The final episode people. Let’s do this. Please forgive my many caps and exclamation marks. It’s a big deal!!
- Loving Henry as an official member of the family now. He’s smoking and down in the dumps. Driving isn’t fun anymore and that was literally the only thing he had in his life so makes sense that he’s depressed. Henry’s decides to give up racing and realizes he’s just a trophy husband which will be a turnoff for Mary: “I want to be worthy of her.” He and Tom discuss his career options. Sidetone, Henry and Mary are absolutely adorable in wedded bliss.
- Isobel finds out that Merton’s dying. She’s pretty upset and wants to help him deal with it. His evil DIL is back and shooing her away because they don’t want the money or home slipping from their hands when he dies. The Dowager helps her storm into the house and she’s going to marry him and take care of him till he dies. In the end, we find out he is ill but probably not dying, but they're still together. This was actually the only character story ending I didn’t like. I think it’s a crying shame she didn’t end up with Doctor Clarkson.
- Daisy spends the first half of the finale thinking she can do better than Andy, and sassily rebuffing him. He gives up on her. Ms. Patmore calls her out, and Mr. Mason tells her he’s a cracking young man. He gives up on her for a few months, and then of course she wants him. Ah, young love. Eventually, she hacks off all her hair in an attempt at a fresh start, and ends up with a cute bob, and Andy as her boyfriend. Very cute.
- Moseley has been offered a teaching job and he’s going to take it, he’s kind of leaving Baxter behind. I thought it was strange that we didn’t see him in the final scenes at all, but I think we’re to believe he and Baxter stayed close.
- Carson’s got shaky hands and keeps spilling things. Ms. Hughes is upset. IS HE GONNA DIE. Oh okay, it’s just “shaky hand” condition. His career is done for it seems. He turns in his notice to Lord G, prepping for interviewing his replacement. We’re supposed to feel sorry for him, but honestly I didn’t feel much. He was such an unlikeable character this season, and for me it felt appropriate. He is getting rather old.
- Thomas thanks the gang for saving his life. He’s really quite happy, getting very into saying “thank you” these days, apparently. Are we really supposed to believe he’s instantly, finally turned his wicked ways in? He’s suddenly giving all this sage life advice to Ms. Baxter, who in fairness was the only person who’s ever been unfailingly kind to him. He leaves to start a new job, but it took him literally one day to be depressed and hate it. He ends up coming back and taking Carson’s job as butler, in a painfully obvious plot twist. I can’t see him being butler at all, but I get it. We’re supposed to believe he’s changed and deserves this new honor.
- Edith starts the the episode off bitterly cheerful in accepting her single-mom spinsterhood life. She and Henry drive into town together and chat, and with Henry’s general awesomeness you can’t help thinking, poor Edith. She’s had 3 kind, generous, friendly brothers-in-law at this point and no husbands for herself. But! Happy news! Rosamond ambushed Edith by setting up a date with Bertie at the Ritz (swanky), and it turns out Mary arranged it all. Bertie: “I want you back. I’ve changed. Would you believe me if I said I couldn’t live without you? I’ve been doing a very bad job of it,” as he gets emotional. That was fast. We’re only 22 minutes in!
- Sidenote: Edith and Mary's sisterly moments. “You’re such a paradox. Hate me all my life than suddenly be nice and fix everything." Yep. Later, we get this gem from Mary <-----
- Cora and Robert rejoice: their poor, wretched daughter is to be happy at last. They go for a visit in the FREAKING LITERAL CASTLE. We finally meet Bertie’s pushy mother. They bicker to the discomfort of everyone else. She’s throwing shade at Edith and her past already. Edith is very worried about this, so she decides to come clean with her MIL, which is probably for the best. Bertie tells his mom off when she says to drop Edith. I love a man who knows how to outgrow being a momma’s boy and not melting at her every beck and call.
- A moment of appreciation for the spectacular interiors shot for the inside of Bertie’s castle.
- 3 Months magically fly by, and it’s time for the wedding.
- Branson and Henry talking business while playing with their children: my ovaries…my heart…gah. They end up creating “Talbot and Branson Motors.” They set up shop, and it’s swell. Mary’s bursting with pride and is also pregnant. Joyus news!
- Rose and Atticus are in town. They literally left their baby in America. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed Rose. She’s so peppy and fun, and in general was a great addition to the show.
- General happy pre wedding festivities ensue.
- Tom seats Edith’s editor friend at the wedding and tells her he likes strong independent women, very much. She catches Edith’s bouquet OF COURSE. I'm very happy to know he won't end up alone, but I wish he would have been in the episode a little more! He didn't get any self reflection.
- Edith and Lord G marvel over the fact she’s finally getting a spot of happiness. He’s a very proud dad. feels feels feelssssss. “It’s so strange. I feel so, so happy.” This was by far the best part of the ending. Edith has been so miserable for so long; they finally pushed Mary to the back burner and let Edith shine, and we rejoice with her.
I'M NOT CRYING YOU'RE CRYING An another “saw it coming” moment - Anna goes into labor in the middle of Edith’s reception. Cute moment with Henry running about looking to tell Bates the happy news. The Bates’s achieve one big happy family, at long last. A way too quick, but very satisfying ending.
- Mr. Mason and Ms. Patmore is a tough one for me to swallow, for some reason. It’s just so unsubtle. But they deserve happiness just like everyone else, so I’ll keep quiet.
- Even Violet and Cora makeup. Maggie Smith made this show what it is, I feel quite lucky to have gotten to witness her in this role.
- The episode, and beloved series draws to a close with a boisterous round of Auld Lang Syne, which feels very appropriate. THE END.
It was certainly very rushed and far fetched. It’s all very corny, sticky sweet, mostly unbelievable, and simply delicious. Our nostalgia and love for the show made the fact they were throwing years of character development out the window (suddenly Mary and Thomas are angels? Really?) totally fine. In the name of love and well-tied knots on multiple frayed loose ends, we are willing to look past a lot. I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m so sad to see it go.
