Sisters, pre-swanning.
On tonight’s “Downton Abbey,” it’s all gone pear-shaped as the British say. Which is to say, things became sticky wickets with several of the characters and their relationships. Not the jolliest of episodes, I must say.
1. Things start out in the lonely breakfast room, where we are all missing Tom Branson keenly. I mean, Lord Grantham, Mary and Edith–that’s it? Reading a letter from Rose makes us miss her, too.
2. “As usual, you add two and two and get fifty three,” Edith remarks dryly to her sister, Mary. (Good line, but a little tired of their barbs.)
3. “Let me discuss it with our pig man,” says Mary. She’s become quite the farmer, our Lady Mary. Next thing you know, she’ll be at the Fulton Street Farmer’s Market, handing me a pound of ground pork and telling me she knew that pig by name (true story).
4. Julian Fellowes spoke of having ladies in England follow him round the grocery store to ask him about juicy developments or give him a piece of their minds. Should I see Julian shopping at Meijer I will whack him with a bunch of bananas! I ABHOR the Edith-gives-Marigold-to-the-Drews-to raise-then-takes-her-back story-line.
5. Therefore, I refuse to cast Mrs. Drew as a villain. The poor lady is not stable–I grant you that–but she’s a victim here. I love the show, but this story piece is reckless and offensive to anyone touched by adoption.
6. So, obviously, I really take exception with the use of the word “substitute” to describe an adopted child, as in Anna telling Bates “you want your own child, not a substitute.” Really, now, if I ran into Mr. Fellowes security would have to be called.
7. Still, hopeful for Anna that the London doctor can help her carry a child. But if she can’t, I hope she and Bates adopt and realize there is nothing pseudo or sham-like about an adopted child. No one could be more genuine, permanent, real and true than a child of someone’s heart.
8. The only truly witty line of the night: “We must give them time to be alone and gnash their teeth,” says the Dowager. Mustn’t we all?
9. Trouble in paradise for Carson and Mrs. Hughes, who are at a stalemate over where the nups will take place. A simple do at the village school, or the grandiose doings at the Abbey? I actually see both their points, but think Carson should stand up to the Crawleys and give his girl the wedding she wants.
(BTW: Classic standoff between a man, his wife, and his family!)
10. Everyone in this episode needs to sit down and drink some tea together–Edith and Mary, Carson and his Sugar Bear Honey Bunch, Violet and Isobel, Cora and Isobel, Edith and her editor–because this episode was too down in the mouth, and we all know this:
Here’s hoping next week will be so much more tickety boo!
Check out my recap for Episode #1: Carson and Mrs. Hughes Contemplate Knowing Each Other From a Biblical Standpoint! (And boy, did they ever contemplate it!)
What do you guys think–Team Carson or Team Hughes?
Comment below for a chance to win a Downton Tea of your choice! At the end of the season, a winner will be picked among the commenters!
Yep – I felt that way, too. I really, really don’t care about the hospital issue or Mary’s pig farmer or even Daisy’s problem right now. I feel like they’ve taken sad little leftover storylines and elevated them.
Yes, I don’t care at all about the hospital, and only find Mary’s pig farming vaguely interesting. Here’s hoping these “sad little leftover” storylines just serve as a set up for something more exciting.
While I totally get your dislike for the Marigold story line and all the comments too; it seems truthful to how people were. And still are today. Even here on social media it’s always about ways to help and to love animals … far more than we ever hear a word about helping the many children that need and deserve our deepest love. I will also add this – my fb status for today: “We made a plan but we forgot about emotion and emotion will trip you up every time.” … heard on Downton Abby last night. I thought, “no kidding” and my heart wished that everyone in the world cared a bit more about the children. Every Child.
Absolutely, Denise! Good of you to include the quote from Mr. Drew about emotions. You knwo, I was watching this episode with Phoebe, and she heard the word “substitute,” and I ached for her. Yet, this is what the world tells us over and over again.
OH my friend yes it’s true. The world is still far from where we need to be. Where is the love and compassion? I say we all need to take a stand for all the little ones who have no voice. *oh friend, your Phoebe heard it too? I’m so sorry. Please hug her again and again today from me and all the others who really do care and really do want to make real changes because in too many way’s today’s society is not far from what we saw last evening.
I agree with you about the Edith story line. This whole thing, beginning with Edith’s first meeting Michael Gregson in Series 3, has left a nasty taste in my mouth. Gregson’s “mad wife” was treated as a plot device rather than a real human being who has endured horrible suffering (and who might actually have relatives who cared about her); Edith showed zero sympathy or interest in that. Edith gave her baby to a family in Switzerland, then took her back and gave her to another family, then took her away again. I do see the terrible stigma and heartbreak that having a baby out of wedlock would give to an upper-class woman in this period. But I really do not like how the show has dealt with this subject.
Jeannie, I love your insight here. “Gregson’s “mad wife” was treated as a plot device rather than a real human being who has endured horrible suffering.” Yes, absolutely. I was so hung up on the adoption piece of it I hadn’t considered this other piece. The show has played fast and loose with a number of things here, for sure. Thanks for commenting!
Mary insisting to take Marigold to see Mrs. Drew made me smile. I believe she is taking a liking to the little girl. Plus, her insisting Mr Carson’s wedding be at Downton Abbey so it would be special and beautiful. Didn’t you see Mary and Edith look at each other in disbelief when their father said they could decorate the Servant Hall? I believe we will see a friendship start to spark between these two!!!
I’m for a compromise for the wedding location: private affair for Mrs. Hughes in the village, and then a tea reception in the big House for Carson…. Anything is possible, right? Let’s see how it’s handled! Hoping it’s a magical day for everyone!
Gina