Downton Abbey: Season Two, Episode One

At the end of the episode, Matthew tells Thomas, "War has a way of distinguishing between the things that matter and the things that don't."  This sums up the entire episode, where the war shadows all of the drama.  This post will have spoilers.

Mary and Matthew meet again when Matthew returns to Downton on leave from the front lines.  He brings his new fiance with him, which last season would have created many hissy fits and scheming.  But now Matthew is a soldier and there is every chance he won't survive.  Mary pushes her hurt feelings aside, because she does care for Matthew and she knows she may never see him again.  It was a situation that broke my heart, but it showed that Mary has matured, which I appreciated.

Matthew's fiance is sweet, but she's no Lady Mary.

Thomas, the scheming footman you may remember from season one, has joined the medical corps, thinking that it will keep him off the front lines.  He ends up in the trenches and it is a rude awakening for someone who spent his entire life trying to make a better life for himself while avoiding hard work.  The end of the episode has him purposely getting his hand shot so that he will be sent home from the front lines.

This is especially interesting, because many of the men at home are struggling to join the war effort.  Lord Grantham has an honorary position that will allow him to stay at home and he feels useless.  He wants to actually do something.  William has been forbidden by his father to join and is taking criticism for being a coward (thank you, Edith, you *****).

Even Lady Sybil has gotten involved.  She has always been my favorite character, so I loved that she wanted to join a nursing course.  To prepare, she asks the maids to teach her how to cook and clean.  Her mother, Cora, is at first appalled, but later approves as she sees her daughter grow up and make her own choices.  It seems that class divides are closing as the people of Britain unite against a common enemy, but they haven't closed enough when Branson proposes to Sybil.  Oh, Branson, how I love you.

Sybil learning a real skill.

Two other things I want to mention quickly.  One, Bates and Anna finally get together (Bates thinks his wife will finally allow him a divorce), only to have everything good in Bates' life ripped apart by his horrible, horrible wife.  I hope we see more of this story, because I couldn't take it if this is the end for Anna and Bates.  Two, Gwen has left to build a better life as a secretary and we meet her new replacement.  Like Gwen, the new maid has dreams, but unlike Gwen, this new girl comes off as arrogant in her pursuit of them. It is an interesting change up that I hope will be explored more in this season.