Downton Abbey S:5 E:4 Temper, Temper!

This episode really deserved a second viewing for me to properly catch every detail and nuance, but time didn't permit that luxury. So I give you what I caught the first time around. 

To begin with, I feel that this season is well on it's way to becoming the best since Seasons 1 and 2, which I love equally but for different reasons. Each plot line has slowly come into it's own and all of the numerous stories are now brought to the peak, ready to plunge over the edge and into whatever messy consequences might lay below. This manner of subtle, measured story-telling, drawing us along and into the various plots is reminiscent of Season 2, when the to and fro of Mary and Matthew's war time courtship had our hearts falling and rising like the tide. The opulence of the costumes and settings brings us back to the glory of prewar Downton in Season 1, when the gorgeous outfits vied for our attention along with the witty scripting. In Season 5 Downton has found herself again, and we can all settle back and enjoy the feeling of coming home. That is until we jump to the edge of our seats again and nervously nibble a scone while we wonder what in the world Thomas is doing in the bathroom. (I have my ideas but will reserve my comments until more details have been revealed)

Mary was quite busy this episode, walking the estate with Lord Grantham and Tom, scurrying up to London for a dress show with Aunt Rosamund, dining unexpectedly with Pigman Blake, and, oh yes, attempting to dump Tony. How well that went for her. When Mary broke things off with Matthew at the end of Season 1, he was angry, but he respected her decision and gave her time and space (joining the army and going to France helped with that). In contrast, Tony became instantly aggressive and possessive, forcefully telling her that this was just something that they would get through together, then impatiently indicating that she was to join him in leaving the garden. Poor Tony thinks that he is the one holding the leash in that relationship. I wonder how long before she puts him down for good. Incidentally, did you notice that when Tony wears a hat and conceals all that gorgeous curly black hair that he is instantly less attractive? No wonder we've mostly seen him with a bare head up to this point. Watch for hats now. A lot of hats.

Blake is slowly worming his way back into Mary's life, bringing with him the unexpected and unpleasant Mabel Lane-Fox, ex-fiance of the lovely Evelyn Napier. Mary was surprised to discover how earthy Miss Lane-Fox really was, as was I. She was over-dressed and under-mannered, and it was easy to see that Mary (rightly) perceived her to be beneath her. And, really, beneath Evelyn. Whatever did he see in her? Or in Mary, for that matter??

As for Blake, he is shrewd. And snake-ish. He's a good match for Mary as a business partner, but not necessarily as a spouse. I think he will continue to come around, and if all goes well, we might even see a very middle class fist-fight between he and Tony. My money would be on Blake. After all, he saved the pigs. 

I was amused that Edith's gloomy face was remarked on not once but twice during the course of the show. Show me an evening that Edith hasn't been glum!! I think there might have been five in the course of the entire show when she was not discontent, disgruntled, peevish, or jealous. The evenings with Stralin don't really count because she constantly wore a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look around him. However, Edith really does have a reason to be unhappy, even if it is mostly her fault. The forced separation from Marigold is going to drive Edith to an unwise and rash course of action very soon, and will most likely lead to the entire story coming out and a third (however unlikely) addition to Downton's nursery. 

Granny was completely out of her element during this episode. For one thing, Granny does not go to speak to someone, she has them brought to her. She does not walk along a busy public street, she is driven along it to the doorstep of her destination. But in this episode Granny took it upon herself to visit Prince Kuragin in the dark and damp church basement, which led to one of the most awkward and sad dialogues this season has yet offered. The entire situation was so bizarre and out of character for the Grand Lady that I felt like I was watching it sideways. The conversation itself was stilted, but the sadness was palpable. The poor man misses his wife, and the woman he formerly loved is touched enough by his grief that she decides to locate the poor woman. We've seen this type of kindness in Granny before, such as when she awarded the prize to Mr. Molesly Sr for the most beautiful bloom in the village, and when she attempted to protect William from conscription into the army. But to bring herself so literally into contact with something that she would normally consider beneath her notice shows a certain tenderness, as well as the effect that Isobel has had on her over the years of their acquaintance. And I am sure that Isobel is indeed very proud of her cousin and friend.

The disproportionate triangle made up of Robert, Cora, and Bricker continues to shift shape, with the angles between the various parties widening and narrowing in proportion to their interest in each other. Cora conceals her aggravation with Robert less and less, and Bricker has basically declared himself to be in pursuit of Cora, whatever that would mean. Robert knows what's going on, but not really, because he refuses to see the merits and value of his own wife. To him she is just another part of the estate that is to be managed and maintained. I think he feels more real affection for Isis. Bricker knows that now, but not initially. What made him think that he could pay such attention to Cora, and be so successful? He had no specific knowledge of Robert and Cora's marriage and their level of commitment to or happiness with each other. But from the moment Bricker met Cora he has grown increasingly bold in his verbal appreciation of her beauty and intellect. And even though she continues to receive his compliments with wide and innocent-seeming eyes, Cora is no fool. How long will she let this go on? How long will Robert? Or, perhaps Granny? Someone is going to finally wake up to the inappropriateness of this man and his intentions toward Cora and put an end to it. I hope.

As for Robert and Ms. Bunting, I am starting to believe that they are two sides of the same coin, only he has better manners. She was very possibly raised in a barn. To continue to goad a man in his own house while eating his food at his dinner table is quite beyond the realm of rudeness. She might as well spit in his face and be done with it. I can't imagine why she told Tom that she was flattered to be asked back. She obviously considers everyone there to be priggish and proud, an unnecessary part of society. Her disdain for the family that accepted Tom and has continued to love him and provide a place for he and his daughter should make him question what it is that actually attracts him to her. Yes, they share the same political ideals and desires for the betterment of society. But while Tom is capable of holding his own opinion while functioning in a world that he does not completely agree with, Ms. Bunting can't seem to keep that wide mouth shut, forcing her opinions  on anyone unlucky enough to step close enough. No wonder Lord Grantham shouted at her and threw his napkin on the table and stormed out of the dining room. I can't imagine that anyone will be stupid enough to invite her back after that. So now Tom can and must choose. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I do not care for Lord Merton. At all. Not any. But after his boy-ish awkwardness and sweet, genuine appeal to Isobel for her hand in marriage, I can't help but feel a certain fondness for him. I should have known it would come to this, as soon as I saw that he lived in a pretty house. So far this season has caused me to dislike Tony, cheer for Blake, take an interest in Edith, and grow a soft spot for Lord Merton. All of this I can do without a grudge. But if they attempt to make me feel any sort of sympathy or liking for Ms. Bunting, I think I'll throw up and then go back to rooting for all my old favorites. 

Speaking of old favorites, the only major story line that has failed to gain any traction with me is the growing unrest regarding the death/murder of Mr. Green. Anna certainly didn't help Mr. Bates' case by scouting along Piccadilly while in London. I was happy to see Anna and Mr. Bates smiling at each other again, but it's probably just the calm before another storm breaks over their heads. After enduring that for a couple of seasons already, I just can't find it in me to care much. Perhaps if I could see more of Bates going about his day, in his normal life, and not only in relation to the impending doom. But no, all my sympathy lies with Anna, what little bit of it there is to be had.

I was so glad to see a re-emergence of the tyrannical Mrs. Patmore. Even though she is an unschooled cook, she has a way with words. Her verbal bludgeoning of Daisy was classic Season 1 material, but her surgical shredding of Carson while in conversation with Lord Grantham was absolute brilliance. Unable to defend himself, Carson's eyebrows got a good workout. They needed it, since there haven't been any Americans underfoot to cause him all sorts of indignation and consternation. Three cheers for Mrs. Patmore and Carson's ever-agile eyebrows. 

Next week's episode should be pretty fantastic. 

Happy viewing!