During this Spring 2020, we are looking back to Spring 1920! A few months ago, Mary decided that, despite Richard Carlisle’s knowledge of her previous affair with the Turkish gentleman, she could not bring herself to marry such an awful, dominating person. After breaking off her engagement with him, she knows that he will likely publish the story of her affair, so she plans to go to America and wait it out. But Mary still loves Matthew, and Matthew’s heart belongs to her as well. If you remember, Matthew refused to pursue a relationship with Mary because he was still burdened with the guilt of Lavinia’s death. Now, however, he realizes that sweet Lavinia would have wanted Mary and Matthew to be happy. So, Matthew proposes, and Mary wholeheartedly accepts. In this episode, they are getting married (I know, who saw that coming??).
But the big question surrounding the wedding is: will Branson and Sybil come? Branson (the chauffeur, remember him?) finally won the heart of Lady Sybil. He believed, in spite of the family’s misgivings, that “the best guarantee of Sybil’s happiness lies with me.” The pair moved to Dublin and got married there. In fact, Sybil and Branson are now expecting their first child!
Mary wants Sybil to attend her wedding. But is the family and the village ready for their return? Sybil’s choice of husband is still a subject of “fascination” to many. Someone sends Sybil the money, so she and Branson arrive a few days before the wedding. Branson immediately stands out, as he owns neither a set of tails nor a morning coat. In fact, Violet (Sybil’s grandmother) asks Branson confusedly if not changing is an “Irish tradition.”
These class tensions peak when Larry Grey, who was interested in Sybil in the past, visits Downton. Larry, hoping to make Tom appear even more ridiculous, slips Tom a drug to make him appear drunk. Larry freely ridicules Tom’s outlandish behavior and Irish beliefs before Larry’s terrible actions are discovered. Larry’s behavior clearly demonstrates the unfortunate prejudices prevalent among much of the upper class. Thankfully, Matthew resolves this chaotic situation by asking Tom to be his best man.
Unfortunately, this episode also reveals that the fate of Downton is in trouble. Lord Grantham invested a huge amount of the Downton fortune in a railway line, assured that railway expansion everywhere guaranteed that the investment would increase in worth. But this company is about to be declared bankrupt. Unless Lord Grantham can find another source of money, he will be forced to sell Downton. He refuses to sell the estate off “piecemeal.” Lord Grantham’s losses are reminiscent of the current terrible drop in the stock market.
Both Matthew and Mary had a bit of cold feet the night before their wedding. But Matthew feels assured when he realizes that “I would never be happy with anyone else as long as you walked the Earth. And I think you feel the same about me.” The beautiful wedding of Matthew and Lady Mary closes the episode.
I am so happy they decided to get married and be together. I am sure it is pretty normal for people to get cold feet before the wedding. Although I glad that they chose to continue with the wedding. I am a huge sucker for happy things in shows and in movies. Although I haven’t really watched the show myself, therefore you would argue that he only asked him to be his best man to calm the situation, or was it intentional.
It’s crazy how much of an impact Mary’s relationship with the Turkish gentleman in one of the first episodes has on the plot here, so much later in the show– it really speaks to the sexist expectations for women at this time. I like how you connected the financial instability that Lord Grantham grapples with in the episode to the current instability of the economy to show how these worries haven’t disappeared, just changed (and it would be a lot easier for us all if everybody had a fancy estate like Downton to sell when times got tough).
The show doesn’t have too many happy moments so i’m glad to see that something good happened.
Aw, I love watching weddings in TV episodes; they make me so happy. I am glad that Matthew and Mary had their happy ending despite all the drama that led up to that point. It is interesting that they both have such an unique history that is impacting the possibility that some of their guests will attend.
Wedding Episodes in TV are always fun to watch! They usually fill you with such warm and fuzzy vibes! Especially in Spring too! Up in New England here, we’re in our famous “Mud Season” when it’s kinda warm, but everything is muddy and it isn’t that pretty, warm springtime yet. Also, I found the Irish and English clash interesting as there has ALWAYS been some disdain in that relationship because of England’s numerous past attempts of conquering Ireland. It even still exists today! Great Post!