Or “The Beginning of the End?†I have a lot of feelings about the end of this series, as I’m sure we all do. For the most part, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the Crawley and their extended family which, of course, includes the servants. There have definitely been developments that I haven’t loved, but that can probably be said for every TV show I’ve ever watched. But through it all I kept coming back to this family because I care about them and hope to see them happy. And I recently marathoned season 5, so I’ve been (impatiently) waiting for the premiere of the sixth and final season.

So, I’ve been trying to decide how I want to write about this first episode. I think I need to start off by saying it wasn’t what I expected, which isn’t a bad thing. We got some great stuff, including that entire Mrs. Patmore/Mr. Carson/Mrs. Hughes business. It was uncomfortable in the best way and ended so sweetly. I already love Carson, mostly because of his fierce and unwavering devotion to Lady Mary. But now my favorite part of him has to be his love and admiration for Mrs. Hughes. I was already extremely invested in this relationship. Now, I’m next level into seeing them get married and start the next chapter of their lives together.

I’m also rooting for Anna and Bates. I mean, Jesus. Can they catch a break? Yes, Anna is finally cleared for Green’s murder, but now she’s having baby trouble. We know how much she and Bates want to start a family and now we know she’s miscarried a few times. Anna seems to think Bates won’t be happy without the pitter patter of little feet. And maybe he won’t be as happy without children, but if the past 5 seasons of this show have taught us anything it’s that these two belong together. They’ve gone through so much and, quite frankly, it’s time for them to be happy. If anything else is thrown at them, I’m going to have to have serious words with Mr. Fellowes. What I’m hoping to see is them settled and happy. If that includes children, great. If not, great. I literally just want them to be happy. LITERALLY.

I’m happy Edith is starting to fight for what she really wants — a life. I hope she decides to move to London and start something with Pelham, the estate agent (at least I think that’s his occupation; I honestly can’t remember). We got a decent introduction to him at the end of last season and I’m pretty sure we’ll be seeing him again. Edith really, really deserves some happiness in her love life. But more than that, I want Edith and Mary to have more of a grown-up relationship. I know there are siblings who never get along, but I think both of their lives would be so much richer if they didn’t seem to hate each other so much. I feel like their ongoing feud is childish and unnecessary. I mean, I do kind of like it when Mary gets snippy, but I’d love to see some real, genuine love for her sister underneath it all.

I like that Mary refused to give in to her blackmailer. I wasn’t sure how things were gonna go when the former chambermaid ended up in the library with the Earl of Grantham, but I’m so happy with how Robert handled that situation. Times are changing and I think it’s hard for him or any parent to watch their children grow up and not alway make the right decisions. Don’t get me wrong, I think Mary did what was right for her and I’ll defend any woman’s right to make her own decisions about her life until I die. I also like that Mary’s taking on even more responsibility at Downton. She’ll make sure the estate is profitable enough to maintain their lifestyle or she’ll do what she needs to make sure the family is ok. Either way, I trust her. And since I think we’re going to see more of Henry Talbot shortly, I’m hoping that she’s finally met her match…again. I don’t think anyone can ever take Matthew’s place and I wouldn’t want them to. But I do want to see Mary happy. I don’t think she necessarily needs a man to accomplish that, but if there’s someone out there for her, it might be him.
Isobel and Violet. I kind of like that they’re fighting. Ok, I love it. Is that bad? Of course I want them to remain friends because I enjoy all of their interactions, but I do like it when they disagree and I’m enjoying that none of the family is safe from this battle.
I wonder if there can truly be a happy ending for Barrow. I love that he and Baxter are so close now and he seems to be getting on with the rest of the staff well enough. It would be a lie to say I don’t enjoy him making mischief, because I really do. So I think if his remaining time at Downton is to be short (as in, he’s on his way out as part of the staff), I’d like to see him go out in the blaze of glory. And it’s probably too much to ask, but it would be great if he could have a little happiness in his personal life. I know it’s not realistic to wish for him to have a fulfilling relationship out in the open considering everything, but it would be so nice to see Barrow fall in love with someone who can love him back.

I was quite shocked by Daisy’s outburst, but agreed with every single thing that came out of her mouth. Of course there’s always a right time and place to express your opinions and perhaps in front of all those people and in the way she was talking wasn’t right. But I support Daisy’s right to say it and it stick up for her father-in-law. Whatever the future holds for Daisy, I hope she gets to do what she wants. She’s got some great skills and if she wants to get out of the Downton kitchen, I hope she will.
Although I would love happy endings for everyone, I’m also hoping that things aren’t tied up in a neat little bow because that isn’t real life. I like that this family is trying to keep up with the times, or at least make sure the times don’t kill all their traditions and most of their way of life. The Crawleys have had their share of ups and downs and I’m hoping things will mostly end well for them. But if they don’t, that’s ok too.
Downton Abbey airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.
Related posts
Classics
Dennis Heaton Talks The Imperfects
Longtime readers at TV Goodness will know that Motive is one of my ride-or-die series, and as such, I am fiercely loyal to its creator, Dennis Heaton. He followed up that fantastic reverse procedural with Netflix’s The Order and is back on our streaming screens with The Imperfects, which dropped…
Kelly McCormack Talks Favorite Moments in A League of Their Own
[Warning: Mild spoilers for season 1.] Now that you’ve had a chance to watch A League of Their Own, here’s the rest of my chat with Kelly McCormack about her favorite moments of the season. Seeing the iconic Peaches uniforms for the first time wasn’t just a goosebump moment for…
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People [streaming on Global TV in Canada and Roku…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…