After last week’s exhilaration with the Carson marriage and
Branson’s return, this week’s installment seems more like a “place holder”
episode as the series prepares for its finish line. This episode was happily Denker free, the hospital
and Yew Tree Farm are central issues this hour.
Branson walks the grounds of Downton before breakfast. He
joins the family who ply him with questions.
Branson explains to Robert he left America realizing he’d “Moved away a
time too many.” He regrets if he stole
the spotlight on the Carson’s wedding day.
Robert insists he added to the special day. Edith wastes no time in asking the awkward
question, will he take over as the estate’s agent in place of Mary? Branson is elusive; he states he’d be willing
to share his role with her. The Carsons
are away on their honeymoon. Aunt
Rosemund is coming to Downton, hopefully to add her voice to Cora’s side of the
hospital issue.
Downstairs, Ms. Patmore informs Sgt. Willis is coming
around, this time to question Baxter. Baxter
leaves quickly. Thomas expresses
frustration at the staff for not being show the same respect as Carson. (He’s
acting butler while the old man is away.)
Cora, breakfasting in bed receives a note from the Dowager
Countess. The Countess has invited Lady
Shakelton for a visit. Cora suspects
this person is to serve as an ally to the Dowager’s position on the hospital
matter.
Branson and Mary have an opportunity to speak privately
about his plans for the future. He
confesses he wants more out of his life then simply acting as an agent for the
estate. He was impressed by the concept
of the "American Dream." Branson
saw how in America one could rise from poverty to wealth in a single lifetime.
(Something not possible in Britain at the time due to the class
structure.) Mary offers her support
stating, “You’re my brother.” Branson
wonders what Mary wants out of her life and if she regrets dismissing all her
suitors. Is it possible Branson will end
up with Mary?
Sgt. Willis questions Baxter and Molesly invites himself
into the meeting as her advocate. The
matter is regarding Peter Coyle, the con man who used Baxter to do his bidding
and steal jewels from a previous estate. The man is set to go to trial and they’d like
Baxter to be a witness for the prosecution. Willis advises her, she could help Coyle from
ruining the lives of other young women. Baxter
says she’ll think about it. Sgt. Willis
leaves. Molesly thinks she should help,
adding, “Evil can only prevail when the good stay silent.” Baxter seems frightened and leaves Molesly abruptly.
Robert and Cora discuss the guests the Dowager has invited. Lady Shakleton wants to bring her nephew with
her to Downton. Cora fears it’s a plot
by the Dowager to garner more support for her position on the hospital. Branson enters and reports the Carsons have
been given a cottage to live as a married couple on the estate. Cora asks what is happening regarding the Yew
Tree Farm property. Robert doesn’t know
about her idea to give tenancy to Mr. Mason. Branson agrees to go out with Robert later. Cora notices Robert is overjoyed Branson has
returned. Downton is certainly lacking
in men!
Mary is packing for a trip to London and asks Anna about the
new maids. Things are different now the
housemaids no longer live at Downton and Anna and Baxter have to preform some
of their evening duties. She asks how
Anna is feeling and if Bates is still unaware of her pregnancy. Anna is self-conscious about her weight gain. Mary asks Mr. Bates to bring down her luggage
as Thomas and Andy are out. This makes
Mr. Bates suspicious.
The Dowager has Lady Shakleton over at her home for
tea. Lady Shakleton apologizes for inviting
her nephew, but states she doesn’t get to visit with him often. The Dowager
wants to be sure Lady Shakleton supports the Dowager’s plan not to change the
hospital. Lady Shakleton is non-committal,
reporting that she needs more information in order to make a decision. The Dowager quips, “Are you here to help or
irritate?”
Thomas looks for volunteers to ready the cottage for the
Carsons return. Andy offers to go with a
few maids to help. Daisy brings up the
issue of Yew Tree Farm and Mr. Mason’s presumed tenancy there. Thomas doesn’t think this is the case, he
states he heard His Lordship speaking about leasing the house, but farming the
land themselves. Daisy becomes enraged
and leaves in a huff. Andy follows her
out. Mr. Molesly asks Baxter what she
plans to do regarding testifying in court. Baxter makes an excuse and leaves. Thomas smiles at Molesly and says; “Now we’ve
both been snubbed!”
Aunt Rosemund and Edith drive up to Downton. Aunt Rosemund agrees with Cora on the hospital
matter, even though she knows this will infuriate her mother. Aunt Rosemund wants to know if Edith would be
interested in being on the board of a college that offers education to “poor,
yet deserving women.” Edith expresses
interest and Aunt Rosemund states she’ll set up the meeting with the college
president John Harding.
Molesly approaches Cora upstairs; he wants a moment to tell
her Ladyship about Baxter testifying at Peter Coyle’s trial.
In the kitchen, Daisy is livid about the Yew Tree Farm
situation. Ms. Patmore reminds Daisy SHE
was the one who presumed the matter was settled and got poor Mr. Mason’s hopes
up.
The dinner party arrives, including Lady Shakleton and her
nephew Henry Talbot the racecar driver. Mary
recognizes Talbot and the two begin flirting. Edith brings up the college idea and receives
support from Lady Isobel. Talbot speaks
about his racing career. The Dowager and
Lady Shakleton speak privately about her nephew, noting, “Forty men would have
to die for him to get the Earldom.” But,
Talbot seems to have some money. Robert
overhears their discussion and scoffs at the older ladies scheming.
Baxter is frustrated that Molesly spoke of her situation to
her Ladyship. Anna has a sharp pain
while folding towels, but ignores it!
At the dinner table, Isobel makes the argument for the
change in the hospital’s structure. Lady
Shakleton states she needs more information to make up her mind. The Dowager is
upset. Away from the party, Branson
notes to Edith that the Dowager hasn’t changed a bit in his absence. Edith retorts, “If she was twenty years
younger, you’d just call her a tyrant!” Branson
then goes to have a conversation with Talbot about cars. Talbot informs him he’s mostly from London as
his father is a Member of Parliament. Mary,
looking flawless in gold, thinks the whole idea of racing cars as “odd.” She adds, “But people do odd things now!” Cora advocates the changes to the hospital
structure would bring modern treatments to the village. The Dowager is losing patience with the
conversation. She exclaims, “Lady Isobel
is not entitled to win it!” (The
argument)
As the party breaks up, Lady Shakleton apologizes to Robert
for not supporting his mother regarding the hospital. Talbot gives Mary his card and asks her on a
date the next time she is in London. She
admits she’s not interested in cars but Talbot is undaunted and states she just
needs to be educated about them properly. (By him, naked preferably!) As Robert and Cora go upstairs, Robert grabs
his chest in pain but dismisses it as heartburn from the port.
Outside the servant area Thomas and Baxter take a moment to
wax philosophically about life. Thomas
notes that Baxter may feel like an outsider but is able to make friends,
especially Mr. Molesly. Baxter replies
she admires Thomas for not caring what other people think about him being
“different.” Sadly, Thomas replies he
does care what others think. He adds she
a stronger person then she thinks. I’m
happy for this scene, which humanizes Thomas and his struggle to be accepted.
In the kitchen Ms. Patmore marvels at how Mrs. Hughes now,
“Knows the mysteries of life, more then I’ll ever know.” (Referring to Mrs.
Hughes losing her virginity.) Daisy has other things on her mind. She tells Ms. Patmore she’s determined to
speak to Cora about Mr. Mason and Yew Tree Farm. Ms. Patmore warns this will get her
terminated, but Daisy doesn’t care.
Sgt. Willis has come again to see Baxter. Molesly is present and tries to persuade her
to testify. Surprising both men, Baxter
agrees to testify against Mr. Coyle. Sgt.
Willis leaves. Molesly asks what changed
her mind on the matter. Baxter replies
she thought about the young woman’s lives the man had ruined. Molesly adds he didn’t “ruin” Baxter. Baxter says quietly, “He changed me.”
The Hardings arrive in their own car. Anna immediately recognizes Mrs. Harding as
Gwen, a former Downton housemaid. Thomas
is upset she doesn’t greet him, Anna states Gwen and Thomas weren’t
friends. The couple is shown into the
library to speak about their college. The
family doesn’t recognize Mrs. Harding. She explains how the telephone changed
everything in her life. She met her
future husband when she worked as a secretary at the phone company. Isobel relates to the cause of women’s
education, wondering if she might have become a doctor given the
opportunity. (As a former nurse, this
common theme that all nurses are “failed” doctors infuriates me, but that seems
to be a common misunderstanding about nursing.)
Once away from the gathering, Branson recognizes Gwen as
their former housemaid. Downstairs, the
staff is intrigued about the return of Gwen/Mrs. Harding. Thomas states she is “too snobby” to come down
and greet them or even acknowledge she used to work there.
Back upstairs, Thomas takes it upon himself to reveal Mrs.
Harding’s past. Mary says she thought
the she looked familiar. All the family
is embarrassed by this revelation. Having
heard about Barrow’s announcement, Mr. Bates confronts Thomas. Bates says Thomas has spoiled the family’s
luncheon and it wasn’t his place to speak for her. Bates guesses Thomas is jealous of Gwen’s rise
from housemaid to houseguest. Thomas
orders Bates to go do something. Bates
obviously has hit a nerve.
Upstairs, the luncheon continues. Rosemund wonders why Gwen left service. Gwen explains Lady Sybil was her champion. Sybil helped her apply for jobs and even took
her to interviews. Remembering Sybil
makes everyone sad. Mary thanks Thomas
for revealing Gwen’s secret, so they could learn what Sybil did to change the
woman’s life.
Gwen goes downstairs to greet the staff that is happy to see
her and learn of her success. Daisy
corners Branson to let him know about her ideas of who should get Yew Tree
Farm. Branson agrees to bring up the
matter with the family. Lord Grantham chastises
Thomas for “outing” Mrs. Harding. He
says he should take his time as acting butler to learn. After His Lordship leaves Baxter says to
Thomas, “You’re your own worst enemy.”
Upstairs, Mary reflects on her day stating she feels
inferior to her late sister. (She is!) Anna has sharp pain again, and Mary is
alarmed. Mary insists they leave for
London at once, even if they have to drive to make the late train out of York. As Mary leaves the room, she runs into Branson
and tells him what’s happening. He
agrees to drive them to York. Mary tells
her family she has a medical issue and is leaving for London at once with Anna.
The family seems suspicious, but let her
go.
Outside, Anna tells her husband Mary has to go to London for
a medical issue. He accepts her story
but probably suspects there is more she isn’t saying. Downstairs, the staff is surprised at Mary’s
sudden departure. Daisy decides she must
speak to Lady Grantham now. Molesly
warns her she’ll be fired and Ms. Patmore says it will be hard to find work
without a proper reference. Daisy
doesn’t care, she sees Gwen as an example of “life after service.” (Daisy isn’t
nearly as smart as Gwen.)
Cora tells Robert she’d like to settle the Yew Tree Farm
tenancy by offering it to Mr. Mason. Robert
protests the man is too old to run a farm and it would be more profitable if
the family farmed the land. Downstairs,
Ms. Patmore and Thomas warn Daisy not to go upstairs with her protest. Baxter bravely agrees to accompany Daisy
upstairs.
Branson enter the Grantham conversation and agrees with Cora
that Mr. Mason should have the farm. The
matter is settled and Cora leaves for bed to be intercepted by Baxter and
Daisy. Cora seems annoyed by Daisy’s
presence. Robert gives them the news;
Mr. Mason shall have the farm. Daisy can
only say, “Wonderful!” Cora tells Daisy to leave and asks Baxter to meet her
upstairs. Cora tells Robert, “I think I
just dodged something!” Robert again
complains of chest pain and dismisses its seriousness.
Mary is staying at her Aunt’s flat in London. The doctor exits the bedroom and reports he
inserted a cervical stitch and Anna is still pregnant!
Daisy muses about the turn of events in her and Mr. Mason’s
favor. She grabbles with her emotions
toward her Ladyship, from hate to love in an instant. Andy likes the idea of a farm and states his
goal is to have a “country life.” Lord
Grantham tells Thomas the Carsons will arrive at six that evening. He hopes Thomas has taught something as acting
butler that will serve him in his next position. “Carson is kind, remember that
when you go.” Thomas seems dismayed that
the family despises him and wants him to leave.
Mary meets Henry at the London Automobile Club. She apologizes for her dress, something she
borrowed from her aunt. Henry plies her
with compliments as a jazz band plays. Mary
tells Henry she works and enjoys her position as agent of the estate. This makes Henry like her more. Mary states her plan is to pass a functioning
estate to her son George (remember him?) and he will inherit his grandfather’s
title. Mary adds coyly she’ll reject his
advances, but will enjoy his attention. (Wow, what a tease, but so many men
love being eaten and spit out by Mary.)
Mr. Mason surveys his new farm with Daisy. The old man is ecstatic and praises her. In
the servant’s hall, the staff prepare for the Carsons return. Mr. Bates pulls Anna aside and says, “I know
what you’re hiding.” Anna tells him it’s
nothing sad, and the couples share a blissful moment realizing they’ll soon be
parents. The Carsons arrive to cheers.
Upstairs, the Dowager explains her reasoning on the
hospital. All her life she’s fought
against government control of people’s lives. Rosemund adds, “Especially when it interferes
with you wielding your unelected power!” The Dowager proceeds to give a speech on
individual’s rights, beginning with the Magna Carta. Rosemund scoffs, “We’re not living in
1215!” The discussion is interrupted
with the news of the Carsons arrival. The
Dowager hasn’t seen the kitchen in twenty years. Isobel asks, “Did you bring
your passport?”
Downstairs, Edith states she’s trying to find a woman to act
as “co-editor” with her for her magazine.
The Dowager thinks this is madness, what would be next, a woman pope? Mary agrees with Edith for once, stating it
makes sense a woman’s magazine would have a woman editor. Mary immediately makes a sarcastic comment to
counter her support of Edith. Robert
mentions to his sister that there will be no changing their mother’s mind, even
in the event of her death. Rosemund
adds, “She may be the one at your funeral!”
The Carsons announce that they will keep with being known as
Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes, to avoid confusion in the house. This relieves all the family of having to
learn something new! Thomas eyes Mr.
Carson; envious of his position and the respect he has with the family. Carson excuses himself to go check his room
for belongings. He enters his bachelor
room one last time, and then removes his name card from the door. He makes his way down the hall to his new
life.
Thankfully, the Yew Tree Farm situation has been resolved
and hopefully Daisy can calm down and stay employed. The episode had several moments of
foreshadowing Robert’s demise as he ignores his pain. The funeral remark by Aunt Rosemund seemed
especially cryptic. The preview of the
next episode shows Mary’s new suitor possibly in peril at the racetrack. And it looks as though Denker will be back in
the next episode, annoying everyone!
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