Episode 5 opens as Aunt Rosamund arrives to solve Lady Edith’s predicament with “the farmer’s child.”
As it happens, she only makes things worse. But we’re left with a glimmer of hope that Lady Edith may finally take matters into her own hands. We’re behind you, Lady Edith.
Mrs. Patmore has inherited a bit of money and seeks Mr. Carson’s advice on investing it. He’s caught off guard by the question and looks to that most inept of investors, Lord Grantham, for suggestions. Fortunately, Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes have their own ideas on the subject and come up with a solid plan. Who would have pegged Mrs. P for a savvy investor?
The Dowager Countess enlists Dr. Clarkson’s help in her scheme to convince Isobel that Lord Merton isn’t a suitable match. Dr. Clarkson observes that the DC might not want Isobel to assume the social position accorded to Lord Merton’s wife, and she volleys back that the proposed marriage would provide Isobel “a hollow existence in a large and drafty house with a man who bores her to death.” Here, here.
Miss Bunting finally makes her exit after Tom breaks it off with her. She loves the old Tom – not the man he’s become. In a gloriously lush scene with drinks in front of the fire, Lord Grantham acknowledges Tom’s broadened perspective and advises him, “Don’t make nothing of what you’ve achieved.” Tom for Parliament, anyone?
Mr. Barrow looks like death warmed over and people begin to comment on it, while Mr. Spratt and the Dowager Countess are both unsettled by the impending departure of her lady’s maid. The woman is leaving to care for her infirm mother and the Dowager complains to Isobel that she, herself, is infirm. Isobel retorts, “You’re as infirm as Windsor Castle.”
Lady Mary nips up to London to dine with Charles Blake, who’s also invited Elaine Fox to dinner so he can convince her to take Lord Gillingham back now that Lady Mary is done with him. One can predict how well that idea was received. Meanwhile, Lady Rose meets a charming young man in the rain, with the slightly shocking twist that he is Jewish.
The noose is tightening around Anna as Scotland Yard probes the fact that she was in London on the morning of Mr. Green’s fateful stroll. We’re treated to a touching scene with Mr. Bates where he assures her, “I promise you this: nothing bad is ever going to happen to you again… We’ll sit by the fire, with all our children around us and I’ll make certain that you are safe.” We certainly hope so.
The best moment of the season so far comes when Lord Grantham returns unexpectedly from Sheffield and surprises Simon Bricker in Cora’s bedroom. It’s all very polite – Bricker assuring Lord Grantham that he’s not there at Lady Grantham’s invitation, to which Lord Grantham responds, “then will you please leave at mine?” – until Lord Grantham backhands Bricker into next week.
The ensuing fisticuffs are interrupted by a concerned Lady Edith’s knock on the door. Propriety is restored lest anyone find out what’s really going on behind that closed door. Brilliant!
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 19 October 2014 on ITV.
> Order Season 5 on DVD on Amazon.
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