Downton Abbey
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WEDDING BELLS Will Mary and Matthew's eight-year back and forth come to an end?
More Downton Abbey recaps
- EPISODE 04 | Oh, Baby
- EPISODE 03 | The Fighting Irish
- EPISODE 02 | Spinsters Get Up For Breakfast
- EPISODE 01 | Get Her To The Church On Time
Cora hopes that Mary won't ask Martha for the money, telling her eldest daughter that they only really have to move to a smaller estate. Mary is unmoved and still plans to throw a lavish dinner party to convince Martha that Downton is worth saving.
The lavish dinner party comes, but everything goes wrong. Robert and Matthew don't have the right clothes to wear. The oven breaks, so they can't cook the food. Both Mary and Violet practically have a stroke. However, Martha comes to the rescue and directs everyone at the party into an indoor picnic, much to the Dowager's consternation. We're even treated to MacLaine's vocal stylings.
For Edith, though, the informal dinner allows her a few moments alone with Strallan. "You've given me back my life," he tells her. In this moment, I find myself rooting for the middle Crawley daughter. They speak of "getting it organized in a month." Is this "it" a wedding?
In the end, Martha can't give the Crawleys any more money -- it's all been tied up in her late husband's will.
Over one last whiskey with Robert, Martha apologizes for not being able to save Downton. "Some animals adapt to new surroundings. It seems a better choice than extinction," she says. So will Robert adapt? Or will he go extinct?
NEXT: What's happening below stairs
