[Spoilers] Fisticuffs, dancing, romance and secrets as we delve into the throng of season 4.
The second episode of Downton Abbey's fourth season managed to pull in 9.6 million viewers according to Inquisitr - beating the premiere episode last week. Ratings are expected to be equally impressive for the American premiere of season 4, set to air in January.
Matthew's Death Devastated Downton.
As rating rose, so did the widowed Lady Mary's spirits as the doom and gloom of episode one's grieving was lightened with some dancing. Although Mary (Michelle Dockery) did not join in with said dancing despite the invitation from Cousin Rose (Lily James), there was a palpable optimism in the air as the Lady moved out of her slump and back into the land of the living.
Matthew's personal effects are finally delivered and he is momentarily brought back to life in an emotional scene where Mary finds amongst other things, a handwritten letter and a lucky charm she sent him to war with. To note twists the question of who will inherit the Downton estate: Matthew wants Mary to be the sole heiress. He writes that regardless of the sex of their unborn child, "I do know it will be a baby."
We Get To Know Mr. Carson A Little Better.
The Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) is unimpressed upon the news and tries to prevent Mary from seeing the letter until scorned by his mother, the Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith). A quick call to the lawyer and it is settled: Matthew's letter is as good as a will so Mary is entitled to half of Downton.
Meanwhile Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) wins our affections when he sees how sad the downcast once-suitor Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle) is making his wife Anna (Joanne Froggatt). With a little forgery and a few witnesses present, Bates makes it seem as though he owes Molesley thirty pounds which was an awful lot in early 20th century Britain. With onlookers watching, Molesley has no choice but to accept.
Mr Carson, Downton's butler, sees his character further fleshed out in season four after an old acquaintance, Charles Griggs, arrives in the village. Grigg's return brings back painful memories for Mr Carson about an attractive lady he once knew named Alice who chose his music hall stage partner Grigg instead of him. However, Grigg is back to make amends, telling Carson that Alice's final words were "Charlie Carson was the better man," to unabashed joy from the butler.
Rose Struggles With Her Rebellious Side & What Is Appropriate For A Lady Of Downton.
We see the youngest MacClare, Lady Rose, party hard (well, 1920s hard) in ep.2 as she dances to jazz late at night whilst smoking and wearing silk pajamas. Anna chaperones Rose to a tea dance in York where the latter entertained admirers and lying about her background by putting on a broad Yorkshire accent. Two of Rose's admirers start brawling after one tried to cut in on the other's dance. It takes the unlikely Jimmy stepping in by force to stop the fighting.
An admirer turns up at Downton later in the episode and is greeted by Lady Rose dressed in a maid's uniform, telling him she's unavailable, the pair passionately kiss anyway and we wonder if he'll come back to pester her and end up finding out who she really is.
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