# Downton Abbey S4 - spoiler-free until broadcast in the U.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 2, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844 "2013-03-02T19:48:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/261 "2014-01-27T03:33:26Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > Is the government guy someone we’ve seen before, or an entirely new character who we are to assume chased after Mary at some point in their youth? The government guy is Evelyn Napier, the son of a Viscount, who, back in the first season, came to visit along with his friend, a Turkish diplomat who, well, you know. Napier loved Mary, but Mary thought he was too boring to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/262 "2014-01-27T03:35:41Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > The government guy is Evelyn Napier, the son of a Viscount, who, back in the first season, came to visit along with his friend, a Turkish diplomat who, well, you know. Napier loved Mary, but Mary thought he was too boring to deal with. Got it, thanks! She seemed very glad to see him, given, well, how things went with his friend. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/263 "2014-01-27T03:38:28Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > I enjoyed that episode, despite missing the first 10 minutes due to a cranky toddler not wanting to be in bed. While I will go back later and catch up, does anyone have a quick answer for what is the connection between Thomas and the new lady’s maid? I don’t think it’s been explained. Last week Thomas mentioned he knew someone who might be able to fill the position, and he and the new lady’s maid (Baxter) obviously have some kind of history, but that was all I got from it. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/264 "2014-01-27T03:47:24Z")
My favorite line of the night was Cora asking Mrs. Patmore if there as a single aspect of the twentieth century she felt comfortable with and Mrs. Patmore whispering, “I wouldn’t mind getting rid of me corset.” I love her character and the woman who plays her so well. The Dowager was also in fine form tonight sparring with Isobel. “Wars have been waged with less fervor! . . . Nobody cares about as much as anything as you do!” The best episode of the season so far. I thought it was very realistic that Alfred was close but not quite into the fancy French cooking school. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/265 "2014-01-27T04:17:59Z")
As for Edith’s visit to the doctor… in this kind of story it means she either has a terminal disease or she’s preggers (or thinks she is). Just like if anyone ever coughs in a movie, it’s TB prior to 1920 and lung cancer after. Pain in left arm only means one thing— it’s never something benign like tennis elbow. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/266 "2014-01-27T04:22:02Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > I enjoyed that episode, despite missing the first 10 minutes due to a cranky toddler not wanting to be in bed. While I will go back later and catch up, does anyone have a quick answer for what is the connection between Thomas and the new lady’s maid? We don’t know. Nothing has been said about how Thomas knows Baxter or why she owes him anything. > [@](#): > > While I do love to hate Thomas, I always feel Rob James-Collier is a terrific actor, because Thomas is so awful, yet I completely buy it and feel empathy for him when he does things like mention, sincerely, that Lady Sybil was a nice person. OH, THOMAS. That line was actually cut in the original ITV airing!! I don’t know why! It really makes Thomas seem more human. There were **a lot** of newly added scenes in tonight’s PBS airing that weren’t seen in the UK. No matter how many times I’ve seen the scene between Bates & Anna where he reveals to her that he knows, I always end up sobbing. I love those two so much, their relationship is so beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/267 "2014-01-27T04:33:06Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > No matter how many times I’ve seen the scene between Bates & Anna where he reveals to her that he knows, I always end up sobbing. I love those two so much, their relationship is so beautiful! I thought it was ruined by his sinister comments to Mrs. Hughes at the end of the episode. This is the Bates who might have killed his first wife. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/268 "2014-01-27T04:54:52Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > I thought it was ruined by his sinister comments to Mrs. Hughes at the end of the episode. This is the Bates who might have killed his first wife. I guess that heightened the irony of Anna’s statement to him, “No more secrets.” I like that he has a dark side. Gives him more dimension. Violet was kind of a bitch on wheels tonight, but Isobel didn’t yield an inch. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/269 "2014-01-27T04:59:01Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I guess that heightened the irony of Anna’s statement to him, “No more secrets.” > > I like that he has a dark side. Gives him more dimension. > > Violet was kind of a bitch on wheels tonight, but Isobel didn’t yield an inch. Violet and Isobel are so well matched. My favorite adversaries and occasional allies. I think JF’s best drawn characters. Isobel’s rebellion against the mores of her time seems far less forced than Mrs. Levinson’s. Violet is also totally herself and no one else. ---
**Author:** ![Kasper1014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c89c15/32.png) [@Kasper1014](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kasper1014)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/270 "2014-01-27T05:04:50Z")
Mrs Hughes and Anna have led Mr Bates to believe to was a stranger that raped Anna. A couple of episodes back, that guy visited the cousin…can’t think of her name, but she dressed as a maid to see him outside in the back. Thomas saw them outside talking. Do you think that man may be accused to raping Anna? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/271 "2014-01-27T14:59:14Z")
I am intrigued at the new Lady’s maid. She seemed super sweet, but then it appeared it was an act to get popular for Thomas. Then again, Thomas’s plan is for her to be super nice to everyone so he can get all the rumors… which doesn’t seem like it’d create a whole lot of drama, but who knows. I am glad that Bates finally knows what happened. Though am curious if they are going to have Bates plan a murder. After all, he learned a few things in prison! Wouldn’t that be an interesting twist? As for Edith visiting the doc, I’m betting they make her pregnant. That would go over well with Robert. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/272 "2014-01-27T15:11:11Z")
Was Edith at the doctor to find out she’s pregnant or to end one (i.e., have an abortion)? And I assume that Thomas tore Mrs. Patmore’s apron so that the new lady’s maid could do her a favor? And I understand why Tom Branson is thinking of moving to America. He really does feel that he doesn’t belong there. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/273 "2014-01-27T15:30:00Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I like that he has a dark side. Gives him more dimension. Not only does he have a dark side, he has melodramatic music. I’m less happy with the storyline. Fellowes has managed to make Anna’s rape all about Mr. Bates. More than that, all about a really creepy Mr. Bates. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/274 "2014-01-27T15:32:46Z")
Bates knows damn well who raped Anna. He doesn’t believe that it was a stranger for a second. My guess is that Gillingham will be back which will set up all kinds of drama when we think that Bates will off the dude but it will end up that he’ll have a brilliant plan to set the dude up and prove that he’s a rapist. I took it that Edith knew that she was pregnant and had an abortion. It could well be that she will keep it though. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/275 "2014-01-27T15:37:06Z")
They sure cover a LOT of ground in 50 minutes. Of course, it’s because they spend approximately 45 seconds on each plot as they cycle through the situations. I thought it was sad (and believable) when Anna said, “I’m spoiled for you now,” but I also wanted her to say, “I also didn’t tell you because I know you want to hunt the guy down and murder him and I can’t bear to lose you to the hangman’s noose” or something along those lines. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/276 "2014-01-27T15:45:27Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > Not only does he have a dark side, he has melodramatic music. I’m less happy with the storyline. Fellowes has managed to make Anna’s rape all about Mr. Bates. More than that, all about a really creepy Mr. Bates. That’s a really good point. It IS all about Mr. Bates. ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/277 "2014-01-27T16:05:34Z")
> [@Kasper1014](#): > > Mrs Hughes and Anna have led Mr Bates to believe to was a stranger that raped Anna. A couple of episodes back, that guy visited the cousin…can’t think of her name, but she dressed as a maid to see him outside in the back. Thomas saw them outside talking. Do you think that man may be accused to raping Anna? I totally had that thought as well. Poor chap. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/278 "2014-01-27T16:07:13Z")
I’m embarrassed to admit how funny I think this clip is: [Downton Abbey Clown Shoes](http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/01/watch-ellen-degeneres-shoes-in-on-downton-abbey/) ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/279 "2014-01-27T16:27:14Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > I thought it was ruined by his sinister comments to Mrs. Hughes at the end of the episode. This is the Bates who might have killed his first wife. I disagree completely. I thought that Bates’ comment that he didn’t want to burden Anna any further added even more poignancy to the scene between the two of them. It shows how well they know each other – Anna knew that Bates would kill the rapist, and Bates knew that she knew, and therefore was as gentle and loving as possible with her so that she would feel free to let him comfort her. I also disagree that the story is entirely about Bates. First of all, it was all about Anna for the past few episodes, and secondly it’s about the relationship between Bates and Anna – how they will protect each other and how far they will go for ech other. I don’t see Anna being left out of the story at all, even if Bates is pursuing the rapist. I do think that Bates knows it was Green (he’s very perceptive), but has some slight doubts because of Mrs. Hughes’ firm stance. This was my favorite episode in quite a while thanks to the Bates/Anna story. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844/280 "2014-01-27T18:35:07Z")
The moment with Bates and Mrs. Hughes in the hall was a bit melodramatic. My husband turned to me and said “well, that was very Days of Our Lives.” It was. So very, very much. Right down to the music and “Nothing is over. Nothing is done with.” It’s something John Brady would say with the very same look on his face. \* \*disclaimer: I am not a current watcher of soap operas. I watched Days for a year back in my early 20s when I was a stay at home mom without cable tv and netflix wasn’t invented yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s4-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/651844.md?page=15)