# Downton Abbey S5 - spoiler-free until broadcast in the U.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244 "2014-07-28T15:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/201 "2015-01-26T18:28:53Z")
No, the police sergeant told Carson they’d staked out Gillingham’s place. The detective then followed Anna to nearby Piccadilly Circus. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/202 "2015-01-26T18:48:38Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > I loved the way Lord Gillingham berated Mary. “How dare you sleep with a man you’re not going to marry!” WTF, Tony. You suggested it! I’m pretty sure he took as a pre-marriage trial run. Ie, as long as nothing went horribly wrong, it would definitely result in marriage. You’ll note that even the Dowager Countess thought the week long dalliance was alright if they were going to get married. ---
**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 26, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/203 "2015-01-26T19:47:07Z")
The recap in the New York Times suggested that the police might find Mary’s contraceptive in the Bates’ house during a search related to the inquiry into Green’s death. I can see how that would be awkward, since Anna wouldn’t want to say who the device belongs to. (The recap also suggested that the contraceptive was probably a cervical cap.) ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/204 "2015-01-26T20:18:11Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > … I _highly_ doubt the police would have a plainclothesman staking out Tony Gillingham’s London place after all this time. … > [@hajario](#): > > I thought that he just happened to be there and saw her. Just like the incredible coincidence of Spratt seeing Mary and Gillingham. That could be (that the plainclothesman was there ‘by coincidence.’) But clearly the plot has the police continuing to pour resources of time and manpower into investigating the death-by-fall-in-the-street of a valet. It’s difficult to see that as being plausible. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/205 "2015-01-26T20:47:40Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Miss Bunting is a total piece of shit. Why treat your host so shitty? Just don’t show up if you think he’s so awful. Yeah, this character is awful and we haven’t seen anything to make us think Tom shouldn’t just tell her to Eff off. She’s not the only suitable companion for him in town. BUT… her presence at the dinner was totally worth it just for the shot of him reacting to Lord Grantham’s blow up. Funniest thing on this show ever. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/206 "2015-01-26T21:46:19Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > I loved the way Lord Gillingham berated Mary. “How dare you sleep with a man you’re not going to marry!” I thought it was funny the way Gillingham is playing the role of the woman scorned, while Mary is being cast as the “screw 'em and dump 'em” guy. I expect that next episode, Gillingham will turn up pregnant with Mary’s baby. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/207 "2015-01-26T22:24:34Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > I thought it was funny the way Gillingham is playing the role of the woman scorned, while Mary is being cast as the “screw 'em and dump 'em” guy. I expect that next episode, Gillingham will turn up pregnant with Mary’s baby. Which he can then give to Edith, and everyone will be happy. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/208 "2015-01-26T22:36:50Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The recap in the New York Times suggested that the police might find Mary’s contraceptive in the Bates’ house during a search related to the inquiry into Green’s death. I can see how that would be awkward, since Anna wouldn’t want to say who the device belongs to. (The recap also suggested that the contraceptive was probably a cervical cap.) Why would she be questioned about who it belongs to, when it was found during a search of Bates’ house? Would the police really ask Anna “'scuse me, ma’am, but we have to ask you about something. We found this cervical cap in the drawer of your nightstand. Can you confirm that it belongs to you?” WTF? ---
**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 26, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/209 "2015-01-26T22:54:39Z")
Well, they’ll assume it belongs to Anna and perhaps it will be evidence that she was having an affair with Green. At the very least, Bates will want to know why she has it, and that will require her to break her confidence with Mary. ---
**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 26, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/210 "2015-01-26T22:56:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Well, they’ll assume it belongs to Anna and perhaps it will be evidence that she was having an affair with Green. At the very least, Bates will want to know why she has it, and that will require her to break her confidence with Mary. The shop girl can testify that it was purchased well after Green’s demise. ---
**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 26, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/211 "2015-01-26T23:03:41Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > That could be (that the plainclothesman was there ‘by coincidence.’) But clearly the plot has the police continuing to pour resources of time and manpower into investigating the death-by-fall-in-the-street of a valet. > > It’s difficult to see that as being plausible. I agree. Why would the police still be investigating the death of such an inconsequential person? > [@leahcim](#): > > I thought it was funny the way Gillingham is playing the role of the woman scorned, while Mary is being cast as the “screw 'em and dump 'em” guy. I expect that next episode, Gillingham will turn up pregnant with Mary’s baby. > [@freckafree](#): > > Which he can then give to Edith, and everyone will be happy. Ba-da-BING! Well played! Or how about this: Tony refuses to be dumped, sneaks into Downton, and cooks Isis in a big stewpot? ---
**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 26, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/212 "2015-01-26T23:10:27Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Well, they’ll assume it belongs to Anna and perhaps it will be evidence that she was having an affair with Green. At the very least, Bates will want to know why she has it, and that will require her to break her confidence with Mary. > > The shop girl can testify that it was purchased well after Green’s demise. If it comes to that. Of course, having talk about the contraceptive in open court would be really embarrassing for Anna (and Mary, really). ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/213 "2015-01-26T23:33:09Z")
Sarah Bunting is Lisa Simpson “I’m going to ask people if they know their servant’s last names, or in the case of butlers, their first!” ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/214 "2015-01-26T23:57:57Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > Sarah Bunting is Lisa Simpson “Is that the sound of butting in? It’s gotta be Lisa Simpson: Springfield’s answer to the question no one asked!” – Flanders ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/215 "2015-01-27T01:29:25Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I’m pretty sure he took as a pre-marriage trial run. Ie, as long as nothing went horribly wrong, it would definitely result in marriage. You’ll note that even the Dowager Countess thought the week long dalliance was alright if they were going to get married. Violent didn’t really approve of it; she’s just supremely relieved that Gillingham was still eager to marry Mary afterward (& that Mary isn’t pregnant). Which means they can marry without having to explain a “premature baby”, and no one need ever speak of the matter again. Mary being the one backing out of the proposal is unfathomable to her. > [@leahcim](#): > > I thought it was funny the way Gillingham is playing the role of the woman scorned, while Mary is being cast as the “screw 'em and dump 'em” guy. I expect that next episode, Gillingham will turn up pregnant with Mary’s baby. Agreed; traditionally it’s the man who backs out in these situations, and it just never occurred to him that their roles would be reversed. He’s not mad at Mary because he think’s she’s a slut, he’s devastated because she doesn’t want to marry him when he took their engagement as a given after their week in Liverpool. > [@hajario](#): > > The shop girl can testify that it was purchased well after Green’s demise. The same shot assistant would also testify that Mrs Bates lied about having children, and about her health. That doesn’t exactly bode well for her credibility. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/216 "2015-01-27T01:35:42Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > BUT… her presence at the dinner was totally worth it just for the shot of him reacting to Lord Grantham’s blow up. Funniest thing on this show ever. That shot was hilarious, and I LOL’d. I also love the shot where Mary and the Dowager Countess simultaneously take a drink from their wine glasses. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/217 "2015-01-27T01:42:39Z")
The best plot line this season is Isobel and her suitor. It’s sweet. Bunting took something wonderful that she did and ruined it by insulting Grantham. She was so helpful and charming to Daisy. She had no reason to ruin it. Speaking of Daisy, I think my favorite scene in the episode was when she offered to help Mrs. Patmore write a letter to speak up in favor of her nephew Archie. It was reversal of their normal roles in a subtle way. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/218 "2015-01-27T02:14:15Z")
This isn’t directly _Downton Abbey_ related, but I figured you guys might get a laugh out of this. On _Galavant_ Sophie McShera (Daisy) played a medieval kitchen maid, and in the Sunday finale she sang a song called “A Happy Ending for Us” about how she wanted to…poison all the nobles.You can see the video on the [ABC website](http://abc.go.com/shows/galavant/video/most-recent/VDKA0_ougz2l15). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/219 "2015-01-27T02:21:25Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > …Or how about this: Tony refuses to be dumped, sneaks into Downton, and cooks Isis in a big stewpot? He’ll have to wait for Molesley to clean and polish it. > [@alphaboi867](#): > > Violent didn’t really approve of it; she’s just supremely relieved… I would like this show even more if she were named that. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/220 "2015-01-27T02:35:00Z")
Looks like they replaced the facebook recaps with [group text](http://happyplace.someecards.com/downton-abbey/if-the-season-premiere-of-downton-abbey-took-place-entirely-via-group-text/). [This photo](http://i.imgur.com/9jH3R7Z.png) of Sophie out of character still amazes me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244.md?page=12)