DOWNTON ABBEY – Live-action drama created by Julian Fellowes; rated TV-14; airs Sunday nights on PBS as part of “Masterpiece”; 67 minutes. Episode 4.8: “Episode 8” (original airdate, Feb 16, 2014). Directed by Edward Hall, written by Julian Fellows (7 out of 10)
Previously on Downton Abbey: The Grantham Family lives on a huge estate in Yorkshire, England and is faced with creeping modernity as times change in the early 20th century. The family are trying to keep their estate, which includes the risk of expanding into new, more risky areas, such as pig farming. Michael Gregson, engaged to Lady Edith, who carries his unborn child, has been lost while travelling in Germany.
The staff also deals with their own challenges, including the rape of Anna Bates, a secret only known to her husband and Mrs. Hughes, the head housekeeper. However, she has refused to divulge the identity of the rapist, Mr. Green, Lord Gillingham’s valet.
Last week: Robert, Earl of Grantham, is dispatched to America to support Cora’s ne’er do well brother, who has gotten caught in the Teapot Dome scandal. Edith considered having an abortion, but backed out at the last minute. Rose continues her affair with Jack Ross, an African-American jazz singer in the clubs in London. Pigs are delivered to Downton as part of a new venture into heavier forms of farming. And the Dowager Countess falls seriously ill, to be nursed back to health by Isobel Crawley.
In this episode:
The house is aflutter with activity in preparation for the church bazaar. Amongst all the activities, Mary finds out two rather large secrets. Taking her place firmly as the head of the household, she acts on them. And what she does shows just how capable she has become. She also paves the way to allow Gillingham to return to court her, while also getting considerable interest from Blake. Edith also expands the circle of her secret to her grandmother, the Dowager Countess. They all agree on a plan of what to do with the baby, one which Edith does not entirely like.
Other things to look forward to:
This episode belongs to two people: Jack Ross and Molesley. They both own their screentime and make themselves the bight centers of this episode.
Tom meets Mrs. Bunting, the teacher he met at the political meeting last episode, in several situations. There might be some sparks there? But it’s at least good seeing Tom in this light.
A surprise guest returns during the bazaar. And it’s excellent. And he brings news of surprise guests we’ll see in the next episode.
Alfred and Ivy sort things out. And Daisy and Alfred sort things out.
Jimmy gets some comeuppance at the bazaar from the most unlikely of sources.
Thomas gets some comeuppance at the bazaar from the most unlikely of sources.
Dialogue of the week:
“It doesn’t mean I think it’s right. I wouldn’t give in if we lived in even a slightly better world.”
“It may surprise you. . . but if we lived in a better world, I wouldn’t want you to.”
Dowager Countess quote of the week:
“Switzerland has everything to offer. . .except for perhaps conversation. And one can learn to live without that.”
Rating and final review: 7 out of 10
This is a satisfying ending to the issue of Anna’s rape. While bringing up its own ethical conundrums, it brings closure — at least for me. I talked briefly with Snak-mo-tron and he also liked it, but I’ve also heard from at least one other fan who was not happy with how it turned out. I’ll have a season wrap-up sometime next week after the final episode has aired about why I think it fits, but it really does.
It also offers so much interaction between Isobel Crawley and the Dowager Countess which, despite being almost a trope of the series at this point, remains a highlight. A lot of happiness creeping back in to help brush over some tragic circumstances.
Also, I really, really, really want to make a House of Cards joke, but I can’t because of my policy on spoilers.
Next week! We get the “Christmas Special” that the Brits got a month and half ago, which includes the return of Shirley Maclaine and introducing Paul Giamatti as the scandal-plagued American brother. They’ll be coming to London for Rose’s “coming out.”
CAST:
The regular characters: Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley), Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Brendan Coyle (John Bates), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley), Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley), Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), Lily James (Lady Rose MacClare), Rob James-Collier (Thomas Barrow), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham), Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason), Matt Milne (Alfred Nugent), Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore), David Robb (Dr. Clarkson), Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham), Ed Speleers (Jimmy Kent), Cara Theobold (Ivy Stuart), Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley)