Downton Vistas
First and foremost, I need to note that they REALLY went all out with hero shots of Highclere -- both house and grounds -- in this episode. It was like everyone realized this was REALLY their last opportunity to use this tremendous location, and they made the best of it. The entire place looks GLORIOUS. You will want to book a trip to England IMMEDIATELY. Just LOOK AT THIS. I COULD DIE.
Anyway, here, Edith announces to everyone that she's going to put Marigold into school in London and move there herself during term time, to run the NewspaperMagazine. When Lord G wonders about her living alone, she notes that SHE'S A SPINSTER and SPINSTERS LIVE ALONE. Oh, Edith.
Downton Bridges!
UGH THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL. The scenery is pretty good, too.
So, Mary is worried about Henry, who seems depressed -- which he explains is because seeing his friend die in a fiery collision has "taken all the fun out of driving." I guess...it would. Mary pats him comfortingly, and I am sure she's thinking, "THANK GOD." We have no idea if she ever told him that it also fills HER with paralyzing agony, because Julian Fellowes likes to avoid heart-twisting conversations if he can help it, for reasons that, even to this episode, rather elude me. But don't worry about Henry Talbot's career ennui, dear friends. He and his bromantical soulmate Tom are going to figure it out. I promise. Because I've seen the rest of this episode, and -- I suspect -- so have you. Don't worry, you two. Why don't you just sit on that bridge and look gorgeous forever? That would work for me.
Downton Redemption of the Boot Room of Doom
Speaking of figuring things out, Thomas pops into the boot room to thank Baxter, Anna, and Andy for helping to save his life, and they're mostly all, "Hey, no sweat, saving people from death is part of the job description here at Downton." But Anna -- as much as I love her -- is sort of sanctimonious when she tells Thomas that perhaps he can use this gift of an extended employment at Downton (and, you know, LIFE) to "try to understand what brought [him] so low." Rob James-Collier reacts with a sort of perfect irritated smirk at this, which I shall treasure. It screams, "Thanks, Anna. I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT." (Maybe I should just be happy no one in the boot room tried to murder anyone, given the locale.)
Downton Tapestry
You KNOW I love a tapestry. I'm so happy we were given one final great wall-hanging tonight. And herein, we learn that HIDEOUS LARRY GRAY, the worst son in the world, invited Isobel to tea, and then she got UNINVITED by Crookshanks, and Isobel hasn't heard from Lord Merton at all. Violet is very firm that Isobel needs to find out what's happening at Casa Merton, but Isobel worries that her interest might encourage poor Lord Merton's romantic longings for her. "Your feelings do you credit, my dear," Violet says, "but never let tenderness be a bar to a bit of snooping. Never!" I believe that is actually my own life's motto. I just didn't know it until I heard the words come from Maggie Smith's mouth.
Downton Cocktails ARGH SO GORGEOUS
What did I tell you about them really using the exterior? Here, everyone is having cocktails outside and basically this looks so fabulous that I just want to stab myself. WHY AM I NOT HAVING COCKTAILS ON THE LAWN OF A GLORIOUS ENGLISH ESTATE RIGHT NOW? Everything about my life is wrong.
Downton Happy Hour
Anyway. What were we even talking about? Yes! So, this is essentially the Downton Breakfast Table Reset convo, just outside and with a tuxedo'ed Matthew Goode handing everyone a martini, which...see previous slide. Everyone is talking about their personal logistics -- Henry is going to drive Edith into town, blah blah blah, this entire scene is simply an excuse to drink cocktails in the shadow of that house AND I AM HERE FOR IT. I'd watch an entire hour of people in period costumes drinking cocktails at great British estates. Can someone please get me the number of the person at PBS who can make that happen?
Downton Dirty Looks
This is the most perfect facial expression. Lesley Nicol, you are a treasure. This is in response to a conversation with Daisy about Andy, in which Daisy snorts that she thinks she can do better. WHEN HAVE YOU EVER, DAISY? Later, Andy comes to Mrs Patmore and wonders if Daisy "is interested in men," and Mrs Patmore is like, "WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME???" and Andy clarifies that he meant, "Or is she too focused on her career?" rather than, "or is she a lesbian?" (Daisy announcing that she is a lesbian in the final moments of this show WOULD have been an exciting, if surprising, development, however.)
When Andy wonders if he has a shot with Daisy -- WHY he likes her, I still do not really know; the human heart is a mystery -- Mrs Patmore basically says that when there's life, there's hope. What Andy does not know is that all he really has to do is strip down to a tee shirt and work on Mr Mason's roof -- which he does later in the episode, and which Daisy takes in with a slack-jawed, dumbfounded stare of total lust. It's really quite amusing. She just needed to see your forearms, my friend! (Of course, she was a total ass to him for several scenes prior to that and then was dumbfounded when he'd cooled on her, having decided that she didn't like him due to how she kept acting like she didn't like him. I have notes about Daisy. A lot of notes. We'll get to them.)
Downton Dinners
In other downstairs developments, let us not beat around the bush: Carson has The Palsy (his terms, not mine). Essentially, all of a sudden, his hands are too shaky for him to do things like pour wine, and carry trays. This manifests itself most dramatically in the midst of a rather dull conversation between Cora and Lord G about whether or not she has to go to a meeting at The Hospital (she does; he's mildly annoyed about it), because even a generic dinner at Downton cannot help but be enlivened by a bit of a health scare. Carson's obviously very distraught about this, and Mrs Hughes is both concerned AND annoyed he didn't tell her it was happening, given that, you know, THEY ARE MARRIED. (In Carson's defense, I do think there is an adjustment period when you marry later in life. It's hard to readjust after years of being a crotchety, independent, single, bossy, highly-organized person, into being a crotchety, independent, bossy, highly-organized person...with a spouse.)
Downton Download
And in other domestic news you can use: Thomas has gotten a job with an old couple who prove to be conveniently local, boring, and unfriendly; Anna has ordered this newfangled thing called "a hair dryer" for Lady Mary; and Carson has also spent this entire episode grumbling about These Changing Times, in addition to His Palsy. Did I really even need to specify that last bit?
Downton Editorial Meetings
You should know that Spratt's column at the NewspaperMagazine is going SO WELL that Edith -- and this terrible dress that looks like it's vomiting a scarf -- wants to expand it. Spratt (and Denker) never fails to make me laugh -- as, here, where he seriously notes that he's "full of ideas when it comes to combining comfort and elegance, milady." (Denker obviously overhears this exchange and starts plotting; it is, as ever, amusing. I do firmly believe that everyone needs a nemesis in order to be living their best lives, and those two have it covered.)
Downton Village
Guess what? Molesley gets a full-time teaching job, AND a cottage to go with it. He decides to stay on through the end of the current term at Downton, and pitch in there at big events for extra cash, but he's set, and good for him. I am so happy about The Success and Happiness of Molesley, and am only sad to report that at no point during this episode do he and Baxter start passionately making out. She does -- with some help from Thomas, of all people-- decide against visiting The Sexual Sorcerer To Whom She Was In Thrall, which is fine in that I didn't care about that plot anymore, but annoying in that we spent forever talking about that dude for no pay-off. Given that, however, and that these two exchange a number of Meaningful Looks throughout this episode, I've decided that they obviously get together EVENTUALLY and nothing you say can dissuade me. NO. NOTHING.
Downton Views
HIDEOUS! (I really only included this slide so I could say that one final time.) Also: We learn this episode that Henry -- who is here driving Edith into London -- and Edith have a rather good relationship, which I think bodes well for the future of Mary and Edith. When they get to London, Henry confesses to Edith that he's rather at loose ends, professionally, and she's nice about it and also just suggests he "find something else to do," and he's like, "....yes." Edith might not be great at giving professional advice. Not everyone inherits an interesting job at which she is surprisingly adept, Edith!
Downton Hats
In which Lord G and Lady M visit the Dowager C, and Mary gets a brilliant idea of how she can fix this whole Bertie/Edith situation, which is kinda sorta totally her fault to begin with and also I think her fixing that might be a little overdue, but WHATEVER.
Violet also gets off another good line, when she tells Robert not to be mysterious: "It's the last resort of people with no secrets." Julian Fellowes will never have a character for whom he loves to write as much as he loves to write for Violet. Remember her icy, "What is...a week-end?" Or the time she almost fell off the swivel chair? I think of those two moments almost weekly. Maggie Smith really is Fellowes' muse. And mine.
Downton Too Close to Home!
Isobel calls on Dickie Merton -- getting her snoop on, emotions be damned! -- and he tells her that he has pernicious anemia and he's going to die. This is a very personal plot twist for me, because I myself have pernicious anemia! (I am not, I hope, going to die from it, given that it is generally no longer fatal. I do have to get B12 shots every single month, however, and take good care of myself. This is one of the many reasons that, although I love Downton, it's for the best that I don't live in it.) Isobel is DISTRAUGHT to learn this sad news and any hopes Dr Clarkson might have had vis a vis her maybe deciding she loves him fly right out the window. I love this show so much for making a sixty-five-year-old widow's love life a very important plot line. "I should liked to have been married to you," Lord Merton tells Isobel, "but no man can have everything, and at least we're friends again." At that, I CRIED. Oh my god, you guys. All this time, I thought I was Lady Mary but maybe I've been Dickie Merton all along! We have the same disease! We both love Isobel! We both really REALLY love a glen plaid!
Downton Surprise
Up in London, Aunt Rosamund offers to take Edith to dinner at the Ritz, but guess who's waiting for her instead? (PS: How GLORIOUS is that dress/headpiece/room?) (Oh, also, the answer is BERTIE. It's not Michael Gregson, or that large-toothed old man who left her at the altar -- who I assume is DEAD -- or that burn-victim con-man she loved that one time.)
Downton Heartfelt Dinners
And I may have also cried in this scene and not just because that restaurant is so pretty and the china is so gorgeous it makes my face hurt. Bertie admits that Mary plotted this meet-up as a way to patch up Bertie and Edith's relationship -- this entire tear-stained, heartfelt conversation, by the way, is occasionally interrupted by a waiter, which is amusing -- and he tells Edith that he wants her back desperately. "Would you believe me if I said I couldn't live without you?" Bertie asks. "You've done a pretty good job of it," Edith says. "I've done a very BAD job," Bertie nearly cries, and I, too, yes, cried some more. It's so wrenching and satisfying and thank God we got to see it all play out for once. Bertie announces that he still wants to marry Edith, but he'd rather not tell his mother about Marigold, if they can help it. (It is a testament to Harry Hadden-Patton's fantastically kind performance that this comes across as gentle and reasonable rather than weaselly.) "The only thing I'm not ready for is a life without you," he tells her. OH, EDITH!
Downton Thomas
Meanwhile, something else nice transpired -- in the boot room, can you imagine? Thomas, who has taken Anna's advice to heart and is turning over a new leaf as a less asshole-y person, advises Baxter to stop giving Her Jewel Thief Svengali any more power over her, and, in fact, to forget about him forever. This new, measured, thoughtful Thomas will make an excellent butler once he leaves his new job and comes back and takes over for Carson. Which is going to happen in....about forty-five minutes, but I couldn't pretend it wasn't out there.
Downton Gobsmacked
And this is the face Cora makes when Lord G trots upstairs and informs her that Edith is re-engaged to Bertie. THANK GOD. If Edith ended this thing sad and alone, I too would have been sad. (And also alone, but that's neither here nor there. I have this bottle of wine for company.) Lord G crows that they're set to drive to Brancaster to announce the engagement, and meet the Allegedly Terrifying Mother of Bertie on Friday. Cora is all, "Hmm, I have a hospital meeting on Friday," and Lord G -- correctly, this one time -- tells her she has to GET A GRIP. "This is your second child who has barely had a day's happiness in the past ten years!!!" he notes, and Cora tells him she "doesn't need the Gettysburg address," she'll go. Cora, that was nothing like the Gettysburg Address; your grasp of American history has been terribly impacted by your years in the UK. Anyway, Lord G reiterates that he feels a little neglected in favor of the hospital, and while I think he needs to get over that GENERALLY, I also think he was correct here. Luckily, they make up in about one second, so delighted are they that Poor Edith is finally going to get her happy ending.
Downton Heart-to-Heart
In which Isobel confesses to Violet that she is basically devastated about Dickie Merton's Fatal Wasting Disease, and she keeps bursting into tears. "Well, why wouldn't you? When you're in love with him," Violet says wisely. Isobel thinks she's too old to fall in love, but Violet disagrees. "It's good to be in love, no matter what the age," she counsels. Isobel wonders if Violet ever fell in love again after Prince Kuragin -- my mother, by the way, is going to be so irked that Prince Kuragin doesn't sweep in here at any point and run off with Violet, because she LOVES Prince Kuragin, but that's what fanfic is for, Mom -- and Violet says, "You must know by now, I never answer any question more incriminating than whether or not I need a rug." Interesting. Are a lot of people asking Violet pressing questions about her floor coverings choices?
Downton Goodbyes
So, Thomas leaves Downton -- temporarily, but no one knows that at this point -- and it's all very mature and kind and touching, and Bates doesn't mention how much they probably still want to murder each other. I have to say, ever since one of you told us about Brendan Coyle's serious alcohol issues, and how they eventually got to the point where he had issues doing his job, I've noticed that he has essentially the fewest lines possible in every episode toward the end, although he delivers them well and his presence always feels complete. It's really tremendously sad and such a shame. Under other circumstances, Bates and Thomas bidding each other farewell could have been a real scene, but I suspect it just wasn't possible. Regardless, Thomas and Baxter, and Thomas and Lord and Lady G, do have totally lovely moments together -- and later Thomas bids a fond and emotional farewell to the rest of the servants, and the children -- and it's nice to go into this dark night together knowing that Thomas has seemingly left SadTragicButler.com in the past. (I hope he'll just be OccasionallyEvilButler.com going forward.) "I hate goodbyes," Branson says. "There seem to be so many of them lately," Mary agrees.
Downton Hideous
In case you wanted to see what Daisy looks like reflected in the bottom of a pan. She has suddenly decided she needs a new hairdo. While there are aspects of this storyline which eventually prove to be amusing, I think I would have been more interested in a plotline where Daisy, her exams passed, THEN DID SOMETHING. What else was the point of her taking her exams, then? Or, more accurately -- because she does announce later that she's moving in to help Mr Mason, which is why she went to school in the first place -- why did they reveal to us that she passed said exams before this very episode? There's no reason for her to be faffing about anymore, and yet we have a lot of faffing to get through. Regardless, it is here that Mrs Patmore basically tells Daisy that Daisy only fancies people who don't like her back, and she NEEDS TO GET A GRIP WRT said habit. Which...yes, actually. That is true, and Daisy has been mostly horrible this entire season. (If you haven't watched Galavant, however, I strongly suggest that you do -- for many reasons, but here because Sophie McShera is SO GREAT on it.)
Downton Drawing Rooms
I took something like ONE MILLION screenshots of the gloriousness that is Brancaster Castle, but then realized this recap is already longer than humanly necessary and am now perhaps just hoarding them for personal use. Don't judge me. You don't know my life. And regardless: THIS ROOM. MY GOD. Also, Cora's glorious amazing dress! You could hear the beading on her cape as she walked into this room. It's so fantastic. WHERE AM I GOING TO GET MY GREAT HOUSES AND BEADED GOWNS OF GREAT BRITAIN FIX NOW? I'm going to keep asking that until someone gives me a satisfactory answer.
Downton Bromance
Speaking of fantastic rooms, after a dinner in which Carson's Palsy makes itself impossible to ignore (to Mary's immense concern; she really loves Carson more than anyone else in the world), and Mary expresses pleasure that Henry has stopped racing, and Tom ASSURES himself that Henry STILL LOVES CARS RIGHT??! (he does), these two sit around this glorious library and try to figure out what do to with the rest of their lives. You guys! What about something with...cars???
Downton After Dinner Coffee
Edith's gown is lovely, as she assures Bertie's Mother that she's not at all worried about her living with them, and then listens, nervously, as Ma Bertie gives a long speech about how Bertie and Edith must be the ones to restore perfect unimpeachable morality to the area with their perfect unblemished record of chaste, perfect, perfection...unlike, she notes, GAY COUSIN PETER. Literally everyone else in the room exchanges awkward looks throughout this monologue, until Bertie politely but firmly tells his mother to can it. "If you want to make a success here, you can't afford to put a foot wrong," she tells Bertie, then sweeps out. Er, or else what, though? I'm serious. It's an inherited title. I am sure life is EASIER if everyone likes you, but Bertie is the heir and he and Edith can basically turn the castle into a 24/7 Orgy if they want to and there's nothing anyone can do about it. (I assume that's exactly what will happen in the erotic fanfic someone is working on right now? Internet, don't let me down.)
Downton EVIL
So, Dickie Merton and Isobel go see Dr. Clarkson for a second opinion about Dickie's Wasting Disease, and Clarkson is like, "Yep, probably gonna die, just like my role in this love triangle." On the way out, however, Crookshanks tracks them down and basically KIDNAPS Lord Merton away from Isobel, telling her sharply to LEAVE THEM ALONE. "Of course, when you thought you were going to be saddled with him for years, I was a necessary evil," Isobel informs her, and Crookshanks cuts off what was sure to be a wicked burn by basically shouting, "GOOD DAY MRS CRAWLEY," and running off. Later, when Isobel goes to visit Lord Merton, Crookshanks shuts the door on her face and leaves her on the stoop. CROOKSHANKS. YOU ARE THE WORST! Hermione Granger would have you severely punished if you were still her cat.
Downton Castles
I am pleased Edith has gotten herself a castle. Here, she and Lord G discuss what is to be done about The Marigold Question, with regards to Bertie's Mother, and Edith wisely points out that nearly EVERY SINGLE PERSON they know is aware of Marigold's parentage and they have to accept that the news will probably leak. "So, you're taking a chance," Lord G tells her. "And, darling, I hope you'll take that chance and live a good life with a nice man, please." PLEASE EDITH. SERIOUSLY. He wonders if this new hesitation from Edith stems from loyalty to Michael Gregson, but it's actually because Julian Fellowes has some time to kill before the end of this episode (not that the question of How to Deal With Mother isn't legit dramatic conflict; it is. But you feel me). Edith assures him that while she loved Gregson very much, he's gone, and she now really really REALLY loves Bertie. "More than ever, in fact."
At this, Lord G tells her not to make life more difficult than it needs to be, which is advice Edith could have used like five years ago, but which is helpful nevertheless. Lord G's embrace of Edith -- unwed mother, and working woman -- over the last two seasons is one of my favorite things that ever happened on this show.
Downton Confrontation
So Edith storms into this AMAZING LIBRARY and tells Bertie's Mother -- whose name I never caught, but I'm just going to call her Brunhilda -- the whole truth. Later, Brunhilda and Bertie have a row about the entire thing -- Brunhilda actually uses the phrase "damaged goods" -- and Bertie basically tells his mother that Edith is brave and wonderful and honest, and if Brunhilda doesn't like it, she can lump it, albeit in a slightly more understated, repressed British way. At this, Brunhilda waxes on again about "the task ahead" of Bertie and I still don't totally get this. I understand not wanting SCANDALE, but Bertie is stepping into a role previously held by a nice man who spent all his time with the sexy dudes of Tangiers, so how much work could it REALLY require? I assume Bertie is a member of the House of Lords now that he's a marquess, and obviously he has responsibilities, but he can't get fired and he's not the new Prince of Wales, so...just calm down, Brunhilda. At any rate, Bertie makes it very clear that there is no way he will ever toss over Edith. I love Bertie. I need a Bertie. Where is my Bertie? (Castle required. Fine, I will accept an estate with a swim-able lake. Okay, I will take a condo with a pool.)
Downton Roofing
Poor Daisy. She's been so mean and dismissive to Andy. And now that she's seen his arms and wants to undo all of that mean dismissiveness, he's understandably come to a place where he expects her to be dismissive to him and ergo doesn't really want anything to do with her. Mr. Mason is like, "Dude, you better make this right! YOU COULD DO WORSE" and she's like, "Why do people keep saying that to me, and also why do I feel so funny watching him hammer in those nails?" (A paraphrase.) (Don't worry. It all comes out okay in the end. I assume. There is a moment between Andy and Daisy where she's basically like, "Now I like you but I'll tell you more about it later," and he's like, "Okay," and I assume we're to assume they get together and live on the farm with Mr Mason, while Daisy...does...I don't know what with her degree? I suppose she helps Andy read, although there's a line earlier where Andy notes that he was doing paperwork for Mr Mason, so...listen, there were a lot of balls in the air for this particular plotline and I think a couple of them got dropped, but overall: Everyone's going to be okay and no one falls off his ladder into the pig pen.)
Downton Playtime
For those of you who commented that Henry had basically no scenes with George prior to marrying Mary, they are totally adorable together here. Henry even gives him a ride on his shoulders, and also carries him around quite a bit at Downton later in the episode, so I think we can all rest easy on that count. Here, there is a LOT of blah blah about the business Branson and Henry are going to be starting together, and, truly, this might be the great love affair of the rest of Branson's life.
Downton Dinners
THIS ROOM! I swoon for it every time we see it. (LOOK AT ITS CEILING.) Anyway, everyone is all nervous that Brunhilda is going to Say Something Awful about Edith -- in the grand tradition of awful Downton dinners where a supposedly pleasant evening is actually TERRIBLE -- BUT! Although there is a moment where it seems Bertie will have to announce his own engagement, it is at that point that Lord G leans over and tells Brunhilda that she better speak now, or lose Bertie forever, and... WONDER OF WONDERS, SHE DOES. She even calls Edith "wonderful," and everyone drinks to their health and no one vomits blood, challenges anyone to a duel, calls anyone a bastard, or starts yelling indiscriminately about socialism. It truly must be the best dinner of Edith's life.
Downton Delights
And Edith's dress is glorious and everyone is relieved and delighted, and once the rest of the guests have left, Brunhilda comes in and APOLOGIZES for having acted like an ass, and calls Edith "entirely and unimpeachably honest" and says that she thinks this is all going to work out nicely, and then everyone is THRILLED and Bertie and Edith make out. Praise the heavens, we may just get this one to the altar after all.
Downton Confrontations II
Back at Downton! You see, when Violet hears that Crookshanks literally locked Isobel out of the house, she puts on her hat and she drags Isobel over to Casa Merton and they basically storm the castle, to Crookshanks's great rage. ("When reason fails, try force," is Violet's motto here.) And it turns out that Dickie Merton thought Isobel had decided not to visit him ON HIS DEATHBED, because Crookshanks never told him she had called. He is, obviously, VERY ANGRY as Violet blows the whistle on everyone, and Isobel announces that she's going to move him right out of his own home and into hers, and then announces that they're getting married ASAP.
Horrible Larry obviously cannot believe this is happening. "Larry, as my son, I love you. But I've tried and failed to like you. Will you please leave me to get on with what remains of the rest of my life?" Dickie Merton -- and his AMAZING PLAID DRESSING gown -- inform Larry, who is gobsmacked. That was almost as enjoyable as him ending up in the bottom of the Downton well, which I still hope shall happen in our shared fictional futures. While Larry's mouth hangs open, Crookshanks LOSES IT: "This is ridiculous! Father! Mrs Crawley intends to take you away from your son and your family and KIDNAP YOU into marriage! What do you say to this?" she blusters. "How perfectly marvelous," is Dickie Merton's response. And I may have clapped with glee, here on my sofa.
Downton Detente
In which Edith comes home from Branchester, finally successfully engaged, and tells Mary (basically) that she can't believe that Mary made her life a living hell for years, and then turned around and "[gave] [Edith] [her] life back." Mary WAS kind of just making up for a disaster she herself created, Edith, but...yes. Mary does not mention this but does note that that they're blood, and they're stuck with each other, so they might as well try not to be total jerkfaces to each other all the time. I'm paraphrasing. But barely.
Downton Dateline
HAPPY ARBOR DAY! It's also two days before The Wedding That Better Happen Or We'll All Be Hella Pissed.
Downton Out-of-Towners
Look who's in town for the wedding! Lily James was in the credits and yet I was still delighted and thrilled to see her and her shapeless period coat and Atticus, who notes that they have left a new baby at home. (Their own new baby. Not some random baby they've asked to housesit.) Remember Atticus? I still love him. This is also smart from a plot development perspective, in addition to being pleasant, because of course Rose would come for the wedding AND when she goes down to see the servants, they can catch her and us up on what's happening since the engagement -- Thomas hates his new job, Anna's baby is due in ten days, etc. Very clever, Mr Fellowes.
Downton Gownton
Doesn't everyone look lovely? I just wanted you to see these outfits here. (They're talking about Cora missing something to do with the flowers the next day for hospital blah blah, but really I just thought you'd be interested in gowns.)
Downton Babies
The next day, we learn that Tom and Henry have started a business called Talbot and Branson Motors, in which they are selling cars, and to everyone's moderate surprise, Mary is DELIGHTED by this. She might also just be happy because...she's pregnant! (Also, I think she was swayed when Branson pointed out that there's "no shame in being married to Mr. Rolls or Mr. Royce.") Do I REALLY think Mary would be delighted that her husband is selling cars, or that she'd tell him she's pregnant in the corner of a used car showroom while Branson eavesdrops? Not really. But she also tells Henry that she doesn't want to announce her pregnancy until after the wedding, so as not to "steal Edith's thunder" and I agree with Branson that this is a good sign for things to come, so who even knows what this new Mary would really do, anyway?
Downton Jobs
Meanwhile, Rose takes Lord G to the hospital so that he can see Cora in action. She is, of course, tremendously good at her job, and he is proud of her, and finally, FINALLY gets why this is important to her. (The other good news is that Cora's wearing a FANTASTIC coat.) Good on Rose for swooping in and fixing this budding marital discord. We can't leave Cora and Robert in romantic arrears.
Downton Mirrors
Fare thee well, to this shot of two people in a dressing table mirror so beloved by this show. Anyway, this scene was a hoot. Denker -- who earlier, hilariously, told Spratt he was jealous of her because she is "attractive and exotic" -- spills the beans to Violet about Spratt's gig writing for the NewspaperMagazine and Violet finds this to be a hilarious and wonderful delight, and later even tells Spratt that, in future, she will come to him for advice on her clothes and entertaining. "Who knew we had an expert in the basement?" she wonders. Denker cannot believe that her final plan -- that we know of -- to thwart Spratt has been thus scuttled, but I'm sure she'll think of some new way to eff with him eventually.
Downton Terrors
In which Daisy has turned into the little girl from The Ring. This finale went to a weird place, you guys.
In reality, she decides to give herself a bob, it goes TERRIBLY, and Anna has to fix it with Lady Mary's Newfangled Hairdryer. Once Daisy's hair is not insane, however, she and Andy have a conversation in which he says he thinks they've been "out of step" with each other, and she goes, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN" and OMG DAISY YOU JUST SPENT 45 MINUTES MOONING OVER HIM AND GOT THIS HAIRCUT TO IMPRESS HIM I WANT TO MURDER YOU and Andy is basically like, "get real," and tells her he doesn't want to be out of step anymore and then takes a lock of her hair and goes. I hope he's going to use it for dark magic.
Downton Weddings
WEDDING TIME! "With any luck, they'll be happy enough. Which is the English version of a happy ending," Violet tells Rosamund, who wonders why "the English are the way [they] are." Violet sniffs that some people would credit history. "I blame the weather."
With that mic dropped, we check in with all our couples. Mary and Henry are quite blissed out....
Downton Flirting
...this is definitely going to happen, because Tom is SUPER flirtatious, but also because the Editrix catches the bouquet at the end, and is standing right next to Tom when she does so. (I actually rather like that not EVERYONE had a clearly definitive ending, beyond general happiness. Not everything need be wrapped up in a perfect bow. Sometimes the intimation of joy is enough.)
Downton Surprise
"Hey guys! Guess what! We re-ran some tests and turns out it's just plain old anemia with low hemoglobin." WELL, GOOD FOR YOU, DICKIE MERTON. "You're not going to die!" sings Dr Clarkson, and then swoops off again. I've decided that HE'S going to find love with a women who gets transferred to the hospital to oversee the nurses, a person I just totally made up in my head. Her name shall be Petunia, and she'll be a secret chain-smoker and a terrible cook, and they'll be terrifically happy together, but Petunia will always be mildly rude to Isobel because she suspects Dr Clarkson still loves her. (Obviously, also, Dickie Merton is going to disinherit his terrible children.)
Downton Hats and Coats
I thought you might need to see this coat.
Downton Brides
Did I cry when Edith walked downstairs to meet her father in the entry hall? I TOTALLY DID. She looks so lovely, and this wedding dress is MUCH prettier than the one Mary wore to marry Henry. If you're keeping score.
"If you're proud of me, please be as proud as you want, for as long as you like," Edith tells Lord G, and he totally is, which is but one of the reasons that I cried here. Then they walk to the church...
Downton At Last!
...and Bertie and Edith get married. I admit there was a moment when the vicar asked if anyone had any objections that I rather thought the disintegrating body of Michael Gregson might leap out of the back row, but that did not happen. Thank god.
Henry, FYI, spends much of the wedding chatting in Mary's ear -- when can they tell people about the baby? Are she and Edith best friends now? -- and she says, "Never you mind. We're sisters. And sisters have secrets." Which....is true? But they don't currently have a secret now? Unless she means the baby? Like, secrets FROM each other rather than WITH each other? Mary, I suspect pregnancy has garbled your syntax, but regardless, that was clearly meant to be nice and conciliatory and I will take it.
Downton Compliments
After the wedding, Cora congratulates Lord G and herself on "a job well done," finally marrying off their last daughter, and he tells her that, on that tip, she's doing amazingly well at the hospital and he won't be a pill about it anymore. "You are a woman of real substance and I am lucky enough to call you my wife," he says. I love you, Lord G. (I also cried at this part. Maybe just assume continuous crying from this moment onward.)
Downton Changing of the Guard
Thanks to The Palsy, Carson cannot pour the champers for Edith's reception, and basically neither Mary nor Lord G can deal with this (in an emotional sense, not as hosts), and it is decided right here in the middle of the party that Thomas is going to come back and work for them, as butler, and Carson and Mrs Hughes will stay on at their cottage (I mean...obviously, Mrs Hughes cannot also quit) and Carson will help oversee really big events. These seems like a good compromise to all involved, even me. It's actually quite touching to see Thomas take over. It's a happy ending for him, and Mary -- thank god -- will have a butler she likes for the rest of her days.
In other downstairs news, Daisy tells Andy she's decided to move to the farm to help Mr Mason, and she's made "other decisions," but won't tell him all of them yet, which...ugh, fine, okay. We would have had time for them to have their big moment if we hadn't wasted like 45 minutes on Daisy worrying about her hair but also I don't really care THAT much about Daisy, so....
Downton Drama
This is the face Mary makes when Anna's water breaks all over her bedroom floor. And then, in a nice turn-around of duties, Mary takes Anna's shoes off for her and undresses her and puts her in Mary's bed, where she safely delivers -- thank god -- a healthy boy. (Anna does, with Dr Clarkson, I mean. Mary doesn't do it. Although I'm sure she could have.) (Mary's dress is also, not for nothing, gorgeous, all green and gold.) "This doesn't seem right," Anna says, as Mary unbuckles her shoe for her. "Oh, for heaven's sake, what does all that matter now?" Mary asks. I loved that little moment.
Downton Goodbyes
While Anna (very swiftly) has her baby, Edith throws the bouquet, while wearing this lovely blue going away dress. "It's so strange," she tells Cora. "I feel so completely happy. I don't think I've ever felt that way before." Aw, Edith.
Downton I SEE YOU
And who is at the reception? YOU GUYS. IN THE BLUE HAT. IT'S SARAH BUNTING. Isn't it? It is! You old piece of direct mailing for aluminum sliding that gets caught sideways in the mail box, I never thought we'd get this chance to say goodbye.
Downton Changes
I wish I could have gotten a better shot of Lord G shaking Carson's hand. It was all very bittersweet, and, of course, involved one final agreement that this modern world, it is changing. "We are very grateful to you, Carson. I hope you know that. For everything. Very grateful indeed," Lord G tells Carson, and YES I CRIED HERE TOO. As cranky and difficult as Carson has been in these last few episodes, his being forced to semi-retire is very moving and meaningful, and sad.
Downton Babies
Can you believe it? Anna had a baby and everyone lived! (Mary agrees that Anna can keep the baby in the nursery during the day, "to be followed by a young Talbot, in due course, and then we'll see.") It is at this point that Lord G comes up with champagne so that Anna and Bates can ring in the New Year with their new baby, and this is a very festive holiday at Downton indeed. Babies! Weddings! Promotions! Palsy!
Downton Hallways
And then the ending really begins. Sigh. These two agree that they've done a wonderful job raising their children, that the estate is safe, and that they're very, very happy together -- come what may. So put a pin in Robert and Cora, they're totally fine.
Cora also goes downstairs and wishes Violet a happy New Year, only to be told that Violet thinks she's doing a wonderful job with the hospital, and she's very proud of her indeed, a kindness that ALSO made me (and Cora) cry. Oh, Violet, you are the best. I DO hope Prince Kuragin visits on occasion. He doesn't have to move in. Think about it.
Downton Aerials
And here is the final aerial shot into the gallery, as the clock chimes midnight and ushers in a new year, and the last minutes of this show. I'm glad we got one more overheard shot in before the final buzzer.
Downton Kissing
As the New Year rings in, these two make out in the car on the way to their honeymoon, which is exactly as it should be.
Downton More Kissing
And these two have a new business and a new baby on the way, and very good bone structure, so they're obviously quite happy heading into the future.
Downton MORE Kissing
And these two have a cottage to live in, and each other, and a whole bunch of people to boss around, still, so they're also happy.
Downton Wine Bars
And then Mrs Hughes starts singing "Auld Lang Syne," and everyone in the servants' hall joins in, and I TOTALLY, TOTALLY full-on cry. (It's a very emotionally manipulative song, you guys.) And this little bit downstairs implies a lot about the future, as Thomas pours everyone wine and the camera moves from person to person. It's implied that Baxter and Molesley will get together (as far as I am concerned); Mr Mason makes it fairly clear that he wants to make things happen with Mrs Patmore; Andy and Daisy seem headed down the aisle (I guess?); and there's a random housemaid there that I've never seen before, for whom I also want great things, and who I hope doesn't somehow lure Branson into yet another web of psychosexual blackmail while we're not looking. Maybe she'll be the one to find the Gutenberg Bible!
Downton True Love
"It makes me smile, the way every year we drink to the future," Violet says, "whatever it may bring."
"Well, what else could we drink to?" Isobel wonders. "We're going forward into the future, not going back into the past."
"If only we had a choice," Violet says, and starts cracking herself up at the thought. At this, Isobel makes her classic, "you have got to be kidding me, Violet" face, and takes a swig of her drink. And that's the end.
I must admit I love that this show ended not on one of the romantic couples, but on the two old lady best friends, being their most essential selves, together. (Especially because I was TERRIFIED that they were going to kill off Violet.) Julian Fellowes hasn't done every single thing right over the last six seasons (who could?), but I will always love him for treating middle-aged and old characters like the real people they are, people whose romances and friendships are as important and vital as those of young characters. And when it comes right down to it, this relationship right here may have been the most perfect one of all. How fitting to give Violet what she always wants most: the final word.
Downton Abbey
This is it, my friends. I will miss this show quite terribly. It wasn't always perfect, but I always loved it -- it is certainly my favorite show on TV, even though I can see its flaws -- and I am pleased to see it go out with happiness for everyone, and the future -- that modern world that no one can stop banging on about -- in front of them all.
And as I give you this, the very final shot of Downton Abbey, I have to wonder: What on earth are we going to do with ourselves, now?
