Cousin Matthew and William the Footman are both injured in the war. Their injuries make life at Downton bleak. William’s Lungs are irrevocably damaged, and Matthew appears to be paralyzed from the waist down. The loss of use of his lower body leads Matthew to break off his engagement with Lavinia to save her from a childless future.
Ethel, having had the baby is being kept in food by Mrs. Hughes, and is trying to get the father to own to it – something that doesn’t look as though it is going to happen any time soon. Due to the severity of his wounds, William asks Daisy to marry him so she’ll receive his widow’s pension. In light of pressuring from most of the staff she agrees and seven hours after they’re wed, William succumbs to his injuries.
Vera Bates returns, and she’s going back on her deal. Promising to ruin the Crawley family and Bates along with them, she leaves intent on selling her story to the papers. When Anna reveals this to Mary, the eldest daughter visits London and confesses to Sir Richard Carlisle and asks that he save her – which he does, buying the exclusive rights to the story.
My Thoughts:
Yay for Richard Carlisle being sneaky sneaky! I can see her admission of this to him going badly… but so long as she doesn’t break off the engagement, I’m sure it’ll work out.
I really just want Vera to go away. But I’m pretty certain at this point in the progression that there is no potential for a happy ending with Anna and John (Did George R. R. Martin have a hand in writing out their bit?)
Honestly, every time I see Ethel, I figure it’s her own fault. Her plight has not made her any more a likable character than she was before.
Wallowing Matthew is not fun. He’s never been a particularly chipper chap, but this severe downturn in his health is (understandably) a total downer. Lavinia does a good job of deer in the headlights in her portion of this and I find her portrayal of this range of emotions wonderful – even though they’re sad ones.
Also, and a side note, not being able to use your legs, does not mean you can’t have kids. I feel like they would have know that, even in 1918.
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