S05.E05: Episode Five

[moonb]

Atticus and Rose are pretty cute.

 

So Sarah Bunting was supposed to love Tom? Whatever.

 

The rest of it? Eh.

[LittleIggy]

Why the bleep is Scotland Yard doing a full court press over a valet? WTF? It is so ridiculous.

Ding dong the witch is gone. I too hope that troll Bunting is gone. As for that Rostov jackass, he can go back to Russia and get shot.

Hey, Robert, at least Cora wasn't flirting with the help! A-hole. Can't see what Isis sees in him.

Poor Marigold.

[TVFAN]

Sarah Bunting is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Don't let the door hit you on the way out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Did she honestly expect Tom to despise the family???????  As he so wisely pointed out, Sybie is a MEMBER of the family.  Now, let's bring on someone nice for Tom.

 

While Mr. Bricker's commentary about Lord G's need to pay more attention to Lady G was spot on, it was not his place to make that point.  And it was certainly not his place to go to the Grantham's boudoir to hit on Lady G.  That was just tacky.  So I actually enjoyed Lord G sucker punching him.

 

However, based on his treatment of her, I would love to see Cora read Lord G the riot act.  

[Kohola3]

What the hell was THAT?  Did JF pull out some old history books and decide to throw together some sort of buffet of ideologies?

[Ohwell]

So Miss Bunting is gone for good, right?

 

Right???

[TVForever]

Isobel is also one of those characters that I always was kinda iffy on - for all her liberalism, she really is a bit of a snob

       

        One of the original "limousine liberals", perhaps?

[talula]

Bye bye Sarah Bunting...don't let the door hit you on the way out, lol! What a relief for the whole family...she's really really gone. Ding dong the witch is dead! :D :D

Edited February 2, 2015 by RealityTVSmack1

[TVForever]

Oh, Mr Bricker. He was way less than subtle in his pursuit of a married woman in her own home. As much of a stick in the mud as Robert can be, I enjoyed that punch he gave Bricker. I hope this isn't going to rub anyone the wrong way, but Cora was playing a dangerous game with this one. I don't blame her for enjoying the attention from another man, and seeing the effect it on Robert had to feel good too, but she knew that this guy wasn't THAT interested in her damn painting. No, I don't think Bricker was dangerous, but Cora still could have found herself in a situation she couldn't back out of easily. She could have kept everything professional with him by including a third party with them at all times.

[annzeepark914]

 As for that Rostov jackass, he can go back to Russia and get shot.

 

Amen to that!  Guess that ends our empathy for those poor royal Russian exiles.  JF is certainly giving us a good look at what some of life was like in Europe back in the day. 

 

Oh, joy to the world--Miss Bunting is gone.  I actually waved buh-bye to the snarky witch as her cab trundled on down the road away from all of us.  Now I can't wait for next Sunday night.  Loved seeing Lady Mary with Blake...always thought he was perfect for her.

[talula]

Oh, Mr Bricker. He was way less than subtle in his pursuit of a married woman in her own home. As much of a stick in the mud as Robert can be, I enjoyed that punch he gave Bricker. I hope this isn't going to rub anyone the wrong way, but Cora was playing a dangerous game with this one. I don't blame her for enjoying the attention from another man, and seeing the effect it on Robert had to feel good too, but she knew that this guy wasn't THAT interested in her damn painting. No, I don't think Bricker was dangerous, but Cora still could have found herself in a situation she couldn't back out of easily. She could have kept everything professional with him by including a third party with them at all times.

ITA Lady Grantham was a flirty one and somehow Mr. Bricker picked up on her wave length. Loved the back of the hand Robert gave him...I'd take him over Bricker any day. Simon Bricker deserved a good swift punishment for lecturing Robert even if what he said was true. Why didn't she keep it professional...maybe Cora enjoyed the flattery and attention? Well he's gone...maybe missing a tooth or two as a remembrance. ;)

[KR Vermont]

There was a whole lotta wtf in this episode.

 

Mrs. Pattmore didn't want to hurt Carson's feelings?? After throwing him under the bus, to his face, in front of his Lordship last ep?

 

Edith would infuriate me too, continuing to pop by to see Marigold after repeated and increasingly hostile requests to keep away...and hey, why not bring along Rosamund unannounced, too! And Mrs. Drewe still doesn't suspect anything's amiss?

 

Bunting loves Tom?? Where did that come from? JF has so many underdeveloped storylines that it makes me think I've missed a few episodes along the way.

 

I'm really not understanding why all the continued interest in the Bates' re. Greene's demise...oh, who cares, this insufferable investigation needs to meet its own quick end.

 

I'm hating on Barrows.

 

On the lighter side, Isobel's quip to Violet: "You're as infirm as Windsor Castle." I'm liking their banter.

Edited February 2, 2015 by KR Vermont

[talula]

Why the bleep is Scotland Yard doing a full court press over a valet? WTF? It is so ridiculous.

Ding dong the witch is gone. I too hope that troll Bunting is gone. As for that Rostov jackass, he can go back to Russia and get shot.

Hey, Robert, at least Cora wasn't flirting with the help! A-hole. Can't see what Isis sees in him.

Poor Marigold.

Good point...did Robert go all the way with a maid downstairs or just make out with her? I know he paid for her son's education.

[Ohwell]

What kind of woman did Mr. Bricker think Cora was?  Did he really think that she would "entertain" a man in her own home, and in her and her husband's bedroom?  I agree that Cora was flattered by his attention, and even encouraged him somewhat, but he really was an odious man. 

[Avaleigh]

Good point...did Robert go all the way with a maid downstairs or just make out with her? I know he paid for her son's education.

Robert and the maid only kissed.

[talula]

What kind of woman did Mr. Bricker think Cora was? Did he really think that she would "entertain" a man in her own home, and in her and her husband's bedroom? I agree that Cora was flattered by his attention, and even encouraged him somewhat, but he really was an odious man.

His actions show he was all show with no substance. Morally lacking IMO...not gentlemanly at all to impose himself on Cora. Maybe next time her hubby isn't home she'll lock her door to keep away the wolf in sheep's clothing. Baaaaa! :D

Robert and the maid only kissed.

Good to know...he did more than Cora in her situation.

Poor Edith...now she's done it! What will become of poor Marigold? Mr. Drewe sure is a rude son of a gun. Aunt Rosamund...made the situation with Mrs. Drewe worse.

Edited February 2, 2015 by RealityTVSmack1

[izabella]

What was the point of that bizarre lunch that Blake set up with Mabel and Mary?

[CleoCaesar]

God that was boring. I can't believe that we are still on the same stories in episode 5 as we were in episode 1. Remember when things actually used to happen on this show? Seasons 1-3, for example.

 

I hope the Bus of Justice runs over Bunting just for good measure.

 

Bricker was a disappointment. I thought his flirtiness with Cora in the museum was cute, but he turned out to be an entitled, inappropriate jackass. Sigh.

 

Unpopularish opinion: I am beyond sick of Tom. He does absolutely nothing but mope around the house and whine that he doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere. Suck it up, buttercup! Sybil has been dead for what, 3-4 years? It's more than enough time to pick a lifestyle. He lives at Downton and enjoys all the perks of aristocratic life, but still complains all the time about being an outsider and how he's such a socialist. Whatever, dude.

 

I don't know what Fellowes's problem is. He seems completely resistant to showing viewers anything actually interesting or compelling. We had to sit through four episodes of Mrs. Patmore crying about her nephew's name not being on the war memorial. FIVE EPISODES. Edith's storyline - if one can even call it that - has made literally zero progression since the season premiere. Lady Mary is still in romantic limbo between Angry McBadSex and I'm Swear I'm Really Not Gay Blake. Cora is still wandering about in what I can only presume is a narcotic haze. And I AM NOT WATCHING THIS SHOW FOR THE TORRID ROMANCE OF DR. CLARKSON AND ISOBEL, FELLOWES. I'm just not. I have no fucks left to give.

 

tl;dr: Infuriatingly bad writing on this show.

[talula]

Loved the Dowager & Dr. Clarkson's scheme gone wrong. Their efforts to convince Isobel that Lord Merton isn't right convinced them that he is, lol.

Funny scene when Charles Blake invites Mary and Mabel Fox to dinner to ask that Mabel take Tony back...

Best part was when Rose met a special someone...Atticus Aldridge.

Edited February 2, 2015 by RealityTVSmack1

[Straycat80]

So is Sarah Bunting gone for good? I hope so!

Scotland Yard still investigating the valets death is so stupid and boring. In that time period the guy was considered a nobody. In reality no one would care.

I'd like to know what Barrow is injecting himself with. How did Baxter find out? And I don't know why she's so nice to him when he continues to treat her like crap.

[Ohwell]

Unpopularish opinion: I am beyond sick of Tom. He does absolutely nothing but mope around the house and whine that he doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere. Suck it up, buttercup! Sybil has been dead for what, 3-4 years? It's more than enough time to pick a lifestyle. He lives at Downton and enjoys all the perks of aristocratic life, but still complains all the time about being an outsider and how he's such a socialist. Whatever, dude.

Sadly, I have to agree.  I like Tom but I'm sick and tired of him moping around.  I actually thought he was going to make a decision about his fate this episode.  I was scared to death that he would decide to go with Ms. Bunting and I'm so glad he didn't, but I was hoping that he would finally decide to go to America.  In any event, he needs to do something.  Either face the truth that he actually likes living at Downton--or go someplace else.  

[Greta]

I'm very disappointed at the departure of that Bunting cow.  No tars, no feathers, not even a rail to run her out on?  She even got an umbrella over her head to keep the rain from melting her.

 

I loved Atticus and Rose.  The meeting, the constant smiling at each other, it just felt a very real and unforced spark between two non-dark, non-twisty people. I would love to see Cora weigh in and learn more about her Jewish (Jewish-ish?) background. I wasn't paying attention enough to notice:  when Robert said there'd been some local fuss about Atticus' father becoming a lord, although he couldn't remember what it was, was there a reaction from Cora?

 

I continue to care about what happens to Thomas. The actor did a great job of continuing to be venomously himself but as though it was draining him more, due to the physical and emotional stress.

[peggy06]

I missed the beginning, so this may be way off. But are they setting this up that *Anna* gave Greene the push?

 

Edith is getting close to the point of coming out with the truth. About time, too. I think Marigold should be with Edith. It will be sad for Mrs. Drewe, but it's sadder for Edith not to have her child - sadder for Marigold as well, not to know or be with her mother. I think Edith is at the point of not caring what anyone thinks. However, I do seem to recall they invoked Gregson last episode, so maybe they are fixing to have him suddenly turn up, so he can make an honest woman of Edith and they can be a family with their daughter.

 

Last season I was sure Blake was going to be the guy Mary decided on in the end. They had more chemistry and the writing seemed to be pointing in that direction. Since Blake has hardly been seen till last episode, I thought maybe he was off the show. Now my suspicion is growing again. He said they needed to act out that scene with Mabel - perhaps now he feels honor is satisfied somehow, and he can pursue Mary again?

 

Robert better get over his snit about Bricker. Good for Cora, standing her ground and quietly but firmly telling Bricker to leave. And for not acting guilty to Robert.

[Arynm]

Unfortunately, the people in Russia back then did not think of Jews as citizens or people at all. That part rang very true to me since my entire family comes from that region. The Russians could pull you off the street and make you serve in the army if they wanted. To see that man be so dismissive and even hostile

of Atticus is a reminder of the issues that Jews faced even in countries like England. Random Anti-Semitism from people you would not believe it from. I like this story. I think Rose would be good with him.

[KR Vermont]

When Bunting was walking (offscreen) behind Tom's car when he was firing it up to drive away, I visualized it accidentally being put in reverse and running her over. Alas, that is not how the scene played out.

[helenamonster]

The whole thing with Mrs. Patmore, the money, and the cottage was so random. I wonder if the cottage will somehow come into play later?

 

Edith's gonna steal that little girl, isn't she? Greeaaaaaat. Also, the fact that we know the Schroeders adopted another baby still doesn't make me feel any better about what she did to them. All it did was confirm that this was a family who wanted a baby and had her snatched from them. They really should consider changing Marigold's name to Hot Potato.

 

I feel like Anna deserves some kind of medal for being able to, with a totally straight face, say that she "liked Mr. Greene very much." I mean, damn. I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't enjoy that little scene with her and Bates in the boot room. When you peel back the rape and the potential murder and Chekhov's diaphragm, they really are very sweet with one another and I think the actors still have great chemistry. But that talk about children only reminded me that Lady Mary's birth control, along with the instruction manual, are lying somewhere at Chez Bates, waiting to be found. Each episode that goes by where we don't get that over with gives me agita.

 

Atticus is very cute and he and Rose definitely sparkle. I figure his Jewishness is definitely going to come into play, especially since they went to the trouble of dragging up Cora's after four whole seasons.

 

I wonder if Daisy was just urging Tom to give Sarah a chance just so that she wouldn't have to lose her tutor? Nothing hinted to that at all but I can't think of any other reason for her to meddle in that business.

 

Not gonna lie, both myself and the friend I was watching with had a total "OH SHIT" moment when we saw Donk walking back into  the house. I knew something funky was going to go down with Cora and Simon, but I honestly was not expecting him to come back. Really well scripted/edited. But OF COURSE he's mad at Cora. Yeah, the situation looked bad, but it's hard to take his anger seriously because a) when is he not throwing a hissy fit and b) we the audience know the Cora didn't instigate any of this. Yes, I think she appreciated Simon's attention when her own family, her own HUSBAND, can't be bothered with her, but Cora has never seemed like the type to have an affair, no matter how shitty or unrewarding her marriage becomes. Simon made some good points, but like the unlamented Sarah Bunting...wrong place, wrong time, dude.

 

Mabel Lane Fox is my new favorite character. She's exactly the kind of adversary Mary needs. Don't take Tony back, Mabel! Love yourself!

[KR Vermont]

I thought Mrs. Patmore might take a bit of the money to get Archie his own little war memorial marker, since there's no way the likes of a coward will besmirch the village ones. There was no indication that Daisy actually wrote the aforementioned letter of protest on Mrs. Patmore's behalf, but perhaps Archie will eventually find himself on a town memorial after all. Because, haven't you heard, the times are changing!

Edited February 2, 2015 by KR Vermont

[cathy7304]

OK, I'm on. Board with everyone about Green's death. This has dragged on way too long. Arrest someone, anyone, but move along.

Here is what Edit SHOULD have done in regards to Marigold. Edith and Rosamund should have made up a story where Edith meets (while she is traveling in Europe) and falls in love with a widower who has an infant. The mother could have died in childbirth leaving the father to raise his baby daughter all alone. Tragically the widower also dies in some kind of accident and there is no one to take care of the baby. Edith decides to bring the baby home with her so the baby is not sent to an orphanage. She could even adopt the child. Edith could then have her baby with her and live at Downton. Edith might even been perceived as heroic for taking in the baby to give it a life of privilege. She wouldn't have to hide her feelings for the baby either.

[Cheezwiz]

I guess it's fitting that it's February and Groundhog day, because I feel like all of these plotlines are recycled retreads. Thus far, this season NOTHING has happened. I really enjoyed the first two seasons of this show, but I feel Julian Fellowes really has lost his marbles and is a terrible illogical writer.

 

Will we ever have a Bates and Anna plotline that doesn't involve a murder investigation that drags on forever?

 

Will Edith ever stop being a sad sack?

 

Will Tom ever admit to himself that he's super comfy at Downton? Will he ever have a relationship with someone not horrid? (I had completely forgotten about Edna - the scheming maid who tried to roofie him!)

 

We are still watching Mary decide between suitors. Am I the only one who finds Blake and Gillingham indistinguishable looks-wise? Unless their names are spoken aloud in a scene, I seriously can never tell them apart. Their only differences are in their personalities (Gillingham is angry-sex guy & Blake is twinkly flirty guy). I like lady Fox - Mary always has everything handed to her, and it would be excellent if she had a nemesis.

 

The only satisfying events this episode were Lord Grantham's punch-up with the innappropriate Art-dude, and YAY! bye-bye Bunting! (Thank God). Normally not a fan of his lordship, but seeing him justifiably lose his shit with these two has been fun.

 

I also love that Violet & Isobel are becoming BFF's. I am confused as to why Violet is now trying to sabatoge Isobel's possible engagement to Lord Merton. Wasn't she the one trying to push them together in the first place?

[Llywela]

I also love that Violet & Isobel are becoming BFF's. I am confused as to why Violet is now trying to sabatoge Isobel's possible engagement to Lord Merton. Wasn't she the one trying to push them together in the first place?

Violet didn't try to push them together in the sense of wanting them to be together. She had to invite Lord Merton to a tea party of some kind and asked Isobel to be there because she thinks he's a dreadful bore and wanted someone other than herself to have to talk to him - she never dreamt they'd hit it off the way they have.

[crocosmia]

So now Edith is going to uproot that poor little girl once AGAIN and break the heart of yet another adoptive mother.    Edith is just a whinier and even less compassionate version of big sister Mary.

 

So glad to see Bunting gone.   Shut up, Isobel.

 

I'm glad Robert finally smacked Bricker.  You go, Robert!   Bricker was drippy and inappropriate, and Cora was too stupid to stop him before he was encouraged enough to show up in her boudoir.

 

The Bates drama has been drawn out for so long that it's become a big yawn.  Anna is looking like the culprit, and I don't even care anymore.

 

Rose and Atticus are charming together.   No doubt JF will put them through plenty of tribulations before it's all over.

 

I continue to enjoy the banter and friendship between Violet and Isobel.

[Stella MD]

If we have to have the police investigate Green's death, they should have had the whole thing be instigated by Gillingham after Mary dumped him. At least that would make it believable, that the police are just now asking around (and give two cents about what happened to a valet in general) because they're doing so at the recent request of a lord.

Also, while I certainly understand why Miss Mabel Lane Fox despises Mary, what exactly did MLF do to incite the reciprocal feelings in Mary? Or was her behavior at lunch just the usual ice princess routine that she uses with everyone? So hard to tell when Dockery's acting choices range from A to B in every single episode.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Stella MD

[JudyObscure]

Edith's gonna steal that little girl, isn't she? Greeaaaaaat. Also, the fact that we know the Schroeders adopted another baby still doesn't make me feel any better about what she did to them. All it did was confirm that this was a family who wanted a baby and had her snatched from them. They really should consider changing Marigold's name to Hot Potato.

Oh yes. My four season defense of Edith is over. Last season, I had tried to believe that Marigold was only with the Shroeders a week or two and that Edith was going back to get her baby and claim her with any good story that came to hand but nooooo.

How many times has Edith let Marigold down?

1. When she had unprotected sex with a married man.

2. When she listened to some harebrained medical who told her it would be a good idea to nurse the baby for a month before giving her up, making sure the baby went through the wrench of losing her primary care giver right off the bat.

3. Snatching her away from the Shroeders, presumably just when she was getting over the first loss and bonding with Mrs. S.

4. Keeping Marigold's third set of parents in a constant state of anxiety and confusion and interfering with that bond.

5. Considering, even for one moment, taking Marigold away from her third mother figure and placing her in an orphanage with a third incomprehensible language around her. Marigold is destined for the most severe attachment disorder in psychiatric history. The three faces of Marigold will all speak different languages and have an over riding fear of being carried off by strawberry blondes.

I don't care how much pain Edith is in now, it's far too late for her to be thinking of herself at this point.

The Dowager and Rosamund are only thinking of the family's reputation and not Marigold either but I do understand their fear. All it would take would be the Drewes to have a loud fight and Mr Drewe to shout that Edith was Marigold's mother within the hearing of someone from the village and the talk would be all over the county within hours. I can just hear it: "Did you hear that the little Drewe girl is really Lady Edith's accident? Yeah, remember when she went abroad for nine months? She's always been like that. You know that other farmer always tells it at the pub that she came over and drove his tractor and then jumped him in the barn! Oh yes, his wife had to save him an' all. That's probably why Sir Anthony left her at the altar, he heard about all the men in her past. Remember that young gentleman that died in his bed at Downton? Some say he was in one of the young lady's beds. I heard it was Mary, but it must have been Edith. I always knew Lady Mary was too proper for something like that."

It's a whole Catherine Cookson novel waiting to happen.

Edited February 2, 2015 by JudyObscure

[MrsRafaelBarba]

What was the point of that bizarre lunch that Blake set up with Mabel and Mary?

Mabel wasn't here for that BS, loved the verbal dig at Mary.

LOL!

Hey Scotland Yard, I killed the creepy Valet.

Edited February 2, 2015 by MrsRafaelBarba

[lucindabelle]

I marigold has always known edith so it's not as if she'd be going off with a stranger. But regardless shell have a MUCH better future and prospects with edith in the long run, mrs crews is ridiculous but even if she weren't, as one of several children on a farm, marigolds education will be minimal, she'll go to work early and marry young. Sorry, if you want what's best for the child than obviously she should be with titled, wealthy edith, who also happens to adore her,

Speaking of the farm, talk about your empty threats. It isn't margies to sell and wasn't it in his family forever? A whole plot line wa made of that,

So suddenly Fellowes has heard of the pogroms of Odessa... Curious. No, Russians definitely didn't see jews as Russians, but the stomping off seemed extreme. Even emotional Russians had some manners. However maybe he's just miffed to be poor in front of a Jew.

The to do was about HAVING a Jewish peer. That's all. It's a big big deal and not everyone would approve.

However, oddly, I totally buy that not only would rose not mind shed think it cool nd it would only make him sexier in her eyes. He's like jack Ross but white and English.

They both seem happy go lucky, rather sweet, and cute together. I'm intrigued.

Edited February 2, 2015 by lucindabelle

[Crs97]

So now Edith is going to uproot that poor little girl once AGAIN and break the heart of yet another adoptive mother. Edith is just a whinier and even less compassionate version of big sister Mary.

This. In spades. Let's see: She didn't care about the rest of the family when she started all the gossip about Mary and the Turk, she didn't care about the farmer's wife when she kissed him in the barn, she didn't care about Gregson's very ill wife when she took up with him, she didn't care about Carson when he had a heart attack right beside her, she didn't care about the Schroeders when she snatched back Marigold (and, Edith, why don't you just have another baby if you think they are so easily replaceable?), and she doesn't care about the Drewes and how she has now ruined their marriage (because you know she has). She really is a terrible person and her "poor me" attitude wears very thin.

Another terrible person with a "poor me" attitude is Thomas. Anna is the only person who shows him kindness and he tweaks her about the police? I hope his "cure" kills him.

[ZoloftBlob]

and she doesn't care about the Drewes and how she has now ruined their marriage (because you know she has).

 

As much as I agree that Edith consistently makes and enhances her own problems, a great deal of the Drewes problem is that Mr. Drewe isn't being honest with his own wife

[JudyObscure]

Sorry, if you want what's best for the child than obviously she should be with titled, wealthy edith, who also happens to adore her,

We've seen how happy that title and wealth has made Edith and she didn't have the social stigma hanging over her that Marigold will have. I don't exactly see the Drewes as the English Waltons but I do think they offer a warm wholesome family where Marigold will have two loving parents and a nice crowd of siblings.

Another terrible person with a "poor me" attitude is Thomas. Anna is the only person who shows him kindness and he tweaks her about the police?

Yes, he's been needlessly cruel to Baxter, too.

While we're calling out the whiners, Mrs.Patmore's self-pity has gone on all season and I've forgotten why I ever liked her.

I'm ready for a spin-off featuring Mrs. Drewe and Mabel.

[ShadowFacts]

Edith should have gone to America when she was pregnant and have Martha help her sort it out, she could have made up a cover story and kept her baby.  But since she didn't, she should go there now, alone.  Start a new life, maybe marry.   Tom and Sybbie should go too, not together but they can visit between Rhode Island (is that where Martha and her son are?) and Boston where Tom would probably go.  Edith needs to stop stalking and remove herself from the situation she is obsessing about.  Of course it won't happen, more drama has to ensue for the Drewes and Marigold and Edith won't be leaving the Abbey.  Marigold has her best chance with the Drewes if Mrs. Drew is told the truth and if Edith gets the hell away.  As JudyObscure posted, the multiple abandonments are going to make Marigold a very sad panda.  Of course we're looking at it through our modern eyes, nobody knew about the neuroscience of children's developing brains, and children were treated much in the vein of seen and not heard, but basic decency would seem to dictate that you don't move them around like chess pieces. 

[JudyObscure]

Of course we're looking at it through our modern eyes, nobody knew about the neuroscience of children's developing brains, and children were treated much in the vein of seen and not heard, but basic decency would seem to dictate that you don't move them around like chess pieces.

Exactly.  People had enough experience with children, more than most have today, to know how much it grieves a child to lose it's mother figure, whether through her death or some other reason. Sad stories of children taken from their families and being sent to orphanages or work houses or even to relatives were the stuff of literature and art at that time. They had to know that separation hurts even when the child goes from poverty to great wealth as Fanny did in "Mansfield Park," and the Drewes are far from poverty level.

[pasdetrois]

I am so bored and exhausted by the wretched storytelling and writing that I don't give a rat's ass whether Mopey Martyr Edith claims her child, Mary marries, or the Valet Did It (Bates). I mean, my eyes crossed as various characters perched in front of the constable and Scotland Yard and rattled on about where they were when Green was killed. To which Fellowes piled on little interludes where they all hissed at each other in doorways and hallways.

 

At this point I'm in it for the scenery and costumes, Violet's pithy observations, and Isis sightings. I'm actually recording and fast-forwarding, something I rarely do for a PBS period series. Oh, and Aldridge is very cute.

Edited February 2, 2015 by pasdetrois

[Charlie Baker]

I guess it only rains on Sarah Bunting. Weird continuity of the Desperate Housewives school. JF used to be better at shifting sympathies from character to character--now not so much.

[terrymct]

After all the financial problems with the estate, who in their right mind would take Lord Grantham's opinion on any sort of investment?  Jeeze louise, even someone dedicated to the family like Mr Carson must have seen and heard enough to know Robert is a complete disaster.

[Featherhat]

The thing is Marigold will be illegitimate, which was still a big deal at the time. Especially as the unmarried daughter of an aristocrat, Lord Grantham himself might have some more leeway although actually having an outside daughter in the house would still raise eyebrows.  Married women passing children of affairs off as their husbands' was fairly common. There are always exceptions but the social stigma means Marigold might not get the opportunities her cousins get as a matter of course "taking her place in society" (if she cares about that) would be hard, even with the Earl giving his full support. And Edith has never had the social clout of Mary to brazen it out.

 

That's why creating a polite fiction of a little "ward" was often done, everyone knew but it gave you some social cover. If Edith goes to London and joins a very different crowd it might not matter so much, but it might also affect who is willing to do business with her, sanctimonious  "good old boys" etc. Rumours might follow her to America but the distance means you can fudge dates and marriages much more easily. I think I would have claimed a whirlwind European romance and marriage, followed by tragic death on honeymoon, it sound plausibly like the things that befall Edith that no one would question it.  

[TaraS1]

Did Cora chug a gallon of dilaudid at some point in this episode?  Because she was out in la-la land even more than usual.  "Golly, what a night."  That's your reaction to your husband finding another man in your bedroom and putting a beating on him?  Okay. 

 

And no reaction at all to finding Edith, Violet and Rosamund having what was clearly a very serious pow-wow by themselves?  I thought we might see her standing outside the door, overhearing everything, but nope.  She just flounces in to tell them dinner's ready (or whatever it was), sees them with their heads together, and then drifts back out in that bizarre way she has.  She might be the weirdest character ever on television LOL

 

Edith is the worst.  Always and forever.  I hope Mr. Drewe's pigs eat Marigold in front of her.

[SoSueMe]

It looked like something changed hands between Bricker and Carson as Bricker was being shown the door, Did anyone else notice? I wonder what it was? Looked like a calling card or something.

[Llywela]

It looked like something changed hands between Bricker and Carson as Bricker was being shown the door, Did anyone else notice? I wonder what it was? Looked like a calling card or something.

I'm trying to remember the scene. Was it a tip, perhaps? That would be an insult to a professional butler like Carson, but might be something Bricker would do.

[wlk68]

I'm trying to remember the scene. Was it a tip, perhaps? That would be an insult to a professional butler like Carson, but might be something Bricker would do.

I think a gratuity of some kind was not unusual. There's a scene towards the end of Gosford Park where Maggie Smith's character is putting money in various envelopes and complaining how she'll be bankrupt by the time she's done 'thanking' all the staff. 

 

I tend to view Gosford Park as the pilot episode of Downton. ;)

 

I don't understand Barrow's continued animosity towards Baxter. I can't imagine his disdain is on behalf of the family she stole from. There has to be more to it. Something else in their shared history.

Edited February 2, 2015 by wlk68

[terrymct]

It looked like something changed hands between Bricker and Carson as Bricker was being shown the door, Did anyone else notice? I wonder what it was? Looked like a calling card or something.

 

Maybe a key to the room he'd been staying in or the front door for late evenings out?

[JudyObscure]

I thought the tip question was interesting, too.  I found this from Emily Post during that period, referring to guests in big country houses.

A gentleman scarcely ever “remembers” any of the women servants (to their chagrin) except a waitress, and tips only the butler and the valet, and sometimes the chauffeur. The least he can offer any of the men-servants is two dollars and the most ever is five.

I tried to discern whether Carson was being more stuffy than usual with Bricker but I couldn't say for sure.  We know whose side he would be on if he had spotted any flirting -- or worse.

[KR Vermont]

Cora's non-reaction to finding Violet, Rosamund and Edith in discussion in the library seemed odd, considering how we've been beaten over the head this season with all her hurt looks and eye rolling at being kept out of the loop on so much of what's going on around her. And it seemed out of place that she snarked on someone's pearls to Robert when they were greeting people at their soiree.

 

Despite inconsistent and unbelievable writing, I'm still watching...