‘Downton Abbey’ season 5, episode 7 review: Laura Carmichael’s Edith, Michelle Dockery’s Mary, and choices

Before we say anything else about tonight’s “Downton Abbey” episode, let us first take a sigh of relief at the supposed end to all of this Lady Mary madness of the past seven weeks. It is time for her to finish off being the Bachelorette for a change! (Warning: Spoilers ahead for Americans!)

So in the end, Mary chose … no one? Well, she staged a kiss with Charles Blake to ensure that Tony Gillingham went in a different direction, and with Charles going away, he feels like she will marry someone else by the time that he is back.

As for some other stories this week…

Can Edith go back? – Photos from this episode gave it away early that we were going to see her return to the show, and her daughter Marigold is also on the way. While some other people (namely Cora) are in on the secret, she is still deliberately keeping the truth from the very judgmental Robert. She did convince the other members of the house to be okay with the idea of her “adopting” the child, so the secret may be safe.

The Rose romance – We honestly don’t care much for this story. Rose isn’t that amazing a character, and the entire difference in religion just seems preachy and pedantic. Also, she’s getting married!

Tom’s debate – Should he leave for Boston? He was contemplating giving he and his daughter a new life, but Sybbie didn’t seem to understand quite why they would leave.

Anna and Bates face trouble – At first, it appeared as though the couple was going to be already, but a specter is starting to loom over the two parties stemming from the lack of proof in the form of a ticket, and Baxter’s own attempts to try to mask her own past.

As if there weren’t enough sad moments in this episode, it also appears as thought Isis the dog is dying. We always get sadder thinking about losing animals than almost anything else on TV. This episode was not as eventful as we would have liked, but nonetheless entertaining. Grade: B.

What was your take on tonight’s new “Downton Abbey” episode, and do you have any particular hopes for what lies ahead? Share your thoughts with a comment, and head over here to preview the big 90-minute finale for the series! Also, sign up to get some more TV scoop on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo via ITV.)