Episode 7 Season 1 – Mr. Selfridge Episode Summary 1.7

Synopsis:  Mr. Selfridge returns to work after a long absence and expresses his desire to make Selfridges an even greater success.  The accident that nearly cut his life short made greater his want to accomplish things in a short time.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who has agreed to hold a book signing at Selfridges and has been a supporter of the Spiritualist movement, successfully persuades Mr. Selfridge to agree to host a séance at Selfridges.  The séance brought about the ghosts of people’s past including that of Mr. Selfridge.

Episode Summary: Employees of Selfridges fret over the return of their employer, Mr. Selfridge, eager to please the leader absent for a time due to his accident.  Harry Gordon Selfridge returns to his department store, business as usual, but revitalized due to his near fatal accident.  The presence of the famous writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who is at Selfridges to promote his new book, The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, graces his return.Continue reading...

Mr. Selfridge works even harder for the success of his department store and exacts the same from his department heads.  He sets them on to the task of improving their departments and warns them against stagnation.  His narrow escape with death invigorated his belief to seize the day.  The department heads are to think of new product lines and fresh and exciting suppliers.  His demands are not a criticism of his employees’ current performance, but simply a fulfillment of his desire for innovation.  Despite his insatiable attitude, Mr. Selfridge remains appreciative of his employees and he exhibits this with his expression of gratitude to Miss Ravillious.  Mr. Selfridge did not let her work in managing the Suffragette crisis go unnoticed.  Miss Ravillious asks Mr. Selfridge to have Miss Towler join her department for her reward.  Miss Mardle learns of the request and regretfully informs Miss Towler about it for she would very much want to keep her most capable senior assistant.  She leaves the decision to Miss Towler and offers to argue for her if she decides to stay in the Accessories department.  Miss Towler, although grateful for working for Miss Mardle, would like to move to the Fashion department believing that her future is in fashion.  Miss Mardle could not help but become disappointed, but she acquiesces with Miss Towler’s decision nonetheless.  She must now choose between Kitty and Doris for the senior accessories assistant position and she is unhappy with neither of the two who happen to be sucking sweets while on duty.  Miss Ravillious, on the other hand, holds Miss Towler in high regard that she allows the young woman to dress the new mannequins.  Her new task puts her in an enclosed quarter and in close proximity with Mr. Leclair fanning the fire that burns inside her.  Unable to contain her desire, Miss Towler makes her advance and kisses Mr. Leclair.  The ingénue’s forthright action catches the man by surprise, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.  Mr. Leclair and Miss Towler passionately kiss.

Frank Edwards initiates a flirtation with the strawberry blonde shop girl, Kitty Hawkins.  Soon after, Kitty receives a box of heart-shaped chocolates with an unsigned card and suspects Mr. Edwards as its giver.  Later, she and Doris grab something to eat at the Tea Room near Selfridges and find the disgraced Miss Bunting unkempt.  Doris Miller decides to fraternize with Miss Bunting and learns of her hardship given her termination and absence of a reference.  Doris shrewdly gathers that the woman is too embarrassed to ask for money that she instead pretends to have found Miss Bunting’s coin on the floor and gives it to the immensely grateful woman.  Doris finds Miss Bunting at the Tea Room once again and learns that her mother whom she had stolen for passed away.  Sympathetic of the ruined woman, Doris offers to treat her to supper.  More than that, Doris speaks with Mr. Grove to speak in behalf of Miss Bunting.  She apprises him of the woman’s financial hardship and asks him for a reference for her.  Moved by Doris’ plea, Mr. Grove hands her money to give to Miss Bunting and agrees to speak to Mr. Selfridge about giving the woman reference.  Kitty, on the other hand, receives another note from her secret admirer.  The note asks her to meet with him at the tea hut on Duke Street.  Kitty arrives at the tea hut on the specified time expecting to meet Mr. Edwards only to learn that her secret admirer is George Towler.  Although annoyed at the truth, Kitty commiserates for George, who confessed that she is out of his league.  His humility and genuine admiration won him Kitty’s approval.

Mr. John Musker meets with Mr. Selfridge to check on the entrepreneur.  They discuss about expanding the department store and their desire to purchase the buildings adjacent to Selfridges.  Mr. Musker, however, warns him about competition from developers, but assures the entrepreneur of their upper hand given their impending stock issue.  He expects the city and the bank to recommend issue in about two months, but Mr. Selfridge finds the duration too long and insists that the bank make the recommendation sooner.  Mr. Selfridge’s impatience worries Mr. Musker, who knows that his importunateness will do them a disservice.  He argues that banks dislike being hurried especially by an American.  Mr. Selfridge is adamant with his desire to persuade the bank to issue the stocks such that he recommends that Mr. Crabb bring the bank to them.  This troubles Mr. Musker enough that he enlists the help of Lady Loxley.  His concern is not without foundation given that the chairman of the bank and his deputy has agreed to meet with Mr. Selfridge at the shop floor of Selfridges.  Mr. Selfridge receives the esteemed bank executives and already creates uneasiness with his choice of words.  He becomes candid with the bankers’ concerns regarding his reckless personality.  He confesses that his recent accident did put Selfridges in a precarious position, but assured them that his near death experience proved that the company that carried his name would survive without him.  His words seem to have put the bankers at ease and Lady Mae’s show of support appeased their concerns.  The bankers schedule a meeting with Mr. Selfridge to discuss the stock offer.  Mr. Selfridge is grateful and indebted to Lady Mae for using her influence to gain favor of the bankers.  She, however, warns him of the consequences of his business going public.  The issue of stock will put his family in the public eye.  In fact, his eldest child will soon be attracting attention.  Rosalie Selfridge has convinced herself that she must take part in the London Season to gain the acceptance of the British elite.  She, however, loses confidence the night of the soiree that she is to attend in the company of Lady Mae and not her parents.  Rosalie later finds confidence in her mother and Lady Mae’s encouragement.

Rose Selfridge learns from her mother-in-law, Lois Selfridge, that Roderick Temple had a huge success in his exhibition in Paris.  Although the news was conveyed without malice, Rose could not help but feel a pang of guilt at hearing the young man’s name.  She makes her way to her husband’s office to have lunch with him as per his request that morning.  Moreover, she has come to have Sir Arthur Conan Doyle sign her books.  The famous writer most willingly signs her books and introduces them to his American friend, Mr. Rex Crenell, a highly regarded medium.  It pleases Sir Arthur that Rose is familiar with the Spiritualist movement that he and Mr. Crenell join her and Mr. Selfridge for lunch.  Rose piques Sir Arthur’s interest even more with her observation of Harry during his coma, calling it otherworldly.  Her statement leads Sir Arthur to tell the story of Mrs. Haskins, a woman whose heart stopped for over twenty minutes causing the nurse to call her death only to find the woman resurrected moments later.  Sir Arthur believes that Mr. Selfridge could have been partly dead and partly alive just like Mrs. Haskins.  Although Rose seems amenable to believe unexplained phenomena, she brings up the issue of some mediums exploiting vulnerable people.  Sir Arthur confirms Rose’s suspicion, but vouches for Mr. Crenell.  The medium offers to hold a séance at Selfridges for the staff that they may bear witness of his gift.  Rose and Sir Arthur urge Mr. Selfridge to accept the offer.  Mr. Selfridge invites his employees to the séance causing fear on some such as Miss Mardle and Miss Blenkinsopp, who finds the event unwise especially with the recent death of Mr. Grove’s wife.  They, nonetheless, attend the séance.

Although skeptical of the séance, Mr. Selfridge presents his agreement to hold it at Selfridges as a display of openness for progress and discovery that allows for expansion of knowledge and experiences.  Mr. Crenell assuages the audience’s fear by drawing out laughter from the audience and by explaining the various items for the séance.  The staff’s fear remain nonetheless even with Mr. Perez, who drops a glass in fright.  Sir Arthur joins the circle of spiritualists conducting the séance and with their help, Mr. Crenell, brings forth his first spirit.  He identifies an elderly man as a twin of someone who lived in Somerset, but no one recognizes him.  Mr. Crenell moves on to another spirit, a woman he claims who has recently died.  The woman wants to send a message to her husband and with the help of the spiritualists identifies her as one whose name starts with the letter H.  Miss Mardle believes her to be the recently deceased, Hettie Grove.  Mr. Crenell conveys the woman’s message to her husband.  She wants him to know that she is out of pain and that she is grateful for all the years of his care.  Moreover, she gives her husband her blessing to marry again.  This message delights Josie Mardle, but upsets Roger Grove enough for him to walk out of the room.  Josie speaks with Roger about the message from the supposed spirit of his late wife hopeful that the message has lifted Roger’s burden of guilt.  She learns soon enough that it has not and that Roger asks her to wait for him still.  Josie, who has waited for Roger for such a long time during her childbearing years, could no longer do so.  

Another spirit, one so forceful that the light from the candle is extinguished, confronts Mr. Crenell with a hostile message.  The forceful spirit of a man causes Mr. Crenell to end the séance abruptly.  Mr. Selfridge and Lois seem to think that the spirit is of his late father, but both refuse Mr. Crenell’s offer for a private session knowing that the malign male force is associated with Mr. Selfridge.  The séance made Lois realize that the past most especially the lie he told her son haunts her and her son.  She believes that his son’s nightmares stem from the lie she made him live.  Lois soon learns that her son had long known of her husband’s shameful desertion of his family.  Harry does not find his mother at fault for making people believe that her husband was a war hero in order to hide the shame of her husband’s choice to walk out on his family at the time they need him most.  In fact, Harry credits all the good he has done in his life to his mother.  They agree to put the past behind them.

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Episode 7 Season 4 – Downton Abbey Episode Summary 4.7

Episode Summary: Lord Grantham goes to America after conceding to the demand of Lady Cora’s mother, Mrs. Levinson, to show support for his brother-in-law.  Lady Mary learns of the violation done to Anna and intervenes for Mr. Bates that he may not leave the side of his wife at her time of need.  Charles Blake sees another side of Lady Mary after a night of trudging through mud.

Downton Abbey Episode 7 Season 4 Recap: Harold Levinson is mired in the drilling leases scandal involving Senator Fall.  Mrs. Levinson demands Lord Grantham’s presence in the Senate committee hearing in America to show support for her son, Harold Levinson.  She believes that the presence of his brother-in-law, an English Earl, will make Harold respectable.  The request infuriates Lord Grantham, but he concedes nevertheless.Continue reading...

Mr. Bates, as the valet of his lordship, must travel to America with Lord Grantham.  He seeks the help of Mrs. Hughes in avoiding the trip for he could not leave Anna given the fairly recent incident that befell her.  Mrs. Hughes speaks to Lady Mary to make the request without divulging the reason behind it.  However, Lady Mary insists on knowing the facts.  Mrs. Hughes once again bears the burden of divulging Anna’s secret.  Hearing of the gross violation Anna endured Lady Mary wastes no time to persuade her father to take Mr. Barrow instead.  Lady Mary insists that the request is for good reason, but she swore to secrecy.  Mr. Barrow is delighted to take the place of Mr. Bates.  He, however, puts Miss Baxter on a mission to uncover the reason behind it.  He expects her to have an answer ready upon his return.  Mr. Molesley overhears Mr. Barrow’s demand and asks Miss Baxter about it, but the woman becomes guarded.  Anna feels that she robbed her husband of a chance to go to America, a trip for which everyone envies Mr. Barrow, everyone but Mrs. Patmore.  Anna expresses her gratitude towards Lady Mary for intervening for Mr. Bates.  She is aware that Mrs. Hughes had informed her of the violation done to her, but knows only that her attacker is a ruffian whose identity she does not know.  Lady Mary offers help to get justice for Anna, but Anna refuses to dwell on the incident.

Lady Edith has become morose.  She learned that Michael Gregson arrived in Munich, signed in his hotel, went out and never returned.  She asks her mother permission to go to London.  Unaware of the purpose of her trip, Lady Cora agrees believing that time in London might do her depressed daughter some good.  Lady Rose uses Lady Edith’s depression as an excuse to accompany her to London convincing Lady Cora to acquiesce to her request.  The truth is, Lady Rose, does not intend to spend time with glum Lady Edith.  She has come to London to spend time with Jack Ross, who is very much aware that their affair is only a fling from a rebellious young woman of status.  Lady Edith’s visit to London is of a far more serious matter.  She confides her unplanned pregnancy to Lady Rosamund and her plan to abort it.  Although having a child out of wedlock is an anathema to society especially to nobility, Lady Rosamund finds Lady Edith’s decision to undergo abortion awful.  Nonetheless, she provides her niece genuine support and offers to accompany her to the abortion clinic.  They arrive at a dubious looking clinic and Lady Edith begins to weigh her decision.  She confides her inability to bear the scandal if news of her pregnancy breaks.  She also realizes the burden of guilt she will have to live with the rest of her life.  Lady Edith foregoes the abortion.

Mrs. Crawley visits Lady Violet whom she heard has fallen ill and finds that her condition has worsened.  Mrs. Crawley fetches Dr. Clarkson and learns that Lady Violet has bronchitis.  Dr. Clarkson recommends hiring a nurse to look after Lady Violet for her bronchitis could progress to pneumonia without proper care.  Mrs. Crawley volunteers to become her nurse knowing very well that the cottage hospital is short of nurses.  She does so knowing that she will have to provide care for the whole duration.  A trained nurse, Mrs. Crawley takes on the task of keeping Lady Violet’s temperature down in order to prevent pneumonia.  Lady Cora and Lady Mary pay her a visit and are quite relieved that Mrs. Crawley had volunteered to take care of the old woman, discharging them of the responsibility.  With Mrs. Crawley attending to Lady Violet, Tom Branson is left without a companion to the Liberal MP’s talk at the Ripon Town Hall.  He and a woman at the talk becomes the center of attention after the speaker, John Ward, notices the woman calling Tom’s attention.  Tom had earlier asked if he could take the empty seat beside her only to learn that the woman had reserved it for a friend.  The talk had commenced and her friend is still nowhere in sight that she decides to offer him the seat.  It was good that Mrs. Crawley had stayed with Lady Violet for it allowed the old woman to recover from her illness.  Lady Violet could not wait for Mrs. Crawley to leave her be, but soon realizes her ingratitude after Dr. Clarkson tells her of Mrs. Crawley’s genuine concern and dedication.  The woman had nursed her to recovery for the last two days and nights, sacrificing her health that Lady Violet may weather the worst.  This knowledge persuaded Lady Violet to acquiesce Mrs. Crawley’s offer to accompany her that evening.

Mr. Carson receives a letter from Alfred Nugent updating him of his progress at the Ritz Escoffier.  Moreover, he asks the butler’s permission to visit Downton for he will be returning home to see his ill father.  Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes ask Mr. Carson to refuse Alfred’s visit, afraid of the quarrel over him between Ivy and Daisy.  Regrettably, Mr. Carson does not know of any other way to contact Alfred.  He takes it upon himself to fetch the former footman from the train station that he may divert him from Downton Abbey.  Taking Mrs. Hughes’ advice, Mr. Carson tells Alfred that several servants have contracted the flu, which is why he booked him a room at the pub instead.  It was the right decision for Daisy and Ivy are at it again after learning that Alfred will not be visiting.  Regrettably, Alfred decides to drop by Downton before he catches the train back to London.  He expresses his delight at hearing Ivy’s claim of missing him.

Lady Mary and Mr. Blake continue their disagreement.  Mr. Blake expresses his aversion to the estate owners who are unwilling to change their lifestyle despite the obvious ruin of their estates.  With everyone away including Evelyn, who has agreed to have dinner with his parents’ friends, Lady Mary and Lady Cora are left to spend dinner with Mr. Blake.  Later, Lady Mary and Mr. Blake visit the Tamworth pigs that had just arrived earlier that day.  She explains the new venture into pig farming with the hope to expand if it succeeds.  Mr. Blake notices a pig that is nearly dead due to dehydration after the pigs had upturned the trough leaving them without water.  With help too far away and too little time to save the pigs, Mr. Blake and Lady Mary take it upon themselves to bring the pigs water.  They manage to save the pigs after hours of lugging pails of water through mud in their dinner clothing.  Mr. Blake sees the other side of Lady Mary, one covered in mud and serving him scrambled eggs she cooked by herself.  News of their adventure reaches the others, and Evelyn intimates of Lady Mary obtaining another suitor.  This does not delight her, who had confessed before of not being ready to become happy again.  To add to her dilemma, Lord Gillingham is coming to stay at Downton.  He brings with him his valet, Mr. Green.  The change in Anna and Mrs. Hughes’ countenance at his arrival made the identity of Anna’s attacker very clear to Mr. Bates.  Mrs. Hughes confronts Mr. Green to make him aware of her knowledge of the crime he committed against Anna.  Mr. Green is unperturbed by her confrontation and insists that Anna is also to blame.  Moreover, the knowledge of Mr. Bates’ unawareness of his identity gives him pleasure much to Mrs. Hughes’ dismay.  Mr. Green initiates the conversation about the last night of the house party contrary to Mrs. Hughes’ demand not to draw attention.  He goads Mr. Bates with hints that reveal him as Anna’s attacker.  The reaction from the Bates did not go amiss with Miss Baxter.

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Episode 6 Season 4 – Downton Abbey Episode Summary 4.6

Episode Summary: Lady Rose arranges the jazz band, The Lotus, to play after dinner as a surprise birthday present for Lord Grantham.  Lady Mary begins to regret extending her hospitality to Evelyn’s boss, Charles Blake, for he manages to annoy her immediately.  This, however, delights Evelyn, who seeks to court Lady Mary.

Downton Abbey Episode 5 Season 4 Recap: Mr. Barrow expects a report from Miss Baxter and she relays the conversation she overheard between Lady Rose and Lady Cora.  Lady Rose appears to have a secret she wants Mrs. Hughes to keep.  Miss Baxter believes that the secret is trivial, but Mr. Barrow thinks otherwise that he persuades her to gather more information about it.  Unbeknownst to him, the secret revolves around the surprise birthday party they have planned for Lord Grantham.  Lady Rose had hired a band to play after dinner on the night of his birthday.  She wants Mrs. Hughes to keep the band members downstairs while the family is having dinner so as not to ruin the surprise.  Lord Grantham, however, learns of the dinner party his family is throwing for him through friends who could not keep a secret.  Fortunately, Lady Rose has kept hiring a band to play at the party from everyone except Mrs. Hughes.Continue reading...

Lady Violet notices that the Netsuke ivory carving of a fisherman has gone missing from her desk and suspects young Pegg of the theft.  Mrs. Crawley learns that young Pegg has been dismissed from his job as gardener without knowing the reason for it.  She confronts Lady Violet about the young man’s termination and reproaches her for her penchant for materialism at the expense of justice.  Mr. Spratt’s arrival with news of having found the Netsuke in the maid’s cleaning bucket confirms Mrs. Crawley’s suspicion of young Pegg’s unjust dismissal.  Lady Violet, however, maintains her belief that the young gardener took the valuable letter opener.  Mrs. Crawley takes it upon herself to investigate.  She purposely drops by the Dower House when Lady Violet is not around and feigns dizziness that the butler, Mr. Spratt, may allow her to sit in the drawing room.  Mrs. Crawley begins to snoop around the room in search of the valuable letter opener Lady Violet insisted young Pegg pilfered.  Her search bore fruit for she found the letter opener stuck down the side of an armchair.  Later, Mrs. Crawley returns with Dr. Clarkson keen to reproach Lady Violet for the unjust dismissal of young Pegg.  She is surprised to learn that Lady Violet had already hired young Pegg back.  In fact, she had explained to him of the reason for his dismissal and apologized for falsely accusing him of theft.

Alfred Nugent has lost his desire for cooking following the rejection from the Ritz Escoffier.  He, however, soon receives a letter from the prestigious cooking school offering him a slot after one of the chosen candidates dropped out of the course after receiving a job offer.  He is to leave Downton Abbey as soon as possible so as not to miss any more classes.  Daisy Robinson could not contain her tears at the news of Alfred’s departure.  She blames Ivy Stuart for driving him away.  All the same, Alfred is leaving Downton and the family has been informed.  He expresses his gratitude for their kindness towards him and also of Mr. Carson’s generosity in being his mentor.  Everyone but Daisy bids Alfred goodbye and he knows why.  Alfred makes it a point to say goodbye to Daisy.  He apologizes for the hurt he has caused her, but explains that he can never be the man for her.  Daisy accepts his apology and wishes him good will.  Mrs. Hughes asks Mr. Carson about hiring Mr. Molesley as Alfred’s replacement now that they are short of a footman, but Mr. Carson does not intend to hire Mr. Molesley after he hesitantly accepted the job offer.  Mr. Carson finds that Mr. Molesley’s hesitance to accept the job of a footman showed ingratitude.  Mr. Molesley learns that Downton is in need of a footman and speaks to Mr. Carson about it only to learn that he is no longer being considered as a candidate after he had expressed his disinclination to accept a permanent inferior position.  Mr. Molesley speaks with Mrs. Hughes, who is sympathetic to him.  Mrs. Hughes comes up with a plan to persuade Mr. Carson to take him on as a footman.  She sends for him the day of Lord Grantham’s birthday that he may serve the servants’ tea, a task that shows Mr. Carson his humility.  Mrs. Hughes’ plan worked for Mr. Carson gives in and offers Mr. Molesley the position Alfred left vacant.

Lady Edith learns that Michael Gregson has gone missing.  To add to her grief, she receives a letter from the doctor she visited in London, which confirms her pregnancy.  Lord Grantham finds her in the library in tears.  He correctly supposes that his daughter’s grief stems from the disappearance of Gregson and offers to send someone to look for him in Munich.  Lady Edith, however, informs him that Gregson’s office already sent a detective to look for him.  She just wants to know what has happened to her lover regardless of the dreadfulness of the truth.

Jimmy Kent and Ivy Stuart make their way back to Downton after seeing Rudolph Valentino’s film, The Sheik.  They extend their date a little longer and sit on a bench under the moonlight.  They begin to kiss passionately, but Jimmy has something else in mind.  This disgusts and upsets Ivy, but Jimmy is equally upset for he expects a reward in return for his supposed generosity.  Ivy leaves Jimmy after learning of his ulterior motive.  Ivy reports the incident to Mrs. Hughes and Ms. Patmore in Daisy’s presence.  The incident made her realize of Alfred’s decency, which upset Daisy enough to go into a tirade about how Ivy caused them grief by choosing Jimmy over Alfred.

Anna suggests that she and Mr. Bates go on a date as part of their effort to live past her horrible ordeal.  Mr. Bates insists that he is happy whenever he looks at her, but Anna knows this to be a lie.  She believes that her rape overshadows everything they do.  Mr. Bates agrees with her and begins to understand the necessity of their date.  They are to have an evening together where they vow not to think of the ghastly violation done to her.  Anna and Mr. Bates arrive at the Netherby hotel where Anna booked a reservation at its restaurant.  The arrogant maître‘d who had judged them with the clothes they are wearing refuses them entrance feigning not having their reservation.  He adds that there are no tables available for the Countess of Grantham is at the restaurant with a large party.  Lady Cora sees Anna and Mr. Bates with the maître‘d and speaks to them with familiarity embarrassing the obsequious maître‘d for behaving rudely to the friends of the Countess of Grantham.  By some miracle, he has found Anna and Mr. Bates a table at the restaurant, once he originally said was unavailable.  Later, Anna is once again reminded of the violation done to her despite her promise to put it behind for at least one evening.  She tells her husband that she is not a victim, while her husband intimates his guilt of failing to protect her.  Unfortunately, Lady Cora arrives at their table before they could discuss further.  She generously offers them a lift home.  The strain between husband and wife did not go amiss with Lady Cora.  She conveys her observation to Lady Mary while Miss Baxter is in the room.  She had heard that Anna was hurt somehow and that Mr. Bates feels guilty for failing to protect her.  Miss Baxter reluctantly relays the information she gathered to Mr. Barrow despite Lady Cora’s request to keep it to herself.  Soon, Mr. Barrow learns of the secret Mrs. Hughes is keeping for Lady Rose when the young mistress informs them that a London band from the nightclub, The Lotus, is coming to play after dinner as a surprise gift for Lord Grantham.  She asks for their confidence in keeping it a secret so as not to ruin the surprise.  Moreover, she asks that they extend hospitality to the musicians who will be staying with them.  Mr. Carson assures her that they will behave as expected, but betrays his assertion when the black bandleader, Jack Ross, arrives much to everyone’s shock.

Evelyn Napier arrives with Charles Blake at Downton Abbey after accepting the Crawleys’ invitation for them to reside there for the duration of their project.  Lady Mary learns that her understanding of the goal of their project is the opposite of its true objective.  Mr. Blake explains that they are to analyze the situation in order to determine whether their society is shifting fundamentally.  Their work is not to provide advice to landowners that will allow them to save their estates, but simply to ensure food production for the kingdom.  Mr. Blake bluntly relays Mr. Lloyd George’s priority of feeding the population over rescuing the aristocracy.  Mr. Blake manages to annoy Lady Mary in the few minutes he has spent at Downton.

The dinner party for Lord Grantham commences.  Mr. Blake sits beside Lady Mary giving him another chance to exasperate her.  Lady Cora notices her daughter’s annoyance and shares her observation to Evelyn Napier, who explains that Mr. Blake finds people with a sense of entitlement a challenge.  Therefore, Lady Mary’s annoyance only encourages him.  Evelyn, on the other hand, confesses his enthusiasm for Lady Mary, one Mr. Blake claims he does not share.  Mr. Blake finds Lady Mary a person who expects to reap rewards without lifting a finger.  He does not find people like her deserving.  Evelyn states that the feeling between Mr. Blake and Lady Mary is mutual.  Mrs. Crawley hears of Tom’s plan to immigrate to America and speaks to him about it.  Tom surprises himself after coming to a realization that he has come to love the Crawleys.  Nonetheless, he could not see making a life at Downton especially if he is to marry a commoner.  Soon, Lady Cora concludes the dinner and leads the ladies to the drawing room, leaving the gentlemen to drink and converse.  However, Lady Rose announces a deviation from the custom and instructs the band that is waiting outside to begin playing music.  This surprises everyone and pleases Lord Grantham until he comes across the black bandleader.  Lady Edith utters what is in everyone’s mind, but Lord Grantham decides to see past the color of Jack Ross’ skin.  He takes Lady Cora for a dance as a gesture of graciously accepting his niece’s birthday present.  Even Lady Violet shows progressive thinking when she advises Lady Edith to put aside her provincial mentality.  The hosts and the guests dance to the jazz band at Downton Abbey, the very first one to perform at the estate.  Mrs. Crawley uses the appearance of a jazz band at a formal dinner party in telling Tom that unexpected changes can come to Downton.  He should know for his marriage to a woman of nobility remains the most startling change in the history of Downton Abbey.  The dinner party was a success.  Lord Grantham enjoyed it so much that he agrees to Lady Mary’s suggestion to cover the bill.  Lady Mary goes downstairs to inform Jack Ross when she finds him and Lady Rose kissing passionately.  She gives them the courtesy to become aware of her presence, allowing them to compose themselves.  Lady Mary says nothing of the incident she had just witnessed.

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Lady Violet - Downton Abbey Quotes

In my opinion, Lady Violet is the wittiest character on Downton Abbey. Her wit excuses her impudence. Here are a few of her quotes.

Episode 6 of Season 4 - My dear, we country-dwellers must beware of being provincial.

Episode 5 Season 4 – Downton Abbey Episode Summary 4.5

Episode Summary: Mr. Bates forces Mrs. Hughes to divulge to him the truth about the cuts and bruises Anna sustained on the last night of the house party.  Lord Grantham persuades Lady Mary into rescinding the foreclosure of the Yew Tree Farm.  Alfred takes the exam at the prestigious Ritz Escoffier cooking school.

Downton Abbey Episode 5 Season 4 Recap: Anna Bates now resides at the main house of Downton Abbey.  Mr. Bates makes it a point to be the first one to greet her in the morning despite his wife’s insistence that there is no need for it.  He argues that there is every need for he remains befuddled as to how his perfect life with his loving wife unraveled in the space of one evening.Continue reading...

Anna maintains her impertinence towards Mr. Bates alarming Mrs. Hughes who pities the unwitting husband.  Mrs. Hughes speaks to Anna about her behavior and urges her to reconsider her decision to keep the secret to her husband.  Regrettably, Anna remains resolute in her choice believing that Mr. Bates will do the unthinkable if he found out the truth.  Unbeknownst to the two women, Mr. Bates overheard their conversation.  Unable to persuade Anna to tell her the truth, Mr. Bates confronts Mrs. Hughes instead.  He tells her that not knowing the truth will cause him to leave Downton and his wife.  He believes that Anna has fallen out of love with him so much so that the sight of him tortures her.  It is only noble to free her of such torment.  He threatens to hand in his resignation and will depart before Anna’s return from Ripon that day.  Mrs. Hughes assures Mr. Bates that Anna loves him greatly.  Moreover, his abandonment will devastate her surely.  It is for this reason that Mrs. Hughes will go against Anna’s wish to keep her secret from anyone especially Mr. Bates.  Mrs. Hughes tells Mr. Bates of Anna’s rape that occurred on the last night of the house party.  Mr. Bates immediately suspects, Mr. Green, Lord Gillingham’s valet as the rapist, but Mrs. Hughes disputes his suspicion.  Mrs. Hughes swears that Mr. Green was not Anna’s attacker after Mr. Bates demanded her to do so.  Nonetheless, he avows of finding Anna’s attacker.  Later, Mr. Bates speaks to Anna of his discovery.  He tries to verify Mrs. Hughes’ story most especially the identity of the rapist, but Anna confirms that it is a stranger, one whose identity they have no way of knowing.  He learns of Anna’s reason for withholding from him the violation done to her.  She feels unworthy of her husband.  Mr. Bates, on the other hand, finds her higher and holier for the suffering she endured.  In fact, he loves her more now than ever.  Anna informs Mrs. Hughes that she has decided to return to the cottage for she and Mr. Bates have decided to try to forget her ordeal.  Mrs. Hughes expresses her delight about the news to Mr. Bates only to learn that he does not intend to forget the violation done to his wife.  He informs Mrs. Hughes quite portentously of his pursuit to discover the identity of the attacker.

Lady Cora has a new lady’s maid, Miss Baxter, the candidate Mr. Barrow recommended for the position.  The woman appears to be pleasant and diametric to Mr. Barrow, which makes Mr. Bates wonder about her affiliation with the devious under butler.  Lady Cora is pleased with Miss Baxter thus far for the new lady’s maid is not only affable, but considerate as well.  The only one who has reservations with her is Mrs. Patmore, but her qualms are directed to the maid’s electric sewing machine that she had set up in the servants’ hall.  As it turns out, Mr. Barrow has been helping Miss Baxter win over Lady Cora for personal gain.  Moreover, he warns her about making enemies of her colleagues and notes that it was a mistake Miss O’Brien made that led to her ostracism.  With Mr. Barrow’s help, Miss Baxter wins the approval of Mrs. Patmore after she fixes her torn apron in time for Lady Cora’s visit of the kitchen.  Miss Baxter finds herself indebted to Mr. Barrow for procuring for her the job at Downton, but she is now only learning the reason for his generosity.  Mr. Barrow would like her to spy for him, believing that the information she gathers from the masters will be to his benefit.  Miss Baxter wonders why he has not sought the help of Anna if he does not see her as an enemy.  She learns that Mr. Barrow has tried, but Anna just proved to be incorruptible.

Newspapers announce the engagement of Lord Gillingham and Mabel Lane Fox.  Although she was forewarned, Lady Mary could not help but feel a tinge of disappointment upon hearing the news.  She tries her best not to reveal her true feelings about Lord Gillingham’s engagement.  Lady Mary finds distraction from the disheartening news when another man from her past pays an unexpected visit, Evelyn Napier.  Mr. Napier is doing government research in Yorkshire.  The department he is working for is assessing the damage of the war years on the landed estates undergoing difficulties with the goal of determining the likelihood of their survival.  Although he could not divulge the names of the estates that are in serious trouble, Mr. Napier conveys that Downton Abbey is not in danger.  Lady Mary, however, would like to get his opinion on the management of Downton.  She and Lady Cora invite Mr. Napier and his boss, Charles Blake, to reside at Downton while they are in Yorkshire.

Dr. Clarkson seeks the help of Mrs. Crawley to aid the cause of the son of a villager looking for work.  Dr. Clarkson believes that Mrs. Crawley will be able to persuade one of the Crawleys to employ the young man, but Mrs. Crawley sees herself an outsider especially with the passing of her son, Matthew.  Although she appreciates the kindness Lord and Lady Grantham had shown her, she maintains the belief that she is not truly part of the family.  Nevertheless, Mrs. Crawley speaks to Lady Violet about taking on young Pegg as a gardener.  With some persuasion, Lady Violet agrees to hire young Pegg as one of her gardeners.  However, she begins to suspect him of theft after she finds him in her study watering the plants and notices that the paper knife given to the late Lord Grantham by the King of Sweden had gone missing.  She speaks to Mrs. Crawley and Dr. Clarkson of her suspicion, but they ask her not to inform the head gardener of her distrust until they have done their investigation.

Lord Grantham attends the funeral of the father of Mr. Drewe, the tenant of the Yew Tree Farm, and learns that Mr. Drewe desires to take on the tenancy his father left.  Unfortunately, Lady Mary and Tom Branson already foreclosed the lease of the farm the Drewe family has tilled since the reign of George the Third due to the family’s failure to pay rent.  The Crawleys are to farm the land themselves.  Mr. Drewe pleads Lord Grantham to allow him to keep the tenancy and repay the debt his father kept from him.  Lord Grantham agrees to see him to discuss the matter, but becomes disappointed at the offer Mr. Drewe presented.  The man would like the foreclosure rescinded that he may take on the lease despite his inability to pay the arrears in full.  Mr. Drewe’s only argument is the century long partnership he and his family have with the Crawleys.  This, however, is enough cause for Lord Grantham to allow Mr. Drewe to take on the tenancy.  Aware that Lady Mary will reject the offer with an outstanding debt, Lord Grantham offers to lend the difference in the arrears that Mr. Drewe may pay his father’s debt in full.  Lord Grantham informs his family of the meeting he had with Mr. Drewe.  Lady Mary initially did not receive it well for it seemed as though her father already made the decision without asking for her approval and she did not find it legal given that the foreclosure papers have been served.  Her family, however, including Tom agrees with Lord Grantham who had insisted that Mr. Drewe would pay the arrears.  Moreover, he notes the moral right the Drewe family has on the land given their history and partnership with the Crawleys.  Lady Mary is surprised that Tom is in agreement with Lord Grantham forgetting his socialist ideals that make him decide in favor of the farmers.  Adding to her surprise is her father’s demand that she inform Mr. Drewe of their acceptance of his offer.  She does so and Mr. Drewe is very grateful for rescinding the foreclosure of his tenancy.  Lady Mary gives the credit to Lord Grantham and learns that his father had not only persuaded them to allow Mr. Drewe to keep his tenancy he had also lent him the last fifty pounds of the debt the Drewes owed.  Lady Mary thinks more highly of her father after learning of his good deed that he tried to hide from them.  Talk of his political beliefs reminded Tom of the last night of the house party where he felt like an intruder among his late wife’s family and friends.  He speaks to the Crawleys of moving to America where he has family.  Tom would like a fresh start for his daughter.  He is afraid of Sybbie being known as the daughter of an uppity chauffeur.  Although the Crawleys did not dismiss his plan, they ask him to reconsider for they do not want to lose him.

With Mr. Carson’s permission, the kitchen staffs assist Alfred in his training for the exam at the Ritz Escoffier.  Notwithstanding her conflicted desire to help the footman and her dislike to see him leave Downton Abbey, Daisy accepts the job of mentor.  Soon, Alfred receives a letter from the Ritz Escoffier informing him that his application has been accepted.  He is to be in London for the exam the day after tomorrow.  All but Jimmy are happy for him and the masters of the house commend the Bouchees de Fromage he prepared for dinner with Daisy’s supervision.  Alfred makes his way to London for the exam.  The exam at the Ritz Escoffier commences and Alfred finds himself unable to answer the questions from the Sous Chef of the Ritz, Arsene Avignon.  He, however, did well in the practical exam.  The sous chef wonders why Alfred had not chosen to make a living in the kitchen and had instead chosen to become a footman.  He learns that Alfred did so in order to fulfill his mother’s wish.  Although he is not unhappy working for the Earl of Grantham as a footman, he believes that he can improve his life with a culinary training.  Mr. Carson learns that the footman truly has a chance of being accepted at the respected cooking school.  In danger of losing a footman, he decides to offer the job to Mr. Molesley.  Much to Mr. Carson’s surprise and annoyance, Mr. Molesley asks for time to consider the offer, because he could not bear to accept a permanent position that is inferior to his qualifications.  He returns the following day to inform Mr. Carson that he has decided to accept the job after much deliberation only to learn that the position is no longer open, because Alfred will not be leaving Downton Abbey.  Alfred had just recently received a letter informing him that he did not make it to the top four although he was near.  Daisy sympathizes for the disappointing news Alfred received, but is delighted to learn that the footman will be staying at Downton.

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Episode 4 Season 4 – Downton Abbey Episode Summary 4.4

Episode Summary:  Miss Braithwaite uses the night of passion she spent with Tom Branson to trick him into marrying her.  He seeks Mrs. Hughes for help.  Meanwhile, Lord Gillingham falls in love with Lady Mary and begins to court her.

Downton Abbey Episode 4 Season 4 Recap: Anna Bates avoids her husband and makes her way to Downton Abbey alone.  She endures having to sit beside the man who severely violated her and having to answer her inquiring colleagues about the cuts and bruises on her face.  Mr. Bates suspects that Anna is keeping the truth about the previous night’s incident that led to her injuries.  Moreover, he suspects that Mrs. Hughes knows the truth.Continue reading...

The guests from the house party make their departure that morning.  Tom Branson receives genuine and comforting advice from the Duchess of Yeovil who believes that Tom’s aloofness at the party was due to the loss of his wife, Lady Sybil.  The Duchess tells him that he will learn to manage without the love of his life just as she did when her husband died.  Soon as the guests have left, Lady Mary wastes no time to talk business with her father.  She informs Lord Grantham of seeing the tax people earlier than scheduled due to an unexpected opening in their calendar.  She is to meet with them without Lord Grantham to discuss their options.  Lady Mary remains adamant about not selling off land to pay their death duties even if it means paying their debt for years to come.  She believes that this is the only way to keep Downton self-sufficient.

Tom Branson speaks with Edna Braithwaite and confesses to have been heavily inebriated the previous night.  He apologizes for the mistake he is unsure of committing.  Edna accuses him of discarding her after using her and threatens him of the possibility of having gotten her pregnant for the one night they spent together.  Edna demands that Tom marry her and recognize the child if their night of passion led her to conceive.  Tom does not concede to her demand and instead confesses to have nothing in him but regret.

Lord Gillingham surprises Lady Mary when he joins them at dinner at Lady Rosamund’s house in London.  The small dinner party was a result of Lady Cora and Lady Rosamund’s scheme to get him and Lady Mary to spend time together.  Sir John Bullock invites them to the Lotus Club after dinner where Tom becomes Lady Rosamund’s reluctant dance partner and Lady Mary becomes Lord Gillingham’s date.  Lady Mary dances with Lord Gillingham and confesses her appreciation of his presence for it enabled her to play truant.  Lord Gillingham asks to see her again before she leaves for Downton, but learns that they will be leaving soon after the meeting with the tax people.  Lady Mary senses that the man is courting her.  She confesses that it will be years before she gets over the loss of her beloved husband.  Meanwhile, a heavily intoxicated Sir John Bullock is causing a scene at the club mortifying his dance partner, Lady Rose.  He, however, becomes nauseous on the dance floor causing him to rush out leaving Lady Rose without a partner in the middle of the dance floor.  Jack Ross, the black bandleader, leaves the stage and rescues Lady Rose from further humiliation unaware that his dancing with her caused discomfort to the Crawleys including Tom Branson.  Tom comes to fetch Lady Rose, who could not understand why her family appears more humiliated with the sight of seeing her dancing with Mr. Ross than the drunkard Sir John Bullock.  They return to Lady Rosamund’s house and Lady Mary takes the opportunity to ask Tom about his glum attitude.  Tom reveals nothing, but confesses that the truth will make Lady Mary despise him.  Lady Mary intimates to have said exactly the same thing to someone before.  She reveals that the confession she dreaded to make actually made things a lot better.  Tom agrees that she must be right, but he cannot bear tell her the truth.  Lady Mary urges him to find a confidant even if it is not her.

Lady Mary, Tom Branson, Lady Rose, and Anna return from London.  Anna remains morose and reticent even to her husband.  In fact, her uncharacteristic taciturn attitude has become apparent even to the masters.  More troubling to her husband is that his touch brings about fear and anger from Anna.  The woman would not even look at him.  Soon he learns that Anna had decided to sleep in the servants’ quarters instead of their cottage.  Unbeknownst to him, Anna feels shamed, dishonored, and underserving of his love.  In fact, she has revealed to Mrs. Hughes the guilt of somehow bringing about the violation done to her, one Mrs. Hughes assures her is false.  Mrs. Hughes urges Anna to report the crime to the police, but Anna refuses to do so afraid that the truth will lead her husband to commit murder.  Mr. Bates tells his wife that he will not press her now of the reason for her change in behavior, but he promises her that he will soon find out.  This troubles Anna, but not as much as the news of Lord Gillingham’s sudden arrival.  Ostensibly, Lord Gillingham rode the same train as Lady Mary to Downton Abbey managing to avoid being seen that he may elude explaining to Lady Mary’s company of his presence.  Lord Gillingham made the impromptu trip to Downton to propose marriage to Lady Mary.  The question shocked Lady Mary who does not accept or reject the surprising proposal and confession of love from a man she knew only as a child.  Lord Gillingham has fallen so in love with Lady Mary that he offers to wait years for her decision so long that she will eventually accept to be his wife.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Hughes learns of another secret, this time concerning Tom.  He has come to her for help with Miss Braithwaite.  Mrs. Hughes sets out with a plan immediately.  She sends for Miss Braithwaite and the lady’s maid arrives believing that they have decided to bribe her for her silence.  On the contrary, Mrs. Hughes has no plans of paying off Miss Braithwaite for she is certain that Miss Braithwaite could not have conceived on the night she slept with Tom.  Mrs. Hughes found in her belongings Marie Stopes’ book of Married Love, which showed that Miss Braithwaite made sure she would not conceive until Tom has agreed to marry her.  Mrs. Hughes believes that Miss Braithwaite would have gotten herself pregnant by any man if Tom had agreed to marry her.  Because Mrs. Hughes does not have any proof of Miss Braithwaite’s scheme, she instead threatens her to have the doctor examine Miss Braithwaite by force if necessary to prove her ploy.  Miss Braithwaite threatens to reveal the affair to Lady Cora, but Mrs. Hughes counters with a threat of not providing her a reference leaving her without any chance of getting a decent job.  Miss Braithwaite yields to the threats proving Mrs. Hughes’ theory that the woman could not have conceived that night.  She leaves Downton Abbey with more enemies and no friends, not even Mr. Barrow whom she insulted on her departure.  Mr. Barrow sensed that the woman had set in motion a scheme that did not bear fruit for which he is delighted.  Lady Cora receives Miss Braithwaite’s notice of resignation with a claim of family troubles as the reason for her sudden and immediate departure.  Miss Braithwaite’s departure relieves Tom Branson.  Moreover, it gave Anna a reason to reside in the main house instead of the cottage she shares with her husband.  She argues that staying in the Downton house will allow her to attend to both Lady Cora and Lady Mary more competently.  Lord Grantham, however, asks Mr. Bates of the reason for Miss Braithwaite’s departure, but the valet is equally unaware of the true cause.  Mr. Bates is preoccupied with problems with his wife to discern other servant’s issues.  He confides to Lord Grantham of Anna’s decision to move back into the house for reasons kept from him.  Mr. Barrow is another person who benefits from Miss Braithwaite’s departure for it gave him a chance to recommend a candidate for her replacement.

Lord Gillingham’s unannounced visit gave hope to Lord Grantham and Lady Cora who both are hopeful that Lady Mary will find another suitable husband.  Much to their surprise, Mrs. Crawley nobly receives Lord Gillingham despite his obvious intentions of courting Lady Mary.  Mrs. Crawley had confessed to Lady Violet her feelings of jealousy despite her desire for Lady Mary to find happiness once again.  She is ashamed to feel such emotions for seeing Lady Mary come alive again, but Lady Violet finds such feelings justifiable.  Lady Mary speaks with Lord Gillingham the following day and refuses his proposal after confiding that she has not gotten over Matthew.  She feels that she will never get over her beloved late husband.  Hearing so, Lord Gillingham informs her of his decision to push through with his engagement with Mabel Lane Fox.  He confesses that it is Lady Mary whom he truly loves, but he will marry Mabel Lane Fox to fulfill his obligation to his family.  He promises to leave her in peace, but asks for a kiss before doing so.  Lady Mary wastes no time to inform her family of Lord Gillingham’s engagement with Mabel Lane Fox in order to eliminate any false hope they might have perceived from her dealings with Lord Gillingham.  She, however, confides with Tom about having done something she might regret in the future.

Lady Edith is spending much time in London in order to be with Mr. Gregson.  The step he has taken that will allow him to marry Lady Edith legally has taken shape.  He is to reside in Munich indefinitely, while he awaits his German citizenship.  Mr. Gregson asks Lady Edith to sign a contract that will allow her to have authority over his affairs in his absence.  The great lengths Mr. Gregson is willing to take in order to marry her made him even more desirable such that Lady Edith could no longer contain her lust for him.  Lady Edith spends the night with Mr. Gregson.  Her arrival in the wee hours of the morning did not go unnoticed in Lady Rosamund’s household causing her aunt to admonish her.  Lady Rosamund feels that Lady Edith is gambling her future for actions she may soon regret.  She, nevertheless, agrees to keep her niece’s indiscretion from Lady Cora.

Jimmy continues to pursue Ivy.  Alfred and Daisy catch them in the kitchen about to kiss causing Alfred to threaten to report them to Mrs. Patmore, but it was an empty threat.  Preparing the sauces for the house party rekindled Alfred’s passion for cooking.  He welcomes the news of the establishment of a training school in honor of Monsieur Escoffier at the Ritz Hotel in London.  The school will accept candidates who pass the test and will provide free training with a basic wage.  The candidates will also be given an opportunity to work at the Ritz Hotel.  Mrs. Patmore suggests that Daisy take the exam, but she has no desire of doing so.  Meanwhile, Alfred has Ivy in mind and asks for her.  In a fit of jealousy, Daisy maliciously informs Alfred of her whereabouts very much aware that Ivy is in the boot room with Jimmy.  Alfred finds Jimmy and Ivy making out in the boot room.  The sight broke his heart causing him to apply to the Ritz Escoffier cooking school in London.  Mrs. Patmore and Daisy help him prepare for his exam.  Daisy, however, is reluctant because she does not want Alfred to leave Downton Abbey.  It was a decision she inadvertently pushed him into making due to one moment of nastiness she now heartily regrets.  Mrs. Patmore urges the assistant cook to help the footman fulfill his dreams for it will be better if they part as friends.  Moreover, the cook is very well aware that Alfred does not share the same feelings Daisy has for him.

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