Downton Abbey Season 5 episode 5

This week’s installment felt a little like a stew that Mrs. Patmore had left unattended, a slow simmer that will yield delicious flavor in due time.

This week begins in the library with a discussion of a new colony in Essex, of nudists! Aunt Rosemund is on her way for a weeklong stay at Downton. That sneaky Mr. Bricker will also visit the night Lord Grantham will be away at some pompous party that will require an overnight stay.

When Aunt Rosemund arrives she wastes no time pulling Edith aside to discuss her “problem.” She warns Edith she must be careful in dealing with the daughter, which poses “infinite danger to her reputation.” But, Aunt Rosemund is also curious about the child she helped hide, sacrificing ten months to do so.  She insists on meeting Marigold at the Drewe farm, which is probably the worst idea ever.  If Mrs. Drewe was frustrated with the interest in the adopted girl, what will she think now?

The Dowager Countess is busy spinning a web to prevent the Lord Menton’s marriage to Cousin Violet from happening.  She implores Dr. Clarkson to help her make sure that Violet will not end up the wife of a Lord, and become inactive in the many causes she champions. Dr. Clarkson agrees to lunch with them all.

Downstairs, Mr. Barrow is looking ill from his “conversion therapy” treatments. (I guessed this was his objective from last week’s hints). Mrs. Patmore learns that she has been left an inheritance from an aunt and asks Mr. Carson for advice.  Mr. Carson is flattered and urges her to invest in the company Lord Grantham will be using to develop some land in town.

We learn that an Inspector Vyner has arrived from Scotland Yard to assist the local police in the death of Mr. Green.  They bring Anna in for questioning.  This seems like the most hypothetical case ever, but it seems that the authorities may now think that Anna had a hand in Mr. Green’s demise.  Mary lies to poor Mr. Bates when he asks why they are questioning Anna about her recent trip to London. Mary says all the staff is being questioned. Maybe she is just trying to deflect from her ties to Lord Gillingham. Hmmm!

Rose is still volunteering with the displaced imperialist Russians.  She gets caught in the rain with a handsome man by the name of Atticus Aldridge.  He hints that he has ties to Russia, as his family left Odessa in 1859.  I’m guessing he’s Jewish. That should stir some pots!

Ms. Bunting comes to the kitchen of Downton to say goodbye.  Carson practically huffs, “Don’t let the screen door hit you on the way out!”  She’s taken a job in another town, partly due to her unrequited love for Branson.  Daisy is upset that Ms. Bunting will be leaving.  She even pops her head upstairs to plead with Branson to prevent her from leaving.  She reminds him, “You’re more one of us, than one of them!”

While the Lord’s away, Mr. Bricker comes to play; but not before they pass each other in the hallway, sniffing like dogs. Rose brings up her new friend’s background and the title they have manufactured for their family. (Lord Sinderly)? Thomas is looking horrid and it doesn’t go unnoticed.  There is some weak argument about customs and Edith takes a jab at Mr. Carson, then she excuses herself.  Oh Edith!

The Dowager senses correctly that there is something up between Edith, Rosemund and the farmer’s daughter.  Rosemund gets a good jab in, “I’m sure you’ve read somewhere that rudeness in old age is amusing, it’s not!”

But, then I think she tells the D.C. the truth off screen. 

Edith finds Mr. Drewe, only to be told never to come around Marigold again. (Bringing her aunt to meet the girl was the last straw).

The Dowager’s “love triangle” luncheon occurs with Dr. Clarkson, Lord Menton and Cousin Violet in attendance.  Guess what?  Lord Menton is actually not a horrible bore that knows nothing about medicine.  He confidently discusses the water supply deficiencies with Dr. Clarkson.  The Dowager and Clarkson have to agree Violet could do a lot worse then Menton.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates share a rare tender moment downstairs.  He assures her that  “Nothing bad will ever happen to you again?” It’s the kind of promise one makes to a child, but can never be kept.  It must be his guilt talking, since he was upstairs while Mr. Greene was raping his wife.  We learn they are trying to start a family, but perhaps Anna’s stress is a factor in her ability to conceive.

Branson takes Daisy’s advice and heads down to the village to bid au revoir to Ms. Bunting.  She is clearly in love with him.  He thanks her for “reminding me of who I was and where I came from.”  He leaves her with a fairly chaste kiss.  I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her.

In London, Mary meets Charles Blake for dinner with a surprise guest, Ms. Meghan Fox! His idea is that maybe Ms. Fox can take Tony off Mary’s hands, since she’s grown bored of him.  Ms. Fox is indignant at this suggestion and leaves them to “choke on the food!”  I think I like this lady!

The Dowager, Edith and Rosemund have a meeting in the library to discuss the fate of little Marigold.  The risk of exposure is too great and they urge Edith to send her away to a boarding school, where she could visit un-noticed. (Really, boarding school for three year-olds, poor little girl)!

Downstairs, Mosley and Baxter share a tender moment when she reveals the circumstances regarding her criminal past.  Mr. Barrow is skulking about, sick from his “treatments.” He is now threatening to talk to authorities about Anna. “This house has no secrets.” Cryptic.

Back at the depressing Russian teahouse, Atticus seeks out Rose. As his background is discussed further, the truth is revealed. His family left Odessa to escape the repressive pogroms against the Jews in Russia.  This causes a stir among the old anti-Semitic imperialists.  However, Rose’s interest in the dashing Atticus is made stronger by this revelation.

The moment has come for Mr. Bricker to take a chance and he knocks on Cora’s door. She asks him to leave, repeatedly, but he stays and declares his feelings for her.  Lord “Worst Timing Ever” Grantham comes home to find his wife and the art historian in his bedroom! Instead of simply fleeing, Mr. Bricker has to open his big mouth again, declaring his feelings for Cora to the Lord. Lord Grantham strikes back, several punches land on his rival. Edith (second worst timing ever) knocks to see what is amiss.  Cora shoos her away saying her and “Daddy” are just playing a game. Indeed!

The episode ends with a lavish cocktail party.  As the attendees are announced, Cora attempts to make small talk with Lord Grantham. Being a mature toddler, he refuses to look or speak to her.  Edith sneaks downstairs to use the phone to make a call to London.  I think she’s hoping to prevent her grandmother’s plan.  Mrs. Patmore decides she will spend the money her own way and makes a plan for the future, which may involve leaving Downton.

I’m not sure what Lord Grantham will do about Cora’s flirtations.  His pride has been wounded but she didn’t cheat on him. (Not physically at least). Divorce isn’t something he would likely even consider, but he is furious.  It seems that the police have nothing really to link Anna or Mr. Bates to the murder besides that highly circumstantial evidence.  But, does Mr. Barrow know enough to rat them out?  We’ll have to see next week.