Steel Magnolias

          The ladies of Downton Abbey both upstairs and down are really steel magnolias. Although the men of the era had all the financial, political and physical power, the women clearly had the emotional power which buoyed all the men’s efforts in whatever they were doing. The women at Downton (and dare I say everywhere else?) are the power behind the throne.

          So let’s begin with my first steel magnolia, Anna. For such a tiny, frail-looking person Anna is truly made of tough stuff. She doesn’t back down to anyone and is so incredibly kind to everyone. Thomas is so mean-spirited and has tried to undermine her so many times, yet Anna is still so concerned about his health. Anna keeps Lady Mary’s secrets even at the expense of real tension with her husband. When Bates found the book and the contraception, I almost choked. The questioning he put Anna through was like a courtroom drama, yet she wouldn’t crack and continued to hold on to Mary’s secret. She was also so relieved to know definitively that Bates did not kill Mr. Green. Although he would have liked to, for Anna’s sake he refrained from doing it. Now, will the police see things his way? We have to hope the railway ticket clerk has a short memory.

          My next steel magnolia is Daisy. I love Daisy’s new found ambition. She is certain not to stay a cook forever. Perhaps she will take over Mr. Mason’s farm and become a true business woman. Mr. Molsley remains a sad sack. His respect for Daisy’s ambition only highlights how life has not turned out the way he expected. Perhaps good things are yet in store for him.

          Miss Baxter is a steel magnolia very much like Anna. She keeps herself to herself as they say, however, she obviously has a deeply caring nature. She has taken on Molsley and Thomas as her reclamation projects and has made tremendous progress with both. Thomas finally realizes he needs someone’s help and turns to her. She has the fortitude to put the past damage he tried to do aside and get him the help he so desperately needed. My heart did go out to Thomas when he explained why he submitted himself to such torture. There was Baxter to put a silver lining to the situation telling him how brave she thought he was. Has the worm turned? Hopefully, he’s FINALLY learned his lesson and will play nice from now on.

          Rose is not quite a steel magnolia, not yet. I’ll call her a pewter magnolia. She is no doubt falling in love with Atticus Aldridge. It will be interesting to see how she handles his faith difference. My guess is her parents will have an issue and she’ll tell them they can go pound sand.

          Isobel is definitely a steel magnolia. To date, we’ve only seen the steel part of her nature. She’s a tough lady free with her own opinions irrespective of whether they are asked for or not. Lately we’ve seen more of the magnolia side. Stodgy Lord Merton has brought out a softer side of her nature. It would appear that they bring out the best in each other.

          Cora has finally become a steel magnolia. She finally stood up to Robert and let him know Bricker’s advances were not invited. When she asked him whether he could honestly say he never had a flirtation that got out of hand (which was like asking him if he’s stopped beating his wife in that no matter how he answers that question he’s condemning himself) remember the maid from two seasons ago, she expected him back in her room. She was also involved in looking at the plans for the new homes being built on the estate. Hopefully Robert has learned his lesson. Hopefully the littlest steel magnolia, Isis will be alright.

          Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore are definitely steel magnolias. Mrs. Patmore invested her money in a way that will give her income while she’s working and will provide her with a home when she retires. Her insight got Mr. Carson thinking about his own retirement. He’s finally moving out of the past and moving into the future. By asking Mrs. Hughes to invest with him in a retirement property, perhaps he’s thinking about more than just having a place to live when he retires. Maybe he’s thinking of sharing his future with Mrs. Hughes. Cute!!

          Mary is the epitome of a steel magnolia. Lately, there has been very little magnolia about her. By changing her hairstyle so the men know what they’re missing is more steel than magnolia. In fact, for me, it’s actually very unattractive. Tony didn’t look heartbroken at the horse race. He paid all his attention to Mable. Charles’s plan is working. Hopefully his plans go more smoothly than any of the Crawley’s plans. I’m still hoping he and Mary will become a couple.

          Violet is a titanium magnolia. She’s been through so much in her lifetime she’s as tough as they get, yet she is extremely feminine. She knows her place and will not do anything to shirk her duty as Lady Grantham no matter what her heart may want. Prince Kuragan was brutally honest by saying he would have run away with her anywhere any time. She wouldn’t because she couldn’t not because she didn’t want to but because it would have meant failing to do her duty, utterly unthinkable. Kuragan and Violet may remain friends but she will not carry their relationship further.

          Finally, the magnolia who’s strength has been tested in the most intense fire, Edith.  Edith’s tensile strength would withstand a nuclear explosion. With the news of Michael’s death, Edith has made the decision to go it alone. Mary was particularly cruel to Edith helping Edith make her decision. Edith claimed her child and thereby her own life. It was heartbreaking watching Edith take Marigold from the Drews, but it had to be done. Edith will hopefully take over Michael’s magazine and make it a huge success. She’ll raise her child as she wants to and for the first time in her life, she will only be accountable to herself. She will be the master of her own future. Go get ‘em Edith.

Cheers!!