But prior to the showdown with Cora and the alliance with Mary, the two aristocrats were on different teams when it came to Mrs. Hughes and the location of the wedding reception. Mrs. Patmore finally managed the nerve to disclose Mrs. Hughes' disappointment with the decision to have their after party in the Downton Hall. Seizing the opportunity to teach Mary a lesson once and for all, Cora summoned Mrs. Hughes and set the stage for an eloquent speech politely shunning the ostentatious lifestyle the Crawleys have come to depend on. Once they decided on the school house, Mrs. Hughes departed and Mary threw a tantrum which was immediately extinguished when Carson re-entered and everyone chugged their tea. I'm beginning to think many a drinking game could be had living in a house with servants. I'd be completely wasted all day every day if I had to drink an awkward moment away every time an employee entered the room. But then I suppose at that point I'd be too drunk to care.
In the midst of yelling, apologizing, and schooling Mary, Cora was indeed donning the striped shirt in the fight of the century (well, really the fight of the week when it comes to Violet and Isobel), and she found herself blowing the whistle more than once as the gloves came off. Cora had gone to York to get a peek at the hospital run by the big wigs who want to take over Downton's own medical practice, and in turn she stoked the fire burning between the two old biddies. As they sparred and danced in the ring, I half expected Isobel to bust a Tyson and rip off the Old Dowager's ear. Fed up and more than over it, she instead turned and spat venom at Clarkson, taking aim at his ego and in turn neutered him long before the faceless medical board had the chance. She accused him of what we expected all along, that he couldn't manage the inevitable demotion this buy-out would bring, and later he would only confirm her suspicions, hinting that Violet is on the verge of being KO'ed after all is said and done. Time will tell, however much is left on this round.
If you're wondering where Clarkson's cajones went after the confrontation with Isobel, never fear, I think I can make a fair guess: they conveniently relocated into Edith's pocket. Sailing up to London for yet another meeting with her insubordinate editor (and running into Bertie Pelham, the agent she met on holiday at the Northumberland castle on the way), Edith finds herself in the magazine office boxing it out with the misogynistic employee once more. With the pair of steel balls she recently acquired, she mustered the guts to sack the beet-faced baboon, and set herself to the task of finishing the mock-up for press time, which was just hours away. But luckily she is not alone; after cancelling drinks with Bertie, he invited himself over to be the errand boy and cheerleading squad for Edith as she single-handedly laid the blueprints for the publication. Celebrating in the wee morning hours, one can see the seed has been planted for potential love to blossom between the two. We can only hope this one's not married. Or crippled. Or boarding any ill-fated ships anytime soon.
In Downton Tidbits, Thomas is still complaining that Andy doesn't like him, and is still in search for a job. He is once again greeted by disappointment when traveling to the ghost of Dryden Park, where he uncovers the ruins of what was once a grand estate. The shadows of the past still haunt the dilapidated building, and Sir Michael Reresby is slowly collecting dust and disintegrating with the walls of his home. Not a suitable fit, Thomas must return to the wanted ads with his future still hanging in the balance. Daisy, ever obnoxiously hopeful and eternally naive, has jumped the gun on a misunderstanding about the Drewes farm. In the process, she let a small assumption snowball into what may become a massive disappointment as she led Mr. Mason to believe his chances at taking over the farm were all but guaranteed. In other news, Spratt's nephew took a cue from Mr. Dumas and AWOLed from the local prison establishment, seeking refuge at the Dowager house. Of course nothing can be slipped past Denker's nose and after quickly surmising who the guest is looming around the grounds, she feigns idiocy to protect Spratt...or to entrap him...who knows? No, you're right, we know. She's such a bitch. Lastly, Anna is pregnant once more, and Mary shat more bricks than when she found out she was pregnant herself. The plan is on for the minor procedure and hopefully Anna will be popping out a little Bates sooner than we think.
The episode ended with two heart-warming, tear-jerking, blubbering like a hot hormonal mess moments, one of course being the wedding we've really been waiting for all series long. After the vows were uttered, followed by the presentation of the happy couple and a noticeably absent wedding kiss (they didn't even hold hands walking down the aisle!), they rushed over to the school house for the reception. While Carson was giving a toast to his beautiful new wife, a familiar face crept in through the entrance, and standing there before us was Tom and little Sybbie, stealing the thunder and the scene from those people...whoever they were who got married. He announces that following a bout of severe home-sickness, he has decided to return to Downton for good. I guess no one told him he's only got about 6 more hours of this show left.
See ya next week!
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