The last ever season of Downton Abbey opens with Lord Grantham in hunting pink and Lady Mary scandalously astride rather than sidesaddle, preparing for the hunt.
Barrow and Mosley are handing up drinks to the riders from silver trays and everything seems in order. But talk of staff reductions at the Abbey are whispered and forced economies seem to be at hand.
It’s now 1925 and the neighboring estate has been sold and everything put up for auction. Mr. Mason, a tenant farmer all his life, is to be turned out, with a cheeky outburst from well-intentioned Daisy sealing his fate.
The Dowager Countess mentions the possible layoffs to Denker in strict confidence. Denker, of course, can’t resist spreading a juicy piece of unpleasant gossip and is soon upsetting everyone at the Abbey and goading Spratt. The DC, however, takes the matter in hand and hoists Denker on her own petard. We almost felt rather sorry for Denker! Almost.
Lady Mary’s scandalous weekend with Tony Gillingham provides grist for a blackmailing chambermaid’s mill. Fortunately, Lord Grantham steps in to cleverly resolve the situation with a fifty pound note and a signed confession from the blackmailer.
In a touching scene with Mary, her father tells her that his money has been well spent. “I’ve learned that my eldest child is a child no more and quite tough enough to run this estate. Indeed, she could run the kingdom if called upon to do so.” Lady Mary as the new estate agent – we like it.
The Mr. Green saga is finally concluded after two seasons in typically hurried – and not entirely satisfying – Downton fashion when another of his victims confesses. All is not smooth sailing in the Bates marriage, however, as infertility issues are breaking Anna’s (and our) heart.
New trouble is brewing between Isobel and the Dowager Countess over the proposed acquisition of the local hospital by the Royal Yorkshire County Hospital. In Downton’s answer to Captain America: Civil War, Isobel and Lord Merton line up pro merger and the DC and Dr. Clarkson are against it.
Despite Lord Grantham’s advice that no one has ever stopped his mother, Cora is determined to side with Isobel. “No one has stopped her, yet,” she replies.
Mr. Barrow shows us his tender side by doting on young George and Marigold. Meanwhile, Lady Edith considers moving to London with Marigold, to take up residence in Michael Gregson’s flat and get her editor back in line.
The most touching moment of the episode comes in a scene between Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Carson. Mrs. Hughes has dodged setting the date for their marriage because she is nervous about Mr. Carson seeing her in her birthday suit. She dispatches a reluctant Mrs. Patmore to find out if Mr. Carson expects “that” aspect of their marriage.
After a few attempts to broach the subject in some very funny scenes, Mr. Carson finally understands and responds that he wants “a real marriage, a true marriage, with everything that that involves.”
“I love her, Mrs. Patmore,” he proclaims. “I am happy and tickled, bursting with pride that she would agree to be my wife. And I want us to live as closely as two people can for the time that remains to us on earth.”
Mrs. Hughes decides that’s good enough for her and the episode ends with what we’ve all been longing for. Mr. Carson takes Mrs. Hughes in his arms and kisses her.
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 20 September 2015 on ITV.
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