Top Five Lines from Downton Abbey, S5 :: E4
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Are things beginning to heat up in Granthamland? This week’s
episode left me with a lot of questions, not the least among them: DID ANNA
KILL MR. GREENE??!!??
It wasn’t much, just a subtle hint toward the very end of
the show, but there seemed to be something there to suggest that, perhaps, Anna
herself might have traveled to London to do the deed. Interesting to think
about, and logistically, it would make sense.
See, there's something I've been wondering about. I’ve taken the train from London to York, and I know
that it’s about a four-hour train ride even in these modern times. Back in the
early 1920s, it would have taken Bates probably eight hours or more to travel to London
from York. That would mean he would have to hunt down Greene somewhere randomly
on the streets of a huge city (even back then the population wasn't too much different than it is today--about 8 million people), push
him in front of a bus, and then travel BACK to York all in the same day. From
the very beginning I wondered how it could happen, but now I’m REALLY
wondering.
So it’s all starting to come together. I’m dying to see what
happens with Anna. (As an aside, I’ve noticed that she hasn’t had more than a
few speaking lines in the first four episodes. Have they deliberately been
keeping her on the sidelines, just waiting for her next big story line?
Hmmmmm.)
Alright, so let’s move ahead. I’ve got to admit, this
season, so far, hasn’t been my favorite. Oh sure, there are some intriguing
characters and some fascinating plot possibilities, but mostly I think this
season has been a little boring.
Is it just me?
This week we found Mr. Bricker still panting like a puppy
about Cora, following her around with that stupid smile on his face. From
Downton to London and now look! back to Downton again.
Hasn’t he ever heard of a camera? He could take a photograph
of the picture and use that for his “research.” Good grief, I’m tired of this
guy.
I think Robert is getting tired of him, too, but he just
doesn’t know what to do about it.
1. Which brings me to my first favorite line. It’s at the
dinner party. Or should I say THE Dinner Party. The one that will go down in
infamy. I’ll get to more of that later, but at first, Robert is just ticked off
that Mr. Bricker keeps showing such unabashed attention to his wife.
Or maybe he’s just ticked off that Cora is loving every
minute of it.
So there’s Robert, sitting, as usual, next to his mother at
the dinner table (it just occurred to me that he’s still such a little boy in
so many ways—still living in his boyhood home and eating dinner next to his
mother), complaining about the shenanigans taking place across the table from
him: “He flatters her. He asks her opinion about everything.”
But it’s Violet’s response that I absolutely loved this
week:
“Well, don’t you ask her opinion?”
Right on, Vi.
2. My second pick of the week goes to Robert. It’s just a
subtle dig, but one that might have been spoken in my own home from time to
time. It just made me laugh.
Mary is getting ready to head to London . . . again . . .
and can’t stay home to discuss the Pipp’s Corner devlopement with Robert.
“Not
me. Aunt Rosamund’s taking me to a dress show.”
To which Robert replies, “It’s good to know you’ve got your
priorities straight.”
3. I am absolutely loving how they have developed the
relationship between Violet and Isobel this season. So many funny situations
and hilarious banter between those two. They are like long-lost sisters,
constantly sniping at each other.
Early in the episode Violet is waxing poetic over her past
life with the Russian Count, but Isobel won’t let her off the hook.
Violet: Hope is a tease designed to prevent us accepting
reality.
Isobel: Oh, you only say that to sound clever.
My happiness, though, came from Violet’s quick response:
“I know. You should try it.”
I only wish I could be that quick on my feet.
4. Now, about that dinner party. THE Dinner Party.
Wasn’t that fun?! It was like being a fly on the wall at the
world’s most awkward, hilarious, so-many-things-going-on dinner party. One you
think you might like to attend, but you’re not really quite sure you could stomach
it. So the writers of Downton gave us a front row seat without our having to
eat treacle . . . or having to cower at the complete horror of it all.
Thank you, Mr. Fellowes! I found this scene delightful. I’ve
watched it over and over.
Two favorite lines came out of THE Dinner Party for me.
Actually, more than two, but I only have two spots left, so I’ll choose my
favorites.
Oh, but first let me say that I think Sarah Bunting got
exactly what she deserved. The woman just does not know when to stop! Tom had
better not end up with her or he’ll spend the rest of his life in misery—she’ll
be pick, pick, picking at him for not being “who he really is” for the rest of
his life. UGH.
Have I mentioned that I can’t stand her? And NOT for her
political leanings, whatever those may be. It’s all about her rudeness. She embarrassed her hosts. She embarrassed the servants. And, worst of all, she
embarrassed our beloved Tom.
So, you know what happened. Robert has finally had enough of
the challenges and the ridicule and the embarrassment. He orders Miss Bunting
out of his home with what may be one of my favorite lines EVER on Downton
Abbey:
“There is only one thing I would like, and that I would like
passionately. That is for you to leave this house and never come back!”
You go, Robert. Finally, a spine.
5. Shortly after the party when things in the house have
calmed down and everyone is retreating to their bedrooms, Tom meets Robert on
the staircase and tries to apologize.
Thankfully, the two have made amends and can kind of chuckle
over the situation.
Tom tells Robert, “She knows how to goad you.”
To which Robert replies, “With the precision of a surgeon.”
Ah, yes. And with that, Julian Fellowes precisely lands the
knife.
Hopefully that will be the last we see of Miss Bunting.
*****
Bonus line!!
You thought I was done, didn't you? So did I, but when I went back to watch the episode for the third time, I realized that I couldn't not mention Daisy's sweet soliloquy. I almost hate to share it because it might make some of you feel warm, fuzzy feelings toward Miss Bunting, but I just have to. It was so sweet and so special, especially to those of us who try to impart knowledge for a living.
It was at the dinner party. THE Dinner Party. After Robert ordered Daisy and Miss Patmore upstairs to the dining room to ask whether Daisy's homework has gotten in the way of her "real" work. They agree that, no, Daisy is keeping up just fine, but then Daisy says this, which I loved:
"Well, I’m sorry if I’ve made trouble downstairs, but I must say this, My Lord. . . . Miss Bunting here has opened my eyes to a world of knowledge I knew nothing about. Maybe I’ll stay a cook all my life, but I have choices now, interests, facts at my fingertips, and I’d never have any of that if she hadn’t come here to teach me."
Ahhhh. I love Daisy.
*****
Now tell me, what did you think of this episode? What do you
think of this season? What do you think of Sarah Bunting? Dish it up in the
comments!
