There is nothing like the Christmas season to bring out the best and worst in relationships. It was the perfect setting for the finale of season two of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic PBS last night. Packed with resolution and romance, we were treated to couples grappling for love and others smoothing out rough patches. We were very happy to see screenwriter Julian Fellowes return to the more sophisticated, AND interesting, sphere of personal relationships to wrap up this tumultuous, and at times outrageous, second season. Upstairs entanglements: While, it ONLY took two seasons and eleven episodes to finally bring heir Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary together, we were happy none-the-less. They deserve each other: each with their hang-up's canceling each other's out quite nicely. We were also introduced to a new amour of the older generation that at first impression appeared promising, but their defects could not be overlooked. Lady Rosamund Painswick's beau Lord Hepworth looked great in Burke's Peerage, but with the help of that super sleuth, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, who is really the relationship whisperer of Downton, you know, and the observant housemaid Anna, we learn the nasty truth. On the other hand, we were very pleased to see that Lady Edith took our advice and sought out her own happiness by reconnecting with her former beau, Sir Anthony Strallen. Go #TeamEdith! And, there is nothing like a near death experience to put all to right in the romance department. No one expects the Spanish Flu, but almost losing Lady Grantham to the grim reaper has done wonders for the floundering, mid-life crisis inflicted Lord Grantham. He and his lady seem to have rekindled their affections enough for her to feel confident to wheedle his approval for their newly married, rebel, expat, daughter Lady Sybil off in Ireland making babies.
Review of Episode #2.7
