Downton Abbey S:5, E:3 It's the Little Things

I feel that the major story lines of the show are progressing obtusely. It is obvious that Mary isn't going to marry Tony, that Edith will not be content being shut out of Marigold's life, and that the Robert-Cora-Bricker triangle is going to get nasty. Below stairs, Bates will soon be called in for questioning if not in fact arrested, the item that Anna hid for Mary will be found and perhaps erroneously linked to the incident with Mr. Green, Daisy's place in the kitchen/show is coming into question, and finally, that the show desperately needs Thomas. This episode, in which he was largely absent, was a little bit lackluster. 

Because of the steady progression of the above mentioned plots, I want to focus on some of the small details I noticed this week. Certainly not in a nod to Cora's apparent instinct for the finer points of art (and complete lack of it when it comes to men), but rather because I enjoyed these deeper glimpses into the show and the characters.

Did you notice the color of the tea Mr. Carson was drinking when Thomas asked to use the telephone? It was a creamy light brown. Carson takes milk! The tireless butler not only takes tea, he allows himself the luxury of milk in it. A small concession from a man who can be both deferential and intractable at the same time. 

Edith looked so lovely during this episode, particularly in the plum evening dress she wore when playing cards with Rose. I also liked the head scarves she wore in several scenes. The print of the one she wore to care for Marigold was lively and fun. Edith is happy, and it shows. Well, she was happy. Now she's about to become a mother who is desperate to see her child and who will most likely stop at nothing to accomplish that goal. What will it be? Revelation of the truth? Forced adoption out of the Drew home? Kidnapping? 

There is a much smaller number of servants dining in the servants hall. The producers were clever to remember this detail. Mrs. Hughes and others have commented about the dwindling servant class. Here that truth is subtly illustrated. I'd like to see a few of the machines/appliances that enable this reduced number to keep Downton up to Mr. Carson's standards.

When Bates and Anna were conversing in the hall below stairs, then Bates left to get a spot out of Lord Grantham's set of tails, did you see how well he walked away? There was barely a limp there. The cane was firmly in hand, but the disability was almost non-existent. Oops.

The walled garden that Mrs. Drew ran through in her frantic search for Marigold was intriguing, even in winter. I hope we see it again in the spring and summer months when it is in full leaf. But that would only be appropriate if Marigold's future is firmly and happily settled. As it stands, the barren garden is a perfect way to show the fear of loss that both Edith and Mrs. Drew are experiencing. 

Whenever we see Granny and Isobel taking a walk together, it is always on the path through the gravestones. All roads through the village must lead through the graveyard of the church. Perhaps they happen to meet there when they visit the graves of their loved ones. Or this is foreshadowing (Please no. A dead Granny is a doomed Downton). No matter what it is, it's a bit macabre. Can't they walk in a garden somewhere? 

Here's hoping for a firecracker episode next week, with plenty of nasty Thomas and explosive plot lines.

Happy viewing!