Downton Abbey series four has commenced, and with episode 2 continuing from Mary, who is no longer in mourning, things needed to take another turn for the dramatic. The unexpected arrived in the form of a long lost letter written from Matthew before he sadly died, which hints to Matthew's intention to leave Mary as the sole heir of his half of the estate.
Oh the shock! Surprise, surprise, the Earl isn't exactly thrilled and thinks Mary not up to the task. Who will help poor Mary? Oh, that's right - Violet! The Dowager Countess is truly on form with her riveting conversation and sly remarks, as well as her general bemusement - 'and the live..livestock.' Violet enlists Tom to help Mary learn about the day-to-day running of the estate so she can be better prepared to handle it, and rival her fathers ideas.
Meanwhile, bloody interferring Thomas has set his hand at recruiting a new sidekick (one that he no doubt can easily dispose of when their use runs out), Edna. The two 'team up' to make poor Anna look bad, but double act Anna and Bates know better and will no doubt use their skills to turn the tables on Thomas and Idiot #2 later on in the series. After all, we all remember what happens when people mess with Bates or Bates' beau.
Also going down in the latest episode are fist-fights - including one over new addition, Rose, who manages to get two guys up in arms over her at a tea-dance for servants. Like something out of a romance novel, Anna begrudgingly helps Rose attend the party and dress like 'normal folk' and then later helps her escape, AND then later helps her dress up as a house maid in order to see the guy who she was dancing with earlier, as he pays a visit to the house where she 'works at' later that evening.
God, Anna's helping everyone today. Speaking of helping others, Molesley is also in a spot of bother, having forced to become a labourman and in a lot of debt, good ol' Bates gets money from the Dowager Countess and acts like Molesley owes him a debt, and he is simply repaying it, in order to get the former valet and butler to actually take the help he desperately needs.
Meanwhile, Edith and Michael Gregson are heating things up (as much as they possibly can, considering both of them are pretty much as dull as dishwater)
and Carson reveals that he had his heartbroken by a lady named Alice, and with the help of Isobel, new arrival Griggs and Carson manage to patch things up over Alice, as Griggs reveals she always loved Carson. Yay, Carson!
It is also eventually revealed at the end of the episode that the letter from Matthew stands, and Mary is owner of half of the estate and she's already contesting some of her father's plans (finally). Obviously, the Earl isn't exactly thrilled as he likes being in control of his affairs, but only time will tell if Mary can change things around or if the Earl will ruin things for the estate and family again.
So, was last night's episode packed full of enough drama and possible storylines to attract and sustain your interest? Or did you give up the gun after Matthew's tragic death? (it was a bit of a big deal)
Reviewed by Mel.
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