Love downstairs(01 of08)
Open Image Modal"Come on folks, let's have a Downton wedding that doesn't end in tragedy, being arrested for murder or being abandoned at the aisle. It's just time."Reader, they did it. And, now Mr Carson's discovered the hard way just how complicated it is keeping house, their chances for marital bliss (and, cross fingers, a spin-off detective series) look extremely favourable.
Decisions, decisions...(02 of08)
Open Image Modal"Come on Mary, you've had your fun, now it's time to secure the house and the name - there must be another surprise cousin waiting to rock up to the annual fair, and stoke the fire within the iceberg, surely?" Mary's certainly come out of her Havisham-esque gloom, but her haughty froideur when it comes to all suitors is no more appealing. Sorry, M, say yes, say no, have another weekend in Harrogate, frankly, we've stopped caring.
In From The Cold(03 of08)
Open Image Modal"That married editor gentle-chap needs to come back from the dead, and save Lady Mousey Middle One from a life of independence with her recently reclaimed child."Well, it doesn't look like he's turning up, but Edith has successfully found herself another suitor in Mr Pelham. If only she could find herself a meaningful occupation. Oh, she has a magazine, you say? Funny, she's never mentioned it...
Get With The(se) Times(04 of08)
Open Image Modal"If ever there was a character overdue some romance, it's surely the tragic Mr Barrow. Yes, he's still a bit mischievous, conniving and controlling, but the love of a good man could curb that." Sadly, things have taken a turn for the worse for Mr Barrow, bizarrely with both Robert Crawley and Julian Fellowes seeming to think the estate's entire financial challenges could be solved with giving him the boot. It's been sad and strange to watch, and it doesn't look like rescue is anywhere near.
As Sinitta Sang, I Need A Toyboy(05 of08)
Open Image Modal"Countess Dowager needs to find herself a toyboy (who may or may not resemble George Clooney)." Unfortunately, it's been a cruise, not a crush, that is keeping the Dowager occupied as we approach the series end. We're holding out for a triumphant return, complete with a scandalous young suitor. Ideally American.
Doctor In The House(06 of08)
Open Image Modal"Meanwhile, Mrs Crawley needs to see what's humming right under her nose, and marry that good doctor so they can be happy, and worthy, ever after." Looking more likely now Mrs Crawley's marital prospects have taken another blow, with a scheming daughter-in-law reminding her of the dubious quality of her catch. Meanwhile, there is a single doctor still in the house.
Not-So-Ditzy Daisy(07 of08)
Open Image Modal"Daisy needs to run for Parliament - on a radical, left-wing manifesto to protect the workers and reclaim all that land and money that her former masters have been sitting on. I mean, when has that ever gone wrong?" On her way with exam results to come... baby steps.
Trading Places(08 of08)
Open Image ModalEarl Grantham and his wife need to stop furrowing their brows over the diminishing family fortunes, simply pop the keys to the Downton Abbey back through the letter box, start making the sandwiches in the National Trust coffee shop on the corner of their estate and then retire to to the Everglades, where Americans can ask Robert if he knows the Queen. Looking more and more likely. Hopefully, before we cut back to Downton Abbey and its new owner, industrial kingpin Lord Barrow. And Robert probably needs to lay off the hamburgers.