Episode #3.2

I was shocked to see what terrible shape shirley maclaine was in and i didn't find her acting any better ... thomas and o'brien are still up to their dirty deeds ... although i don't care for queen mary lording it over everyone, the staff are the ones to suffer all the consequences ... the earl is still putting on false airs about how important he is yet he's the one that lost his wife's fortune ... the only comedy i enjoy about these episodes are the zingers maggie smith gets to say

A perilous situation puts Downton Abbey in danger of being sold. To save the estate, the Crawleys plan a perfect dinner party for Cora's wealthy mother Martha, who might be the one to save Downton Abbey. Meanwhile, downstairs, the once allies Thomas and Miss O'Brien are now clashing. Now, in this episode, you might find yourself liking Miss O'Brien a little bit.

Another perfect episode. Martha is an adorable character who adds more spice to the series.

As Downton is up for grabs, even though Matthew refuses to do anything about it with his inheritance. Mrs. Hughes begins to deal with a serious health issue. Bates, already wise to the way of prisons begins to look out for himself. Thomas and O'Brien seem to have a bit of a battle. Edith wants to consider marriage to the old guy, causing a bit of stir.

The Crawley family and staff are in high gear in preparation for Lady Edith's wedding to neighbor Sir Anthony Strallen. Mary and Matthew's ongoing disagreement over his reluctance to receive the fortune that Reggie Swire (his deceased fiancée's father) has left him causes conflict for the newlyweds. The money could save Downton from financial ruin, but his honor and guilt will not allow him to accept it. Every scene with them at the prison feels like a ground hog day rewind. Here they are again seated at a table, facing each other in a dimly lit room. The outcome of the conversation is the same: Bates is pessimistic. Anna is optimistic. Will she find the evidence to clear him of the crime of killing his wife? Enough already. Either let her find it, or kill Bates off, because this is boring me to death. Secondly, I am not convinced with the Matthew and Mary conflict. If he is so guilt ridden over causing the death of his fiancée Lavinia that he will not accept the fortune that her father has left him, how could he marry the woman that caused the rift in the first place? One would think that he let that go to marry Mary, but I guess not. What results is a bicker-fest between newlyweds that is just no fun. It makes Matthew look like a wimpy sod and Mary a shrew. I was relieved to see him move beyond it because Mary learns that Daisy did indeed post the letter Lavinia wrote on her deathbed *cough, cough* allowing Matthew to accept the money to save Downton. Lastly, poor Edith. We could go on forever about #TeamEdith, but shan't. Someone needs to remove the pins from that Edith voodoo doll that Mary has hidden in her lingerie drawer. Seriously! Does being the least pretty daughter really condemn one to a life of misery and ridicule? How shallow. Will they ever let her find a little happiness?