DOWNTON ABBEY {SEASON 6, EPISODE 5} (TV)
Summary
One in this dramatic British series about the aristocrats and servants who dwell at the Downton Abbey estate in post-Edwardian Yorkshire.
In this episode, in May 1925, Mary and Tom discuss their plans for the estate as Mr. Mason moves into his new home, and Violet reveals that she has somehow arranged for Neville Chamberlain, the Minister for Health, to visit Downton, hoping that she can convince him to side with her in the fight over the hospital. Miss Baxter nervously prepares to testify as a character witness against Peter Coyle, her former partner in crime, and Dr. Clarkson soon "changes sides" and agrees that a bigger hospital system would be beneficial. Andy worries about giving Thomas any "wrong ideas" about their relationship, and when Mrs. Hughes tries to surprise Mr. Carson with a private dinner, she is annoyed by his matter-of-fact criticism of her cooking.
Edith prepares for a trip to London to interview potential editors – and to reunite with Bertie Pelham; when Tom asks about Henry Talbot, Mary declares that she won't "marry down." Tom, however, explains that he and Sybil considered themselves "a marriage of equals" regardless of stature. Miss Denker encounters Dr. Clarkson in town and denounces him as a "traitor" for turning on Violet, and Miss Baxter, accompanied by Mr. Molesley, arrives at court only to learn that Mr. Coyle has changed his plea to guilty, thus sparing her the need to testify against him. Mary visits Mr. Mason and suggests that he might need a farmhand to assist with the physical demands of wrangling pigs; Andy offers his services, explaining that he wishes to learn farming skills. Tom accompanies Mary to visit Henry as he tries out a new automobile, racing it against his friend Charlie, though Mary is understandably discomfited by his love of speedy cars.
Edith hires a self-sufficient young woman, Laura Edmunds, as her new editor, and then spends the day with Bertie, eventually sharing a passionate kiss with him at her flat. Mr. Mason invites Daisy to live with him in his new house, and Violet, appalled by a letter from Dr. Clarkson, fires Miss Denker on the spot for her impertinent treatment of a social superior. Mary makes her first-ever trip to a public house with a man, and Tom voices his amusement at her many excuses for spending time with Henry. Daisy contemplates Mr. Mason's offer as Mr. Carson openly notes his disdain at his wife's culinary skills. Meanwhile, Mr. Spratt is entirely unconcerned by Miss Denker's fate – until she blackmails him with her knowledge of his fugitive nephew. Robert. Mr. Mason lends Andy a number of books on pig farming, after which Andy finally confesses to Thomas that he is illiterate; Thomas kindly offers to teach him to read. Anna, still nervous about her pregnancy, chats with her husband about Mary's potential interest in Henry, and Mr. Spratt resentfully defends Miss Denker to Violet, leading the dowager to allow her sharp-tongued maid "one more chance."
Minister Chamberlain, arriving for dinner, is surprised to realize that he has been drawn into a "vigorous debate," but the evening is violently interrupted when Robert's ulcer bursts and he dramatically vomits blood across the table and collapses. As he is rushed off in an ambulance, Cora and Violet hastily agree to put aside their differences about the hospital; meanwhile, Mary overhears a strange comment regarding Marigold. A shocked Minister Chamberlain prepares to depart, and Tom learns his true motivation for going along with Violet's aggressive "invitation." Later, the servants hear that Robert's operation has gone well, and Mary tells Tom that they alone must care for the estate and avoid worrying her father any further. In her room, Mary asks Anna if the servants have been gossiping about "Miss Marigold," though Anna claims no significant knowledge.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:47:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 129570
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; England; Families
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2011-2016
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Gareth Neame … Executive Producer
- Nigel Marchant … Executive Producer
- Liz Trubridge … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Susanne Simpson … Executive Producer, Senior Series Producer
- Julian Fellowes … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Steven Ashley … Senior Producer
- Chris Croucher … Producer
- Erin Delaney … Producer
- Denis Wray … Line Producer
- Michael Engler … Director
- John Lunn … Music by
- Man Made Music … Theme Music by
- Hugh Bonneville … Cast, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
- Laura Carmichael … Cast, Lady Edith Crawley
- Jim Carter … Cast, Mr. Charles Carson
- Raquel Cassidy … Cast, Phyllis Baxter
- Brendan Coyle … Cast, John Bates
- Michelle Dockery … Cast, Lady Mary Crawley
- Kevin Doyle … Cast, Joseph Molesley
- Michael Fox … Cast, Andy Parker
- Joanne Froggatt … Cast, Anna Bates
- Matthew Goode … Cast, Henry Talbot
- Robert James-Collier … Cast, Thomas Barrow
- Allen Leech … Cast, Tom Branson
- Phyllis Logan … Cast, Mrs. Elsie Hughes
- Elizabeth McGovern … Cast, Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
- Sophie McShera … Cast, Daisy Mason
- Lesley Nicol … Cast, Mrs. Beryl Patmore
- Maggie Smith … Cast, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
- David Robb … Cast, Dr. Richard Clarkson
- Penelope Wilton … Cast, Isobel Crawley
- Paul Copley … Cast, Mr. Albert Mason
- Douglas Reith … Cast, Lord Dickie Merton
- Sue Johnston … Cast, Miss Gladys Denker
- Jeremy Swift … Cast, Mr. Septimus Spratt
- Howard Ward … Cast, Sergeant Willis
- Harry Hadden-Paton … Cast, Bertie Pelham
- Sebastian Dunn … Cast, Charlie Rogers
- Victoria Emslie … Cast, Audrey
- Antonia Bernath … Cast, Laura Edmunds
- Rupert Frazer … Cast, Neville Chamberlain