as journalist and her plans to “get the 10 o’clock” and meet her editor for tea. Violet seems quite supportive, saying “I don’t think a woman’s place is eventually in the home, but I see no harm in her having some fun before she gets there”, but then she turns her thoughts directly on Edith. “”Edith isn’t getting any younger, perhaps she isn’t cut out for domestic life.”
And so Edith goes off to London. Her first glimpse of Michael Gregson, the editor of The Sketch, is that of a smiling, strapping man who is looking for “a mature female voice” (and perhaps something else on the side).
They make a date for lunch next time she’s in town, and our Edie takes care to look especially pretty. As she talks of journalism and being jilted at the altar, she mentally rearranges Mr. Gregson’s clothes off his body.
Charmed as she is, our Edie wasn’t born yesterday! Back at the Abbey, this smart cookie checks her man out. And hies back to London blazing mad.
Donning a serious working hat, her best pearls, and killer lipstick, Edie rushes to Gregson’s office to QUIT her one opportunity to make something of herself.
I had the impression, SIR! that you were flirting with me and found me attractive! Only to find you are MARRIED!”
“Yes, uhm, well, let me explain.”
“I find the idea repugnant! No, I find YOU repugnant. I quit!!
“No don’t go yet. You haven’t had your clotted cream and fresh raspberries! You see, my wife is in an asylum. Lizzie was wonderful when she could cook and clean and sew, but she is gone. And I can’t divorce a lunatic. I’m tied, I tell you, TIED to a madwoman, but I’m MAD about you! Just seeing your feisty words in print lifts my spirits. Having lunch with you …”
“Do I look stupid? My cousin, who is MUCH younger and more nubile and prettier, bought that line off some toff on Warwick Square, but I’m not having any of your deceitful and hateful and untruthful lies.”
What if I said, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry?”
“Oh, well, then. If that’s the case, see you next week.”
The Passion of Mary and Matthew
Credit: Courtesy of © Giles Keyte/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
One more open-mouthed smooch and the passionate scenes between Mary and Matthew will receive an x-rating. We catch Mary saying such seductive things as, “You’ll make me untidy,” “We’re trying for a baby,” and “While we make our little prince.” I shudder at her passion.
Even the doctor is predicting an increasing amount of sexual activity, saying that Lady Mary will be pregnant by 6 months. Gasp. This is too much for me to bear. I am positively getting red in the face thinking about the lustful way in which these two are cavorting all over creation in order to follow their DUTY to God, country, house, and earldom.
Oh, what the heck. I’m a 21st-century girl. Go team Matthew and Mary. Bring that next heir on!
The sacking of Thomas, or how O’Brien tightens the noose
Credit: Courtesy of © Giles Keyte/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
The long arm of forewarning and prophecy made it’s first appearance with this statement: “I expect you’ll find something to do, Mr. Barrow, now that Mr. Bates is back.” Viewers have wondered since the first episode when O’Brien would crank up her evil conspiracy against Thomas and it seems the time is at hand. Thomas is in a precarious situation and knows he’ll be given his notice as the earl’s temporary valet. If anyone was rooting for Bates to rot in prison, it was our erstwhile valet cum footman cum bad guy. But the earl promises Thomas that he won’t be left in the lurch. “We’ll sort things out.”
The fiendish O’Brien, divining the right moment, strikes up a friendly conversation with Thomas and makes this observation about James: “You make a cozy couple I must say. Alfred says [James is] always going on about you. Silly sloppy stuff.”
Thomas stops smoking long enough to retort: Youre quite wrong Miss O’Brien He’s a proper little ladies man.”
“Oh, if that’s how you want to play it.”
“What are you going on about?”
“There’s no need to bark. I only know what Alfred tells me.”
“Well, if he says Jimmy’s interested in me he’s lying.”
“Oh dear, was it supposed to be a secret?”
Lovely stuff, this dialogue. O’Brien and Thomas dance around each other like two vipers. One hungers to kill the other, while the second is distracted by a desire that overwhelms his sense of caution.
And so the inevitable happens, with Thomas making a move on a sleeping Jimmy. (Does this make sense? Would he not wake him to see if the young man was receptive?)
Suddenly awakened, Jimmy is, like, totally spooked.
Credit: Courtesy of © Joss Barratt/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
This happened during an age when homosexuality was criminalized and gays were literally living in the closet. Poor Oscar Wilde was sent to prison and hard labor, only to emerge as a physically and spiritually broken man. Thomas was putting everything on the line by showing his affection to James.
After the truth comes out, Thomas and Carson engage in a conversation that represents the attitude of most gay and straight people at the time:
Thomas: “I was very drawn and got the impression he felt the same way. When you are like me, Mr. Carson, you have to read the signs as best you can, because no one dares to speak out.”
Carson: “I do not wish to take a tour of your revolting world. You have been twisted by nature into something foul.”
Here is where Thomas quietly defends himself, saying, “I am not foul, Mr. Carson.”
Bravo, Thomas.
Jimmy and Alfred are guided by the puppeteer O’Brien, who manipulates the situation in such a way that Thomas is let go without a reference after ten years of service, a disastrous consequence that will lead him straight to the poor house.
There are twists and turns, with the end of the story sorted out by Bates, who, while he feels revenge is sweet, is a decent man. For the first time since his return from prison, Bates has been given an important task by Julian Fellowes – as the instrument of redemption for Thomas. All he has to do is lure a self-satisfied O’Brien to his house for tea and whisper in her ear: “Her ladyship’s soap.”
O’Brien turns paler than Bates’s whitewashed walls and leaves, promising to set things right.
In the end, all turns out well, with Thomas retaining his position in the house as an underbutler. This job is usually held by a former first footman who steps in for the butler if he is unable to fulfill his duties due to an illness or absence. Thomas as underbutler bodes well for further plot developments, and I cannot wait to see him manipulate his new position to his advantage in future DA seasons!
Tom/Branson, superman
Tom Branson emerges as the super hero of this season, able to grieve with the best of them, dandle a baby, divine how to run a great estate simply from observing his granddaddy, order his boozy brother, Kieran, around, deftly sidestep tricky matters of protocol so that he even gains Carson’s grudging respect, and learn to play cricket in the blink of an eye.
These tricks disguise the fact that Tom/Branson plot line often makes no sense. Where is his revolutionary fervor? Buried in the grave with Sybil? While most of the family calls him Tom, Violet and the earl insist on calling him Branson, which is meant to put him in his place. This does set up a running comic dialogue, with Violet constantly being admonished by Cora and her granddaughters. Remarkably, Mary, whose nose is pointed so high in the air that it attracts snow clouds, fully embraces Tom’s entrance into the family, even though the only thing they have in common is baby Sybbie.
Good old Cora comes to Tom’s rescue repeatedly, saying that “He’s our responsibility, he and the baby.” Frankly, the Bryans’ attempts to take their grandson from Ethel makes more sense than this sentimental claptrap. The Crawleys have the wealth and means to get rid of the chauffeur while keeping their grandchild. But the viewers are invested in the Crawleys as decent people. We would balk and leave in droves if the earl and his extended family went off the deep end and used their social muscle to push Tom/Branson out of the picture in order to retain Sybil’s child.
Credit: Courtesy of © Giles Keyte/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
The Catholic christening is deftly glossed over, but provides some fun dialogue from the earl, who delights in poking fun at the clergy.
Recall that in episode 4 he suggested that Violet be placed next to a toffee-nosed prince of the church because she’d know how to handle him. The earl gets off another brilliant line at the dinner table, protesting that at a Catholic christening he…
And thus we come to the ridiculous situation in which forward thinking Matthew discovers that Tom’s granddaddy owned a teensy tiny Irish sheep farm, a fact that caused him to conclude that Branson must know how to handle the running of an enormous estate in Yorkshire.
Irish sheep farm. Image @kid’s encyclopedia
I was drinking wine during this scene and nearly choked with disbelief on that peculiar observation.
When Branson’s brother, Kieran, sensibly invites him to live in rooms above his garage in Liverpool, the upstairs gang just about keeled over from a collective heart attack. Baby Sybbie in a garage? Over Violet’s dead body!
Kieran turns out to be a plot device upon which hangs our changing perception of Branson, whose super powers include diplomatic skills with which he convinces his brother to eat with the toffs, honors Cora, and impresses Carson. Branson lives in limbo, no longer able to socialize with the downstairs folks and unable to fit in comfortably upstairs. What’s a super hero to do?
Sweep out the old, bring in the new
My DA viewing party took the opportunity to take breaks any time Matthew, Tom, and Mary discussed farm improvements using a volume of Estate Farming and Stewardship for Dummies.
The earl and Jarvis are Downton Abbey’s benevolent overlords, using farming techniques that go back to the Norman Invasion. Murray, Matthew, and our super hero Branson, are forward thinking chaps who are unwilling to squander Swire’s fortune in the manner that Robert used to waste Cora’s inheritance.
It is telling that Robert now thinks of Downton as a dual monarchy, whereas Matthew looks upon his inheritance as an investment that must turn a profit.
Ponzi circa 1920 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As the young whippersnapper is starting to make sense a desperate Robert brings up a marvelous new American financial invention: the Ponzi Scheme. “I hear that you get a great return on your investment in 90 days.”
Jarvis, seeing his cushy, easy job vanish into thin air, asks for a good reference and sweeps out of the room, old broom that he is. This plot development stepped over the line of common sense too many times, but I understand Fellowes’ need to provide baby Sybie’s daddy with a raison d’etre for remaining in town.
Violet, as usual, gets in the last word, telling her son: “Think of the child. You cannot want your only granddaughter to grow up in a garage with that drunken gorilla. We owe it to Sybil.” Besides, as she sensibly remarks, we could call him Branson again.
Dang right and experience be damned. And so at the end of Episode 6 the new estate manager is … Ta, Da! Drum roll, please – Sybil’s darling Tom, the grandson of an Irish sheep farmer.
The depths of Branson’s super powers have not been plumbed. When the earl, in a moment of self pity, declares “It’s time for me to take a back seat”, our hero comes to the fore with this observation, that Robert knows the people on his estate backwards and forwards and that this knowledge is priceless.
Hearing this, Robert’s face shines with delight and he declares in a Sally Field moment – “You like me, you really like me!”
Credit: Courtesy of © Giles Keyte/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
It’s cricket time!
Credit: Courtesy of © Giles Keyte/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
I almost thought I was watching a replay of the Ravens and 49ers when the villagers took on the folks at the Abbey in their yearly cricket match. The scenes were so action-packed and unbelievably tense that I missed quite a few details.
The village folk (including Dr. Carson) were up for a thrashing, having won too numerous times to count, and the earl and Moseley were just the right men to bring VICTORY to Downton Abbey. Of course their team was missing two men, mere bumps in an otherwise smooth landscape.
Matthew had to hurry up and get Branson up to speed and teach him cricket in like 30 seconds …
… and the earl had to find a way to keep Thomas, a talented cricketer, on. Fellowes, clever fellow that he is, solved all of Episode 6’s problems in a mere 10 minutes.
Branson will stay on with baby Sybbie at the mansion, which has Cora crowing with delight. Mary and Matthew continue their pornographic display of affection in plain view in the hope of conceiving a little replacement male Crawley. Edith basks in the thought of being loved by an honourable married man and having a paid position. Violet has been reassured time and again that she is perfect, which does not surprise her at all.
And then there’s Branson. He, who has NEVER played cricket before, catches the WINNING ball! Those of you who were not convinced of Branson’s super powers must now agree – the man is unstoppable!
And so, all is now well in Downton Abbey land. See you next week, gentle readers. Same time, same blog.
In leaving your thoughts, please NO PLOT SPOILERS about the last installment.
Images courtesy PBS Pressroom.
Jane Austen's World 
I just loved your ironic review of the plot twists and couples in this recent episode. It seems Fellowes has set everyone up for the final moments of DA.
I think the sunny moments, romance and hope of this episode were needed because darker days lie ahead. Carry on.
This is turning into something between a ‘penny dreadful’ and Peyton Place.
Thanks you Maggie Smith for sticking with it.
Hilarious, Vic. Great review. There were many moments when my viewing party burst out laughing. My favorite line was Robert’s to Bates, “If I cried blue murder every time someone tried to kiss me at Eton, I’d be hoarse within a month.” Priceless. Love Bates again and his delicious smiles. I don’t know what to say about Edith. Can’t she catch a break? Of course the guy who likes her has a wife in an asylum. If she ever finds a husband, she’ll probably find out he’s been secretly wearing her underwear. The one disappointment was Thomas. I thought Rob was brilliant, as usual, and I was rooting for Thomas not to be sacked, but Thomas seemingly not knowing that O’Brien was behind everything was ridiculous and colored the whole storyline for me. I just didn’t believe that. Who else would it be? And giving up, knowing when he’s beaten. Also ridiculous. Especially since he has the dirt on her. Or, rather, the soap. It seemed like his storyline was being twisted around to give Bates something to do. Thomas believing O’Brien’s hints that Jimmy likes him? Really? He’s trusting her? Since when? Lastly, Lady Rose was an annoying, blank, stereotype. I hope she disappears quickly. I didn’t like her at all. I’ll miss Ethel. I’m sorry to see her go. The last laugh was the slo mo of Robert, Matthew, and Tom all smiles and arms around one another on the pitch. Cue the choir of angels.
Hi Chris: some thoughts on Thomas. As he said to Carson, if you were gay back then, you had to read clues to see if someone was interested in you. He must be very, very lonely and sad, seeing everyone around him being able to find love and show it in public. Desperate Men do Desperate Things, so it’s not a stretch for me, at all, to believe that he so desperately wanted to believe the lies from O’Brien. And, regarding the soap, even if he went up to O’Brien herself and whispered that line, she’d laugh in his face and say, “Prove it!” The situation as it was, with so many players involved, really needed a Master Manipulator such as Bates, using the “tool” to get all the players on board. Just because someone has a hammer, it doesn’t mean that they know how to use it. Bates did and hammered O’Brien to the newly painted walls with it! Yeah!
Well, Bates can’t prove it either; he doesn’t even know what Thomas is talking about! I’m hoping, though I doubt this is true, that Thomas went to Mrs. Hughes and Bates as part of his own plot. He can bring the pitiful like nobody’s business. Maybe it’s Bates’s moral credibility that he needs. Probably not, but I hate that Thomas is being used to reestablish Bates’s sainthood.
Priceless commentary!!! LOVED it!!!
Oh dear, what a wickedly funny review you wrote, Vic! LOL I had a horrid time of it last night; bad wind storm knocked out the power 40 minutes into the show and I had a melt down! Finally got to watch it on PBS when the power came back on this morning.
I’ve read recaps of this week’s episode at 3 other sites and all of them seem to be taking the mickey out of Tom Branson. Why is that? Like you, they’re doing it lightheartedly, but still calling him out on his “miraculous transformation”. I guess because I’ve worked with troubled youths for years, I’ve seen this miracle happen many a time and been amazed at the talents that a thug/gang member can hide or never tap into.
If you’ll indulge me, Tom is born Irish and he could NEVER escape the civit war between Ireland and England. Like a kid who can’t escape a gang membership but is still good at heart, I feel Tom was trapped in the same way. His turning point was when he had empathy for the folks who’s house was burnt and he saw things differently. He also has no wife and an infant daughter and NO WAY to return to Ireland. He’s as lost in his future as Thomas is without references, and they BOTH face jail!
So, no job, no land, no wife vs. job, land, new family….well, he’s a smart man who wants what bread he has left to fall “butter side up”, so to speak. He will be earning a living, have pride vs. being a kept man of the Crawley’s, he can keep Sibbie (love that name!), and tap into his knowledge. Since the plan that Mathew has is brand new, it’s in it’s infancy as is Tom’s working knowledge so it’s a grand pairing. It’s not as if Downton was a high yielding farm and Tom had to take it over. They’ll grow together: Tom and the Stewardship.
This was a smashing show and left me feeling happy for everyone, including Thomas. Bravo all the characters for rising like cream to the top, excepting O’ Brian, of course. But, I did love her line, “Back in the knife box, Mrs. Sharp!” Brilliant!
Thank you for your thoughtful observation! I like Branson and understand that time is truncated in a series that has so many characters and so little screen time to devote to them. I think that people who pull themselves up from a tough background (like my wonderful mother) are super heroes. Now that I have written my review, I am off to read the others. I am curious what their thoughts are on last night’s show, which I found a delight, frankly.
Hi Vic! Delighted to read your comment, what a treat. :) My immigrant grandparent’s are also my personal superheros and when I think MY life is tough, I sit quietly and reflect upon what THEY had to surpass and then I shut the heck up! I have the deepest admiration for Tom and don’t see him selling himself out, at all. He choose his daughter over an abstract cause and that ranks highly in my book. Plus, Mathew and Tom get along like “peas and carrots”, which makes me happy to see. :)
A lot happened last night!
I recognized Charles Edwards (as Mr. Gregson) from playing Arthur Conan Doyle opposite the late Sir Ian Richardson in “Murder Rooms” 2nd season.
Did anyone notice how Lady Rose’s necklace kept changing positions in her conversation with Violet after being caught misbehaving’ in London? :D
In season 1,Thomas made an unwelcome advance on Mr. Pamuk, the Turkish ambassador, only to be rebuffed. However Mr. Pamuk offered to stay silent if Thomas would show him where Lady Mary’s room was and Thomas did so.
I did! I did! Peals caught, pearls uncaught! I had to rewind the show to catch the dialog, after being caught up in PearlGate. LOL
Thanks for another great analysis…love these Monday morning wrapups. Right now I am loving Tom (Branson), Matthew and–surprisingly–Edith! I would not want Tom to dally or otherwise engage with Rose. Rose is a self-indulging trollop with few redeeming attributes. Tom deserves better. Matthew played the gallant and I loved him for it. He’s coming across as strong, flexible and capable of embracing change–just what the old homestead needs. Edith is charming just now. She has a new, modern career and she draws a line with a married man with less than honorable intentions for an earl’s daughter. At least she is drawing a line now. Loved the foreshadowing on the soap…
I love that Edith “googled” her editor with the technology at hand. Bravo, Edith! No more being left at the altar for you!
Very entertaining commentary, Vic. I didn’t buy Thomas being persuaded by O’Brien to make a pass at Jimmy. In the past, Thomas was too smart to fall for any nonsense so this plot twist didn’t make sense, and he knew O’Brien was a liar and treacherous anyway. Lady Rose is neither attractive nor true to type. A noble liberated flapper should be more subtle.
I actually liked Rose’s character, in as much as she portrayed a silly teen. Except for Mary’s tryst with that foreign guy and Robert’s bad investments, pretty much everyone walks the “straight and narrow” on Downton. So, it was rather fun to see what a 1920’s teenager (pre-sexting) would do when she wanted to kick up her heels! Plus, isn’t this the FIRST TIME that people of colour were in Downton…ever? I can’t recall seeing an African American, Asian or anyone else except the dead lover, being anything but a W.A.S.P. I guess a 1920’s jazz club was like today’s rave.
I knew in the last episode there was a point to bringing up that Branson had sheep farming in his past. I mentioned it after your last post. I feel like a genius. Actually…I am a sheep farmer and would love to sink my teeth into a proper English estate. I covet Branson’s job. But I am happy with my little flock of Shetlands. Thanks for the lovely review.
Thank you for your entertaining wrap-up of last night.
I’m not impressed with Rose, she’s a flibbertigibbet. Hoping she has a better story line next season.
I was glad Thomas now is able to stay, he has a home with a family that really knows him and he does not have to hide about who he is. I’ve wondered if much of his “chip on his shoulder” was due to his feeling as if he wouldn’t be accepted and loved by anyone if they really knew about him.
The look on O’Brien’s face when Bates whispered in her ear was priceless!
I’ll believe that Thomas has a “family”downstairs when he can bring a man home to meet them, but I feel like that’s probably stretching their tolerance too far. Well see next season.
None of the servants at that time could bring a man or a woman home to meet the staff. Remember Mrs. Hughes and how she kept her private life private. I’m referring to the farmer that she met at the fair who wanted to marry her.
Although I feel that Robert tosses money around with little regard, I did some hard fact checking on Charles Ponzi and can easily see why the Money Crowd would have bought into the entire scheme. Being that the Downtoner’s are all in Summer Cothing while playing cricket, that time of year was the HEIGHT of the positive spin from Ponzi.
Here’s some facts: ” On July 24, 1920, the Boston Post printed a favorable article on Ponzi and his scheme that brought in investors faster than ever. At that time, Ponzi was making $250,000 a day ($2 million in today’s money) . Ponzi’s good fortune was increased by the fact that just below this favorable article, which seemed to imply that Ponzi was indeed returning 50% return on investment after only 45 days, was a bank advertisement that stated that the bank was paying 5% returns annually. The next business day after this article was published, Ponzi arrived at his office to find thousands of Bostonians waiting to give him their money.
Less than THREE WEEKS later, it was all over! On August 11, it all came crashing down for Ponzi. First, the Post came out with a front-page story about his activities in Montreal 13 years earlier—including his forgery conviction and his role at Zarossi’s scandal-ridden bank. Ponzi surrendered to federal authorities on August 12 and was charged with mail fraud for sending letters to his marks telling them their notes had matured. He was originally released on $25,000 bail, but after the Post released the results of the audit, the bail bondsman withdrew the bail due to concerns he might be a flight risk.” ~wikipedia
Even when released from jail, he was a con artist to the bitter end of his life. The last sentence he spoke to a reporter is this: ” “Even if they never got anything for it, it was cheap at that price. Without malice aforethought I had given them the best show that was ever staged in their territory since the landing of the Pilgrims! It was easily worth fifteen million bucks to watch me put the thing over on them.” Wow.
The only thing missing from this very traditional rendering of British romance reads was the “mad wife in the attic” preventing a marriage. (Think Jane Eyre and so many others). Now she has appeared. And I for one say, Bravo!! What a great treat and relief to watch a tale told for the pure pleasure of story telling and dramatized with so much panache. I love the clothes too!! BTW, I think the apparent longevity of the Lord’s dog is easily explained. Obviously a female puppy would be saved from one of her littles and become her successor!!
Good catch, Ruchama! Now that the Mad Wife has made an appearance, we can cross that one off the list. LOL
In truth, I knew of an incident like this during my childhood. An elderly couple in our farm community was known as Mr. and Mrs. XY, but it was always whispered that they “…never married.” Seems that the husband, Mr. X, was Catholic and his first wife had a stroke that turned her into a vegetable, so she was hospitalized for life. Because of his religion, he refused to get a divorce from her but still fell in love with Miss Y. After 25 years of dating, they finally moved in together, and the day after his hospitalized wife died, he married Miss Y, finally making her legal. Very proper and sweet couple, they were.
Two of my high school teachers (very small school) were obviously smitten, came to football games holding hands, ate lunches together. The rumor was that Mr—had a wife in an asylum. The two retired, but never married. I never found out if the tale was true. The insane wife shows up in the great novel, South Riding, by Winifred Holtby. Also a PBS mini-series and a delight.
So, I’m not the only one who immediately thought of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” when the “I’m married to a mad woman” plot came out last night. But I do hope our heroine (Edith) has read this novel in her childhood and follows that heroine’s example. At least Edith wouldn’t have to run into the moors to escape…she has Downton Abbey.
Ah this was a full episode! Much will happen with all these new twists. Bully for Cora wanting Tom and Sybbie to stay on but more so for Tom to generously decide to do so. He puts up with a lot. Bates is to be applauded in this episode. So too Violet since she solves a dilemma for Ethel by her part in getting Mrs. Bryan to support Ethel in her move to re-creating her life near her beloved son. Ethel is a good soul at heart and I am heartened to see the way opening for her. Violet is full of surprises, even after some of her meanest barbs.
I love your summary of the episodes.Wish there was something like this when Upstairs/Downstairs aired on PBS.
Carson and the others appear too understanding of Thomas’s sexual orientation for that time period.Oscar Wilde recently passed away in 1900.The upper classes might get away with it,if kept behind closed doors,but rarely below stairs where every move was monitored.A double standard when you compare how Thomas is treated vs. Ethel.Thomas ends up as underbutler and Ethel needs to move to another village – real fair treatment.
The whole two hours was dyslexic and ridiculous! Sybil was right to get out!
So the rumors are true! Trolls DO watch Downton Abbey!
“So the rumors are true! Trolls DO watch Downton Abbey!”
Aha! You’ve caught the Violet “zinger” bug. (Made me laugh.)
Love this Vic – you made me laugh all over again! – two hours worth of perfect one-liners from all quarters, a welcome romance between the newlyweds [finally!], Bates back home [finally!], Branson in your well-described “superman” mode [yea!]; Edith en route as Jane Eyre [but I think she will be the first modern woman of Downton and take up with her trapped-in-a-bad-marriage man – and even Violet might approve]; Thomas suddenly sympathetic – emotions in this show off the charts [I think he was vulnerable enough and lonely enough to believe O’Brien, even against his better judgment]; and Lady Rose making Matthew look strong for the first time in 3 seasons – she _perfectly_ annoying as she should be – a love interest for Branson? or Jimmy maybe?? Poor Alfred…
One more show and we can all return to normal for a year… whatever shall we do?? Selfridges starts in March – Shopping in London with Soap Opera on the side – will look forward to your brilliant analysis!
Deb
“Whatever shall we do??”
Isn’t “Midwives” returning? And what of “Doc Martin.” Then there’s “Copper.” The list goes on and on. Hurray for.Britishmania! Personally, I still like to see reruns of “As Time Goes By.”
As for my addiction to Downton Abbey, I will avoid withdrawals by doing what I did last year, visiting Amazon.com and watching videos of the past seasons until Season 4 sails across the Atlantic in January 2014.
I found Thomas’s act of kissing James without waking him up first to be totally unbelievable. Thomas would have been all too well aware of the criminal penalties for his homosexual actions. As attracted as he might have been to James, I think he was too smart and therefore would have been far more careful and prudent in his approach. Of course then we would not have had that *delicious* moment when O’Brien turns whiter than anything Clorox could produce when Bates whispers about Cora’s soap….
As for Bates, honestly, I was sick and tired of Brendan Coyle always being so wise and so *right* about everything on the BBC series “Larkrise to Candleford”, and now I am REALLY sick of him being so damned wise and right. What does Coyle have, a clause in his contracts saying he’s entitled to be wise and smug in all of his character portrayals? Yeech! Pass the “rightness” torch to someone else, puleeeeze! How about having him invest a la Ponzi?
I wish Cora had more to do. At least she’s talking back to Robert, a bit, now, and making a few snide remarks (although Robert’s remark about being kissed at Eton was the best line of the episode).
God forbid that Tom Branson should be attracted to Rose, that little overpainted adolescent hoyden. Better he should find a lovely servant and marry her. Imagine the Earl, the Dowager Duchess, and Mary having to deal with that!
Finally, would someone please tell Fellowes to take the “kick me” sign off of Edith’s back?
Preach, Sophy. You know what would really be delicious? If someone called Bates out on his constant holier than thou attitude. But it would have to be someone like Mrs. Hughes or Anna, someone who’s good and kind, but not so sanctimonious about it!
pitter47: I’m confused about your comment about Bates “Holier than thou” attitude. Could you explain, please? If anything, I’d accuse Carson of being guilty of the above.
cahow: I think Mr. Carson is narrow-minded in the sense that he has a rigid standard of acceptable behavior and condemns anyone who falls short of that without consideration of their circumstances. Bates, on the other hand, I think sees himself as a paradigm of virtue. He’s spent two seasons condemning Thomas, for good reason in season one as he’s T’s victim, but now he’s condemning Jimmy, who has an equally legitimate beef, when he says “don’t be such a big girl’s blouse.” Now Bates has decided to be compassionate, so everyone should be compassionate. And when he says, “imagine me feeling sorry for Thomas,” oh! If you want to do someone a good turn, do it for them; dont’ do it because of how noble it makes you look!
Thank you, pitter47. Your deeper explanation made perfect sense to me. Appreciate your taking the time to flesh out your thoughts.
Loved all the comments! Just a few things to add to the mix…Spencer T. And Kate Hepburn has a similar situation, he would not leave/divorce his wife , Louise because they were married in the church and were both Catholic and KH put up with it until his death, the three of them in an uneasy truce. I loved that Edith was so honest and straightforward about being left at the altar. Has anyone else noticed that Matthew does not sport a wedding ring – custom of the times and /or his class? Agree that Rose has to go although like someone said in another comment, she is a teenager, enough said! I think Bates did the right thing by Thomas. My heart broke for Thomas when Carson was letting him know he would not be giving him a reference…you could just see his bleak future all over Thomas’ face. Maybe when he was feeling beaten at last it didn’t matter WHO had dug his grave. I think Bates will have a grateful friend forever, some who will watch his back no matter what, no pun intended. Thomas was never one to forget/forgive an insult and I don’t think he will be so quick to forget someone who has literally saved his job and his place at DA. I agree with cahow (above) on Tom’s situation and maybe one of his strongest points won’t be his politics but his diplomacy. And last but not least, how about if Isobel repaid the dowager by hiring away some of her help? I would love to see Violet’s reaction! I think Isobel was sorry to see Ethel go for several reasons, not the least of which was her “cause” has flown the coop but Î think she really liked her. I LOVED that Mrs. Bryant comes off not as mealy-mouthed as before & that she is so willing to help Ethel be in Charlie’s life in some way. I just had such a good feeling at the end of this episode, just like way back to season one and I don’t even care if some of the story lines seem a little hokey – I loved this 120 minutes and am getting set to go watch it over again! I once again like Robert, really liking Tom and Matthew together, like Ethel, I’m even beginning to like Ivy but Alfred had earned a black mark in my book, the rat. I can’t wait to see O’B get her comeuppance in some way. Her and Vera Bates could be sisters! The evil twins! Of course, I think Anna will figure out the “soap” clue even tho Bates doesn’t have a clue. I think even Carson may be evolving. And bravo for Mrs. Hughes for her tolerance. And I applauded out loud at the Earl’s comment about being kissed at Eton! And Bates with his knowing little secret smile. Just wanted it to last two more hours…
Rebecca
I agree with many of your comments. Re Thomas – when he was lurking outside at night and came upon Bates outside the cottage – he was so defeated I thought the next scene would show that he’d committed suicide. Glad to see his character was given a “third” chance. I too had such a good feeling at the end of the episode I didn’t want it to end – and, yes, I too overlooked that some of the story lines were a bit “hokey.” Robert’s line “every time someone tried to kiss me while I was at Eaton” made me laugh out loud and shows he inherited some of his mama’s razor-sharp wit afterall. (Remember the line to Mary in Season 2 about go off “to America and find yourself a cowboy…”) And, I too wonder if we’ll hear more about “her Ladyship’s soap.” As you mentioned, Anna might make sense of that remark. They must all know that she slipped on a bar of soap stepping out of the bathtub which is what precipitated her miscarriage.
After Episode 6 was off the air, I immediately ran to my computer and re-watched the entire 120 glorious minutes online courtesy of PBS Masterpiece. Hope you enjoyed your second run through as well.
The custom of men wearing a wedding band became more common during WW2.I noticed that the Earl and Mathew do not wear bands.Prince William does not wear a band.
Thanks for the great tongue-in-cheek descriptions of last night’s episode. It certainly was the best of the season, which is a shame. With better writing they could all have been great. Happily, Mary and Matthew showed that they actually still love one another and yes, bring on the “pornagraphy”. It was so nice to see them acting like young marrieds instead of crabby siblings. Glad Bates is free – one more week of that and I would have had to kill the man myself! Way too much of that issue and what a disappointment to find it was only a suicide. Why were we built up for so long to believe someone may have murdered her? I could “whinge” for hours over what was missing this year but last night helped me out of my sadness for the loss of a good show.
I think that Thomas had been leading up to this vulnerable moment by showing us his lonely side. Remember after Sybil’s death, he said that she had been one of the few people every nice to him, and then last week he mentioned that he had no family at all.
My favorite character is Mrs. Hughes, who seems to be one of the few in the downstairs group who has a true and kind heart. Since this is my first year of watching the show, I am not familiar with the past episodes. Did Mrs. Hughes and Carson ever have an affair?? I just can sense the attraction between them, but I would think Carson is a bit too uptight to succumb to temptation! However, Mrs. Hughes showed her “worldly” self by admitting to knowing quite a few gay men. I loved that shocker!
No affair between Mrs. Hughes and Carson – just strong friendship. Beg, borrow or steel the dvd’s of Sea. 1 & 2. It helps so much with the plots. and they’re actually better than this season.
Great review. I’ve expressed my opinion on Lord Fellowes’ pacing problems, that can make a series limp along or rush through important developments. And this episode inspired me to yell “balderdash!” a few times. But he & his cast managed to create two hours of excellent entertainment.
I appreciated some background on how the estate was actually run. No wonder we’d never met Jarvis; he was probably dozing in his office while Robert was dozing in the library, as things fell to rack & ruin. And I liked the rundown on how several generations of the family had run the estate into the ground. Branson’s agricultural background is as believable as his very brief career as a journalist–but he’s a charming fellow.
It was great to travel beyond Downton (& its smaller homes) and the prison. Rosamund’s London place was a bit gaudy but amusing. Didn’t Mary tell Ser Richard that “her sort” didn’t buy furniture–they inherited it? I’ll bet Rosamund bought stuff that expressed her own taste. We even had a visit to that den of iniquity, the jazz club….
The clothing was lovely–odd how mourning went from deep to absent to lugubrious mauve. Edith’s looks really suit the era…
Reform of the divorce laws was a popular crusade of the day & The Insane Spouse was a common literary device. In Parade’s End, one of the characters is married to a mad clergyman!
Vic, thank you for this fabulous account! I dare not comment because I watched the whole series (a marathon) a few days ago, and I just might let the cat(s) out of the bag. I will just say for now that there were a great many instances where I just wanted to slap someone’s face!
Loved your comments, Vic! Wouldn’t it be great if Cora’s mother invested with Ponzi, lost everything, and moved into Downton? THAT would be a hoot and a half!!
I liked this episode best of all this season. I laughed, I gasped, I cried with Thomas and cheered at the end. It was all around feel-good. I’m ignoring Edith’s cliched mad woman in the attic plot and cousin Rose. I’m happy with this ending and don’t feel the need to watch any more. Is anyone else with me? I know a few others who gave up already but I think E6 was a good stopping point.
You’re right and many viewers in the UK made that comment last month. The concencious was that this was a better last episode for the season than the one coming up on Sunday (which is their “Christmas Special”). Ratings took a major drop on Christmas…wow! Sadly, I’m not really hopeful for next year’s series. What a shame…a show that started so strong and has sputtered all year.
Here is where I see a problem with the Earl’s character and believe that Fellowe’s inserted some modern PC into this episode. They have bent over backwards to show how out of touch the Earl is with women’s rights, class status, estate management, modernization, etc., etc. And my goodness, the very act of a former prostitute serving his wife, mother, and daughter luncheon set him into a raging panic. And yet we are expected to believe that he has an enlightened view on homosexuality contrary to the vast majority of the population at the time? I think not. His comment about Thomas being “born that way” is not of the times, but is relatively new. The fact that this “criminal activity” happened IN HIS HOUSE should have made him fly off the handle. Was it nice that he was compassionate toward Thomas? Of course. Believable, realistic, and in keeping with his character throughout the entire series? No. The Earl is a traditionalist in every sense of the word and has had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into this Brave New World. His entire stance toward Thomas (and remember, he knows that Thomas was a thief, too) is completely unbelievable, IMO.
You are absolutely right. I really think this can’t be explained through characters’ motives. Julian Fellowes, for some reason, is so invested in making Lord G sympathetic before the season is over that he’s flouting history to do it.
I think the Earl’s view on homosexuality was expressed in his comment re being hit on while at Eaton. Whereas, with Ethel, it’s like men of peerage might take advantage of gullible gals like Ethel and then when she’s penniless and with a child to support, use her again from time to time (hopefully not Lord Crantham, though he was beginning to compromise one of his maids) but the idea of bringing a woman with that history into their home or having her serve his family was unthinkable. I.e., the old double standard and a touch of guilt is what we are witnessing.
notBridget I completely agree with you re Tom Branson’s agricultural role vs. his earlier role as journalist. Did that not seem odd to anyone else in earlier episodes that Branson would morph from Tom the chauffeur to Tom Branson,Journalist? An agricultural role is a far more credible role to play in the Grantham family, if he is actually to move in to DA and sit upstairs, rather than with the downstairs folk in the servants hall
The Bates family are now to live happily ever after. I don’t think so. JF must have a new storyline up his sleeve for this couple. But thank you JF for bringing him back where he belongs.
And where was our Daisy in this episode? Not much inclusion there; I am hopeful that she turns up in Scotland. If not, Sophie McShera must be off playing another role at this time.
Agree that Thomas’ role was something of a disconnect with respect to O’Brien. But Rob James-Collier is one very skillful actor. O’Brien is the perfect evil twin; I do hope JF brings them back together.
Love Ethel and will miss her. What a great storyline; I hate to see it go. But if JF would like to bring her back, it would be lovely to reunite her with her little boy at some point next year.
And as for that final catch by Tom in the cricket game, perhaps it was more metaphorical than literal. Downtown Abbey will go on.
Hi, Peg. “Did that not seem odd to anyone else in earlier episodes that Branson would morph from Tom the chauffeur to Tom Branson,Journalist?” Nope, I didn’t see it as any worse a morphing than Lady Edith, herself, going from being a “Lady In Waiting” (for a hubby), to Medical Gopher to a journalist, herself! The bigger stretch, for Tom, was if he was in Ireland and was part of the rebellion, then WHY would he have left Ireland, gone to Downton, and become a “schlepper” of the very aristocracy that his ilk was fighting? If he had a burning desire to experience England, he could have gone directly to Kieran and worked as a “garage monkey”, as Violet would have said. So, for me, it’s less of a stretch for Tom to be a chauffer, then questionable journist than to go from Irish Rebel to Subservient Driver. I realize that people take jobs well beneath them, when they go to another country and if Tom had no marketable skills, a driver would do. But, then again, why not go directly to Kieran and pass up Downton and Lady Sybil? One of my best friend’s had a cleaning lady who was a surgeon in Poland; she couldn’t get her license in the U.S. Fortunately, my friend was a doctor and pulled enough strings for her “maid” to get licensed, again. So, people take whatever jobs they need to, to survive.
Most fervently looking forward to the next review … say no more nudge nudge wink wink
Great review! I also couldn’t have cared less at this point whether Bates was released from prison (and I used to love his character).
I am glad Bates is out.. otherwise I wouldn’t have endured another episode of his sorry self. Edith – poor poor Edith!… always picking the wrong kind of men – not unkind men but not good enough for her. Hope she stays away from Mr. Editor. Other than that no complains. even if on Branson’s score.
With respect to the servants’ social life, we also saw the strict chaperon system in play with Ivy & Albert’s “cinema date.”
See two of Vic’s blogs on servant life, “The Servants’ Quarter in 19th Century Country Houses,” Jan. 29, 2011 & “Downstairs in Downton Abbey: The Servants,” Jan. 5, 2011. They are excellent articles providing a context for the servants’ daily life and social standing (or the lack thereof.)
Cahow, I think your points are well taken. Certainly with respect to your last comment many an immigrant to this country has had to start from scratch, so to speak, even with post-graduate degrees & yrs of experience.
I may be overreacting to the chauffeur to journalist transformation; it just struck me as a stretch. I find Edith’s journalistic endeavors more believable, given her social class & connections. It’s a viable device to place her in the forefront of social change, too.
Given the way that JF depicted the character of Tom’s brother, there is no possible way Tom was headed back to the garage.
I’m fine with Tom Branson,as farm mgr of DA, as well. The Revolutionary was not going anywhere in the timeslot;
I’m also a hopeless romantic & I love his staying on at DA with little Sybbie
Hi, Peg! ~wave~ (it’s nice to share thoughts with you). I’m glad that you took my comments in the spirit they were posted. I guess because I’m ancient, I’ve “seen it all”, in regards to some people being unable to change and adapt and then other people being able to completely reinvent themselves and thrive. Let’s take two characters: Daisy vs. Tom. Daisy, who is the reason why I fell in love with the series, is shy and reticent about change. It doesn’t come to her, naturally. It was the pushiness of that lady’s maid that placed the idea for advancement into Daisy’s head and it was Will’s dad who pushed the idea of owning property and running a farm into Daisy’s view. Whether she’s too shy, too insecure, or whatnot, Daisy is NOT a self-motivated person and could easily live and die, in service. Tom, on the other hand, is self-motivated and highly flexible/adaptable. Chauffer, journalist, farm manager, and (fill in the blank), NO moss grows under Tom’s feet! Hey, he courted an Earl’s daugher, for crying out loud! Now, that’s ballsy! LOL
Some people in real life follow the first path they find and follow it to the grave. Other people have a convoluted path. Here is a TRUE story of my own brother, who is 55 years young. His dad, (my stepdad) was a trucker and made a boatload of money. So, when my brother turned 18, he got a commercail drivers license and did long distance hauling, saving all his money. He did this for 5 years, took a trip to Florida with some buddies, and never returned to our home state of Minnesota. He took scuba lessons and then became certified to teach scuba. He did that for some time and then in the early 80’s, became interested in computers. He took classes and became one of the first I.T. folks, and made a killing, starting his own shop. When he hit 40, THEN he decided to go to college, and became an anesthesiologist, which he is, as of today. He also picked up a Black Belt in karate and learned to play the trumpet. What he’ll want to try next year, or the year after that…who knows? But you can see, that if you look at his record, NOTHING follows a straight path. He’s just my “crazy” kid brother whom I love for all the world. Perhaps Tom is cut from the same cloth?
Yes, I agree with you, cahow.
I look forward to next season; Daisy & Tom are two of my favorites, and I very much hope that they engage in new opportunities & challenges & romance.
And then there is Violet, my absolute favorite DA character . . . no moss will ever grow under her feet:)
I don’t know the name of the website but there’s one dedicated ONLY toward Violet. The recapper states that since NO ONE can agree about which characters to love or hate, the only character that no one finds fault with is Violet. LOL I had to abandon all other recap sites except Vic’s because of the bile and emnity in the posts towards all characters…except the Countess. Those sites got too negative, nasty and back-biting for me to find any joy in them. I’m glad to hear that Daisy’s got another fan. :)
Yes, Vic has provided us ladies and gentlemen a safe haven within which to share our viewpoints on all things Downton Abbey. Thank you, Vic.
You are very welcome. I want to thank everyone for this polite discourse and for not revealing any spoilers. Kudos.
Less than 24 hours until our final gathering around the Downton Abbey hearth. Vic, I’ll be pacing back and forth in front of my PC’s inbox Monday awaiting your review of the finale.
What shall we all do Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. (and Monday’s on our PC inbox for Vic’s reviews) until January 2014??? Any suggestions?
Mad men starts in April. Love, love love, that period drama as well.
I grew up that era and I find all the “reality” too harsh to enjoy: adultery, sex in the office, more sex in the office. But that’s just me. I do think that the main male actor has a resemblance to Daniel Day Lewis (for me, anyway). Thanks for the suggestion.
I am wondering if I am the only one completely enraptured with the clothes this season. I loved Cora season one and the Dowager, but this season, the wedding clothes, the christening clothes, Edith’s working girl wardrobe, Cricket party, swoons! It’s good because plot wise (and it takes great pains for me to admit this), season 3 has not had me at hello. One of the issues is the lack of subtlety in the acting additions to the cast, Rose in particular is to muggy for the camera, any girl that can deceive her family so convincingly is not going to express herself with outbursts and facial expressions that belong on Jim Carrey. I think she should study the excellent passive aggressive female acting of Cora and the dowager season one, or Mary and Edith season one or the dowager and Mrs Crawley season 1,2,and3. Even mrs Padmore, Mr Carson, mrs Hughes, are so smooth. Glad Bates drama is winding down too, that as the major below stair plot line had become so dull. I for one am happy with the changes in Tom. He was such a crab in season 2, I honestly could not see what Sybil saw in him. This season he has been able to expand from the one dimensional crab to a more dimensional person. I am surprised the faux Patrick Crawly never returned, anyone else?
I have not ruled out the “faux Patrick Crawley.” There’s still Season 4 for JF to reintroduce him into the plot. We’ll see, won’t we. Enjoy this evening’s last episode.
I, too, have been thrilled with the garments this season. I’ve always loved the 20’s looks and the costume dept. has done a great job. Such luscious fabrics and wonderful details like embroidery and beading. And nothing overdone, just elegant simplicity. I’m just rewatching Edith in some wonderful pieces – the turquoise and cream with the matching beret? Delicious!!
BravNo, I, too, found the costumes this season to be captivating. The wedding, christening and cricket scenes were lush and presented quite a tableaux.
As to the possible return of a faux or bonafide Patrick Crawley, I would love to see the brilliant and bewitching Benedict Cumberbatch in the role. In addition to my being an ardent admirer of his Sherlock, I was listening to an NPR radio interview one day while driving in DC, and I must say I had to force myself to pay attention to the road.
You may not know this, but Mr. Cumberbatch has stated that he thinks DA is junk (not his words…he isn’t quotable in polite company). I doubt he’d lower himself to this show.
I, too, have wondered when the “down with the ship” Patrick would wind his way back in to the plot. We only have one more season to have him find his way home and maybe the reason Matthew was killed instead of shuttled off somewhere is because Patrick will return and sweep Mary (or maybe Edith..) off her feet. He has been dangled in front of us before but ended up going nowhere at that time. I am hoping Daisy takes the farm and finds a true love for herself…and not the snotty, egotistic James/Jimmy – besides he is a cowardly man and not good enough for her. I am also hoping that Anna gets to have a baby soon. Just had a thought, maybe Rose will become entangled with the lost Patrick! Crazier things have happened! I am very much looking forward to season 4 beginning and will be content with reruns until then.
And thank you, Vic, for the wonderful forum – I enjoy this almost as much as DA and will miss it.