Downton Abbey season 5, episode 5 just finished airing, which saw several characters leave our screens, seemingly for good!
Tipping point
After Lady Mary’s revelation last week that Edith has taken an interest in a local child, Rosamund can’t let it stand and decides to visit Downton in an attempt to talk sense into her. Though it may be too little, too late. Whatever damage Edith has done, it appears to be irreparable, as Mrs. Drewe is standoffish when they both show up to the farm to visit Marigold. Mr. Drewe and Edith’s ‘grand plan’ for her continued involvement in her daughter’s life lies in tatters at their feet, and he warns her to stay away for good or risk Mrs. Drewe moving them all away.
The sergeant investigating Mr. Green’s death sends word to Mr. Carson that he’ll be returning to Downton to continue his questioning. In the line of fire this week are Lady Mary and Anna. It doesn’t seem as though he’s convinced that all of their stories line up.
Back in the village, Branson pays Ms. Bunting a visit. He decides to put a stop to their relationship before it goes any further and one or both of them gets hurt. His ties to his family at Downton is stronger than his connection to her — and we can’t really say we’re sorry to see this relationship fizzle out.
When it rains…
The questioning into Mr. Green’s death seems to be slowly placing the suspicion of his murder squarely on Anna’s shoulders, with no alibi from Lady Mary to be found. A sickly Thomas even claims to have information he might like to give to the officer from London, though Mrs. Hughes warns him not to make trouble. We have to wonder when Barrow ever stays out of trouble?
Lady Rose is still visiting the Russian refugees in York, and finds herself caught in a downpour as she’s leaving a cake shop. A charming man with an umbrella comes to her rescue, and introduces himself as Atticus Aldridge. The attraction is immediate. It doesn’t dwindle any when it comes to light that his family was driven out of Russia in 1859 and 1871 because they were Jewish. Lady Rose hardly knows why that matters. Could this be the great love she’s been holding out for?
Also returning to the house this week is Simon Bricker, though Robert will be away during this visit. He doesn’t seem to trust Cora around Mr. Bricker, and we just want someone to remind him of his own indiscretions with a maid back in season 2. People in glass houses, Lord Grantham.
Investing
Despite putting an end to their relationship earlier in the episode, some encouragement from Daisy spurs Branson into giving Ms. Bunting the goodbye she deserves. He sees her off in her car for the station, which will be taking her to her new life at a Preston grammar school, and the two share a bittersweet kiss. They do clearly care for each other, but not enough for Branson to leave his life in Downton for her.
Elsewhere, Charles Blake invites Mary to dinner, where she finds another guest at the table: Lord Gillingham’s former betrothed, Mabel. He suggests that she return to Gillingham’s side, as she is still in love with him, but she resents the suggestion and leaves the table without touching her food. When Mary remarks on Blake’s ‘success,’ he grins and informs her that this was just a scene they needed to play out. He’s far more clever than anyone gives him credit for.
Mrs. Patmore, who came into some money earlier in the episode due to a death in the family, decides to invest in a house — which she’ll be renting out. This is somewhat based on advice given to her by Mr. Carson, though Mrs. Hughes can’t understand why she needed a man to tell her how to invest her money. We couldn’t have agreed more!
Adieu
In a last ditch attempt to convince Edith to leave Marigold be, the Dowager Countess and Rosamund suggest that she be sent away to a boarding school in France. She’d still be able to visit, but there’d be far less tension and suspicion. Edith, unsurprisingly, doesn’t take the advice well. We almost feel as though she should just deal with the scandal at this point, as it’d be far easier emotionally. On everyone.
Molesley and Baxter reconciled, after the latter admitted the circumstances surrounding her stealing from her former employer. It was a sweet moment between the two, and Molesley told her that he saw her as a victim just as much as the Lady was. Will we see their potential romance pick back up again? Here’s hoping!
Unable to contain himself, Mr. Bricker steals away into Cora’s bedroom. She asks him to leave, but he will not listen. Robert returns from his dinner early, and catches them together. He implores Bricker to leave, who can’t go without giving a parting shot about Robert’s treatment of his wife — which, admittedly, we agree with. Lord Grantham retaliates by hitting Mr. Bricker, and everything descends into chaos. Edith almost catches the fight, but Cora’s quick thinking saves them all from scandal.
Mr. Bricker leaves Downton the next morning, with Cora watching down from the window, perhaps for good. Though not without causing some damage to Robert and Cora’s relationship, as Robert can’t seem to bring himself to hold a conversation with his wife for the remainder of the episode.
Downstairs, Edith goes to make a phone call. To London. It seems as though she isn’t done with her ridiculous schemes just yet…