Bates/Anna

Oh my God. It’s so tragic. All the way through the court scenes when Mrs Hughes, Miss O’Brien and Lord Grantham were giving evidence, I could feel my heart sinking. During the rewatch of the second series, I was taking note of all the suspicious things he was saying, and totting them up. I’m glad that everything that I had noticed made it into that scene. But poor, poor Mr Bates. However, all those scenes in the courtroom were acted so well, especially the tension between Lord Grantham and Bates as Robert gave his evidence. You could just tell that Robert was heartbroken about having to tell the truth - in fact, at one point, I thought he was even going to lie. Joanne Froggatt, though, was a triumph - you could just see the pain in her eyes. When Bates’ verdict was read out, that scream went straight through to the bone. Round of applause for Ms. Froggatt, please.

When that telegram came through with Bates’ overturned death sentence, I was so frickin’ happy. I was happier for Anna, as I far prefer her to Bates, and I thought that the situation she was going through was almost as difficult (if not equally so) as Mr Bates’ situation. I wonder what series 3 will bring for these two…

Daisy/Mrs Patmore/Mr Mason

This storyline made me happy, because, slowly but surely, Daisy realised that perhaps she did love William after all. I had faith that this revelation would come around eventually when William died, and I was really upset that it hadn’t come by the end of series 2. But hey, the Christmas special, not too shabby either. I also liked the fact that Daisy had more speaking time - she’s an interesting character, and I feel she deserves more attention.

I loved the scenes with Mr Mason. He has got to be the most loving father-in-law in the whole world. To offer to be Daisy’s ‘father’ was so lovely, and the fact that Daisy let him assume that role just made my day. In fact, his advice to her about the whole Mrs Patmore/Miss Shaw thing, however simple, just made me happy. It made me happy that she’d embraced her new life. Throughout these scenes though, there was a feeling that William was always there. Not in a creepy way or in a spiritual way, but the way Mr Mason spoke so fondly of his son made me feel that, somehow, William lived on. Admittedly, when Mr Mason said that William had had three brothers and a sister, my first thought was “Including William’s secret identitcal twin, also played by Thomas Howes?” but then when Mr Mason said that they’d all died, it made me sad because he was suddenly so alone. :’(

The servants’ ball was lovely though, the way that Daisy said “I’m just thinking about William…he always loved the servants’ ball” made my day, because she said it lovingly. Oh Daisy, thank you. :3

Although, I wonder who William would have danced with at the servants’ ball?

I’m glad Daisy asked to be promoted though. The fact that Daisy was trusted to make the wedding cake for Matthew and Lavinia is a sign that Mrs Patmore clearly trusts her, but I can empathise with Daisy’s feelings on that. The scene with the weird board thing - “Go to farm to make Dad happy” - made me laugh, because Mrs Patmore is an absolute babe. Series 3 could be interesting though. Noticed how I’m already looking forward to series 3?

Sybil/Branson

Despite the fact neither of them were there, I think these two deserve a mention, because *drum roll please*, Sybil’s having a baby!

It’ll certainly be cute. And I’m glad Cora’s attitude is so relaxed about it. Robert could take a leaf or two out of her book.

Edith/Sir Anthony

I felt so psychic when Sir Anthony came back into the picture, because I’d posted a confession to a Downton confessions blog which said something along the lines of “I wonder what would happen when Sir Anthony came back…” and HERE HE IS.

I wonder if, in series 3 (sorry, couldn’t help but mention series three ;D), Patrick (but then maybe he’s Peter Gordon, so as not to upset my happiness over Mary/Matthew) will come back, and Sir Anthony will get angry and they can get their claws out over Edith. It would be fabulous.

Thomas

Oh, Thomas, you are such a brilliant character. I’m not sure I like this new, non-bitchy Thomas, but hey, the scenes with Isis were hilarious. Poor Thomas. XD

Also, he got to dance with Violet at the servants’ ball. That was enough to make the episode for me, tbh.

But, yay, he has a chance to have a go at being Lord Grantham’s valet! This should be very interesting… If he got the job, he and O’Brien would be gossip central, and that would be fabulous. Bring on series 3. (Sorry, series 3 again. XD)

Miss Shore/Lord Hepworth/Lady Rosamund

WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS ALL ABOUT?! SERIOUSLY?!

But the scene with Rosamund going “Damn. I hate it when Mama is proved right.” was classic Rosamund. Well played, Samantha Bond.

Mary/Matthew

Last, but most certainly not least, is Mary/Matthew. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I’m still buzzing from the sheer joy. It was so perfect. In every way humanly possible. It’s about time that they both saw just how perfect they were for one another.

Although, the tension between Mary/Matthew/Sir Richard - wowzers! Loved it, every second. I loved how Matthew found his way intruding into every argument between Mary and Carlisle. But boy, Iain Glen is fantastic - he is genuinely scary as Carlisle, I have a horrible feeling that he’s about to make their lives a misery (yep, you guessed, bring on series 3). But that punch. So perfect.

The dance at the servants’ ball was so sweet. I was dreading that there’d be a sort of “Well, here we are again. Sorry, Mary babez, we still can’t be together”. Luckily, there was not. :D

I just wonder what Cora’s/Robert’s/Isobel’s/Carson’s/Edith’s/Sybil’s/Anna’s/everybody’s reactions will be. They’d better be pretty darn happy.

I am sorry for the spoilers but I just needed to write all this down. Bring on series 3.

I’m gonna record so I can keep it forever and stalk Dan Stevens forever on it.

Brilliant TV tongiht. :’)