The Americans Season 3 episode 6 Born Again

Paige’s big day has arrived; Pastor Tim is baptizing her at the Reed Street Church.  Pastor Tim describes Paige’s passion for political and social justice.  She has participated in demonstrations against apartheid and nuclear proliferation. (Liberal causes that the parents probably support too.)  The Jennings are seated in the back, clapping somewhat politely and looking bemused.  The congregation applauds as Paige is submerged and emerges “newly born to Jesus.”

Elizabeth meets Hans, and they continue his observation training.  He tells her he thinks there maybe a South African terrorist spying on student anti-apartheid demonstrations. (Apologies for mis-identifying  him as German in a previous post.)

Hans tells Elizabeth that he followed the suspect.  She chides Hans and asks him not follow the suspect again, but she is intrigued by the lead.

Phillip and Paige are hanging some posters in her room, even though she insists not to need his help.  He tells her he’s proud of her for going through with the baptism, and standing up for her beliefs and not bowing to peer pressure.  She thinks he’s talking about peer pressure to use drugs or alcohol, but the viewers know he’s talking about his wife.  Phillip asks her to stay true to herself, stand up her beliefs and be happy.

It seems Stan got up his courage up to call Tori, and they’re having dinner with the Jennings.  Henry, perhaps finding a new older lady to lust after, asks Tori about how she met Stan.  Stan and Phillip try to explain Est, and it sounds very strange.  Tori offers that Est helps you overcome problems in your life.  In her case, it was a difficult childhood.

Evi begs Nina to eat something. “Why, I have nothing to live for!” Nina responds.   Nina begins to open up about how she failed and disappointed the men in her life.  It’s interesting to see the web she’s weaving to catch Evi. “How can you love somebody who leaves?” asks Nina.  Evi is confident that her boyfriend still loves her even though he left her to take the blame for his crime.  

“I had two lovers, one communist, one capitalist and I loved them both but they both loved their countries more then me.” Nina theorizes.  It’s a sadly accurate statement, even though the choice to turn in Nina haunts both Oleg and Stan.

At Stan’s house, Tori takes the romantic initiative.  Stan stops her mid-unbuckle, confessing that he is still not over Sandra.  He says he’s never been with anybody but her in the house they shared for twenty years. (The affair with Nina occurred elsewhere.) The family pictures surrounding the couch must also hamper the mood. Tori is undaunted and encourages him to be honest with her and “feel it.” Her Estness is becoming tiresome.

Kimmie lies back in her pink sweater, high.  Phillip places headphones on her and encourages her to listen to Pink Floyd. (Unfortunately, we don’t hear the album but I bet you its Dark Side of the Moon. Best smoking album ever!) Kimmie wants to get romantic and suggests a bath for two.  Stalling, Phillip suggests she relax in the bath and he’ll wait.  With Kimmie occupied, Phillip hurriedly lets a woman inside who will place the listening device in her father’s briefcase.

Elizabeth sneaks a cigarette in the family’s garage only to be found by Paige.  Paige admits that she knows her mom smokes and wishes she would stop.  Elizabeth praises her for being “all grown up.”  Elizabeth says that she’s enjoyed the time they’ve spent together at church. (LIE)  Paige asks her what she thinks about her church.  Elizabeth pauses and says, “They may have too many potlucks.”  Then she further confesses that it’s not really her thing.  Paige asks if she’s ever tried praying? Elizabeth nods no.  Paige explains that it allows her feel something, a presence and that is helpful.  Maybe Elizabeth can relate to the experience of belief greater then herself, she just believes in the Soviet Union instead of Jesus.

At Kimmie’s house, Phillip can hear the bathtub draining as he and the woman struggle to complete their task.  He asks for her earrings, which he presents to Kimmie several minutes later as a “surprise”. (Ew, could they still be warm from the other lady who wore them moments before?) Phillip struggles when Kimmie provokes him by dropping her towel.  He holds her and then confesses that he can’t make love to her, even though he wants to.  He explains that he recently started attending church to “figure some stuff out.”  Kimmie is upset and wonders if he’s breaking up with her.  Phillip assures her she’s “perfect” but he just needs to go slow.  It’s heartbreaking how trusting she is of Phillip a serial liar and murderer among other things.

Evi tells Nina the story of how she met her boyfriend in Brussels and how they love each other.  Nina baits her, “But he left you and you’re in prison.” Evi insists that their relationship is different.  Nina continues, “But he lied to you!”  Evi finally confesses, “You do things when you’re in love.” (Oh Evi, goodbye.)

Elizabeth waits for Phillip to return from Kimmie’s.  He reports that it went fine and the bug has been placed. (Notice how he won’t look her in the eye when discussing Kimmie?) Elizabeth tells him the Centre is interested in the South African spy information.  Phillip withdraws a joint from his pocket and they laughingly smoke it out the bedroom window.  She tells him that Paige is “living in a fantasy world” and she even suggested that Elizabeth should start praying.  Phillip relates how “Jesus came through for him tonight.”  (By giving him an excuse for celibacy.) Elizabeth is troubled that her daughter puts her faith in Jesus instead the blind nationalism of her parents.

At the FBI, a robot roams the hallways.  Aderholt discusses the change in the classified document handling with Martha. (Maybe Martha will no longer be relevant if she can’t produce documents for “Clark”.)  Stan learns that a plane crash has killed one of his friends and former colleagues.  Stan calls Sandra but hangs up with the sound of the answering machine. Whatever happened between him and Tori isn’t as strong as his feelings of love and regret about his failed marriage.

In a interrogation room, Nina eats pasta and drinks red wine like a savage. Its part of her reward for “interrogating” Evi.  The scene is sad and disturbing.  It seems that Nina has forfeited her soul for a chance at freedom.

Gabriel and Phillip discuss operations at his home. Gabriel speaks of Afghanistan and the gathering strength of the Mujahedeen.  He asks how Kimmie is doing and the importance of Phillip forming a meaningful bond with her.  Gabriel stresses the necessity of weekly updates, which translates into weekly dates with Kimmie.  In order to persuade Philip further, he mentions that his former lover and mother to his twenty-year-old son has been captured in Brazil and returned to the Soviet Union for punishment. (This was seen last season where they met and she discussed her plans to defect and she told Phillip about his son.) Gabriel reports that Phillip’s son is fighting in Afghanistan.  He wants Phillip to feel directly responsible for his son’s safety by continuing this assignment. (It could be the truth, but it’s awfully convenient!)

Elizabeth is developing pictures in the darkroom.  As Phillip enters, she exclaims that the teenage South African spy likes redheads and is failing biology.  Phillip is upset and she can sense it.  He cryptically states, “I had a hard meeting with Gabriel.”  He discloses that he’ll need to do weekly updates with Kimmie.

Stan’s son comes home for a visit.  Sandra tells Stan that she was sorry to learn about the passing of his friend Dave.  However, she is hesitant to commit to attending his funeral.  She sees that Stan is upset and encourages him to “Not keep it all in.”  She obviously knows her ex-husband well.

Elizabeth and Gabriel meet.  He praises her recruit Hans for being correct about the South African agent named Eugene Veter.  He states the plan is to attack anti-apartheid rallies that occur often on college campuses.   Gabriel claims that Reagan is behind supporting the “most racist government in the world” all in the name of capitalism.  Gabriel is excited to “break him.”  The conversation steers towards Phillip and Paige.  Elizabeth exclaims, “He knows, and I’m going ahead without him.” (Tell her the truth and train her.)

Gabriel unexpectedly states, “But you’re not.” Does the Centre now have other plans for Paige or do they no longer trust the Elizabeth to tell her the truth?

Elizabeth picks up Paige from school and takes her to a rough part of town.  Paige is nervous, this is weird, even for her mother.

Evi comments to Nina that she hasn’t slept in a long time and won’t look her eye.  Then men in uniforms rush into their cell as Evi screams, “What did you do?!”  Nina looks vacant as they drag Evi away.

“Jim” meets Kimmie looking hot in his “Member’s-Only” leather jacket.  She gives him the cold shoulder until he confesses, “I can’t stop thinking about you!”  She melts like Antarctic glacier!  Kimmie leads him to her bedroom.  Phillip borrows some of Paige’s faith and blends it with the story of his secret son with Irene.  He says he now wants to become a better man and that he “really messed up” in his youth.  In a moment of twisted inspiration, he asks her to pray with him.  Kimmie in her innocence, obliges and adds her own prayer at the end.  Phillip seems genuinely moved and says, “That was amazing.”

Elizabeth’s asks her daughter to get out of the car and assures her it’s ok.  She explains an old friend used to live in this neighborhood. (Gregory, the musician who was gunned down for the cause.)  She speaks of  her experience in the Civil Rights Movement, where they recruited Gregory.  Elizabeth tells Paige that they are not so different.  Elizabeth says that the tactics they used weren’t always legal, but it was “right for the greater good.”  She hints that she and Phillip are more then travel agents.  She notes that she sees something in Paige and hopes she knows as mother and daughter they are “more alike then you think.”

So what did Gabriel mean when he asked Elizabeth to not tell Paige the truth?  It seems that the fecal matter is about to hit the oscillating device on many levels. Can’t wait for the next installment Wednesday at 10 on FX.

Better Call Saul, Episode 5, “Alpine Shepard Boy”

The episode begins in aftermath of Chuck’s “great newspaper heist”. The five-dollar bill languishes under a rock as the neighbor looks out her window.  As the camera pans across the street, Jessie Pinkman’s house comes into view.  Was his aunt the neighbor who phoned the police?  The police pound on Chuck’s door, which he refuses to open using legal rhetoric and then he desperately tries to explain his medical condition.  The other officer has looked around the back and has seen the fuse box destroyed and a pile of camping lanterns. He determines that Chuck must be cooking meth! The police break down the door and Taser Chuck.

Jimmy heads to a gated ranch for an appointment.  The client’s house is full of taxidermy and the conversation becomes strange quickly.  He wants Jimmy to help him secede from the United States to form his own “Vatican City” to be known as Sandia.  Jimmy heartily agrees to take the case because the man doesn’t balk at four hundred fifty and hour rate.  The man agrees to pay him half a million up front and half when the case closes.  The man goes to his safe and smilingly presents Jimmy with a tray of cash.  Unfortunately, the money has the man’s picture on it because it’s the money of his new republic!

Onto the next client, who appears to be a normal middle age dad who needs help with a patent.  He has Jimmy sign a “non-disclosure agreement” before unveiling a toilet!  Jimmy sighs, “I may have seen one of these before.”  The man explains he’s a father of two boys and potty training was hard so he’s invented a “talking toilet.”  As “deposits” are made into it, it speaks out encouragements like, “Give it to me Chandler! Wow what a big boy you are!”  This sounds disturbingly sexual, but the man is offended when Jimmy mentions this might do well in Asian markets because they’re perverts.  Jimmy is kicked out of the man’s house.

The next client is an old woman, seen slowly descending a stair lift into a living room filled with figurines.  She offers Jimmy more tea as they make out a tedious will giving away each figurine including the episode title “Alpine Shepard Boy.”  Jimmy is sweet with her, especially when she says, “If I was forty years younger, I’d make you a pina-colada!”  He adjusts his fee accordingly.  He seems relieved when she pays him one hundred forty dollars in cash.

At the end of this eventful day, Jimmy is giving Kim a pedicure at the salon. (Her nails are blue, I’ve noticed that Jimmy is starting the series in blue and as he morphs into Saul we may see more of Saul’s trademark orange.) Kim urges him to not go corporate and maybe consider specializing in elder law.  Jimmy seems to like that idea.

Chuck eyes are seen  fearfully close up, which is reminiscent of “Requiem for a Dream.”  Jimmy comes in after leaving his phone and keys outside the hospital room. Security is called as Jimmy works to unscrew the fluorescent lights.  After a tense back and forth, Jimmy is alone with the doctor trying to explain his  brother’s “condition”.  He calls it “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” which causes his brother to have pain when he’s around electricity.  It’s clear he needs mental help but Jimmy would have to agree to admit him for a thirty-day stay.  The doctor acknowledges that Jimmy is doing the “heavy lifting” in caring for his brother.  Then Howard Hamlin arrives and Jimmy tells him that he’s taking his brother into psychiatric care and to “wave goodbye to this cash cow, he’s leaving the pasture”.  Jimmy wants to have custody over his brother so that the law group will stop taking advantage of his name when he is clearly no longer a partner there.  But it’s been a ruse and Jimmy takes Chuck home.

Jimmy theorizes that Chuck’s symptoms become worse when Jimmy makes mistakes.  The newspaper that Chuck “stole” had the story of Jimmy’s heroic deed of saving the billboard worker.  Jimmy notes that Chuck fears the return of “Slipping Jimmy” and his old criminal ways.  He assures Chuck that he’s now going to play by the rules and just needed the publicity to attract clients.

Alone in his room, Jimmy watches a “Matlock” rerun.  Instead of trying to duplicate the actor’s rhetorical style, Jimmy works on a sketch of the actor’s suit.  Jimmy arrives wearing it at the same nursing home where Gus was killed!  The residents enjoy orange Jell-O which has an special message at the bottom, “Need a will, call McGill!”  He works the room like a comedian.

Jimmy continues to try to engage Ermentrout in small talk.  He gives him his new card and says he now specializing in wills and elder law.  A gloomy Erhmentrout heads home after a long shift and breakfast alone at a diner.  He drives up to a home where a nursing home employee drives away in a Subaru.  They exchange tense looks.  Could it be Erhmentrout’s daughter?  An exhausted Erhmentrout watches television when he sees someone walk past his window.  Soon, there is a knock at the door.  The street is filled with law enforcement, the man at the door says, “You’re a long way from home.”

“You and me both.”  Replies a weary Erhmentrout.  Is he now going to call Jimmy?

Downton Abbey Season 5 Finale

Shall I compare this season to Mrs. Denker’s soup?  It started with little promise, yet over time the ingredients simmered until at last the Dowager could declare it, “Delicious!”

The episode begins as brightly coated Mary walks through the thick prison walls to pay Anna a visit.  It’s touching to see Mary fiercely defend her maid.  Anna is understandably depressed and fearful.  “Who knows what they’ll kick up?”  There is little evidence to support her case. One wonders what else the police have got wrong.

At Downton, Mr. Bates is shaken but determined saying, “She is strong.”  Mr. Barrow is taking over for Bates as Lord Grantham’s valet on their grouse-hunting trip.  Ms. Baxter has replaced Anna for as long as she is incarcerated.  The Dowager is annoyed by Anna’s situation, as if it’s her fault!  Shrimpie has found the Princess Kaurgin and Dowager will be hosting the reunion. When Isobel points out that they don’t like each other. The Dowager sighs, “Never complain, never explain!” (Healthy mental health advice from the D.C.) Edith gets a comment in, “You usually have no trouble complaining, Grannie!”

Much like the Dowager, Carson is concerned about the controversy Anna’s situation will bring to the family.  He disapproves of Mary’s visit.  Mr. Bates explains that he’d “Cut off his right arm” to help her.  Barrow can’t resist, “But we can’t have you wobbly at both ends!”  Mean but funny.  Carson offers Mrs. Hughes some leftover wine as they discuss their potential real estate venture.

The departure to Brancaster looms, Susan was upset that she didn’t get an invitation. (Because of her pending divorce.) As Edith reaches out to Marigold to say goodbye, she almost slips and says, “Come to mommy!”  But she catches herself at the last minute and awkwardly says, “Come to me.”

The Dowager goes to the station to see the family off.  Mary is surprised Grannie is bothering to which the Dowager replies, “You act as though I’m a salmon who laid my eggs in the gravel and then swam back out to the sea!”  Mary is unimpressed; “You’re maternal when it suits you!”  As the family leaves, Isobel mentions the complicated connections between the family members and wonders,  “Who will be shooting at whom!” by the end of the week.

Mrs. Patmore ventures upstairs for a rare glimpse at those surroundings.  Daisy and the maids work to cover the furniture.  On the train, Edith worries about an outing planned for the children in their absence. Bitchy as ever, Mary retorts, “I’m the mother and I’m not panicking!”  Meanwhile, the traveling servants will be under the orders of the butler at Brancaster.

A glowing Rose and Atticus welcome the family to Brancaster.  Lord Sinderby has acquired the estate from a Lord Hexam.  As they enter the estate he describes it as “cozy”. (Cozy was my 200 square foot studio in San Francisco which I shared with my boyfriend!)  Their butler Stowell is already fussing about having to serve the riff-raff Grantham clan, he’s going to make Carson look like a hippie.

The Dowager and Isobel have stayed behind at Downton.  The reunion between Prince and Princess Kaurgin is imminent.  The Prince has not seen his wife for five years. The Dowager notes, “The presence of strangers is the only way to guarantee good behavior.” Isn’t that the truth.

Mary is upset at the butler’s condescending attitude, especially towards Branson. The ever so irritating feud continues between Spratt and Denker.  This week it’s focus is on Mrs. Denker’s cooking credentials. (Yawn!)

Carson and Mrs. Hughes discuss property for their potential joint venture.  A somber Mr. Bates is off to visit Anna in prison.  When he arrives she shares with him a secret that the police are using as evidence.  Anna lost her father at a young age and her mother remarried.  The stepfather was an abusive alcoholic and he molested her regularly.  Anna’s mother didn’t help her so one night Anna took a knife and defended herself against him.  There were no charges brought against HER, and certainly the stepfather wasn’t charged for hurting Anna.  It’s infuriating that this “blaming the victim” has persisted from her childhood to the present situation.  At least her husband supports her, “I don’t doubt.”  They note how the tables have been turned since Mr. Bates was wrongly incarcerated and Anna supported him.

At Brancaster, Lord Sinderby’s refusal to invite Rose’s parents is noted.  Lady Sinderby welcomes Branson and they discuss the difficulty of “blended” families.  Stowell continues to be as annoying as Lord Sinderby.  Rose notes, “That the servants know more about us then we do about them.” That could be potentially hazardous to a family’s reputation.  As the shooting commences, Robert confesses he finds Lord Sinderby a “prig”. 

Mary, in a beautiful evening dress, conspires to teach Stowell a lesson by enlisting the help of Mr. Barrow.  Mr. Barrow would like to take Lord Sinderby down a notch as well.  Mr. Barrow has sent a letter to the cook.

The Princess is presented to the Dowager, Isobel, Lord Merton and the Prince.  She is about as charming as black widow.  She complains about the loss of her position and loss of possessions and the insult of having to accept the Dowager’s help! (She should have stayed lost!)

Dinner at Brancaster commences.   Another guest, Charlie Rogers, has invited himself to the grouse hunt to the annoyance of Lord Sinderby.  Lord Sinderby complains loudly as he is served a different meal then the others.  Its determined that a “special request” was sent to the cook for a bland meal. (Mr. Barrow’s doing.) Lord Sinderby is livid and directs his venom on Stowell and Mr. Barrow calling the latter a “Stupid fool!” (One wonders how he would cope in a real crisis!)

After Princess Sourpuss excuses herself, the Prince laments the Dowager’s decision to not accept his proposal of love and companionship. The Prince departs.  Isobel is still confused as to why the Dowager would orchestrate such an uncomfortable reunion.  Due to his wife living, she could never have accepted the Prince’s offer. However, the Dowager laments, “I shall never again receive an immoral proposal, was I wrong to savor it?”

Robert and Cora converse before bed.  He confesses his mysterious errands have been to see a doctor about ongoing pain he feels in his chest, stomach and arm.  The fear is he may have a heart condition.  Cora begs him not go out shooting the following day but he insists it relaxes him. He resolves to speak to Edith about his knowledge of Marigold’s paternity but agrees with Cora to keep the secret from Mary for now.

At the Dowager’s, Spratt dares Denker to make the Dowager some broth.  Denker goes up to Downton to enlist the cook’s assistance. After several tries, Daisy offers to make the soup and smuggle it down to the Dowager’s house.

Robert enters Edith’s bedroom. He reveals that he knows that Marigold is his granddaughter.  Edith is relieved and fearful.  She begs her father not to tell Mary yet.  Robert thinks that Branson has figured out her secret.  Edith asks for her father’s forgiveness and he touchingly says that he is the one who needs her forgiveness.  It’s a beautiful moment between the two and a resolution to the season long tension regarding her secret.

Now that Barrow has been insulted, he is hungry for a bigger plot against Lord Sinderby.  To that end, he cozies up to the grumpy butler Stowell.  Stowell is eager to air the family’s dirty laundry and reveals him self to be another anti-Semite.  He will regret his confidence in Barrow shortly.

Rose and the younger set go for a walk.  Atticus reveals that he was offered a job in New York that he is considering. (Given the British prejudices, it seems like a good plan.) Edith again tells Branson that she will miss him; these long goodbyes are getting a little tedious.

Anna meets with the lawyer who hopes to conceal the incident with her stepfather. He fears it would establish a “history of violence.” What about the men responsible for violating her?  Bates asks the lawyer if she will be convicted.  (I’m still screaming, where is their evidence, we know Anna is innocent!)

Isobel now must decide if she will marry Lord Merton. The big problem is the disapproval of “Dickey’s” sons.  He tries to plead with her that the boys didn’t really understand the difficult marriage he had with their mother.  Isobel doesn’t want to be the wedge between the boys and their father.

Carson and Mrs. Hughes speak again about real estate.  At last Mrs. Hughes decides to end this shared dream by saying, “Things I don’t say.” She relates that she has a sister who had special needs and had to choose whether she was going to take care of her or work and put her in a facility where she could get the care she required. That choice to support her sister has left her without any savings or hope of retirement.  Therefore, she can’t enter into a business partnership with him.

At the hunt, Mary chats with the “agent” of the self-invited guest at the grouse hunt. Mary is cross with him for taking Atticus’s place in the hunting line up.  She is so cruel with him; he’ll no doubt be in love with her soon!  Edith is with Charlie, a distant cousin of Lord Hexam. (Previous owners of Brancaster) He seems nice and unafraid that she “cares for an orphan girl” at Downton.  It would be nice to see Edith have a suitor for once.

Isobel shares a letter she received from Lord Merton’s oldest awful son Larry.  In short, he tells her that if they marry, he will never have a relationship with either of them.  This information seems to settle the issue for Isobel and the engagement is off. (If love is not worth fighting for, is it love?)  The Dowager remarks that Dr. Clarkson will be relieved.  Isobel is clueless of his pining for her.  Maybe he’ll finally get up the courage to tell her how he feels!

Robert leaves the hunt early due to some chest pain.  The families are relaxing when an unexpected visitor arrives.  Cora immediately senses a problem and enlists Rose’s help.  Rose approaches the woman and her young son and explains to Lady Sinderby that it’s her friend she invited to stop by.  Lord Sinderby goes pale; it’s his lover and illegitimate son who is named after him!  The woman is Diana Clark and she was summoned to speak to his Lordship alone.  This was Barrow’s trick and it’s awful for this woman and her child, but it does take down Lord Sinderby. (All that hot air about the horrors of divorce when he is obviously cheating on poor Lady Sinderby!)

A telegram has arrived that Anna’s trial date has been set.  Mr. Bates leaves Downton after writing some letters and giving them to Mosley to post the next day. Is he going to take the blame for Mr. Greene’s death?

Robert thinks Barrow was behind Ms. Clark’s appearance.  As the woman leaves, she thanks Rose from sparing her more embarrassment.  Atticus and Lady Sinderby remain ignorant to her identity.  Lord Sinderby recognizes he has been exposed as a hypocrite and begs Robert, Rose and Mary to keep his wretched secret.  They agree. Lord Sinderby promises to invite Rose’s parents soon realizing how indebted he is to her quick thinking.  Robert remarks to him, “She (Rose) will love you forever, if you’d let her.”  To lighten the mood, they leave to enjoy the new gramophone.

As Mary and Talbot the agent dance, he reveals that he is wise to there being some situation earlier regarding Ms. Clark’s sudden appearance.  Mary appreciates his intellect.  When he leaves later, she discovers that the fancy motorcar is his and he likes to race them. Another day, another suitor for Mary.

It’s revealed that Mr. Bates has confessed to the killing of Mr. Greene in his letter. Mr. Mosley decides to go to their house to look for clues to exonerate the couple.  He takes a picture of Mr. Bates.  Carson believes that Mr. Bates has fled to Ireland and has left an address as an emergency contact.

Anna is released from prison but is upset that her husband lied and is on the run. Mary tries to console her by letting her use the front door, which Anna shrewdly declines.  Robert reveals that the doctor’s have diagnosed him with an ulcer.  In those days, that meant a crazy bland diet and no alcohol.  Robert pleads with Cora to let him have drinks at Christmas and she reluctantly agrees.

At the Dowager’s, this ridiculous soup saga is almost over.  Spratt gloats to Denker, “Your unmasking is at hand!”  The Dowager tastes the bloody soup and declares it delicious.  Spratt attempts to make some further jab at Denker but is interrupted by the Dowager, “There is point where malice ceases to be amusing!” This soup fiasco ceased to be amusing from the beginning.

Edith and Branson talk.  He lets her know that “I grew up with a lot of Marigold’s.” It’s a relief for Edith to have his support, even as he’s leaving.  Flush with money from the sale of the famous painting, Carson agrees to hire a permanent replacement for Jimmy.  Mr. Barrow suggests Andrew. (Is there a spark between those two!)? It appears he’s been hired as he’s seen trimming the enormous Christmas tree.

Mosley and Baxter have an announcement for the Grantham’s, they have found the inn where Mr. Bates had lunch the day Mr. Greene met the reaper.  The two went to every pub in York until one owner remembers meeting Bates and even discussing their experiences in the Boer War.  It’s great news for Mr. Bates, but will that just mean that Anna will be re-arrested?  There is a rumor that the “eye-witness” is having doubts about having seen Anna.  This flimsy case is so infuriating!

Isobel breaks the bad news to Lord Merton.  He is furious at his boys for ruining his “Last chance at happiness!”  Isobel seems rather detached from him, shaking his hand and simply saying “I will always remember you with great affection.”  A brush off Dickey compares to “spitting in my eye.”  It’s hard to believe Isobel really loved him as he loved her.

Rose and Atticus celebrate their first Christmas at Downton.  It’s his first Christmas so the festivities overwhelm him.  Edith goes into the nursery to hang Marigold’s stocking.  As Branson and Mary enter, they share memories and a prayer for Sybil that’s very moving. (Reminiscent of the moment Edith tried to have before Sybil’s body was removed from the house.)  Robert observes his children and acknowledges this is a special moment for the family.

The Dowager and Isobel will continue to be best widow friends.  Isobel asks her for the real story behind the Prince.  It was love at first sight, even though they both were married.  They shared two weeks together at balls and social functions.  The Dowager was going to leave Lord Grantham and elope.  The Princess literally pulled her out of the carriage by her hair and prevented her from a losing her marriage and her family.  But would she have had a happier with the Prince?  Returning the Princess to her husband seemed to have completed history between them.

At the Christmas party, Robert is a happy drunk but Cora is worried he’ll make a fool of himself so enlists Branson to “save him”. Branson toasts him and they all sing, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”  Then Mary sings “Silent Night” while Edith plays the piano.  Mary has a lovely voice; it almost makes up for her bitchiness!

Carson asks to speak to Mrs. Hughes saying that he has come up with a solution to her inability to retire.  She is skeptical, saying that if he puts her name on the title he’d be stuck with her.  Then he finally says, “I want to be stuck with you!”  Mrs. Hughes can’t believe it, “I don’t think I’m hearing this right!”  He replies, “You are if you think I’m asking for you to marry me!”  Mrs. Hughes is speechless, so Carson agrees to give her time to consider this proposal.  Then she bursts out, “Of course I’ll marry you, you old booby! I thought you’d never ask!” (Tears of joy, I thought he’d never ask either!)

Robert and Branson are saying goodbye.  Branson acknowledges that he finally feels that Downton is his home and he’s grateful.  There is a round of applause for all his hard work.  Mr. Bates sneaks in and taps Anna’s shoulder, then indicates to keep quiet.  She leaves to join him and he leaves his cane at the door.  It’s dizzying to see them together at last and there may be a baby Bates after all!

That’s all until next year! A happy ending to crazy season.