If you missed tonight’s episode, following are my haphazard notes to catch you up:
Show starts up again with Anna and her troubles; a meal in the servants’ quarters; and the departure of the guests from Downton — finally, the horrible rapist valet is gone. One last issue over the gambling debts: the cheater wants his debts forgiven, too. He’s lucky Lady Edith intercedes on his behalf, but he gets a stern warning to never do it again, bad boy, or I’ll get you banned from every club in jolly old England, I will! And…Guests away!
Doctor crosses paths with Mother Crawley.
Discussion of family over property sale for tax debt.
Branson has had a liaison with one of the servants, Miss Braithwaite. She wants to know if he’ll marry her should she be pregnant. We’ll hear more about this later on.
Dowager Countess and Mother Crawley strolling in garden.
Dinner. Tom Branson sulking, distant and distracted.
Servants romancing downstairs, surprised: “I shall report you to Mrs. Patmore.”
Anna and hubby Mr. Bates: she doesn’t want him to touch her.
Mr. Carson and Mrs. Patmore discuss his old flame who chose Charley instead of Carson. She’s dead now, but Charley said she wished she had chosen Mr. Carson.
Anna and Mrs. Patmore: Anna confesses she “feels dirty” and that’s why she doesn’t want Mr. Bates to touch her, because she doesn’t feel worthy of him any more. She wants to move back up stairs in the big house.
Doctor shows up at Mrs. Crawley’s with a mother and daughter.
In the kitchen, discussion of free training at The Ritz.
Servants caught smooching!
Surprise! Lord Gillingham and others have shown up for a party! Mary can’t say no. Nor can Tom Branson. They’re all going to a night club.
Doctor and Mrs. Crawley.
Oooo! Daisy in discussion with evil Mr. Barrow.
Black singer at swanky club. “You’ve made me play truant, and I like it!” says Lady Mary, dancing with Tony Gillingham, who is “almost engaged,” and anyway she’s not ready to remarry. “A Night Club!” It’s a new phrase for a new thing — someone just invented night clubs, I suppose.
Servants quarters. Training discussed. Daisy heartbroken.
Back to the Night Club! Oooo! and the black singer dances with Rose! but Branson interrupts, “Rose! I’ve been sent to fetch you.” “Black band leader” Mr. Ross — he sure seems gay to me! But maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
Branson and Lady Mary: he has a secret he can’t tell anyone.
Mr. Barrow and Miss Braithwaite have a suggestive conversation over her happy humming (due to her memories of happy humping with Branson, of course).
Mr. Bates wants Anna to kiss him. He needs to know what’s wrong! Oops! Interrupted by Mr. Carson! Lord Gillingham has come back.
Branson and Mrs. Patmore discussion.
Lord Tony Gillingham and Lady Mary have a discussion in the library. “I’ve made a long journey to ask a short question. Will you marry me?” he asks. Professes his love. He never met Matthew, sure he was a splendid chap, but “he’s dead and we’re alive.” Oh, my, isn’t his love talk overwrought!
Conversation between Branson, Mrs. Patmore, and Miss Braithwaite. Oooo! A fake pregnancy! Warns Mrs. Patmore to Miss Braithwaite, “If you persist in your lie, I’ll summon the doctor and have him examine you.” Oooo! She got Branson drunk and then climbed into his bed! Mrs. Patmore bluffed her! She really didn’t know Braithwaite was fake-pregnant, just guessed it.
Evil Mr. Barrow says to fleeing Miss Braithwaite, “You’re a manipulative witch, and if your schemes have come to nothing, then I’m delighted.” Well, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.
Lord Robert clueless as usual. Mother Crawley accepts Lord Gillingham graciously, and the Dowager Duchess stoops to compliment her, surprising even herself!
Lady Edith and her man friend in an intimate private discussion: he has her sign a document giving her some say over his affairs. Followed by a romantic smooching session, quite slurpy!
Anna, to Mrs. Patmore, with Mr. Carson standing there, how she wants to move back into the big house. Anna leaves. Carson and Patmore discuss Braithwaite. Then a present to him of his lady love’s picture in a frame.
Lord Robert asks Bates why Braithwaite left. Then they discuss Anna wanting to move back into the big house. “You must wait until things become clear, and they will…my goodness, that was strong talk for an Englishman.”
Tony G and Lady Mary strolling the big lawn. “It’s no good, Tony! I can’t! I’m not free of him!” says she, the dithering fool. But he wants 1 favor: “Will you kiss me? I’ll never love again as I love you in this moment. And I must have something to remember.” Blah blah breakup goodbye.
Tony G will be getting engaged to Mabel Lane Fox.
Lady Edith is talked to sternly by her auntie for staying out all night (I thought the auntie was a floozy! Apparently more of a prude than I realized). “You may find yourself feeling very sorry later!” Auntie warns.
Lady Mary to Branson: she may regret something she’s just done, for a long time to come. And they motor away.
Persiflage 