Downton Abbey Episode 5 Season 4 Recap: Anna Bates now resides at the main house of Downton Abbey. Mr. Bates makes it a point to be the first one to greet her in the morning despite his wife’s insistence that there is no need for it. He argues that there is every need for he remains befuddled as to how his perfect life with his loving wife unraveled in the space of one evening.Continue reading...
Anna maintains her impertinence towards Mr. Bates alarming Mrs. Hughes who pities the unwitting husband. Mrs. Hughes speaks to Anna about her behavior and urges her to reconsider her decision to keep the secret to her husband. Regrettably, Anna remains resolute in her choice believing that Mr. Bates will do the unthinkable if he found out the truth. Unbeknownst to the two women, Mr. Bates overheard their conversation. Unable to persuade Anna to tell her the truth, Mr. Bates confronts Mrs. Hughes instead. He tells her that not knowing the truth will cause him to leave Downton and his wife. He believes that Anna has fallen out of love with him so much so that the sight of him tortures her. It is only noble to free her of such torment. He threatens to hand in his resignation and will depart before Anna’s return from Ripon that day. Mrs. Hughes assures Mr. Bates that Anna loves him greatly. Moreover, his abandonment will devastate her surely. It is for this reason that Mrs. Hughes will go against Anna’s wish to keep her secret from anyone especially Mr. Bates. Mrs. Hughes tells Mr. Bates of Anna’s rape that occurred on the last night of the house party. Mr. Bates immediately suspects, Mr. Green, Lord Gillingham’s valet as the rapist, but Mrs. Hughes disputes his suspicion. Mrs. Hughes swears that Mr. Green was not Anna’s attacker after Mr. Bates demanded her to do so. Nonetheless, he avows of finding Anna’s attacker. Later, Mr. Bates speaks to Anna of his discovery. He tries to verify Mrs. Hughes’ story most especially the identity of the rapist, but Anna confirms that it is a stranger, one whose identity they have no way of knowing. He learns of Anna’s reason for withholding from him the violation done to her. She feels unworthy of her husband. Mr. Bates, on the other hand, finds her higher and holier for the suffering she endured. In fact, he loves her more now than ever. Anna informs Mrs. Hughes that she has decided to return to the cottage for she and Mr. Bates have decided to try to forget her ordeal. Mrs. Hughes expresses her delight about the news to Mr. Bates only to learn that he does not intend to forget the violation done to his wife. He informs Mrs. Hughes quite portentously of his pursuit to discover the identity of the attacker.
Lady Cora has a new lady’s maid, Miss Baxter, the candidate Mr. Barrow recommended for the position. The woman appears to be pleasant and diametric to Mr. Barrow, which makes Mr. Bates wonder about her affiliation with the devious under butler. Lady Cora is pleased with Miss Baxter thus far for the new lady’s maid is not only affable, but considerate as well. The only one who has reservations with her is Mrs. Patmore, but her qualms are directed to the maid’s electric sewing machine that she had set up in the servants’ hall. As it turns out, Mr. Barrow has been helping Miss Baxter win over Lady Cora for personal gain. Moreover, he warns her about making enemies of her colleagues and notes that it was a mistake Miss O’Brien made that led to her ostracism. With Mr. Barrow’s help, Miss Baxter wins the approval of Mrs. Patmore after she fixes her torn apron in time for Lady Cora’s visit of the kitchen. Miss Baxter finds herself indebted to Mr. Barrow for procuring for her the job at Downton, but she is now only learning the reason for his generosity. Mr. Barrow would like her to spy for him, believing that the information she gathers from the masters will be to his benefit. Miss Baxter wonders why he has not sought the help of Anna if he does not see her as an enemy. She learns that Mr. Barrow has tried, but Anna just proved to be incorruptible.
Newspapers announce the engagement of Lord Gillingham and Mabel Lane Fox. Although she was forewarned, Lady Mary could not help but feel a tinge of disappointment upon hearing the news. She tries her best not to reveal her true feelings about Lord Gillingham’s engagement. Lady Mary finds distraction from the disheartening news when another man from her past pays an unexpected visit, Evelyn Napier. Mr. Napier is doing government research in Yorkshire. The department he is working for is assessing the damage of the war years on the landed estates undergoing difficulties with the goal of determining the likelihood of their survival. Although he could not divulge the names of the estates that are in serious trouble, Mr. Napier conveys that Downton Abbey is not in danger. Lady Mary, however, would like to get his opinion on the management of Downton. She and Lady Cora invite Mr. Napier and his boss, Charles Blake, to reside at Downton while they are in Yorkshire.
Dr. Clarkson seeks the help of Mrs. Crawley to aid the cause of the son of a villager looking for work. Dr. Clarkson believes that Mrs. Crawley will be able to persuade one of the Crawleys to employ the young man, but Mrs. Crawley sees herself an outsider especially with the passing of her son, Matthew. Although she appreciates the kindness Lord and Lady Grantham had shown her, she maintains the belief that she is not truly part of the family. Nevertheless, Mrs. Crawley speaks to Lady Violet about taking on young Pegg as a gardener. With some persuasion, Lady Violet agrees to hire young Pegg as one of her gardeners. However, she begins to suspect him of theft after she finds him in her study watering the plants and notices that the paper knife given to the late Lord Grantham by the King of Sweden had gone missing. She speaks to Mrs. Crawley and Dr. Clarkson of her suspicion, but they ask her not to inform the head gardener of her distrust until they have done their investigation.
Lord Grantham attends the funeral of the father of Mr. Drewe, the tenant of the Yew Tree Farm, and learns that Mr. Drewe desires to take on the tenancy his father left. Unfortunately, Lady Mary and Tom Branson already foreclosed the lease of the farm the Drewe family has tilled since the reign of George the Third due to the family’s failure to pay rent. The Crawleys are to farm the land themselves. Mr. Drewe pleads Lord Grantham to allow him to keep the tenancy and repay the debt his father kept from him. Lord Grantham agrees to see him to discuss the matter, but becomes disappointed at the offer Mr. Drewe presented. The man would like the foreclosure rescinded that he may take on the lease despite his inability to pay the arrears in full. Mr. Drewe’s only argument is the century long partnership he and his family have with the Crawleys. This, however, is enough cause for Lord Grantham to allow Mr. Drewe to take on the tenancy. Aware that Lady Mary will reject the offer with an outstanding debt, Lord Grantham offers to lend the difference in the arrears that Mr. Drewe may pay his father’s debt in full. Lord Grantham informs his family of the meeting he had with Mr. Drewe. Lady Mary initially did not receive it well for it seemed as though her father already made the decision without asking for her approval and she did not find it legal given that the foreclosure papers have been served. Her family, however, including Tom agrees with Lord Grantham who had insisted that Mr. Drewe would pay the arrears. Moreover, he notes the moral right the Drewe family has on the land given their history and partnership with the Crawleys. Lady Mary is surprised that Tom is in agreement with Lord Grantham forgetting his socialist ideals that make him decide in favor of the farmers. Adding to her surprise is her father’s demand that she inform Mr. Drewe of their acceptance of his offer. She does so and Mr. Drewe is very grateful for rescinding the foreclosure of his tenancy. Lady Mary gives the credit to Lord Grantham and learns that his father had not only persuaded them to allow Mr. Drewe to keep his tenancy he had also lent him the last fifty pounds of the debt the Drewes owed. Lady Mary thinks more highly of her father after learning of his good deed that he tried to hide from them. Talk of his political beliefs reminded Tom of the last night of the house party where he felt like an intruder among his late wife’s family and friends. He speaks to the Crawleys of moving to America where he has family. Tom would like a fresh start for his daughter. He is afraid of Sybbie being known as the daughter of an uppity chauffeur. Although the Crawleys did not dismiss his plan, they ask him to reconsider for they do not want to lose him.
With Mr. Carson’s permission, the kitchen staffs assist Alfred in his training for the exam at the Ritz Escoffier. Notwithstanding her conflicted desire to help the footman and her dislike to see him leave Downton Abbey, Daisy accepts the job of mentor. Soon, Alfred receives a letter from the Ritz Escoffier informing him that his application has been accepted. He is to be in London for the exam the day after tomorrow. All but Jimmy are happy for him and the masters of the house commend the Bouchees de Fromage he prepared for dinner with Daisy’s supervision. Alfred makes his way to London for the exam. The exam at the Ritz Escoffier commences and Alfred finds himself unable to answer the questions from the Sous Chef of the Ritz, Arsene Avignon. He, however, did well in the practical exam. The sous chef wonders why Alfred had not chosen to make a living in the kitchen and had instead chosen to become a footman. He learns that Alfred did so in order to fulfill his mother’s wish. Although he is not unhappy working for the Earl of Grantham as a footman, he believes that he can improve his life with a culinary training. Mr. Carson learns that the footman truly has a chance of being accepted at the respected cooking school. In danger of losing a footman, he decides to offer the job to Mr. Molesley. Much to Mr. Carson’s surprise and annoyance, Mr. Molesley asks for time to consider the offer, because he could not bear to accept a permanent position that is inferior to his qualifications. He returns the following day to inform Mr. Carson that he has decided to accept the job after much deliberation only to learn that the position is no longer open, because Alfred will not be leaving Downton Abbey. Alfred had just recently received a letter informing him that he did not make it to the top four although he was near. Daisy sympathizes for the disappointing news Alfred received, but is delighted to learn that the footman will be staying at Downton.
Next Downton Abbey Episode Summary: Episode 6 of Season 4
Previous Downton Abbey Episode Summary: Episode 4 of Season 4
More Downton Abbey Episode Guides
Watch Episode 5 of Season 4
of Downton Abbey
0 Comments:
Post a Comment