S06.E07: Season 6, Episode 7

[Kostgard]

I honestly think that Fellowes just had no idea what to do with Tom. He's kept him around (and brought him back) because he knows that he is pretty well-liked by the audience, but has he really done anything for the last 2-3 seasons? Not really. And since coming back from the US, he absolutely hasn't done squat. He's talked about finding his place in the world but has done zero to actually address that concern. He had fun with the cars this episode, but it wasn't like he was making any serious inquiries into working with them. 

 

Because Fellowes doesn't know what to do with him, he's just made Tom Mary's cheerleader and confidant. If Leech is unhappy with how things ended for Tom, it's probably because it was just some tacked-on afterthought that wasn't developed at all and Fellowes threw in there because he didn't know what else to do.

 

I actually think Fellowes probably comes up with one storyline per character per season, and that's why stuff gets dragged out in a ridiculous fashion for a show that only airs 8 episodes plus a Christmas special per year. That is only about 10 hours of screen time, which means there isn't a lot of room for filler. He could be writing 8 really tight episodes every year the way the best cable dramas that only produce 10-13 episodes per year do. This isn't a daytime soap where he's got hours upon hours to fill, so it's okay to drag storylines out. But he writes like this is a daytime soap that airs every day and the characters keep spinning their wheels and do the same things over and over again and have the same conversations numerous times. Seriously - unless Tom has a completely action-packed hour in the next episode, absolutely nothing happened to him this season (the final season) apart from him returning from the US and returning to exactly what he was doing before he left.

[Cherpumple]

it looks as if her B&B was used for extra-marital affairs, the photographer was probably hired by a spouse to get the proof necessary for divorce. Mrs Patmore could face charges for procuring. Not sure about the UK but in other Europeand countries you could get into trouble for offering rooms to non-wed couples.

How does one verify a couples marital status. Did they have to go everywhere with their marriage license?

According to the recent BBC documentary series on the History of Romance, checking into a hotel as a married couple (which I guess they asked about on the check-in forms) with someone who wasn't your spouse was proof of infidelity, which was one of the only ways to obtain a divorce for a very long time. Apparently, people who wanted a divorce but who weren't actually committing adultery used to hire a professional 'mistress' to go to a hotel with for a night to create this 'proof' and then the mistress and a 'witness', such as the complicit hotel owner would be paid by the soon-to-be divorcees for their help and their (false) testimonies in court. If it was discovered that this was all a ruse, everyone involved could be charged with fraud/perjury, so it was a risky strategy, but was unfortunately one of the only viable choices to get out of a terrible marriage at a time when divorce laws were so strict.

 

Anyway, I hope that's what's going on, and it's not something more sinister about Mrs. Patmore herself, or god forbid, about the Bates' trail of destruction.

[Fake Jan Brady]

What on Earth could be wrong with Mrs Patmore's B&B? Was that a journalist spying on her? 

 

Was that a journalist or the founder of TripAdvisor?

[wlk68]

Is it just me or is Michelle Dockery looking cadaverously thin in recent episodes?   

[Ide]

Is it just me or is Michelle Dockery looking cadaverously thin in recent episodes?   

 

I noticed that when a saw gifs from series 1 on tumblr.

[Dianaofthehunt]

When Spratt explains that the puppy isn't quite all the way housebroken, Lord G replies in his heartiest, lord-of-the-manner tone, "Oh, I don't care about that!"
Of course you don't, Skeezix; you won't be the one cleaning up the messes!

 

By his facial expression, Schoolteacher got a clue as soon as Andy tried to spit out the word "czar."

 

Mary's red racing-day dress and matching clutch; I couldn't take my eyes off that ensemble. Did anything happen at the race? I didn't notice.

 

Hey, now that the DC has decamped to the south of France with Dencker, maybe Spratt and Thomas can.....examine stamps together? 

Edited November 3, 2015 by Dianaofthehunt

[wlk68]

When Spratt explains that the puppy isn't quite all the way housebroken, Lord G replies in his heartiest, lord-of-the-manner tone, "Oh, I don't care about that!"

Of course you don't, Skeezix; you won't be the one cleaning up the messes!

I thought the exact same thing! And to say it in front of the staff? So clueless!

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Heh, when he said that, I just rolled my eyes and thought well, of course you don't care because you aren't the one who will be scrubbing puppy poop out of a 200 year old rug while imagining Violet blaming you for ruining a family heirloom.

[Cherpumple]

I honestly think that Fellowes just had no idea what to do with Tom. He's kept him around (and brought him back) because he knows that he is pretty well-liked by the audience, but has he really done anything for the last 2-3 seasons?

I totally agree. Today I was thinking about how sad it is that our passionate, insightful, politically active Tom from the earlier episodes has basically become nothing more than a third wheel in one of the most boring, possibly doomed, relationships ever. He has so little going on for himself that for all we know, he just sits in his room in the dark until Mary needs to talk to him about something. It's quite sad. I actually wish that he and Sybil had stayed in Ireland and lived a happy life off-camera, rather than watch him devolve into what he is now. And if JF was determined to bring him back without Sybil, I think he definitely jumped the gun in having Tom go off to the US last series, only to come back anti-climactically this year. I think it would have been better for him to go off the America in the final episode, which would make a great ending/beginning for him.

 

Speaking of wishful thinking, I was also lamenting the loss of Matthew, and was really wishing that they had re-cast him, rather than kill him off. I know that it's rarely done nowadays, but think about all the awful 'Mary and her revolving door of suitors' storylines we could have been spared. There were still plenty of good storylines to mine in Mary/Matthew's pairing, such as their differing views on parenting and running the Abbey, and I'm sure that would have been much better than seeing all of the boring, interchangeable men that came knocking on the Abbey door.

[Andorra]

 

I actually wish that he and Sybil had stayed in Ireland and lived a happy life off-camera, rather than watch him devolve into what he is now. And if JF was determined to bring him back without Sybil, I think he definitely jumped the gun in having Tom go off to the US last series, only to come back anti-climactically this year. I think it would have been better for him to go off the America in the final episode, which would make a great ending/beginning for him.

 

I completely agree and I say that as someone who mainly watched the show for Tom. Maybe I would have quit watching if he and Sybil had disappeared to Ireland, but I'm sure I would have finished the show with a better feeling than I'm finishing it now. And I feel fooled by Fellows. I stayed on and on only because I hoped to see a happy ending for Tom. I hoped he would go into politics or would start writing again. I hoped we would see him meet someone lovely and then maybe leave for Ireland or for America with his new wife and his family at the very end of the show.

 

What I got instead is just very disappointing. As it looks now, he will be working with cars again (where are his ambitions??) and he hasn't met someone in all those years. Maybe he will flirt with the editor ab it and that will be all we get for him.

[Athena]

The Dowager scenes were some of the best all series. I hope she does not die off screen, but it's definitely in Fellowes MO to have such things happen. In any case, she went out with some great lines, protecting her best friend, and making her son happy.

 

Matthew Goode did a great job. I'm starting to like Talbot as a character. I just don't know if he has any chemistry with Mary. Maybe it's the actors? It's so strange, watching them together is like watching a crossover from two different shows. Like they don't belong in the same story. But I see what they're trying to do with Henry and Goode pulled it off. Michelle did a great job too. It just didn't click somehow.

 

Yes, it's a very odd dynamic they have. I really like Goode and he's trying here, but there is a serious lack of romantic chemistry between him and Mary. I think Mary had better chemistry with Blake compared to Talbot. I blame a bit on the actors, but I also think the dialogue that Talbot has is really bad. I like Dockery as well, but these two just don't click for me.

 

 

I honestly think that Fellowes just had no idea what to do with Tom. He's kept him around (and brought him back) because he knows that he is pretty well-liked by the audience, but has he really done anything for the last 2-3 seasons? Not really. And since coming back from the US, he absolutely hasn't done squat. He's talked about finding his place in the world but has done zero to actually address that concern. He had fun with the cars this episode, but it wasn't like he was making any serious inquiries into working with them. 

 

I think we've seen this character rewriting for awhile now. Fellowes seems to enjoy writing for his female characters more than his male ones to be honest. I enjoy Leech and the Tom character. He really is the most sensible one EXCEPT the weird Talbot/Mary matchmaking. I am not sure what in the world is going on there since Mary/Tom have more intimate scenes than she does with anyone. Out of context, that telephone scene did look like they were in a couple. It's all very disjointed. I'm now at the place where I'm neither opposed or supportive of them getting together. I would if it makes them both happy since Talbot does not. Unless Talbot marries Tom, I'm all for that.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I would be fine with that. They could have racecar adventures together and geek out over the latest engine technology.

[MissLucas]

Bah, I think we need a good name for the ship everybody favors: Tombot?

Chemistry is a fickle thing and if the casting failed then the writing has to pick up the pieces. It's doable but I don't see much of that between Mary and Henry. Most of their dialogs are charming, witty and suave but there is no edge. Passion or animosity - either would do the trick for me. Last week's tragedy brought some emotional depth but it was too little too late for me.

[vesperholly]

Bah, I think we need a good name for the ship everybody favors: Tombot?

Chemistry is a fickle thing and if the casting failed then the writing has to pick up the pieces. It's doable but I don't see much of that between Mary and Henry. Most of their dialogs are charming, witty and suave but there is no edge. Passion or animosity - either would do the trick for me. Last week's tragedy brought some emotional depth but it was too little too late for me.

 

It makes me wonder if Michelle Dockery is just a difficult person to find chemistry with (or not a very fabulous actress). Every male suitor except Matthew has been a complete dud. Even Sir Ian didn't really move her emotionally, they were just two assholes together. She's a beautiful cold fish.

[Saje]

She was hot with Poor Mr. Pamuk™.

[Andorra]

I think she and Tom have a lot of natural chemistry, which causes a problem if it is just accidental and they're not supposed to end up together. I thought the scene between Tom and Mary last episode was so much more emotional than all the scenes between her and Henry. Something is wrong if so many people feel that Mary has tons more chemistry with her supposed "brother" than with her supposed "love interest". 

[MissLucas]

It was during last season that I started to notice the chemistery and thought it accidental. There were good reasons against that pairing and I waited for some indication that it really was a no-go. But instead we got more scenes between these two and finally Mary in complete denial about Tom's decision to move to the US. Every time it was brought up she insisted that ultimately he would not go. And neither of them was presented with a convincing romantic alternative. If the editor is supposed to be Tom's new love interest she should have been introduced earlier in the season. She did not seem that interested in Tom plus - hero-gawking at Henry aside - she seems to be intent to pursue her career as 'new woman' in the city.

[ElizaD]

Puppy! That's going to be the best moment of this season. Nothing can top Robert's face of new puppy bliss.

 

Now that there's some conflict, Mary/Henry improved a little but it still lacks the spark of Mary/Matthew and Mary/Tom. It's hilarious how people were strongly opposed to Mary/Tom when it was discussed as a wacky possibility during early season 4 yet the show has unintentionally made tons of people start rooting for it even though Mary with Not Matthew/Tom with Sybil's snobbish sister used to seem like such a horrible idea.

[Avaleigh]

Puppy! That's going to be the best moment of this season. Nothing can top Robert's face of new puppy bliss.

 

Now that there's some conflict, Mary/Henry improved a little but it still lacks the spark of Mary/Matthew and Mary/Tom. It's hilarious how people were strongly opposed to Mary/Tom when it was discussed as a wacky possibility during early season 4 yet the show has unintentionally made tons of people start rooting for it even though Mary with Not Matthew/Tom with Sybil's snobbish sister used to seem like such a horrible idea.

When I think of that episode where it *briefly* seemed like Matthew/Sybil could be a possibility it makes me think about what JF would have done with Mary in that case. I wonder if Tom would have lasted on the show. 

 

No way would I have predicted in season 1-3 that I'd eventually be rooting for Tom/Mary. I too remember all of the people who scoffed during the fourth season at the idea and all of the comments about how there's no way that Tom would ever be interested in Mary because she supposedly pales in comparison to Sybil as opposed to all of the sisters simply shining in different ways. 

 

 

It was during last season that I started to notice the chemistery and thought it accidental. There were good reasons against that pairing and I waited for some indication that it really was a no-go. But instead we got more scenes between these two and finally Mary in complete denial about Tom's decision to move to the US. Every time it was brought up she insisted that ultimately he would not go. And neither of them was presented with a convincing romantic alternative. If the editor is supposed to be Tom's new love interest she should have been introduced earlier in the season. She did not seem that interested in Tom plus - hero-gawking at Henry aside - she seems to be intent to pursue her career as 'new woman' in the city.

That's the other thing. If editor chick is meant for Tom, I feel like she should have at least noticed him at the race. I do like the suggestion that the editor could end up with Henry. 

 

Mary seemed very upset at the idea of Tom going away. Edith noticed it too and couldn't help but rub her nose in it at one point. That's another reason I started to suspect that something could be there because Edith is all over that sort of thing.

 

ETA:

 

Another moment that I thought was interesting was the scene where Cora and Robert are talking about what Mary does or does not see in Henry Talbot. Cora thinks that Sybil might have been happy with Henry but not Mary. Robert argues that Mary has changed (I agree with him and Mary seems to too) and I couldn't help but imagine them discussing whether or not Mary has changed enough to be happy with a man like Tom. 

Edited November 4, 2015 by Avaleigh

[Ravenya003]

It makes me wonder if Michelle Dockery is just a difficult person to find chemistry with (or not a very fabulous actress). Every male suitor except Matthew has been a complete dud. Even Sir Ian didn't really move her emotionally, they were just two assholes together. She's a beautiful cold fish.

 

I've seen her in The Hollow Crown and she had fantastic sexual chemistry with her fictional husband - so no, I don't think it's Michelle. The problem is that Mary Crawley is a bonafide Ice Queen, and though Mary can be charming she has very high walls. I also think that because she's the protagonist other actors are aware that they have to play off her and not the other way around. So naturally, so many of the new actors take their cues from her and end up mimicking what she's doing: projecting a charming veneer and a cold centre.

 

Iain Glen at least established a different dynamic with her since he was a strong character in his own right with a unique background, but Gillingham? Talbot? I couldn't tell you three things about them. And it's only after a long period of time that other people are permitted to break through Mary's shell, which is why she had chemistry with Matthew and even more so (IMO) with Tom. He's had nearly six years and a handful of Christmas Specials to break down her barriers. 

Edited November 4, 2015 by Ravenya003

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Gillingham? Talbot? I couldn't tell you three things about them.

The only three things I know about Talbot: he loves cars, he loves Tom, and he thinks he loves Mary.

[MissLucas]

I know something else: 40 'strong men' have to bite the dust until he gets access to the studs book (i.e. Debrett's). I loved that conversation - it sounded like straight out of Jane Austen where everybody entering a new social circle had his material prospects  discussed and dissected without any hesitation or shame. Alas it didn't give us much insight into his personality or character.

[DianeDobbler]

I think it's good insight that perhaps newer actors mimic Dockery's performance and end up thwarting anything happening, but I also believe none of them were authentic romantic leading men. Maybe in a particular program they'd fit the role, but they're not "And, for the romantic lead, we have Obvious Romantic Lead Actor." Dan Stevens is definitely that. I felt Mary and Matthew had immediate chemistry - that moment when she swoops into the Crowley parlor just as Matthew wondered which daughter they'd push off on him still plays like gangbusters on both their sides. His immediate interest, her immediate fiery (in the eyes) umbrage and resentment, versus a cool assessment/contempt. While I never thought Tom/Sybil had particular chemistry, Allen Leech made more of an impression than the guys who succeeded him and Stevens. Leech has wonderful chemistry with his CHARACTER. He plays intelligence and great smart humor beautifully. I don't think he plays anger all that well, and so the angry socialist stuff didn't always come off well. However, a passing  scene where he was one of the few downstairs people who was able to manage the telephone with natural aplomb and  common sense sort of made him seem a cut above, more worldly than the others in service were portrayed at the time (save for Bates). I just think the actors they've introduced are a bit generic, save for the guy playing  Bertie.

 

It's funny, I mentioned in another comment that when you look at the lives of the wealthy, aristocratic, nobility, upper class of the first half of the last century, it's not uncommon to run across someone who married their sibling's widow or widower. Was just reading about Anne Morrow Lindbergh. After her sister Elizabeth died in the mid-1930s, Elizabeth's widower, Aubrey, married Elizabeth and Anne's youngest sister, Connie. There was nothing sordid in it, the marriage to Elizabeth had been happy, Aubrey was close to the family, and Connie and Elizabeth were both activists of a sort in education, each more extroverted than Anne, and very progressive, which gave them much in common with Aubrey.  Both the short marriage to Elizabeth and the long one to Connie appeared to have been happy.

Edited November 6, 2015 by DianeDobbler

[Roseanna]

I honestly think that Fellowes just had no idea what to do with Tom. He's kept him around (and brought him back) because he knows that he is pretty well-liked by the audience, but has he really done anything for the last 2-3 seasons? Not really. And since coming back from the US, he absolutely hasn't done squat. He's talked about finding his place in the world but has done zero to actually address that concern. He had fun with the cars this episode, but it wasn't like he was making any serious inquiries into working with them.

 

Because Fellowes doesn't know what to do with him, he's just made Tom Mary's cheerleader and confidant. If Leech is unhappy with how things ended for Tom, it's probably because it was just some tacked-on afterthought that wasn't developed at all and Fellowes threw in there because he didn't know what else to do.

 

But in the earlier seasons Tom had scenes also with other family members. Especially his relationship with Robert had some bumps (Miss Bunter arguing in the dinner table, Thomas telling she had been upstairs near bedrooms), on the other hand it was Tom who made Robert to accept Matthew's modernization plans. When Tom had problems with Edna, it was Mrs Hughes who was his confidante. It was she with whom he dared to show how much she mourned for Sybil and who understood his difficult situation ´"between".  We saw Tom also with Sybbie.

 

That wasn't much but it was at least something. And it is lost now when Tom is only Mary's best buddy and Cyrano to help Henry's wooing.

Edited February 13, 2016 by Roseanna

[LittleIggy]

My wish came true! Donk got a puppy! The Dowager rocks! :-)

[CleoCaesar]

I had an idiotic grin on my face during the puppy unveiling. I think that’s the most concentrated joy this show has given me since Matthew died.

 

Also liked the Edith and Bertie proposal. Not so much the part where I didn’t hear “Marigold is actually my daughter” but everything else. Bertie is a cutie and he and Edith match well. Laura Carmichael tends to have good chemistry with her romantic interests. I can't, unfortunately, say the same for Michelle Dockery.

 

Mrs. Hughes, your husband is wretched. Cooking one dinner is not an Olympic event.

[moonb]

Aw, Molesley! And Robert and his new baby. And Mary was really likable tonight in her anguish over Henry.....ditto for Bertie and Edith. Fine Downton, you win this one.  

Edited February 15, 2016 by moonb

[Primetimer]

The whole family plus some hangers-on journey to Brooklands to see if Henry is, in fact, the best at cars. What a fun way to spend an afternoon! Or...part of an afternoon, anyway.

Read the story

[Spunkygal]

Shame on you, Edith. That was the time to 'fess up to Bertie. You should have said "no, she's not my family's ward." If he couldn't deal with that, better to know now and better for him to hear it from you.

And I couldn't wipe the smile off my face when that darling dog was revealed. And Robert looked genuinely thrilled. Well done!

OH, but when I saw the mysterious man lurking in the bushes outside Mrs Patmore's B&B, I thought oh crap! Not another blackmailer wanting to cause trouble. Please, no more of that b.s.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Spunkygal

[Constantinople]

How modern of Mary to break up over the telephone

[YoSaffBridge]

Everyone's all "Oh, let me pet the puppy!" And Lord G's all "Eat a dick, this is my baby!" And I haven't smiled that hard at this show in ages.

[Popples]

I loved Isobel's hat when she was visiting Violet talking about the invitation to the wedding. Their friendship is an absolute highlight in the show. Good on Violet sniffing out Miss Cruikshank's true motives. I want Violet to come back and have it out properly with Miss Cruikshank (in front of Isobel and Lord Merton), if she thinks she can go toe-to-toe with the Dowager, she is horribly mistaken. Lord Merton doesn't seem to be in any failing health, why is she so damn pushy to be rid of him already?

 

Lalalalalalalala, I can't hear you, Violet's not going off to France to die! You can't make me believe that!

 

Tom is so in love with those cars. And maybe something might happen between him and Edith's editor. If not, there's always Talbot.

 

Mr. Molesley's on his way to his happy ending, and if it's not with Ms. Baxter I'll find out where Julian Fellows lives.

 

Thankfully Mrs. Patmore told Daisy not to be so stingy with Mr. Mason. Even being jealous of Andy who just wanted to help him with the farm was ridiculous. It was nice that Daisy wasn't super obnoxious in this episode.

 

Oh, Mummy bought her baby boy a new puppy!

[PRgal]

How modern of Mary to break up over the telephone

If it were 2016, the , breakup would have happen over snapchat.

[MisterGlass]

I wish Robert had apologized to his sister for snapping at her like that.  On the whole however I've really enjoyed him this season, and the reaction to the puppy was great.

 

If this is the Dowager's final mike drop it was a good one.

[WatchrTina]

 

Shame on you, Edith. That was the time to 'fess up to Bertie. You should have said "no, she's not my family's ward." If he couldn't deal with that, better to know now and better for him to hear it from you.

Oh  don't know.  I think she didn't want to spoil the moment with that bombshell but she did bring up the idea of bringing Marigold with her as a ward.  If he had sounded reluctant to have her around then Edith could have backed out of the proposal without putting herself in the vulnerable position of telling someone her deepest darkest secret.  Now that she knows he's open to it she can tell him about it in a less romantic setting -- one where he can bid a hasty retreat if he's shocked and needs some time to think about it.

 

And I can't believe I'm going to say this again this week but . . . poor Thomas.  I've been re-watching the first four seasons and that man is a nasty piece of work but damn, he can't even catch a break when he does a genuinely good deed like teaching Andy to read.

 

I am greatly alarmed by the disappearance of the Dowager Countess.  If next week is a Violet-free zone I will be very sad.

Edited February 15, 2016 by WatchrTina

[crowceilidh]

If I were Barrow, I would have offed myself already.  They really go out of their way to ostracize him, don't they?

[whatsatool]

Valentines for:

Lord G and puppy

Violet and Isobel

Mary and Tom

Edith and land agent

Mrs Patmore and Daisy

Anna and her Pasha

The Pig men

Edited February 15, 2016 by whatsatool

[Constantinople]

Since Tom is always giving relationship advice, perhaps he can be the magazine's agony aunt.

 

And Edith can be the first letter writer

 

Dear Prudie

 

A gentleman proposed marriage.  The last time I was engaged the groom ran out on me on our wedding day, so I'm a little nervous.  Should I tell this gentleman that I lost my virtue to a married man whose posthumous child I bore after he was murdered by some vile Germans?  The gentleman has limited means, but my dead married lover left me this magazine and a smartly furnished flat in the city so I'm financially comfortable (though no one seems to know if the allegedly crazy wife starved to death after being evicted from her asylum for non-payment). Currently my daughter lives with my family as their "ward".

 

Sincerely, Lady H Tide

[angora]

Violet was such an MVP this episode.  I loved her dressing-down of Miss Crookshank, writing to Tom 'cause he's the sensible one, leaving until her nostalgia is greater than her fury (but intentionally going to France because her goal is to WANT to come home as quickly as possible,) and PUPPY!!!  Love, love, love.

 

I understand Baxter's conflicted feelings about Coyle.  The trial business brought a lot of those feelings back for her and she got herself prepared to face him in court, and then it didn't happen.  In light of that upheaval, I could see her feeling like she needs to confront him in order to truly put that part of her life behind her.

 

What got to me about the Thomas-feels-so-isolated plot this week is that, aside from Carson's constant "get a move on, Mr. Barrow" attitude (because Carson totally gets off on being haughty and dismissive to Thomas,) I don't think anyone was intentionally trying to isolate him.  During the illiteracy reveal, everyone was so tuned in to Andy's distress that of course he was the main focus, and Mr. Dawes was thinking of Andy's well-being when he suggested that competing methods of teaching might be hard for him.  Likewise, when Thomas asked Carson and Mrs. Hughes if the couch was fair game now (loved that scene,) Carson shut it down and they both bustled out because they were sheepish at having been "caught."  Both scenes make complete, innocuous sense from the other characters' perspectives, but for Thomas, it's such a piling-on of the depression and loneliness he's already been feeling.  (I did notice, though, that Thomas and Andy were always next to each other in the downstairs scenes.  After Andy avoided Thomas for so long, that was nice to see; hope Andy doesn't drop him now that he's getting reading lessons somewhere else.)

 

Hallelujah on Mrs. Hughes/Mrs. Patmore scheming to bludgeon some sense into Carson, as well as Mrs. Patmore very kindly making Daisy see how unfair she was being about Mr. Mason.  Long overdue for both.

 

Lastly, Molesley!  I was so happy for him.  Touched/proud Molesley always gets to me - for me, one of the first "there's something in my eye" moments in the entire series was at how blame happy he was way back when Matthew finally started using him as a valet and asked Molesley to help with his cuff links.  Cuff links, people!  Kevin Doyle has done such a nice job with this character.

[Amethyst]

Now that Thomas' lessons with Andy are over, he's going to feel even worse, if that's possible.  I was so worried that they were going to turn him away from the picnic or something.  He clearly felt bad later on when he interrupted Carson and Hughes scandalous sit-down.  Seriously, Thomas needs a hug.  And a job.  They can't emphasize enough about how little he's needed and wanted at Downton.

 

On the job front, yay, Mosesley!  I'm glad it worked out.  Don't give two shits about Daisy, but at least Mrs. Patmore gave her the After School special speech about how Mason is still Daisy's friend.  Blech.  Hope that's over.

 

I know Mary can be cold, but that car crash must have been horrifying to see.  And it's made even worse knowing how Matthew died.  I can understand if she doesn't want to jump into a relationship with a race car driver, if that's the case.  That was some solid acting from Goode and Dockery.

 

Figured two things would happen at the race but didn't: that Anna would miscarry after running off after Mary (glad that didn't happen) and that Tom didn't hook up with Edith's friend (wish that did happen, because he's basically window-dressing now.)

 

Suck it, Carson!  Well done to Mrs. Hughes.

[TVFAN]

Way to go Violet!!!!!!!!  She was definitely on game this episode. 1) Violet is on the case. Lord Merton's soon-to-be daughter-in-law better watch her back.  (And Violet must return from her trip because Isobel is entirely incapable of dealing with the situation alone.)    2) Violet guilted Cora and the family by leaving town.  Cora, Robert, et al SHOULD feel guilty about not telling her she was about to lose her position as president.  They owed her the truth.  3) Violet came through with what every Downton Abbey fan had been wanting since we lost Isis, an adorable new puppy!  The look of sheer delight on Robert's face mirrored that of all Downton Abbey fans.

 

Henry is growing on me.  (And, hey, if Tom approves of anyone, they are okay in my book.  He's Downton's voice of reason these days.)

 

Mary and Anna, still BFFs.  I cracked up when Anna blew off Bates to follow Mary to the crash scene.

 

Good for Mosely!  He is about to start living his dream.

 

Poor Thomas!  Yes, he's capable of being utterly sleazy, but he's also capable of kindness.  

[whatsatool]

The whole family plus some hangers-on journey to Brooklands to see if Henry is, in fact, the best at cars. What a fun way to spend an afternoon! Or...part of an afternoon, anyway.

http://previously.tv/downton-abbey/63576/"> Read the story

[RedHawk]

Lovely to see Mr. Molesley get a good shot of self-esteem. Will we get to see Mrs. Baxter's reaction to his news? He's got career prospects now so no hindrance to asking for her hand.

 

Carson cooking dinner to me was a snooze. I'd rather have seen Mrs. Hughes-Carson give him a thwack with a frying pan.

 

No praise from anyone when they learned Thomas had been trying to help Andrew learn to read? I hope Mrs. Patmore remembers to tell Carson their suspicions were way off. 

 

Has Daisy gone off Andrew now that she knows she's much more educated than he is? Before the picnic scene she seemed to encourage him a bit with her smiles, afterward she was noticeably colder (and possibly disappointed).

 

The Dowager Countess is a true Jane Austen fan, saying she would "winkle" Miss Cruikshank's true purpose out of her. That's a nod to Mrs. Jennings, the gossipy matron in "Sense and Sensibility", who told Elinor and Marianne she would "winkle" their secrets out of them.

Edited February 15, 2016 by RedHawk

[whatsatool]

The whole family plus some hangers-on journey to Brooklands to see if Henry is, in fact, the best at cars. What a fun way to spend an afternoon! Or...part of an afternoon, anyway.

http://previously.tv/downton-abbey/63576/"> Read the story

Trip advisor!

[roomtorome]

This show is always so obvious that it is hard not to believe they are going to have Thomas commit suicide which will royally piss me off for that to be part of the end of the series.  I don't like him as a character but they are really going out of their way to strip him of any feeling of being needed, never mind wanted.  Coupled with last week's tears - maybe if this were mid-series but seems kind of lousy to do it now - IF they do it; holding out hope that they could surprise me and have a suddenly perfect sort of new opportunity suddenly appear for him as is happening for all the others.  

 

Countess as always is a dream - I do believe Fellowes, being a mediocre writer as he is, saves up his few good bits for her - everyone else gets the leftovers.  

 

The puppy was a treat of a surprise - 

 

I too don't think that was the exact moment for Edith to spring that on him but I will be very disappointed if she doesn't, in the end, tell him if and when she accepts his proposal.  

 

Mary and car driver...snooze and as much as chemistry as a carburetor and horse would have: none.

[MakeMeLaugh]

I think I watch this show more for the costuming and art direction than anything else. OMG the hats on both the women and the men at the racing. And the grey outfits that both Edith and Isobel were wearing when Isobel brought Violet's missive to Robert. Swoon.

[peggy06]

I sincerely hope the show doesn't end with Mary and Tom together. I feel they have a comfortable brother/sister relationship, nothing more. Like some of you, I think the show brought Tom back because he's a popular character, but they didn't think through, in what capacity. He has seemed extraneous to me ever since Sybil died.

 

They seem to be setting up for Mary to break down her walls and go to Henry. Why else show the character so conflicted? I wish there was more chemistry between them, but that's something you can't manufacture. IMO it's Matthew Goode who's been a bit of a stiff. Even in romantic scenes, his lines come off stilted. Maybe just bad writing? His best moments so far were in the phone call - he also looked more "real" with his hair messed up and some actual emotion to portray.

 

The guy writing notes outside the B&B did, indeed, seem like an early Michelin spy. I can't imagine what else he could have been doing, other than taking note that the breakfasts were coming from offsite?

 

That was a good point that Edith shouldn't level with Bertie about Marigold until she is sure she's going to accept him. I don't quite understand her hesitation about that, though. 

 

Robert telling Rosamund to shut up was terrible and awkward, especially when she left for her room immediately afterward.

 

I'm OK with it if this is Dame Maggie's exit from the series. I would hate a deathbed scene for her - it would be much, much harder. She went out on a high note. Maybe they constructed the hospital plot to give her a graceful exit?

 

Good for Molseley and Mrs. Hughes, could not care less about the rest of the doings at Downton.

Edited February 15, 2016 by peggy06

[whatsatool]

I think Tom came back from America for Mary. Nothing else makes sense

[helenamonster]

A puppy! I've been thinking how empty certain scenes have seemed without Isis and I was wondering when they were gonna get a new dog. Violet, coming in clutch! And I refuse to believe she went off to France to die. Nope nope nope!

 

When Edith was talking with her editor, for a second I was like, "Wait, is Lady Edith about to do some experimenting here?" completely forgetting she was with Bertie and not realizing the obvious that the editor was for Tom. Doi. I'll admit the proposal scene with Edith and Bertie was beautifully shot (all around great cinematography this episode, it looks like they used drones for the race), but I still don't care about Edith's happiness.

 

I'm not invested in the Mary/Henry relationship, such as it is, but I thought Michelle Dockery and Matthew Goode did a great job with the material.

 

Aww, so happy for Molesely, he's earned it!

 

Baxter congratulating Anna was so cute. I've wanted them to be friends for forever. Where are my Molesley/Baxter Anna/Bates double dates???

 

Just...just shut up, Thomas. Getting all mopey cuz no one wonders what you're doing on your day off. Stop acting like you haven't pulled a bunch of heinous shit over the past 13 (and probably more) years. Even when people like Anna, Baxter, and Mrs. Hughes inexplicably try to make an effort to be nice to you, you don't want anything to do with them. I just...ugh. He aggravates me.

 

Wtf with that guy snooping outside of Mrs. Patmore's B&B? Don't rain on her parade!

 

Lol at Mrs. Hughes finally getting back at Carson. She can be a shady bitch when she wants to be and I love it.

[lucindabelle]

I really haven't seen any chemistry between Mary and

 

 

Yes, that was brutal and uncalled for.  Also, he was a guest in her home, and was incredibly rude to talk to his host that way.

Not R all, she was making fun of the way he spoke when she said the English language never lets you down. Ugh. It was completely uncalled for in that moment and he was absolutely right, hostess or no hostess, she was mocking his saying bloody when he was e pressing sadness that someone died. Anybody that shallow hostess or not deserves to be called on it.

As for ms. Crookshank... It makes loads more sense that a nasty piece of work like Larry grey would fall for a manipulative cool kitten than like the bully in the Ethel story have a kind wife. MOST often like attracts like.

And while it may be natural to want to see a father in law married, her motives were calculating and cold. She didn't even offer lady Grantham a chair and her offer of hospitality... May I offer you something.l. Was decidedly cold.

Mary and henry. I actually finally got what she sees in him. Unlike tony he's witty and can outwit her verbally.

But I totally understand her. Not everyone is cut out to be the wife of a police man or fireman either.

I'm sure they'll be endgame and it will be all true love lala but I personally think mary is right. I also think death by thrill seeking doesn't even approach the kind of noble risks police and firemen take and I personally scorn it. What a ridiculous waste of life.

Roberts wide eyes at the puppy were so wonderful I had to pause and rewind. Mama sure knows how to soften the blow and raise the mood.

I think well see violet again.

Happy as I was for mr Molesley, I was surprised he was asked to join the teaching staff rather than apprentice or something. I did think when the schoolteacher said he'd missed his calling that he wasn't being snarky and am glad to be right.

When are he and Baxter going to seal the deal? The affection between them is so strong.

Daisy I think has to wait for her exam results, as they said in the picnic.

Cartons storyline cracked me up. Well done mrs. P. He'll be loads s'more understanding going forward.