The language of leave-taking is always gentle, pleasant, accommodating. Looks like this whole season is an extended farewell. While it is what we all want to see, characters we’ve befriended over five years are now coming together for one last time to happy resolutions, it is also sad to see this is their last efforts to entertain us.
And entertained we are, however placidly here in S6 E3. A long awaited middle-aged wedding finally takes place and I’m glad the reception is held in a school house as the bride desires and not in the grandeur of the great hall at Downton. No, I don’t think Cora is being a snob. Mary is unreasonable to accuse her mother as such only to further her own plan to have Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes hold their reception right there in the grand mansion. If Cora is being snobbish, then Mary is downright patronizing.
What’s the greatest farewell gift for us all? Here’s the foreshadowing: “Last night I dreamt I went to Downton again…” Julian Fellowes’s version of Rebecca, equally moving in Tom Branson’s letter.
A pleasant surprise indeed. Tom realizes where home really is, even though he has to go all the way to Boston to find out. The best scenario is always to have someone leave for a short while so that he can come back for good willingly. What more can a viewer ask? Sadly, even the great scribe Julian can’t bring back Sybil and Matthew; he can at least do us this favour with Tom and little Sybbie. Look at how George welcomes his little cousin back, embracing her and softly uttering this endearing word, “Sybbie.” Awww… Even Marigold gives a rare, spontaneous smile.
Next, Rose? I doubt it, since she’s almost everywhere lately, busy living her multiple personas as Cinderella, Natasha in War and Peace, and soon Elizabeth Bennet confronting zombies.
Another gratifying storyline is Edith’s. She’s the Anna upstairs. Something good is finally coming her way that warrants our congrats: Living on her own in London when she’s in town, firing the obnoxious editor Skinner, taking his place and beating the deadline to get a new issue out with some incredible teamwork from Bertie Pelham. Of course, Mary can smell that team miles away, but so what. Edith, go for it, both magazine and team, and the new you.
In the slightly darker side, Miss Denker has a major role to play as the necessary nuisance to stir up some ripples in the calm waters of Downton’s final Season. Denke is a more animated stand-in for Mrs. O’Brien, still remember her? But she’s not the leave-in-the middle-of-the-night kind; looks like she’s going to hang on as long as Violet wants her. Violet seems to be fine with her own in-house Punch and Judy sideshow with Spratt and Denker.
After all, Violet Crawley is just too preoccupied with her own Punch and Judy show with Isobel. Now the line-ups are Isobel, Cora, Lord Merton, with Dr. Clarkson shifting ground. How can Violet step down gracefully without losing face, I wonder. Hope this is not as violent a show as Punch and Judy.
And Cora, never thought she can be so angry, scolding a bride on the night before her wedding? Definitely out of character. But the resolution is quick, again, now that’s more like Cora; since we don’t have much time left, so… apology accepted. Mrs. Hughes deserves not just a fancy piece of clothing but her total respect.
Finally, Anna has some good news. But hush, we won’t say more. Having been dealt bad cards all her married life, can this be a real, winning hand? It’s the farewell Season. I trust the handling will continue to be gentle and pleasant.
***
Previously on Downton Abbey Season 6:
Ripple Effects 
I certainly hope there is good news going forward with Anna and Mr Bates. I’m so tired of their lives being upside down. And what about Mr Barrow?? My my… won’t that be an interesting story…. 🙂
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Courtney,
Don’t we wish them all the very best. Funny thing is, half the world away they already know what the ending is. 😉
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Eagerly awaiting your Ripple and not disappointed! I was glad to see Tom back — curious if he and Mary will co-manage the estate (now that she’s had her own hand in it and successfully). Clearly the road is open for Mr. Mason to become the new Downton tenant (assuming Daisy can control herself and not do him inadvertent harm!). Mr. Molesly certainly seems destined to be a teacher, guiding Daisy through her exam studies and making friends with the schoolmaster. I wonder if a new career will be in store for him during or at the end of the series. It would be nice; it seems to be his passion.
Loved the wedding, despite all the mechanics and drama to get there. And quite the crowd (as Rick said, “Who ARE all those people?!). Apparently the couple have friends outside the Abbey, too! I’d like to see things turn around for Anna/Bates and poor old Barrow. I never thought I’d say those words but he really does seem to be getting the shaft these days. And some nice foreshadowing with Edith and Bertie Pelham. I’m guessing he’ll be back and I hope he doesn’t break her heart. Talk about someone needing a break!
Your speculation on Rose? I don’t think I agree. I don’t think I see her as being a regular but I can’t imagine they’ll let the season get by without at least one episode. How it plays out is up for grabs. What fun we will have these next few weeks. I wonder when Matthew Goode will return as the race car fellow? Soon, I hope!
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Jeanie,
Thanks for filling in with all these details that I’ve missed. As for Rose, I think sure she and Atticus would come back for a visit, but not to move back for good like Tom. And yes, Matthew Goode should come out quickly, instead of just the last one or two episodes, for we long to see Mary humbled and fall in love again. Now she’s just too bossy and arrogant for my taste. 😉
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Maybe a return for Rose in the Christmas special? That would wrap it all up nicely in a bow (no pun intended). Yes, I keep thinking if Edith and Bertie DO get together that Mary will do something to mess it up. Or at least try.
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Great review of this episode Arti! The episodes seem to be shorter this season….
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Ellen,
Good observation. Actually 2 mins. shorter for each regular episode 47 mins. compared to S5’s 49 mins., not counting the first and the ending two.
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That tickles me — that the episodes are two minutes shorter, and that someone noticed. I suppose, after so many seasons, that the rhythm of an episode becomes famliar, and the shortening noticeable.
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Isn’t it nice to see Edith happy for a change? She always gets dumped on and her happiness is at last really made me happy too.
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