What I’m Watching: Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey: Season 4, Episode 5 (B+)

If ever there was someone at Downton who really didn’t care about societal expectations, it’s Rose. Bringing in a black singer was a ballsy move, and it was surprising to see that, for once, Robert wasn’t all about convention and actually enjoyed it. The singer’s arrival did nearly give Carson a heart attack, and Mary seeing Rose with the singer is sure to have adverse effects in the future. This episode had a lot of great Carson moments, including his embarrassment at being praised to Robert and Cora by Alfred. Mrs. Hughes bringing Molesley in for a job even after Carson said no was entertaining, and she can always be counted on to help balance his inflexible tendencies for the greater productivity of Downton and to help the most miserable man in town, who now has a more reliable place at Downton. Alfred addressing his lack of attraction to Daisy was intriguing, and it’s nice to see him be so noble and courteous. Jimmy, on the other hand, made quite the misstep with Ivy, and it’s hard to tell whether he’s not so likeable or relatively harmless. There was something nice about Bates and Anna’s fancy date, and it was especially triumphant to have Cora tell the host that they were with her. I do hope their relationship is headed for a better place. Violet and Isobel’s latest confrontation, this time about material things and justice, was quite amusing, and it’s fun to see those two very different women argue about what’s right.