I was bit ambushed by the two hour length of the last telecast. I was gearing myself for a one hour offering, but then toward the near expiration of the first hour I did wonder how they were going to squeeze in Christmas, 1924. When I realized I was in for a two hour jobber, I took a break, which has lasted over a week.
Say what you will, justice seems to prevail. The British legal system was beginning to look like a revolving door at Macy's. Arrest Anna. Husband confesses. Free Anna. Look to arrest Bates. Can't find him in Ireland. Will Anna go back in if husband John is found?
Well, thanks to Molesley and Baxter, who turn out to be the Nick and and Nora Charles of "Downstairs" detectives, Bates's story of being in York at the time of Mr. Green's "accident" can be corroborated by an innkeeper. And a Boer War veteran like himself. The term "unimpeachable" is not used, but you know the testimony will be, if needed.
And then there's the second guessing that the witness truly saw Anna at the scene. The witness is starting to have doubts. The Crown case is losing some jewels. So, we're treated to a Bates and Anna reunion that we're left to believe will lead to conception at the cottage. This is touchingly framed in the doorway of a closing door that brings Season 5 to a conclusion. Coming attractions remove any doubts about the plans for Season 6. The season will be afoot.
We do know that Maggie Smith will not be back. She's announced that at 80, she's bowing out. Dame Violet got in several good lines and looks in the double episode, and left all with the clear impression that she was once a young and frisky Edwardian. They just wore more clothes then, so things may have taken a little longer to reach the same visual result that network television is straining to bring us, and that cable already has.
Mrs. Hughes and Carson are going to get hitched and run a bed and breakfast after retiring from 'Downton'. It is doubtful that even Julian Fellowes can spin this one off into a replay of Bob Newhart running an inn in Vermont with his wife Mary Frann. Even if Carson could somehow be made to smile, who would play the handyman that Tom Poston played? The Spanish guy from Fawlty Towers? There are problems with this concept.
Despite experiencing Christmas in March with the folks at 'Downton', you do have to remember that it probably was Christmas time when the U.K. folks got their dose. As it should be.
I do have to say we did get another round of horses, dogs and good old double barrel grouse shooting. Thankfully, the English can shoot in those instances, and we weren't treated to a member of the executive branch shooting a lawyer in the face. If Murray were in the blind with Cheney, then poor Anna and Bates would have been deprived of legal counsel.
So, Season 6 will get to us here in the States before the next Super Bowl. One thing for certain is that Bill Belichick won't be in formal wear for dinner.
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