Downton Abbey Season 5 episode 8

The finale is almost upon us; but first, let’s get ready for Rose’s wedding despite the grumbling of Lord Sinderby and Lady Flintshire.

The house is atwitter trying to prepare for a trip to London that will culminate in the nuptials of Rose and Atticus Aldridge.  As a compromise of their religious differences, the couple will wed in City Hall then have a blessing ceremony in a synagogue.  There was no synagogue in Ripon therefore the wedding must be in London.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Patmore and Daisy working on a wedding cake worthy of royalty.  Rose is anticipating the arrival of her parents from India, but her mother and her don’t quite get along.  The parents must keep up the appearance of unity, despite their impending divorce.  This adds stress to the already tense situation.  The Flintshires’ also had taken Mrs. O’Brian with them to India.  She might be a “personae non grata” around Downton after all the problems she caused.  The Dowager has been surprisingly progressive about all the fuss saying, “Love may not conquer all, but it can conquer quite a lot.”

Lord Grantham plays with Sybie and is forlorn about the prospect Branson leaving for the United States for his cousin’s tractor and car business.  Rose muses that at least she’ll be enjoying the company of her new mother-in-law.  Mr. Carson informs the Bates’ that Mr. Vyner from Scotland Yard will be coming around again to ask questions.  Mary roles her eyes at her sister’s zeal for motherhood, saying, “She acts like she invented motherhood!” (We all know someone like that!)

Branson hopes that he can speak to Lord Grantham about the housing project in town.  He wants to leave things in good order.  Ms. Baxter tries to show her loyalty to the Bates’ by stating that she will tell the police that she saw the un-torn train ticket.  Mosley and Daisy chatter about a visit to the museum while they are in London. The local war memorial unveiling will be happening soon, which reopens Mrs. Patmore’s own wound. Mr. Mason will be coming from the unveiling.

At the Dowager’s house, Denker informs the D.C. that Prince Kuargin is waiting for her.  She makes him wait and then they discuss their potential relationship.  The Prince is quite forceful about wanting to spend his final years with her.  The Dowager will not give him an answer but is intrigued by this proposal.  She is momentarily breathless!

Mr. Vyner appears and informs the Bates’, Carson and Mrs. Hughes that he knows about Mr. Greene’s pattern of serial assaults on women.  The authorities also have discovered the person with Mr. Greene before he was flattened by the bus was shorter then Mr. Bates.  Again, it’s a troubling case that seems entirely of circumstantial evidence and heresy.  Mrs. Hughes scoffs, “They are trying to bully it out!” Of course, Mr. Carson doesn’t know about the rape of Anna so he’s bewildered by these revelations.

Lord Grantham is seen speaking to a man about a memorial for Isis, but there is another memorial he would also like to commission. (Fingers crossed for Mrs. Patmore!)

Spratt and Denker squabble prior to the Dowagers departure. Spratt pushes a suitcase under the bed in madding effort to undermine Denker. The Dowager is a quick old broad, notices one of her fifty bags missing and Spratt is chastised. (I’m so tired of this storyline!)

As the Downton house is heading out Edith expresses remorse about leaving Marigold.  Lord Grantham assures her that the children will have nurses and nannies and grand old time without their parents.  As Robert and Cora get in the car, Robert lingers on Marigold thinking that there is something familiar about her. (So much for not telling her father!)

On arrival to the London Grantham House, we meet the new footman for the week named Andrew.  Does he have a little flare in his eye when he sees Mr. Barrow?  Ms. Denker brags that she knows the area and is looking forward to going out.  Rose’s parents arrive without servants!  Oh my, what will the Rose’s new in-laws say? Rose’s parents also make things difficult as Mrs. Flintshire refuses to share a bedroom with her soon to be ex-husband.  She chides Rose, “What a choice you’ve made!”  Things are starting off well!

The first meeting between the Flintshire’s and the Sinderby’s occurs and with the Grantham’s hosting.  Mrs. Flintshire’s first words to Atticus are, “What a peculiar name!”  This is going well.  Dinner is served and the awkwardness continues.  Susan asks if the Sinderby’s have any English blood. (Which they do, but how rude.)  Lord Sinderby makes a big speech on divorce declaring it a selfish weak act made by failures. The jabs continue as Mrs. Flintshire remarks on how difficult it is to obtain staff, to which Lady Sinderby replies that since they are Jewish, they pay well so that’s not a problem.  Lady Sinderby tries to extend an olive branch to Rose’s parents by inviting them to their home for dinner before the wedding.  Atticus won’t attend as he is having his “Stag Party” that night at a hotel.

The Dowager and Isobel share a moment in the hallway.  The Dowager remarks that it’s sad that Lord Merton won’t be attending the wedding.  Isobel is surprised by the Dowager’s change of heart.  The D.C. muses that sometimes in life you just have one chance at happiness. (She’s likely referring to her Prince.)

Mary, Rose and Branson share some after dinnertime.  Edith asks if they miss their children when they are away.  Mary seems astounded by the idea.  Rose chimes in that children are the job for the nannies. (I thought she’d be more modern but she is still very young.) Mary invites them all to lunch the next day to celebrate the “end of an era”.   Cora and Robert discuss the meeting the Bates’ will have in the morning with Scotland Yard.  Robert seems genuinely concerned and prepared to defend their characters.

Downstairs, Daisy has planned a museum trip with the other staff.  Mrs. Patmore is frustrated, “Is this a kitchen or a holiday resort?”  Suddenly, Lord Grantham appears to speak to Mrs. Patmore.  He asks her to attend the war memorial unveiling upon their return to Downton. She has no choice but to oblige him.

Mrs. Bates arrives at her appointment with Scotland Yard only to find she is being brought in to participate in a line up!  There are about four other women in a row who share a similar height and coloring.  The witness looks them over face to face carefully.  Anna looks frightened.  There are many English women who may look similar to Anna.  This might be the evidence that convicts her!

Mrs. Patmore continues to wonder what Mrs. Denker is scheming in regards to the hired footman Andy.  Daisy’s mind wanders to the wonderful possibilities of living and studying in London.

Upstairs after dinner, Rose asks if her father if he approves of Atticus and he lends her his support. Robert has been on a secret errand and won’t divulge it.

Atticus attends the “Stag Party” thrown at a nearby hotel.  He goes upstairs, intoxicated, but alone.  A woman tries to follow him but he pushes her away.   A few moments later, there is a knock at the door for room service.  Atticus opens the door in his bathrobe and the young woman enters his room and pushes the sleeves on her dress down!  He kicks her out wondering out loud “Is this a joke?” The woman smiles and walks away.

Edith and Branson wait for Rose and Mary for lunch.  Edith reminisces about Michael.  Edith tells him that he’s the only one in the family who she feels accepts her. Mary and Rose arrive.  Rose is given a strange envelope and inside are pictures of Atticus and this mystery woman!  Understandably upset, Branson advises her to go and confront Atticus about this immediately rather then believe what the pictures imply.  Alone with Edith, Branson explains that this is “classic stag party stuff” and Atticus was likely set up, perhaps by Lord Sinderby.

Carson and Mrs. Hughes talk about the dinner and if he’s prejudice against the marriage.  Carson is adamant that he is not an anti-Semite but Mrs. Hughes makes a comment that he has no self-awareness.  Mrs. Denker asks for more time to show Andrew around.  Mr. Barrow presses, but their activities are still a mystery.  Mr. Mosley, Daisy and Ms. Baxter are aglow after their trip to the museum.  They see Atticus and Rose arguing in the park.

Atticus confronts his father. Lord Sinderby denies his involvement in the pictures. However, he is against the marriage and the decline of their cultural and religious heritage. Atticus is adamant that the children will know both faiths and stands up for Rose.

The party at the Sinderby’s is beginning. The younger crowd muses on who could have wanted to stop the marriage by sending the pictures.  Rose forgives and believes Atticus has been true.  Mary and Branson discuss his possible departure. Mary bemoans the fact that the family is breaking apart due to death or other things. “Now I’m to be left alone with Edith. If you read I’ve become a murderer it will be your fault.” Is joking about murder so funny, really Mary?

Lord Sinderby and Shrimpie meet and immediately start talking politics; don’t these people know how to be polite?  It comes to difficulty immediately with Lord Sinderby thinking that he knows more about what is happening in India then Shrimpie who has lived there for years.  Mary is concerned about Lord Sinderby’s attitude toward the wedding and speaks to the D. C., “Do you suppose he do anything to stop Rose’s wedding?” The Dowager notes, “My dear, love is a far more dangerous motive then dislike.”

Denker seems to have a concocted a scheme which involves using the hired footman Andrew for her benefit.  She is cajoling him to go drinking with her.  Mr. Barrow suspects that she is a bad influence on him to which she replies, “Then I suppose we have something in common.” Mr. Barrow’s reputation seems to have preceded him.  Daisy is daydreaming of quitting the kitchen and living in London.  She is feeling that her life at Downton is dreary.  Mrs. Patmore is distraught about losing her protégé and friend.  

Upstairs, Shrimpie surprises the acidic Susan in her separate bedchamber.  She complains about the having to tolerate the new Jewish in-laws.  Shrimpie sticks up for Rose and declares he knows that she set up Atticus to look bad.  Susan tries to put her arms around him. “Get down you cat!” Shrimpie snaps.  He threatens to tell Rose about her scheme, which might result in the finale blow to their already contemptuous relationship.  Rose fears that if news of her parents divorce is known that she’ll be a social outcast.  That might be the only thing that could stop the marriage now.

After dinner drinks are served and Lord Grantham says he is considering selling the Della Francesca. (The house’s famous painting that so interested Mr. Bricker.) The sale will enable him to fund the new construction in the village.  Cora asks him if he’s sure about this.  Robert sees it as a symbol of his distrust that he is ready to put behind them.

In light of the recent “picture scandal”, Isobel asks to the Dowager if it would be right for her marriage to go forward knowing that her new stepsons dislike her.  The Dowager doesn’t believe that fact should upset their happiness.  Carson tells the Dowager that Mrs. Denker is “unwell” and can’t attend to her this evening.  Mary has another sad moment with Branson.  He agrees to stay until Christmas.  She calls his leaving a “dagger in her heart.” They do have a touching friendship that’s been fortified through loss.

Downstairs, Mrs. Denker is actually stinking drunk and Carson and the staff is mortified.  Daisy runs to fetch coffee and sees Mrs. Patmore crying.  Daisy asks why and Mrs. Patmore wails, “You’re daft, I don’t want you to leave! I’ll miss you!”  Daisy was always clueless when it came to other people’s feelings.  Mrs. Hughes enters and wonders what is the matter.  Daisy says, “Nothings happened, yet!”  Carson chastises Andrew about his tardiness and Mrs. Dunker’s “illness”.  Mr. Barrow intervenes and learns that the boy has gambled all night and lost.  Mr. Barrow promises that he will accompany them next time and set things right.

Rose’s big day is here! The wedding will be in City Register’s Office and the Dowager reminisces about another similar wedding she had attended.  The Dowager senses something is amiss with Susan.  Susan pulls out her “Hail Mary” pass and announces that “This is long overdue, Shrimpie and I are in the process of getting a divorce.” Lord Sinderby is properly scandalized.  Lady Sinderby is quick to react and comes forward to offer Susan her support.  Then she cuts off Lord Sinderby before he can protest and says, “If you do anything to stop this marriage, I will leave you!” (She is awesome!)

Rose looks lovely in a light blue suit with lace trim and a lovely cream hat.  It’s hard not to cry a little as her father walks her up the stairs to the justice of the peace.  He tells her he is sure that Atticus was innocent.  Rose wonders how he knows, but then drops the subject not wanting to have bad thoughts on this happy day. Rose is her father’s daughter indeed. The couple looks so happy.

Carson is organizing the final ceremony. Mr. Barrow invites himself to the Denker outing. Mrs. Hughes is skeptical about their funny business with the Dowager’s lady maid.

The guests arrive for the blessing; Lord Gillingham and Mabel Fox step out of a beautiful car in style.  Rose is wearing a beautiful wedding dress with a crown like head dressing.  Rose promises Atticus’s parents to keep him happy.  Lord Sinderby accepts that “The thing is done.”  (He’s as warm as December in London!)  Mary greets Lord Gillingham and Ms. Fox.  Mary tries to dispel the awkwardness by welcoming them, as she is sure she will be welcomed at their wedding.  They announce they will marry in December.

Rose is aglow as she tells her new husband that she never thought her father-in-law was the behind the pictures.  Lady Sinderby overhears this and smiles to her husband saying, “See, she already knows you better then he (Atticus) does!”

Edith confides that she is eager to get back to Marigold at Downton, further raising Robert’s suspicions.  Tony and Mary have a moment to clear the air about their ended affair, they both seem to be gracious and mature about the past.  The Sinderby’s invite the Grantham family to their grouse hunt, and a path is made to deepen their bonds. Rose has a moment with Susan. (If she only knew of how low her mother stooped to ruin her happiness!) Cora quips at another anti-Semite guest!

Mary and Carson have a tender moment.  Carson feels that Lord Gillingham wasn’t good enough for Mary, and he is confident that she will “triumph in the end!”

Mrs. Denker and Mr. Barrow and Andy go into the “Velvet Violin”. Denker introduces the men to the club’s owner, and Mr. Barrow says he will gamble while Denker heads to the bar.

Mary preparing for bed with Anna’s help when they are interrupted by Mrs. Hughes.   She explains that Anna needs to go downstairs immediately.  Mary protests, “But I haven’t released her!” Mrs. Hughes looking faint tells them that Mr. Vyner is waiting downstairs to arrest Anna.

Mrs. Denker is caught in the little scam she has been working all week. By bringing in new gamblers, she told the bartender she was to receive free drinks.  The owner demands payment for her previous three nights of drinking.  It’s a hefty sum. Andrew is relieved and Mr. Barrow satisfied that he could help the young man.  Was there more to Barrow’s interest in Andrew?

The poop is hitting the oscillating device downstairs!  Anna tries to stall the proceedings begging them to wait until her husband arrives.  Mary protests and threatens to get the family lawyer and refuses to let them take her, but the police don’t care if she’s “Queen of the Upper Nile, she’s coming with us!”  Mr. Bates is crushed as Robert implores him to stay calm.

Back at the village, Carson solemnly reads a poem about sacrifice. The villagers and family alike are moved by the memorial and reminded of their loss.  Lord Grantham announces another memorial for a brave young man who also perished, Mrs. Patmore’s nephew Archie.  Mrs. Patmore tears up as she sees the stone placed prominently on the village gate.  It’s touching to see Lord Grantham right this wrong.

As the family walks from the village to Downton, many little plot threads are tied up. Daisy has decided not to resign her position until she is done with her studies.  The Dowager gives Isobel a pep talk and says it’s time to fight for her relationship with Lord Merton.  It’s unclear whether she will pursue Prince Kaurgin.  Edith holds Marigold and tells Branson how she’ll miss him. Mary and Mr. Bates talk about Anna, it seems he’s steeling himself to do whatever is necessary to win her freedom. Will he plead guilty to get her released?

Robert mentions that Marigold looks like Michael Gregson!  Cora implores him to keep Edith’s secret a bit longer.  Robert seems genuinely happy to have another grandchild. It’s a bittersweet end to a fun and somewhat madding episode. The finale is Sunday!