Our beloved Downtonites struggled with knowledge this week: Mr. Bates bullied Mrs. Hughes into telling what really happened to Anna, Thomas pressured Miss Baxter, Cora’s new lady’s maid, to share the family’s secrets, and Mr. Molesley realized he couldn’t even get hired as a footman.
Mary learned that Tony Gillingham proposed to Miss Lane Fox, and Edith began to worry about her boyfriend’s silence. Mary and Tom found out Lord Grantham secretly supported a tenant farmer, and the Dowager Countess suspected her gardener of theft. Tom remembered his socialism and contemplated moving to America.
Alfred learned he would be tested for entry into the cooking class at the Ritz, and then he found out he didn’t make it.
Let’s see how these stiff upper lips handled their disappointments.
Dowager Countess and Mrs. Crawley B+ & A-
"Wars have been waged with less fervor."
This week, Mrs. Crawley and the Dowager Countess teamed up to hire the Pegg boy to the gardening crew as a way help his family (his mother was in the out-patient clinic last week, but I browned out during that scene and can’t remember why…).
The friendship between these two women has become one of my favorite parts of the show. While Mrs. Crawley’s right – they both care about these issues – the Dowager Countess’s sassy attitude juxtaposes nicely against Mrs. Crawley’s earnestness. Unfortunately, the DC has plenty of residual aristocratic snobbery, and when a letter opener disappears, she pins young Pegg.
It’s a bit obvious to blame the help, so I suspect this gardener will help grow the Dowager Countess’s humility.
Lord Grantham A-
Lord Grantham resumed his favorite business strategy this week by making a risky investment without telling anyone. However, instead of gambling it all on the railroad, Lord Grantham chose to help a man whose ancestors helped create Downton’s history in order to solidify its future. Lady Mary is right: he’s a decent man. Here’s hoping he keeps his role as a benevolent back-seat meddler.
Lady Mary B-
"Oh, stop moaning."
Lady Mary may have been right to lament the loss of her softness: this week, she campaigned to evict a tenant farmer and picked on Edith to a degree reminiscent of Season 1. I suspect most of her irritability is due to Tony Gillingham’s changing his status from “it’s complicated” to “engaged,” and I hope her mood will improve after new house guests arrive to distract her.
Lady Edith B
Things had been going well for Edith, so naturally, an iceberg is looming in the distance: a mysterious doctor visit and no word from her sorta-fiancé only spells trouble. She took some crap from Mary this week, and I can’t decide if she was being kind or a doormat by not responding. Hopefully she can get the Titanic back on track.
Tom Branson A-
That house party really was the worst: it left Mary with a broken heart and Anna with a bruised soul, and now Tom wants to take baby Sybbie and move to America. Speaking as a viewer, I do not like this idea one bit. Accepting Tom into their family and seeing his success as the estate’s agent has been good for the Downton family, and I’m afraid they’ll flounder without him.
As a person, though, I agree with Lady Cora that this move could be a great opportunity. Baby Sybbie would have the childhood we all believed we should have had but our parents were hiding from us, Princess Diaries-style – she’d grow up with a clean slate in the US and get to spend summers riding horses with her noble relatives.
Mr. Bates B
"Be aware: nothing is over, and nothing is done with.”
After weeks of questioning his brick wall of a wife, Mr. Bates finally discovered the key to Anna’s secret: Mrs. Hughes. He threatened to leave unless she told him the truth, and then when he heard the ugly story, he cried alone in the hallway. He was sweet with Anna, reassuring her of his love, but even though he convinced Anna he wanted to move on, he told Mrs. Hughes his real intent. Not surprisingly, based on the heavy-handed foreshadowing in the last few episodes, Mr. Bates plans to hunt down the rapist, despite the dangers.
I can’t blame him for being upset, but Mr. Bates needs to learn some new techniques for dealing with “the grumpies.”
Mr. Barrow & Miss Baxter B+ & A-
"They don't like you much."
"That's why you're here - to rectify that failing on my part."
Thomas is justifiably disliked downstairs, but he’s gone from getting fired for being an irredeemable a-hole to being the under-butler who recommends new hires. His boot straps must have jet packs.
Miss Baxter, whom he put forward to be Lady Cora’s new lady’s maid, seems genuinely nice, so Thomas forces her to get in with everyone both downstairs and upstairs to keep him stocked in secrets. I’m so curious to know what he’s holding over Miss Baxter – whatever it is, it’s probably not worth the trouble she’ll inevitably get into.
Mr. Carson & Mr. Molesley B & B-
These two men have enough pride to start a parade. Thinking Alfred was leaving to become a chef at the Ritz, Mr. Carson offered Mr. Molesley the footman position. It’s better than mending roads, but Mr. Molesley isn’t ready to accept his fall. Mr. Carson’s love for Downton makes him believe anyone should be grateful for the opportunity to work there, even as a bellhop/waiter. Turns out, Alfred missed his chance at the Ritz, and Molesley missed his opening to return to service. Something’s going to break soon with poor Molesley – I just hope it’s his big break.
"Episode 4"
We’ll have to wait until after the Broncos win the Super Bowl to find out, but share your guesses in the comments in the meantime.
Extra Credit
- Currently accepting applicants to serve me breakfast in bed every morning, complete with orange juice.
- Lord Grantham’s top hat.
- When baby Sybil said "uh oh."
Demerits
- Daisy – you’re just fooling yourself… to the point of meanness. Let Alfred live his dream!
- Mary – take off that hideous grandpa coat. Even Macklemore wouldn’t be caught in that jacket.