Episode 2 begins with a glimpse of Mr. Mosley ironing the morning newspaper. At least economies haven’t reached to this level.
Battle lines are drawn over the ownership of the local hospital, with Cora siding with Isobel while Lord Grantham tries to remain neutral, saying he’d like to avoid “blood on the carpet” when the Dowager and Isobel lock horns.
Undaunted, Isobel tells her ally Lord Merton that there will be “wigs on the green before we’re done.” We’re not sure what that means, but it sounds interesting.
A black cloud continues to hover over Anna and Mr. Bates, as her inability to carry a pregnancy haunts them both. When he finds her crying, Mr. Bates lovingly assures her that it is “not right that you would cry alone… You’re married and that means you’d never have to cry alone again.”
Lady Mary, however, is determined to chase that cloud away. She takes Anna to the doctor in London that helped her when she couldn’t get pregnant and the doctor recommends a simple procedure. As the two women have a laugh over the moments they’ve shared (including hauling the ill-fated Mr. Pamuk down the gallery), Lady Mary declares, “And this is our next moment.” Bravo, Lady Mary.
Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes are at odds over where to hold their wedding reception. Lady Mary shames her father into offering up the Great Hall, but Mrs. Hughes is not persuaded. She favours a setting more in keeping with who they are and not where they work.
“I don’t want to be a servant on my wedding day. Is that so wrong?”…“I’m the bride…. The wedding day is mine.” She observes that he’ll get his own way for the next thirty years. Stick to your guns, Mrs. Hughes. Stick to your guns.
Mr. Barrow can’t seem to catch a break. Mr. Carson is dismissive of him every time Barrow seeks reassurance about his job at the Abbey. Meanwhile, the newly acquired footman Andrew seems to be taking the place by storm. Mr. Barrow goes on a disastrous job interview and we feel genuinely sorry for him.
Mr. Finch visits the Abbey to solicit entrants in the Molton Fat Stock Show. After recovering from the nasty shock that Lady Mary is the new estate agent, he accepts her assurance that she will consult Mr. Drew, their “pig man.” Her visit to the Drew’s farm, with George and Marigold in tow, results in a fateful reunion between the little girl and Mrs. Drew.
When Mrs. Drew later scoops up Marigold at the Molton show and brings her back to Yew Tree Farm, the writing is on the wall. The Drews must leave the tenancy that their family has occupied for more than a century and move on. Will this be the source of a happy ending for Mr. Mason?
Lady Edith continues to wrangle with her irascible editor and we’re hoping she utters the famous words, “You’re fired.” She may take Marigold to London and move into Michael Gregson’s flat after all. Our fingers are crossed for a happy ending for her at last.
Aired at 9pm on Sunday 27 September 2015 on ITV.
> Buy the complete Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.
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