The seventh episode of the final season of the British period drama TV series “Downton Abbey” on PBS will air on Valentine’s Day.
Interestingly, it will focus on the blossoming relationship between Lady Edith, played by Laura Carmichael, and her beau Bertie Pelham, played by Harry Hadden-Paton.
Lady Edith has been very cautious about falling in love again considering what happened to her in the past. Over the past five seasons of “Downton Abbey,” Lady Edith has always been in the world of sorrow and there are only a few occasions where she seems happy.
Her relationship with Bertie seems to have put the spark in her heart once again which was a big turnaround from the early goings of Season 6 where she is almost resigned to her fate as a single mother to her illegitimate daughter Marigold.
As the saying goes, the truth shall set you free and Lady Edith is now contemplating of telling Bertie about Marigold. While the daughter of Lord Grantham, played by Hugh Bonneville, has been wary of telling the truth about Marigold as she was once left at the altar before because the man whom she was about to marry learned of her secret, she has been very honest in her relationships, details the International Business Times of India.
It would be interesting to find out if she would tell Bertie her secret because her sister Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, appears interested in beating her to the punch with Bertie.
It will be known come episode 7 whether it is Lady Edith who shall tell Bertie of her secret or Lady Mary will do her a disservice by revealing her sister’s secret to her beau.
Opening Downton Abbey to visitors
Episode 6 of “Downton Abbey” that aired on February 7 showed Tom, played by Allen Leech, and Lady Mary, voicing their idea to open up the estate to visitors in an attempt to raise money for the hospital.
The idea obviously did not sit well with the older generation of the Crawleys. Robert, for one, does not get why anyone would want a tour of a house as ordinary as Downton while Bates, played by Brendan Coyle, thinks it will only fill the townspeople with more jealousy than respect, notes Pop Matters.
Lady Mary and Henry, played by Matthew Goode, continue their courtship, which seems all but destined for an eventual and perhaps series-culminating marriage.
They were shown in episode 6 meeting in London, talking about cars, and skirting more lurid nature of their desires and innuendos and small talk. They also had their first kiss after an impromptu rainstorm of epically absurd proportions forces them to make a romantic embrace.
Pitfalls of a new marriage
As usual, the lighthearted moments of “Downton Abbey” episode 6 were provided by Carson, played by Jim Carter, and Mrs. Hughes, played by Phyllis Logan, as they face the pitfalls of a new marriage.
Carson has evolved to become a stuck-up and spoiled jerk after their marriage but showrunner Julian Fellowes seems to be using their little domestic squabbles as a bit of comic relief. But the plot line is quickly turning Carson from a generally likeable character into a bit of an ungrateful schmuck.
He showed that trait of his character when he admonished Thomas, played by Rob James-Collier, and also accused Thomas that he is unfairly manipulating Andy, played by Michael Fox, for his own perverse gains.
But the assault on Thomas has actually made him one of the most sympathetic characters in “Downton Abbey” and it only solidified with Carson’s unfair indictment, leaving him sobbing towards the end of episode 6.
Another interesting plotline that American viewers should watch out for “Downton Abbey” during its Season 6 is the possible re-ignition of the competitive spirit between Lady Mary and Lady Edith.