This is a good transitional episode. Several story lines are moved forward. One is Molesly, who has lost Matthew, for whom he was valet. Now he is out the door without a how do you do. We have O'Brien slithering off, leaving Cora without a dresser (fretting that there is no one to dress you is the height of royal arrogance and entitlement). Well, now a familiar face reappears and we know it's going to be trouble. Mary is lurking around the house like Morticia Addams, getting more pale and sullen, six months after the tragedy. We are in for a wild ride this fourth season. Can't wait.
7 Reviews
Heartwarming
pokharshini8 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The episode is a reminder of everything that the show stands for - dealing with emotions, and with changing times. Sorrow and tragedy have been inseparable parts of Downton's life, but it is only due to the strong traditional values and some old wisdom that the house continues to thrive.
There are some small subtleties in the episode which can not go unnoticed. Mary and Isobel, two grieving women try to find new purpose in their lives. The introduction of the Mixer machine and the fascination of the kitchen staff with it, the loss of Molesley's job and his lack of capacity to find a new job point towards the unforgiving times of the Industrial Revolution.
Despite their conservative opinions, Mr Carson and Cousin Violet remain the strongest pillars of Downton, and they know that whatever might happen, life must go on.
The writers of the show try their best to justify the abrupt departures of Mathhew and Mrs O Brien, though not to much avail.
There are some small subtleties in the episode which can not go unnoticed. Mary and Isobel, two grieving women try to find new purpose in their lives. The introduction of the Mixer machine and the fascination of the kitchen staff with it, the loss of Molesley's job and his lack of capacity to find a new job point towards the unforgiving times of the Industrial Revolution.
Despite their conservative opinions, Mr Carson and Cousin Violet remain the strongest pillars of Downton, and they know that whatever might happen, life must go on.
The writers of the show try their best to justify the abrupt departures of Mathhew and Mrs O Brien, though not to much avail.
Okay
jpismyname1 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The episode opens on a cold night, Lady Mary is in her bedroom. She is still grieving, her heart aches as painfully as it was six months ago when her husband was killed in a car accident. Isobel Crawley grieves too, and her sense of purpose is gone. Such two very talented actresses who are really believable.
Then there's Miss O'Brien. She was just like, gone. I wish her character had a proper send off. Like, the truth about the soap incident could've been revealed, and then she went to prison and was not seen again. That would've been better.
Then there's Miss O'Brien. She was just like, gone. I wish her character had a proper send off. Like, the truth about the soap incident could've been revealed, and then she went to prison and was not seen again. That would've been better.
Transition time.
mark.waltz23 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As the series reaches its halfway mark, the loss of three original cast members is greatly felt. Sybil passed away halfway through season three, and in the final episode of the season, O'Brien gave hints of wanting to move on, especially since her secret of the soap seemed to be exposed, and a violent car crash seemed to be fatal for leading hero Matthew. It's now six months later so there's still grief for both the Grantham and Crawley families. Of course Mary is still grieving, and even Edith seems to wish that they could have an argument to show that Mary is getting better. Her dower personality is more O'Brien than O'Brien ever was, and it's it takes several major talkings to in order to get Mary to come back to life.
The unseen face of an extra is spotted walking down the stairs with a suitcase in the opening sequence after leaving letters behind, and it's obviously meant to be O'Brien walking out on her job without notice. Interestingly enough though she's going to continue working for the family for cousin Rose's mother in India. Edith's love for her publisher boss Mr. Gregson continues to grow but he's preparing to go to Germany to get an uncontested divorce. Obviously more heartache is on the way for her. Mr. Barrow has a new rival in Nanny West, a rather arrogant woman who tries to boss him around, something he will not tolerate. He handles her quite well, and proves to Lady Cora that his loyalty to the family is indeed on the right track. Without O'Brien around, Thomas has the opportunity to reform for past sins even though he will always be a bit calculating.
Without O'Brien as her ladies maid, Cora is in dire straits, and this leads to the return of Edna Braithwaite who once flirted with the widowed Tom Branson. Mrs. Hughes aides Isabel in getting back to life with getting her to help with Carson's old vaudeville partner who is going through difficult times and seems to be dying of consumption. You really get to see more of these characters hearts as you get to know them, and here, other than Nanny west, the only real villain is Lady Violet's butler Spratt who seems to be trying to set Mosley up to look like a clumsy fool while they are trying to help him find a new position. It's boo, hiss for Spratt and West, and cheers for everyone else who seems to be rising finally above the years of tragedy with the world war and several shocking deaths to move on with their lives. An excellent way to start season four.
The unseen face of an extra is spotted walking down the stairs with a suitcase in the opening sequence after leaving letters behind, and it's obviously meant to be O'Brien walking out on her job without notice. Interestingly enough though she's going to continue working for the family for cousin Rose's mother in India. Edith's love for her publisher boss Mr. Gregson continues to grow but he's preparing to go to Germany to get an uncontested divorce. Obviously more heartache is on the way for her. Mr. Barrow has a new rival in Nanny West, a rather arrogant woman who tries to boss him around, something he will not tolerate. He handles her quite well, and proves to Lady Cora that his loyalty to the family is indeed on the right track. Without O'Brien around, Thomas has the opportunity to reform for past sins even though he will always be a bit calculating.
Without O'Brien as her ladies maid, Cora is in dire straits, and this leads to the return of Edna Braithwaite who once flirted with the widowed Tom Branson. Mrs. Hughes aides Isabel in getting back to life with getting her to help with Carson's old vaudeville partner who is going through difficult times and seems to be dying of consumption. You really get to see more of these characters hearts as you get to know them, and here, other than Nanny west, the only real villain is Lady Violet's butler Spratt who seems to be trying to set Mosley up to look like a clumsy fool while they are trying to help him find a new position. It's boo, hiss for Spratt and West, and cheers for everyone else who seems to be rising finally above the years of tragedy with the world war and several shocking deaths to move on with their lives. An excellent way to start season four.
Pretty sad episode
drsuryashisdey21 August 2020
One thing puzzling me is what did Mary give Carson at the end of her apology speech in Carson's room. At first I thought may be it was just a warm handshake, but after Mary leaves Carson is seen viewing at his hand. Was it a tip from Mary?
Good - Factual Error
mtardy-16 April 2019
While Lady Edith Crawley is discussing with Michael Gregson the progress he has made in discovering a way to divorce his lunatic wife, Gregson tells her that he has discovered he can divorce her if he becomes a German citizen. To this, Lady Edith replies in reference to Gregson being willing to become a German citizen because he loves Lady Edith, "After four years of fighting you would join the most hated RACE in Europe for me."
Lady Edith made a factual error in that Germany is a country and German is a nationality. German is not a race. There are Germans of all different races.
Lady Edith made a factual error in that Germany is a country and German is a nationality. German is not a race. There are Germans of all different races.
Such a sad episode
moviesfilmsreviewsinc14 May 2022
The nights are closing in, which makes it time for the gates to Downton Abbey's theme park of escapist wealth, posh frocks and Maggie Smith doing all the good bits to squeak ceremonially open and admit us twenty-first century oiks. 'Look, a tiny spoon just for hazelnuts! How darling' we gasp. 'And look! Unjust social divisions, casual racism and a patriarchy that keeps women in check. Lady Cora thus left maidless, it was time for the reappearance of saucy Edna, the understairs servant sent packing at Christmas for ignoring the rungs of social division and saucing onto Branson. Edna won't be skivvying around the Abbey with a coal scuttle this time, but grooming and anointing her ladyship. Let's hope she took the 'politely excusing yourself when interrupted brushing a lady's hair' module during her glove-stretching BTEC National, seeing as it accounts for approximately two thirds of a lady's maid's workload at Downton.
Someone who's not happy about Edna's reappearance is Mrs Hughes, who pursed her lips at the news and all but turned to the audience to declare Edna's predatory loins a ticking time bomb. Come on Hughesy it could be worse, at least she's not that one who snogged the Earl that time. More pressing for Mrs Hughes was the task of digging up a new character for series four by rifling around in Mr Carson's wastepaper bin. She came up trumps with by plucking out a wheezing old Worzel Gummidge from the workhouse, one who - very promisingly - used to be Carson's song and dance partner in his theater days. There may be bad blood between them now, but mark my words, we'll see a music hall tap duo number from Charlie Carson and friend before the series is out. Anachronistic it may be, but I'd do anything for it to be All That Jazz complete with fishnets and heels...On the subject of butlers, we spent far too much time this week with Downton's very own Charlie Brown, Mr Molesley. Julian Fellowes no doubt keen to point out that it's not only the family that lose out when a toff dies but also their staff, Molesley had to cope both with unemployment and the indignity of once again being Downton Abbey's out-of-place comic relief (I still wake up in cold sweats thinking about that cricket match). Off you go to your new life wherever it is Molesley, there's a good man.
Someone who's not happy about Edna's reappearance is Mrs Hughes, who pursed her lips at the news and all but turned to the audience to declare Edna's predatory loins a ticking time bomb. Come on Hughesy it could be worse, at least she's not that one who snogged the Earl that time. More pressing for Mrs Hughes was the task of digging up a new character for series four by rifling around in Mr Carson's wastepaper bin. She came up trumps with by plucking out a wheezing old Worzel Gummidge from the workhouse, one who - very promisingly - used to be Carson's song and dance partner in his theater days. There may be bad blood between them now, but mark my words, we'll see a music hall tap duo number from Charlie Carson and friend before the series is out. Anachronistic it may be, but I'd do anything for it to be All That Jazz complete with fishnets and heels...On the subject of butlers, we spent far too much time this week with Downton's very own Charlie Brown, Mr Molesley. Julian Fellowes no doubt keen to point out that it's not only the family that lose out when a toff dies but also their staff, Molesley had to cope both with unemployment and the indignity of once again being Downton Abbey's out-of-place comic relief (I still wake up in cold sweats thinking about that cricket match). Off you go to your new life wherever it is Molesley, there's a good man.
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