DOWNTON ABBEY {SEASON 2, EPISODE 8} (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, as preparations for Matthew and Lavinia's wedding get underway, Mrs. Hughes receives word that the Bryants have apparently had a change of heart and wish to see their grandson Charlie. Mr. Carson, exasperated by Thomas' latest scheme with the failed black market, sternly tells him to "find somewhere to go," and Mr. Mason requests to meet with daughter-in-law Daisy. Robert is predictably incensed when Sybil and Tom finally reveal their secret romance to the rest of the family, as is Mr. Carson when the servants are informed. Edith, trapped between two engaged sisters, resigns herself to life as a "maiden aunt." Sybil agrees to remain at Downton through the wedding to avoid the appearance of scandal, but refuses to change her mind, even when Robert threatens her with disinheritance and ruin. Mrs. Hughes ushers Mr. Carson into bed when he suddenly takes ill, and Anna attempts to teach Mr. Molesley the complicated process of serving a formal dinner.
Over an uncomfortable meal, Cora, Lavinia and Mr. Molesley all appear to fall ill as well, and Dr. Clarkson is summoned to the house. Anna, inspired by Sybil, informs Mr. Bates that she wishes to marry him as soon as possible in order to fully support him through the investigation into Vera's death. Left alone, Mary and Matthew share a dance; he admits that he was tempted by Violet's suggestion of returning to her, but he couldn't bring himself to jilt Lavinia, who was so willing to care for him and abandon hope of children after his war injury. The two kiss, but are interrupted by a still-ailing Lavinia. Dr. Clarkson diagnoses her, Cora and Mr. Carson with Spanish flu – though Mr. Molesley was merely drunk on dinner wine. Robert again struggles with his profound attraction to Jane. Miss O'Brien, secretly guilt-ridden about the soap incident, loyally cares for a worsening Cora, and Robert ventures into town and meets with Tom, whom he attempts to bribe into abandoning Sybil. A highly offended Tom refuses.
With several more servants taking ill, Thomas takes advantage of the shortage and tries to prove his usefulness. Isobel eventually convinces Matthew and Lavinia to postpone their wedding. The Bryants arrive as planned and sit down with Ethel, who is shocked when they finally acknowledge Charlie's resemblance to their late son and offer to raise him as "a gentleman" – but without any contact with or knowledge of his working-class mother. Lavinia sadly admits to witnessing Matthew's moment with Mary and suggests that he truly belongs with his former fiancée, though Matthew firmly rejects the idea. Richard arrives to "help," though Mary guesses that he has less honorable reasons for keeping an eye on things. When Anna confesses her plans for a secret quickie wedding, Mary encourages her to slip away from the chaos at Downton and go through with it. Mary and Mr. Carson finally reach an understanding after their disagreement regarding Richard, and everyone fears the worst when Cora worsens with Miss O'Brien still by her side.
Matthew is shocked when Lavinia takes an abrupt turn for the worse and, after telling him to "be happy," dies of her illness. Robert, feeling guilty about Jane, is deeply relieved when Cora survives the night and begins to recover. Meanwhile, Ethel decides against giving up her son to a life of loveless privilege. Anna and Mr. Bates are married in a simple ceremony, and Jane quietly resigns her post and bids a sad farewell to Robert – after helping Mary to arrange a romantic honeymoon suite for the newlyweds. Mr. Carson thanks Thomas for his uncharacteristic helpfulness, and after Lavinia's somber funeral, Daisy finally reconnects with Mr. Mason at William's grave. A despondent Matthew tells Mary that they're responsible for "killing" Lavinia, as she seemed to "give up" out of sadness in her final moments. He concludes that the two of them are doomed to be unhappy. Tom arrives to pay his respects, and Robert very grudgingly offers his blessings to the couple, having realized how short life can be. Back at Downton, everyone is stunned when Mr. Bates is formally arrested for Vera's murder and carted away from his heartbroken new wife.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:08:14
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 137401
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Romance; England; Epidemics
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2011-2016
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Gareth Neame … Executive Producer
- Julian Fellowes … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Liz Trubridge … Producer
- Charles Hubbard … Line Producer
- James Strong … Director
- Laura Linney … Host
- 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 Bates
- 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
- Clare Calbraith … Cast, Jane Moorsum
- Michael Cochrane … Cast, Reverend Travis
- Paul Copley … Cast, Mr. Albert Mason
- Kevin Doyle … Cast, Joseph Molesley
- Iain Glen … Cast, Sir Richard Carlisle
- Allen Leech … Cast, Tom Branson
- Kevin R. McNally … Cast, Mr. Bryant
- Christine Mackie … Cast, Mrs. Bryant
- Stephen Omer … Cast, Registrar
- David Robb … Cast, Dr. Richard Clarkson
- Anton Saunders … Cast, Arresting Officer