Episode 3 Season 4 – Downton Abbey Episode Summary 4.3

Episode Summary: Lady Cora throws a glamorous house party at Downton Abbey that culminates with a performance from the world famous opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba.  Nobility and aristocrats attend the house party including Lady Mary’s childhood friend, Lord Gillingham whose valet, Mr. Green, flirts with Anna Bates annoying Mr. Bates.  The last night of the house party, however, leads to a serious crime at Downton Abbey.

Downton Abbey Episode 3 Season 4 Recap: Anthony Foyle, now Lord Gillingham following the death of his father, arrives at Downton Abbey along with other guests of Lady Cora’s house party.  Lady Mary remembers Lord Gillingham as a superior young man who found three little girls extremely tiresome.  It has been years since they saw each other last and she learns that Lord Gillingham no longer resides in his ancestral house after it served as a hospital during the war.  It now serves as a girls’ school.  He now resides at the Dower House, a residence Lady Mary visited once as a child.  She fondly remembers having tea with Lord Gillingham’s grandmother who spoiled her with ice cream that she got all over her dress.  Their re-acquaintance revealed that Lord Gillingham has not yet married nor sired children, but he is in the process of starting a family.Continue reading...

Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes learn that ten guests will be at Downton Abbey, but not all of them brought servants to attend to their needs as many have done so after the war.  They find that even nobility endured financial losses due to the war, one of which is Lady Raven, whom they learn is living a meager lifestyle.  So different it was years ago especially for Tom Branson, who is now part of the family and a guest at the party.  Miss Braithwaite sees him in a white tie and asks why they have not spoken since her return.  She expresses her desire to remain friends with him.  Tom agrees to maintain their acquaintance, but nothing more.  He makes his way to the party and speaks with the Duchess of Yeovil who appears to have become fond of him.  His little knowledge of the interests of nobility, however, makes him an insipid companion that the Duchess decides to converse with someone else.  Tom might have a person to converse with if Mrs. Crawley was there, but the woman decided to attend only the last night of the party in order to hear the opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba.  She finds attending the party inappropriate given her son’s recent passing.  It is, in fact, the first party the Crawleys has thrown after Matthew’s death and Mrs. Patmore is feeling out of practice and overwhelmed despite her staff’s competence.  Mrs. Hughes finds Mrs. Patmore up late at night preparing for the next day’s feast.  Meanwhile, Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson discuss where their esteemed guest shall dine given that she is not nobility.  Mr. Carson believes that entertainers cannot dine with nobility, which is why he instructs Mrs. Hughes to have Dame Nellie Melba dine in her room instead.  It is a decision Lord Grantham approved along with allowing all servants including the kitchen staff to hear Dame Nellie Melba sing.

Lady Mary goes riding with Lord Gillingham after failing to convince others to join them.  She learns that he is seeing the greatest heiress of the season, Mabel Lane Fox.  Although Lord Gillingham does not have issues with the match, he has reservations at the fact that it is a match both sides of the family approve.  Lady Mary advises that a match everyone approves of can turn out to be extremely happy as per her experience.  She confesses that she was wonderfully happy with Matthew despite everyone forcing them to fall for each other the moment he arrived at Downton Abbey.  Lord Gillingham finds her lucky to have known a great love.  Lady Mary did love Matthew.  However, she has come to realize that he had made her softer.  She wonders if she might be happier if she had been as tough as she was before.  Riding through the estate, Lord Gillingham comes to appreciate the Crawleys managing to keep it all in one piece.  Lady Mary, however, intimates that they are in danger of losing some of their land due to her father’s desire to sell land to pay for the tax bill.  With Lady Mary’s permission, Lord Gillingham recommends having Lord Grantham meet with the tax people to hear the best deal they can offer.  He is speaking out of experience for he had the same dilemma when his father died.  In the end, they were able to keep the land in exchange for their house.  Lady Mary finds it refreshing to have someone by her side.  She speaks to her father about it, but Lord Grantham remains intransigent and maintains his plan to sell land as a capital gain free of tax.  Lady Mary argues that doing so risks having an estate that cannot support the house.

Lord Gillingham’s valet, Mr. Green, flirts with Anna Bates.  Unfortunately, Anna is naïve of the man’s flirtation, but not Mr. Bates, who treats him with rudeness.  Anna speaks to her husband about it and Mr. Bates confesses that he has behaved rudely for the simple fact of disliking the valet for no clear reason.  Meanwhile, the kitchen maids are having trouble opening a jar.  Alfred and Jimmy try to prove their manhood by opening the jar.  Jimmy, with some effort, manages to open the jar.  He shows off his achievement by throwing the jar up in the air to catch it, but ends up on the floor with a broken jar.  Later he learns that he has sprained his wrist from his display of bravado preventing him from serving at dinner.

It appears that Mr. Sampson thrashed all his opponents at a game of poker and everyone is abuzz of his achievement.  He sets up another game that evening and Lord Grantham decides to join them.  Michael Gregson joins the game as well seizing an opportunity to spend time with Lord Grantham having proven that the man has been avoiding him.  Lord Grantham fails to listen to Lord Gillingham’s warning about Mr. Sampson’s card skills that he loses a large amount to him, one he asks the men to keep secret from Lady Cora.  Meanwhile, Lady Rose brings out the gramophone and invites people to dance.  Tom regrettably ends up dancing with the Duchess of Yeovil and Lady Mary ends up with Lord Gillingham.  Lady Mary, however, recognized the gramophone as the gift Matthew received as a present for his engagement with Lavinia, the same one they danced to that rekindled their passion for each other.  She excuses herself and runs up to her room.  She intimates to Anna of wondering for whom she truly mourns, Matthew or the person she was when they were together.  Anna assures her that she is a fine and strong person despite her self-doubt.  Later, Tom leaves the party for bed.  Miss Braithwaite sees him and asks about his evening.  Tom conveys feeling like a fool and out of place.  This seems to delight Miss Braithwaite.

The following day, Lady Violet sees Mrs. Crawley in town and urges her to attend the party that night.  Mrs. Crawley remains undecided about hearing Melba and confesses of avoiding happiness in her fear that it makes her forget about her deceased son.  Lady Violet quotes the poet Christina Rossetti in an attempt to help Mrs. Crawley realize that she can allow herself to be happy.  Meanwhile, Mr. Carson learns that Mr. Molesley has been delivering groceries for Bakewell’s.  In need of a footman, he offers Mr. Molesley a temporary job as a footman believing that the man will be grateful of the opportunity.  Mr. Molesley, however, could not hide his disappointment at the job offer; he accepts it nonetheless.  While others are busy attending to the guests at dinner, Mr. Green organizes a game of Racing Demon for the rest of the servants causing laughter and fun at the servant’s hall.

Mrs. Crawley’s presence at the last night of the house party shows that Lady Violet was successful at her persuasion.  Meanwhile, Lady Cora has noticed Dame Nellie Melba’s absence at the drawing room.  She learns from Mr. Carson that Lord Grantham has agreed for the world-renowned opera singer to have dinner served in her room believing it inappropriate that she mingle with the aristocrats.  Lady Cora seats Lord Grantham beside the opera singer at dinner as punishment.  Lord Grantham learns that Dame Nellie Melba is quite a wine connoisseur and finds a talking point for conversation.  Tom seats beside Mrs. Crawley and observes a look of disapproval at seeing Lady Mary enjoying a conversation with Lord Gillingham.  Tom points out that it is the first time she has laughed since Matthew died.  Although Mrs. Crawley wishes Lady Mary happiness, she finds that she could not allow herself to be merry given her loss.  Downstairs, Mrs. Patmore frenetically instructs her staff with the presentation of the meals and causes more trouble than help when she suffers from what appears to be a heart attack.  Fortunately, Alfred steps in and makes the sauces for the dinner that the guests thoroughly enjoyed.  Oblivious to the commotion are the servants enjoying the game Racing Demon including Anna.  Mr. Bates puts an end to their enjoyment with reproach for their insensitivity at not knowing that Mrs. Patmore has taken ill.  Anna, however, rebukes her husband in private for his cantankerous attitude and thanks Mr. Green for providing entertainment for the servants.  As it turns out, Mrs. Patmore merely had a panic attack due to the stress of the house party.

The conversation with Mrs. Crawley and the feelings that surfaced during the house party brought Tom to speak to Lord Grantham of having come to a realization that he does not belong in Downton Abbey.  Lord Grantham disregards Tom’s revelation and leaves to hear Dame Nellie Melba sing.  Masters and servants alike watch the world-renowned opera singer, Nellie Melba.  A few of the male guests led by Mr. Sampson sneak off the performance to play cards.  Mr. Gregson surprises Mr. Sampson with a winning hand, a feat he found impossible but did not dare challenge.  The other men take their leave after losing their money leaving Mr. Gregson alone with Mr. Sampson who uncharacteristically loses to him.  Mr. Gregson uncovered Mr. Sampson’s chicanery on the card table.  He threatens him with exposure that will leave Mr. Sampson banned from the clubs he frequents.  This allowed him to blackmail the card sharp into surrendering all the IOUs he accumulated from the unsuspecting aristocrats in exchange for his silence.  Anna, on the other hand, develops a bit of a headache and makes her way downstairs to take something to relieve the pain.  Mr. Green follows her to the deserted kitchen and rapes her while Mr. Bates and the other servants are upstairs listening to Dame Nellie Melba sing Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro from the opera Gianni Schicchi, a song she dedicated to love and lovers.  The opera singer’s rendition of “Done lieta usci”, Mimi’s aria in Puccini’s La Boheme, left Anna’s screams unheard.  Mrs. Hughes notices Mr. Green return upstairs, but still no sight of Anna.

Dame Nellie Melba’s performance concludes the house party and the guests leave Downton Abbey including Mrs. Crawley who for the first time since her son’s death allowed herself to feel happy.  Mr. Gregson, on the other hand, wins the card players favor including Lord Grantham when he returns the IOUs they owe to Mr. Sampson.  Meanwhile, Tom Branson sulks in a corner.  The disappointment in his conversation with Lord Grantham earlier that evening still weighs in his head.  Miss Braithwaite plays the role of savior and brings him a glass of whiskey, while the other servants return downstairs.  She later enters the room of Tom Branson.

The sight of a distraught and badly beaten Anna Bates hiding in the dark corner of her office shocks Mrs. Hughes, but she knew immediately from the poor lady’s maid’s appearance what had happened to her.  Anna pleads Mrs. Hughes to keep her violation a secret especially from her husband, Mr. Bates, for she fears that he will kill the man who wronged her.  Anna could not risk her husband committing a crime given his prior criminal conviction.  Mrs. Hughes reluctantly agrees to Anna’s wish going against her better judgment of reporting a serious crime and having a doctor examine the violated woman.  Mr. Bates finally sees his wife and is alarmed at the sight of her bruised face.  Anna feigns having hit the sink when she fainted from her dizziness and explains the change of clothes after severely soiling her previous ones.  Anna’s obvious fear and refrainment from being touched tells Mr. Bates that something awful has happened to his wife.  Anna avoids Mr. Bates and walks home alone.

Watch Episode 3 of Season 4 of Downton Abbey
Next Downton Abbey Episode Summary: Episode 4 of Season 4
Previous Downton Abbey Episode Summary: Episode 2 of Season 4
More Downton Abbey Episode Guides

Episode 2 Season 4 – Downton Abbey Episode Summary 4.2

Episode Summary:  Lord Grantham finds a letter Matthew wrote declaring Lady Mary as his sole heir.  Incredulous of its legality, he considers not showing it to Lady Mary until his lawyer has assessed its validity.  He then goes on to show that his daughter does not have the aptitude to manage Downton Abbey.  Meanwhile, Lady Rose convinces Anna Bates to accompany her to a Thé Dansant for servants and farmworkers.  Lady Rose pretends to be a housemaid and dances the One-Step with an under gardener named Sam Thawley.

Downton Abbey Episode 2 Season 4 Recap: A package from the office of the recently deceased Matthew Crawley arrives for Lady Mary.  Mrs. Hughes thinks it best that someone inspect its contents first before showing to Lady Mary.  She is concerned that some of the contents may upset the grieving widow.  Mr. Carson assents to her advice and decides to bring the package to Lord Grantham. Amidst Matthew’s belongings, Lord Grantham finds a will naming Mary as Matthew’s sole heiress.Continue reading...

Lord Grantham is reluctant to show the will to Lady Mary not wanting to dash his daughter’s hopes if it is found that the will has no legal status.  He, however, consults with his mother about the matter.  Lady Violet believes Lady Mary would want to know that her late husband wanted her to inherit his assets regardless of the validity of his will.  She does not share her son’s disapproval of the wife inheriting the husband’s assets instead of the son.  Lady Violet insists that Lord Grantham must show Lady Mary the will before he sends it to their lawyer.  Moreover, she forthrightly surfaces the real reason for Lord Grantham’s hesitance.  Lord Grantham prefers the sole charge of the estate and objects of sharing the crown with his daughter.  He denies his mother’s suspicion and claims that Mary would not want to get involved in running the estate.

Nonetheless, Lord Grantham takes his mother’s advice.  He shows Lady Mary the letter Matthew wrote before they left for Scotland and concealed in a book.  She and Lord Grantham inform Isobel Crawley and the rest of the family of its existence.  At Lady Mary’s request, Lord Grantham reads the letter to them.  Matthew expresses in the letter his concern at not writing a will, one he meant to do upon their return from Duneagle.  The letter will serve as a record of his wish for Mary to be his sole heiress until a formal will is drawn.  Matthew plainly and clearly states his desire for Lady Mary to take charge in the event of his death.  Matthew affixing his signature and having two of his clients witness its writing makes the letter a legal document.  Lord Grantham insists that the letter is not a will despite those facts.  He does not welcome its validity claiming that it will only cause the estate to pay death duties twice.  Lady Mary, on the other hand, is content with earning the right to have an opinion, which her father wastes no time to test.  Lord Grantham asks Lady Mary for her opinion regarding the use of empty farmland as new sources of revenue in order to stress the point of her ineptitude in managing the estate.  The whole family, however, could see the malice in Lord Grantham’s question and they show their support for Lady Mary.  In support of her, Tom Branson reminds them of Lady Mary’s firsthand knowledge of Matthew’s plans.

Lady Violet schemes to help her granddaughter claim her right to manage the estate and volunteers Tom to train Lady Mary in secret.  Tom begins Lady Mary’s tutelage and brings her to a vantage point that exposes the estate.  He shows her the area they farm and the Oakwood Farm, land that their good and hardworking tenant, the Olds farm.  He also speaks to her about the death duties and Lord Grantham’s plan to sell land in order to pay off the inheritance tax in one lump.  Tom refuses to offer his recommendation, but rather urges Lady Mary to decide on her own.

Anna Bates sees Mr. Barrow speaking Miss Edna Braithwaite and finds reason to warn the newly promoted maid about him.  Miss Braithwaite, however, chooses to fraternize with Mr. Barrow especially after she ruins Lady Cora’s blouse.  The two of them conspire against the Bates as Mr. Barrow insinuates that Anna ruined Lady Cora’s blouse out of jealousy.  Meanwhile, Lady Rose, yearning to dance the One-Step, asks Anna to chaperone her to a Thé Dansant in York without informing anyone in her family.  Anna refuses to do so, but finds an opportunity to get Lady Mary’s permission.  Later, Jimmy, who is in York running an errand for Mrs. Patmore, sees Lady Rose with Anna.  He follows the two and sees them entering the Jubilee Dance Hall where a Thé Dansant is being held for servants and farmworkers.  Aching to dance, Lady Rose calls attention to herself hoping to get an invitation to dance from a young man.  Rose immediately catches the eye of Sam Thawley, an under gardener for Lord Ellis, and she pretends to be a housemaid at Downton Abbey.  Her cover was almost blown after she bumps into Jimmy and Anna on the dance floor.  Jimmy is unaware of her pretense, but he catches on quickly with Anna’s guidance.  Anna learns that Jimmy had come to York not only to run an errand for Mrs. Patmore, but also to buy tickets for him and Ivy to see Phyllis Dare in the hit musical, The Lady of the Rose.  Jimmy, who initially had flirted with Ivy only to spite Alfred, had fallen for the kitchen maid.  Soon they learn that a fight has ensued after Lady Rose refuses to dance with a young man other than Sam.  The men engage in a brawl endangering Lady Rose, who refuses to leave the young man who was protecting her.  Fortunately, Jimmy is to usher them out the dance hall before the police arrest them.  The three of them safely return to Downton Abbey.  Jimmy asks Mr. Carson permission to take Ivy to the theater and gets it with the help of Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes.  Ivy is excited at having been asked and having been allowed to take a half day off to go to the theater.  Her excitement upsets Alfred and makes him yearn for her even more.  This disappoints Daisy, who hoped that he would begin to dislike the kitchen maid, but Mrs. Patmore believes that there is nothing as unchangeable as a young man’s heart.  Later, Sam arrives at Downton Abbey asking for the housemaid, Rose.  With Anna’s help, Rose dresses as a housemaid and speaks with the young man who has fallen for her.  Rose feigns having given her word to a local farmer.  Sam understands and respects Rose’s situation that he bids her goodbye.  Rose, aware of having broken the young man’s heart, kisses Sam as a consolation.

Mrs. Hughes pays a visit to the Crawley House where Charles Grigg is recuperating in the care of Mrs. Crawley.  The man is anxious to hear from his old friend, Mr. Carson, but soon learns that Mr. Carson has nothing to say to him.  Mrs. Hughes explains that Mr. Carson does not remember the times they spent together with nostalgia.  Mrs. Crawley, on the other hand, has good news to share with Mrs. Hughes.  She has found a job for Mr. Grigg at the Opera House in Belfast as a stage door keeper.  Moreover, she personally asks Mr. Carson to speak to Mr. Grigg before the man leaves for Belfast conveying the man’s contrition and his admission to have caused Mr. Carson great unhappiness.  Mr. Grigg, however, maintains his innocence in the sorrow he caused Mr. Carson.  Mr. Carson refuses to speak with Mr. Grigg despite Mrs. Crawley’s plea.  Learning that Mr. Grigg is leaving for Belfast, Mrs. Hughes urges Mr. Carson to see him before he leaves that he may settle the conflict with his old friend, one he let fester for too long.  He arrives at the train station to speak with his old friend, Mr. Grigg.  Mr. Carson believed that Mr. Grigg set out to steal his beloved Alice Neal from him.  Mr. Grigg tells him that he never set out to take Alice from him.  It was Alice’s choice to marry him instead of Mr. Carson.  The marriage, however, did not last long.  In fact, he and Alice had already separated before she died, another fact Mr. Carson did not know.  Mr. Grigg imparts a message Alice wanted him to relay to Mr. Carson.  Alice confesses to have been a fool for not realizing that she loved Mr. Carson, one she later came to realize as the better man.  Alice asked Mr. Grigg to tell Mr. Carson that she loved him.  Mr. Grigg and Mr. Carson part as friends.

Mr. Molesley finds work as a laborer tending to the roads and becomes embarrassed when Anna sees him at work.  He confides the loss of income and the debts he incurred following the death of his master, Matthew Crawley.  Anna commiserates with Mr. Molesley and offers to lend him money, but the man confesses of not being able to pay her back.  He also refuses to receive the money as a gift, but expresses his deepest gratitude at the offer.  The encounter with Mr. Molesley upset Anna that she apprises her husband of the former valet’s unfortunate state.  Mr. Bates wanting his wife to be happy comes up with a plan.  He first informs Lady Violet of Mr. Molesley’s predicament then urges the former valet to sign the card Anna suggested they send to their former colleague, Gwen.  Moreover, he invites Mr. Molesley to Downton.  Later, Mr. Bates forges a note using Mr. Molesley’s signature from the card he had him sign and pretends to have found the note stating his debt.  Mr. Bates claims that Mr. Molesley had lent thirty pounds when he first arrived at Downton, one he has yet to pay.  Mr. Molesley could not recall lending Mr. Bates money, but the note has his signature on it, one that Mrs. Hughes confirms as his.  Not only does Mr. Bates provide Mr. Molesley financial aid, he also provides him with a boost of self-esteem.  Anna recognizes her husband’s good deed, one he did for her.  Later, Mr. Bates receives a request from Lord Grantham in behalf of Lady Cora to speak to his wife about going easy on Miss Braithwaite.  He learns that Lady Cora was made to believe that Anna is unkind towards Miss Braithwaite due to her promotion to senior lady’s maid.  Mr. Bates, though certain that his wife is not at fault, foregoes contradicting the claim.  He later speaks to his wife about it befuddling both of them for the cause of Miss Braithwaite’s supposed offended feelings.  Anna could think of nothing other than her advice to keep watch of Mr. Barrow’s intentions.  Soon they learn that Mr. Barrow and Miss Braithwaite have become friends.

Lady Edith is with Michael Gregson in London and he finds his functioning without a servant refreshing.  She, however, is concerned with the risk he is taking just so he can marry her.  Michael is still pursuing his plan to become a German citizen, which will not only catch the ire of many, but also will require him to go to Germany.  Nonetheless, Lady Edith looks forward to becoming his wife and she offers to bring him to Downton Abbey that he may see his childhood home.  Michael does not find it a good idea knowing that his divorce, though near, will not happen overnight.  She invites him to the house party Lady Cora is throwing that he may have reason to be at Downton without causing alarm to her family.  She then decides to stay a little longer with Michael making her late for dinner at Downton.  She, at last, arrives at Downton where her family waits in the drawing room for Mr. Carson to announce dinner.  Lord Grantham takes the opportunity to inform them that their lawyer, Mr. Murray, had done due diligence in determining the validity of Matthew’s letter.  Mr. Murray and various authorities believe that Matthew intended the letter to serve as a will.  Therefore, Lady Mary owns half of Downton Abbey.

Next Downton Abbey Episode Summary: Episode 3 of Season 4
Previous Downton Abbey Episode Summary: Episode 1 of Season 4
More Downton Abbey Episode Guides
Watch Episode 2 of Season 4 of Downton Abbey

Episode 6 Season 1 – Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary 1.6

Synopsis: Newspapers feed on the news of the car accident of Mr. Selfridge that left him in a coma.  His absence becomes the concern of investors and employees who find themselves under the management of Selfridges’ Chief of Staff, Mr. Grove.  Mr. Crabb begins to question the decisions of Mr. Grove especially his decision to ban the Suffragettes from Selfridges.  He and the department heads devise a plan that goes against Mr. Grove’s orders, but will save Selfridges from the wrath of the Suffragettes.

Episode Summary: Newspapers make the car accident of Mr. Selfridge their headline eliciting concerns from employees.  Selfridges’ chief accountant, Mr. Crabb, addresses the employees confirming the headlines that Mr. Selfridge was in a serious car accident and that their employer remains unconscious.  Employees, however, are incredulous about their employer’s well-being seeing that Mr. Crabb is wearing a mourning band.  They learn, however, that the mourning band is meant for the recently deceased Harriet Grove, Mr. Grove’s wife whom he nursed for the last 12 years.  Mr. Crabb takes charge in the absence of Mr. Selfridge and Mr. Grove, makes Miss Mardle the Chief of Staff, and assigns Miss Ravillious as the head of both fashion and accessories for the time being.  Moreover, Mr. Crabb lifts up employee’s morale with optimism that Mr. Selfridge will recover in no time.Continue reading...

Newspaperman, Frank Edwards, informs Lois Selfridge that there is clamor for the reason that led to Mr. Selfridge’s car accident.  Mr. Edwards, who saw Mr. Selfridge at the club the night of the accident, informs the matron that her son drowned himself in alcohol and lost a great deal through gambling that night.  He believes that his inebriation and gambling were consequences of a prior incident.  He intimates that an upset Harry Selfridge was toasting to his father and had an encounter with Miss Ellen Love.  Concerned with newspapers feeding off the misfortunes of the troubled entrepreneur, Mr. Edwards advises that the family state that Mr. Selfridge’s encounter with Miss Love relates to the renegotiation of her contract.  Mr. Edwards will ensure Miss Love’s cooperation.  Miss Love is indebted to him for he was the one who saved her from her suicide attempt.  Frank visits Ellen, who is still brooding about Harry’s treatment of her.  Frank informs her of Harry’s car accident educing a concern from the former mistress.  Ellen’s growing hatred of Harry, however, leads her to consider vilifying the lover who unceremoniously ended their relationship.  She ponders about earning an income from speaking to the newspapers about her affair with the well-known entrepreneur in order to cover the loss of his financial support.  Frank advises her against doing so arguing that associating herself to a scandal will adversely affect her career.  He offers to introduce Ellen to playwrights instead that she may consider leaving the Gaiety for serious acting.  Frank recommends that she begin to entertain a highbrow audience, but adds this type of audience dislikes scandals.  Ellen recognizes the insinuated trade and she deliberates on accepting it.  She decides to move on and to leave the Gaiety.

Kitty Hawkins teases Agnes Towler about her obvious infatuation with the creative director, Henri Leclair.  Miss Towler takes offense and learns from Doris Miller that Kitty’s antagonism stems from Miss Towler unexpectedly landing the Senior Assistant position.  Miss Towler sees an opportunity to conciliate the enmity between her and Miss Hawkins after Miss Ravillious asks her to act as Senior Assistant of both Fashion and Accessories that day.  Miss Towler recommends making Miss Hawkins Senior Assistant of Accessories, while she takes over Fashion’s Senior Assistant position left vacant by an ill employee.

Rose Selfridge refuses to leave the bedside of her husband not wanting to miss his return to consciousness.  She, however, had to leave it to meet with Selfridges’ major investor, Mr. Musker.  The man has come to offer sympathy, but more so to ascertain the identity of Mr. Selfridge’s heir.   Mr. Musker is alarmed at learning that the young boy, Gordon Selfridge, is the heir.  The fact that the young boy’s shareholdings will remain in a trust managed by Lois and Rose until Gordon comes of age appeases him.  The talk of preparing for the worst, however, disturbs Rose, but not as much as Gordon.  The young boy makes his way to Selfridges only to be thought of a pickpocket.  Fortunately, Mr. Leclair recognizes the child and vouches for him.  Mr. Leclair and Miss Towler return Gordon to his worried family who thought that the boy had simply run away.  Soon they learn that Gordon had gone to check the department store he will solely inherit upon the death of his father.  The statement shocked Gordon’s sisters who are unaware of their father’s desire for Gordon to be the sole heir of his business and his belief that commerce is a man’s world.  Rose, on the other hand, becomes upset at her son’s presupposition of his father’s premature death.  Her anger stems from the guilt of the fight he had with her husband that led to his car accident.  Meanwhile, Mr. Leclair and Miss Towler make their way back to the store and Mr. Leclair conveys his observation of Miss Towler and Gordon.  He finds her good with children and a fitting mother, but is surprised to hear that Miss Towler has no desire of starting a family just yet.  He learns that Miss Towler does have a boyfriend whose company she is not completely enjoying.  Miss Towler, on the other hand, learns that Mr. Leclair’s French lover is in New York, too far to maintain a relationship.  Moreover, she learns that Mr. Leclair has become infatuated with an ingénue in England whom he fears will become frightened of him the instant he courts her.  Miss Towler recommends that he wait for the ingénue to which Mr. Leclair agrees.

Mr. Grove decides to distract himself from the death of his wife and comes to work to take charge of Selfridges in Mr. Selfridge’s absence.  He begins to show ineptness when asked for a recommendation for the empty window display.  The window was to display the luxury sports car that Mr. Selfridge regrettably crashed.  His incompetence surfaces when confronted with the Suffragettes’ issue.  Miss Ravillious brings forth the need for a strategy to avoid the wrath of the destructive Suffragettes and Mr. Grove could offer none.  Moreover, he forbids the Suffragettes entry to Selfridges and orders Mr. Perez to cancel the Tuesday luncheon the women have at the Palm Court.  News of the forbiddance of Suffragettes at Selfridges riles Lady Loxley, a Suffragette herself, who with the blessing of Mr. Selfridge has been meeting with the movement at The Palm Court on a weekly basis.  Lady Loxley confronts Mr. Grove of his decision to bar the Suffragettes from Selfridges.  Mr. Grove refuses to reinstate the scheduled Suffragettes lunch at the Palm Court and affronts Lady Loxley with his claim that women do not have the aptitude for politics. Lady Loxley warns them about the violence that might come to Selfridges.  Mr. Crabb is in disagreement with Mr. Grove’s decision and believes that Mr. Selfridge would have taken advantage of the Suffragette march instead of receiving their ire.  Mr. Grove maintains his intransigence and refuses the advice of Mr. Crabb.  Mr. Crabb enlists the help of all department heads to prevent an impending disaster.  Miss Mardle accompanies Mr. Grove on his walk home as per Mr. Crabb’s instruction.  The department heads led by Mr. Crabb assemble the employees as soon as Mr. Grove stepped out of the department store.  Mr. Crabb conveys his understanding that Mr. Selfridge has endorsed The Suffragettes for they embody progress.  He believes that emancipated women are the future and going against the Suffragettes would be disastrous for Selfridges.  Mr. Crabb and the department heads have put together a plan to appease the Suffragettes and ask their staff, without mandating them, to work overtime to implement the plan.  Much to Agnes’ surprise, Victor Colleano has decided not to help due to an appointment with a potential investor for the restaurant he dreams of opening.  Little did she know that the person Victor is going to see is Lady Loxley with whom he began to have a love affair.  She did sense that the person is a woman due to Victor’s decision to correct himself in order to hide the gender of his investor.  Agnes, however, welcomes Victor’s absence at the store for it allowed her to spend time with Mr. Leclair without his prying eyes.  Meanwhile, Miss Mardle has done her duty and made sure that Mr. Grove has gone home.  She, however, finds that the death of his wife ironically put an end to their affair due to the man’s guilt.  Mr. Crabb is grateful to her and the dedication of Selfridges’ employees for rising up to the challenge and implementing the plan that will save Selfridges from the wrath of the Suffragettes.  In return, he receives praise from Miss Ravillious, who found him inspirational.

Mr. Selfridge wakes from his coma confused and agitated at the sight of his deceased father that he screams for him to get out.  Unfortunately, his family and doctor are unaware of his hallucination that they find his behavior disturbing.  They continue to watch over him and later rejoice when Harry becomes fully conscious and cognitive.  With his wife’s permission, Harry decides to walk to his department store and finds himself in the middle of the Suffragettes march demanding votes for women.  The peaceful protest has turned sour when women began smashing windows of establishments leading the police to arrest them.  Miss Ravillious worry of the destruction the women will cause once they pass Selfridges that she urges Mr. Leclair to open the unfinished window display they worked on all night.  The Suffragettes reach Selfridges and they begin to protest in front of the establishment that forbade them entry.  Mr. Selfridge watches in horror as one of the Suffragettes encourages her fellow protesters to smash the windows of their enemy.  He and the Suffragettes are astounded when the curtains of the windows reveal a display purely in support of WSPU, the organization to which the Suffragettes belong.  What would have been the sound of smashing windows became cheers and applause.  Mr. Selfridge, however, still weak from his accident collapses.  The Suffragettes gather to help him including a very young Suffragette, Violette Selfridge.  Violette identifies the man as her father, Harry Gordon Selfridge.  The Suffragettes cheer Mr. Selfridge.

Next Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary: Episode 7 of Season 1
Previous Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary: Episode 5 of Season 1
More Mr. Selfridge Episode Summaries
Watch Episode 6 of Season 1 of Mr. Selfridge

Episode 5 Season 1 – Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary 1.5

Synopsis: Mr. Selfridge learns that Miss Towler has left Selfridges following the humiliating incident at the store that involved her father.  He also learns of theft at the loading bay causing him to call for a staff meeting in order to discuss honesty.  Unbeknownst to Mr. Selfridge, Roddy Temple pays Rose Selfridge an unexpected visit at his house leading her youngest daughter to witness a scandalous moment between her mother and Roddy.

Episode Summary: Mr. Selfridge loaned an expensive car to be put on display at Selfridges in the hope of attracting customers to his department store.  Henri Leclair is to make the uninsured luxury car the focus of the window display that promotes “Motoring for the Modern Age!”  Mr. Leclair happens to mention missing Miss Agnes Towler’s assistance to Mr. Selfridge, who is unaware that the shop girl has left Selfridges after the humiliating incident that involved her father.Continue reading...

Agnes Towler finds herself without a job and in the company of her drunkard father after her landlady threatened eviction if she and her brother do not take in the intoxicated family member passed out on the stairs of the apartment.  Although Victor Colleano takes pity on her misfortune, he finds consolation in the fact that he can now engage in a relationship with Agnes without breaking the Selfridges rule prohibiting love affairs between employees.  Victor courts Agnes, who agrees to become Victor’s girlfriend.  Kitty Hawkins also benefits from Miss Towler’s absence as she displays her competence to Lady Carlyle, one of the loyal customers fond of Miss Towler.  Unlucky for her, Miss Towler’s absence may only be temporary.  Harry Gordon Selfridge arrives in the impoverished London neighborhood attracting the attention of its poor inhabitants.  He finds the residence of Agnes Towler and asks the landlady for her.  The sight of Mr. Selfridge at her residence surprises her.  Even more surprising is Mr. Selfridge’s wish for her to return to work despite the humiliating and disruptive incident at Selfridges involving her father.  Mr. Selfridge sees himself in Miss Towler and he believes that he would be remiss to let a person of great potential miss her chance.  Contrary to Miss Towler’s belief, Mr. Selfridge could not care less about her deadbeat father.  Mr. Selfridge believes that the sins of her father bear no merit on the being of Miss Towler.  She, however, explains that she can never be rid of her ruinous father for he manages to find her and her brother wherever they go.  Mr. Selfridge takes it upon himself to speak personally to Reg Towler, Miss Towler’s father.  He offers him money with the condition that he must never bother Miss Towler again.  Reg maliciously mistakes Mr. Selfridge’s generosity as a deed enacted by a lover.  The despitefulness of his notion infuriates Mr. Selfridge causing him to manhandle the drunkard instilling fear in him.  Reg Towler fearfully accepts the imposition.  The episode, however, resurfaced dreadful memories of his deadbeat father.  Mr. Selfridge remembers the time he learned and confirmed that his father who supposedly died a war hero was in reality alive.  Moreover, the man returned from war and chose to abandon his family for another.  The calls of Miss Towler brought him back to the present and the delight of having successfully removed the bane of Miss Towler’s existence brought him joy.  Mr. Selfridge gives Miss Towler a ride back to the store in his car and he finds her childish delight at riding a car refreshing.  Knowing that her return will cause a stir among her colleagues, Mr. Selfridge advises the grateful shop girl not to apologize or explain her return.  True enough her return shocked her colleagues including Miss Mardle, who nevertheless receives her without much protest.  Mr. Grove, however, disapproves of Miss Towler’s return explaining to Mr. Selfridge that her father’s disgraceful behavior at the store is enough reason for her dismissal.  Mr. Selfridge asserts that dismissing her would have been a mistake and adds that the parent is not the child.  Mr. Grove argues that Miss Towler’s return despite her desertion will confound the staff giving Mr. Selfridge reason to address the staff in order to expel reservations about her return.

Roderick Temple drops by the home of the Selfridges unannounced insisting on seeing Rose Selfridge.  Rose feigns forgetting to inform their butler, Mr. Fraser, of the appointment she scheduled with the painter, Mr. Temple.  Rose receives Roddy in the drawing room and they reconcile as friends.  The sight of the portrait Roddy painted, however, rekindles their passion and the two passionately kiss.  The arrival of Rose’s youngest daughter, Beatrice Selfridge, breaks their scandalous act.  Rose flounders for an excuse for the inappropriate intimacy her daughter witnessed between her and Roddy.  She asks Beatrice to keep what she witnessed a secret explaining that the painting Mr. Temple made is a surprise for Harry.  Rose realizes the indignity of engaging in an affair that she ends her burgeoning relationship with Roddy.  This, however, ignited Roddy’s passion for her even more.  Beatrice’s inability to keep a secret adds to Rose’s misfortune.  She wakes to find her displeased husband with the portrait Roddy made of her.  Harry’s demeanor exudes his suspicion, but Rose is unyielding with her claim of innocence.  In fact, she claims that the portrait of her was to be a surprise and it is to hang in his office.  Later that day, Rose receives another unexpected visitor, Miss Ellen Love.  The woman has come to inform her that Mr. Selfridge has been having an affair with her.  Much to Miss Love’s shock, her revelation did not surprise Mrs. Selfridge at all.  Mrs. Selfridge claims to have had her suspicions from the onset.  Moreover, she believes that Miss Love’s decision to divulge the affair to her suggests that the affair has reached its end or has already ended.  Mrs. Selfridge finds her undertaking an act of desperation for a misguided belief that Mr. Selfridge has fallen in love with her unaware that the man has had many similar liaisons.  Miss Love leaves with a threat of causing the Selfridges discord.  Unbeknownst to Miss Love, her revelation hurt Mrs. Selfridge despite her apathetic reception of the news of her husband’s affair.

Roger Grove breaks the news he received from Mr. Colleano about thieving at the loading bay to Mr. Selfridge.  Mr. Selfridge instructs Mr. Grove to catch the thieves red-handed and to terminate them immediately.  Victor learns of the plan to catch the thieves in the act and hastens to warn George Towler, who naively and unknowingly taken part of the theft.  Victor pulls George aside as he is loading items to the unmarked van and makes it clear to the ignorant young man that he has been inadvertently aiding Alf and Sam with their theft.  Victor advises George to wise up believing that he remains as the breadwinner of the family.  Imagine his surprise at learning that Agnes has resumed working at Selfridges.  In fact, she is again assisting Mr. Leclair with the motor driving promotion.  The promotion has caught the interest of high society including Lady Loxley, who pays a visit at Selfridges to find that the store has started to take down the posters of Miss Love officially ending her association with Selfridges.  Just as Mr. Selfridge gets rid of his mistress, he learns from Tony Travers through insinuation that his wife might be having an affair with the bohemian young painter, Roddy Temple, after seeing them at the Chelsea Arts Club.  Travers continues with the insinuation despite Mr. Selfridge and Lady Mae’s obvious discomfort about the subject.  This displeases Lady Mae, who scolds her lover for his behavior, upsetting Travers for having to oblige to her censure.  Travers abandons Lady Mae, who could not care less for she has found a replacement in the person of Mr. Colleano.  Lady Mae uses Mr. Colleano’s ambition to open a restaurant in Soho to lure him into becoming her lover.  She offers him a place in her kitchen as a temporary replacement for her ill chef with the suggestion of using her influence to help him realize his dream.  Victor speaks with Agnes about her decision to return to work at Selfridges, which complicates their relationship given the rule prohibiting love affairs between colleagues.  Agnes apprises Victor of the visit she received from Mr. Selfridge that justified her return despite its consequences in their relationship.  Victor understands Agnes’ decision and both decide to continue their courtship in secret.  They, however, engage in an argument after Agnes refuses Victor’s dinner offer due to a prior work engagement with Mr. Leclair.  Kitty fans the fire after commenting to Victor how Agnes and Mr. Leclair make a lovely couple.  Fueled by his jealousy and ambition, Victor agrees to cook for Lady Loxley despite recognizing the woman’s real intentions.  Meanwhile, Agnes and Mr. Leclair finish a window display.  In order to show his appreciation for Agnes’ hard work, Mr. Leclair buys her a scarf, an act that adds to her infatuation with the gorgeous creative director.

In light of the recent thefts from Selfridges employees, Mr. Selfridge addresses all employees to discuss honesty.  Selfridges prides itself for giving their customers exactly what they paid for and believes in the philosophy that employees stealing from the store only steal from themselves.  Mr. Selfridge speaks of his humble beginnings starting as an errand boy and shares of the pride he felt at earning the trust of his employer.  He believes that an establishment cannot run without trust, which is why he has no tolerance for dishonesty.  Mr. Selfridge, however, avows of his willingness to offer help to those who seek it.  He speaks of his refusal to accept Miss Towler’s resignation due to the humiliating incident at the store that involved a member of her family.  Mr. Selfridge reiterates his desire to help those who seek his help and his abhorrence for theft.  He arrives home after his speech to spend time with his family.  He finds his wife reading to their youngest child, Beatrice, and asks about the fifty white roses he had sent to Rose.  More importantly, he stresses the message in his note and repeats that Rose is his one and only.  Mr. Selfridge gives Rose a kiss causing her to blush leading Beatrice to divulge innocently of having seen her mother terribly blush after Mr. Temple kissed her.  The innocent statement causes domestic strife between husband and wife.  Harry finds the gall to admonish Rose for kissing Roddy in his house in front of their daughter when he is guilty of having an affair with Ellen Love.  Harry declares to have ended his affair, and Rose refutes the accusation of her affair with Roddy.  She, however, believes of its justification if she did.  Harry rationalizes his extramarital affairs as urges he could not contain and that it is a constant struggle for him, but he receives disgust from his wife instead of pity.  He leaves the house for the club and resorts to alcohol to drown his sorrows.  Frank Edwards finds a heavily inebriated and depressed Mr. Selfridge at the club.  The arrival of Ellen Love, who spews harsh words, after being rejected adds to his despair.  Frank ushers her out of the club and later checks up on her at her apartment.  He finds her overdosed with pills in an attempted suicide.  Meanwhile, a severely intoxicated Mr. Selfridge makes his way to Selfridges and against better judgment takes the expensive sports car for a drive.  Unpleasant memories of his childhood and recent events that led to his inebriation cloud his mind leading to a serious car crash.

Next Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary: Episode 6 of Season 1
Previous Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary: Episode 4 of Season 1
Mr. Selfridge Episode Summaries
Watch Episode 5 of Season 1 of Mr. Selfridge