Downton is deep into aiding the WWI effort by converting its hallowed halls of the aristocracy into a convalescent hospital for wounded officers. Lady Grantham and Cousin Isobel Crawley are co-admins of this altruistic endeavor, and like two bulls locked at the horn, fought for power of its management, while daughters Ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil assist with caring for the recuperating soldiers. Mary, granny and Aunt Rosamund dig deeper into Matthew's fiancé Lavinia's background, while downstairs Mrs. Patmore pressures the scullery maid Daisy into accepting William's affections before he leaves for the front, and Anna and Bates are re-united when Lady Mary discovers him working in a pub in a nearby village. Matthew returns to Downton from the trenches and brings his "candle in the wind" fragile fiancé Lavinia to Downton where she reveals her past association with Mary's beau, Sir Richard Carlisle to her. Matthew departs for the front kissing his fiancé's hand while Lady Mary watches with regret. If she had not taken aunt Rosamund's advice and refused his first proposal, it could be her hand that he is honoring. Many of the residents of this stately grand manor house are contemplating their place at Downton. It appears that everyone, but saintly housemaid Anna and former valet Mr. Bates, had their knickers in a knot: cat fight showdowns, begrudged departures, revelations about beaus, scheming, plotting, and skullduggery galore, loved ones missing in action, sex in the storeroom, and a shocking final reveal. Even granny, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was in competition for some of the best zingers of the night. Phew. I am breathless by it all. What was so enthralling about this episode was the amount of new information, new twists, and resolutions we were fed. I felt like I was at a carb loading party before a marathon. Just when one thinks that the plots is bursting at the seams with drama and pathos, screenwriter Julian Fellowes adds another layer.
