Downton Abbey: S06E03

Well, Fellowes is scoring some major points this season – so much so you can tell the end is nigh. Marriages, pregnancies, new love interests, old characters ... With the greatest obstacles being fuss over a hospital and squabbling amidst the servants, you can tell a definitive happy ending is on the horizon.

But I'm calling it now: Lord Grantham will be deceased by series end. There's too much emphasis on his indigestion for it to be a coincidence, and it'll be the most potent symbol of the class system breaking down since James Cameron sunk the Titanic.  

I was squarely in Mrs Hughes's corner when it came to getting the wedding she wanted, though I've enjoyed the meddling that's gone on from the Crawley family – particularly Mary's insistence that they have the reception in the Grand Hall.

Her face cracks me up.

It harks back to the interplay that took place throughout Gosford Park (the direct predecessor to Downton Abbey) in which the upperclass was ultimately just as invested by the lives of those below stairs as visa-versa.

It's an understandable conflict of opposing opinion, in which everyone honestly thinks that their way is best, and it worked a lot better than Lady Grantham's hissy fit over Mrs Hughes trying on her coat. I usually find Cora indistinguishable from a slight breeze wafting aimlessly through the household, and it was confusing to see her go from understanding Mrs Hughes's wishes to scolding the poor woman on the eve of her wedding.

Yeah, they tried to sell that she was wound up from the hospital confrontation, but it didn't translate well.

At least the wedding itself went off without a hitch, from Mrs Hughes's excited face as she wakes up:

To her lovely outfit:

To Mrs Patmore's little sigh at the ceremony:

To all the food porn:

She's the bride. She gets what she wants.

All in all, this was very sweetly done. I'll admit that I was never really a Carson/Hughes shipper, as I always prefer watching deep platonic bonds between men and women (simply because of their rarity). The connection between these two was all the more pronounced because there weren't any romantic overtones, and for the first five seasons it was clear they were already closer than many husbands and wives – but hey. If it had to happen, I'm glad it happened like this.

***

Denker, you delightful little troll, keep stirring that shit. After Fellowes snatches an idea from The Hound of the Baskervilles, we learn that Spratt has a nephew on the run from the law that he's stashed in the potting shed.  

Denker keeps his secret, but certainly not out of altruism, and it remains to be seen what she's going to do with this information. I know viewers aren't too keen on her, but she's one of my favourite parts of the show. Sorry not sorry.

As I said last week (and which Mary points out this week) Edith should just fire her awful editor. And so she does! Finally we get to see Edith actually WORKING on her magazine ... and naturally it comes with a new love interest. Grumble, grumble. Is it too much to ask that one female character on this show find fulfilment in a way that doesn't involve a man? An ending in which an unmarried woman attains happiness with a daughter, a career and female friends?

Because I wanted to see more from this secretary:

(She's smiling because Edith has just given Editor Jerk the boot).

Thomas is still struggling, though for a second there I thought he was warming up to the dilapidated old place and it's owner – especially with the interesting reminder about Thomas's conduct during the war (as you'll recall, he deliberately maimed himself).

But it's a no-go. Carson is desperate to get rid of him and Andy is still giving him the cold shoulder – but he's made two attempts to leave Downton and third time's the charm, right?

Finally, it was a lovely episode for Mary. Her excitement for Anna, her warmth with Carson, and the way her face lit up when she saw Branson. Again, I see no reason why Matthew Goode as a new love interest needs to get in the way of all this.

But between Branson's return, the children hugging and Gwen's appearance in the preview, I'll admit I was getting a little teary-eyed.

Miscellaneous Observations:

Laura Carmichael suits these 1920s fashions beautifully:

Wow, I so don't care about this hospital business. I get that Fellowes probably wants to take Violet and Isabel out with one last feud, but I much preferred it when they were – you know, unlikely friends.

When I'm old, I'd like to glide about in violet silks with as much panache as Lady Crawley.

Look at that magnificent sneer.

As I do nearly every episode, I consider how uncomfortable I would have felt in eating while assorted footman stood around in the background.

This shot of the empty estate. Yes Fellowes, it's the end of an era. WE GET IT. 

It's quite a poignant moment when Mosely remarks: "I've missed everything." And it's true: the war, Anna, his education – so more than almost any other character, I hope he finds fulfilment and a degree of happiness by the end of the series. Goodness knows he and the actor deserve it.

Next week – GWEN! Long before her return was confirmed I was hoping for it, and now I'm disappointed that I was spoiled. It was in all the press releases as well as the previews, and I'm frustrated that television just doesn't bother to keep storytelling secrets under wraps.

I get that anticipation is important and speculation is fun, but imagine how delightful it would have been for her entrance to be a complete surprise.