Andrew: Good morning! I finally caught up with the penultimate episode of Downton Abbey, and though there was a ton that happened, I guess the first question is: do you think Bates killed his wife’s rapist, Green? The show certainly left a lot of hints: Bates asking Green where in London he lived, then making a mysterious trip. But in the end, it looks like what did Green in is a simple accident in Picadilly Circus. So what do we think? Is Bates innocent of Green’s death, or is he such an evil genius that he’s capable of killing a man and making it look like an accident in front of dozens of bystanders?

Catherine: Good morning, Andrew. Sadly, what I hoped would happen didn’t. I had hoped that the pigs were a sort of Chekov’s gun (if you see a gun in the first act, it must go off in the second) and that Bates would murder Green at Downtown, all the servants would rally around and they’d feed Green to the pigs. No Chekov’s pigs for me, alas. He was run over in Piccadilly- very prosaic in the light of my longed for Mafia-style killing. I haven’t made up my mind if Bates did it. He keeps insisting that he went to York. Is it possible to go from York down to London, murder a rapist and then head home in one day? Perhaps. It does look like Bates is in the clear but Bates’ has upped his craftiness this season. Witness his clever hoax in getting Molesley to accept money through a forged note. And speaking of Molesley- love is in the air for him and Miss Baxter! It’s so nice to see Molesley sass Thomas. You go, boy.

Andrew: Yes, things are finally looking up for Molesley! Baxter has her issues—whatever Thomas has on her can’t be good—but she is a wise woman and a good influence on Molesley. In a few short conversations, she’s deftly put things into perspective for him, letting him know that even though his station in the household has come down a bit, he’s got a lot to be grateful for. Miss Baxter, for her part, really seems to take comfort in Molesley’s simple kindness, and hopefully the confidence to stand up to Thomas. The whole thing just warms my heart.

Catherine: Molesley and Baxter are among my favorites for this week. It’s always warming to see oddballs pair off. Another oddball pairing is Isobel Crawley and Lord Merton. From how the Dowager spoke, Merton should have been dreadful but he ended up being a sweet talkative sort. Isobel’s response to her flowers made me laugh. Nothing can faze that woman. She most likely took her flowers home delved into her newly acquired political books and thought no more of the bouquet. Speaking of Isobel- what a great moment when she spoke up for Tom Branson. He couldn’t answer for himself when Miss Bunting questioned his beliefs vs. how he lives but Isobel charged right in. She stated Tom wasn’t afraid to live in a way that would question his beliefs. Tom and the schoolteacher Miss Bunting may be starting a romance or do you think it’s a friendship?

Andrew: I’m hoping it’s love! This is another plotline that was deftly handled. Like Baxter and Molesley, this is a relationship that has the potential to help both parties grow: for Tom to rediscover his political convictions and perhaps find a reason for staying in England, and for Miss Bunting to get over her reflexive reverse snobbery in dismissing the Crawleys. I’m rooting for them to become a couple! But while many characters were falling in love, there were a few whose romantic aspirations were frustrated: Alfred, Daisy, and Ivy said goodbye for good, and poor Jack and Rose decided they couldn’t make a go of it after all. What did you think of the end of this interracial romance? I was disappointed—we had a scandalous marriage between Sybil and Tom, so why not Jack and Rose?—but ultimately, Julian Fellowes’ message seemed to be that when it came to this time period and this culture, interracial marriage would have to wait for a “slightly better world.” Did that ring true to you?

Catherine: Despite the new romances firing up, this was an episode of endings too. I cheered Daisy on when she finally let her romantic dreams of Alfred go and offered him friendship and well wishes in the act of sharing a yummy basket of goodies. They’re both cooks so the act of sharing food was especially fitting. Daisy’s growing up and it’s good to see.Then there’s Rose’s and Jack’s closing romance. The bit where she wanted to marry him to show up her mummy felt tacked on but when he said he couldn’t bear to see her jeered at because he loved her rang true. Jack could make their marriage work but Rose is just too young. If she was older, I could see this story line working, but she isn’t of Sybil’s caliber yet. I was sorry to see this story line end, but this is Downton we’re talking about. Never say die to any story line or recurring character! Jack could still appear a bit further down the road when Rose has grown up a bit. And since we’re speaking of romances, we’d better mention Mary and her suitors. It’s hard to say who’s in the lead but when Blake happily held her screaming baby, Mary’s mother heart was clearly touched. Who do you think is in the lead and who are you hoping for?

Andrew: I’ve definitely got a favorite in the race for Mary’s heart—but first, a quick final word on Daisy. When Mrs. Patmore tearfully told Daisy that she couldn’t be more proud of her, that was probably the sweetest moment of the episode! My American heart longed for the two to hug, but a pat on the shoulder is probably as good as it gets for these stolid Brits. Ah well—on to Mary and her suitors! I’m going to say that Evelyn Napier is basically out of the running. With Blake and Gillingham around, he barely had anything to do but look dejected. I’ve no idea who will come out ahead, or if she’ll even end up with anyone at all—she sounds pretty convincing when she says she’s just not ready to remarry. But should she changer her mind, I can tell you right now: I’m #teamBlake all the way! Mary needs someone who’s just as formidable as she is, someone who can match her barbed wit and roll up his sleeves to muck about with the pigs when necessary. That’s Blake, not Tony.

Catherine: Blake’s raking up good times with Mary while Gillingham is a) employing a rapist valet and b) see-sawing about his engagement. He cleared up both matters or rather, he cleared up one matter and the other was done for him but…I’m leaning towards Blake too. He’s not head-over-heels in love like Gillingham is. He actually knows the woman and hangs out with her and it’s from knowing her that he likes her. I cringe a little bit every time Napier talks. He just doesn’t stand a chance. Edith is another person who doesn’t stand much of a chance- against her Aunt and Granny that is. There isn’t yet a way for her to keep her baby. The Crawleys are modern but the age of keeping illegitimate babies hasn’t yet dawned for them.

Andrew: Ah, poor Edith. I’m still holding out hope that Gregson might show up. Which makes me wonder: any predictions for the final episode of the season? Julian Fellowes usually has something up his sleeve for the finale. I’m guessing that: 1) Michael Gregson will show up to sweep Edith off her feet and allow her to keep the baby, 2) we’ll discover that Bates somehow orchestrated Green’s death, and 3) Mary’s decision about her suitors will be postponed until the next season. What say you?

Catherine: I say that Gregson won’t show up till next season if ever and that we’ll leave Edith weeping into her pillow and agree with you on the others. I’m betting the big reveal is how Bates’ pulled off the murder and this will followed by someone running off to marry someone else. There hasn’t been an elopement in awhile and we, as viewers of period dramas, need this.