DOWNTON ABBEY: “Season Six, Episode Nine” {Recap}

Here we are at the finale of Downton Abbey. It’s been an up and down six seasons, with deaths, marriages and any number of awkward dinner conversations, but it’s coming to an end.

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In whatever number of days between the last episode and this one, Edith has decided that she wants to take Marigold to a school in London and live there full time. While she’s in London, Bertie surprises her with dinner, at Mary’s request. Turns out that he wants her back, and he makes a point of saying that he’s been miserable without her since he broke off the engagement. He seems earnest enough about the whole situation, and he’s willing to weather the gossip if it happens. Too bad his mother is a piece of work, who wants to have his seat as a moral center. Edith takes it on herself to tell Mrs. Pelham what her secret is, and it doesn’t sour the engagement.

Henry also seems to have lost the fight for the driving. He’s thinking of giving it up even though he doesn’t have an idea what he’ll do next. At least Tom is going to support Henry in whatever job he does persue. Once they get the garage up and running, they show Mary what they are planning together. And she also gives him the good news that there’s a little Talbot inside Mary now.

Isobel is also having issues with Lord Merton and his family, they were going to have her to tea and then they cancelled. Turns out that Lord Merton has a form of anemia, and not one that is just solved by changes in diet but the sort that is fatal. He has one last wish that they had been married. She’s taking the new harder than she thought, and Violet is trying to help smooth some of Isobel’s grieve. Now that is seems there is not much left of Lord Merton’s time, it seems that his son and daughter-in-law want Isobel out of the picture. It doesn’t help that Emilia is all but forcing Isobel to be removed from Lord Merton’s life and Violet is ready to storm the house to find out what’s going on. Storm they do, and take Lord Merton away from his horrible son and daughter-in-law. Plus, Isobel is going to marry Lord Merton for good measure. For that Lord Merton was supposed to be fading fast, he’s still alive, so more tests are run and he’s not the sort of anemic that will spell death.

Andrew has improved himself, he’s both reading and doing the figures of Mr. Mason’s farm. He’s also trying to woo Daisy and start a life. Mrs. Patmore is trying to get Daisy to realize what she does and doesn’t want in relationships, so maybe there’s hope for she and Andrew after all. I think Daisy should tak the hint that if Mr. Mason thinks Andrew a good match, he probably is. She tries to cut her hair to show Andrew her interest, and Anna does a good job of righting the mistake Daisy made.

Mr. Carson’s hand is shaking more often, and it looks as though he’s having some issues. Spilling wine on Lord Grantham for one. At least Mrs. Hughes notices it, and wants to know what is going on, and it takes too much effort and another shaky hand at a dinner for her to find out that he has some sort of palsey that has affected his family for generations. It’s just shaky hands, but for a bulter that’s the end of a career. Carson wants to resign now that Lord Grantham and Mary know what is going on with him, but both Crawleys want to see him still.

Barrow seems to have found a job as well. He’s to start sooner than should with proper notice, but Mr. Carson isn’t going to stand on ceremony. The Granthams are very nice in their goodbye with him, but his new house is very small and doesn’t leave him with time to try and right his old wrongs. Even though he has a job, Barrow does get offered the job of Bulter at the Abbey after Carson has another bad show with his hands at Edith’s reception.

Spratt’s column is expanding to a full page, and Edith has delivered the news at the Dowager’s house for once. But now Danker wants to know why they were meeting and for what reasons. Because she can’t stop meddling. Danker’s still trying to stir the pot about what Spratt is doing with his spared time, especially in front of Isobel and Violet. In his quiet nights, Spratt continues to write his column but Danker also knows now and she wants to use it against him. Danker spoils the beans on his work but the Dowager enjoys the column and won’t give him notice. Danker’s plan to be rid of him foiled but the Dowager’s general interest in what he says. Spratt will now be the Dowager’s go to for advise on things fashion and entertaining.

Molesley has been offered more responsibility at the school and also take on one of the few homes that the estate has given to the school. Carson is not amused by the change in the house. He’s going to take the job and it leaves Carson is a foul mood.

Lady Grantham is doing well with the hospital, but at the expense of her time with him and the family. She has a meeting just before the wedding, much to Lord Grantham’s ire. Rose manages to get him to see what she’s doing and only then does he understand what good she’s doing there.

Rose and Atticus come to visit for the wedding, and it’s good to see her and hear that her baby is well, if not present because of all the diseases that could be given to her.

Anna is also nearly due. And gives birth during the reception in Mary’s room, her water breaking in the room. The baby will get to spend the days in the nursery with George and Sybbie so that Anna can keep working.

The wedding itself for Edith and Bertie is wonderful, and Ms. Edmunds comes and looks as if she and Tom might have something going on. Especially since Ms. Edmunds catches the bouquet from Edith.

The house – upstairs and downstairs – ring in 1926 as we say goodbye to Downton Abbey.

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Just how much did the show wrap up everything from this season, and this whole series for you?