Love is in the air, and so is Spanish influenza. The deadly disease however only takes one from the house, owing I suspect to actors' agents and their contracts, rather than Dr. Clarkson's ministrations.
His Lorship is feeling neglected by his wife, so he starts to become a bit of a frisky fellow. The handwriting was on the wall as soon as the newly war-widowed maid arrives. It's touch and go from there, with some touching.
The youngest daughter Sybil and the family IRA sympathizer chauffeur sneak off together and a car chase, of sorts, ensues. There is a bit of an ending to that.
The valet, John Bates, gets to use an upstairs bedroom to consummate his marriage to the maid Anna, courtesy of a generous gesture from Lady Mary.
This bedroom scene of connubial bliss brings me full circle to the time I read that the owner of a stakes-winning thoroughbred in the 80s, Bates Motel, was anxious to send the colt to stud so that the fillies and mares could be sent and bred to Bates Motel. He thought this was a hilarious prospect, given the movie 'Psycho' and Norman Bates's use of the bathrooms. This of course proves that I'm not the only one who sometimes sees the world a bit oddly.
Next week, the season finale looks like it includes a grudge match at Tuxedo Junction in the library between at least one youthful looking combatant.
And oh yes, what English period piece could exist without someone in the dock? Sunday's episode ends with an arrest, and the next episode looks like it might promise to be a replay of 'Witness for the Prosecution.' Perhaps Miss Marple will appear and solve the whole legal proceedings with her knowledge of poisons. We'll see.
No matter what, the next season will bring us Shirley MacLaine as Lady Grantham's American mother. The possibilities are rich.
We'll assume her husband has passed away, because all men are eventually "survived by" their spouses. What type of work, if any, Shirley leaves behind in America to cross the pond is so far unknown. It is possible she might be some sort of health food nut who tries to get the British crowd to start to eat healthier and exercise.
It might be a hoot if Ol' Shirl sets off from Mrs. Patmore's kitchen after her morning Kelloggs Corn Flakes and starts jogging around the estate. If his lordship follows, he'll be able to fit into that uniform again when the next war breaks out.
Ol' Shirl is sure to tell him what lies ahead. She's already been there.
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