Cora, Cora, Cora

 

         Now we’re talking! Things are really heating up at the Abbey. So what’s going to happen is we’ll be left with the biggest cliff hanger we’ve ever experienced and we’ll have to wait a year to find out what will happen. That’s why we’re hooked!!

         Episode 7 belongs to Cora. She was fantastic, firm when she needed to be and compassionate when necessary. Ultimately, she was very strong for the family, more strong than the family gave her credit.

         Cora was understandably crushed by not being told about Marigold. The feeling of betrayal was so devastating for her. It is obvious that Rosamond has never been a mother. Her black and white view of the world showcases a person who does not appreciate that children are often raised in the grey areas of life. It is also not easy to put Violet in her place, but boy did Cora manage to do it, in such ladylike fashion. “How can you imagine I’ll ever trust you again?” Ouch.

         Cora then mustered the strength to face Edith at her place of work. She wasn’t about to be turned aside by Edith and threatened to discuss their business in front of everyone there. Shocking! Edith buckled and a private tea followed. Cora was the one who came up with the plan to keep Edith at Downton, as well as able to oversee Michael’s paper, and be mother to Marigold. Cora: Mother and problem-solver to the rescue.

         Cora handled the stuffy Lord Sindeby beautifully. Sindeby’s conversation bordered on insulting when he was asking Cora about being raised in a mixed faith home, and whether she was ashamed of her Jewish heritage. Cora shot back by saying, unlike Lord Sindeby, her family never changed their name to gain social acceptance. To quote Violet, “put that in your pipe and smoke it.”

         Finally, Cora’s compassion for Isis was so endearing. She was the first to spot Isis wasn’t well. Cora was so sympathetic to Robert’s feelings. Robert finally came out from under the ether and realized the wonderful wife he has in Cora.

         Violet has definitely revealed a softer side this season. We’ve learned about her affair with Prince Kuragan and her choice to return to the fold for the good of the family, she felt the sting of Cora’s admonition, and the reason behind her apparent disapproval of Isobel’s marriage to Lord Merton. It was in part because of Isobel’s rise in social rank, but more than that, it was her fear that she was going to lose her friend. How very childlike and uncharacteristic of her. She showed a depth of feeling she didn’t know she could have for another person. It’ll be interesting, if not very entertaining, to see how she’ll get involved in the civil, or not so civil, war between Sprat and Danker. I’m sure her mastermind will come up with a solution suitable to both.

         It looks like Tom is off to Boston, but wait, I’m not sure he’s going to go. His conversation with Sibbie made him realize he does not have a good enough reason to take her away from Downton and the whole family. I think he’ll make preparations to leave but I just don’t think he’ll go. By the way, how incredibly cute is Sibbie?!?!

         Now we come to Mary and her cast of characters. Mary is becoming less appealing by the episode. She strings people along like toys. Her treatment of Edith is unwarranted. The only one who seems to know how to handle her is Charles. He initiates and cuts off communication not allowing her the time to dangle him on the end of a string. I do like Charles, his pronunciation of cinema was odd (hard “c” instead of soft “c”) but I’m only an aristocrat by marriage so what do I know?? In any event, good bye Tony, he’s off to the arms of Mable Lane Fox where he belongs. Tony wasn’t at all heart-broken, his marriage to Mable Lane Fox was inevitable. My only question is did that kiss from Charles mean anything? Has Charles, the ultimate planner, figured out a way to capture Mary’s heart? Does he really want Mary’s heart? I think he does, and he’s a man who gets results.

         Now for the wow moment I’ve been waiting for, the dinner party for Lord Merton and Isobel. The dinner table certainly has been a battle ground this whole season. Lord Merton’s boys are such insufferable snobs!! Their treatment of Isobel at dinner was reprehensible. “Inevitable failure” and “did you really think we would welcome you with open arms?” How horribly embarrassing for Isobel, and yet she told Lord Merton not to be cross with Larry. How could he get in the car with those two monsters is beyond me. Oh well, Isobel is better off without him. Love Tom for standing up for himself, Atticus and the family. Violet provided the requisite comic relief when Tom called him the “B” word, “and suddenly we’ve slipped into a foreign tongue.”

         Gear up for the next uncomfortable dinner when Lord Sindeby meets Rose’s mother, the heart of stone, Susan Felcher. Will we see O’Brien return to Downton? I hope not. Perhaps Rose’s wedding will be the wedding of the season.

         Not to neglect downstairs, we’ve had a brief reprieve from the Bates/Green drama. That won’t last. Mr. Mason should be called the Oracle of Yorkshire County. His advice to Daisy is always so wise. I love how he can cut to the heart of a problem without offending her, rather he builds her up to make her see how deserving she is. He’s the family she never had. Baxter sees how wonderful he is and what an opportunity the farm is for her.

         Do I detect a pattern downstairs? They are thinking toward the future and a life away from the Abbey. Mrs. Patmore bought an investment property, Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes are looking into an investment property, Mr. Bates and Anna are doing the same, Daisy is pursuing her education and has the farm. What about Baxter, Molsely and Thomas? Thomas tried that painful attempt to change his life, he is showing signs of coming around though actually offering helpful advice twice!! Will Mr. Molesly go into teaching? I’m still hoping he and Miss Baxter will become a couple. Time will tell.

Cheers!!