So I forgot Monday was Monday because Week 8 is vacation week, and then we were on a boat with spotty wi-fi, and then I thought I did post something from my phone, but I guess the wi-fi was even spottier than I thought because it's not here! Here are some DA thoughts, late.
First: ladies and gentlemen, I give you Tom Branson. The best, the finest, the bravest, and most sensible of them all.
Second: the acting in this episode. It is so good. Mary. She is the best. I’m glad the show finally gave her something to do, something more important to sneer about. I'm not thrilled to see her revert to a letter-to-the-Turkish-ambassador-level of backstabbery, but on the other hand, I totally miss that level of backstabbery on this show.
And I never realized how similar she and Thomas are - hurt, misunderstood, lashing out, given a lot of second chances, and squandering those relationships that could eventually pay off the dividends they so desperately need. I was horrified by Thomas' suicide attempt even as it was so obvious that it was on the way. Subtlety has not been this show's forte.
The words "Poor Edith" have been spoken aloud, on the show! Is this a first? Is this a nod to all of us fans saying it all the time?? That said, has Edith's ship come in at last? Is Fellowes making up for all of our "Poor Edith"ing?
LOVED the scene of Anna and Mary laughing about the house of ill-repute. LOVED. It was so genuine!
Last episode, I'd made my absolute peace with Mary and Talbot not being a thing, even as I realized that the show was probably going to put them back together (you don't cast Matthew Goode and then NOT have him end up Mr. Mary Crawford [edited later to add - Mary CRAWLEY. This is Downton Abbey, not Mansfield Park. However, I think Matthew Goode and Mary Crawley would do quite well together). But the scene where Henry Talbot shows up unannounced at Downton was the first time I’ve felt like maybe he is awesome after all. So I'm good with it, even if it means I was ultimately wrong about Evelyn Napier.