Downton Abbey recap: We discuss the best curls, come-ons, and convalescence in the second season’s second episode

Date January 16, 2012

Photography by Nick Briggs/ITV for MASTERPIECE courtesy of eOne Films

By Randi Bergman and Paige Dzenis

It’s the second week back to Downton Abbey, and it seems that everyone is back to their old tricks. As the war rages on, Thomas continues to plot, the earl continues to fume (at everything), Matthew and Mary continue to shuffle around like they aren’t flirting, and Granny continues to dole out the one-liners.

Let’s take a look back at last night’s episode with the best and worst moments of the show! »

Best pickup line: The attraction between Matthew and Mary is still so obviously strong that he feels the need to be around her all the time, especially when he saunters into the makeshift convalescence hall and says, “Who cast you in the role of Florence Nightingale?” (Too bad he wasn’t trying to flirt with Sybil, she’d have dropped trou skirt in no time.)

Best excuse to learn how to curl your hair: Oh Anna, we know you’re not just “practicing” using Mary’s new curling iron because she asked you to. You want to look stunning (in the Edwardian sense of the word, that is) for Bates when you search him out in town. But back to the curling iron. We always knew that the maids also serve as hairstylists to the ladies of Downton, so it was nice to finally see some insight into how they learn the art of the updo. However, we’re still wondering: do the maids read all the latest periodicals to keep up-to-date on hair trends? (Would O’Brien ever try her bang curls on Cora?)

Best sister moment: Edith and Sybil’s heart-to-heart while setting up cots clearly set the path for Edith’s later success as a compassionate caregiver—all she needed was a purpose! (Though we suspect Edith is eager to find a husband along the way and won’t be following Sybil to nursing school.) There better be another late-night visit to the one-armed soldier in the works, and hopefully one that ends in a kiss.

Worst sass: Seriously Thomas, please grow a heart. We cannot handle another season of you plotting the destruction of Downton for no reason other than your own jealousy and spite. Especially since you are actually good looking.

Most showbiz-worthy meltdown: Granted, we’ve never been shell shocked before, but seriously, Lang. Get it together. We all know Lord Grantham’s too young to be your pop, so was it really necessary to cling to him at the door in front of a General?

Worst job of hiding someone’s husband: Aunt Rosamund has a husband? For some reason we thought she was a spinster—in season one Mary even says: “Must be nice to be in a big house, all alone.” Then again, the odds of Granny letting her (only?) daughter not marry seems as likely as Granny getting a job. More importantly, given Rosamund’s propensity for mischief making, her husband’s probably lying in a gutter somewhere clutching her latest deep and dark secret.

Best historically-based one liner: “Really, Rosamond, there’s no need to be so gleeful. You sound like Robespierre, lopping off the head of Marie Antoinette.” Oh Granny, what would we do without you?

Most foolish: We will never understand why Daisy insists on not wanting to marry William. Girl, what else could you possibly have going for you?

Worst revolutionary recipe: Well, we didn’t know this until now, but apparently the IRA began with Branson’s sour milk and cow-pie slop. (What is it with food bombs on this show?)

Most obvious come-on: Anna wants Bates so bad that she’s dropped the “I’ll live in sin with you” hint more than a few times. Easy there!

Best way to move up in society: Can we talk about the fact that Matthew has a soldier servant? Pre-Downton days, he’d have been horrified to have someone looking after him in the trenches, but what a difference a season (and five years) makes.

Best way to keep being called an old maid: Get a load of O’Brien’s bedtime outfit! As if the bang curls weren’t enough, that long spinster braid and wrapped doily hat are sure do it.

And that’s it folks, until next week! Stay tuned for our recap of Episode 3 next Monday January 23! You can catch new episodes of Downton Abbey Sunday nights at 9 p.m on PBS

In the meantime, tell us what you thought of the episode and you could win a DVD prize pack of Season One and Season Two, courtesy of eOne Films. And be sure to come back because we’ll be selecting a new winner each week!