Sex, Lies and Fire Hoses



If anyone thought we’d be easing into Season 5 of Downton Abbey, they were grossly disabused of that notion after watching the first episode. We hit the ground running picking right up where we left off last season. It was an evening of sex, lies and fire hoses—what a start and where to begin?!?

The obvious choice is Edith, but I think I’ll wait to write about her. I’ll start with Robert. After 34 years of marriage, you would think he would take Cora into his confidence, but he doesn’t and continues to pay the price. By “protecting” Cora from the details of life, he puts the family in awkward situations. Had he told Cora about his feelings regarding Sarah Bunting, they could have avoided a painfully

uncomfortable dinner. Alas, he didn’t, and we squirmed through an intense political debate between Robert and Sarah more edgy than anything we’ve witnessed even between Violet and Isobel. He is also thinly veiling his disappointment of not being asked to serve on the WWI memorial committee. He continually says he’s not disappointed but it is obvious he’s crushed.

As for Sarah Bunting, I do not think she will become Tom’s new love. He does not seem to regard her in that way. He recognized her behavior at dinner as being rude (which it was) and apologized for it. I think her role is to prick Tom’s memory of the political activist he used to be. She is reinvigorating his personal views which may lead him away from Downton. He’s talked a lot about moving from Downton and being true to himself, I think Tom will solidify his position this season and either reconcile his views with life at Downton or he’ll move on. He has made frequent statements of how much he loves the family but those statements have always been qualified by another statement of how important it is for him not to lose himself. I’m truly not sure what he’ll do, I can make the case for both scenarios, we’ll see. In any event, I don’t see Miss Bunting coming back to Downton as a dinner guest any time soon. I think she’ll be back but downstairs as Daisy’s math tutor and perhaps she’ll try to rally the downstairs to her political way of thinking. Look out Mr. Carson!!

Ah, Daisy, how can you not feel for Daisy? Here is a young woman who knows there is more to life than peeling potatoes and making the béchamel for the savory. She does not have the formal education others have and has no self-esteem at all she calls herself a “pig ignorant idiot” with “the brain of a kipper” but she is smart enough

to know she needs to acquire certain math skills if she is to become a success as a head cook or the owner of a farm (Yay to Mrs. Hughes for encouraging her). Sarah Bunting will likely become Daisy’s math tutor, she’ll also probably plant some political revolutionary ideas in Daisy’s head as well.

Staying downstairs, I knew Miss Baxter’s secret would be a whopper but I never expected her to be a thief and a convicted felon!! Like Bates, there has to be more to the story. My guess is that she stole the jewelry to help a struggling family member or

friend. I don’t believe she stole the items for herself. The fact that the jewelry was gone by the time the police picked her up tells me she either sold them or gave them to someone else. Baxter must be protecting someone. I love Molesley’s steadfast support of her, and he’s spot on about Thomas.  Any secret she tells him will be used against that person. I don’t think Cora will sack her, which will only increase the tension between Thomas and Baxter. Thomas will try to scratch away at Baxter’s reputation until she’s forced to leave on her own. I think the staff will rally behind her.

Molesley’s hair dying effort was the comedy relief for the evening. Clearly he’s trying to look younger, perhaps to attract Miss Baxter? Robert’s line of inquiry was hysterical. “Molesley are you part Latin?” “No, my Lord.” “Italian?” “No” “Spanish or Irish?” “No”. Not that Italy is a Latin country, but Irish?? Not what I would associate as a dark complected country.

For more sexual innuendo, Violet’s and Isobel’s conversation about Lord Merton was priceless. Violet: “Lord Merton wants what all men want.” Isobel: “Don’t be ridiculous.” Violet: “I was referring to companionship…as I hope you were.” Too funny. In the end though, Violet is determined to scuttle Isobel and Merton’s relationship, she can’t stand the idea that Isobel could become a wife and titled woman and an important figure in the county. Her plans usually succeed, Isobel, however, is the sort of person that tugs in the opposite direction Violet is leaning so it should be interesting. They both live to meddle in other’s lives, we’ll see which meddler wins.

The final bit of sexual innuendo was a brief conversation between Anna and Bates. Bates ponders about parenting a child who was not his when talking about Mary and Gillingham, which led to a quick exchange about having a family of their own. Will there be the pitter patter of little feet for Anna and Bates? How much does Baxter know about Mr. Bates and Mr. Green? Will it interfere with their family planning?

For more sexual activity which was far from innuendo, there was lots going on

both upstairs and downstairs. First, Jimmy and Lady Anstruther made the Abbey fire even hotter!! Yikes! Clearly, Jimmy had to be sacked, but I wonder if we’ll be hearing more from him. Will he maintain his friendship with Thomas?

Then there is Lady Mary and Lord Gillingham. He’s not subtle, I’ll give him that. “Mary, I want to be lovers.” Even though Mary thinks she wants to know more about “that side of things” before deciding on a husband, I’m not sure she is ready. Mary doesn’t like to be pushed, if Gillingham continues to push too hard Mary may bolt. I can’t help but think he’s trying to trap her into the relationship. Gillingham is over-confident now, he thinks he’s won, but I know we haven’t heard the last of Charles Blake.

Now we come to Lady Edith. Sex, lies and fire hoses all apply to her she’s hit the trifecta. The lie is obvious, hiding her child at the Drew farm as the daughter of Mr. Drew’s friend who died. She dotes on Marigold at the Drew farm and ignores the other children completely, subtle. As for the sex, Margie Drew thinks Edith has a crush on Drew tangling the web further. Drew, of course, knows Edith’s secret. He is a funny sort he’s rather like an oracle whose pronouncements have to be deciphered. He tells Edith “We must find a way for you to live the truth without telling the truth.” What does that mean?? Then after giving the problem some thought he comes out with this suggestion, “You’re going to take a greater interest in little Marigold.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t that what got Edith into trouble to begin with?? Perhaps he means she should adopt her or become her godmother or take up some other role which will give her exposure to Marigold without raising suspicion and get Drew off the hook.

As for the fire hoses, unlucky Edith tosses the only reminder she has of Gregson into the fire and nearly burns the Abbey down in the process. Her bad luck has risen

to epic levels, she’s now endangering other people’s lives although the only room damaged in the fire was, of course, her room. Now Mrs. Hughes knows something is up with Edith as she overheard Edith and Drew’s conversation. If I trusted anyone with a secret it would be Mrs. Hughes. Perhaps Edith’s luck is about to change.

 

 

Cheers!