Downton Abbey 4.6 & 4.7

Happy Birthday Earl of Grantham

Episode six is all about Robert's birthday with Rose's secret surprise. She has enlisted her new American friend Jack Ross to play with his band. While having Mr. Ross in the house seemed to shock Mr. Crowley at first, they quickly saved face and made sure to enjoy the music and the night. Other birthday guests included two men who are surveying Downton who have been hired to write a report about the future of these 'big estates'. Lady Mary seems to hit heads with one of the men. The quest seems to think that the way things are at Downton is something that has to change and seems to have his own opinions on their way of life - reminds me on the different spectrum of Pride and Prejudice. Rose's gift of Mr. Ross and his band might fool some, but other's are aware of her intent. When Lady Mary goes downstairs to make sure that Mr. Ross sends the bill to her father, she finds Rose and Jack kissing in the kitchen.

The Countess and Earl of Grantham

Competition

Lady Mary and Mr. Blake get down and dirty for the pigs

Lady Mary's suitor queue keeps filling up. Now it seems that there are three competitors. While she might have resisted Mr. Blake, after their night nursing dehydrated pigs, he comes to see Lady Mary in a new way. I think this softens him toward Mary and she takes notice as well. Meanwhile, Mr. Napier makes himself known as a competitor for her attentions as well. However, he seems to be more of a friend as far as Lady Mary is concerned. She does seem a little disheveled when her mother announces the arrival of Mr. Gillingham, who had previously asked for Lady Mary's hand. When she asks how Maple (his supposed fiance) is, he doesn't answer her leaving us to believe he still is very much interested in Lady Mary.

Fun Parade

An outing with Rose and Jack Ross

When Robert is saying his good-bye's (he has to go to America to help Cora's brother) he tells Rose that she in charge of fun while he's gone. She wastes no time with her duty. She takes advantage of Edith's trip to London as she tags along, she quickly finds Jack Ross and they are on a romantic boat ride on the water as they discuss their future. Is Rose really in-love with Ross or is she more in-love with the rebelling against conventional? 

Choices

Lady Edith's been traveling a lot to London lately...

My heart was aching for Lady Edith! She continues to suffer heartaches, the man she loves is still missing from his trip to Germany, and now she had to contend to being pregnant on her own. When she schedules an appointment for an abortion in London, she stays with her Aunt, and it isn't long until her Aunt figures out what's going on and insists on going with her. When they arrive for Edith's appointment, she changes her mind. So now, she has made the choice to keep the baby. The only thing left to do now is to tell the rest of her family.

Downstairs

Meanwhile, the arrival of Mr. Gillingham, means the arrival of his valet Mr. Green, the cretin who raped Anna. By now there are a few within the house (both upstairs, now that Lady Mary knows and downstairs) that know of the rape. Although, Anna is still resisting telling the complete truth and still is saying that it was a stranger that came into the house and raped her. However, when Mr. Green is around, you can see the change in Anna and her husband is sure to pick up on this. Mrs. Hughes tells Mr. Green what she thinks of him when she finds the opportunity.

In Other News

The Dowager Countess, Violet is very sick and the nurse in Isobel is there to nurse her friend back to health. I think this is a sweet relationship. I like seeing how different they are and how they are still able to be friends. It gives them some spunk. While Isobel is fully aware now that Violet's dismissal of the gardener that she had asked her to hire debacle, she is still willing to make such a sacrifice in caring for the sick Dowager Countess. Where Violet already things that Isobel is a saint, I think she now has even more respect for Isobel as she was the only one to stay by her side.

Links

Official Downton Abbey Masterpiece Site PBS

Downton Abbey Episode List on IMDb.com

Sneak Peek

Buy Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey 4.4 & 4.5

There's never seems to be a peaceful minute in Downton lately. If it's not a lady's maid trying to seduce her way into the family, then it's the imminent threat of selling off land that continues to haunt the residents. The disloyalty among the staff is strategically taken care of, we learn of more deceptive behavior. It seems Thomas is up to his old tricks and once Edna's dismissed he brings in someone so he can still have an ear within the Grantham's chambers. While Mr. Branson continues to question whether he belongs there at Downton or not. I believe that Mr. Grantham's generosity with a local farmer may persuade him that he does belong there. Although, he might not feel like the only outsider - the young Rose is seems to always make choices that do not follow the Downton etiquette.

Upstairs

This season, so far, has focused much on Lady Mary. Her tragic loss and now new love interests are creating quite the roller coaster effect for her. Probably the best thing for her as well, keeping busy; she's been busy between the details of running Downton Abbey and the politics that are involved within the house and title. However, she is being stalked by an interested party who proposes marriage to her. A very difficult decision since she still is consumed by memories of her late husband. She fears that she made the wrong choice rejecting him. But, it won't be long until another suitor presents himself. She'll be just fine.

I think Lady Edith will be getting more attention (hopefully). She in unable to reject her feelings or the physical attraction toward the man she hopes to marry, and whom is promising her a future together. He's getting ready to leave for Germany where is is going to divorce his wife who is locked away in an institution (or so we think). He has Edith sign something before he leaves, which I hope doesn't come back at her later. However, the night they spent together is the last she's seen of him in a few months. She even comments to her mother that she has not received any word from him. When she tells her family that she is going into London for work, she is actually going to the doctors. Soon, I believe we will learn of her pregnancy.

Downstairs

Ms. Hughes confronts Edna of her deceptions

Edna's crusade against Mr. Branson has, hopefully, seen it's last day. She took advantage of Tom's vulnerability during the house party, making sure he drank heavily, and then sneaked into his bedroom. Then again, he wasn't the only one taken advantage of sexually that night. I think if Edna had confided in the under-butler, Thomas, I'm sure he would have been much more apt with a plan that would have been more successful. Edna's no match for Ms. Hughes however, and so (let's hope) that Edna has seen the last of Downton Abbey, especially since this is her second failed attempt there.

Mr. & Mrs. Bates

After suffering a brutal rape, Anna continues to deal with her emotions and her fear of Mr. Bates (her husband) finding out, killing the rapist and then loosing her husband to a hanging for murder. She confides in Ms. Bates, who expresses her opinion that she thinks Anna should tell her husband. In the mean time, because of her trauma, she is having difficulty with intimacy and can't seem to let her husband touch her. She thinks she is 'soiled' to him now. However, Mr. Bates over hears Anna talking to Ms. Hughes. He goes to Ms. Hughes to find out what has been troubling his wife and threatening their marriage. Now he knows, he knows that it was Mr. Green, but the women swear it was not him - in order to save his neck, knowing that he would go after him and kill him. But, Mr. Bates reassures his wife that he loves her still and they reconcile their marriage. But, Mr. Bates reassures Ms. Hughes that this is far from being over.

In the kitchen with Ms. Patmore and Daisy

In the kitchen Ms. Patmore and Daisy are helping young Alfred to learn some techniques since he has applied for some prestigious training opportunity. It seems that Ms. Patmore is understanding of Daisy's dilemmas; Aflred has feelings for the other kitchen hand (Ivy), and Ivy isn't interested in Aflred, she has eyes for the other footman Jimmy (who I think is just out for a good time). However, Daisy has developed feelings for Alfred and she's reluctant to see him go. So when Alfred receives the rejection letter Daisy is happy that he will be staying at Downton Abbey - for now. I agree with Ms. Patmore - she mentioned to Daisy that sometimes we stay too long in a one-way love - meaning her feelings aren't being reciprocated.

What's Ahead...

Downton Abbey Masterpiece

IMDb.com Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey 4.3

 Insidious Intentions

Downton is a buzz with guests and their attendants that are attending a wonderful weekend at the magnificent Downton Abbey. Robert is nearly happy with the prospect of the home being nearly what it was pre-war. Apparently, the affects of the war left everyone with less then what they started with. However, in Grantham fashion, they survive and persevere through their hardships. 

It was interesting to see how the Downton staff interact with the newly arrived attendants. Both downstairs and upstairs have difficulty with the change of modernization of the times. This episode also hurt my soul for one of my favorite characters.

Upstairs

Lady Mary seated for dinner

Lady Mary is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband, Matthew. She's just starting to understand that she needs to pull through this. Now having legal ownership of some of the Downton business, it has given her something to focus on and care for; after all, Downton has always been her home. She connects, reluctantly with a guest over the weekend. He seems charmed with Lady Mary and I doubt we've seen the last of him. 

Mr. Gregson and Lady Edith

Meanwhile, Lady Edith has invited her boyfriend Mr. Gregson. She tried repeatedly to get her father's attentions so that Mr. Gregson could gain some favor with him. Here they are making extravagant plans so that they can be together. This plan includes Gregson to become a German citizen (not a popular notion during the times), to legally divorce his clinically crazy wife, then for the two of them to marry and live happily ever after. Which, I sincerely hope so! I think Lady Edith definitely deserves some happiness, and I truly hope that this all works out for her. Luckily, Mr. Gregson was able to swindle the swindler that was cleaning house at the card table. This was a brilliant move on his part because he was able to regain Mr. Crawley's debt and get him off the hook. Now, Mr. Grantham (Robert, head of household) is in favor of Mr. Gregson, since he saved his behind.

My heart did somersaults for Ms. Crawley, widower and now she is also deeply grieving the loss of her son. Firstly, because I can relate to her heartache. Secondly, because during the dinner you could feel the strain that she was feeling. You know, when your so upset but you can't express or show it; that lump forms in your throat that feels like someone is strangling you. I just felt for her - and thought more of Mr. Branson for showing some form of comfort toward her, and validating the difficulty she was experiencing.

Mr. Branson consoling Ms. Crawley

Mr. Branson himself was having a difficult time during the weekend activities. He was having difficulty articulating himself with the guests. It was evident that he felt completely out of place, even though he certainly was not out of place. I think Tom does a wonderful job helping with the land and connecting the Mr. Crawley (Robert) to the modern ways and connecting with the people that depend on Downton as well, within the town. I truly hope he doesn't cut-out. Although, on a side note. I do not like the new lady's maid Edna. I feel like she is trying to sink her talons into Tom with ulterior motives.

Downstairs

Because of the weekend activities and guests, everyone is busy preparing for the Grantham grande style. While Anna is very understanding to Ms. Hughes requests, the newest addition, Edna, sort of is snide about Ms. Hughes requests to pitch in. While Mr. Carson is a stickler for tradition, this ends up biting him in the rear when it comes down to it. The house has an important guest, a well known singer that has performed for the Queen herself. When Mr. Carson suggests to Mr. Grantham that the singer should eat in her room and not with the other guests, Mrs. Grantham outright scolds her husband in front of the company, which then ends with Mr. Grantham scolding Mr. Carson. In the end, the singer dines in the Upstairs fashion.

As Ms. Patmore nearly has a heart attack with her duties in the kitchen, again Alfred jumps in to help the dear Ms. Patmore recover. Meanwhile, Daisy seems to have things well under control and probably could run the entire kitchen if she so chose to do so. Alfred later discusses with Ms. Patmore his desire to become a cook. 

Anna trying politely to evade her attacker...

The Grantham's have given their staff the privileged of joining the rest of the house in listening to their musical guest. Although, through the weekend Mr. Bates has expressed his distaste for one of the attendants, that seemed to be keen on his wife, Anna. I thought, at the time, that it was just a little jealousy from her husband. But, something kept eating away at Mr. Bates and with just cause. During the concert, Anna tells John that she has a headache and she goes down to the kitchen in order to take something to tend to her pain. While there the attendant corners her and it quickly escalates - in a horrific fashion. It still turns my stomach thinking about how he beat and hurt Anna. She then turns to Ms. Hughes for help and when her husband notices her obvious injuries, she seems to push him away, in fear that he would return to prison if he found out - because he would surely kill the man that did this to his lovely wife.  What made me want to reach through the television and take the attendant that did this to Anna by the balls and rip them out barehanded, was when he was saying his goodbye's to the Bates' and thanked them - sick bastard.

What's Next...

Links

Downton Abbey on PBS

IMDb.com Season 4 episodes

Downton Abbey 4.1 - 4.2

 Endurance

Season four begins approximately six months after the tragic accident, killing Lady Mary's husband, Matthew. Lady Mary is still in mourning, clad in her frocks of black. Understandable at it is, there are those rallying around Lady Mary that want to see her happy again... and they seem to have a plan!

Sir Robert, Lady Mary's father has different plans, naturally. He feels that he should protect for his eldest daughter. He treads lightly around her and nearly bullying anyone that means to challenge Lady Mary to experience happiness, or a sense of worth, again. He seems content to have the reins back that control Downton's future and prospects.

Upstairs

Lady Cora is faced with discerning news of her grandchildren's nanny. Firstly, reported through the manipulative downstairs employee, Thomas. However, Lady Cora follows the cries of one of her grandchildren after hearing from Thomas that Nanny West leaves the children unattended. She witnesses Nanny West coddling Lady Mary's baby, but soon turns sinister as the nanny discussed how Lady Mary's baby is of heritage and is practically an angel in her eyes. Meanwhile, the deceased Lady Cibel's and Sir Tom's baby is crying in his crib and Nanny West, hatefully tells him to lay down - and continues to speak unforgivably toward the young master. Cora immediately interrupts the scene, calling for help and heroically dismisses Nanny West from her duties. 

Lady Edith meets with her love interest, Michael Gregson, her editor; whom is technically still married. However, he divulges his plan to divorce his lunatic wife, but doing so means becoming a German citizen. Post WWII, German's are not the most loved of peoples. Lady Edith expresses her concerns but is touched that Michael loves her and is willing to do this to be with her. I am SO happy that Lady Edith is finally happy. The last few seasons I have felt so sad for her circumstances. I truly - truly hope that this relationship will only produce happiness and joy for her.

In other news, Sir Tom enlists the help of Lady Mary, through further prompts from her grandmother the Dowager, to consider taking her late husbands role in running Downton Abbey. She seems reluctant at first, but once a letter surfaces from Matthew, she rises to the occasion with all the grace and poise that Lady Mary always exhibits (minus the dead body of a passionate nights affair from the first season). Through the masterful mind of the Dowager, she consorts that Sir Tom teach Lady Mary the ropes, knowing her son and how he would try to keep the reins by embarrassing his daughter in the process. However, Lady Marry triumphs and I hope it is something that she continues to do.

Lady Rose is the young rebel within Downton and is able to convince a downstairs, well respected, lead housemaid to go with her to a party outside of town. She dances with a young gentlemen, sparks are flying like fireworks. However, there is a drunken fight the ensues and the ladies have to flee. The gentleman that was interested in Lady Rose shows up at the back door of Downton. Lady Rose had told the young gent that she was a maid at the grande home. She greets him as a maid and lets him down gently... I don't think it's quite exciting enough to temp Lady Rose though.

Downstairs

Sneaky plots are already afoot within the downstairs staff. Poor Mr. Molesley is struggling to find work within his training. After a foiled attempt to impress a Lady to gain favor and possible employment, he is reduced to work in the streets. However, the caring power couple, the Bates, soon come to his aide. As Mr. John Bates forges his signature in an attempt to claim that he is repaying a debt to the prideful Mr. Molesley. While it is dishonest, you still want to be happy that Mr. Bates was able to pull it off.

Meanwhile, there is a new lady's maid that Lady Cora hired, Edna. She had previously been an employee at Downton and was dismissed after her lewd behavior. Through the protest of Ms. Hughes, Lady Cora still agrees to keep Edna on to replace her old maid. But, Edna quickly picks up the trickery that the old maid and Thomas use to produce. When Edna ruins a well beloved garment of the Countess's, Thomas quickly creates the plan to thwart his old enemy, Mr. Bates... which they target instead the honorable and good Mrs. Bates, Anna. I'm sure this will snow ball as the season continues.

The love triangle within the downstairs staff include the oblivious Ivy, and the two footmen, Jimmy and Alfred. Meanwhile, there is poor Daisy. I truly hope that Daisy finds romance and is loved by a deserving man, she deserves it. But, her and Ms. Patmore discuss the inevitable love triangle - and I believe Ms. Patmore has some tricks up her sleeves that will be revealed through the season as well. 

Links

Official (US) Site on PBS.org

Downton Abbey Episode #4.1 on IMDb.com

Upcoming W.W.W Viewing List

Downton Abbey Season 4 Premiere Sunday, January 5th 2014, 9 pm EST - Masterpiece on PBS 

Sherlock Season 3 Premieres Sunday, January 19th 2014 (right after Downton Abbey) - Masterpiece on PBS