Catherine: Hi, Stephanie! Last night’s episode saw resolution to a few story lines. Best of all, we saw Edith’s pent up anguish and torture resolve itself into some action. Her fiancee Gregson’s remains were finally found and it turned out he was a victim of a Hitler gang. Downton is still a few decades away from WWII but whiffs of it are already in the air. With Gregson’s death confirmed, Edith is now the owner of a publishing company and with an independent income, she’s free to do what she wishes. Not only that but she can finally move on with her life and that’s precisely what she does. The scene where Edith takes Marigold from Mrs. Drewe was heartbreaking and I got a little teary but hey, Edith really does need her daughter. What I was most troubled by was how Edith’s actions have potentially broken a marriage (the Drewes). She’s not all to blame but the misery she left behind when she snatched Marigold away was profound.
Stephanie: I was cheering for Edith! Finally, she makes a move that’s in her and her child’s best interests instead of playing her family’s silly games. I did feel for Mrs. Drewe. Obviously, she’s attached to Marigold after caring for her, and her own husband lied to her. The gesture to send Marigold off with the toy bear at least hints at Mrs. Drewe wanting what’s best, though likely she’s conceding because Edith is in a position of power over her. I can only imagine the frustration of being a pawn for the rich to the level that you’re caring for their children when it suits them. I’m crossing my fingers that no one finds Edith at that London hotel. Edith should have kept going until she was much further out from Downton before she stopped. Also, how awesome is it that she inherited a publishing company? If she plays her cards right, she could end up with the more enviable life than Mary. So many possibilities! It was however, incredibly frustrating how her family continued to show such little concern for her. I was a bit concerned her goodbye letter might be a suicide note. At least Tom was there to confide in, though he seemed pretty useless in the matter.
Catherine: I first thought it was a suicide note too. I was so excited when it turned out she was leaving! London may be the best place for her. Her company and the paper are in London and if she decides to keep them, it’s the best place for her to be. On top of that, there’s not much her family can do at this point- that’s why Edith having financial independence is so important! Not that her father would cut off whatever allowance he was giving her, but financial independence makes her truly independent. She’s an adult woman and there’s nothing legal they can do to her. What they can do to her emotionally is a different story. I didn’t feel so much that she was hiding herself permanently so much as she was getting out from under the family thumb and settling in with her daughter before she does battle with them. No doubt someone will track her down (or she’ll contact them) but London’s big enough that it’ll take time for that to happen. In the meanwhile, she can figure out a home for herself and her daughter and how her life is now going to work. It was a marvelous moment for Edith and well worth the wait (we’ve been waiting for this moment for years, after all). She has the makings of a far better life than Mary but is it really that hard to have a better life than Mary? Not only is Mary selfish and self-absorbed but her life is all about picking up and dropping men and getting her maid in a tizzy over contraceptives. Mary needs new strife in her life so she can (maybe) grow as a person. Though who knows. After all, she lost Matthew but shows Edith no compassion at all about Gregson. Her justification for being a jerk to Edith only made her more of a jerk. She said to Anna, “It’s been years. Edith knows he’s been dead all along; we all have. I don’t know what the big deal is.” I was hoping she’d fall during the steeplechase and be put paralyzed into a wheelchair and then walk two episodes later but I guess that’s already been done. Instead, she was catty with Mabel and flaunted her bob. I don’t know why but I like Mabel and I want to see more of her. What about you?
Stephanie: The most telling moment of Mary’s arrogance came when Rose shared that Mary had a surprise for them. And the surprise was … Mary! She got a haircut. Seriously? No wonder Edith went off on her. The day after Edith finds her intended husband has been killed by proto-Nazis, Mary delights in showing off herself. Haircuts CAN be a big deal, especially this particular short style for a woman in this era, but Mary’s blatant disregard for her sister’s well being is deservedly criticized. Then, to top it off Mary remarks how Edith usually spoils everything. Good riddance. Edith, go be your own lady. As for Mary’s decision to run in the races, I thought her choice to ride sidesaddle demonstrated she isn’t as forward thinking as she considers herself. Note how Mabel Lane Fox wore trousers and rode astride, not aside. Though I agree, Mary needs a friend like Mabel to set her straight. Mary can’t be queen of everything.
Catherine: No, Mary cannot be the queen of everything—but she clearly is in her own mind. I wonder about her and Blake. I can’t imagine he’ll let her do everything she likes. He’s got attitude too. His scheming with Mary to help Tony and Mabel get back together was yet another touch of arrogance, on both Mary’s side and his. Those two deserve each other. And then there were the children…were there children? The preview for this episode played up how Mary’s little boy and Branson’s little girl would be in this episode and I hardly noticed them. This is an adult drama show but it’s strange the children are barely present. Surely even children that are kept out of the way still have needs and issues. And needs or issues that supposedly loving parents would notice and care for. This is a big plot hole that’s never addressed. No, it’s all about Mary’s bob and Branson’s unease. Another plot got resolved when Thomas decided to reach out for help from Baxter. It turns out he had been giving himself saline injections and a terrible infection resulted from not cleaning the needle each time. Oops. This incident mirrors when Bates tried to use a metal contraption on his leg so he could walk without a cane. The same sort of infection and hang dog effect occurred then too.
Stephanie: Though it was a little predictable, I’m glad Thomas confided in Miss Baxter. She showed incredible strength of character by looking past all of Thomas’ shenanigans to accompany him to the doctor. I’m curious to see whether their partnership will last. Maybe Thomas will bring Baxter over to the dark side to form a scheming new duo. Someone has to be up to no good downstairs since Bates reserves his jerkiness to his own wife (awful) and Carson and Mrs. Hughes seem to be retirement planning (wasn’t that adorable! I loved that moment.) Finally this episode we get movement in the Anna/Bates murder mystery no one cares about. Though, I’m a little confused. Are Anna and Bates OK now? Bates was a raging jerk to Anna after finding the contraceptives, an outcome we all predicted as soon as Mary asked Anna to stash it. But when Anna discovers Bates is not a murderer, she’s all smiles and forgiving. Are they good? I’d find their predicament disturbing if it wasn’t so overall boring. It’s the classic drawn-out conflict based on a misunderstanding. This should have been wrapped up last season, or early on this season.
Catherine: Carson’s proposal that he and Mrs. Hughes go halfsies on a house was adorable! That’s as good as a marriage proposal as we’ll ever get from Carson. The visit to Mrs. Patmore’s house? Eek! That place looked pretty grim though I suppose everything looks grim after Downton. Quite a few of the servants are taking steps for a new life after serving at Downton. Mr. Molesley’s desire to be a teacher is the only interesting reveal we’ve ever had on the guy. And maybe he’ll find a way down that road as he works with Daisy. As for the Bates, I’m not sure why Anna couldn’t speak up and say it was Mary’s crap. Does anyone really care about Mary’s honor? That boat sailed a long time ago. But all is forgiven now that Bates isn’t the murderer. Maybe. This issue needs serious setting aside. Give them a baby or something to liven things up, just Let This End. Yet another plot resolution was Mrs. Crawley deciding to marry Lord Merton! Much to the Dowager’s dissatisfaction. Mrs. Crawley said she needs new adventures and I heartily agree.
Stephanie: I’m always grateful for Mrs. Crawley’s take on life. She’s thoughtful with her consideration of Merton’s proposal. She doesn’t need his marriage, but he loves her, he treats her well, and she seems ready for a new adventure, as the two women discussed. I have to wonder whether all this moving forward by the women in the household might finally have an effect on the Dowager who’s held fast on to traditions and scheming to keep the family name. I’m looking forward to her reaction to Edith taking off. That’s more likely the Dowager’s next adventure: further meddling in Edith’s life. I had to laugh when it was revealed Lord Grantham is sleeping in separate quarters. What a child! Way to go to Cora when she said she expected him back in their room that night. While clearly there’s misunderstanding to clear up, Grantham needs to move past his bruised ego and pay attention to Cora’s needs and their marriage. Though, I did find it frustrating in the scene where Mary, Tom, Lord Grantham, and Cora are all looking over the building plans, something Cora desired to be included in, Cora is immediately distracted by the dog. It made her look flighty after she expressed interest in knowing more about Downton’s affairs. So what was the sidetrack about the dog all about? My only guess is poorly constructed foreshadowing, with Lord Grantham’s conclusion it’s impossible that the dog could be pregnant. I wonder who else might impossibly turn up pregnant? Surely neither of his daughters, or his niece since none are married. Impossible, I tell you!
Catherine: My hopes are for Isis being pregnant as well. If she’s terminal…well, suffice it to say, I hate when animals die on shows (cheap trick to invoke emotion) and I’ll be upturning tables in rage if that happens. But ahem, that has not happened yet so we shall see. The Dowager is being drawn ever forward into the modern world despite her down turned lips. And Lord Grantham continues to be ridiculous. Let’s not forget that little dalliance he had with a maid many seasons back! Cora whipped that one out last night and reminded him of it in her tactful way. That woman is so polite and has so much tact that she could write a book on it. (perhaps Fellowes next writing foray?) All in all, it was a major relief to see many plot lines end this time around. The award for best line in this episode goes to Mrs. Patmore, who lectures an impatient Daisy, “We should always be polite to people who are kind to us. There isn’t much of it about.” See you next week!
Catherine Eaton is a contributor to The Stake. Catherine is a writer living in a western suburb of Chicago. She blogs over at sparrowpost.com and enjoys foraging around the neighborhood in her spare time.
Stephanie Scott is a Young Adult writer living in the western Chicago suburbs. Library superfan, award-winning TV-binger, and she just might be your cat’s new best friend. She tweets at @StephScottYA.
