Before anyone says anything about it in the comments, I’m going to admit it up front. This post is ALL about Mary and Edith. Because, really (IMHO), everything else in this episode was just background music.
Our second-to-last (boo!) set of life lessons:
1. Spill your secrets before your vindictive sister does it for you.
Surprise! Edith’s boyfriend’s employer conveniently dies, making him the new Marquis of Hexham, which, if Edith marries him, means she will outrank her entire family. Their way of life might die, but Edith will beat them at it before the game is over!
One look at Mary’s face should have told Edith to grab Bertie, find the nearest deserted corridor, and TELL HIM about Marigold before her jealous, hurting sister got the chance. But no, of course she didn’t. Because we needed some drama for this episode, and something (other than the birth of Baby Bates) to look forward to in the last one.
2. You can hide from the world, but not from your family.
I know there are people out there who have been shipping Mary and Tom for years. I never saw it, personally. (I mean, I know Sybil’s dead, but still, would you sleep with your sister’s husband? Eeeewww!)
It was only in this moment, when Tom gets in her face and calls her out, that I got it. Because while I was not rooting for them to fall in each other’s arms (and then onto the nearest bed), I loved that someone finally put her in her place.
3. Even a doormat can only be pushed so far.
I gasped. (In case you haven’t been keeping score, this is the first time in six seasons a Crawley swore!) I cheered. (Go, Edith!)
This moment was so emotionally satisfying. It made the whole stupid secret-keeping story line worth it all, because Empowered Edith is a character I want to watch. I can’t wait to see what she does in the last episode.
4. No matter how much you loved someone, when it’s over, you have to move on.
All right, I’m going to say it. Matthew’s proposal to Mary in season 2? Perfect. Romantic. Swoon-worthy. Her declaration of love to Henry? His proposal? Their kissing? Their wedding? Meh.
Feel free to disagree, but I thought her good-bye to Matthew in the graveyard was more emotionally touching than any moment she shared with Henry–and Matthew wasn’t even on screen (thank you, Mr. Fellows, for not going for a cheesy dream sequence!)
5. Be the bigger person.
I got choked up–again!–when Edith told Mary that despite her anger and her disdain for who Mary is as a person, they’re sisters. And I am praying that in the last episode, things end better for Edith than watching her daughter run (morbidly!) around her dead sister’s grave.
So what did you think? Do you like Mary and Henry? Edith’s (long overdue) outburst? What do you hope happens (other than a healthy Baby Bates) in the last episode?
