Once again we are treated to quite the quality episode. I think the best way to begin would be going with the longest story at the moment, which is the Bates family story post Anna's rape. As of now, they continue to struggle and seemingly it is because the chivalry of Mr. Bates keeps making Anna feel like a victim and this seemingly is making it so they can't move forward. What also doesn't help is Bates' rage simmers in his body and not knowing who is surely getting to him.
Besides that though, perhaps there is a need to present a similar case to Anna's which has Jimmy taking the role of Mr. Green, in a way. You see, as Alfred progresses and moves on to London, Ivy shows her admirations which leads Jimmy back to his jealous ways. But, the reason I bring up Mr. Green and compare him to Jimmy is because Jimmy seemingly is not like he seems. Though we have seen Jimmy be jealousy, and a tad frisky, it seems as of this episode he is sadly a man who follows a checklist which makes him think, once the list is fulfilled, girls should give him what he wants. In Ivy's case, he wants to do more than kiss, but do things Ivy thinks should be held off till marriage. But, though Ms. Patmore and Ms. Hughes give their sympathy, Daisy has none of it since even in the final days, she still feels for Alfred and with Ivy having second thoughts about not choosing Alfred, it is surprising Daisy didn't slap her once and walked away.
But those aren't the only two bickering, as a story continuing from the last episode, Ms. Crawley and the Dowager butt heads over the boy Ms. Crawley helped get a gardening job. She continues to accuse the boy, as I begin to question the butler who made sure Moseley failed to impress the lady the Dowager had for lunch, and the two ladies butt heads like bulls. Luckily though, Ms. Crawley and her strangely end up even in the long run. Ms. Crawley finds the missing items and the Dowager shows she is fully capable of being wrong, during the rare occasion, and rehires the boy.
Leading to perhaps the most interesting thing about the episode, which is the presence of Jack Ross in Downton. Those who watch the show will know that Mr. Ross pretty much is one of the few, if not first, Black faces on this show, much less one of the few Black faces in anything dealing with the times when aristocracy was a norm. So imagine when he is amongst the staff and Mr. Carson speaks offensively, or when he is amongst the lords and ladies and people looked shocked, but try to be dignified enough not to speak above a whisper. I mean, it is quite interesting to see the different levels when it comes to his presence. Some seem willing to tolerate it, Rose seems to be one of the few to accept him, and then there are those who I'm sure are probably silently horrified. But it doesn't end there for, while downstairs and seemingly alone, we catch Rose and Mr. Ross making out. Well, Mary does, to a bit of shock, but it does make you wonder if they may actually explore their relationship, or if the times will keep them apart.
Overall, another quality episode which draws your attention with every scene. Even small things of note like Edith's pregnancy makes your eyes a bit wider and more keen for details. As of this moment though, the only one I feel a bit disappointed by is Thomas. The former villain of the show has fallen so far down, and even with Ms. Baxter he still wanders for scraps. However, Baxter feeds him some information this episode, though with hesitation, which may lead to him rising again from the ashes. Something I'm quite looking forward to.
Besides that though, perhaps there is a need to present a similar case to Anna's which has Jimmy taking the role of Mr. Green, in a way. You see, as Alfred progresses and moves on to London, Ivy shows her admirations which leads Jimmy back to his jealous ways. But, the reason I bring up Mr. Green and compare him to Jimmy is because Jimmy seemingly is not like he seems. Though we have seen Jimmy be jealousy, and a tad frisky, it seems as of this episode he is sadly a man who follows a checklist which makes him think, once the list is fulfilled, girls should give him what he wants. In Ivy's case, he wants to do more than kiss, but do things Ivy thinks should be held off till marriage. But, though Ms. Patmore and Ms. Hughes give their sympathy, Daisy has none of it since even in the final days, she still feels for Alfred and with Ivy having second thoughts about not choosing Alfred, it is surprising Daisy didn't slap her once and walked away.
But those aren't the only two bickering, as a story continuing from the last episode, Ms. Crawley and the Dowager butt heads over the boy Ms. Crawley helped get a gardening job. She continues to accuse the boy, as I begin to question the butler who made sure Moseley failed to impress the lady the Dowager had for lunch, and the two ladies butt heads like bulls. Luckily though, Ms. Crawley and her strangely end up even in the long run. Ms. Crawley finds the missing items and the Dowager shows she is fully capable of being wrong, during the rare occasion, and rehires the boy.
Leading to perhaps the most interesting thing about the episode, which is the presence of Jack Ross in Downton. Those who watch the show will know that Mr. Ross pretty much is one of the few, if not first, Black faces on this show, much less one of the few Black faces in anything dealing with the times when aristocracy was a norm. So imagine when he is amongst the staff and Mr. Carson speaks offensively, or when he is amongst the lords and ladies and people looked shocked, but try to be dignified enough not to speak above a whisper. I mean, it is quite interesting to see the different levels when it comes to his presence. Some seem willing to tolerate it, Rose seems to be one of the few to accept him, and then there are those who I'm sure are probably silently horrified. But it doesn't end there for, while downstairs and seemingly alone, we catch Rose and Mr. Ross making out. Well, Mary does, to a bit of shock, but it does make you wonder if they may actually explore their relationship, or if the times will keep them apart.
Overall, another quality episode which draws your attention with every scene. Even small things of note like Edith's pregnancy makes your eyes a bit wider and more keen for details. As of this moment though, the only one I feel a bit disappointed by is Thomas. The former villain of the show has fallen so far down, and even with Ms. Baxter he still wanders for scraps. However, Baxter feeds him some information this episode, though with hesitation, which may lead to him rising again from the ashes. Something I'm quite looking forward to.