The episode opens with Mr. Barrow enjoying his turn as butler while the Carsons are on their honeymoon.
In typical Barrow fashion, he manages to irritate everyone at every turn, including Lord Grantham. “I don’t care for a lack of generosity,” he reminds Barrow. We’re starting to feel that the hints that Barrow is going to be sacked are misdirections by Mr. Fellowes. Could the Carsons be headed for retirement and Mr. Barrow slated to achieve his life-long dream of becoming the butler of the Abbey?
The Dowager Countess enlists Lady Shackleton to reinforce her side of the hospital quarrel. Lady S arrives at Downton with her nephew – none other than Henry Talbot (the owner of the “snappy chariot” from last season) – in tow.
Lady Mary and Tom Branson are both intrigued by Talbot; she by the man and he by Talbot’s penchant for racing cars. Tom considers getting involved with cars as he realises he shouldn’t displace Lady M as the estate agent.
Sergeant Willis makes his regular appearance at the Abbey, this time to convince Miss Baxter to be a character witness against Peter Coyle. She’s extremely reluctant and Mr. Mosley reminds her that, “All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Sgt. Willis’ impassioned plea about the impressionable young women whose lives Coyle has ruined turns the tide and she agrees.
Anna is whisked away to London in the dead of night by Lady Mary for the “stitch in time” that saves her pregnancy. Lady Mary has dinner with Talbot while she’s there. “I hope this means you’re boiling up to make a pass before we’re done,” she says.
He replies in the affirmative and asks if she will accept. In signature Lady Mary fashion, she quips, “No. But I shall enjoy the process enormously.”
Gwen – who you may remember as a housemaid from before the war – returns for lunch at the Abbey. Her husband is the treasurer of a women’s college where Lady Rosamund is a trustee. Mr. Barrow’s nose is out of joint because Gwen doesn’t treat him like a long lost friend and the Crawley family is embarrassed because they don’t recognize her. But the day is saved as Gwen credits Lady Sybil for setting her on the path to her career outside of service. “Her kindness changed my life.”
The family later follows Lady Sybil’s lead and decides to give Yew Tree Farm to Mr. Mason, rather than farming it themselves at a greater profit. Lord Grantham delivers the good news to Daisy, forestalling another of her disastrous outbursts. Win/win.
The episode ends with Anna revealing her pregnancy to a delighted Mr. Bates and the Carsons returning from their honeymoon. To the massive relief of everyone, Mr. Carson asks Lord Grantham if it would be alright if they continue to be known as Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes. A glass is raised to the pair and all is right at the Abbey.
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 11 October 2015 on ITV.
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