As Downton Abbey has plodded along rather nicely in Season Five, it has seemingly kept a bit of gas in reserve with each of the previous seven episodes. And although subconsciously we may have believed it was going to explode in the Christmas Special (and so it still might), it clearly pulled out some of that stored energy and was firing on all cylinders in this week’s episode – one so finely-tuned with hardly an inch of dramatic slack it could well be the grand-daddy production of the season so far.
Everyone is off to London for Rose’s wedding. A jolly old affair surely. Well, yes, but not until we stumble over the potential conflict regarding family union, religion, and sabotage – and of course a mix of all three. It seems Lord and Lady Flintshire (Shrimpy and Susan) have different ideas of expressing love for their daughter Rose. Both Susan and Atticus’ father Lord Sinderby are heavily frowning upon (quite literally, look) the marriage because of the Jewish heritage. Tut-tut. In fact, Susan goes as far as to jeopardize the matrimony by attempting to frame the innocent Atticus with photos of him with some hussy – who he flatly turned down by the way. Can’t they all just be happy that their children are marrying for requited love?
Speaking of propositions of love, Prince Kuragin invites Violet to join him in companionship – declaring that he does not seek scandal, only love. Wow. Edith has certainly perked up, but wonders will never cease as to why her sister Mary has to continue to be so hostile. On that note, Gillingham is marrying Mabel Lane Fox. Not so smug now, are we Mary? Both sisters later own up that they will miss Tom, should he actually leave, following his own proposition to join his friend in Massachusetts for work.
Blossoming Daisy, who is now a fluent and eloquent speaker of metaphors, hands her notice in a quest to live in London and, well, get a life. Perspective – coupled with Mrs. Patmore’s tears – bring her back to Earth, and she decides to stay after all. For now. Denker gets drunk, dragging a young servant with her to a gambling joint, and he loses all his money while she drinks for free. Thomas then executes a perfect plan to go back the next night, win back the money, and call Denker out. He has never been slicker – the name’s Barrow, Thomas Barrow.
At the serious end of the storyline, the police are pushing even further, though they now say Mr. Bates could be in the clear because the person seen arguing with Mr. Green was shorter than him. Like Anna shorter? Indeed, that does shift eyes in her direction. And following her participation in a rather unexpected identity line-up, Anna is later arrested for Green’s murder. Surely not.
In the attempt to reach a closure to the business end of the drama, our very own Earl of Grantham is wearing his heart much more prominently on his sleeve these days. When Robert tells Cora he intends to sell the painting, she apologetically assumes it was because of the whole Bricker “affair.” Instead, he says he just wants rid of the reminder that he did not trust her. Aw. Like an adult with a children’s jigsaw puzzle, Robert also eventually puts the pieces together that Marigold is his granddaughter. His recent compassion is not an idle change of character, but rather a demonstration that issues of politics, class, war, are truly very different from pure matters of the heart.
This finale has not only managed to kind of half-tie everything up efficiently, but the show’s execution was unblemished throughout. Nearly every bit of dialogue written is rich and direct. Some of the lines are so snappy and biting that they are often delivered in their own triumphant fashion. As the many of the ensemble head back on foot from the unveiling of the war memorial (where Mrs. Patmore’s nephew emotionally gets his own plaque), it almost acts as a kind of Downton Abbey lap of honor in respect of these accomplished actors playing characters in which we are well and truly invested.
