I enjoyed these life lessons this week in Downton Abbey Season Five Episode 2:
1. Falling in Love Isn’t Only for the Young
Whether it’s Isobel and Lord Merton (I think this romance is rather cute, don’t you?), an art historian who is more interested in Countess Cora than the painting, the shy-yet-ridiculous footman who can’t decide if Baxter’s secrets are a turn-on or a turn-off, or the strange we-won’t-ever-even-though-we-should dance Carson and Mrs. Hughes continually perform, on this show, you don’t have to be under forty and a size two to get a romantic storyline. And I’ve got to say, I love it.
2. It’s Never Too Late to Go Back to School
After the premier, it was obvious that Sarah Bunting would become Daisy’s tutor. What I didn’t see coming was Mrs. Patmore having such a soft center and footing the bill!
And it’s just a little obvious that this was a clever way for the writers to advance both Daisy’s story and the will-they-won’t-they story between Tom and Sarah. For the record, I am hoping they won’t. Thoughts?
3. If the Royals Endorse it, We Must All Get on Board
Lord Grantham would consider letting Rose have her way and listen to a wireless set, but there was no way he was going to join her. Until the king got on the airways, that is.
4. You Can Be Responsible About Getting it On, Even in the 1920’s
The Marie Stopes book appears yet again as the ever-practical Mary plans her trial-run with Anthony Foyle. And she sends poor, blushing, disapproving Anna to purchase her diaphragm, since she doesn’t trust a man to take care of that side of things!
Charles Blake reappears to shed doubt on whether or not the mist has indeed cleared around Tony. Is Mary too clever for him? Has she fallen for him…or does she just want to jump him?
I was hoping this Mary-Tony relationship would be the lasting one, but then there was that moment in the hotel. “We’ll make love until dawn, as long as our stamina lasts.” The line should have been romantic, but did it fall a little flat (or just creepy???) for anyone else? Two seasons ago, I felt gypped by the not-even-a-fade-to-black between Matthew and Mary. I was grateful the curtain fell over this particular rendezvous.
5. Evil English Villians Always Manage to Rise from the Dead
In true Lord Voldermort style, Mr. Greene just won’t stay dead and buried. Is anyone else curious about this witness? Because I think that after this much time, it’s just a little suspect. And I do NOT want to see Bates back in jail.
(DO YOU HEAR THAT MR. FELLOWS? YOU ALREADY KILLED OFF MATTHEW. YOU CANNOT BREAK UP ANNA AND BATES.)
So what did you think of the second episode?
All images are screencaps from the episode and property of ITV/PBS.
