This week’s Downton Abbey proved that time does fly when you’re engrossed in drama and intrigue – we’re only a week away from the season finale! There’s so much left to wrap up that I’m already annoyed at having to wait a year for answers. As Matthew’s violent exit proved, we’re all at the mercy of Julian Fellowes, but we can at least pass judgment on how Crawley and Co. behaved this week.
In search of his politics, Tom Branson discovered Jack Ross and Cousin Rose’s secret love. Mr. Molesley strove to convince Miss Baxter that everyone likes her – proving his own worth in the process. Alfred reconfirmed that dudes are dumb, and Daisy showed that with good advice and a great picnic, people can change for the better.
Aunt Rosamund planned a trip to Switzerland to give away Edith’s baby, and Mr. Bates planned a trip to York to maybe murder Mr. Green. Lady Mary made a visit to London to break up an engagement and ended up dissolving two. Lady Cora organized the annual bazaar, which welcomed back doofus Lord Gillingham, foxy Mr. Blake, and Uncle Harold’s savior, Lord Grantham.
Onward to the grades, good soldiers!
Dowager Countess
B+The Dowager Countess was as sassy as ever this week, even though she did a few things I didn’t agree with. She sleuthed out Aunt Rosamund and Lady Edith’s secret, but I was disappointed when she agreed that they should give Edith’s baby up to a Swiss couple.
This is one of the difficulties of a period drama – two of this episode’s central concerns were an out-of-wedlock baby and an interracial engagement. Granted, neither of these is completely free of stigma even today, but these storylines are being written by contemporary writers for a contemporary audience, and sometimes the struggles ring false. In this case, I’d root for some anachronism, because I really want Edith to keep her baby.
When Mary’s godfather sent thank-you flowers after his lunch, I wanted to play the DC’s reaction to Mrs. Crawley’s flowers on endless repeat. Maggie Smith is a treasure.
Mrs. Crawley
A-If she insists on denying me the joy of a Mrs. Crawley + Dr. Clarkson romance, I’m happy Mrs. Crawley is getting some much-deserved attention from Mary’s godfather. She called out his snobbery over practicing medicine at lunch, and when he forgot about Matthew’s death on the walk home, she handled it with grace. You earned those flowers, Isobel, and you deserve some love in your life.
Lord Grantham
BWelcome back, Lord Grantham! Robert did well yet again this week – he lent respectability to his ne’er do well brother-in-law, and he returned home in time to give a champagne toast at the bazaar. He also made it home just in time to miss all the work, so that had better have been some fancy champagne.
Lady Cora
B+Cora did such a nice job planning the bazaar this week that I hate to be down on her, but lady – after everything that’s happened in your household, it’s time to get wise. Your daughter is about to give away her baby, and you swallowed the Switzerland plan like it was a cool glass of punch at the bazaar. Grannie figured out the problem over lunch.
She gained a bit of credit by keeping Rose home from London, but if she’s not careful, Mary is going to outpace her as the Downton matriarch (after the Dowager Countess, of course).
Lady Mary
B+Mary meddled this week, convincing Lord Gillingham to fire his valet, and pressuring Jack Ross to end his engagement to Cousin Rose. With the exception of allowing Lord Gillingham’s advances, it was all for the greater good – as she told Edith, Mary is rising to life’s challenges.
Lady Edith
C+Fellowes’s God complex aside, Edith called it: somebody upstairs doesn’t want her to be happy. She’s allowing herself to be pushed around right now – Aunt Rosamund made the executive decision to give Edith’s baby up for adoption in a foreign country, and she went right along with it, even though Michael Gregson might turn up (seriously – what happened to this dude?).
I hope Edith puts her big girl pants on and takes a stand soon.
Tom Branson
A-With the encouragement of Mrs. Crawley, Tom seems to be rediscovering himself. He ran into the woman from the political rally, who immediately began hating on Tom (rather boldly, I’d say) for being the agent and son-in-law of Lord Grantham. Branson did his best to convince her that the Downtonites are good people and more than they seem, hopefully proving it to himself, too. Maybe he’ll run for town council and stay!
Cousin Rose & Jack Ross
B & AThis break-up would have been worse had Rose not admitted that most of her love for Jack was actually hatred of her mother. Jack proved he’s more than a pretty face – he sacrificed his own happiness so Rose wouldn’t have to endure the jeers that would surely follow marrying a black band leader. Rose will get over it – she’s young, beautiful, and wealthy. Jack, on the other hand, is left with the knowledge that, simply by marrying her, he would ruin Rose’s life. It makes me all kinds of sad, and I wish him much happiness – and, perhaps, a career path involving less singing.
Lord Gillingham
C-[Exasperated sigh] Not only is he the “least convincing fiancé” ever, Lord Gillingham declares that he’ll continue to pursue Mary even if she marries another man. We haven’t met her, but I’d bet Mabel Lane Fox deserves better, and I hope Mary realizes the same. Just keep standing next to Mr. Blake, Tony. She’ll get the picture.
Mr. Bates
C+So, uh… Mr. Bates killed Mr. Green, right? He obviously figured out what Mr. Green did to Anna, and then he asked where he lived in London, took a mysterious day trip to “York,” and refused to outright deny it to Anna. I’m trying very hard not to be creeped out.
Alfred
COh, Alfred. A couple of smiles is all it took to propose to Ivy? And one rejection was enough to change your mind about Daisy? We’ve seen this all before on last season’s Bachelorette finale, and it wasn’t pretty then, either. Go back to London, become a famous chef, and you’ll get more than just lobster tail.
Daisy
AEven though the whole fight over Alfred has been exhausting, we can all empathize about being blinded by love and false hopes. Thankfully, Mr. Mason gave Daisy some much-needed advice and confidence, allowing her to part ways with Alfred, valuing herself more than ever.
When Daisy redeemed herself like a champ, she and Mrs. Patmore shared possibly the sweetest moment of the episode. It’s the 1920s – the emotional corsets are coming off!
Mr. Molesley and Miss Baxter
A & AHow sweet are these two! Molesley has spent much of this season in a vicious downward arc, but he’s found a kindred spirit in Miss Baxter. He encouraged her to have faith in herself and in their ability to love her despite the allegiance with Mr. Barrow, and she taught him to believe in himself. More of these two, please!
"Episode 7" A-
This week’s Downton Abbey had all the classic elements of a great episode: romance, secrets, and a big fancy party. It was a solid episode in its own right, but mostly it set up anticipation for Mary’s suitors and Edith’s baby. All my fingers and toes are crossed that Michael Gregson hasn’t deserted Edith and Mr. Bates isn’t punished for taking care of Mr. Green. Hopefully we’ll find out in one short week.
Extra Credit
- I know it’s unfair to be superbly annoyed by Lord Gillingham’s pursuit and then find it charming when Mr. Blake refuses to be let down, but this is America and I can think what I want. Team Blake!
- (Also, when Mr. Blake called baby George a bruiser? Swoon.)
Demerits
- Uncle Harold dodged his downfall in an oil scandal, proving that America was run by corrupt politicians even in the days of Warren G. (Harding) – where were the regulators?
- I’m not sure I understood Edith’s plan to give this baby to the farmer.
- It’s tricky to avoid spoilers for this show, but I learned my lesson after an unfortunate Game of Thrones incident (“what is the Red Wedding” turned up some devastating search results), so I’ve been extra careful… until I saw Tom Branson strip off his jacket to work on the teacher’s car. I was forced to Google “has Tom Branson gotten buff?” and somehow happened upon a minor spoiler. Lust really is one of the deadliest sins.
