Episode 3 revolves around the happy occasion of the wedding of Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson.
Mrs. Patmore and Anna are horrified over Mrs. Hughes’ choice of her brown “day dress” as her wedding gown. We agree. Mrs. Patmore goes all modern and springs into action, ordering a dress from a catalogue. When it arrives and proves to be hideous (welcome to our world, Mrs. P), Anna solicits the help of Lady Mary.
Meanwhile, Mr. Barrow goes on another disastrous job interview and endures slights from Andrew and Mr. Carson.
Preliminary skirmishes continue over the hospital merger as both generals (Lady Grantham and Isobel) position their troupes for battle. Dr. Clarkson admits to rethinking his opposition. “In my experience, second thoughts are vastly overrated,” counsels the Dowager.
Mr. Spratt shelters his nephew in the potting shed after the nephew’s escape from jail. Denker discovers this juicy fact and lies to the hapless Sargent Willis when asked if she knows anything about said nephew. With something to hold over Spratt’s head, Denker could not be happier. You’re in trouble now, Mr. Spratt.
Lady Edith finally fires her odious editor and puts her shoulder to the wheel, putting the magazine to bed by 4 a.m. Assisting her in this task is Bertie Pelham, the charming estate agent for Brancaster Castle that she met when the Sinderby’s rented it out. He’s handsome, industrious, and not intimidated by her abilities. Dare we hope for a happy romance for her?
Mrs. Patmore wades into the issue of the wedding reception and Mrs. Hughes wins the day. “This is our day, M’Lady. It’s about Charles Carson and Elsie Hughes and not about this glorious house or the glamorous people who have lived in it. Just us,” she tells the Crawleys in the drawing room after dinner. Well said, Mrs. Hughes.
Lady Mary decides (without telling her mama) that Mrs. Hughes will wear one of Cora’s evening jackets over the hideous mail order dress. Cora walks in on the three servants going through her clothes and blows her stack. She recovers herself, of course, and presents Mrs. Hughes with her coat and a heartfelt apology.
We’re treated to touching scenes of Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson happily anticipating their marriage the next morning. The wedding is simple and moving, and Mrs. Hughes is lovely in her pieced-together attire. Mr. Carson’s toast at the reception (in the charmingly tricked out school house) brings tears. “I am the happiest and luckiest of men. That a woman of such grace and charm should entrust her life’s happiness to my unworthy charge passeth all understanding.”
The best moment of the episode comes when a new guest offers his congratulations – Tom Branson, with Sybbie in his arms. It seems the most important lesson he learned in America is “Downton is my home and you are my family.”
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 4 October 2015 on ITV.
> Buy the complete Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.
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