After last week’s climatic ending, this episode shifted back
into neutral to cover the familiar scenery of Mary’s love life, Daisy’s
insensitivity and Thomas as a predatory gay man. And of course, “The aristocracy is becoming
extinct, how will poor Mary dress herself?” The hospital feud serves as a bell-weather of
the struggle for change.
The village is excited about the upcoming “Open House” at
Downton. Billed as a fundraiser for the
hospital, villagers will have the opportunity, for a fee, to see how their
masters live. Molesely is flitting
around town hanging up posters for the event. Robert is recovering in his
bedroom. He laments about the absurdity
of the open house even though it is a benefit for the hospital. Robert notes, “When Mary has spoken, my
opinion has little bearing.” This is
Mary and Branson’s plan to take the stressful decisions out of Lord Grantham’s
hands.
Downstairs the servants are not thrilled with the open house
idea either. Carson is suspicious of the
“riff-raff” and thinks the public might abscond with the spoons. Carson worries
the open house could lead to a full-scale revolution and guillotines in Trafalgar
Square! Daisy takes a more populist view
thinking the people have a right to see Downton. Moseley adds it might make the public
question, “Why do the Crawleys have all this and I don’t?” Carson asks Thomas how his job search is
going.
At the Dowager’s house, Isobel and the Countess also speak
about the open house. The Dowager can’t imagine paying to see and ordinary
house. Isobel notes, “Not everyone lives
like us.” (Including her before Downton needed her son as an heir.) They
discuss Robert’s illness and how Cora is “leading the revolution” in terms of
the hospital. Isobel is glad that Dr.
Clarkson is “seeing sense” on the matter and she also has the support of Lord
Merton. The Dowager wants to know if
Isobel is “weakening” regarding her feelings towards Lord Merton.
In the library, Edith, Cora and Mary are having tea. Edith mentions she has invited Bertie to
Downton, Mary is jealous for no good reason.
Mr. Mason hangs his deceased son’s portrait on the wall of
his new farm. He asks Daisy about when
she plans to sit for her exams and adds she owes Mr. Molesley for tutoring her.
He gives Daisy a note for Ms. Patmore to
thank her for her “picnic” she brought. This
upsets Daisy and she tells her father-in-law, “Don’t encourage her!” She fails
to recognize the affection between the two or is too selfish to “share” the old
man.
Mr. Carson serves Lord Grantham in bed. He wants to see how his master is faring and
has brought him a secret flask of fine wine. Robert thanks Carson but realizes he shouldn’t
“cheat” against the doctor’s orders.
Lord Grantham notes he has to “accept that life has changed.” He notes the change in the staff and their
“more simple” household. Carson reports
Thomas is actively looking for another position. Carson goes on to air his
opinion regarding the open house, fearing it is dangerous. Lord Grantham notes
it can’t be changed now. He wonders if
the public will be treated to “Lady Mary in the bath!” as an attraction. This remark is a little off-color for Robert,
is he mad that Mary now is in control of the running of the estate?
Ms. Patmore finds the note from Mr. Mason, opened and in the
trash! Daisy says it got there on
accident. (Liar!) Andrew makes a plan to
visit the pigs at the farm. Mrs. Hughes
asks Daisy how she plans to repay Mr. Molesley for all his help preparing for
her exams. As usual, Daisy only thinks
of taking, never giving back. Thomas
asks for a word later with Andrew. This
makes old Ms. Patmore suspicious about Thomas’s intentions.
Cora asks Baxter about her recent legal drama; Baxter
mentions Mr. Coyle will serve ten years for his crimes. Cora enters the bedroom where Robert is
groggy. He notes he would have died if
he had to have traveled to York for his surgery. Cora feels nothing will change with the new
hospital structure and over-site. Robert
would like his mother to visit.
Downstairs, Mr. Bates notes Anna isn’t feeling well. Anna minimizes her pain as usual. Mr. Bates is adamant she return to London to
see the specialist and wants her to be open with him about her physical
condition. He states he’ll gladly pay
the specialist from his own savings as not to ask Lady Mary.
Carson asks Mrs. Hughes if they could start having breakfast
at their home. He asks if she knows how
to make coffee, and Mrs. Hughes bristles his doubt in her abilities. Carson
again brings up she could stand lessons from Ms. Patmore and adds he doesn’t
like the way she makes the bed! (What a fuss budget, he can make it himself I
say!)
Anna speaks to Lady Mary about her physical health. Mary seems eager for an excuse to go to
London “I feel like a jaunt!” She seems
eager to play with her latest suitor/mouse.
Cora goes to Cousin Isobel’s to meet with her and Dr.
Clarkson. The hospital restructuring
plan seems to be going forward and they would like to keep Isobel as financial
officer but name Cora as the new president. Cora would replace the Dowager Countess and
they would like her to play a more active role. The hospital will write the Dowager a letter
informing her of the change. The fecal
matter will then hit the oscillating device!
Mary makes a phone call in the hallway and Branson overhears
her plan to surprise Henry at the Criterion in London. Edith mentions that was a favorite place for
her and Michael Gregson to meet. Mary
quips at her younger sister, “Do you have to downpour on every thing?” Edith responds she had happy memories there
for god sakes! Branson invites himself to Mary’s date, again. Edith notes she can manage without them and
refers to Henry as her “oily driver.”
Mary goes upstairs and sees Thomas playing around with her
son George. Thomas tells her the boy
cheers him up. Mary seems as detached as ever from her son. Mary goes to say goodbye to her father who is
looking pale. She mentions her
interaction with Mr. Barrow and wants to know if he is planning on firing him. Robert notes he hopes Thomas will be leaving
voluntarily.
Mary exits the front door in a stunning blue coat. Mr. Bates asks Mary to take good care of Anna
and to send him the doctor’s bill. She
reluctantly agrees. Once in the car, she
states she has no intention of letting Mr. Bates pay. Branson asks that she respect the man’s pride
and Anna thanks Mr. Branson for understanding.
Mr. Carson and Thomas have a private discussion about his
job prospects. It seems his position in
“middle management” or under-butler has made him especially vulnerable. There is room for the skilled butler and less
skilled footman but not for the under-butler.
Carson laments, “Ours is a lost world.” Still, he’ll probably stay at
Downton until he dies.
Mr. Molesley pays the school headmaster a visit to arrange
for Daisy’s exams. The head master asks
if Molesley would like to help at the school. To do so, Molesley would also need to take an
exam to assess his knowledge. Molesley
is excited to accept the offer.
The Dowager visits her son in his bedroom chambers. She is furious about the open house and notes
she has a special role as President of the hospital. The Dowager declares, “I am the patients
representative here on Earth!” She is
the villagers Pope? She is not doing to take her firing well.
Downstairs, Mrs. Hughes frets about cooking for her husband.
Mr. Molesley mentions he plans to take
exams as well. Andrew and Thomas set a
study time but it just serves to fuel gossip.
Mary waits impatiently for Anna. Anna appears and apologizes for missing the
bus after her appointment. Mary notes,
“I thought I might have to dress myself!” (The horror!) Anna reports the doctor said she was
experiencing a normal pregnancy pain, the loosening of her ligaments. Mary notes this didn’t happen to HER. (She is the pregnancy expert of course!) Anna notes that Thomas is fond of George,
causing Mary to bring up Marigold to try to garner information from Anna. Anna however can keep a secret.
Robert and Cora discuss her ascension to president of the
hospital in Baxter’s presence. Cora
trusts her maid to keep the secret. Robert
questions Cora’s desire to work. Cora is
adamant she wants to work and notes her daughters no longer need her. Robert says she doesn’t have to be like
Cousin Isobel. This curious remark maybe
more foreshadowing of Robert’s demise because Isobel is a widow.
In London, Mary raises a toast to many old friends. She notes the strangeness of so many of them
being single, to which a woman remarks that is due to the War. Mary insensitively replies, “I am not a war
widow!” Henry is present and Mary does
her best to feign disinterest in his automobile racing. Henry invites Branson to Brookside where
races will be held in several weeks.
Carson waits to be served in his cottage by poor Mrs.
Hughes. Carson boorishly suggests
condiments and tests Mrs. Hughes’s patience. He also thinks they should give up alcohol
because “His Lordship” no longer can indulge. Mrs. Hughes thinks that’s bullocks! Carson goes on to criticize the duck before
even tasting it!
Mary suggests walking back to Aunt Rosemund’s flat with
Henry. She kisses Evelyn Napier on the
cheek to say goodbye. (To ensure his heartbreak.) As Henry and Mary walk down the empty street,
she confides in him that she hates automobiles since her husband died in a car
accident. He asks that she allow him to
show her his world. A cloud bursts open
and the couple flees to the alley for shelter.
Henry tells Mary she doesn’t have to come to the race but he does want
to see her. They share a passionate
kiss. Mary is nervous they are moving
too fast. (She made it clear to Branson
that Henry was beneath her.) Henry confesses he’s falling in love with Mary. Mary admits she is “compelled by his
argument.” Henry notes, “You’re the
boss.” Poor man.
Back at Aunt Rosemund’s, Branson grills Mary about her walk
with Henry. She is coy and notes that he
is a gentleman. The discussion turns to
Edith and Mary opines, “She was stupid to have saddled herself with a child! Why would any man take her on?" Mary is
also “saddled” with a child, but of course has the status of being widowed and
her son is set to inherit both title and Downton. Why can’t she just allow Edith to be happy?
Edith is late picking up Bertie from the station; the poor
man had started to walk to Downton. They
kiss hello and seem very comfortable with each other.
At Isobel’s home, Lord Merton has come to call with a
special visitor. He introduces Isobel to
Larry’s fiancé Ms. Crookshank. Larry was
the reason Isobel backed out of Lord Merton’s marriage proposal. The young woman assures Isobel that the rest
of the family thinks highly of her.
Their discussion shifts to the issue of the Dowager losing her position
in favor of Cora. They all realize how
difficult it will be for the Dowager to relinquish her power.
Downstairs in the servant’s hall, the staff is interested in
Mr. Molesley and Daisy’s upcoming exams. Ms. Patmore expresses her desire to see Mr.
Mason again, which prompts Daisy to storm out of the room in jealous rage. Ms. Patmore defends her right to visit Mr.
Mason no matter what Daisy thinks. Good
for the old cook!
Edith leads Bertie to the nursery to look in on the sleeping
children. He introduces her to her niece
and nephew and Marigold. Edith is mum on
her relation to Marigold but perhaps Bertie guesses it. He says, “God bless
you, Marigold.”
Ms. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes discuss Mr. Carson’s finicky
eating and living habits. It is hard to
change a man of Mr. Carson’s age. Mr.
Mason comes in to bring Ms. Patmore a gift of vegetables from his garden. Daisy is extremely rude to him stating they
don’t have any need to vegetables because the house garden is quite bountiful.
Daisy seems deaf to other’s feelings to an irritating degree. Even her marriage to William was only done at
Ms. Patmore’s urging and poor William never had Daisy as his wife properly and
yet Daisy acts like she owns William’s father. I’m hoping Ms. Patmore and Mr. Mason can
finally put this selfish girl in her place.
Upstairs at dinner, the talk is focused on the open house
set for the next day. Mary decides the
route and it is suggested that Mary, Edith and Cora lead groups of ten
explaining the art and architecture of the home. Mary compares the idea to being stared at like
“monkeys in a zoo.” Lady Grantham is
more dramatic liking it to “Belgiums awaiting the invasion.” Slight hyperbole!
Downstairs, Mr. Carson is equally anxious about the open
house. He plans to carry his walking
stick. He asks Daisy to “look
respectable.”
Mary and Branson share a private moment after dinner. Branson would like to accept Henry’s
invitation to go to the Brookside races.
Mary muses, “I need to get over myself!” (That would be the day!)
Branson is intrigued that Mary would consider going to the event. He asks, “You compromise? It must be
love!” To which Mary replies, “Shut up!”
Alone in their bedroom, Robert and Cora speak about Edith’s
new boyfriend. They don’t want to
encourage her relationship with Bertie since he is merely an estate agent. Why should they care what Edith does with her
life? Mary is clearly the only daughter
who matters!
Carson has gone upstairs to retrieve his walking stick and
sees Andrew leaving Thomas’s room. Andrew
states he was borrowing a book but isn’t carrying a book. Carson jumps to his
usual conclusion that Andrew and Thomas must be up to homosexual things! This story is becoming very stale indeed.
The day of the open house has arrived. Carson sets up a table outside as hundreds of
villagers gather to take a look inside the estate. Ropes are placed to block off the stairs and
other points of entry. Cora, Mary and
Edith seem flustered as the common folk ask them questions about the art and architecture
that fill the opulent home. The Dowager
storms in carrying the note regarding her position at the hospital. She confronts Cora, “Did you know!” Cora tries to answer but the Dowager rushes
upstairs to Robert’s room.
Baxter and Molesley are alone in the servant’s hall. She reports that she received a letter from
Mr. Coyle asking him to visit him in prison.
Molesley is adamant that she not visit him and burn the letter. Baxter is unsure. Molesley is eager to share the exchange her
overheard between Lady Grantham and the Dowager Countess.
The Dowager is alone with Robert and rails against his wife
at her “betrayal.” Robert notes it
wasn’t Cora’s decision. Robert suggests
the family no longer has control over the matter. That doesn’t stop his mother from insisting,
“If it’s a matter of principle versus logic, I’ll chose principle every time!” She departs.
A young boy enters Lord Grantham’s room having snuck under the ropes. He asks the Lord why his house is so big and
wouldn’t he rather have a comfy house instead?” Instead of being angry, Robert
is slightly bemused by the intruder. Molesley
comes in and shoos the boy away. Robert
remarks, “He was more a philosopher than a thief.”
Downstairs, Ms. Patmore shares news with Mrs. Hughes. Her house is ready for guests and her niece is
going to help her run it. They plan to
have a telephone to take reservations.
Mrs. Hughes is impressed and perhaps a little jealous. Mr. Carson appears flustered. Ms. Patmore shares with him her suspicions
about Andrew and Thomas. Again, Thomas
is to be demonized for his identity.
Lord Merton and his daughter-in-law to be meet the Dowager. The young woman reports she is a friend of
Isobel’s. The Dowager remarks,
“Interesting.” (What is she scheming now?) Cora attempts to approach the Dowager on her
way out but the Dowager won’t let her speak.
In the servant’s hall, Molesley again urges Baxter to forget
about Coyle’s letter. Thomas enters and Carson whisks him away for a word in
private. Thomas won’t reveal Andrew’s
illiteracy so Carson suspects the worse. Thomas is hurt and asks, “After all these
years, is my word still not good enough?” It appears so.
The family gather in Robert’s bedroom to discuss how the
open house went. Branson is pleased how much money was raised and is interested
in repeating the event. Edith is wary,
“Is our way of life so strange?” Mary
spits back, “Leave it to you to cast gloom!” (Which wasn’t what she was doing,
Edith is just surprised people will pay to see their home.) Robert mentions his young visitor and the
questions he raised. Cora knows their
way of life won’t last forever. Mary
scoffs at her family, “Well, George and I aren’t going anywhere!” Mary is determined to pass on the title and
estate to her son. Does it really matter
more then love or happiness?
Alone in the dark, Thomas cries softly. It’s very disappointing how Thomas continues
to be misunderstood and demonized. It
would be very disappointing if his character commits suicide and I fear he’s
close to his breaking point.
The previews for the next episode show the Brookside races
and more job interviews for Thomas. The
season is stalling using many familiar themes. Undoubtedly, the ideas have
dried up like Mrs. Hughes’s roast beef. Hopefully,
Ms. Patmore can salvage the meal and the rest of the season with a final
wedding cake. Cheers until next week.
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