^^greenwitch, thank you for clarifying the “bananas” reference – I had it reversed.
It’s very elaborate, but it’s a headstone.
Some homeowners worked out agreements with the National Trust, donating their homes but retaining some sort of life interest. Various aristocrats have written memoirs about turning their estates into money making tourist destinations.
Probably all of you have seen these links:
the real Downton Abbey:
The Dowager’s House:
http://www.curbed.com/2015/5/11/9962264/downton-abbey-house-for-sale
adding:
If you liked Downton Abbey, 
then you may like Vita Sackville West’s “The Edwardians” which is a similar tale, and as you all know written by a woman who couldn’t inherit her own great house because it was entailed. So she created Sissinghurst, a medieval fantasy.
In the churchyard scene, yes, I saw pure, naked love on Edith’s face and acceptance that as long as she has her Marigold, she will be happy.
Frankly, I think Bertie is a wimp and I hope he does not come back to her. He showed his true colors.
I have lots of thoughts on this episode, but my strongest feelings are about the mess Julian Fellowes made of Mary’s second marriage.
First, the actor playing Henry is horribly wooden, and while I know some find him attractive, I think he’s ghoulish looking. Then the relationship between Henry and Mary is given such short shrift (especially compared to the time spent with Mary’s previous suitors) that we have no reason to believe in their purported mutual love, much less get invested in it. Their scenes together consist of arch conversations in various large groups, one brief encounter in a rainstorm, and the aftermath of the car crash. Henry never so much as meets George, much less indicates a desire or inclination to become a stepfather. He shows zero interest in the mainstay of Mary’s life–the preservation of the Earl of Grantham’s estate. Finally, Mary emotionally confesses her inability to handle the prospect of losing another husband in a car accident, but then apparently says to herself oh what the hell and marries him anyway after the entire family harrasses her into it! And what will Henry do with his time now that he’s to be another Downton Abbey resident? Hang out in the garage and engage in car talk with whoever the current chauffeur is? He appears to have no interests or pastimes other than racing and certainly no career. He’s a an awful bore, and if there’s supposed to be some tremendous sexual chemistry between Mary and Henry, it sure flew right over my head.
I feel like Fellowes had no clue how to end Mary’s story and spent about ten minutes concocting the Henry character and even less time casting him. (I won’t even get started on dragging Tom back to England with nothing to do but act Cupid for Mary, leaving him with no job and no love life.) What a disservice to the Downtown fans.
^ Yes.
In my opinion, Julian Fellowes has made a mess of SEVERAL characters and sub-plots over the past several seasons, but especially in this season.
Why has he turned Mr. Carson from a lovable curmudgeon to an often-nasty ill-mannered prig?
How has Mr. Barrow morphed from a comic-book villain to such a sympathetic character - where’s the backstory there? (I like the new Mr. Barrow, but wait - isn’t this the awful guy from Season One?)
Why introduce so many pointless story lines (Mrs. Baxter’s on-again, off-again “secret in her past” - why did that whole thing drag on so long?) I swear, every time that policeman shows up I groan, worried that yet another stupid brush with the law is about to begin.
And yes - why bring poor Tom back to the show so that he can obsess about his sister-in-law’s love life? Sometimes he seems like just another nanny…
The only thing I really enjoyed about this week’s episode was the big brouhaha between Mary and Edith where Edith finally called her a b****. Oh, and I thought the scene between Mary, George, and Mr. Barrow was good.
I have sworn off DA several times over the past few seasons (some of the story arcs and character development are simply awful), but the dowager countess keeps sucking me back in. That, and the glorious clothes.
@scout59 I can understand all the points you brought up, and why I lost a little passion for the show after a couple of years, but now that we are wrapping it up, I’m hooked.
The Barrow storyline, highlights the prejudice against gays, still relevant today. He felt like am outcast, maybe even bullied by his co workers. The bullying theme, ties in nicely to Mary’s character, and in this episode we get to see the bully confronted by a couple of people, Edith, the victim, and Tom.
Tom, epitomizes the " future"as he rose out of his “station” in life, and is a well respected, beloved character, a leader.
Mr, Carson, was extremely callous in this episode,he attempts to preserve the old structure at all costs. Loved, when Mrs Hughes, called him her " curmudgeon".
I applaud Fellowes for managing to bring some conflict to the final shows. I’m suprised that Mary’s resolution wrapped up this week, so there are more important things in the finale.
Like others I didn’t feel the passion between Henry and Mary, even their kissing scene made me wince, unlike the Matthew, snow falling in the park, kissing scene with Mary.
I do understand your views scout59- maybe the finale will resolve your concerns
@Consolation: You actually used the word “perforce.” Wowie!
SouthJersey, did you watch the earlier seasons? The character of Barrow was really nasty to everyone, if you recall, and quite manipulative and now he is merely reaping what he has sown.
He is not a victim. Even he recognizes this when he stated to Mary that his situation is his own fault. In fact, he is getting a reprieve, as they are keeping him on.
Agree with you about the lack of chemistry between Mary and Henry. They seemed like two strangers, and even the kiss was odd. Bad casting there, I think. You can’t have two cold characters.
I think that you can substitute “Julian Fellowes” and “Downton Abbey” with thousands of show runner/Series combinations and the statement is equally valid. Ryan Murphy/Glee and Tim Kring/Heroes are 2 that immediately come to mind.
Even recently Barrow was blackmailing Baxter into spying for him. He does seem to have come around, finally, but without any epiphany unless it was Baxter’s kindness to him while he was trying to drug away his sexual preference. It’s too neat.
Mary’s conclusion seemed quite hasty also. If they really got married just a few days later - even more so! I can’t believe her parents would let her marry without making amends with Edith first. They’re all just surprised that Edith shows up. It was odd, as if several scenes had been cut.
I think Bertie will come around. While being in Tangiers maybe he will realize that his cousin had a big secret (sexual preference again) and he’ll be more sympathetic to Edith’s big secret and how she struggled to tell him.
Maybe Bertie’s mom will tell him to go back and marry Edith–who says “Thanks but no thanks!” Edith then tells Mary that she dodged a bullet thanks to her.
Totally agree with those who dislike Mary’s new husband, didn’t believe the plot line and fail to see the actor chemistry. DH says that Fellowes wanted Mary to marry down as a contrast to Edith’s possibilities. Mary getting her comeuppance or Mary learning about real values or something. Perhaps. I think this plot line should have been more carefully laid; it’s clear Fellowes is wrapping up with limited time and too many loose ends.
@MommaJ It doesn’t surprise me at all that Mary hasn’t introduced Henry to George. She sees him for an hour each day at tea and at odd moments when she pops into the nursery. Mary’s an OK mother for her class and era, but George is being raised by nannies as she was. Henry need not have much to do with him at all unless he wants to.
I think that Thomas’ transformation has been gradual over several seasons, and has been aided by Baxter’s unflagging sympathy. When Mary brings George to see him, I immediately thought of her bond with Carson, and I saw her recreating that for her son. I found it touching.
Although I love Matthew Goode, and I’m happy that Mary married him, I really thought that her future husband would be Charles Blake. He was perfect for her. I was surprised that his character was simply dropped. I think that was a mistake.
I think that Bertie was perfectly aware that his cousin was gay.
Maybe Barrow will be Henry’s valet.
I think Barrow will be George’s butler. Maybe someone has already pointed out he is developing the relationship there Carson has with Mary.
Didn’t people in that day and of that class study Debrett’s Peerage in detail. I don’t think people of that class would have been surprised that Bertie Pelham was now the Marquis of Hexham. Of course a surprise makes for a better storyline.
The other odd bit that seems to have been dropped (unless it’s going to come up in the last episode) is the mysterious escaped prisoner who is Spratt’s nephew.
@Consolation I think he was aware too, as were others. When they were in the dining room and Bertie described him as “delicate” Barrow’s eyebrows raised ever so slightly as if to say “Hmm. One of us?”