Well, if that doesn’t just take the biscuit!
(Never thought I would quote the vile Denker, but I do adore a cheeky British saying.)
Miss Cruikshank is exposed!
A possible love interest for Tom!
And Carson gets his oh-so-delectable comeuppance from his blushing bride!
So many things took the biscuit on this week’s Valentine’s Day episode, all setting the stage for next week’s “semi-finals” if you will.
Here’s my List for Episode 7:
1. Oh, how I loved to hear Violet say “This is the work of Miss Cruikshank”! Isn’t there a cat in Harry Potter named Cruikshank?
2. “How long will you be away?” Isabel asks Violet, about to abscond to France on a mission to cool off after being “allowed to step down” as hospital president. “Until nostalgia has smothered my fury,” she says. I will miss Violet’s golden nuggets of pith and wit.
3. And back to Miss Cruikshank, who was utterly FILLETED by Lady Violet, and apparently only wanted a “free nurse” to take her future father-in-law off her grubby, greedy little hands. Nice work, DC.
4. I like the energy and excitement in the magazine office, and the new “woman editor,” who is obviously going to be Tom’s new squeeze. (Wouldn’t a spin-ff show about the magazine be divine?) And I give thanks again that Miss Bunting has vanished in a funnel cloud of argumentative vapors.
5. Poor Thomas! He admits his attachment to Downton, tries to be friendly with the downstairs crew for once, and gets demoted from tutoring, his only positive purpose in life! However, will Molesely’s new career as a teacher leave room in the household budget to keep Mr. Barrow on?
6. The racing accident was tragic, and ghastly for Mary in kicking up her trauma over losing Matthew, but…Did anyone else notice how Edith reacted to the crash? She was almost as terrified as Mary that Henry Talbot had been hurt. This is because she actually loves her sister, deep, deep down, and doesn’t want to see her lose another love in a car accident. Well, if that just doesn’t take the biscuit–Edith and Mary may harbor some sisterly love!
7. Carson, you’ve been behaving like an old booby for real, and it was high time your wife served up a bit of revenge. Faking a hand injury and forcing you to cook supper was just the tough love you deserve.
8. I totally want to go to Mrs. Patmore’s B and B! But who’s that fellow with the notebook and camera, skulking in the bushes?
9. Edith gets a proposal of marriage from a man who is neither too old or already married. Bertie’s simply mad about her, and let’s be honest, Edith isn’t exactly overrun with suitors. But she better tell him the truth about Marigold, and he better be happy about it.
10. No one is buying Mary’s break-up with Henry Talbot. No. one. Obviously, they care deeply for each other, and the show’s writers only have two more hours to put all the pieces together!
11. Tio! Welcome little fur ball. Somewhere in doggy Heaven, Isis is wagging her tail.
So many loose ends to tie up in 2 weeks!
Will Edith and Bertie make it to the altar? Will she tell him that her ward is really her daughter?
How about Henry and Mary? And if they do, will he continue on as a race car driver?
How will they resolve Thomas’ loneliness and his employment issues?
Again, comment below for a chance to win Downton Tea at the end of the season!
Yes, there is a cat in Harry Potter named Crookshanks (different spelling)! And speaking of HP, I love, love, love me some Maggie Smith Dowager quips– she is simply exquisite and brilliantly cast.
I was alsoa happy to see Mrs. Bunting go– what a brash, tactless hag. And I laughed aloud (okay, snorted) for some time at the Mrs. Hughes’ “ya old booby!”
Carson was being SUCH an old booby! So funny how he fell asleep at the table!
I’ve been watching past seasons of The Good Wife and thought one of their characters looked familiar…hello Henry Talbot. 🙂
Aha! Yes, Henry Talbot–so dashing. So he is also from “The Good Wife”? I have always wanted to get into that show. The head writer is a friend of a friend, and also the cousin of other friends. Small world.
Lorilee – I love The Good Wife…there is actually an episode that mentions the CRC 😉 Worth a good binge watch sometime, for sure! I’m still a little sad they wrote “Henry” off the show…
Oh, this was such a good episode. I laughed, I cried. I did notice Edith’s reaction after the accident, and I think Mary did too. It would be so nice to see them end their rivalry. Love the magazine editor for Tom. It was hilarious to see Mr. Carson bustling around the kitchen! What a sweet, thoughtful gift for Violet to give to Robert. It was so good to see him happy and doing well. I’m very anxious to find out more about the mystery of Mrs. Patmore’s B&B. But once again, I was left with my heart breaking for Mr. Barrow.
Yes, I love Laura the magazine editor for Tom, too. She’s a hybrid of Sybil and whatever was good about Miss Bunting–independent, progressive etc, with none of Miss Bunting’s abrasiveness. and also, poor Mr. Barrow!
I googled it and yes Hermiene Granger had a cat named Crookshank. Was that a coincidence that they used that name or deliberate because of Maggie Smith?
Hmmm…an interesting thought!
Loved the interaction between Edith and Mary – Edith was very worried for Mary at racetrack. I did not understand how Tom told new editor that he started as chauffeur. Did you notice how Tom and Bertie were pulling Henry away from crash – all the potential brother-in-laws together.
Feel bad for Thomas – gets turn away from helping Andy and gets turn away when he finds Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes together in library. Thomas is trying to be a friend. Even when Dowager is not there, she knows her son needs a puppy.
Great insights, Philomena. I love this: “Even when Dowager is not there, she knows her son needs a puppy.” 🙂
This weeks show was splendid and I am in love with your idea for a spin off about the magazine! I too thought Violet’s quote to be a favorite of the evening. Oh, I may miss her the most. The moment Edith asked her editor to join the party I commented to my hubby, “oh wait until Tom meets her!” 🙂
Ha! Denise, I wonder what our husbands shall do when they are no longer able to be our Downton sounding boards? 🙂
I feel heartsick for Thomas. He just needs a friend! Maybe he could be a nanny to George and Sybie. (After Edith marries Bertie, who also adopts Marigold.)
Yes–Thomas as nanny! And here’s hoping our friend Bertie is openhearted and wants to adopt little fatherless Marigold!
A very interesting episode. Mary’s memories of Matthew hit hard but will Henry help her heal? Stodgy, perfectionist Mr. Carson gets a lesson in what is the work of a wife, the hard way. Will Mrs. Patmore be a successful businesswoman? Why is this person watching her budding enterprise? Edith, accept the proposal and own up to being Marigold’s mother. I really think he won’t care. You’re finally finding yourself and becoming a businesswoman yourself. Mr. Barrow is beginning to reap the results of what he has sown through the years. I hope he can find some happiness. Mr Molesley being offered a teaching position and showing his intelligence and having a chance to move up in the world. What about Daisy? How did her exams turn out and she get the same chance to move up in her life. So much intrigue to sort out in only two episodes.
“So much intrigue to sort out in only two episodes.” Yes, exactly! How will they do it??? 🙂
What did Edith say at the dinner table when Robert was reading the note from Henry inviting the family to the race? I swear it sounded like ‘sucking up’-but I’m sure it wasn’t that:-)
I think it was “sucking up,” which struck me as being superimposed from our day to 1925!
I’ll bet we have more than two hours to wrap it all up. Isn’t the final show of the season a 2-hour special? The last ones have been. Better put that one on our calendars!
A great reminder of the two-hour wrap up. Three hours, then. Sigh of relief!
How about Anna and Mr. Bates, two of my faves? I am hoping that they have a healthy baby, don’t forget about that!
I think the person I like best, who has changed and grown, is Mr. Moseley. At the beginning of the series he was sort of the comic relief, the clownish figure that everyone liked but never really thought much about. His dreams were crushed so many times, he was humiliated ( forced to work on road crew), and made to feel less than other. His insecurity held him back but now his true worth has shone through and hr is on his way to a new, happy life. Hope he takes Baxter with him!
And Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Mason?