Froggatt and Coyle are damn good actors and that's why they got those noms. Froggatt especially is one of the more brilliant of the young cast, and has proven time and time again that she can elevate whatever sub par storyline Fellowes throws at her. My disdain for Bates aside, let's not act like Coyle isn't brilliant…

If you can't see Mary's true self by her actions towards those she has no obligation to be good to, then you don't really get the character and never will sadly. Her acts of kindness towards William, Anna, Bates, Sybil, Tom, Carson, so on and so forth. She is a prickly character capable of using her words to wound…