DOWNTON ABBEY {SEASON 2, EPISODE 2} (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 April 1917, Robert tries to accept Mr. Bates' replacement, Henry Lang, recently invalided out of the army, and William, having been formally called up, requests a photo of his "sweetheart" Daisy. Miss O'Brien uses Cora's influence to ensure that Thomas, now unable to fight thanks to his "blighty wound," will be sent back to Downton. Matthew is promoted to captain and removed from the front line for a short period, and Mr. Molesley begins expressing interest in a newly "single" Anna. Violet decides to invite Rosamund to Downton as well to ease the awkwardness of Matthew and Richard Carlisle's simultaneous presence. Everyone is shocked when Edith declares that she intends to help a pair of tenant farmers, the Drakes, by driving their tractor. Mr. Carson is alarmed to realize that, as they're now missing two footmen, Henry must serve at the dinner table, and Robert agrees to assist Mrs. Patmore in learning the fate of her nephew Archie, declared missing and presumed dead in the war.
Thomas returns, amused at Miss O'Brien's machinations and the news of Mr. Bates' sudden departure, and works at Dr. Clarkson's hospital alongside Sybil, who is annoyed to be summoned back to Downton for a formal dinner. Matthew arrives with Lavinia, and Robert confesses his embarrassment at misunderstanding the army's request for him to be a "mascot." During dinner, Henry nervously spills food on Edith, and an overwhelmed Mr. Carson nearly collapses and is ushered into bed. Miss O'Brien shows uncharacteristic kindness as she observes that Henry is clearly suffering from "shell-shock," like her late brother, but he protests that he must distract himself with work. Mary checks on Mr. Carson and, not fooled by her apparent interest in Richard, tells her to tell Matthew "what's in her heart" before he returns to the war. Rosamund seems to approve of Mary's potential marriage to the "self-made man," though Violet is less pleased, still believing that she belongs with Matthew. At the hospital, Thomas begins to fall for a patient, Lieutenant Edward Courtenay, who is suffering from gas blindness and has little hope for his future. Thomas, hinting that he too is "different," gently urges him to "fight back."
Rosamund observes a strange encounter between Richard and Lavinia, and Mrs. Drake begins to grow wary of Edith's friendly bond with her husband. Lt. Courtenay begs to stay when Dr. Clarkson announces that he must be sent elsewhere to continue his recovery. Though both Thomas and Sybil try to support Lt. Courtenay, Dr. Clarkson declares that they cannot spare the room. A worried Mr. Carson admits to missing Mr. Bates, and Mary confides in Anna about Mr. Carson's advice regarding Matthew. Thomas is devastated when Lt. Courtenay, desperately afraid of being sent off on his own, commits suicide, and Isobel tells a regretful Dr. Clarkson that the only clear option is to turn Downton into a convalescent home. Richard offers Mary a pragmatic, if non-romantic, proposal of marriage, and she agrees to consider him. Sybil tells Tom that she can't imagine returning to her pre-war life of careless leisure, and when Mary observes Lavinia's genuine heartbreak at Matthew's upcoming departure, she sadly decides to hold her tongue about her feelings for him. Anna rejects Mr. Molesley's timid advances, making it clear that her heart is still with Mr. Bates, and Edith impulsively kisses Mr. Drake – which is seen by Mrs. Drake. Robert gently tells Mrs. Patmore that her nephew was in fact shot for cowardice and promises to keep the circumstances of his death a secret, and Violet is outraged when Cora overrules her and agrees to Isobel's radical idea for their home.
Matthew is shocked by the soldiers' ongoing suffering at the hospital, and though William eagerly explains that he "believes in this war," Henry cannot bring himself to encourage him with any degree of joy. Mrs. Patmore urges a reluctant Daisy to at least send William off with hope for their future together, and Mary, seeing that Matthew seems truly happy with Lavinia, decides to accept Richard. However, she hints to Anna that, much like any other man Anna might marry, he will always be "second best." Edith is quietly crushed when Mrs. Drake sends a terse note declaring that they no longer need her assistance, and the family prepares to accept the convalescing soldiers.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:53:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 137395
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBTQ+ Collection - Drama; Drama, historical; World War I; Romance
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2011-2016
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Gareth Neame … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Julian Fellowes … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Liz Trubridge … Producer
- Charles Hubbard … Line Producer
- Ashley Pearce … Director
- John Lunn … Music by
- Man Made Music … Theme Music by
- Hugh Bonneville … Cast, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
- Jessica Brown Findlay … Cast, Lady Sybil Crawley
- Laura Carmichael … Cast, Lady Edith Crawley
- Jim Carter … Cast, Mr. Charles Carson
- Brendan Coyle … Cast, John Bates
- Michelle Dockery … Cast, Lady Mary Crawley
- Siobhan Finneran … Cast, Sarah O'Brien
- Joanne Froggatt … Cast, Anna Smith
- Thomas Howes … Cast, William Mason
- Rob James-Collier … Cast, Thomas Barrow
- Phyllis Logan … Cast, Mrs. Elsie Hughes
- Elizabeth McGovern … Cast, Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
- Sophie McShera … Cast, Daisy Mason
- Lesley Nicol … Cast, Mrs. Bethel Patmore
- Amy Nuttall … Cast, Ethel Parks
- Maggie Smith … Cast, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
- Dan Stevens … Cast, Matthew Crawley
- Penelope Wilton … Cast, Isobel Crawley
- Zoe Boyle … Cast, Lavinia Swire
- Samantha Bond … Cast, Lady Rosamund Painswick
- Kevin Doyle … Cast, Joseph Molesley
- Iain Glen … Cast, Sir Richard Carlisle
- Allen Leech … Cast, Tom Branson
- Cal MacAninch … Cast, Henry Lang
- Lachlan Nieboer … Cast, Edward Courtenay
- Fergus O'Donnell … Cast, Mr. Drake
- David Robb … Cast, Dr. Richard Clarkson
- Cathy Sara … Cast, Mrs. Drake
- Stephen Ventura … Cast, First Batman Davis