It's just after the funeral and everyone's in mourning for Sybil, especially Branson, who seems like a ghost doomed to walk the earth, and Cora, who continues to forbid her husband from entering her bed. But let's get some minor bits out of the way first; Jimmy James is almost to the point of yelling "NO TOUCHING" at Thomas, while Alfred and Jimmy James are becoming less-friendly rivals for Ivy's affections. Also, Daisy goes to visit dead William's father, Mr. Mason, who offers her a job running his farm, which essentially means that she'll stand to inherit everything from him. Mrs. Patmore points out how set that would leave Daisy, and Daisy's realization of how hung up Alfred still is on Ivy must be further incentive for her to bust a move.
Matthew, of all people, wonders if the subjects Sybil talked about on her last day indicate that she had some idea her number was up, and Mary acknowledges that she's thought the same thing. The idea at least brings them closer together and I hate to tread on a tender exchange, but they both seem a lot less anxious at the moment.
True to the henchguard's word, when Murray questions Mrs. Bartlett, she denies everything she told Anna. Realizing that she's likely been intimidated, Bates -- during the daily forced march outside -- suddenly pulls Craig aside and menaces him with an instrument of cutting, telling him that if he doesn't get Mrs. Bartlett to reverse her story, he'll concoct one of his own that will add years to Craig's sentence. Soon enough, Anna has gotten word that Mrs. Bartlett made an official statement and as a result, Bates is going to be set free. I'm rooting for that, only because I think it will mean the show spending less time on the two of them.
Cora calls her husband out for letting Tapsell's aristocratic status sway him and throws in some truly regrettable, if still understandable, comments into the mix. Branson, for his part, declares his intention to leave Downton and start his own life. While Lord Grantham backs him up, Matthew and especially Edith ask him not to rush and draw his attention to christening the child. Branson opts to name his daughter after her mother despite the initial pain it will cause, but that's less of a concern than his stated intention to raise the baby Catholic. Lord Grantham stomps off and complains about both points to Mary, but Mary tells him he's being ridiculous. His stop is the Dowager Countess, who tells him that if his marriage is having problems, he and Cora should take some time apart. Worried about her son, the Dowager Countess then summons Dr. Clarkson and asks him, for the sake of the union, to tell Lord and Lady Grantham that a C-section wouldn't have saved Sybil. Clarkson, as you might imagine, isn't thrilled at the idea, but doesn't completely shut it down, which is a testament to the persuasive powers of the Dowager Countess. Meanwhile, Lord Grantham has Travis over to try to push for the baby to be baptized Anglican, but gets more than he bargained for when literally everyone else in the room takes Branson's side in the discussion. The matter is settled when Mary relays the conversation she had with Sybil in which Sybil said she'd be happy for the baby to be raised Catholic.
Isobel wants to have a ladies luncheon to cheer Cora up and even Ethel knows that her cooking isn't up to snuff, so she tracks down Mrs. Patmore in town and talks her into helping out on a consultant basis. Unfortunately, Carson catches sight of Mrs. Patmore emerging from Crawley House and goes running to tell Lord Grantham, but when Lord Grantham rides his Indigno-Carriage over to Crawley House and tries to get his women out of there by revealing the news of Ethel's former occupation, Cora not only refuses, but also takes the opportunity to call him out for his judgment. His embarrassment is geometrically increased by the fact that even the Dowager Countess declines to accompany him out. Mary later comes to see her father and tells him that he's not helping his cause with the Ethel issue or the christening, and Lord Grantham confesses how desperately he misses Sybil. In the end, Clarkson goes through with the Dowager Countess' plan, which allows Lord and Lady Grantham to collapse into each other's arms in mutual grief, convinced that there's nothing they could have done. It's not perfect, but it's a way forward, which is why it's got the Dowager Countess' stamp of approval.
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I should probably mention that PBS' airing schedule is different from what was done in the UK, where they had eight one-hour episodes and a two-hour Christmas special. As you know from my first recap (which you may still be reading), PBS combined episodes 1 and 2 into a two-hour special; similarly, they're combining the episodes that aired as 7 and 8 in the UK into a two-hour offering week and calling it Episode 6. Finally, the two-hour Christmas special will air the following week. What all this means is that you're going to be hearing me babble about this show a lot in the couple weeks. So fair warning and all.
From the somber departure of many gracious lords and ladies dressed in black, we can infer that Sybil's funeral has just taken place at Downton. Inside, Matthew apologizes to Branson for sounding like a parent, but says he and Mary would really like to help. Branson can barely meet Matthew's eyes, as if he feels cursed and unclean, and says that his wife has died. "I'm past help." Sorry to bring it into the gutter quite this early, Branson, but I feel safe in saying that there are many people who won't be so easily dissuaded from trying. (Also, I just realized on a re-watch of Rome that he played Agrippa, the grown-up Octavian's trusted adviser. Different accent; same level of hotness.) He does manage to thank Matthew while still staring hauntedly out the window and then Lord Grantham enters and tells Cora that some couple was looking for her to say goodbye. With palpable tension, she tells him she was where he is now and then Isobel -- possibly feeling like the day has been stressful enough -- rises and asks the room to let her know if there's anything she can do. Mary thanks her and then the Dowager Countess rises to join her, softly saying it'll save them having to get the car out twice. Lord Grantham invites them both to stay for dinner, but the Dowager Countess begs off: "Grief makes one so terribly tired." It's true; days tend to feel like months in situations such as these. After a speculative look in Branson's direction that goes unnoticed by him, the Dowager Countess says her goodbyes, gently advising Cora while she's at it to get some rest now that it's over. When she's gone, Cora tightly asks Lord Grantham if when one loses a child it's ever really over, and I don't think that's exactly what the Dowager Countess was referring to, but Lord Grantham's on thin enough ice with Cora without pointing that out.
Let's check in with another melancholy figure, as Thomas is sitting at the servants' table staring mournfully into space. Alfred tells him to cheer up, but Anna intervenes, saying that Thomas knew Sybil better than any of them. Thomas pipes up that Anna, too, knew Sybil well and Jimmy James offers that Thomas' grief speaks well of Sybil. He comes to regret these kind words, however, when they result in Thomas squeezing his hand and although I can understand the instinct, the look on Jimmy James' face suggests Thomas is headed for trouble here.
At Crawley House, Ethel brings a tray into the study for Isobel. She asks about the service and Isobel, far away for a moment, replies that it was nicely done, "but you know how it is when you bury someone young." Understandably, Ethel claims some empathy on the subject of losing one's child and Isobel, who seems really quite affected by Sybil's death -- you'll remember how impressed she was with Sybil working in the hospital -- hesitantly advances the idea of trying to cheer Cora up with an informal lunch party. "Just [Cora] and the girls." Ethel brightly offers to cook something special, but just then Isobel takes her first taste of the dinner in front of her and after taking a moment to recover, replies, "Well, we don't have to decide that now." Hee. No one ever accused me of being overly difficult to please, but I'm not going to tire of Isobel's heroic attempts to stomach Ethel's cooking anytime soon.
Mary is getting an update from Anna, which is that Murray hasn't been to see Mrs. Bartlett and even when he does, she's afraid she won't repeat the things she told Anna. Mary thinks she'll have to, but Anna's worried about all the things that could go wrong. Mary, in her usual sugar-free way, tells her that it may take time, but it's the moment "we've" all been waiting for and Anna's tears start to flow at Mary's use of that inclusive pronoun. Mary stands and, looking a little verklempt herself, says they need some good news in the house. "And this is it! This must be it." Anna smiles...
...which is a facial expression we won't be seeing for a moment, as Lord Grantham enters Cora's bedroom and asks for permission to return, which is summarily denied. Lord Grantham tells her that he should have listened to Clarkson as she did, but Tapsell does have a reputation as an expert. This is the wrong thing to say, as Cora bites out that Clarkson is the one who knew Sybil's history; her voice breaks as she goes on that he believed Tapsell "because he's knighted and fashionable," and got caught up in all that instead of focusing on saving Sybil's life, which is what she can't forgive. Lord Grantham disbelievingly asks if she thinks he misses Sybil less than she does, getting this reply: "I should think you miss her more, since you blocked the last chance we had to prevent her death." You can almost see the words slapping Lord Grantham in the face -- individually and collectively -- and after a moment, he bids her good night. In the hall, though, he looks like he's going to break down and bites his hand to control himself, for which you can hardly blame him as that last line of Cora's was hellacious.
At breakfast, the usual crew of Lord Grantham, Edith and Matthew are joined by Branson, who still looks almost as pale as his wife the last time we saw her. Edith suggests they think about getting a nurse, as the one they have will leave once the baby's weaned. Branson, however, tells them he's not staying, as he's got to find a job, but Edith and Matthew tell him not to rush. Lord Grantham unsurprisingly pipes up that Branson has to make a life for himself sometime, but Edith, getting that increasingly familiar look on her face that shows she can't believe what's coming out of her father's mouth, says again that there's no rush and besides, they should think about christening the baby. She asks Branson if he knows what he'd like the child to be called and when Branson declares his intention to name her after her mother, Matthew smiles approvingly. Lord Grantham, surprisingly, is measured in his opposition to the idea, merely asking if it might be a little painful. While Branson acknowledges the extreme truth of that "at first," he still thinks it's the best way to pay remembrance to Sybil, and Edith, touched, agrees. And oh, did I say Lord Grantham had himself under control? Well, the Indigno-Meter heads from two to nine and a half in a split second when Branson informs the group that he intends to baptize young Sybil as a Catholic; however, at a look from Edith, Lord Grantham reins himself in and leaves the room. Meanwhile, Carson looks like he can't wait to get downstairs and vent about this one.
In town, Mrs. Patmore looks like she's just done a little shopping when Ethel rushes up and asks if she could have her advice. Mrs. Patmore hilariously looks around like she's afraid someone from the church is going to pop out from behind a tree and castigate her for fraternizing with a fallen woman. Ethel, undeterred, goes on about Isobel's lunch party and how she'd like to do something special for it, but she knows her cooking isn't up to snuff. She wonders if Mrs. Patmore would help her out strictly on a consultant basis, but Mrs. Patmore at least doesn't beat around the bush in frankly telling Ethel that Carson has made his wishes regarding Ethel very clear. Ethel, however, figures Mrs. Patmore isn't afraid of being corrupted by little old her, and when Mrs. Patmore acknowledges that in no uncertain terms, Ethel wonders why, then, Isobel should be made to suffer for her kindness. Mrs. Patmore sniffs in exasperation, which of course means she's going to do it. I think I need to adopt that as my stock way of saying "yes" to requests. It looks fun!
In prison, Craig and his guard fall into forced-march-step with Bates and it's kind of hilarious that the guard gives him shit for his plan falling apart when Bates doesn't yet know what he's talking about. While he may not be the quickest -- either on the uptake or with anything else -- Bates pretty clearly gets the point that he's not going to like whatever news is coming his way.
Back at Downton, Lord Grantham finds Mary outside and complains of Branson's wish for his child to be a "left-footer." "There hasn't been a Catholic Crawley since the Reformation!" I will admit one apparent advantage of being from a noble family is having the weight of history on your side when you choose to be a drama queen. Being nobility herself, however, Mary is singularly unimpressed by her father's posturing and on top of that, given the trouble you're in with your wife for it, Lord Grantham, maybe it's time to bring the toffee-nosed pronouncements down just a little (especially since it's rather glaringly apparent that his attitude toward Catholicism has far more to do with class than doctrine)? No, he claims that the only chance the child will have in this life is due to her mother's name, which is NOT A LITTLE condescending, and thankfully Mary unequivocally disagrees, not only with the class bullshit but also with Lord Grantham's assertion that it's "ghoulish" of Branson to name the baby after Sybil. I mean, on that point I'd say he's like ten percent less wrong, but it's still not a great scene for him.
Still hilariously, Isobel is brightly trying to talk Ethel (wearing a black armband in remembrance of Sybil, much like just about everyone we'll see in the episode) out of cooking, instead advising her to get some ham and make a light salad. "You can't go wrong with that." Hee. Ethel argues that she'd like it to appear they're making an effort, but Isobel continues with that awesomely undeterred smile that she'd like to "keep it safe." She says she'll walk up to the house later, presumably to extend the invitation...
...while in another of Downton's gracious satellite houses, the Dowager Countess is asking Lord Grantham what his plan for the child is if Branson chooses to take her away to Liverpool "or wherever he comes to rest." She goes on that obviously, it will be his influence that governs the child's upbringing and when Lord Grantham admits he hadn't gotten that far in his disapproval; she asks what Cora says about it. Lord Grantham has to confess that Cora has not yet forgiven him, and while the Dowager Countess declines to criticize Cora for her feelings, she deliberately goes on that "people like us are never unhappily married." He sighs and wonders what to do, then, so the Dowager Countess suggests they spend some time apart -- "Cora could go to New York to see that woman." I'd rather that woman come to see Cora, but if they couldn't get Shirley MacLaine back for the funeral, I doubt she's going to come now. Lord Grantham admits that he can't see the situation clearly and she sympathetically tells him that there's no greater test on Earth than what he's enduring now. "I do not speak much of the heart, since it's seldom helpful to do so, but I know well enough the pain when it is broken." I wish this show would toss up a warning image of a tissue in the corner of the screen before moments such as these. It'd save so much mess! Lord Grantham raggedly thanks his mother...
...while back at the main house, Daisy asks Alfred and Jimmy James -- who are standing around like layabouts -- if they don't have any work to do. Jimmy James explains that Carson asked them to wait for him, so Ivy remarks that she wouldn't mind their hours and the mere sound of her voice is enough for Alfred to stare at her like the world's tallest lovesick puppy. Daisy tells Ivy to stop gabbing (although with about a hundred times less vitriol than last week) and reminds her that Ivy will have to cover for her the following day, prompting Jimmy James to ask if she's off to see William's father Mr. Mason or, as Jimmy James calls him, "the rich farmer." Daisy sniffs that whatever he makes, he earns, and then Mrs. Patmore comes in and shoos the men away by wondering if this is the new servants' hall. Ivy then weirdly stares at Mrs. Patmore for a while, but it turns out Mrs. Patmore is just making a quick stop before heading out again. Hey, just ask Isobel or Mrs. Hughes -- propping up former hookers is time-consuming!
Over at Crawley House, Mrs. Patmore sighs that she doesn't know what she's doing there and Ethel tells her she's there because she's kind. Mrs. Patmore: "Am I." Heh. I mean, she is -- just ask Mrs. Hughes -- but she doesn't exactly present that way and even she knows it. Mrs. Patmore gives her a list of ingredients and Ethel wonders if she's really up to preparing the dishes on the list, but when Mrs. Patmore suggests she just serve some bread and cheese, then, Ethel agrees to give it a go. Mrs. Patmore takes off and I'm surprised she doesn't tell Ethel to leave her name out of any mention of the prep, but maybe she thinks it goes without saying.
As promised, Isobel turns up to Downton, but she's chagrined to realize she's improperly dressed, adding that it must be later than she realized. Yes, recovering from Ethel's lunch probably was a bit involved. Cora explains that Lord Grantham has invited Travis to dine with them -- real subtle, Lord Grantham -- but then asks what's up, and Isobel plows on with her lunch invitation for Cora and the girls. From a spot on the couch heretofore unseen, the Dowager Countess pipes up, "Do I count as one of the girls?" I'm sure I don't speak solely for myself when I say that I certainly hope so. Isobel recovers from the fright to tell her of course, but Cora says she's not really going out at the moment. Isobel assures her that there will be no one else there, but Cora sadly says she'd only bring her troubles with her. Isobel looks at a bit of a loss, so it's good timing when Matthew and Mary enter and when the Dowager Countess informs Mary of the invitation, Mary happily tells her it's very kind of her, so I think we can rely on her to talk her mother into accepting. Lord Grantham and Edith quickly join them, and despite her attire, Isobel is asked -- begged, in Mary's case -- to stay for dinner. She smiles, probably as much at the chance to avoid one of Ethel's meals as the warm gesture.
Back in the kitchen, Ivy engages in some flirting with Jimmy James and Alfred both, and then Alfred asks Daisy if she's looking forward to seeing Mr. Mason. She is in fact, and says the farm's a lovely place, after which Ivy -- wanting to do Daisy a solid and/or to get Alfred out of the way so she can pursue Jimmy James unfettered -- suggests Alfred could go with Daisy. Alfred's like, "Or I could come out with you," and what a doofus he's been ever since Ivy turned up; Daisy stares balefully at him (at least she's not blaming Ivy for that one) as Mrs. Patmore sighs that they all fall in love with the wrong people. She shoos the servers out of there...
...and then Travis is asking if there isn't something "un-English" about the Roman church. I mean, I'm no historian or theologian, but... yes? Branson offers that as an Irishman, he's not particularly concerned with that question, but Travis goes on that he thinks certain ceremonies and rituals of Catholicism can't be pleasing to God. Branson, for once suffering a fool gladly, asks if that means God is displeased by, say, France or Italy, and Travis acidly replies that God isn't as pleased by their worship as by that of the Anglicans. It's kind of hilariously refreshing, if still offensive, to hear a priest not even give lip service to ecumenism, but Edith is clearly unamused as she asks if South America and Portugal have missed the mark too, and soon Mary, Matthew and Isobel are similarly chiming in. Lord Grantham tries to take Travis' side, but even the Dowager Countess abandons him and not to spoil anything, Lord Grantham, but you might want to get used to that this episode. Lord Grantham asks if he's the only one to stand up for Sybil's wishes, but Mary's got the trump card of her last conversation with her sister and pipes up that Sybil declared that she was happy for the child to be baptized Catholic. That's not quite how I remember it, but it's close enough and you can practically see Branson's heart break with joy at hearing this news, although his reaction does trouble me slightly; if it's news to him that Sybil approved, I wonder if he had planned to take Sybil's wishes into account at all in this decision. Lord Grantham declares himself flabbergasted, which is a bridge too far for Cora: "You're always flabbergasted by the unconventional. Not everyone chooses their religion to satisfy Debrett's." Okay, grief may make one tired, but it also apparently geometrically increases the acerbity of one's wit. Lord Grantham, at a loss, looks at his mother, whose side-eye seems to say, "You're going to have to give her that one."
Downstairs, Carson wonders about the loyalty of English Catholics to the crown, to which Mrs. Hughes replies that she's glad he no longer wants them burned at the stake. Heh. Jimmy James pipes up that he doesn't believe in orthodoxy: "A man can choose to be different without it making him a traitor." It's hard to hear over the noise of the silverware, but if you listen carefully, you can hear Thomas' sudden erection hit the underside of the table. In any case, he cheerfully agrees, getting a hilariously remorseful look from Jimmy James in response, and while Anna suggests the talk of such a personal subject can't lead anywhere good, Alfred does mention he's a good Church of England boy, earning him approval from Carson for his heart being in the right place. "I can't say that for everyone under this roof." Thomas twitches, which at least gets his mind off Jimmy James for five seconds.
In bed, Matthew wonders if the way Sybil talked on her last day is evidence that she had some idea that her number was up. As I implied in the recaplet, I wouldn't have pegged Matthew as a particularly spiritual type, but I suppose anyone who's been as close to death as he has is going to be a bit more generally sensitive to it than the average person. Mary admits that the thought has crossed her mind since the tragedy and Matthew, sounding almost as haunted as Branson, says you'd think they'd be used to young death after the four years of war. Mary replies that they must never take anything for granted, and Matthew -- showing he still knows how to tread all over a moment -- tells her that's what he's been trying to get Lord Grantham to see; that they need to work to preserve Downton. Mary turns to him and adds that they can't take "us" for granted, but Matthew smiles and says he knows one thing -- he'll love her until the last breath leaves his body. For a middle-class clod with serious timing issues, he has his moments. Mary breathes that she feels the same way and I don't know if they're getting down to any funny business, but if so, I'd keep your eyes on nine months from now.
Ah, here's Matthew calling on Mrs. Bartlett. She's quite alive, which is good news considering all the ominous talk. Less favorable is the fact that she's apparently told Murray a tale that's rather different from the one she relayed to Anna. Murray questions her on a few points, but he's hardly surprised that she's lying, although he does wonder why -- if she had nothing to say that would overturn the verdict -- she even let him come there? She replies that she thought he should see how real people live and when you think about it, it's really not a great line, but I suppose she had to say something.
In the kitchen, Ivy's humming and dancing to herself when Alfred and Jimmy James join her. She explains that she loves the foxtrot and Jimmy James says he thinks it's all right before sniffing that Alfred wouldn't do it. "He takes himself too seriously for that." So much for the easy noncompetitive flirting, then. Mrs. Patmore enters, which is the boys' cue to scatter...
...while Daisy's turning up at the farm, to Mr. Mason's unabashed delight. And quickly, we cut to the part where he's offered her a job; in addition to cooking for the whole place, she could do a great trade selling jams, jellies, cakes of all sorts and eventually, he'd train her to run the entire farm and leave it to her. Oh, show. Why did you bother making Daisy, like, 25% more tolerable if you were going to get rid of her? Daisy wonders about the fact that she's, you know, a girl, but Mr. Mason tells her there's precedent with widows having run farms before and adds that she's liked in "the big house," so they wouldn't refuse the idea. He concludes by saying that he owns all the farming equipment and livestock and has quite a bit of money saved, and geez, Daisy, with this pitch I'd think marrying him would be the right course if that's what he wanted, so merely taking the job should be a no-brainer. Regardless, Daisy says she can't answer now, but he encourages her to think about it and earnestly adds that his dream would be for her to come to the farm so he could teach her. Daisy hesitantly admits that she always thought she'd spend her life in service, but he points out that she's got 40 years of work ahead of her. "Do you think these great houses like Downton Abbey are gonna go on just as they are for another 40 years?" Mr. Mason, what you're saying suggests that this show will come to an end at some point, so excuse me while I stick my fingers in my ears. Or instead, I'll tell you about my revelation, which is that you played Nathan Maloney's asshole dad back on the original Queer As Folk. Despite what you just said, I like you better now!
Who's showing up at the Dowager Countess' summons but Dr. Clarkson, whom she informs she's called on "a melancholy matter." Looking none too comfortable, he takes a seat and she tells him Cora is quite convinced Dr. Clarkson could have saved Sybil, had he been allowed to. He demurs, saying one can never speak of these things with certainty, and if he's being unduly modest he'll live to regret it, as the Dowager Countess replies that this is precisely the point -- what exactly are the chances it would have worked? Dr. Clarkson can only say that there are cases in which a C-section after the onset of preeclampsia saved the mother, but he only knows of a few. So the Dowager Countess asks him to tell her son and daughter-in-law that. Seeing where she's going with this, Dr. Clarkson reiterates that there was a chance, but the Dowager Countess counters that he's created a division between Cora and Lord Grantham, "when the only way they can conceivably bear their grief is if they face it together." He bluntly asks if she means for him to lie to them, to which the Dowager Countess replies, "'Lie' is so unmusical a word." Ha! But as bullied as Clarkson may feel here, she's opting for kindness instead of brutal honesty, which I think is as admirable coming from her as it is unexpected.
Matthew and Branson are walking the grounds, so Matthew apparently has found another ear to bend over the terrible mismanagement of Downton, like, either grab Murray and stage a coup or shut up already, Matthew. The point of this scene, however, is to inform both Matthew and us that Branson knows a thing or two about the subject -- his grandfather was a tenant farmer in Galway -- which gives us some idea of how he might continue to fit into the story, even though Branson goes on that while he doesn't hate the management business, he doesn't belong at Downton,. Matthew asks what he'll do then, and Branson admits he isn't sure. Matthew also suggests that Branson could leave his daughter at Downton, but he's not up for that: "She's all I have left of her mother." Sometimes I think these two really need to make out for a bit.
Mrs. Patmore, after giving Ethel some final words of advice, tells her she's done well and then adds that maybe Ethel has done herself a favor, meaning that there's someone besides Isobel and Mrs. Hughes who doesn't see anything but shame when she looks at her. Ethel expresses her gratitude and they really have done quite a job with the evolution of this character from the callow thing she was when she first appeared. Regardless of that, out on the street, Carson happens to catch sight of Mrs. Patmore emerging from Crawley House and looks like he's going to explode. I don't know if he's invested in his own separate Indigno-Meter, but if he and Lord Grantham have to share one, I think the thing's not going to last long.
It's time for a glum little confab in the prison and when Murray tells Anna and Bates that someone must have tipped Mrs. Bartlett off, Bates grimly says he thinks he knows who it was. Murray offers the opinion that it's a big thing for "a woman like that" to lie to a lawyer and I'm not sure if by "like that" he means a religious woman, an economically challenged woman or a woman named after a pear. Whichever the case, Bates wonders if she was bribed or intimidated. Murray replies that they can't offer her a bribe (Anna manages not to look too guilty here), but wonders if they can persuade her "to return to the path of truth," like, let's not make too grand a deal about it, Murray. It's just Bates. Bates says he'll see what he can do and when Anna tells him to promise that he won't do anything stupid, he completely ignores her, which is hilarious. Keep that up and we'll be friends, Bates.
Ethel is just cleaning up when Isobel bursts into the kitchen and says she doesn't understand -- she can smell cooking and her level of distress at the idea is seriously enough to send me into a giggling fit. Ethel assures her that everything is fine, but when the bell rings, Isobel tells her that if the lunch is a disaster, she'll hold Ethel responsible. I love how all Isobel's efforts at subtlety over Ethel's cooking have been abandoned just when Ethel has gotten the situation under control.
Mrs. Patmore steps out of the kitchen to see Carson and Mrs. Hughes, the former of whom asks what she was doing at Crawley House that morning. Mrs. Patmore asks who said she was there, but when Carson tells her he saw her himself, she's like, "Oh. I see." Hee. After he lectures her, Mrs. Hughes steps in and says it's probably beyond his purview to "dress down" Mrs. Patmore in this way, to which he replies that if she wants to spend her time "frolicking with prostitutes," it's her business. Mrs. Patmore: "Do I look like a frolicker?" She's got you there, Carson. He asks who is expected at the luncheon, and thanks to his attitude Mrs. Patmore is only too happy to inform him of the exalted guest list, to which Carson proclaims himself "speechless" before making himself scarce. Mrs. Hughes sighs that he won't stay speechless for long and Mrs. Patmore's answering grunt is at least more polite than saying "No shit," but the meaning is identical.
Okay, Matthew is at least heeding my wishes and confronting Lord Grantham head-on about the policy changes he thinks need to take place at Downton. He ignores Branson's obvious discomfort in using the words "bad management." The Indigno-Meter hops out of Carson's pocket and races up the stairs, but Lord Grantham is forced to curtail his explosion by the entrance of Jimmy James and Alfred, and he tells Matthew they'll discuss it later. Well, since his wife isn't talking to him, he might as well use his married-fight speak on Matthew. Carson then comes in and tells Lord Grantham he's got an urgent matter to discuss...
...which prompts Jimmy James to wonder downstairs what's up Carson's ass. Mrs. Patmore tells him never to mind -- as well she might -- before wondering what's up with Ivy's color, not realizing that she's wearing makeup. After Alfred asks how Daisy's day off was and she tells him it was lovely, Ivy asks Jimmy James what he'll be doing for his day off, and he smiles that he'll be going somewhere on his own, as usual. He then turns and almost runs smack into Thomas and there's the most deliciously awkward pause before Jimmy James continues on by; Mrs. Patmore then tells Ivy to give it a rest, as Jimmy James isn't interested. Ivy thinks someone as young as Jimmy James must be interested in someone, but Thomas tells her that someone isn't she and he'd be wise not to overplay this hand, given that O'Brien dealt it specifically for him. Mrs. Patmore then asks after Mr. Mason and Daisy tells her he was lovely as usual, but Mrs. Patmore notices the tone in her voice and asks what's up, so Daisy tells her about his offer. Mrs. Patmore notes how generous it is and Daisy confesses that Mr. Mason is rather generous and kind. Mrs. Patmore says nothing further, but it seems evident that she'd miss Daisy. What a long way we've all traveled since Season 1.
Incredibly, the five ladies are having a nice lunch without Crawley House having been transformed into a bordello, and Cora even compliments the cooking, an assessment with which Isobel agrees both heartily and disbelievingly. Hee. Edith wonders if she should learn to cook, as it might come in handy one day and she's going to have to do something. Isobel asks what Edith said to the editor who offered her the job, but Edith says she hasn't given an answer and guesses that her window of opportunity has passed. Isobel pointedly recalls Matthew telling her that Lord Grantham was against it -- which isn't quite what he said but I'll still allow it -- and Cora continues to be awesome: "What difference does that make?" The Dowager Countess mildly reproves her, but Cora replies that she's not saying it out of spite. "I'm just saying that [Lord Grantham] frequently makes decisions based on values that have no relevance anymore." Emboldened, Edith asks Isobel if she thinks she should do it and when Isobel says she wouldn't countermand Lord Grantham, the Dowager Countess wonders why she even brought it up. Come on, old Lady Grantham, I know you have a fractious relationship with Isobel and are protective of your son, especially at the moment, but it still would be the height of hypocrisy for you to begrudge anyone else a little shit-stirring. And also, she's hardly alone, as Mary pipes up that she and Matthew both think Edith should do it and the virtue of Mary and Edith not getting along historically is that when one says something nice about the other, you know she means it. Lord Grantham then bursts in and, having heard the last comment about Matthew, wonders what else Matthew has decided for the family before announcing that all his women are leaving because of who prepared their meal.
After some preliminaries and innuendo, Isobel tells everyone that Lord Grantham is referring to Ethel's work as a prostitute, because Isobel is the only one allowed to make that announcement and regularly at that. Cora does look a bit scandalized as she turns to Isobel, but the Dowager Countess steps up to the mic: "Of course, these days servants are very hard to find." The Dowager Countess, ladies and gentlemen! She'll be here all week! Unbowed, Isobel says that Lord Grantham can't imagine the difficulties Ethel has had to overcome, but Lord Grantham barks that he doesn't care how she earns her living -- he just can't believe Isobel would expose his family to such scandal. Isobel wonders how anyone would find out, but Lord Grantham doesn't get too deep into his answer before Ethel, in uniform, enters with the dessert, whereupon the Dowager Countess whispers to Mary that she supposes Ethel has an appropriate costume for every activity. Hee. Lord Grantham once again declares that they're leaving and Ethel asks "my Lord" if it's because of her, but Cora dismissively says that it's because of Lord Grantham and they're not going anywhere. She then compliments the look of the dessert and when Ethel confesses that Mrs. Patmore gave her some help, Cora fixes Lord Grantham with a look as she replies, "I'm glad to know that Mrs. Patmore has a good heart and does not judge." Lord Grantham asks if anyone's coming, but you and I know that he doesn't have a prayer with Mary or Edith at the moment, and his disastrous play here becomes a debacle when even the Dowager Countess is like, I really want to try the dessert, but thanks! And I really do love the clever ways the show depicts the steps forward, both large and small, taken by women. Who knew a lunch served by a combination whore/shitty cook could turn into a three-generation-spanning moment of girl power?
We're back in the prison yard again, but Bates breaks the ranks of the shuffling downtrodden to suddenly yank Craig into an archway. He pulls out a rather sharp-looking piece of bent metal and holds it to Craig's cheek as he breathes that if he doesn't get Mrs. Bartlett to change her story back to the truth, he'll go to the governor with some trumped-up charge about Craig and the guard trafficking drugs and trying to get Bates to sell for them. Even with the governor's supposed favorable attitude toward Bates, this sounds like horseshit to me, but if it wraps up this prison storyline I'm happy to inhale and tell you it smells like roses.
Carson tells Mrs. Hughes about the fiasco that befell Lord Grantham and Mrs. Hughes is shocked that even the Dowager Countess stayed behind. "Perhaps the world is becoming a kinder place." Carson mutters that it's less disciplined, not kinder, but Mrs. Hughes brushes that aside by supposing that if the Dowager Countess can visit Crawley House, it's okay for her to do the same. Carson realizes he has no authority to say otherwise, but tells Mrs. Hughes she disappoints him. "I never thought of you as a woman with no standards." Ah yes, attempting to subjugate women with vague denigration of their reputations. Carson, I'm sure you don't care, but you disappoint me. Mrs. Hughes, however, doesn't even dignify his comment with an answer.
Mary finds her father in self-imposed isolation in his study and wonders if he won't come back to the drawing room, but he tells her he'd only annoy Cora further. Mary assures him Cora will come through it and it sounds like she mostly believes it herself, but she goes on to ask how he thinks his "performance" of the afternoon could have helped. He claims to have been angry with Isobel for exposing them to gossip, but Mary tells him his anger had nothing to do with Isobel or even Ethel. "I think it's because the world isn't going your way -- not anymore." Ah, so someone has been listening to Matthew. How nice and very unprecedented for him. Lord Grantham vents a bit in Matthew's direction while letting us know that he's still beating himself up over the loss of Cora's money, and Mary lets that sit for a moment before telling him the christening is a battle he can't win. He looks at her before agreeing that he can't if Mary's against him, but while she tells him she's never against him, she reiterates that he can't win this one. Softening, he asks if Sybil truly didn't mind about the baby being Catholic and Mary simply says she wanted Branson to be happy. "She loved him very much, you know. We all need to remember that." Lord Grantham tells Mary he keeps forgetting Sybil's gone -- he sees things in the paper that would make her laugh or sees that her favorite flower is in bloom, and then the awful truth hits. Mary's voice breaks as she begs him to tell Cora that, but Lord Grantham thinks she won't want to hear it from him. He steps out, leaving Mary looking lost and afraid...
...but later, she's recovered, as she and Matthew pay a visit to Branson, who's holding baby Sybil in his arms. He at least seems happy and not so horribly wounded now, and he tells them that baby Sybil is "blooming" before putting her into Mary's arms. Matthew stands with her and if they weren't sure about having children before, it looks like their niece is melting those doubts right away.
Downstairs, Molesley is aghast that the ladies stayed once they knew of Ethel's shame and when Mrs. Hughes offers that Jesus managed to eat with Mary Magdalene, Molesley corrects her that he merely allowed her to wash his feet. Mrs. Hughes: "Well, I'll tell Ethel she has a treat in store." HA! Elsewhere, Alfred is continuing to be a goon before Mrs. Patmore finally realizes Ivy has rouge on her cheeks and tells "Miss Hussy" to go get rid of it. Also, Jimmy James is playing the piano and when Mrs. Hughes compliments him, Thomas says there's no end to his talents while rubbing his neck, and Thomas, I'm on your team and you're still making me uncomfortable here. Fortunately, O'Brien arrives to tell Thomas that Lord Grantham requested him, whereupon Jimmy James whispers to O'Brien that Thomas is always touching him and he's going to tell Carson or even the police. O'Brien kind of lets that sit before heading off to fetch some linen. She also probably wants to update her "Destroy Thomas' life" diary, but that can probably wait until later.
Daisy catches Alfred practicing his dancing and he asks her if she knows the foxtrot. Oh, Alfred. You had me for a while, but you're seriously working my last nerve here. Against all odds, Daisy does know it, so he prevails on her to show him the steps and they have a good time with it...
...while, in other good times, Anna comes rushing up to Mary and Edith to tell them the good news -- it will take a few weeks, but Bates is going to be released. The sisters are overjoyed and they urge Anna to tell Lord Grantham, who could use some good news at the moment...
...but Lord Grantham is currently occupied, as Cora comes into the library and asks if he's seen the note she's holding from the Dowager Countess. Lord Grantham admits he has and wonders what his mother wants, to which Cora says she could stand anything except a lecture on marital harmony. Lord Grantham tries a chuckle in response and is informed by Cora's stony expression that it was a mistake and then Cora wonders if they have to go, but while he says he thinks they do, he adds that they don't need to stay long. He then steps forward and tells her she looks very nice, but she orders him not to flirt with her before withdrawing. Lord Grantham, for his part, probably wonders what Jane is up to these days. However, Anna, flanked by Mary and Edith, enters with the Bates news and Lord Grantham's joy upon hearing it is about as unbridled as it gets. He then heads out for his mother's house...
...which is probably for the best, as downstairs, Ethel wanders in with flowers in her hand, presumably for Mrs. Patmore. Carson, of course, is unwelcoming to her, but Mrs. Hughes appears and lets Ethel know where to find Mrs. Patmore before telling Carson she hopes he never needs a favor from his fellow man. Carson is unimpressed, but says he knows Mrs. Hughes will never abandon him. Well, even though you're no spring chickens, Carson, "never" is a long time.
The dance lesson is still going on when Jimmy James comes in and blows up Alfred's spot by saying he's only learning the foxtrot to please Ivy. I'd have a problem with the tattling if Alfred weren't already being so bloody obvious about what he's doing, and Daisy obviously feels the fool for it so she's only too happy to let Jimmy James elbow Alfred out of the way to dance with her. Of course, Carson happens in and berates them for dancing "at a time like this, of sober dignity," and honestly, I think Carson was most put out when they were short-staffed about being too busy with actual work to have time to nose around in his underlings' business. Unfortunately, Jimmy James not only gets dressed down for his behavior but has to endure a lecture about taking a page out of Alfred's book. After a few choice words for Daisy, Carson leaves, followed by Jimmy James, who sardonically thanks Alfred for speaking up. Alfred then has the unmitigated gall to start to ask Daisy if she wants to practice further, but Daisy tells him she's busy before suggesting he ask Ivy. I mean, honestly, Alfred. When I think Daisy's too good for you, you've really come down in the world.
Cora and Lord Grantham turn up to the Dowager Countess' and are surprised to find Clarkson there with the lady of the house, who informs them Clarkson has something to tell them. Lord Grantham steps forward and manfully starts to make his apologies, but Dr. Clarkson -- who's uncomfortable enough without going down that road -- begs leave to speak first and then takes a deep breath before saying that he thinks he gave them the impression that his recommended course of action on that fateful night offered a real chance for Sybil's survival. However, the truth -- and he claims to have done "a great deal of research" since then -- was that the chance was tiny. He goes on that while he was correct that an early delivery would have avoided the trauma Sybil went through, what he didn't realize is that eclampsia is almost invariably fatal even with a Caesarian. I'm no expert, but it seems clear that he's at least massaging the truth to some degree. His statement, that his course would have subjected Sybil to the pain and fear of a hurried operation, certainly seems unvarnished. Cora manages to gulp out that there was still a chance, but after a look the Dowager Countess' way, Clarkson gently tells her that it was infinitesimal. Lord Grantham asks if he means to say Tapsell was right, but Clarkson won't sign off on that, saying Tapsell ignored all the evidence "in a most unhelpful and, I may say, arrogant manner." The Dowager Countess shifts a bit, but she kind of has to give him that one, and he does complete his requested mission by concluding that, weighing all the available evidence, Sybil was going to die regardless. He leaves them, and the door hasn't even closed before Cora starts to break down. Lord Grantham goes to his wife and the two of them embrace and sob into each other's arms as the Dowager Countess looks away, knowing of the family members, she alone will carry the truth. She's said she'd do anything for family; it's wonderful to know she's as good as her word. See you time for the first of two straight double doses.
John Ramos is a writer and film producer living in Los Angeles. His new film, a documentary on online privacy and the sale of personal data called Terms And Conditions May Apply, recently premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in January. You can get news on it from the film's Twitter account. Also, you can email John at couchbaron@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/couchbaron, or check out his blog, "Pull Up A Chair," which he'd just love for you to stop by.