As usual, these recaps contain spoilers. Read at your own risk if you have not seen the episode.
Upstairs
The gloves are off between Mary and Mabel Lane Fox (Catherine Steadman). Mabel is still not over Mary stealing Tony Gillingham from her, even though Mary has still not changed her mind about ending the relationship with Tony. The person in the middle is Charles Blake. If I were Charles, I would get out of the way, other he might get scratched when these two lionesses fight over the coveted king of the jungle.
Rose has a new potential boyfriend. She meets Atticus Alderidge (Matt Barber) when he helps her with her bags on a rainy day. They walk to the church where the Russian Refugees are spending their days. Mr. Alderidge is the great-grandson of Russian-Jewish refugees who left Odessa after a series of pogroms in 1859 and 1871. Rose is not phased by the fact that some of the Russian refugees carried their anti-Jewish prejudices with them when they left Russia. Between the African-American Jazz singer last season and a Jewish man this season, Rose is quite the progressive young lady.
Tom has finally said goodbye to Miss Bunting (did I say finally? 🙂 ). Rabble rouser that she is, Daisy tells Tom that Sarah loves him, but she is leaving Downton. Tom sees Sarah off and tells her that he is part of the family. Now that she is hopefully gone, I feel kind of sorry for her. If she loved Tom as she said she did, it didn’t show.
Simon Bricker crossed the line, a la, Mr. Pamuk entering Mary’s room in season 1. While Robert is away for the evening, Mr. Bricker enters Robert and Cora’s bedroom professing his love for her, wearing his night clothes. Then Robert enters and gives Mr. Bricker his just desserts. As someone who has done Muy Thai Kickboxing for nearly two years, I congratulate Robert on his jab. It was truly spectacular. Mr. Bricker left the next morning like a dog with a tail between it’s legs. Maybe Robert will now learn to appreciate his wife.
Rosamund is visiting Downton for a week. When Rosamund comes, trouble is not too far behind. Edith brings Rosamund to the Drewes to introduce her to Marigold. Mr. Drewe all but threatens to move away and take Marigold with him. Then Rosamund and Violet reenact a conversation that easily could have been part of a Golden Girls rerun. Rosamund accuses her mother of becoming rude in her old age. Rosamund makes the suggestion to Edith of taking her daughter, putting her in a school in France and visiting every once in a while. Rosamund is starting to sound like Lady Russell from Persuasion. Listening to her godmother instead of following her own intuition didn’t help Anne and I have feeling that while Rosamund has her niece’s best interest at heart, I think Edith should make the decisions about her life.
Violet has pit Dr. Clarkson against Lord Merton. The prize (as much as I dislike to say it) is Isobel. Isobel has not yet made up her mind about Lord Merton’s proposal from last weekend’s episode. Violet is playing a dangerous game, taking on the role of Emma to Isobel’s Harriet. As anyone who has ever read Emma knows, when one plays matchmaker, one better be prepared for an unexpected outcome.
Downstairs
Daisy’s lessons with Miss Bunting have ended now that Miss Bunting is on the way out. But I have a feeling that lessons that Daisy learned go beyond the school books.
Mrs. Patmore is an heiress. An elderly childless aunt has left her a little bit of money. After consulting with Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes, she decides to invest in a cottage. Good for her, setting up a nest egg for retirement is always a good choice.
Thomas is looking more and more like a drug addict. Miss Baxter tries to help, but I don’t think even her intervention will help. Mr. Molesley is convinced that Miss Baxter is a pawn and innocent. I wouldn’t mind seeing them together, they both deserve a little happiness.
The police once more swirl around Anna and Bates. Anna is questioned by the police. There is talk of a potential baby Bates in the future. I wouldn’t mind a baby Bates.
Analysis
While the British with their stiff upper lips and the centuries of tradition (especially among the upper classes) are not known for being emotional, it was nice to see a little emotion. Whether it was Robert decking Mr. Bricker or Mabel Lane Fox taking the proverbial gloves off, I enjoyed this episode.
Dowager Moment Of The Week
While there is no specific quote, I kept thinking of Emma as I watched Violet play matchmaker with Isobel. Is there “Badly done, Violet” moment coming up in one of the next few episodes?
Writergurlny 