DOWNTON ABBEY: House Party

Warning: this recap contains references to a sexual assault that takes place in the episode. If this is a trigger, please do not read further.

Before the recap gets into full swing, it should be noted (and I had long forgotten until New Year’s Eve) that the creator and writer of Downton Abbey was the co-writer of “Gosford Park” from 2001, about an elaborate Country House Party in 1932. Many of the elements of that movie can be seen in this episode, and well, there’s a reason for it.

So, as mentioned last week, there’s a House Party to arrive at Downton for a few of the Lord and Lady’s friends – including Gregson and a man from Lord Robert’s club, a Mr. Samson. Also invited is the new Lord Gillingham, an old friend of the family, and rather more ladies of note, including a Dutchess. However, for all of the new guests, there are decidedly fewer members of staff to accommodate all of them, leaving Carson feeling very bereft and bothered that the Old Ways are not being continued.

Lord Gillingham’s valet (from here out referred as he is in the house as Mr. Gillingham) tries very hard to liven up the downstairs during the party – organizing games and generally being a pain in Mr. Bates’ side because Mr. Gillingham seems to take an interest in Anna, striking conversations whenever he can. While Mr. Gillingham is trying to make things more fun for the staff, Braithwaite has one of the most awkward conversations with Tom about their previous relationship and what it might still mean. It would help the whole house out if she wasn’t adding to Tom’s feelings of awkwardness: the party makes it very clear to him that he is really not one of the family because he’s not rich enough and he’s still not part of the staff any longer or know enough of the proper etiquette. If there could be a No Man’s Land for people in 1922, Tom would be sitting squarely in the middle of it, ready to live or die depending on the circumstances.

Lord Gillingham, even as an engaged (or soon-to-be engaged to the most eligible Miss Mabel Land-Fox) man, has a few personal conversations with Mary and seems rather keen on the idea of courting her. Despite the fact that she’s still only just out of mourning for Matthew, Gillingham is dogged in his approach and makes it very clear that he likes and admires Mary for herself. His task of impressing a member of the Grantham family goes better than that of poor Gregson, however. Lord Robert pays the man no time at all, until most of the men lose badly at cards to Mr. Samson, a card sharp if there ever was one. Only after another game, and Gregson using his own sharp skills, does Robert warm to him, especially since it keeps Robert from losing a decent some of money.

Molesley also reenters the house – only this time serving as a footman after Jimmy sprained his wrist in a fall. It’s clearly a hard position for him to be in, working under men who used to look up to him as Matthew’s valet, but given that he still needs work, Mosley has no real choice.

The culminating event of the house party is a concert by Dame Nellie Melba, who Carson and Lord Robert wanted to treat as staff rather than a guest at the party. Only after Lady Cora steps in does the opera singer have a seat at the table for dinner before her concert. The downstairs staff is invited up for the concert, though during the middle of it Anna falls ill with a headache and goes downstairs to find something to help. Away from the others and vulnerable, Mr. Gillingham comes downstairs and forces himself on her – telling her that she shouldn’t want a cripple like Mr. Bate – before stopping her from returning upstairs to the concert and physically hitting her before he rapes her. She tries to resist, but no one hears her, as everyone is paying attention to the finale of the concert. After everything is done, Anna tries to hide and insists that Mrs. Hughes not tell Mr. Bates what has happened, fearing that Mr. Bates will kill Mr. Gillingham and be hung for the murder.

As the party comes to a close, Anna wants to separate herself from Bates for what happened to her, while Braithwaite continues to try and force her way into Tom’s life with another well-timed drink.

Downton Abbey season 4 airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.