There is nothing like the Christmas season to bring out the best and worst in relationships. It was the perfect setting for the finale of season two of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic PBS last night. Packed with resolution and romance, we were treated to couples grappling for love and others smoothing out rough patches.
We were very happy to see screenwriter Julian Fellowes return to the more sophisticated, AND interesting, sphere of personal relationships to wrap up this tumultuous, and at times outrageous, second season. Here is brief synopsis from PBS:
Recap of Episode 7 (spoilers ahead)
Christmas 1919 reunites most of the Grantham family as Lady Rosamund, her gossipy maid Shore in tow, arrives eager to introduce her new suitor to the family. But neither the Granthams nor the servants can escape into the season’s merriment when they are forced to turn against one of their own. Not even games can pierce the gloom surrounding Downton, where downstairs the servants are desperate for guidance. Thomas and O’Brien are up to their old tricks, Daisy tries to make sense of her future, and Anna holds tight to endure the present.
Robert hopes that the annual New Years Shooting Party will lift everyone’s spirits, but an ill-tempered Richard resets his sights on a familiar target. His petulant and brutish efforts to dominate Mary do not go unnoticed. But with his threat hanging over her head, Mary must choose between two kinds of ruin.
Favorite Moments:
“My husband is on trial for his life Mrs. Hughes. Oh course I worry.” Anna
As we mentioned earlier, we had a hunch that the murder trial of Lord Grantham’s valet Mr. Bates would not go well. Fellowes would never miss an opportunity to make him the victim. It is a sad business, and we predict we have not heard the last of it.
“I couldn’t bear for you to thinks that we might…take up together again. When of course we can’t… you see the thing is. I am far too old for you…And now, I’m a cripple. I don’t need a wife, I need a nurse.” Sir Anthony Strallen
But, but, Sir Anthony. Edith could be both, silly dunderhead. We are very happy to see Edith taking the initiative and reconnecting with her neighbor Sir Anthony Strallen. Even granny got into the scheme, but sadly had reservations once she learned that he had been injured. Get real granny. Most eligible men died in the War. We now know the real reason why Edith learned to drive. He may not have use of his right arm any longer, but he is still a good catch Edith. Go for it.
“There is something I should tell you.” Lord Hepworth
“I hope it is nice.” Lady Rosamund
“No. Not particularly nice.” Lord Hepworth
It is interesting that Fellowes chose to introduce the other side of the aristocracy after the war; those who were ruined. Lord Hepworth’s loss of fortune, and the family estates, was more common than not. That way of life would never be the same after the Great War. Those who survived, like the Crawley family, were dependent on new industry, or new money, to continue their way of life. It would only get worse.
“You don’t have to marry him. You don’t have to marry anyone. You’ll always have a home here as long as I am alive.” Matthew
“Didn’t the war teach you never to make promises? And, anyway, you are wrong. I do have to marry him.” Lady Mary
Mary is right to be skeptical of Matthew’s offer. Being a maiden aunt, or cousin in her case, is precarious at best. It is kind of Matthew to give Mary the assurance that she has other options than to marry without love, but if she chose to take him up, her life would be so much different than what she expected for herself. Who would want to watch your former love interest raising a family with another woman? She wouldn’t last a week.
“Say something, if it’s only goodbye.” Lady Mary
“Go or stay, you must sack Carlisle. It isn’t worth buying off a month of scandal with a lifetime of misery.” Matthew
Lady Mary dropped the Pamuk bomb. Worse than the trenches in the war Matthew? Will he forgive her, or won’t he? Is this end?
“What on earth is the matter?” Dowager Countess Violet
“I am leaving in the morning Lady Grantham. I doubt we will meet again.” Sir Richard
“Do you promise?” Dowager Countess Violet
Best granny line of the night. Just the perfect reply!
“You mean you have forgiven me?” Lady Mary
“No, I haven’t forgiven you.” Matthew
“Well then.” Lady Mary
“I haven’t forgiven you, because I don’t believe you need my forgiveness.” Matthew
Well Matthew. I am quite put out that you let a lady shiver in the snow in her evening frock without giving her your dinner jacket, but, I will forgive you since it ended with you on one knee. We are happy to say that there is a cowboy in America who is really bummed since Lady Mary will not be at the rodeo.
My Review:
Upstairs entanglements: While, it ONLY took two seasons and eleven episodes to finally bring heir Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary together, we were happy none-the-less. They deserve each other: each with their hang-up’s canceling each other’s out quite nicely. We were also introduced to a new amour of the older generation that at first impression appeared promising, but their defects could not be overlooked. Lady Rosamund Painswick’s beau Lord Hepworth looked great in Burke’s Peerage, but with the help of that super sleuth, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, who is really the relationship whisperer of Downton, you know, and the observant housemaid Anna, we learn the nasty truth. On the other hand, we were very pleased to see that Lady Edith took our advice and sought out her own happiness by reconnecting with her former beau, Sir Anthony Strallen. Go #TeamEdith! And, there is nothing like a near death experience to put all to right in the romance department. No one expects the Spanish Flu, but almost losing Lady Grantham to the grim reaper has done wonders for the floundering, mid-life crisis inflicted Lord Grantham. He and his lady seem to have rekindled their affections enough for her to feel confident to wheedle his approval for their newly married, rebel, expat, daughter Lady Sybil off in Ireland making babies. Nothing like a grandchild to cement burned bridges, ehh?
Downstairs the most interesting non-romantic couple, footman Thomas and lady’s maid O’Brien, continue their smoking sessions, scheming and sarcasm. Though, even the evil bangs are getting tired of Thomas and his blunderings. Ha! The most gripping plot of this episode was Mr. Bates’ murder trial. We had a feeling this would not end well. The scenes of his wife Anna at the trial, (conveniently moved to York), and the rest of the household’s reactions to being called to testify against their fellow servant were harrowing. Even evil O’Brien was uncomfortable and showed concern! Personally, we still think Sir Richard ‘Murdock’ Carlisle had Vera Bates done in to protect Lady Mary. Just sayin’. On another front, we were happy that Dithering Daisy got scammed by Mrs. Patmore into thinking that her dead husband (of six hours) William was speaking to her from beyond the grave through the parlor game planchettes (Ouija board in the US), telling her to go see his father on the farm. She did. It went well, so maybe we can put this plot to bed please.
We are greatly relieved that this episode saw the return of more sanity to the plot lines and tone of the narrative. As always, Granny Crawley got all the best zingers. That “do you promise” line might equal her “what is a week-end” in popularity. It was a perfectly timed putdown to that cretin Sir Richard ‘Murdock’ Carlisle. The most disappointing part of the scene was that we did not get to see his face when she delivered it. We thought that Julian Fellowes tied up the important bits regarding romance, (except #TeamEdith), and left the plot with Mr. Bates and Anna dangling for us to fester over for another year. Yes, season three of Downton Abbey is currently in production. It will air first in the UK this fall and in the US in January 2013. Sorry American Downtonites; we are still being punished for that radical revolution of 1776.
Overall, it was a fabulous season at Downton Abbey. Here are my predictions for season 3. Mary and Matthew’s wedding is a given, but there are still romantic possibilities for Lady Edith. Surely Julian Fellowes will not let her remain unattached? Will she form an alliance with reluctant neighbor Sir Anthony Strallen, or will Edith be given a new amore? Maybe she will find a career. Race car driver? What about that creepy usurper Patrick Gordon/Crawley? I don’t think we have heard the last of him. And, what happened to Lady Rosamund’s two children, Lavinia and Cyril? I hope we get to meet them. I fear that they will kill off Branson since he has basically served his purpose. If so, Sybil will move back to Downton with her children. Yes, there will be more than one by then.
Whatever they throw at us, including Shirley Maclaine as Cora’s American mother, it will be pure torture to wait. See you next year Downtonites.
- Visit the official Downton Abbey website
- Read my recap & review of Episode 1 of Downton Abbey
- Read my recap & review of Episode 2 of Downton Abbey
- Read my recap & review of Episode 3 of Downton Abbey
- Read my recap & review of Episode 4 of Downton Abbey
- Read my recap & review of Episode 5 of Downton Abbey
- Read my recap & review of Episode 6 of Downton Abbey
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Why do I have a feeling of dread darkening M&M’s joy? I agree with everything except the OBrien love child idea–maybe love-aunt?
Thomas permanently fixed his place in evildom with an attack on Isis btw.
I’m perfectly satisfied with S2 finale and even made that sobbing female gasp when Matthew went down on one knee! I didn’t worry about Mary in the cold because I couldn’t see their breath (unlike many warmer scenes in Lost in Austen?).
My fave line might just be. ” so she’s crossed the Rubicon” resulting in a Finian grandchild! I don’t think we’ll lose Branson until he makes some awkward moments at home with his two grans-by-marriage! Though American Granmama is likely to adore the idea.
Thank you Laurel Ann for your part in Twitter Parties. Who knew it would come to this? As for being punished still for that little revo, at least we had Jane Eyre with Mia and Fassie first. But it doesn’t make up for the 45 week wait for S3 DA.
In the PBS chat with Allen Leech last Monday he said he was thrilled to now be a credit actor on the show; he will be in the opening credits.. so I imagine he may not be going anywhere too soon. I look forward to his interaction with his in-laws and grans-by-marriage.
I agree it will be a very long wait for season 3. I guess I will have to read a few books and maybe do some redecorating to pass the time.
Love your comments but “their” instead of “they’re” (“…caught with their pants down.”)?
I believe the word is “‘cretin”‘, not Cretan (“It was a perfectly timed putdown to that Cretan Sir Richard ‘Murdock’ Carlisle.”).
Sorry but spelling mistakes are a pet peeve of mine.
I’m otherwise thrilled to see how many people enjoy this kind of costume drama and are enthralled by ‘Downton Abbey’. Only the British seem to do this well.
Great review, Laurel Ann! I’m a stickler for English too, but slightly more forgiving. You made up a new word “horrowing” that nicely combines horror, harrowing, and sorrow!
Dowager Countess got the best line, of course, but I doubt Sir Richard would have been stupid enough to set himself up for that “set down.”
I sort of wanted to see Mary in the Midwest with a cowboy (of course there were no cowboys in the mid-west in 1920).
Those people on the list with better educations that I will remember the Irish fight for independence in the early 1920′s. I assume Lady Sybil’s husband will go down in that fighting.
My question is: who’s going to be a flapper in the 1920s? Surely not Lady Edith???
Very touching scene with Daisy and William’s father — As EM Forster wrote — “Only connect” — meaning — our lives are so lonely — we should all strive to connect, truly connect, with another human being while we live.
Loved last night’s episode! I think your predictions for next season sound right on.
I think Lady Edith totally will be a flapper — and a writer!!!
I was really disappointed we didn’t get to see Sybil and Branson, although I’m happy my prediction of a pregnancy announcement was right! One note of concern — the actress for Sybil is reportedly possibly a contender to be the next companion on Doctor Who. If so, how would this affect her work on Downton?
Thank you, Laurel Ann, for all the time and effort you put in to summarizing these episodes. At the risk of spoiling someone’s future viewing, let me add that I found the most harrowing, anxiety-producing scenes were Thomas’ with the dog Isis. These made me absolutely furious! And I hope that in Season Three, Thomas will be appropriately condemned…
Sherry, I, too, was feeling quite anxious over Isis, the sweet doggie. I was disappointed that Thomas got away with it. (Was it just me, or did anyone else think it was odd that no one questioned how Isis managed to latch the door to the shed on her own?) I firmly believe that Thomas will get his just desserts in Season 3. His character is horrid and has no redeeming qualities. Having said that, he will probably be kept around so everyone can continue to loathe him.
Funny how we dog lovers were more distressed over Isis than other unpleasant situations with humans. Guess it is because. Dogs are so unconditionally loving and depend onus for their care and comfort. Anyway, Riatamaie, a response to your earlier post – why no one asked how Isis could have latched herself in- They never said where the girl from the village found Isis. I assumed Isis broke out. Thomas only latched the door with a twig in the latch. We heard how she was barking and did not want to be in the shed. My dogs would have pushed the door open in less than an hour. So I think Isis broke free and was ‘found’ in the village before she could make it home. ( oh Lord Robert, you hadn’t misjudged Thomas before, only now when you are foolish enough to trust him.)
Other than the fact that they are mean,and conniving , what has lead several of you to believe that Thomas and O’Brien might be related? It is an interesting thought, but how did you come to it? While on the subject of Thomas, I don’t see any motive for him to be behind killing Vera. Simply to torture Bates doesn’t seem sufficient to me. Nor do I see a motive for him to arrange for Pamuk to die in Mary’s bedroom. (I love that his name has been turned into a verb synonymous with the deed itself. I am imagining a spelling bee. Pamuk. Definition, please. Can you use that in a sentence, please? Edith longs to be pamukked by just about anyone. Thank you.)
Regarding Carlisle , I need to go back to see his proposal and review his and Mary’s parting conversation. My money is on him killing Vera for double-crossing him. He’s scary when he is pissed off.
Isis had to have been out of that shed before the search party.(no barking) but we don’t know if the girl found her in the shed or running do we? I knew Fellowes wouldn’t commit professional suicide by having Isis die. But that was pretty upsetting!
Oh dear its Friday with no DA this weekend.
Best episode ever! Aside from dropping the mysterious P. Gordon. It seems that even Lady Edith has given up on him. I think she’ll end up with Sir Anthony Strallen. He needs a nurse and taking care of people is what she’s good at. Florence Nightingale effect maybe? I’m disapointed in Sybil giving up everything for Branson. I thought she’d be the flapper. As always the Dowager Countess had the best lines. Now what will we do while waiting for Season 3?
Haha! Oh, how cunning of them to punish us via our Downton obsession for that pesky little revolution ;)
I thought this was a great episode. I was relieved to see some things tied up so nearly (Hurry for Mary and Matthew! Hello the creep Sir Richard is gone!) and I’m anxiously awaiting season #3. I have a sneaking suspicion that as the only unattached Crawley sister, Edith is poised to have the most fun in the roaring 20s. With Sybil playing house and being mommy, I bet she’s the first to bob her hair and raise her hemline!
I do hope we get a nice Downton wedding with mary and matthew. I’m a little disapointed we missed Sybil and Branson’s wedding. I wonder too if we’ll get a glimpse of the Irish Civil War through Sybil and her new family, it should be interesting since its not something we know much about in the US.
So sad its over, but glad it’s coming back eventually ;)
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I enjoyed myself so much last night watching the two episodes.Oh how I love it!
Oh yes ,I was a little disappointed in the Christmas scenes.I had hopped they would have been more glorious.
Does anyone think that vile Sir Richard had anything to do with Vera Bates’ death? I think that, plot-wise, Vera had to be killed by some already-established character. (I’m not convinced that Bates is innocent, and he has never yet stated his innocence, although that’s in character for him.) But it wouldn’t make sense to introduce some Other Character of whom we don’t know to be the one who killed Vera Bates. In my mind, it’s either Bates or Sir Richard (maybe not Sir Richard directly, but one of his minions/hit men.)
It’s all very interesting. How will this go in Season 3?
I suppose Bates’ mother is a long shot. She was introduced and she likes Anna. Despised Vera. Could have met her for tea!
Deb, Bates’ mother is dead. Remember? She died in episode 4. Bates gave all the money to Vera to pay her off for the divorce.
So much for that theory
Any chance Thomas had anything to do with Vera’s death? Just a thought….
Thomas was my first choice, too, but several people who watched that episode intently say he has an air-tight alibi for the time frame in question. My money is on Richard Carlisle. Remember he tried to bribe Anna to spy on Mary. I think he actually did get someone close to Vera to spy on her, and she was going to sell the Dead Turk story to another paper, so Carlise had her poisoned. Unfortunately for Bates, right after he left her. With their history, it’s doubtful Scotland Yard ever looked for another suspect.
When Vera sold him the story, he threatened her if she ever tried to double-cross him.
You’re right, Rosemary, that Sir Richard threatened her in a menacing way, and he sent his driver to pick her up and bring her to his office, so he would have no trouble sending someone back to ‘pay’ her another visit…
A friend and I were discussing this Whodunit of Downton Abbey, and she brought up a point I had forgotten about. Doesn’t Bates say that his wife had been unfaithful to him, either at the end of season one or the beginning of season two? I seem to remember that Bates tells this to Anna as the reason he can now get a divorce. However, the fact of Vera being unfaithful to Bates was never discussed further. Perhaps THAT story line will be revived as the explanation for Who Killed Vera Bates?
I also hope they resolve this particular Whodunit storyline in the first or second episode of season three. I am a little tired of this Bates storyline, and I hope they don’t drag it out over another entire season. I want Bates back at Downton, married to Anna, and moving on to a new storyline.
One more thing.Lord Grantham’s wife is sooo much prettier and sweet than that little YOUNG maid.How could He!I was so mad at Him.
Men don’t necessarily cheat with women who are prettier/sweeter than their wife. They cheat with women who are more available then their wife, women who give them more sympathy then their wives are giving them. That’s not true in EVERY case, but it’s true in many cases.
I felt that the storyline was believable, albeit a bit melodramatic. I’m just glad they never actually ended up in the sack together.
My two cents… personally, I think Julian Fellows missed the boat by not putting Mary on trial for Pamuk’s “suspicious” death and having Matthew defend her in court (even though he’s into wills and conveyancing). A Pamuk murder trial storyline would have been far more interesting than the Bates murder storyline (as it is). Murdering your wife stories are a dime a dozen, being accused of murdering the Turkish diplomat staying as your guest at a country house, much better!
I would have liked to have seen Vera with a much bigger part, Think of how much could have been done having her torture poor Bates until he went insane or until Anna popped Vera off herself. But I guess this is why Julian makes the big bucks and I write melodramatic fan-fiction. :-)
Interesting observation: I just got back from London where I visited No 23 Hans Place (where Jane Austen stayed with her brother). Well, next door is No 22, the house where Michael Collins and the 1921 Irish Treaty delegation met. So historically, the Downton Abbey time-line (currently in 1920) falls into this time period perfectly… so naturally, they can’t kill off Branson. He would fit into these activities as a journalist and I would think he would journey back to England with Sybil for just such a reason. (again, my two cents)
Oooh I like the way you think! So perhaps Bates is guilty “Earl’s Valet Swings” I feel like BatesAnna dragged on a wee bit to long. To have the intensity of the first season you need a couple interacting. I wish the Patrick storyline was believable. They are going to have to slow down the time line or Granny will be too old to deliver her lines!
Thank you for your wonderful and insightful recap, Laurel Ann. You are so funny, you had me LOL!! I will SO miss this series, it’s been my weekly treat!
I, too, am relieved that a more rational tone was adopted for the conclusion. I’d also like to see Daisy’s character expanded. She’s done so much with so little. I hope Bates’ killer is found soon b/c the whole story line is a snooze. Like to see Edith with someone–anyone! But Lord Grantham appears clueless. Thomas as a valet? A guy who stole from him! I love Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore.
But do we want to see Edith with Old Man Anthony? Not me. I couldn’t help thinking that Edith and Thomas would be a good match for each other as I watched them dancing together at the Servant’s Ball. But, Thomas isn’t a “ladies man,” so that probably won’t happen.
I hope Fellowes creates a man for Edith who is worthy of her but who is also initially slightly objectionable to her parents, sort of a lighter version of Branson. Maybe Edith’s new man should also be of the “nouveau riche” like Sir Richard was, but he definitely shouldn’t be as vile as Sir Richard!
Did anyone else notice the interesting parallel between Matthew’s willingness to honor his engagement to Lavinia even though he was in love with Mary, just like Edward Ferrars was going to marry Lucy Steele even though he was in love with Elinor? Interesting because Dan Stevens (aka Matthew) played the role of Edward Ferrars in the 2008 version of S&S.
I did too!
It is so nice to see so many other Downton Fans. I loved watching it every Sunday and now we have to wait a year before we can experience it again. I truly admire the English for giving us quality shows. I’m so tired of reality and crime shows that I don’t even watch television anymore. I know we have talented American writers, I just wish they would produce better and interesting stories.
I loved this season finale; it all was tied up in a nice ribbon so I won’t be chewing my nails off til next year. Happy ending just like I prefer. Although I would not have minded if they made a story-line with Lady Mary and Sir Richard getting married. I will say again, if only she had been a little nicer to him, shown him some affection, done something to actually earn his trust — he would have given her the world! He even admitted to loving her. I am glad they parted calmly. Maybe after the initial press frenzy, the scandal can all be hushed up — especially with Matthew and Mary’s wedding next year.I like Edith with SirAnthony — I think she can have real feelings for him and he seems to bring out her kindness. And now a Finnian baby. (Skaps forehead.) There’s no returning now!LOLOLOL. Well maybe Branson can still get killed off thru the Irish Civil War. (Ducking from your tomatoes!) But MrB andI LOLed when Isis ran up to Thomas and Lord Grantham declared Thomas a good guy for looking for his dog!I especially enjoyed the Behind the Scenes bonus — I just love that kind of thing! Anyway, congrats on a job well done, LaurelAnn. I have so enjoyed your recap and commentary! (Now we are looking fwd to May6 and SHERLOCK!)
I just could not write about everything that I wanted to and realized that neglected the fight scene with Matthew and Carlisle. I just luv it when Englishmen fight over women. LOL Queue the “It’s Raining Men” music from Bridget Jones’ Diary. *snort*
Thomas dog napping Isis was a really low point in his nefarious career to ingratiate himself to Lord Grantham. If the dog had been hurt or died, that would have been it for me. I hate it when animals are harmed in any way. I can’t watch animal movies since Ole Yeller ruined me it for me as a child. Too tragic. I was relieved that she showed up unharmed and furious that Thomas came out smelling like a rose.
*sigh* still can’t believe it is all over for another year.
Sorry my name happens to be Vera–tho mine is the Russian version pronounced Viera.
Sorry it’s over for a year. My guess was that Patrick would emerge as the true heir and take over with Edith. Then Lavinia (too sweet to be real) would end up with Carlisle and Matthew would realize forevermore that Mary truly loves him for himself,and not his inheritance, and they could live a really interesting life, more in character as rebels, as middle class professional people.
As it stands, I was troubled by Lavinia’s selflessness and genuine loveliness which might turn her into the idealized lost love for Matthew in mid-life crisis years and interfere with the marriage. The love scene between M & M was touching tho, tho frustrating we didn’t get to see the family rejoicing with them. Mary’s farewell scene with Carlisle was the best psychological writing of the piece in literary terms–showing more complex personality development than elsewhere tho just a brief glimpse–her fleeting compassion and his fleeting confession of actual love for her. Lord Grantham’s would-be affair seemed ridiculous in the beginning but also showed a less one dimensional side of his character and paved the way for his ability to forgive Mary. Jane, tho unrealistically forward, was an appealing character.
Finally, Bates. From the engaging acting and plot development in Series I to the uncomfortably wimpish pathos in the last episode! What a comedown. There will have to be a big improvement in series III if he is to regain his status as a proud and interesting lover for Anna. All in all despite the plot inconsistancies, the acting was flawless. Kudos for the acting which created Matthew, Carson, Mrs. Patmore, Lady Vi of course always, and yes Thomas and O’Brien–it’s hard to be evil–and even Daisy. It wasn’t just the annoying plot that made me want to strangle her. She pulled it off! Especially impressive when we got to see what these actors actually look like in real life.
Thank you BBC for giving us this gem.
Now that I’m totally addicted to the lives of the residents of Downton Abbey, it definitely was the “let down after the wedding” when Episode 7 ended! Can’t imagine how I’ll survive until Season 3 airs in the US next year. Sounds like a great excuse to visit England for 3 months starting in September.
Thank you for mentioning Dan Stevens played Edward Ferrars in S&S. First time I saw him in DA I knew he looked familiar, but had to google his bio to learn he’d been the “good” Ferrars brother! But the parallel between the two roles (almost marrying Lucy and Lavinia) escaped me until you mentioned it here. Thanks for that bit of on-screen trivia!
Good side: Maggie Smith’s lines just get better and better.
Bad side: I’m beginning to feel manipulated by this program. It’s one thing to make me worry about a human, but to have to spend an hour of the show worrying about a pitiful dog?
It has been a pleasure to partake of this ‘afterglow’, following the second season of Downton Abbey!
May I put a question or two, out there for comment;
does anyone think that Thomas had something to do with the death of Mr. Pamuke and, if so, how might this play out in season 3?
Also, could Thomas and O’Brian be brother and sister?
I shall await your thoughts and opinions, pleeeeese!
I have long wondered what we’ll find out about OBrien and Thomas’s familial relationship. I think there’s something there and if not, they’ve left it open for possibility.
I don’t think he had anything to do with Pamuk unless he had a black market to a primitive form of Viagara and offered him some before they got to Mary’s room? what a thought!
As to sshaver’s remark on Maggie Smith. I loved them all but during one episode, the plot was suffering enough that I thought the show had become nothing more than a vehicle for her one-liners! I LOVED the tiny roll of eyes on Robert (but not laughing like the rest of us) when she dropped her Do You Promise? line. It must be quite difficult to keep a straight face.
I was also glad for Isobel’s ‘return’ to the first season’s version, but she seemed to have a few subtext barbs for Robert. Did anyone notice?
Somewhere in the interwebs I came across the idea that O’Brien might actually be Thomas’ mother. That would explain her almost unflinching sympathy with him. I hope they delve into the reasons behind their relationship a little more in Season 3.
Would love to see the best fairness after every episode. They are quite witty and I love to see the ‘names’ such as OBriens bangs and Mary’s eyebrows.
*twitter* my iPad spell check turned twitter into fairness.
The episode was just as awesome as I hoped it would be. Plot lines left hanging but at least Matthew and Mary have come to their understanding. I suspect that they’re going to meet some obstacles getting to the alter. I’m hoping for the Bates/Anna situation to get sorted out in the first episode as it has gone on for most of this season. And Thomas? Don’t get me started on him. He is evil incarnate. Lady Edith has a romance in her future, I think. I felt the Sir Anthony/Edith story was firmly closed so I don’t see that coming up again. What a delicious wait!
Getting to the bottom of who killed Vera Bates, has to be a strong thread in Julien Fellows’ story line for season 3 of Downton Abbey!
I’m hoping that the guilt lies with Sir Richard, somehow, so that he is rendered impotent to hurt Mary’s future felicity.
It does not seem to fit with Julien Fellows’ purpose to have John Bates endure so much and hold his head high, whilst always striving to do the right thing, only to have his final act be murder; no I cannot believe he killed his wife!
Thomas seems to be an unlikely candidate; he has the malevolent character, but not as strong a motive as Sir Richard. After all, his purposes would still be served if Vera Bates had continued to torture her husband for another season!
On the other hand, O’Brian has expressed her regret over giving Vera the news of Bates’ return to Downton Abbey and his ‘floozy’, Anna, so perhaps Thomas is the killer…
I’m hoping it turns out to be Sir Richard, but that’s rather like wishing the baby your daughter is expecting will be a girl; when the sex has already been determined, before anyone ever knew that there was a baby on the way!
(Production started last week on season 3, and so the story is already set in type!)
IF Sir Richard did indeed kill Vera (or have her killed), then his response to being dumped by Lady Mary takes on a whole new dimension: ‘But I loved you soooo much, I killed to keep your secret safe!’. Just a thought…
This is true, Joanna; it certainly does enhance the meaning of his farewell speech!
maybe our #2 villain did kill our #1 villain! If Sir Richard loved Mary that much, he might yet ‘fall on his sword’ for her in the future?
I need to watch the finale again. I didn’t catch that that part of his farewell lines.
If Sir Richard did kill Vera Bates, I suspect that his motive was far more his anger at being double-crossed, and wanting to keep his own marital reputation untarnished, than his love for Mary! (I’m recalling his ‘proposal’ to Mary at the railway station, which sounded more like a business proposition!)
That WOULD be interesting if Sir Richard ended up being the one who killed Vera Bates. I don’t quite see his motive, however. Vera was upset with him that he essentially muzzled her story, but I don’t think Sir Richard would have had a reason to have her killed. But, who knows? It would certainly be satisfying to have one villan killed by another. :)
My theory is Vera killed herself, knowing full well that John bought the poison and would be implicated in her murder. It was the surest way of getting back at him! She was certainly spiteful enough to kill herself, just to frame him!! I suspect we will find a ‘confession’ in a letter she wrote (possibly to the man whit whom she was ‘unfaithful’), that will fully exonerate John!!
Kris, I like that scenario!
You’re right, it has to be something that can lead back to a certainty, thus, allowing for Bates’s acquittal.
No doubt, we will be mulling over many more possibilities, until all is revealed in season 3!
I liked how Isabel found her backbone and told Matthew to can it with all the mentionings of the lovely and dead Lavinnia. It really was getting tedious.
My biggest concern in this episode was for Isis, the sweet dog. I was going to be thoroughly put out if anything bad had happened to her. I did feel yanked (no pun intended) around by the writer on this one. Thomas is a creep.
I think Cora and Robert should ship Edith to grand-mama in New York and find a husband for her. Obviously she hasn’t had much luck at home. (The old guy really is too old for her.)
I Loved this series. Thank you, Laurel Ann, for all your reviews. What great fun!!!!
This was a very disappointing episode for me, considering how much I had heard about this being a first-rate ending to an otherwise mediocre season. I’m afraid that this Xmas episode was just as mediocre or worse.
My feelings for Mary and Matthew’s relationship have changed over the season. I no longer find them interesting. Fellowes has transformed an interesting and complex relationship into one filled with cliches from bad romance novels. Making Sir Richard’s “villainy” even more ham-fisted and that last scene featuring Matthew’s marriage proposal made it even worse for me.
I hate what Fellowes did with Thomas’ role. He started out very interesting and complex at the beginning of the season and regressed back to being a one-dimensional villain, by hanging around doorways and in the servants’ area, smoking and sneering. If we’re supposed to cheer at his comeuppance after he lost his money, I didn’t bother. I saw nothing wrong with his attempt to make money for himself. Nor do I believe he should have been punished for wanting to be something other than a servant.
Why on earth would Sir Richard kill Vera Bates? Is it because many fans find the idea of Vera committing suicide in order to frame Bates for murder rather ludicrous? I know I did. But I find the idea of Sir Richard killing Vera even more ludicrous.
["I liked how Isabel found her backbone and told Matthew to can it with all the mentionings of the lovely and dead Lavinnia. It really was getting tedious."]
Why should Matthew stop mentioning Lavinia? If she was on his mind, she was on his mind. He had every right to express it.
The resolution of Daisy’s story line sickened me. It really did. I found it was bad enough that Mrs. Patmore bullied her into marrying William under false pretenses. It was worse when Fellowes justified Mrs. Patmore by allowing Daisy to form an attachment to William’s dad, via a Ouiji board. It was stupid and nauseating to watch.
The servants’ ball was amusing . . . and that’s about it.
Let me get this straight. Sir Anthony lost the use of his arm in combat, yet Lord Grantham was unable to serve in the Army in France? Why was Sir Anthony so lucky? And I mean this with a great deal of irony.
["And now a Finnian baby. (Skaps forehead.) There’s no returning now!LOLOLOL. Well maybe Branson can still get killed off thru the Irish Civil War."]
Why not Lady Sybil, considering she was the one who used Branson to escape a life of aristocratic leisure?
Ouch!
Love reading your recaps as I eagerly await watching season 2. Your recaps have made me not feel so left out!
I loved reading your recaps and I can’t wait for Season 3!
Did anyone else find it strange how somehow the lawyers knew about Bates’ private conversations and who overheard them? I thought maybe there was someone at Downton that was leaking information to the prosecutor, but that didn’t really materialize!
I agree! I wondered very much how the prosecution knew that Mrs. Hughes had eavesdropped on Bates’ and Vera’s heated conversation! A friend told me that Mrs. Hughes had admitted to Carson about listening to that conversation, although I don’t remember that. But the prosecution sure knew EXACTLY what had been said and by who. I thought that seemed a bit unrealistic to me.
Emily, the prosecution’s “inside information” as far as knowing exactly what Bates said to whom WAS unrealistic! Especially telling Lord Grantham he wished Vera was the “late Mrs. Bates”. Supposedly the prosecution learned of this exchange from Bates’s “interviews” (police questioning), but there’d be no reason for him to volunteer the information and they certainly wouldn’t have heard about it from his Lordship.
A friend in London whose family practices law said they laughed themselves silly during the courtroom scenes in the finale. That there was NO way, even in 1920, a murder trial would’ve been conducted the way Bates’s was.
Thanks. :) I’m glad I’m not completely off the mark. It did seem a little odd that trial went the way it did.
I also was suprised at the scene in the pub afterwards when Anna asked the lawyer, “What chance do we have?” and the lawyer soberly responds, “Not a good one, I’m afraid,” (or something like that.) And … then Bates DOES get his sentence changed to life in prison! It was a more melodramatic moment, to be sure. But the actress playing Anna is sure good at looking pained and stressed out. :)
Thanks for the ‘inside information’.
The continuing posts help with withdrawal symptoms .
Ladies, although none of us has been able to come up with a satisfactory explanation for how the prosecution, in the Bates’ trial, knew about Mrs. Hughes’ evesdropping and Lord Grantham’s conversation with Bates (in which he concedes that he wishes his wife were dead), the idea that Julian Fellows and his staff historian did not research how a trial might have unfolded in 1920, seems equally inplausable!
As for taking much assurance from two lawyers “laughing themselves silly” over the simplistic depiction of the trial, it seems to me that this is what members of the legal profession love to do when given the chance!
I rather think that we shall have to wait for season 3 when, I hope, all shall be revealed!
I believe Bates revealed it during a pretrial interview. He would have known about his own conversation with Lord Grantham, but not about Mrs. Hughes eavesdropping, so that is a mystery to me.
Perhaps Mrs. Hughes confided her ‘evesdropping ‘ to Bates, as a gesture of empathy and loyalty, and he, in his turn, offered it up to his lawyer, as corroboration of his account of Vera Bates’ visit to Downton Abbey, and all that she had said (not realising that Mrs. Hughes could be cross-examined and that she would know that he ‘threatened’ Vera, even though she did not see it).
Just an idea…
I too wondered about how the prosecution knew exactly what had been said. The show only explained that words Bates had said to Lord Grantham came from the testimony of Bates himself. It seems improbable that Bates would have damned himself with every compromising word he ever spoke.
@Emily Sir Richard told Vera that if she tried to double-cross him, she would pay dearly. she was planning on trying to sell the story to another. Remember how angry he was with Mary, saying that if she ever crossed him or tried to break off the engagement she would regret it. Sir Richard doesn’t play well with others and his anger makes him very unstable and unpredictable.
True, Sir Richard does have anger issues. But I still don’t think he did it. He certainly had quite an exit from the show in this last episode, and the way they sent him off (walking down the long hallway, pausing in the doorway to allow the camera to frame him), just made it seem like he’s done on DA.
Does the guy who played Sir Richard have a Twitter account or a website? Has he said if he’s coming back for Season 3 or not? That might help answer this question of did he or didn’t he do it.
It’s Sunday and we are still talking DA. I love it.
The writers tried to explain that Bates was truthful word for word in his statement but it was a big stretch. As was pointed out, no one but Carson knnew Mrs.Hughes overheard the Vera / John argument and no one will ever believe Carson slipped the info so that was way out there.
I just hope its not a ridiculous resolution. I like the idea that it was something to do with her affair and I hope they don’t drag it out past mid season.
I also made a mistake about the time between last show and Christmas show as 6or 7 weeks. Dug. It was a year and 6 weeks later.
Just a short comment here…I think Vera wanted to ruin Bates’ life so bad that she committed suicide to do it.
Laurel not Laure
That’s a very interesting scenario. Possible if she was depressed or secretly loved him that much she she was broken hearted as well. ??? but usually someone that full of hate is also so full of themselves that they wouldn’t commit suicide.
That’s just a thought because I’m sure it’s also possible and you may be right. Would that be a letdown, or well-accepted? We won’t accept a weak solution and I expect the writers know that. Maybe broken hearted over the OTHER MAN, and this served two purposes – ending her sadness and getting back at him as well as Bates? That might work…
I did see yesterday that we have a new footman, Arthur, coming to DA, who is OBrien’s nephew (Matt Milne from War Horse, at least he’s comfortable in the period setting)
Question going back to DA 1:
Why did O’Brien leave the soap causing Cora to slip and miscarry? Was she mad at Cora? She certainly didn’t do it to help Mary.
Rosemary, my understanding of O’Brien’s motive was that she felt betrayed by Cora, Lady Grantham, who she thought was planning on replacing her.
She had overheard part of a conversation that Lord and Lady Grantham were having in the bedroom, in which he expressed his dislike of O’Brien and she also heard Cora and her mother-in-law talking about finding a new maid for Violet, because her maid had “selfishly gone and got married”!
Armed with bits of both these conversations, she began to take up a grudge against Cora, who she thought was being two-faced with her, each time Cora was sweet and appreciative with her!
She confided in Thomas just how strongly she disliked Cora, calling her “a cow”!
Only after she had indirectly caused the miscarriage did she find out that Cora had been trying to help find a new maid for Violet, by advertising in a magazine, “The Lady”, She learns this when Violet comes to her when Cora is recovering from the miscarriage and asks O’Brien if she could find the applicants’ letters in Cora’s desk (as she didn’t want to trouble Cora), so that she might select a new maid; perhaps, even a “French one”!
I thought, at the time, how often such misunderstandings occur in real life, and how we would be well advised to remember the capacity for evil in the human heart and guard against it!
Thanks, I had forgotten all about that. Now I have an excuse to rewatch all the episodes again!
It would be highly unrealistic for either Branson or Sybil to be killed in Ireland. There were fewer than 2000 casualties in that War. It’s not like WWI or the Spanish Flu that killed staggering numbers of people.
Personally I think one of them will become a Labor MP and they’ll be off in London.
Branson as a Labor MP. Oh, how positively delicious! The “help” becomes a member of Parliament! THAT would certainly get the knickers at Downton – upstairs AND downstairs – in a twist, wouldn’t it? It could only be better if Matthew stood for the other side – and won! (Until he becomes Earl, he can’t be in the House of Lords…)