Series 5 of the drama returns and is off to a bit of a slow start as we are now in 1924. Edith (Laura Carmichael) still laments not being able to raise Marigold as her own as she steals visits to farmer Tim's (Andrew Scarborough) house and spend time with her, even his wife doesn't know that she's Edith's daughter as she's come to be like one of the family. She also thinks that Edith has a bit of a crush on him that's why she comes so often. So he tells her she needs to keep Marigold, by telling the truth and yet not telling the truth, as they're going to come up with some reason she is able to stay with Edith. Which will prove difficult as the Dowager (Maggie Smith) is aware that Edith was pregnant. Also it appears Mrs Huges (Phyliss Logan) may also suspect something is afoot as she catches Edith speaking with Tim at the end.
Edith is also given a German book that her beau left behind with an inscription of his name inside. Which she wants to keep and well, sufficed to say that book will be the cause of much consternation later in the episode. With so much time passing, it's only been six months, strange how Thomas (Rob James-Collier) is still on Baxter's (Raquel Cassidy) back about getting the dirty on Bates (Brendan Coyle) and the secret that she knows about him and she tries to avoid him at every instance. Which is helped at times by Molesley (Kevin Doyle) turning up to rescue her. Thomas even threatens with telling Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) her secret if she doesn't come clean to him. Molesley meanwhile, dyes his hair jet black and all for the hopes of Baxter noticing him romantically. He's smitten with her, as we know and he asks her how old she thinks he is. She comments 52, but he's actually 51. It would appear that Robert (Hugh Bonneville) has also noticed Molesley's "Latin look," as he remarks if he has Latin, Spanish or Irish in him. Later telling Carson (Jim Carter) that he's not to come upstairs until his hair stops turning blue.
However the show begins with Robert lamenting the election of a Labour government which was bound to happen, but he regrets it cos they're settling down to making changes for people "like us." The upper classes that is and their stately homes. Though Tom (Allen Leech) sees it as a good thing, as does Edith. Yet Carson has woes too about the changes in their work and lives. It's Robert and Cora's 34th wedding anniversary, so there's bound to be some party held in their honour and what a party is was too.
Lady Rose (Lily James) has to present prizes at the local school, it's a tradition and we get the chance to see Sarah Bunting (Daisy Lewis) again, school marm! Better if we hadn't, don't like her at all, her crass attitude aside. Sure she's outspoken and all that, but she's too snooty herself and hypocritical. Anyway Lady Rose invites her to the party as Robert wants a young crowd there, not meaning bunting of course, and gets Cora's approval to do so, so that Tom has a friend there.
Molesley tells Baxter to come clean about her past to Cora before Thomas can and she admits that she stole jewellery from her last employer. She kept it, as she couldn't give it back, but she doesn't delve into why she didn't keep hold of it, that's why she couldn't return it. No doubt that's to come later and probably needed it for some other 'good' cause. Well it wouldn't have dome to have it revealed so early on in the series. It was funny how Thomas thought he'd gotten one over on Baxter when he tries to tell Cora of her criminal record and Cora saying she already knows, but asks why it was strange he didn't tell her this before he made Cora employ her. Thomas still insisting he'll get the secret from Baxter.
Lots of matchmaking going on at Downton, or in Isabel's (Penelope Wilton) case, it appears the Dowager was trying to outdo Lord Merton's (Douglas Reith) interest in Isabel once she realizes the position that Isabel would be in if they got together. So she invites Lady Shackleton (Harriet Walter) also a widow to luncheon and the Lord takes an interest in her, well, you know, younger model and all that. Younger used loosely, of course! It appears the Dowager's butler Spratt (Jeremy Swift) is a snob too as he refuses to serve Dr Clarkson (David Robb) on two occasions, first cake and then coffee. Though Isabel did seem a little put out that Dickie Merton was paying so much attention to Lady Shackleton. Even if he was interested in the Dr's clinic.
Jimmy (Ed Speleers) is being plagued by notes from his former employer Lady Anstruther (Anna Chancellor) and he was fool enough to send her Valentine's cards on two occasions and sign them cos he thought it'd be a bit of a prank. Which backfired on him, cos she turns up at Downton and practically invites herself for the night on the basis of having car trouble. Well she was trouble and it wasn't cs of the car either, which had nothing wrong with it since Tom and the chauffeur both checked.
Baxter puts her foot in it when she mentions it's ironic how Bates will be valet for Tony Gillingham (Tom Cullen) considering what happened to his last valet, Green, courtesy of Bates. She knows that he went somewhere but hasn't told anyone of it and Thomas overhears her 'ironic' comment. Of course she refuses to tell him. However, Thomas did seem to be overly pally with Jimmy all of a sudden and his confiding in him over Lady Anstruther, maybe he was going to hold that over his head too in terms of blackmailing him. It was difficult to believe that he'd have his best interests at heart.
Cue party and speech from Robert about marrying his beautiful and intelligent wife. Before the fireworks really got started, not only was he shocked at Bunting being there, but how she was loud, outspoken and presumed to know everything. Being in favour of the Labour government and implying that one of the guests wasn't too clever as she didn't have a head for numbers or for writing. She was snooty for a school teacher though. At dinner she brings up how having a stone memorial, 'edifice' as she put it, would be a memorial for the men who died in a pointless war. Which Robert takes exception to. It wasn't pointless and Carson breaks the news about Robert being asked to be Patron of the Committee, who want some of his land to place the memorial on. Carson being asked to be Chairman, which had Robert a little peeved. But Carson only accepted the position if Robert was made patron.
Tom also agreeing with Bunting that the war was pointless since nothing came of it except for the Russian revolution and Robert didn't even approve of that. Isabel was all for her having her own opinion and Tony didn't have much time for her views either. Bunting putting everyone off their dessert, as the Dowager says they need to get down to discussing things in a more civilized manner. Then disappeared as two parties were too much for her. Tom making sure to tell Robert that he was like Bunting once and her frame of thought, but he's come a long way and he hopes he will stay like that. Also adding that he and Bunting didn't get up to any hanky panky in London.
Carson noticing that Lady Anstruther passed a note to Jimmy and Thomas sticking up for him, that it was hardly his fault. Later Jimmy goes to see her in her room and Thomas keeps watch for him. The two of them also see Tony sneak into Mary's (Michelle Dockery) room, thinking they're up to something. Well, not yet they're not. Infact Tony wants to seduce her and says they should be lovers since she's already admitted she loves him. So he wants to marry her eventually. She agrees, but only if no one finds out. Too late then! Ha. But is she really certain that it's Tony she wants, especially she tells Anna (Joanne Froggatt) earlier of how someone she knows has affairs just to make sure she's ready for when he gets married. Anna telling her she's old fashioned, so wouldn't do that. Mind you, Bates was in 'clucky' mood too, as he said he'd like children, with Anna replying it's in God's hands, but he knows how they can get a start on it. In much the same way as Jimmy tells Thomas that if he gave in to Lady Anstruther, he'd be done for. Then later saying he'll settle down one day, they all do. Except Thomas won't, as we know why.
Edith is in tears over Marigold and her missing beau, Michael Grigson, so we take it he's done for and won't be turning up anytime soon. Or will he? Being so distraught, she throws his book which lands into the fire and falls out, staring a fire. That wasn't very clever. Though she managed to put Marigold's baby picture under her pillow, wonder if it survived the fire and who will find it if it did. Thomas passing by spots the smoke and rescues Edith as well as raising the alarm. All hands on Downton as the fire brigade is called out, and Tom and Robert try to put out the fire, or as much as they could.
Edith thanks Tim for putting out the fire and Cora thanks Thomas for rescuing her. She'll have to keep him on in thanks for saving her, part of her good will towards him. However Robert finds Jimmy and Lady Anstruther in bed together and ensures Carson fire him with a reference of course. He can blame himself and Edith for getting caught out. Bates and Anna arrive and she remarks how he gets worked up about things lately and so wanted to come and see if he could help.
Downstairs Daisy (Sophie McShera) has notions of learning Maths and accounting for when she takes over the farm cos she's "pig ignorant." That she doesn't always want to be a cook and Mrs Hughes agrees she doesn't have to be, as Carson and Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nichol) cast yet another condescending eye over anyone who wants to better themselves. Like living in a wold of their own and wishing time would stand still those two, as is Robert too. Carson: "that everything I stand for will be tested and held up for ridicule in the next few years." Mind you, Bunting didn't help when she asked permission to thank the staff for their dinner. Stirring up trouble that one, "cry baby Bunting!" Ha, sorry.
Let's not forget the Dowager being called "Mrs Bennett" from Pride and Prejudice and Caroline Bingley turns up too. And Mrs Shackleford was from an adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (1995).
Much political rantings in this series, not that there weren't before, but it appears that not much has changed over the years, let alone the six months, excepting maybe baby Marigold, who looked far older than six months! Oh look out, nanny's bringing the children down, giving cause for Robert to make a quick exit, as Sibbie calls him 'Donk' after their game of pin the tail on the donk-ey! Plenty set up for at least most of the episodes to come, including Mary and her suitors as Charles makes another appearance next episode.
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