Downton Abbey Season 5 episode 6

“My goodness there’s always something!”

I couldn’t have said it better then the Dowager Countess. There are so many storylines to catch up to this week it feels like the audience is running the point race down at Canningford Grange.

The episode begins with a telegram for Edith informing her that there will be a man visiting that afternoon to report on the whereabouts of Michael Gregson. Everyone is convinced this is bad news.  Cora informs Lord Grantham about the impending news, insisting that even though they’re having a fight, he should be there today for Edith.  Mary is her typical icy self, musing,  “It’s not that he’s living in a tree!” (during his prolonged absence) “I can’t believe imagine what he saw in Edith.” (With a sister like this, who needs enemies!)

Mrs. Patmore is close to closing her real estate deal, but would like Mrs. Hughes to come with her to see the property.  An upcoming race at the property of Lord Sibley is to be held soon, with both Blake and Lord Gillingham attending. The Dowager has a new maid who looks like a man named Decker.  We learn that Rose’s father Shrimpie is close to finding the lost Russian Princess who is Prince Kuragin’s wife.

Barrow continues to look ill from his self-inflicted “therapy”. Mary, Branson and Lord Grantham discuss the housing remodeling project and Mary hates the option the men choose.  Mr. Bates has gone looking for an item for Anna and comes across Mary’s book on birth control and her device. Scandalous!

The Dowager pays Prince Kuragin a visit in the rough area of town, which has the new maid scowling! The D.C. talks to the Prince alone about the possibility that they may have located his wife.  He speaks very tenderly to the D.C. saying that he loves her as much today as the day they met and speaks of running away with her.  The D.C. is obviously flustered.  The Prince concludes, “You think to be unhappy in a marriage is to be ill-bred.” Even though both of them are no longer with their spouses, this statement, and his emotions take the Dowager aback. She replies, “You know me Igor.”

The man with the news about Gregson has come and gone. Cora remarks he died at the “Beer Hall Putsch” which was an early uprising by Hitler and his brown shirts in November 1923.  Edith will inherit his publishing business. Edith has gone for a walk and we soon learn where; back to the Drewe farm. While I can understand why she needs to see her daughter, she has been warned to stay away from her and this will further reveal her hand.

Back at home the Dowager speaks to Cousin Violet about the proposal of Lord Merton. They are interrupted by a dispute between the new lady maid and Spratt.  She won’t wash the D.C.’s underthings, scandalous!

Mr. Bates confronts Mrs. Bates on the contraception handbook and the “device”. Anna is upset that he has rummaged through her things and jumped to conclusions! (That’s the whole premise for the show Anna!) They had talked about having a baby Bates and Mr. Bates is convinced he knows why Anna doesn’t want children with him.

Edith and Cora have a heartfelt conversation about the demise of Mr. Gregson.  Cora tries to encourage Edith to cope and move on, but Edith feels she is simply “destined for loneliness and I might as well just accept it.” 

Downstairs, Mosely presents Daisy with a history volume from his own collection. Daisy, the tactless wonder, says, “I have enough books!”  Mrs. Patmore intervenes and chides her, “Be nice to those who are kind!”  Preach!

Mr. Bates attempts to figure out if Anna is telling the truth about the birth control items, saying that they belong to Lady Mary.  He does some math and figures she couldn’t have used it when she was married to Matthew so….

Cora comes to give Lord Grantham an ultimatum on his “silent treatment” after the incident with Mr. Bricker in her bedroom.  Cora calls him on his hypocrisy and asks him, “Have you ever let a flirtation get out of hand, if so, you need to return tonight to our bed!” (She’s referring to the maid the Lord chased around and finally kissed in the early seasons, touché, Cora!)

Scotland Yard must be very slow because the inspector and the local police have shown up once again on the Mr. Green business.  This time they want to talk to Ms. Baxter.  They received a letter from Downton, which must be Mr. Barrow’s handiwork.  They want to know if there was a connection between Bates and Mr. Greene and Baxter replies she know nothing and is dismissed.  What a great bit of police work, sheesh!

Barrow looking terrible, finally shows Ms. Baxter what is ailing him, it looks like he has developed an abscess on his derriere from the injections.  She insists on taking him to Dr. Clarkson, who concurs with my assessment.  Mr. Barrow shows the doctor what pill and fluids he has been injecting.  It’s all unsterile saline and sugar pills.  Dr. Clarkson advises his patient to accept his uniqueness.  He says, “ I’d rather have the harsh reality then suffer from false hope.” (Dr. Clarkson is awesome!) Mr. Barrow confesses he sent the letter to Scotland Yard and Ms. Baxter says she knows but it’s ok.  Mr. Barrow better start being nicer to her!

Lady Mary stuns her family with with her new flapper haircut.  Edith is disgusted that no one seems to care that she is in mourning and storms up to her room.  Cousin Violet wonders if it is in poor taste to be going off to the races in light of Edith’s grief.  Dowager quips, “It’s because of the war, this endless thinking, before 1914 no one thought at all!”  Isis is listless, the vet is called. (Poor girl, she must be about 16 years old!)

Mr. and Mrs. Bates finally talk about the elephant in the room, he announces, “You think I’m a murderer!” He then confesses then when he found out that Mr. Greene had raped her that he wanted to murder him, but never went to London that day. He knew if he killed Mr. Greene, given his past history, he would be hanged.  Anna smiles with relief, happy that she her man is innocent.  But, the proof was in his un-torn ticket that was in the coat that Anna gave away.  Of course, Anna blames herself! ACK!

Daisy and Mr. Mosely share a moment downstairs.  He recounts how he had to leave school at age twelve to go into service to help his family.  Daisy asks if he wants to continue his studies but he feels he is too old but offers to help her with history. Daisy hopes that she will be able to use her schooling when she eventually leaves service and inherits the farm.  It’s sad to see that Mosely will not have the ability to leave service due to his lack of education.

The final scenes of the episode show the much talked about horse races.  Mary shows off her haircut defiantly, but then rides sidesaddle.  Miss Fox observes that Mary breaks the “rules” arbitrarily.  Miss Fox is there to woe Lord Gillingham away from the heartlessly bored Mary. (At least that is hers and Mr. Blake’s plan.)

Back at Downton, Edith tells Mr. Branson that she is leaving but won’t say where but that she’ll leave her car at the station.  She implores Branson to “Not let them trample who you are.”  He tries to dissuade her but she says, “I need to leave here if I’m ever going to be happy.”

Edith goes to the Drewe’s farm with a birth certificate in hand to prove she is Marigold’s mother.  At first, Mrs. Drewe will not accept it as the truth, then she rails on her husband for this deception.  Finally, she gives Marigold her favorite teddy bear and tells her to go with her new mommy but not to forget her. It’s a heartbreaking and powerful scene and for Edith, she has renounced her original family for her daughter and a chance of her own happiness.

In the final minutes we learn that Cousin Violet has agreed to accept Lord Menton’s proposal as her life’s “final adventure”. The Dowager learns that Atticus Aldridge and family are Jewish. (“It’s always something!”) And finally we see Edith and Marigold settle in London.  Mr. Carson asks Mrs. Hughes is she would consider investing in a house for their retirement.

There are many things to ponder. Where has Edith gone and what are her plans to live without her family? Will Mary shake off Lord Gillingham?  Will Violet be different when she marries into immense wealth?  What will the D.C. do about the Prince, could she love him again?  Is Isis dying? Will Mrs. Hughes declare her love for Mr. Carson?  Will Mr. Barrow learn to stop being nasty and get a boyfriend? Only three episodes left!