I’ve spent most of the last 24 hours in a daze, unable to process or find a way to review this episode. After dozens of stops and starts, it became apparent to me I couldn’t truly review the episode without major spoilers, so this is going to be the shortest review ever.
I hated this episode. Not just for the major twist in the final 5 minutes, but because there were some major things missing.
First, the Dowager Countess must’ve been all out of zingers, because she was mostly absent and mostly silent this episode. Bo-ring.
Then the staff spent most of their time at a fair. Actually kind of boring, except for a side plot involving Mrs. Patmore being “romanced” by a local merchant. Considering how it turns out, I hated it.
Then a subplot about one of the new maids trying to seduce poor Tom Branson. Hasn’t that guy been through enough?
The only, and I repeat only, unsullied beautiful moment in the entire episode is a tender moment between Carson and baby Sybil.
Everything else is tinged by [spoiler].
Please go watch, and then we’ll see you next year when we get a continuation in season 4.