This recap contains spoilers from Sunday night’s episode. Read at your own risk if you haven’t watched it yet.
Upstairs
Michael Gregson has disappeared and Edith makes a mysterious visit to a London doctor. A foreshadowing of what’s to come with her for the rest of the series, perhaps? I can’t help but remember a warning that Matthew gave to Rose last series about married men are unhappily married (or married to a lunatic) who seek younger, vulnerable women for a little something-something on the side.
Mary seems to be over whatever she was feeling for Lord Gillingham. But, I’m not so sure, considering when her mother and sister walked into the library, they didn’t see her dry her eyes. His off screen pseudo fiance has become his off screen fiance. Evelyn Napier is back (You remember him, the guy who introduced Mary to Kemal Pamuk, who died in Mary’s bed in series 1). He is working for the government to assess the status of the aristocratic homes in the area. Cora invites Mr. Napier and his boss to stay at Downton instead of staying at a hotel. I have a feeling Mary will not be without male companionship for long.
Isobel convinces Violet to hire a undergardiner to work in the house. Violet suspects that he might have stolen a letter opener.
Rose and Cora are trying to secretly plan a birthday party for Robert. Tom still feels out of place and talks about leaving England for his American cousins, Mary convinces him to stay. Both story lines felt like filler to me.
Robert actually does something smart business wise, for once. He helps a financially floundering tenant who is on the verge of loosing his family farm, while not putting the financial security of his family and his heritage on the line.
Downstairs
Anna’s rape is no longer a secret, at least between her and Mrs. Hughes. Believing that his wife no longer loves him, John “The Hulk” Bates figuratively twists Mrs. Hughes’s arm to find out what has happened to Anna. The threat is simple, that he will quit at that moment, never to set foot in Downton again. On that she relents , but he continues to twist her arm and find out who raped Anna, forcing her to swear on the memory of her late mother. Mrs. Hughes lies and says it was an intruder.
After speaking to Mrs. Hughes, John goes to his wife and tells her that he loves her. Perfect aww moment. Then he asks who raped her. Again, it’s an unknown intruder, not Mr. Green as he suspects. I could literally see the vein pop in his neck when Mr. Green is mentioned. Mr. Green should have a sign above him should he ever re-enter Downton “Dead Man Walking”.
Cora wants to purchase new refrigerators to replace the ice box. Mrs. Patmore is still a technofobe.
We have a brand new ladies maid. Baxter, or OBrien 2.0. Thomas seems to know something about her. Let’s see how long this one lasts.
Mr. Molesley is given the opportunity to temporarily take over as footman for Alfred while he is away. The offer is turned down, but when Alfred returns, Mr. Molesley conveniently asks about the position. I’m convinced he is the downstairs Edith.
And finally while smug, full of it Jimmy is bragging and just talking about his dreams, Alfred is actually working for it. He doesn’t get into the trainee program at the fancy London Hotel, but Carson’s consoles him. I love Carson, under that traditional, conservative exterior is a soft heart.
Analysis
I think Julian Fellows is building up to something big. I don’t know what it is, but it’s going to be big. My favorite scene was with the babies. So cute.
Dowager Quote/Moment Of The Week
“I wonder your halo doesn’t grow heavy. It must be like wearing a tiara around the clock”.
Writergurlny 