Interesting you say that, because I seem to recall a bunch of comments here for an earlier episode saying basically just what Mary said in that scene. I think even I assumed that on some level there is a bit of a rivalry going on between Isobel and Violet, even if they are best of friends too.

It's extremely weird, especially after all the times Bates has played the martyr and told Anna not to blame people for denouncing him during his incarceration. At first, I couldn't even remember why they would be upset with her; her testimony didn't even result in an arrest or anything. She didn't even know anything,…

It was hilarious, but at the same time I kind of wish someone had actually shut that idiot up with more subtle insults. After all the insults towards Edith that Mary throws out, I'm sure she could have come up with something snide and condescending. Or the Dowager could have made a snarky aside just loud enough for…

I loved that scene where she and Mary were talking about it. Normally her opinions are obscured by witty and incisive banter. We don't often get to see her being that open and honest about something, and it was moving.

I thought I never wanted to see Bunting again, but I think I might pay to see her come back specifically for a Bunting vs Merton Boys no-holds-barred takedown.

Edith probably broke Mary's favorite doll when they were both toddlers and Mary has never forgiven her. I like Mary, but even I can't excuse her behavior towards Edith, which is usually downright hostile and venomous. What happened to their gradual softening towards each other during the war years? They behaved…

True, but when has Anna ever voluntarily brought up a secret she's witnessed or been told? That was an extremely out-of-character moment for Anna, I thought, especially after all the secrets we've seen her keep. Very poor writing, and for no logical reason.

I seem to remember sometime around Mary's marriage, she and Edith are talking about another maid helping Edith, and Edith saying she didn't like her as much as Anna.

"Let me keep inviting him to my home for a nice dinner or two. Maybe then he'll figure out I don't want him near me."

I wouldn't say I'm a cheap and easy cry, but "dying dog" gets me every damn time. So I too was hugging my sleepy, confused dog after that last scene. Tears may or may not have been involved.

I found the way both Bates treated Baxter to be incomprehensible. We're told that the cops have momentarily dropped the line of questioning, this after they spoke to Baxter, and yet Anna and Bates behave like Baxter was standing at the top of Downton screaming for all the world to hear that Bates killed Green. What…

Lord Merton shows up at Downton a heckuva lot for someone who doesn't live there, so clearly he doesn't live too far away. I'm sure Fellowes can contrive some way to get Isobel into the picture consistently. Isn't she still technically on the hospital board or something?

Good point. I wish she'd made up her mind much earlier, though, before the surrogate families get so attached.

No, I clearly recall Bates thinking aloud in detail about how Mary was trying for an heir with Matthew, and right when they had their baby Matthew died, so why the heck would she have had a device like that?

I hope Isobel doesn't change her mind. Lord Merton is awesome!

Cora's response was hilarious. "Poor girl, she just found out the man she loved is dead. Should I go up and talk to her?" What the hell do you think, Cora? And when she spoke to Edith later: "Tomorrow will be a new day!" Yeah, I'm sure that Edith will wake up all chipper and happy in the morning. She'll get over…

That scene with the Drewes was just heartbreaking. For that poor woman who has invested so much time and love with Marigold to watch helplessly as Edith ripped the girl out of her life… And then be able to do nothing but give her the toy that she knew Marigold would miss…

That really made no sense. So, she's competitive and she doesn't like to lose, apparently even when she wants to lose.

Or maybe stow it in some place he probably would never look, instead of right next to the useful box of buttons.

I thought she did say it was Mary's but couldn't explain exactly why Mary might have such a contraceptive device after Matthew's death. Thus Bates automatically assumes she is lying.