Downton Abbey, Season 5 episode 7

This is steaming ahead at breakneck speed, good thing we’re riding in first class! There is much to discuss in this episode.

The episode begins at a train station in London, as an anxious Rosemund meets the Dowager Countess.  In efforts to keep a low profile, the Dowager has traveled alone to assist Rosemund with the search for Edith. They confer and decide they must tell Cora the truth about Edith’s daughter. The D.C. states, “It’s her right to know, she is the mother.”

Rosemund isn’t as sure, “What about Robert? He’s the father!”

“He is a man, he doesn’t have rights!” Quips the Countess, at least in this matter.

Back at Downton, the family is gathered to discuss Edith’s disappearance.  Lord Gillingham and Mr. Blake are at Downton following the horse races.  Trying to be polite, they ask, “Should we leave?”

Cue an eye roll and sarcasm from Mary, “WHY?” (It’s just your only living sister who seems to have vanished into the ether!)  Aunt Rosemund and the D.C. try to whisk Cora away for the TALK, but now Mrs. Drewe is calling on Cora from the backdoor entrance.  This should complicate things quickly!

The two bachelors have a walk and discuss that pale anorexic elephant in the room. Blake implores Tony, “Mable is a better match for you.  You are messing with her (Mary’s) instinct to have her fall for you, then she breaks it off.” I’m not sure instinct is the correct term for her behavior, more like evil inclination to tease men like a cat with a yummy mouse.

The Bate’s are talking about their property in London that will soon be vacant.  They seem confident that the police are through with their investigation into the death of Mr. Greene. Knowing this is Downton; I suspect that the danger is not over.

Unfortunately, the conversation between Mrs. Drewe and Cora occurs off–screen. Rosemund and the Countess are summoned to Cora’s bedroom for a thorough verbal spanking.  They confess how they helped Edith conceal the birth of the child in Switzerland.  They admit further that they knew the girl was back on the farm and intended to send her to boarding school on the Continent.

Cora is flabbergasted, “And you wonder why she left?” It’s amazing how these two were both viewing the girl as virtual trash, something to be thrown away or at least hidden away forever. They never seem to consider that a mother could have actual feelings and attachment to one’s own child. Egads, no wonder Robert and Rosemund are such pieces of work.

Mrs. Hughes tries to have a conversation with an ice statue, I mean, Mary.  She is still concerned about the Scotland Yard and the “most circumstantial case ever” against the Bates’.  Mary just rolls her eyes, discovering that the unused ticket is the evidence they need. “I burned it!” You think she’d be nice to Anna who is the keeper of her diaphragm!

The Grantham’s host a big dinner party despite Edith’s disappearance. (At least she won’t be there to bring everybody down!) Atticus and Rose make googley eyes while their parents talk about religion. (One of two things you’re not supposed to talk about at polite dinner parties.) Atticus’ father is the not thrilled at the prospect about his son marrying out of the faith.  Cora’s father is Jewish, but technically, that means Cora is not Jewish according to Jewish law.  Cora doesn’t help matters with Lord Siberly by professing complete ignorance of the faith. 

Branson hints to Aunt Rosemund that he is really thinking of leaving Downton. Atticus points out that since Edith just inherited a publishing company, maybe that’s where she is? Thank you, Captain Obvious!

Then Cousin Isobel and Lord Merton announce their engagement! There is toasting and the Dowager looks like she’s swallowed a nasty bug.  Mary inquires why, and the D.C. replies that she’s concerned about Edith. (Cue Mary’s eye roll!) The Dowager finally brings some truth stating, “A lack of compassion can be as vulgar as tears!” Mary is for once at a loss for sarcasm.

The big engagement party for Lord Merton and Lady Crawley will be hosted at Downton. Lord Merton’s sons will also attend and the last time Larry was at Downton, he insulted Branson. Fisticuffs are expected. Mable Fox openly flirts with Tony, simply saying, “I want you!” Blake tells Mary to stop pulling on Tony’s heartstrings and send him a clear message.

Cora and the Dowager are planning to go to London to find Edith.  Cora says, “I’ll never trust you again.”  Rosemund tries to comfort her mother, saying she doesn’t mean it. The Dowager disagrees, “That’s the most honest thing she has ever said to me.”

The Bates’ share a quiet moment at home. The property in London is becoming vacant. They are wondering when they may retire or start a family. Anna is confident that things will work out. Mr. Bates admires her positive outlook.

Lord Grantham asks Mary about her engagement to Lord Gillingham.  She flatly denies that there is a marriage in her future.  Mary leaves and Branson confides to Robert that he is seriously thinking of leaving Downton for the United States. Lord Grantham is truly upset that he’ll lose his son-in-law and confidant.

Cora and Aunt Rosemund stake out Edith’s publishing establishment. After some deflection, Edith appears. First she believes that Aunt Rosemund told her mother the secret, and then learns that Mrs. Drewe was the one who told Cora. Edith agrees to a meeting at a nearby teahouse.

The Dowager and Mary have tea at her house.  There is continued tension between Spratt and the new maid Denker. (I couldn’t care less!) Mary thinks she knows why Grannie is upset about Isobel’s engagement, because she will be “outranked” as Isobel becomes Lady Merton.  The Dowager refutes this saying that they had become friends as fellow widows.  Isobel also saved her life when she had the Spanish flu.  Mary quips, “You’re not sentimental, Grannie.” To which the Dowager replies, “You make me regret my confidence!” Wow.

Branson and Sybie throw sticks in a stream. He gently tries to ask her what she would think about leaving Downton. In her first spoken lines, she simply asks, “Why?”

Downstairs, Baxter and Bates bicker.  They’re upset that she spoke to the police behind their back. Blake calls Mary and asks her to meet him “in rags” at the cinema. Lord Grantham worries about Isis. (Don’t we all, oh wait, that’s the dog!) He advises Rose to write her a letter about Atticus Aldridge. Rose is hoping her dad will convince her mother.

At the teahouse, Edith confesses that she was thinking of going to the United States and changing her name and story. But, she didn’t want to leave Michael’s legacy, the publishing business, in ruin. Cora decides that they both should return to Downton. The story will be that the Drewe’s couldn’t afford to keep the orphaned child and Edith has decided to adopt the girl. Rosemund dislikes this plan immensely, but is overruled. It’s a risky plan but it just might work.

Throughout the hour we've seen snippets of Daisy talking about politics and her feelings of hopelessness, about her studies and prospects now that Ms. Bunting has left. Mrs. Patmore and Mosley have been trying to convince her to not give and have enlisted the help of Mr. Mason.  Thus, Daisy, Ms. Baxter and Mosley have a field trip to the father-in-law’s farm. They all encourage her to continue her studies. Mr. Mason states, “Education is power!” (A very American notion) Try as I might, I find Daisy and her ugly hat truly annoying.  I wish she were not the “downstairs ambassador” of progress.

The plan to get Edith and Marigold back to Downton is almost ruined by the chance arrival of Mary at the same train station. Edith and Cora leave Marigold with Mr. Drewe while they talk to Mary. Anna is with Mary and sees Mr. Drewe with Marigold in a first class car, which is very curious.

The Dowager and Isobel share there last times together as widowed ladies. Isobel inquires whether there has been any news regarding the prince finding his wife. She shrugs off the notion of a link between them. Spratt interrupts and quits, but the Dowager doubts he means it. “He’s as touchy as a beauty losing his looks!”

After the film, Blake pushes Mary to kiss him. Tony and Ms. Fox bump into them. Tony finally is willing to let Mary go and wishes them good luck. Of course, they aren’t really together. But Mary does seem to be interested in Blake, now that he is leaving for Poland for an indefinite time. (She truly must desire to be unhappy!)

Back at Downton, the family is introduced to the idea of Edith’s adoption of the “farmer’s orphan”. Mary, predictably, thinks the idea is “idiotic” and wonders why the problem can’t just be solved with money.  The others seem simply bewildered by the idea.  Edith has to plead her plan with all of them except Cora.  Reluctantly, it’s agreed.  Isis continues to fade and Lord Grantham muses that she may not even know him, except as the hand that feeds her.  He really is too embarrassed to admit how much he loves her.  Sybie comes over and offers her grandfather, and dog, comfort. (Sweet like her mother Sybil.)

The big engagement dinner is underway.  The eldest son of Lord Merton wastes no time making everyone angry. Stating that “irreconcilable differences” are the most common cause of divorce, how can his father marry women like Isobel who is so beneath his class? Then he remarks the Rose and Atticus relationship is doomed due to religion, and then admonishes Branson’s marriage to Sybil.  Branson snaps and yells, “Get out you bastard!”  Lord Grantham and Lord Merton defend not Branson’s language but his sentiment, and Larry leaves. (Good riddance!)

As the dinner party breaks up, Isobel is visibly shaken by Larry’s rancor.  Lord Merton assures her that they are “like their mother in every way.” Lord Merton never loved their mother. Still, Isobel would have welcomed the addition of the men in her life. It probably makes her miss Matthew afresh. (Hope it doesn’t change her mind on the marriage altogether.)

Atticus tells Rose this is the first of many tests of their relationship, then bends a knee and proposes! YES!

Lord Grantham brings the dying dog to bed, and they lay her between them so she is surrounded by love.  It’s a tender moment of reconciliation from that Mr. Bricker snafu.

What did you think? There are four rumored engagements this season. (One more to go!) Will it be Mrs. Hughes and Carson, or Mosley and Daisy, or Blake and Mary? There is one more episode before the finale March 1.