Downton Abbey Season 2: Episode Four

Matthew returns from the front

Well, we knew the war would come to Downton eventually. After being sent "over the top" Matthew and William don't make it out unscathed. They both do make it back to Downton eventually, although it takes some doing by Violet to get William back from the hospital in Leeds.

Daisy does the right thing!

Some of the finest acting in this episode was from the actress playing Daisy. She is understandably reluctant to let William know her true feelings, yet she does the right thing and brings everyone to tears at the end.

Bates and Anna in church

They are really leaving us hanging about Anna and Bates. Are we waiting for the divorce to be finalized? Well that leaves the door open for Vera to stick her evil snoot in again doesn't it? Hmmmmm. Very silly of Bates to pay her off before he was actually divorced and remarried. Lovely scene with them praying for Matthew and William.

"Is this an instrument of communication or torture?"

The best lines (and the comic relief) came from the Dowager Countess again. Bless Maggie Smith for her talent. She seems to relish every line she is given! Best lines from this episode:

• "I am no Jacobin revolutionary. Nor do I seek to overthrow the civilized world. We just need one bed for a young man from this village."
• "It always happens when you give these little people power. It goes to their heads like strong drink."
• "Is this an instrument of communication or torture?"
• "Sometimes we must let the blow fall by degrees."
• "I hope it's not vulgar in me to suggest that you find some way to overcome your scruples."
• "I have a cold." Sniff!

Nurse Mary and Matthew- tender moment

Interesting to see the drama playing out between Matthew, Lavinia and Mary when his "medical condition" is revealed. A lot of code words bandied about! And poor Mary had to go and admit her sins to slimy Sir Richard Carlisle (the predecessor of Rupert Murdoch, and just as icky). Her future takes another swerve!

Mrs. Hughs takes food swiped from Downton to Ethel and her baby

Other quotes from this episode:

• "I'd rather have the right man than the right wedding." Love Anna and Bates!
• "I feel I've led him up the garden path with all that nonsense. I'm ashamed, I'm so ashamed." Poor Daisy.
• "I'm not standing by while she brings misery and ruin on my lady," O'Brien huffs. "You started it all," Thomas responds.
• Thomas wants to shake William's hand before he dies. "Is that sentiment or superstition in case he haunts you?" says O'Brien
• "Have you got a handkerchief? I never seem to have one in moments of crisis." Poor Lavinia!
• Vera Bates calls Anna a "floozy". Harrumph!
•  "My husband works for them. We're not on good terms." Vera, really! Not on good terms?
• "I don't think asking permission is his strongest suit." Oh dear Mary, Sir Richard really is a slimy one.
• "It seems such a long time since I turned you down and now look at me - an impotent cripple stinking of sick. What a reversal. You have to admit it's quite funny." Not really, Matthew.
• " I'll die if I can't be with him."

Daisy at the wedding

 Bless you Daisy. I think she really did love William after all.

Downton Abbey Season 2: Episode two

The Great War arrives at Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey has been converted into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Isobel is thrilled to be bossing people around and it is fun to see her lock horns with not only Violet, the Dowager Countess but with Cora, the lady of the house herself. Poor Robert is trying to keep the peace as is Dr. Clarkson, now a military doctor in charge of both the hospital and the new convalescent home at Downton.

Footman Thomas has now been promoted to Acting Sgt. Barrow

Horrid Thomas is back after "getting wounded" in the trenches while working as a medic. Trust Thomas to figure out a scheme to get home and trust O'Brien to be his devious assistant. Harrumph!

Captain Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary

Matthew has come back from the war in France and has been asked to do a tour of England with a General in order to improve morale on the home front. He welcomes this as a break from the horrors of the trenches as well as a chance to visit with his fiancee Lavinia and his family at Downton. I'm so glad Lavinia's secret is out now. She and Mary are both true ladies.

The housemaids of Downton- Anna and cheeky new maid Ethel

We saw a lot of our beloved Anna in this episode and Ethel is determined to get herself out of service even if it means using her feminine wiles! Be careful Ethel...

So many good story lines and hilarious lines in this episode. We find out about the secret between Lavinia and Sir Richard Carlisle. How will this affect Mary's relationship with both Sir Richard and with Matthew? We see Lady Edith finally come in to her own and show a bit of self respect instead of just flinging herself at every eligible (and NOT eligible) man in England. We see some tender moments between Anna and her Bates. Longing looks and hand squeezing abound. We find out that Lady Rosamund has a fair bit of her mother Violet in her (or worse!). And what does Mrs. Patmore think she's doing? Poor Daisy is going to be married against her wishes if someone doesn't stop this nonsense! And between Lang and Molesley, the valets and butlers have our heads spinning. Poor Branson the Irish chauffeur after being rebuffed by a shocked Lady Sybil, has his attempt to make a political statement (in slop) stopped. Whew! All that in one hour. I can't wait until next week!

By the way, did anyone else notice that screenwriter Julian Fellowes is trying to get a few history lessons into the script? The Tsar of Russia being imprisoned with his family in the Alexander palace (and an allusion to the subsequent murders). Home Rule and rebellion in Ireland? Even an allusion to Robespierre's beheading of Marie Antoinette by the Dowager Duchess. He is trying to use the influence of Downton Abbey for good as well as for sheer entertainment. Not a bad thing I believe.

P.S. Congrats to Downton Abbey for winning the Golden Globe for best miniseries or television movie! Yay! (did you see Elizabeth McGovern trip up the stairs? Very graceful recovery!)

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Violet: There is no need for you to sound so gleeful Rosamund. You sound like Robespierre lopping off the head of Marie Antoinette.

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Mary: You sound as if you're going to gobble  (Lavinia) up.

Violet: If only we could! (giggling)

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See you next week for episode 3!