‘Downton Abbey’ season 5, episode 6 preview (PBS): The Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt story continues

Sunday night’s new episode of “Downton Abbey” was in many ways a story of goodbyes. Simon Bricker was forced out by Robert, while we also saw Sarah Bunting decide that she wanted to go away, as well. This probably made Robert almost as happy, given the arguments that these two have had since the beginning of this season.

There were not too many major highlights tonight when it comes to the Bates / Anna story, and with that in mind, you should be pleased to know that next week’s installment is going to bring quite a bit of this back into the equation. We’re going to wait until later in the week to give some more specific teases, but we will tell you right now that this is the biggest episode for Brendan Coyle and Joanne Froggatt’s characters of the entire season.

The big tease that we’ll give you right now is that you are finally going to have a big break when it comes to whether or not Bates legitimately was responsible for the death of Mr. Green. There have of course been questions; heck, even Anna has wondered about what his husband was up to on the fateful day more than a season ago.

While there will be some additional information in this episode in regards to Bates’ presumed guilt, the big thing that we would say right now is that the story will not be resolved just yet. Don’t expect this story to be tied up in a neat little bow, since there is still some more mileage that comes from this case.

For some other coverage of the show, take a look here at what we thought of Sunday night’s PBS installment. Also, sign up to obtain some other TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: PBS.)