Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Downton Abbey S:5 E:7

Our faithfulness has again been rewarded as Downton Abbey delivers another solid, and in most points brilliant episode this week. Most of the plot lines are being moved along slowly enough or have encountered enough difficulties that we aren't sure exactly how the season will end. What delicious suspense! I can hardly wait to see what happens! I will be so sad when it is over.

But where to begin? With Granny, of course, and the many interesting facets we continue to see developing in her character. Earlier in the season we saw her through the eyes of a man who once (and still) wanted to run away with her. The faded, but still intoxicating bloom. We've always known her to be as solid as any fortress, equal to all assaults upon her family's fortune and reputation and have long been entertained by her quick-witted and well-turned remarks, reveling in her ability to put anyone in their place. In this episode we saw another side of Granny. We saw a woman who had been lonely, and found a friend in an unlikely place. A woman who, against her own grain, found common ground with a commoner, and survived the admittance of it. Granny is not brought lower by her esteem for and appreciation of Isobel. Instead, her honesty and objectivity reaffirms for us that this great lady is made so by her ability to look at life and see it as it truly is. How unfortunate that Mary knows her grandmother so little, and for the most part projects her own calloused feelings onto her. 

But what else would we expect from Mary, who throughout the season has grown increasingly smug, egotistic, and unfeeling. We are all relieved to see the Mary/Tony/Mabel debacle finally come to a resolution, but if we are so it must be because Tony and Mabel are happy together, not because Mary is released from a relationship that had grown tiresome to her. Certainly, Tony was acting a bit silly by not taking her at her word and breaking their attachment, but he acted from honorable motives. A lack of communication between Mary and Tony before the time in Liverpool was responsible for his misguided notions of how she viewed her honor, and her lack of awareness of the depth of his regard for her as a woman of reputation. It took Blake's ridiculous scheming to finally bring matters to a head and give Tony an honorable way out of Mary's life and into a happy marriage with Mabel. But I have just one question: What was Tony doing at the cinema with Mabel, if he felt honor-bound to Mary? Hmm.

One note on Mabel. She grew on me, and quickly. My first impulse was to dislike her, intensely, but I couldn't help but be magnetized by her easy-going honesty and general friendliness after the initial sting of being thrust into company with her rival, Mary. Mabel is what Sarah Bunting could have been, had Ms. Bunting benefited from a more thorough education in good behavior. 

Doesn't it make you laugh that after all of his work to break up Tony and Mary so that he might try to win Mary for himself, Blake gets shipped off to Poland? I believe that 90% of his effort was done purely from selfish motives, but I think the other 10% was a genuine affection for Mabel and Tony as his friends, and his desire to see two people who really love each other happily married. Perhaps deep down Blake is actually a romantic. Mary certainly isn't, so I don't think we will see her journeying to Poland. 

The next, or rather, the first blaring head line of the episode was Edith's disappearance, the subsequent outing of her secret by Mrs. Drew, and her reclamation by Cora in London. Edith did an exceptional job of standing her ground, thinking on her feet, and not being swayed by even the rude comments of a visitor at dinner. This Edith bared her beautiful shoulders in a daring evening dress, but not to charm us. No, she was showing us just how strong they can be, as she takes on not only the running of a publishing company, but also the raising of her daughter. Edith and Marigold are to be installed at Downton, but only on Edith's terms. If Isobel knew all the particulars of the situation, I just know that she would give a hearty "Bravo!" As do I. 

While Edith showed us a stronger and more resilient side of herself, the real heroine of the story was Cora. Cora, who made Granny and Rosamund squirm. Cora, who fought for her daughter, but gave her a choice. Cora, who showed us in ways that we have not seen since Sybil's death, just how much she loves her children. But she didn't just shine in her role as a mother. Her compassion for Robert as he grappled with the imminent death of Isis was exactly what was needed to continue healing the previous rift in their marriage. Her welcome of Isis into their bed was such an act of kindness to Robert. But best of all, it was believable. Three cheers for Cora!

I continue to enjoy the easy friendship between Robert and Tom. As Tom is wrestling with decisions about his future, Robert is standing beside him, extending a hand of fellowship and love, but a hand that will not hold him should he choose to go. Perhaps this display of honest acceptance will enable Tom to choose Downton and the family over life in America. Either way, the parting will be on cordial and affectionate terms, something that Robert could have never dreamed of during Sybil's brief marriage to the liberal Irish chauffeur. 

If Tom does go, I can imagine he will have many more conversations with Sybie like the one on the bridge. Parent asks question, child asks "Why?". Repeat ad infinitum. As a mother of young children, I can't help but giggle.

As expected, Rose and Atticus chose to defy the odds and join their fates against whatever the world might throw at them. Unfortunately, in coming years, we know that can be quite a lot. For now, their biggest challenges are Rose's unpleasant but thankfully absent mother, and Atticus' cautious father. Although still very young, Rose has matured in many ways since her engagement to Jack Ross, and I believe Atticus is a solid choice.

A less happy couple at the end of the episode is Lord Merton and Isobel. And why? Because his spoiled, elitist sons would not look beyond themselves to consider their father's happiness. They did no credit to the man who had surely thought through all of the social and relational implications of marrying someone from the middle class. The did not trust his wisdom, nor her character. They didn't even give her a chance, They cut her legs right out from under her, but at least they did it when she was surrounded by people who love her and would defend her. While Lord Merton mildly admonished his sons, Tom literally stood up for her, then received the backing of the Lord of the manor. What possessed those two to wound such a generous and warm-hearted woman is beyond me. I'm not sure how that will end, but I think the marriage is doomed. Who would want such wicked stepsons as they? 

Now to move below stairs.

I am so relieved to see smiles and friendship between Anna and Bates once more. And to be seeing more of him! This return ticket business is troublesome and not yet over, I am sure. But they seem to be ready to move past it emotionally and think toward the future again.

However, shame on them for being so harsh toward Baxter. Of course they do not understand the entirety of her situation, but I thought that their characters were bent toward forgiveness over censure, or at least would allow the benefit of the doubt. To see them snubbing her is painful. And if Mr. Bates plans to spend any more time in the shoe room, he might as well move in there! Has anyone else noticed how often he and Anna are shown in that room?

How interesting it is to see Thomas defending Baxter against the rudeness of the Bates', and not the other way round. In this episode Thomas was not only mild-mannered, he was friendly. And helpful! And kind. He has many, many offenses to atone for, but for now he seems determined to do better by the people who have done right by him. Perhaps accepting himself for who he is (better or worse) has enabled him to do that for others. Whatever has brought on the change, I am all for it. Lady Mary seems ready to step in as the resident snake in the grass, anyway.

Daisy has never been a favorite character of mine, due to her incessant whining. But she's a fixture in the kitchen, and apparently the people who work with her daily feel such affection for her that they hatched a plan to get her out to Mr. Mason's farm so that he could convince her to continue her studies. Can we all say, "Yay Mr. Mason's back!" He has been adorable to me from the beginning.

The visit to the farm was such a lovely moment in this episode, particularly as it gave me ample opportunity to size up the common room in the farmhouse and decide I want an exact replica of it. 
It was also nice to see Baxter, Molesley, and Daisy so relaxed. Baxter looked lovely in her navy sweater and hat, and the buttons on the sleeves of her coat were a very pretty detail. Daisy's saffron-colored frock would be hard for most women to pull off, but it brightened her and strengthened the impression of a young woman waking up to the world and all it's possibilities. Even as a small part of a minor plot line, this was one of my favorite parts of the episode.

A few random notes:

Screens for the food. Apparently the entire English countryside is preparing for a return of the 4th plague because these screens were everywhere! Being placed on dishes by Molesley. Hanging on the walls in the Downton kitchen. Covering a cake on the farmhouse table. People, get your food screens!

George is being drugged. Otherwise he wouldn't be sitting quietly (listlessly?) on Mary's most likely bony and uncomfortable lap. This is a little boy. He would be inside the fireplace or at least wielding the poker at his friendly Uncle Tom. 

Entrepreneurship. What if Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Bates, and Anna all leave Downton and go into business together?! That would be a wildly successful series spin-off, I think. They could call it Upchurch Cottage. (Hee hee)

Good breeding. Cora, Mary, and Edith attempting conversation over the noise of the train without shouting at one another. Granny's pursed lips and look of censure leveled at Larry Grey. Molesley's giggling. Okay, that isn't good breeding but it was hilarious. 

Attire. Rose's liquid blue afternoon dress. Cora's stunning green evening gown. Edith's shoulders (!). Mary's hair ribbon. Granny's long dress contrasted against all the shorter ones at the train station. 

A pinkie ring, Atticus? Really?

Lastly, Anna was cleaning Lady Mary's jewelry in the servants' hall. Because that seems wise.

That is all for this week. Thanks for reading and Happy Viewing!

-Ashley


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