I was so happy to see Isis’ doggy butt and the return to the usual opening credits that I completely forgot about the “Viewer Discretion Advised” warning at the beginning. But it came rushing back when dread set in when I realized that Anna was about to be raped. Man, I knew Anna’s and Bates’s bliss would be short lived but I had no idea that Julian Fellowes would go this route.
Let’s back up: the Crawleys are hosting a “House Party” which has nothing to do with Kid n’ Play and everything to do with rich, titled people coming to visit for the weekend. A few young, single Lords were invited as a diversion for the grieving Mary. One of which is Lord Gillingham. He seems nice and counsels Mary on some business matters. His valet, on the other hand, is not so nice. At first, he seems like an OK guy, teaching the staff card games and seemingly innocently flirting with Anna. Anna thinks he’s harmless but he immediately bothers Bates. LISTEN TO BATES’S INSTINCTS. While the family, guests and staff are listening to a visiting Australian opera singer (I’ll explain later), Anna goes downstairs to get some aspirin. The slime-bucket valet follows her. The gasp I let out when he struck her across the face woke my dog. I thought for sure that someone would jump in at the last minute and save her. I said to the TV, “Where’s Jimmy? His wrist is broken. Is he still downstairs? Jimmy!” But no. Mrs. Hughes discovers her later hiding in her office. Anna makes her promise not to tell a soul, especially Mr. Bates. She fears that he will kill the valet and then be sent back to jail.
I am not pleased with this storyline.
Here are my hopes on how this goes. Last week, Bates said the line, “Prison was an education.” So Bates finds out about the valet raping Anna and he uses his new prison-taught shanking skills to castrate the man. Nobody messes with Anna on my and Bates’ watch. Alas, I fear that it will not play out that way. You’re on notice, Fellowes.
Besides a rapist, the House Party also brings Sampson who organizes a couple of poker nights to bilk Lord Grantham and Edith’s Married Editor out of some money. The soon-to-be German editor realizes Sampson’s secret cheat and turns the poker tables on him. He gives Lord Grantham back his IOU and slightly endears himself to him. Score one for Edith’s beau. And score one for Edith’s dress, which I loved.
Meanwhile, Cora feels that there ain’t no party like a Downton Abbey party, ‘cuz a Downton Abbey party has an opera singer. Real life famous soprano Kiri Te Kanawa plays the vocalist who is invited to perform. Cora sits her next to Lord Grantham at dinner and he whines, “What does one say to a singer?” Comments like this from her husband has Cora rightfully asking, “Am I the only member of this family living in the 20th century?” Yes, I believe so.
What else did I learn from Part Two? Mrs. Patmore has a panic attack from worrying about the party but not before calling Jimmy “Mr. Clever Clogs”. Moseley fills in for a broken-wristed Jimmy and instead of being grateful for the work, he is ashamed at working as a footman. Geez, Moseley. Branson is once again feeling out of place. He just can’t seem to get the hang of conversing with old wealthy ladies. Edna Braithwaite is using his funk to get back into his good graces. Ugh, I think it’s working.
Lots of good lines tonight:
Lord Grantham on Lord Gillingham: “Who’s the glamorous pirate?”
Lord Grantham: “ Not everyone can be Oscar Wilde.” Dowager Countess: “That’s a relief.”
Dowager Countess: “If I were to look for logic, I wouldn’t look for it in the English upper class.”
Lord Grantham on Sampson: “I think he’s rather a tyke.”
Isobel Crawley: “I prefer Bartok.” Dowager Countess: “Oh, you would.”
Dowager Countess: “Guilt has never played a part in my life.” Lord Grantham: “Amen to that.”
