Faith and food filled last week’s episode 5 of Downton Abbey after the devastation of the loss of Lady Sybil. As the family continues to mourn, the future of her baby and husband Tom at Downton are uncertain. Branded the scarlet woman of Downton, former housemaid Ethel’s return as Mrs. Crawley’s housekeeper has shocked the community. When Lord Grantham crashes a luncheon attended by the ladies of Downton at Crawley house, the ladies are united in their support of her rehabilitation and refuse to leave. On an upbeat note, Mr. Bates’ conviction has been overturned and he has been set free! Anna and Bates are now once again together and happy!
Recap of episode 6 (spoilers ahead)
Downstairs: All but one welcome Downton’s prodigal servant Mr. Bates back home with open arms! His return places interim valet Mr. Thomas Barrow in an untenable position and he must give way and let Mr. Bates return as Lord Grantham’s valet. This situation is quickly overshadowed by a sexual scandal that could taint the reputation of the estate as Miss O’Brien’s plotting to ruin Thomas comes to fruition when her nephew Alfred catches him making sexual advances at footman James late at night in his bedroom. After James’ continued complains to Mr. Carson, Thomas is forced to resign without references, ruining his chances for future work. Mr. Bates feels sorry for Thomas and offers his assistance with pressuring Miss O’Brien to convince James to recant. Thomas reveals a certain fact about her ladyship’s soap that immediately does the rick and her scheme is thwarted. This further angers her nephew Alfred who reports the incident to the police.
Upstairs: Matthew and Tom work together to develop a new plan to save Downton and make it self-sufficient. Robert’s resistance to change and his concern for his tenants is supported by his long-time estate manager Mr. Jarvis whose indignation results in his resignation. To stop the scandal that is Ethel, the Dowager Countess is determined to see her move elsewhere and secretly places an advertisement in the London paper for a housekeeper seeking a position. One of the replies is from a woman who lives nearby the home of the Bryant’s, the grandparents who now care for her son little Charlie. Violet orchestrates a reunion of Mrs. Byrant and Ethel so they can come to terms with her working nearby and seeing her son. Lady Edith has a new job as a journalist for a paper in London whose editor Michael Gregson is keen on her. She is cautiously interested until she discovers he is married. He reveals that his wife is a lunatic and there is no hope of him obtaining a divorce. Young cousin Lady Rose MacClare visits Cousin Lady Rosamund Painswick in London with Lady Edith and Matthew. Escaping to meet her married lover in a jazz club, she is caught in the act. Matthew controls her by bargaining with their silence if she will behave. The annual cricket match is in full swing when the local police arrive looking for a statement from Alfred who reported Thomas for criminal behavior against James. Lord Grantham intercedes and Alfred recants claiming to be drunk at the time. Now that Lord Grantham is on board with the new plans for Downton, Matthew and Mary are pleased to be building a new kingdom and making a little prince.
Favorite Moments:
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather cut and run like me?” – Tom Branson
I love the frankness of Tom Branson’s humor. The bromance between he and Matthew is one of the highlights on the series.
“I do think the women’s place is in the home, eventually. But I don’t see any harm in her having some fun before she gets there.” – Violet, Dowager Countess Grantham
Another great zinger from the Downton whisperer.
“You berate me for not taking responsibility and then you tell me off for doing just that. You can’t have it both ways.” – Matthew Crawley
“I can if I want to.” – Lady Mary
I am relieved to see some genuine romance and less bickering from the love birds of Downton!
“Cousin Violet has never let an inconvenience stand in the way of a principle.” – Mrs. Crawley
“As the kettle said to the pot.” – Violet, Dowager Countess
Young Lady Rose’s introduction to the world of Isobel vs. Violet begins in a throw down. She laughs it off, but she won’t be laughing later!
“Married men who wish to seduce young women always have horrid wives.” – Matthew Crawley
Best line of the night!
“There must be something you know about Miss O’Brien that you can use against her.” – Mr. Bates
“You’ve heard of the phrase “you know when your beaten”? Well, I’m beaten Mr. Bates. I’m well and truly beaten.” – Mr. Barrow
“Well, then give me the weapon and I’ll do the work.” Mr. Bates
Who would have thought that two fierce adversaries would be on the same side? Mr. Bates’ need to fall on his own sword might just kill him some day.
“Shall I tell you how I look at it? Every man or woman who marries into this house, every child born into it has to put their gifts at the families disposal. I’m a hard worker with some knowledge of the land. Matthew knows the law and the nature of business.” – Tom Branson
“Which I do not.” – Lord Grantham
“You understand the responsibilities we owe to the people round here, those who work for the estate and those who don’t. It seems to me if we could pool all of that, if we each what we can do, then Downton has a real chance.” – Tom Branson
Interesting moment where the former chauffeur/family outsider Tom Branson reveals to the Lord of the Manor what he should be seeing himself. A turning point for Lord Grantham and the estate.
“I’m afraid that I find the idea of a married man flirting with me wholly repugnant. So you see…I must hand in my resignation at once.” – Lady Edith
Oh dear a big blow to #TeamEdith. Another mad wife in the attic? Why must the rug be constantly pulled out from her happiness?
“So we will be building our new kingdom while we make our little prince.” – Lady Mary
My Review
Malfeasance, shenanigans, whippersnappers and harlots ran a muck at Downton last night as we experienced one of the sharpest written episodes, whose dialogue had our ears are burning with delight. Our only complaint was that it was too long. We much prefer the one hour length that we have been feed for the past four weeks. There is just too much to absorb in two hours. There. We never thought there could be too much Downton Abbey, but there it is.
Intervene was the key word of last night’s episode as help from unexpected sources arrived to save some, and condemn others. Mary and Matthew have (thankfully) ended their bickering over money and joined sides in Matthew’s plan to modernize Downton. He is very definite about her being on his team now and she did not object as she has in the past. Lady Violet, Dowager Countess Grantham, was in fine form and as Machiavellian as ever manipulating the family and staff into convincing Isobel Crawley that Ethel would be much happier living a new town where no one knew of her past. How she orchestrated obtaining a new position for Ethel by using so many different people to remove the source of scandal was disturbingly brilliant. I never thought I would see Mr. Bates teaming up with Thomas to thwart Miss O’Brien, but he did—and was able to accomplish his goal with one fact from Thomas against her, “her ladyship’s soap.” There were many other instances of characters helping those in need or upsetting plans, but I was most moved by family outsider Tom Branson. As the widow of Lady Sybil, and the new estate manager, he has the unique position of not being deeply entrenched in family dynamics so he can say the obvious to Lord Grantham—that it is everyone’s responsibility to bring their talents forward so they can pool their resources for the benefit of the estate. That is a very socialist ideology that even traditionalist Lord Grantham can agree to.
The Oddest Plot Twist Award of the season goes again to poor Lady Edith and her working girl adventures in London. I am encouraged that they are allowing her to “do” something besides her grandmother’s suggestion of watercolors and charity work, but really Mr. Fellowes—you have taken her character around the bend and through the woods several times in the love department—but fixing her up with her editor (a younger looking version of the infamous altar jilter Sir Anthony Strallen) whose wife is insane is just too close to turning her into Jane Eyre in love with her employer whose wife is madwoman living in the attic. Really? Seriously? This is all you could think up for her?
I will end on that note and ask readers what they thought of all the resolutions and one last dangling conflict?
Downton Abbey Twitter Party
Join me as I co-moderate the live Downton Abbey Twitter parties every Sunday through February 17, 2013 at 9:00pm eastern and again during the Pacific coast time slot. Just use hashtag #DowntonPBS and add @pbs, @masterpiecepbs, @austenprose, @televisionary, @tomandlorenzo and @vulture to your favorite Twitter aggregator such as Tweetdeck, Tweetgrid, etc. It’s great fun, and totally free.
Join us for the conclusion of Downton Abbey Season 3 when episode 7 takes us to Scotland to meet Cousin Shrimpie and his family, next Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 9:00pm ET & PT (check your local listings).
Further reading:
- Read my review of Downton Abbey S3E5
- Upstairs at Downton Abbey – A Cast Preview
- Downstairs at Downton Abbey – A Cast Preview
- Visit Downton Abbey at Masterpiece Classic online
- Visit our Downton Abbey archives
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Nice review! I agree that Edith deserves a bit more to do and a chance at happiness. When she wears strong colors by her face in the last scene with her editor, she looks quite good.
The giddy flapper cousin was a bit much — she represents the new, devil-may-care generation to a T, but the contrast with the slightly older cousins was jarring and Fellowes needs to explain how the post-war world view fostered new ideas about sexuality.
Did anyone else think the discussion of Thomas’ sexual preferences remarkably progressive?
And, I disagree – I liked 2 hours of Downton!
What did the reference “Her Ladyship’s soap? refer to?
*spoiler* In season one Lady Grantham had slipped on a bar of soap while stepping out of the bath and had a miscarriage. O’Brien had purposely placed that bar in revenge and shared that fact with Thomas who at the time was her partner in crime. If it was known that she purposely planed the soap to harm her ladyship, she would be fired without a reference and be toast. Thomas now controls O’Brien with this secret.
She could be brought up on charges as well and I’m sure she’ll do nearly anything to stay out of the clink. Hopefully we’ll see some O’Brien wriggling next season as Anna tries to understand what those powerful words could possibly mean.
I also thought this episode was really well written. To my surprise, despite all of the horrible things he has done over the past three seasons, I really found myself feeling sorry for Thomas. I’m glad he will stay on at Downton Abbey because he is a fascinating character.
As to the other characters, I think Branson has become the star of season 3, and he had some really excellent lines in last night’s episode. I love how he and Matthew have formed such a bond! :)
I also loved that Mary and Matthew finally got to have some romantic scenes together…it was about time! :)
Rose seems to be an irrelevant character, and I don’t really care if she stays on in the show or not. I love that Edith is writing articles and having a great turn in her life, but I thought that the editor falling for her was unnecessary. Can’t wait to see the season finale next week!
I think Julian Fellowes is doing a great job. After all, he is expected to keep people true to character, while at the same time allowing them some development and spontaneity; he has to keep his storyline realistic while still throwing in enough plot twists to hold the viewer’s interest; and somehow he has to manage to keep his most villainous characters at least a little bit misunderstood, and occasionally worthy of our sympathy. Bravo, sir, bravo!
:Last night reminded me why I love this show and why I continue to love the characters–even O’Brien–for the what they bring each week. I am so glad we got to hear Mr. Bates ‘secret weapon’ words to Miss O’Brien! that would have been too cruel to leave hanging!
This may have been the funniest and most sigh-inspiring evening. Oh, if only Edith could come out a winner!
I had heard negative things about this season’s plots and writing but I think the whole show jumped up a notch after S 2 (I am learning to forget the Patrick episode). I did an Isobel at the close of last night’s show: “Bravo! Bravo!” One more episode, sure to rock the calm of last night, and then we can obsess until next January!
“Our only complaint was that it was too long. We much prefer the one hour length that we have been feed for the past four weeks. There is just too much to absorb in two hours.”
It was two episodes spilced together. UK episodes, 7 which lasted 47 minutes and episode 8 which was 66 minutes minus commercials.
Typical “Men’s Club” mentality last night! Last week we saw Lord Grantham storming the ladies’ luncheon to save his women folk from poor Ethel’s treacherous sin of trying to support her son. Yet…YET, this week he thinks Thomas should be under-butler!! I was just a tad outraged by the “wink, wink” at Thomas’ actions. In those days such scandal could cause (and may still if O’Brien has any say in it) a lot of trouble for Downton.
I’ll say this much for Mr. Fellows – Never did I think I would be feeling sorry for Thomas and shaking my fist at Lord Grantham!! Bring on next week!!
Everyone is concerned about the scandal harboring someone with Thomas’s preferences. Carson is, as always, quite blunt about it. Lord G. just wraps his in a shiny, sugary Christian coating. Surely his “be kind to Thomas because he just can’t help himself” advice isn’t purely for Thomas’s benefit.
I might be the only one that feels this way but, gay or straight, no one takes the liberty of flat out kissing someone while they’re sleeping, unless you’re prince charming in a Grimm fairy tale. Talk about jumping the gun, seems as though Thomas would have at least tried to wake James up a bit and talk with him a little first to assess if he were having some of the same feelings. And Edith had me shouting, and laughing hysterically, at the screen when she told her editor she found it repugnant to be flirted with by a married man! Uh, Edith dear, you kissed a married man in season 1 and enjoyed it and were quite put out when your father received the letter stating your services were no longer required by the same. I am just loving Branson’s new role in the family. Genius to bring Matthew and Tom together at the helm to help steer Downton into a more financially sound future. I hope as they work on their new projects we get to see some rolling up of the sleeves and some muddy boots and dirty hands and gratifying smiles from the hard work. Bravo to Tom for his speech to Robert, persuading him to work with them rather than against. Well Done! Could there be more trouble brewing as Anna tries to figure out why O’Brien could be so rapidly forced into cooperation at the simple utterance of, “her ladyship’s soap.” One more quick word on Edith, why couldn’t there have been a young, upstart journalist at the paper, someone more Edith’s age, to dare her to write controversial pieces and invite her to tag along as he delved into London’s most scandalous stories?! How exciting could such a pairing have been??
It has been years since Edith shared a kiss with John Drake (by the way, that was season 2). She’s had time to mature and move on from that.
So perhaps since Edith has, “been there, done that,” she may feel even more repulsed by a married man’s flirtations because she wouldn’t want to “go there” again. I could completely see and agree with that. Wouldn’t it be nice however, if a man could come into Edith’s life who would be daring and dashing and inspire her to become the best columnist she could be while inviting her to share in his journalistic adventures? I would love to see a storyline like that for her. I don’t want to see her become the object that fills a lonely man’s desire, yet again.
Oh no, you’re not the only one to be disturbed by Thomas’s seduction attempt. I think Fellowes was going more for drama than sense, especially given that James never gave Thomas any encouragement. Not that this would be justifiable if he had!
Agreed Chris. I think it robbed the storyline of what could have been rather rivoting; had Thomas and James had a few words in private which gave Thomas an indication of the possibility of romance that ended with a kiss attempt, I think I’d feel more sympathetic toward Thomas.
I am going to start a Free Edith campaign like they did for Bates. I agree with the Jane Eyre analogy of the mad wife in the attic. It doesn’t work in this show at all. Next thing you know, Edith will be tied to the railroad tracks. It’s all too corny.
Favorite line (from memory): “If I had cried out every time someone tried to kiss me at Eton, I would have been hoarse in the first month.” Lord Grantham on Thomas kissing the footman.
Favorite word: “squiffy” – too much to drink.
Favorite outfit: Edith in rust.
Happy to find a more agreeable Daisy. Mrs. Patmore is underused; she’s a scene stealer. Love Mrs. Hughes. Ready to say adios to O’Brien. If they keep her, she needs to grow a mustache she can twirl. :)
It was by and large a good episode. I liked the downstairs drama with Thomas. I did feel the attitudes were too liberal for the time and Carson’s attitude was more representative of someone from that time. There was some fine acting and some wonderful lines though. Upstairs ho hum. I’m glad Bates is back and Granny had some fabulous one-liners. I’m happy Tom and Matthew teamed up to drag Lord G into the 20th century kicking and screaming yet I feel sympathy for him because his tenants rely on him to keep things the same but I feel that in 1920, with the war debt looming overhead, Matthew and Tom are right in making changes while they can or else Lord G invests with Ponzi and Downton goes down like the Titanic. I felt so bad for Edith. I thought at last she could have an interesting career and a little romance but no, of course not. Interestingly, I wasn’t thinking Jane Eyre but more that other Masterpiece show South Riding. (I only saw the first episode though). I don’t feel it necessary to watch the final episode (I read the spoiler) or continue watching the show at all. I’m grateful for a happy ending and I’d like to leave it at that. I guess I’m a hopeless romantic in that I like neat and tidy happily ever afters.
I thought it was overall a good episode. I was hoping O’Brien would get in a bit more trouble for manipulating the staff downstairs, but I was glad to see the fear in her eyes when she was urging James to let it drop. I don’t care for Alfred at all and I really don’t understand why Daisy is attracted to him. He looked genuinely evil when he was peeping at Thomas through his crakced door in the servant’s hallway. Like Melinda, I was surprised at the modern view most people in the house had of the scandal with Thomas. I really thought the general opinion of the time was closer to Carson’s, so I was surprised by everyone else’s reactions once it was brought out in the open, even though they all knew anyway. I felt sorry for Thomas again. It’s hard to hate him for long.
I love Tom more and more each episode and I’m glad the family is finally coming around. It was great that as the voice of reason, he was able to convince Lord Grantham to follow Matthew’s plans. I hope he continues in this expanded role next season and he’s not given too much trouble nexty season.
I’m glad Ethel finally gets a break and can live near her son. It was sad seeing her mope around Isobel’s house all of the time. I thought they might transfer Thomas to Isobel’s after Ethel left. It’ll be interesting to see how he works out as the Under Butler and how he interacts with Bates in the future.
Poor Edith. The girl just can’t win. I can’t wait for her to see some happiness. It’s really not fair for her to end up a spinster when she’s grown so much over the past three seasons. Also, I hadn’t really noticed that he looked so much like Strallen untiol you mentioned it in your review! It’s so true!
Am I the only one thoroughly tired of Mary? And I don’t care at all for Rose as a new character. She’s too obvious. I don’t really know how to better explain my dislike for her.
And yay for Bates and Anna! It’s about time they were allowed some happiness.
Forgot to mention, I keep forgetting why Mr. Moseley is there. We never see him acting at Matthew’s valet since he and Mary married. And can they give him more to do besides being the comic relief of the downstairs staff?
Nothing was said about whether or not Daisy had decided what to do about Mr. Mason’s offer. I hope that comes up in next week’s finale.
Also I enjoyed the “squiffy” comment as well. I don’t think I’d ever heard that before.
Ok, I think that’s it… ;)
I did think that is a total Jane Eyre ripoff LOL Great recap! :)
Yes, some interesting moments but frustrating too because of the ‘modern’ ideas expressed by some about Thomas since in series 1, Lord G did not want him to be his valet because dressing is so intimate and he didn’t like Thomas. How can he know decide that Thomas is alright because he cannot help himself? That definitely was not the belief in the 20′s.
I feel for Daisy too since she just looks daft most of the time and I wish they’d give her more to do – not sure about her storyline: maybe her and Albert will marry and set up a food store on the farm? Mrs. P. is great but I wish her love interest had at least been something more ‘real’ than more comic relief: Mr. T was not believable from the start, fun but that’s about it. Yes, Mr. Moseley too: he seemed so nice before, although he kept out of the war but yes, the comic relief thing with him is tiring. I think they collectively roll their eyes at him like they used to do with Edith. Yes, poor Edith: the whole thing with her Editor being married: from so many other shows too. And, yes, she flirted with Mr. Drake but was alright with that. Perhaps she’s matured, not sure.
What I find most frustrating is the truncated scenes: all that buildup to Mathew and Mary’s wedding and then those stupid one liners and black-out. Ugh. Baby Sybbie’s Christening the same: lots of buildup but only the photos at the end. They did that in series 1 when they did not show any of Lady Sybil’s coming out in London: lots of talk, but nothing else.
Mrs. Crawley usually is a character I like but: her speech to Tom about making the difficult transition was good but then the stuff about him talking to ALL the staff if he wants was somewhat off since she did not want Edith to countermand her father and write for the paper. that scene with her and Tom Branson seemed just a campy set up for the new maid fake seduction thing.
I’m also annoyed because I got series 3 from PBS but noticed when I was watching WNED the other night that there are missing scenes from it which is really annoying me. Lady Rose is mostly annoying so far.
Not enjoying this series as much as #2 but still watching of course. I know what happens since I’ve watched all the episodes and so far, the Cricket match is my favourite episode. Peace,
I forgot to mention that we liked seeing the little girls run around during the Cricket match. I pointed out to my dad that they were about the same age his mother was at the time, the same year her family crossed the Atlantic from Naples to Boston. She was born 5 months before S1 E1. It’s amazing to watch Downton Abbey and realize that it takes place not so long ago.
Great review. I took that quiz on the PBS website that tells you what character you are. The Dowager Countess of Grantham? Really?? But after last night, I really feel that I identify more with Bates. You try and try to be mean and get even with someone, they make you feel like the heel you are, so you backtrack and are nice, only for it to come back and bite you in the end. I can identify with that. Thomas stinks.
Loved it, loved it, loved it. I did find it hard to keep up with all of the things going on over the two hours but I plan to go to my PBS online site and watch this one again. Next week is The Christmas Special and I can’t wait, am dreading it all at the same time. This will mean another year of waiting. But, at least we know there’ll be a 4th season! Whoopie!
Well, here was the 2 hour episode I would entitle “WILL THERE EVER….”
Will there ever be a ‘normal’ romance for Edith? This latest foray seems like something out of Jane Eyre (!) Will there ever be a ‘getting rid of’ Mr. Barrow? That guy has more underserved hang time than anybody on the series. I mean beloved Sybil dead and this one still breathing? Will there ever be a baby in Matthew and Mary’s future? Perhaps finally. Will there ever be a consensus between Lord Grantham, Matthew, and Tom? It sure looked like the making of one at the conclusion…..finally! My wife and I feel encouraged by the turn of events and cannot believe the conclusion of season 3 is almost at hand.
I really think Edith deserves to have a little happiness; she keeps having the rug pulled out from under her. Mr. Fellowes could have come up with something better than a Jane Eyre situation; really, how vexing. Why not just have the publisher say that his wife doesn’t understand him, if he really wanted to sound lame. I am not giving up on Edith though; I am hoping that we will be pleasantly surprised in the last episode of the season.
I am not very sympathetic towards Thomas; he should realize by now that what goes around comes around. He deserves whatever is going to come his way.
I am glad that Mary and Matthew are done arguing over money and will get serious about starting their family.
I’m hoping for a Nancy Mitford storyline for Edith–society girl becomes legitimate writer. The madwoman in the attic bit was a disappointment, but at least he’s not a simple rat, which is what I thought was going to happen.
I’m curious about the operation that Mary had–I couldn’t figure out what she had done, and why on earth she didn’t tell Matthew.
I agree – we need a medical expert here. What apparently in-office surgery would Mary get that would
‘fix her problem’? or is it just convenient story telling?
I think my only real dissatisfaction with this season was… why did Bates’ cellmate and the bad prison guard give a hoot about him, or Mrs. Bartlett, or Vera? I really was lost on that whole power struggle.
The bad guy and bad guard had a conversation about Mrs. Bartlett and I expected her to get the deep six … instead, she changes her tune off camera.
I still don’t buy the whole ‘bake myself a suicide pie’ business. What about the man Vera was supposedly having an affair with, which released Batesy to go work in the pub in the next village???
It felt like the plot line painted itself into a corner. or is the whole story not complete?
Everyone has addressed the plot pros and cons above so I have a purely aesthetic grumbling: why can we yanks not see Downton aired at the same time as the UK? I happened to read a story speculating on Dan Stevens (Matthew) and his possible future as the next incarnation of Fitzwilliam Darcy. In the second paragraph I was blindsided by several revelations about what happens in the Downton final episode, which airs here next week. I didn’t realize until then I was reading The Telegraph, but I doubt I would have thought about spoilers anyway. It’s been hard enough for me to avoid my friends who watched Downton streaming over the internet last fall and felt the need to mention, “you won’t believe what happens to ___” at the drop of a hat.
I guess I’ll have to queue up ITV next fall…
Tom’s brother was really something, wasn’t he?
The most original thing that could happen and should happen with Edith is that she ends all advances and flirtations with the editor. In books or on a screen (large or small) we seldom, if ever, see a woman learn from the past. Edith needs a strong, eligible bachelor. She needs to set some standards. All women do.
I agree with eenayray – air Downton Abbey at the same time in the U.S.! It is very annoying to learn all of these plot spoilers by accident before they are aired here.
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