For only an hour episode, Downton really packed a wallop in
its second installment. The Grantham
house parties rarely turn out well (remember the Turkish gentleman) and this one
turned out to be no different.
I said I
loved Tom in my last post, and I do, but his constant torment about being a round peg being squeezed into a square hole is getting tiresome. “I’ve never felt more like a fish out of
water than I have tonight.” What was he
expecting?? A pie eating contest? A tug of war in the great room? These events
can’t keep coming as a surprise for him.
He needs to decide where he belongs: either away from Downton or stay on
at Downton and somehow reconcile his beliefs with their way of living. Enough whining, we already get that from
Edith! I hope he decides to stay.
You just
know Edna is eating up Tom’s despair and manipulating him just as she did the last
time. By confiding in her, which he swore he wouldn’t do, he’s serving himself up
on a platter to the evil Edna, and she’ll make it look like it was his fault
(which in part it will be). She’s a
schemer. The question is how far will she try to take it with Tom? Will he get caught with her and get bounced
out of Downton? I hope he shows some
character and can see through her. He
hasn’t so far.
My
opinion of Robert hasn’t changed, stuck in the past unwilling to move forward. My other problem with Robert is that he’s so
shallow. I thought Cora was going to pop a vein when she heard the world-famous
opera star (real life opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa) was stuck in her room eating off a tray until after dinner. When
Cora insisted that she join the rest of the party for dinner he worried what
could he possibly talk about with a “singer?” Snob. He also wouldn’t give
Michael Gregson the time of day until he won back Robert’s poker IOUs (and let’s
not tell Lady Grantham!). Now in Robert’s
eyes he’s a solid kind of chap.
Lord
Gillingham brought Mary out of her shell slightly until dim-witted Rose brought
down Matthew’s record player which sent Mary back brooding into her room. I don’t think Lord Gillingham is the one for
her, but I hope he turns out to be a friend who can help her and whom she can
trust. It's also time to find someone or something for Isobel to bring her out of her grief.
As for
Lord Gillingham’s valet, he’s a cad, an animal, and a despicable person. I thought
this might be Anna’s year for some grief, but nothing like this! I predict that Anna will become pregnant with
his baby but Bates will believe it to be his.
I think Anna is right, if she ever told Bates who did it, he’d kill the
guy and probably end up in prison. The
worry I have for Anna is that it appears that Lord Gillingam will be making
frequent appearances to Downton in the future, bringing his pig of valet with
him and Anna will have to deal with him every time he comes.
As for
downstairs, Alfred isn’t happy as a footman, he’d rather work in the
kitchen. I predict he’ll eventually
become a cook at Downton (perhaps replacing Daisy who may go live on Mr. Mason’s
farm) or elsewhere leaving the open the footman’s position to sad Eeyore-like
Mr. Mosely. (Maybe he’ll even take the under butler position away from
Thomas!!)
My
favorite Dowager line from the evening was in response to Tom’s confusion with
aristocratic titles. Tom said, “It isn’t
logical.” To which the Dowager replied “If ever I'm looking for logic, it wouldn't be among the English upper class.”
Episode 3 here we come!
Ta for now!
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