Downton Abbey 4 - Episode 4

Downton Abbey 4 - Episode 4

Events in Downton Abbey's fourth series took a sinister turn in last weeks episode when housemaid Anna Bates, who is played by Joanne Froggatt, was attacked by Nigel Harman's character Mr Green.

This Sunday Nigel reprises his role as Lord Gillingham's valet while Anna tries to deal with the fallout of his actions.

Get TWO Episode FOUR reviews below 

- SPOILERS - 

Dont read if you have not seen episode 4

review #1

Downton Abbey’s Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) may have a reputation for being a black widow, but that doesn’t seem to keep the men away. We only met Lord Gillingham, Anthony Foyle, (Tom Cullen) in Episode 3 but immediately knew he was head over heels for his childhood friend. Still, despite the obvious chemistry between these two, even we were shocked when Tony put all of his cards on the table and proposed to Lady Mary in Episode 4.

After a little strategic planning on the part of Mary's mother and her aunt, Lord Gillingham is invited to join the party of visitors from Downton during a trip to London. "I hope I'm a surprise, not a shock," he coyly tells Mary upon dropping in. This chap just seems full of surprises; Tony even gets Mary to dance when the group heads to a local jazz club.

While out on the dance floor, Mary decides to explain her feelings to her obviously ardent suitor. It's been lovely spending time with you, she tells him, but whatever may be blooming between us must stop. After all, Tony is engaged. "Almost engaged," he quickly corrects. Still, "almost engaged" is good enough for Mary who, beyond that obvious hurdle, does not feel ready for love after the loss of her beloved Matthew (Dan Stevens).

This session of straight talk does little to discourage Lord Gillingham, however. Unable to see Mary again before she returns home, Tony hops the same train back to Downton. Once arrived, he gets right to the point: "I've made a long journey to ask a very short question." Um, excuse us?! Is he proposing? 

As the practical Mary points out after Tom's bold move, they’ve only known each other for several days. Tom counters that they’ve technically known each other since they were children. That's true and after sharing how great his feelings are for Mary, even the recent widow finds herself being persuaded. She doesn't give him an answer right away — partially because of some badly timed interruptions by Jimmy Kent (Ed Speleers) and the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) — and so for a fleeting moment it seems Mary may have found a new partner.

Flash to the next day and Mary and Tom are out walking the grounds. He asks if she has an answer for him. "If you do not want me, I feel honor bound to go through with it," he says of his potential engagement to the Hon. Mabel Lane Fox, a woman he explains he could fall in love with but does not love as he does Mary. Conflicted, Mary admits she's just not ready. "You said yesterday your brain is full of me," she explains. "Well mine is full of Matthew." And she cannot bear to part with him. Yet.

   

Credit: © Copyright ITV plc 2013

Gallant as always, Tony makes a graceful exit but not before asking Mary for a memento of their time together: one kiss. And what a kiss it is, so passionate that for half a heartbeat we almost expect Mary to call out after Tony as he walks away, presumably to marry Mabel Lane and never return to Downton. But the always reserved lady does not change her mind, only alluding to any sign of regret later when speaking with Tom Branson (Allen Leech) about a recent choice she's made: "I have a sneaking fear I may regret [my choice] for a long time to come."

As much as we liked Lord Gillingham and the joy he brought to Mary's life, he did move rather fast particularly seeing as Mary lost her husband less than a year ago. Why he felt so pressured to get a direct "yes" so quickly escapes us. A little patience here may have done wonders, just as it did between Matthew and Mary. Still, there is a huge benefit to Tony's departure: It likely means Lord Gillingham's valet, Mr. Green (Nigel Harman), is out of the picture for good, and though we desperately want to see Green punished for what he did to Anna (Joanne Froggatt) perhaps now Mary's lady's maid will get the space and the time she needs to heal.

review #2

Nick Briggs/ITV

Last week there was an awkward house party, some gambling and a horrible rape.

This week, we’re back on old Downton territory, with a bit of intrigue, a bit of double dealing and a bit of inappropriate touching (we see you doing the walk of shame, Edith!)

Here’s what went down-ton...

Anna’s not doing too well

After being very upsettingly raped by Mr Green (Mary’s new bloke’s horrible valet) Anna’s in a complete state. Poor Anna.

Bates is suspicious, and it’s already driving a wedge between them. This storyline is just too awful. I said it last week, and I’ll say it again: I am angry at Julian Fellowes for making this happen to lovely Anna.

Poor Anna can’t bear to be touched, now, and she won’t go to the police, so she’s moving back into servants’ quarters. Poor Anna.

Lord Grantham thinks that love will save the Bates’ marriage, but he’s not exactly in possession of the full set of facts, is he?

They won’t hold the train, not even for a Duchess

Not these days. Oh, hardship!

Lady Mary’s new bloke seems nice, actually

After making her laugh at dinner last week, Tony Gillingham surprises Lady Mary by showing up at Aunt Rosamund’s, taking Mary dancing and hinting that he’ll break off his almost-engagement for her.

He seems quite nice, if a little persistent. Her cousin husband just DIED, Tony, chill out.

Despite her telling him to leave her alone, Tony sneaks on Mary’s train home from London, surprises Lady Mary in the Downton library and proposes marriage. You know, totally casual and in no way weird. “

He’s dead, and I’m alive!” says Tony. Way to rub it in, man.

Mary can’t be with him, because she still loves Matthew. So do I, Mary. He had such a posh chin.

She gives Tony a kiss, though, which is a bit dangerous, considering that the only two men she’s ever ‘known’ carnally have died horrid deaths (never forget Mr Pamuk).

Edna comes on strong

She and Branson had an illicit roll in the hay, and now she’s talking about babies and marriage. Woah, Edna! Hold yer horses, and stop talking about Sybil like you knew her.

Branson is very upset about the whole affaire.

Cooking is sexy

Or at least, now Ivy’s learning how to cook, James is all over her like a randy footman on a kitchen maid.

Alfred knows cooking is sexy, too, which is why he’s trying to follow his chef-tastic dreams.

The past was really racist

So, the family is OK with Rose dancing with an embarrassing, horrible, pukey drunk, but not with her dancing with a black guy.

Jesus, past, you’re racist.

Mrs Hughes is quite the confidante

Anna’s talking to her about the rape, Mr Carson’s talking to her about his past lost love and Branson’s talking to her about his accidental bonk with Edna.

Though she can’t offer much help to poor Anna, and Mr Carson’s lost love is totally dead, she helps Branson by giving Edna a big telling off, revealing her pregnancy to be nothing but a lie.

As a result of the almighty admonishment dished out by Mrs Hughes, Edna leaves Downton. Again.

We give her two weeks before she’s back, and then two weeks after that before she’s gone. Again.

Edith’s about as mysterious as a bucket

She’s gone to London to see Michael Gregson. Obviously.

He’s off to Munich so he can get his quickie German divorce. Oh, I really do want things to work out for Edith. Bless her, and her bucket-like lack of mystery, doing the early morning walk of shame.

You’re a woman now, Edith!

The overall Downton down-low

Doubt we’ve seen the back of Tony Gillingham and his persistent Romeo ways. If this goes the way it usually does in Downton, with plotlines being reused all over the shop, he’ll return to Downton with a mild-mannered ginger fiancée who will then die of flu.

Then Tony and Mary will get married and he’ll die because, as I pointed out earlier, any man who comes into contact with Mary’s undercarriage ends up dead. It’s a curse. A posh sex curse.

Next week!

there’s a new lady’s maid for Lady Cora, some boring financial chat and yet more marriage problems for poor Anna.

article and information from the Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-reviews/downton-abbey-verdict-season-4-2368627#ixzz2he7ZvACH  and from wetpaint.co.uk 
Buffer