Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 3

Mary and Anthony Gillingham

Episode 3 found the end of the house party, and Mary (Michelle Dockery), Tom (Allan Leech), Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Rose (Lily James) going to London.   Mary and Tom were going to see the tax people, while Rose just wanted some fun, and Edith to see her boyfriend Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards).  They stayed at Rosamund's (Samantha Bond) house, who managed to hold a dinner party featuring Anthony Gillingham (Tom Cullen), and then an evening of dancing at a local dancing club.

The club was where a lot of drama happened.  Rose's beau left her alone on the dance floor, to be rescued by the black American band leader (a big deal in those days).  The group was scandalized, and left right after.   Gillingham travelled to Downton on the same train as the rest, and proposed marriage to Mary.  She turned him down, but admitted that decision might come back to bite her.

Edith meanwhile spent the night with Michael Gregson at his house. He had her sign something to make it semi-official while he was in Germany.  She was caught sneaking back into Rosamund's house by a maid.  Rosamund lectured her on putting her reputation at risk, and agreed not to tell Cora.

A fairly quiet episode from Lady Violet.  Isobel (Penelope Wilton) was asked by the doctor to help out at the urgent care clinic, and she did.  She even agreed to look in on one patient and her son.  I like how they're using work to pull her out of her sadness over Matthew's death.

Below stairs meanwhile everyone came to Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) with their problems.  She was urging Anna (Joanne Frogatt) to go to the police about the rape, and to tell Bates about it.  Mrs. Hughes helped Tom get rid of Braithwaite helping him to prove she was trying to blackmail him into marriage.  Mrs. Hughes served as confidant  to Carson as they talked about Alice, with Mrs. Hughes getting him to put her picture on his desk in an attempt to make him seem more human.


Downton Abbey Musings

"The business of life is the acquisition of memories.  In the end that's all that matters."  Quote of the week from Carson, the Butler.

"I'm sure Matthew was a good chap..." There's a romantic way to start a marriage proposal.  It's no wonder Mary turned down Anthony Gillingham.  Use some tact next time (if there is one)

-Love the way Mrs. Hughes tries to bring the 21st century sensibilities to the rape story line urging Anna to go to the police

-Edith pregnant? One night is all it takes as Braithwaite kept telling Branson.

-The Edith/Gregson story is going to continue into next season.  I think he'll be forced to become a Nazi in W.W. II

-I love Thomas' new seen and not heard attitude.  It gives him more opportunity to be a trouble maker.