Downton Abbey Discussion

Notice: This week we are discussing Downton Abbey Season Four, Episode 7. It aired on my local PBS station Sunday, February 9 at 9 pm. The prior week's episode airs just ahead of the new program so one can catch up that way. I am sometimes tempted, but usually resist as I have already watched these programs three times each. So, without further ado, if you're not supposed to be here, scoot! We will not hold it against you. 
~♥~♥~

I called this my oh no episode because I kept saying "oh no" throughout. Well see what I mean...

Bates learns that Robert will be going to America to help Cora's brother Harold and Bates will, of course, be expected to go along as Robert's valet. He doesn't think that Anna will be able to handle it...obviously, she won't, if those tears in the hall are any indication.

Mrs. Hughes takes it up with Mary who is quite snooty about it all expecting details. This fries me quite frankly. Do these people never learn to trust those most loyal to them? Bates learns that Mary knows that Anna was attacked and she knows that he knows; what neither of them yet know is that Mr. Green is responsible. On top of it all, Lord Gillingham returns toward the end of the episode with his valet this time. Oh no. 

I do enjoy contrasts. In the first, Mary is demanding to know why Bates shouldn't travel with her father and in the second she rescues pigs with Blake. She can be quite plucky that gal, if she needs to be.

A big oh no with this storyline as I didn't want anything to happen to Violet. Lots of delicious chatter between Isobel and Violet as Violet was in and out of delirium during her bout with bronchitis and saying whatever was on her mind. ("Take this nurse away and give me a new one. This one talks too much. She's like a drunken vicar.") Not that she's ever needed to be delirious before as an excuse. 

Isobel was, as always, a heart to serve. (That and she has come to love this in-law family of hers — "They took me in. They're my family.")

 It was wonderful to see Violet's softening as she realized how much Isobel had sacrificed to take care of her. Lovely.

I really wish that Jack would marry Rose and take her to the United States or wherever he'd like to take her. Just move her along. 

In this episode, we meet the woman who may become Tom's love interest. Umphhh...she's no Lady Sybil.

Mrs. Hughes was, once again, magnificent as she confronted Mr. Green telling him that she knew exactly who and what he was and that he had better "stop playing the joker and keep to the shadows." He tells her that he and Anna were drunk and both to blame. Mrs. Hughes did not buy it for a moment, "You and only you are to blame." Mr. Green learned from her that Bates did not know that he was the attacker and had the audacity to thank Mrs. Hughes for the information. She was completely indignant "Don't thank me!" I thought that she was both brave and foolish for who knows what he might have done? He could have hit her over the head and run off. 
And then in that wonderful final scene, Green tells on himself and we see the light dawn and the dark descend on Bates' face in seconds. It was so good. So well played.
The episode was relentless from start to finish. I'll be brief this week of necessity (real life beckons). I know that I can count on you to keep the chatter going. I've only scratched the surface and there is so much more to say...Robert's goodbyes to his women and his amusing admonishment to Tom. Edith's story is extraordinary and she had so many good lines: I would have loved his baby; I can't see over the top of this; I don't want to be an outcast. Then there's the whole Alfred, Daisy, Ivy thing (providing some comic relief if it weren't so poignant) plus the Moseley and Baxter thing and this thing and that thing. Well, you just fill us in on your favorite or your least favorite or whatever you'd like to say about this week's program or any prior program. Shhhh about any future ones, though. 
Catch you later... I need to learn how you're all faring in this latest mess of winter weather.