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 Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Post Permanent Link Allessan · Fri Sep 24, 2021 @ 05:51pm · 0 Comments [add] Alert Me of Comments
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
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Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
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Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Post Permanent Link Allessan · Fri Sep 24, 2021 @ 05:51pm · 0 Comments [add] Alert Me of Comments
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:38 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:39 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Post Permanent Link Allessan · Fri Sep 24, 2021 @ 05:51pm · 0 Comments [add] Alert Me of Comments
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:39 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:39 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:39 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
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Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
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Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:40 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:41 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Post Permanent Link Allessan · Fri Sep 24, 2021 @ 05:51pm · 0 Comments [add] Alert Me of Comments
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:41 pm
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Mrs Anna Bates (née Smith)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/annasmith_7090.png
Portrayed by: Joanne Froggatt
"It’s always sad when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, no matter who you are."
Amateur Sleuth: In her efforts to prove Bates' innocence.
Big "NO!": At Bates' trial, when the guilty verdict is read out.
Break the Cutie: Following her Series 4 rape ordeal detailed below, the normally confident, vivacious Anna becomes (understandably) withdrawn and full of self-loathing.
Bully Hunter: She will always tenaciously leap to the defense of anyone being harassed or picked on — even Thomas and O'Brien keep her at a respectful arms-length, never targeting her directly.
The Confidant: For Lady Mary, who leans on Anna a lot. Along with her mother, she is the only one she can trust when Kemal Pamuk scandalously dies in her bed.
Clear My Name: After it is revealed at the end of Series 5 that Bates wasn't involved in Green's murder, suspicion shifts to Anna. By the finale, she finds herself summoned to a Police Line Up, and is subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder as the series comes to a close. During the Christmas Day special, she is freed from prison after Bates confesses to the crime in her place, despite a witness placing him in York at the time the murder took place. Ultimately, her accuser's testimony wobbles, and in the Series 6 premiere, the real guilty party is identified, confesses her crime, and the case against Anna finally collapses. The entire staff celebrates with a Dance Party Ending.
Clear Their Name: Her quest throughout Series 3 is to help prove Bates' innocence. By episode 6, she manages to coerce Vera's friend Audrey Bartlett into giving a testimony, which clears his name and secures his release.
Earn Your Happy Ending / Babies Ever After: She and Bates have been through some of the series' most gruelling dramas, what with psycho ex-wives turning up, false murder charges (twice for Bates, once for Anna), imprisonment, and Anna's traumatic rape experience, so when their much longed-for son is born during the series' grand finale (in Lady Mary's bed!), he represents a well-deserved happy ending for the couple.
Good Is Not Soft: Although she's sweet, kind and compassionate, Anna is absolutely not a walk-over and doesn't take any s**t from Thomas or O'Brien, frequently calling them out on their dreadful behavior.
Anna: Fight fire with fire, that's what my mum says.
I Will Wait for You: Confirms this to Bates, just before he is hauled off by the police.
Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Thomas directly describes her as such.
Thomas: She's not an enemy, but she's incorruptible, so we have nothing in common.
Law of Inverse Fertility: In Series 6, Anna is desperate to start a family with Bates, but following three miscarriages, she despairs over the fact that she may never be able to bear children. Luckily, Lady Mary is on hand to provide the services of her own personal physician, who makes his diagnosis and a plan to operate — she falls pregnant soon after.
Maid: Anna takes to the role of plucky girl detective like a duck to water.
Morality Pet: For Lady Mary. No matter how nasty Mary may be to others, she's unfailingly kind to Anna, genuinely valuing her opinion and going far above and beyond what a lady of the time might be expected to for their Lady's Maid.
Nice Girl: She's well liked and respected by the family and staff alike.
Parental Incest: In the Series 5 Christmas day special, she reveals to Bates that she was systematically molested by her step-father, to the point where she had to defend herself and eventually stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Her mother tried to hush it up, but not before the police were informed. This incident forms part of the prosecution's case against her.
Plucky Girl: Anna flatly refuses to have "no proper place" in Mr Bates' life when Vera's final scheme takes effect, and orders him to marry her despite his protests. He doesn't want to drag her into his troubles, but she swears that they "will face [this crisis] as man and wife" and finally lays down the law.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 5, she is officially promoted to Lady Mary's lady's maid. This change heralds a simpler, more mature style of dress for her, more akin to the plain black outfits of Mrs Hughes and O'Brien.
Rape as Drama: In Series 4, she is attacked and raped by Green, Lord Gillingham's valet, in harrowing scenes whilst the rest of the household is distracted upstairs during the Nellie Melba concert. After Mrs Hughes finds her in a broken, sobbing state, Anna insists she must tell no one. The repercussions for her marriage are clear when Bates turns up (not knowing what has happened) and she won't let him touch her or walk her home. Even when he does find out the truth, Anna suggests that she is Defiled Forever, and it takes some time for her to be comfortable with Bates again.
Secret Keeper: See Undying Loyalty, below.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man: John Bates fits the bill perfectly, luckily for her.
Team Mom: For the younger staff.
Trojan Gauntlet: In preparation for Mary's illicit weekend away with Anthony Foyle in Series 5, poor Anna is dispatched to the local chemist and is mortified by the whole experience, especially as the chemist is something of a disapproving Sour Prude.
Chemist: There is always abstinence!
Turn the Other Cheek: Despite the fact that Thomas actively tried to get Bates fired all throughout Series 1 & 2, she is shown to possess a dignified level of compassion, lending him a shoulder to cry on and hushing Alfred when he insensitively tells him to cheer up following Sybil's death.
Undying Loyalty: Anna knows enough secrets that, if she ever truly desired to do so, she could sink the Crawley family easily. Fortunately, Anna is too kind to do that, and she and Mary are friends.
Will They or Won't They?: With Bates. They Do — finally.
Gwen
Mrs Gwen Harding (née Dawson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gwend_6744.png
Portrayed by: Rose Leslie
"Dad will think I'm a fool to leave a good place and Mum will say I'm getting above myself, but... but I don't believe that."
Back for the Finale: She returns to Downton for a brief moment in episode 4 of Series 6, having left the Abbey staff at the end of Series 1.
Happily Married: In the second episode of Series 4, Mrs Hughes receives a letter from her, and apparently she's doing well and married.
I Just Want to Be Special: She's determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status (essentially service or farm work) and strives to make a better life for herself.
Gwen: We're not like that. We don't think our dreams are bound to come true... because they almost never do.
Interclass Friendship: She's a maid, a girl from the working class. Lady Sybil befriends her and they become fairly close as their relationship goes far beyond what an Earl's daughter would normally do to help her maid leave her father's service. Lady Sybil is very sweet when she helps her to sneak out of the house for job interviews.
Maid: Her job. She works as a maid in the great house for the upper class family but she dreams of having a better job.
Mood-Swinger: She's combative and feisty one minute, the next she's wallowing in self-pity.
Plucky Girl: She even shows something of a Fiery Redhead nature, especially when O'Brien steals her type-writer and presents it to Carson.
Gwen: Why's that down here? Who's been in my room? They had no right!
Pursue the Dream Job: She's desperate to become a secretary, and eventually, towards to the end of Series 1, her determination (and Sybil's support) pays off when she lands the position of secretary for a fledgling telephone company. In Series 6, it is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers.
Put on a Bus: She lands a job as a secretary at the end of Series 1.
The Suffragette: Gwen Dawson, later Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
You Go, Girl!: She’s breaking every rule — In 1912, women were not expected or encouraged to have a profession and work in an office, so she represents the pioneering new wave of female independence coming through at that time.
Daisy
Mrs Daisy Mason (née Robinson)
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/daisymason_3495.png
Portrayed by: Sophie McShera
"Thomas is lovely in every way. He’s funny and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth."
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her crush on Thomas early in the series (which he exploits to make William jealous).
Because You Were Nice to Me: She bonds with Mr Mason (following initial reservations - see below), William's widowed father, after he tells her how special she is to him following William's death.
Be Careful What You Wish For: In Series 3, she bugs Mrs. Patmore to hire a kitchen maid for months. Just when she's finally about to tell Alfred that she fancies him, she's introduced to new kitchen maid Ivy, who he immediately starts flirting with.
Better as Friends: She and Alfred, although it's a tough, upsetting decision for her as she did love him.
Break the Cutie: A couple of instances cause her great upset — notably the guilt she felt at marrying William on his death-bed, and in Series 3, Alfred's disinterest in her and pursuit of Ivy breaks her heart.
Butt-Monkey: Due to being one of the youngest, most junior staff members, and for having a rather gullible personality.
Clingy Jealous Girl: In season 3, she's very jealous of Ivy, due to Alfred's crush on the latter.
The Cutie: Especially in the first season, she's vulnerable and innocent.
Call to Agriculture: In the Series' grand finale, she finally decides to take up her father-in-law Mr Mason's offer, and moves onto the farm with him.
Cannot Spit It Out: Where Alfred is concerned, but in general she has this problem on most matters.
Dark and Troubled Past: She is stated to have had a tough childhood and is from the very lowest, dysfunctional end of the working classes.
Hero's Muse: For William, who always says he will bear anything if she is with him.
Horrible Judge of Character: In Series 1, she's in love with Thomas of all people, which seems less forgivable in light of the revelation in Series 3 that just about everyone else knew that Thomas was gay.
Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: With William.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: In Series 3, her interest in newcomer Alfred is only piqued when she sees him enjoying Miss Reed's attentions.
Green-Eyed Monster: She's furious that Ivy is the subject of Alfred's affections, and takes her anger out on the poor girl.
History Repeats:
In Series 3, her aggressive attitude towards junior member of staff Ivy draws parallels with her own poor treatment at the hands of Mrs Patmore during Series 1.
Jimmy flirting with Ivy, supposedly to bully Alfred who is genuinely interested in her, parallels the former Love Triangle between Daisy, William and Thomas. Especially if we consider Jimmy as Armoured Closet Gay...
Limited Advancement Opportunities: It's likely down to the series's Comic-Book Time, but she remains a lowly scullery maid for a good 8 years before she is promoted to Assistant Cook. She has to complain to make it happen.
Literal-Minded: Not quite as extreme as the trope usually suggests, but she does get ridiculously stuck on the fact that she didn't quite feel for William what he felt for her, and acting like that completely invalidates their marriage. There's also the fact that, as the Dowager Countess points out to her later, her marrying him in order to "keep his spirits up at the end" was actually a very strong expression of love.
Love Triangle: In Series 3, she's part of the Love Quadrilateral of herself -> Alfred -> Ivy -> Jimmy, with Thomas also making his own moves on the latter.
Massive Numbered Siblings: She's one of eleven, as her mother was a true Victorian and produced a vast brood of children.
My Significance Sense Is Tingling: In the war years of Series 2, a dramatic scene of William (and Matthew) getting caught in an explosion quickly cuts to Daisy back at Downton, who is visibly shaken and falters mid-task.
Naïve Everygirl: Although she has toughened up a lot since the first series, Daisy still, at times, reveals herself to be a highly impressionable young woman. In Series 5, she falls under the influence of socialist firebrand Sarah Bunting, who, as well as teaching her rudimentary mathematics, fills Daisy's head with revolutionary ideas.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!: In the first episode of Series 6, Daisy's father-in-law Mr Mason faces eviction from his farm at the hands of a newly-rich couple, the Hendersons, who have bought the whole estate. Daisy, outraged at this situation, lays into Mr Henderson at the estate sale with an impassioned speech, but he instantly shuts her down, making it very clear that she has now made her father-in-law's situation far worse. Daisy decides that she Must Make Amends, and campaigns to have Mr Mason re-housed thereafter.
Pair the Spares: In the Series' grand finale, she decides to give Andy a chance (following initial reservations) and begins a proper relationship with him.
Rank Up: As of Series 3, she is promoted to Assistant Cook.
Rear Window Witness: Whilst up early to light the bedroom fires, she catches Lady Mary, her mother and Anna moving Pamuk's body across the landing back to his own room in the bachelor's corridor, after he has scandalously died in Mary's bed.
Scullery Maid: Her role through Series 1, to the first part of Series 3.
She Knows Too Much: Having witnessed the corpse-related escapade above, it plays on her mind, and in the end it is she who informs Edith (after coaxing) of Mary's bedroom antics, thus starting the whole Kemal Pamuk scandal.
Supreme Chef: As early as the Series 2 Christmas special, Miss Shore remarks that Daisy could be a sous-chef in London or head cook of any house in England less grand than Downton. By Series 4, she's really come into her own in the kitchen, and her food is by all accounts excellent if a bit plain (but of course, that's what the English have prided themselves on since the 1700s). She even gets invited by Lady Grantham's brother Harold—who came to England fully expecting to hate English cooking—to become his cook in New York, but she turns him down.
Unwitting Pawn: In Thomas's Series 1 plan to get Bates sacked. The scheming footman convinces her to give a false report to Carson, incriminating Bates in the theft of wine.
Widow Woman: Becomes one after William's death, only a few hours after their marriage.
Branson
Mr Thomas "Tom" Branson
https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomb_7821.png
Portrayed by: Allen Leech
"Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that's worth having."
Actual Pacifist: While he might occasionally engage in personal violence when necessary (see: tackling that assassin) or when emotion overcomes him, he appears to be mostly genuinely opposed to hurting people for any cause (the Easter Rising may have caused him to question these principles, but it was all over before he had a chance to make a final decision). His horror at the effects of his one brush with destruction of property (the burning of the Anglo-Irish castle that triggered his return to Downton from Dublin in Series 3) seems to have strengthened these beliefs.
Affectionate Nickname: His big brother, Kieran, calls him "Tommy".
Best Friends-in-Law: With Matthew.
Big Damn Heroes: In the movie, Tom tackles an assassin, saves the life of the King of England, inadvertently persuades a princess to give her terrible marriage another try, and gets a big thank you from the king. Oh, and he also gets the girl, who is the heir to a wealthy estate.
Birds of a Feather: Begins a friendship with Sybil based on their shared interest in politics and women's rights. Later episodes reveal their rebellious natures and disregard for society's class divisions.
Blood on the Debate Floor: His conversations on political reform impress Lady Sybil, but land her in a dangerous situation at an aggressive rally in Ripon. (He's absolutely aghast when Sybil is injured; his anguished "Oh no, please God no" is the first overt clue to his feelings for her.)
Bromance: With Henry Talbot, throughout Series 6.
Character Development: He becomes much less dogmatic and prickly about his politics as time goes by, even eventually admitting that there might be some good things about capitalism.
Commonality Connection: He and Matthew bond and find mutual support over their both marrying Crawley girls, as well as the fact that Matthew recognizes that he, like Branson, was once an outsider at Downton.
Matthew: If we're mad enough to take on the Crawley girls, we've got to stick together.
Didn't See That Coming: He sings the praises of the Second Russian Revolution, and confidently insists the revolutionaries won't harm the Romanov family in captivity. In a later episode, his effusive, slightly smug passion for the revolution is drastically muted when he finds out that the Soviet government has executed the family, including putting This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.innocent children to death...
Dogged Nice Guy: He's really determined to win Lady Sybil, having fallen head over heels in love, and spends a great deal of time trying to convince her that she should do the same.
Fanservice: His medical exam for entrance to the army features three! whole! buttons undone on his shirt. (Hey, you take what you can get with these period pieces.) And in the Series 3 Christmas Special, he is actually shirtless for roughly three seconds.
Fee Fi Faux Pas: Once married to Lady Sybil, he makes loads, from not changing for dinner to using the wrong forms of address — not that he gives a s**t.
Violet: He's still dressed as the man from the Prudential I see.
Fish out of Water: In Series 4, whilst attending a particularly glitzy party at the Abbey, he describes himself as such word-for-word.
Get Out!: After Larry Grey rears his ugly head again at a dinner in Series 5, and once more voices his disgust over Sybil marrying him (amongst other things), Tom explodes with rage, calls Larry a b*****d (which would be shocking for the period), and tells him to get the hell out.
Intergenerational Friendship: He forms a very unlikely one with Violet after Sybil dies; she gives him social advice at parties and dances with him, and also goes out of her way to find ways of including him in the family business.
Kissing Under the Influence: He enjoys an illicit one-night encounter with Edna in Series 4, but is quick to tell her the next day that It Doesn't Mean Anything. She, of course, has other ideas...
Like Brother and Sister: By about Series 5, Mary and Edith fully consider him their brother, due to his marriage to their late sister Sybil, and refer to him as such several times.
Mistaken for Terrorist: When an important general is dining at the Abbey in Series 2 during the war, he hatches a plot to attack him with something concealed inside a soup tureen. When the other staff catch onto his plan, they assume that he has a gun or a bomb and intends to murder the general. Instead, the tureen contains ink, engine oil, cow excrement and other icky substances to render the general Covered in Gunge.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: After Edna is fired for coming on to him in Series 3, Tom asks Mrs. Hughes to write her a good reference, out of guilt that he may have led her on. This comes back to bite both of them hard in the fourth Series premiere, when Edna uses that reference to get herself back into Downton when Cora interviews her.
Not Helping Your Case: He doesn't exactly receive a red-carpet welcome (perhaps understandably) when he revisits Downton as Lady Sybil's husband, but he doesn't help himself with his tetchy, chippy attitude and over-zealous politicking. Matthew even calls him out on it:
Matthew: You don't make it easy for them. D'you really think you can recruit Cousin Robert for Sinn Féin?
Odd Friendship: With Mary of all people. After the deaths of Sybil and Matthew, they form a bond over their shared grief at having lost their spouse, close friend/sister, and at being single parents.
Panicky Expectant Father: As seen whilst Sybil is in labour — with good reason.
Patriotic Fervor: His storyline addresses this the most. He's very active in Irish Nationalism (although, as he points out, he's hardly limited to that in his politics) and he had a cousin killed in the Easter Rising. There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand (due to mostly being given the English side of things) why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military.
Please Don't Leave Me: Says this to Sybil over and over again as she dies of post-partum eclampsia.
Principles Zealot: His high-minded ideals are often a little too inflexible.
Branson: (on wearing morning dress) You see I don't approve of these costumes, I see them as the uniform of oppression and I should be uncomfortable wearing them.
Violet: Have you quite finished?
Promotion to Opening Titles: In Series 3, finally.
Put on a Bus: At the end of the Series 5 Christmas special, after a suitably moving farewell speech led by Lord Grantham, he and Sybbie bid farewell to the family and leave Downton for good to start a new life in America.
Rags to Royalty: He starts out as the family chauffeur, but through dogged perseverence, he ends up married to Lady Sybil and a member of the noble Crawley family.
Rank Up: As of Series 3 Episode 7 he is made Estate Manager for Downton.
Rant-Inducing Slight: Don't bring up politics over dinner.
Saying Too Much: In the Series 6 finale, he is the one who tells Mary about Marigold's true parentage, thus kicking off the biggest row ever witnessed on the show between the Crawley sisters.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!: When Robert offers him money to forget about Sybil, he refuses.
Second Love: Tom, widowed for seven years, falls for Lady Bagshaw’s lady’s maid Lucy Smith in the movie.
Ship Tease: A budding relationship with Edith's editor, Miss Edmunds, is teased in the grand finale.
Star-Crossed Lovers: Due to the veritable class-chasm between him and Lady Sybil.
Start My Own: In the grand finale, he and Henry Talbot open a car dealership — Branson & Talbot – as joint owners, which acts as an outlet for their shared love of cars.
Strawman Political: Used as a Plot Device to encourage Sybil's rebellious streak.
The Bus Came Back: In episode 3 of Series 6, he and Sybbie show up as surprise guests at Carson and Mrs Hughes' wedding. To the delight of all gathered, he vows to stay on at Downton for good.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: He delivers an almighty one to Mary in the Series 6 finale, after she cruelly tells Edith's fiancé, Bertie Pelham, about Marigold's true parentage.
Tom: You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies you're a coward.
Token Minority: To some degree, a token Irishman. There might well be other Irish servants, and there are certainly Irish-descended ones (O'Brien for one, and Bates's mother was apparently Irish), but he's the only named character who is born in Ireland and a member of the Irish Nationalist movement.
Tsundere: Privately, Sybil reveals to Mary that he really isn't as anti their family as he appears to be — in fact, he's hoping for their approval.
Sybil: He puts a tough face on it and says things that make everyone angry, but he so wants your good opinion. I can't tell you how much.
What the Hell, Hero?: Mid-way through Series 3, his revolutionary ideals turn ugly and he arrives at Downton on the run from Ireland, having been present at the ransacking and burning of a noble Anglo-Irish family's castle. The Crawleys are disgusted, especially as he left the heavily pregnant Lady Sybil behind.
Will They or Won't They?:
With Sybil — They Do.
Then with Sarah Bunting in Series 4/5 — they don't; her over-zealous, firebrand behaviour puts even him off.
You Can't Go Home Again: Following his anarchic escapades in Ireland, detailed above, Lord Grantham uses his influence to call off the authorities, on the condition he does not set foot on Irish soil.
You Keep Telling Yourself That: How Robert, Carson and the more conservatively inclined residents of Downton generally react to his socialist diatribes.
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Quit Your Whining: Violet (amiably... for her) says something to this effect to a recently jilted Edith who's worrying what to do with her life.
Rags to Riches: Matthew and Branson each, via the means described under the trope below. On a lesser scale, in Season 3 Robert has bankrupted the estate and there are plans to downsize (they would still appear rich and classy by modern standards, but to them it might as well be poverty), until Matthew comes into (another) inheritance and catapults them back to wealth. (At this point begins Matthew's — and later Branson's — ongoing campaign to modernise the estate and turn it into a profitable, modern agricultural enterprise. It works.)
Rags to Royalty: Branson, after he marries Lady Sybil. It starts out as the opposite, with his wife being "cast down" by the match, but when he's forced to flee his native Ireland and Sybil dies in childbirth, the family take pity on him and his daughter and take them in.
Rape as Drama: Anna, in a way that will break your heart.
Reaction Shot: So many great ones.
Real Life Writes the Plot:
Isobel Crawley went to France in series 2 because Penelope Wilton was busy starring in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida Theatre.
During series 3, Dan Stevens revealed that he wanted to leave the show, putting Fellowes in the quite awkward position of having to write Matthew out after he and Mary were married. Ultimately the only way out was to kill him.
Charles Edwards wasn't able to commit to the show once Fellowes decided to make Gregson a more prominent character, hence the awkward storyline where his status is up in the air for a couple years before Fellowes finally decided to just kill him off.
Samantha Bond was busy doing stage work during filming of Series 3, hence Rosamund's mysterious absence from Mary and Edith's weddings.
Rear Window Witness: Daisy.
Rebellious Princess: Though she's not quite royalty, Lady Sybil is a rebel who is interested in politics, supports women having the vote, wears trousers, consorts with servants and in Season 2 goes so far as to — shudder — actually get a job as a nurse, not to mention marrying the socialist Irish chauffeur, which her father has a hard time coming to terms with.
Replacement Goldfish: Primarily for Mary and Tom:
Following Matthew's death, Mary gets two new love interests, Anthony Gillingham and Charles Blake. And by the time the Season 5 special rolls around, with Gillingham essentially out of the picture, Henry Talbot shows up as a replacement for a replacement.
Less successful in the case of Tom: first comes Edna, a maid who at first seems to admire him but then starts guilt-tripping him and eventually attempts a Baby Trap. Later, Sarah Bunting appears to be a clear replacement, with character traits quite similar to the late Sybil, but turns out too extreme and rude.
Rescue Romance: Played with after Sybil's rescue. Mary assumes that Sybil has a crush on Matthew, but it's Branson who's interested in Sybil.
Reset Button: Edith at the beginning of Season 3.
Revenge: Lady Mary and Lady Edith just seem to chase each other in an endless circle of one-upmanship that increases in cruelty at every new level.
Rich b***h: Mary and Edith, usually to each other.
Rich in Dollars, Poor in Sense: Robert fits this trope, as it is revealed in Season 3 that his poor management of Downton has bankrupted the estate, and it is the former solicitor Matthew (with an unexpected windfall) and chauffeur/sheep farmer’s nephew Branson who reorder the running of the estate to bail it out.
Riches to Rags:
Sybil undergoes this by marrying Branson, although it's an unusual variation in that it's her choice and she welcomes her new lifestyle and claims that she is happy to be “just Mrs Branson”. (This is a very weird occurrence also in that it is synonymous with Branson’s Rags to Royalty rise.)
This looks like it is going to happen when Robert loses Cora’s fortune and it looks like they’re going to lose Downton — they wouldn’t be reduced to anything like 'rags', but they would have to suffer a major reduction in their standard of living. Luckily, this is averted at the last minute.
Rich Language, Poor Language:
The RP of the Crawley family (plus Carson the butler) and other aristocrats versus the Yorkshire accent of Downton's servants and townsfolk.
At Duneagle Castle in Scotland, the RP of the MacClare family versus the Highland accents of their servants.
Right for the Wrong Reasons: In Season 4, Thomas accuses one of the nannies of mistreating the children just because he takes a dislike to her. Of course, Cora should go up to hear her side of the story at precisely the moment that she's telling baby Sybil to "shut up, you filthy little half-breed" because she's keeping her blue-blooded cousin awake.
The Rival: Isobel Crawley to Violet Crawley. This seems less so during Season 3, as they seem fonder of each other and even decide to get a car home together. Even less so when Isobel nurses Violet back to health in Season 4.
The Roaring '20s: The setting for Season 3 and all of Season 4.
Romantic False Lead: Lavinia, Matthew's fiancée.
Romanticism Versus Enlightenment: A recurring theme is the polarisation of the household between the more modern members who want to embrace change (notably Matthew, Sybil and Edith upstairs; Gwen, Thomas and Branson downstairs), those who would rather leave it the way it is/return to the past (Robert and Violet upstairs; Carson downstairs), and those happy to compromise (particularly Cora, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore). Things start to reach a head in Season 3, as Matthew and Robert are now co-owners of the estate and have wildly different ideas about how to run it.
Romantic Rain: When Lady Mary is being escorted by her suitor Henry Talbot to her aunt's place where she is staying in London, it starts raining and they end up sharing a kiss under a roof. Lampshaded by her brother-in-law who says it was romantic.
Rule of Three: Used In-Universe. After the sinking of the Titanic and the death of the Turkish gentleman, Daisy is certain that something else is bound to happen. It takes two years, but sure enough... Maybe people should listen to Daisy more often. Cruelly averted in Season 3, though, when tragedies come in four.
Runaway Groom: Sir Anthony, albeit for selfless reasons.
Running Gag: Beginning with Season 3, the Abbey's more or less always in need of some extra cash.
Screw the Money, I Have Rules!:
Branson turns down Robert's offer of a bribe to abandon Sybil.
Ethel refuses to give her baby to Major Bryant's wealthy parents, as she believes it's better for him to grow up with a poor but loving mother. This is later averted in a redux of the same situation.
Matthew refuses Reggie Swire's inheritance claiming that it would be "taking money under false pretenses" as Reggie didn't know the truth of him and Lavinia. Of course, after two episodes he's given a convenient excuse for accepting.
Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!:
Jane has no shame in asking Robert to influence a prestigious grammar school to award her son a place.
A running theme throughout the show is how this changes over time the Crowley's and by extention the entire aristocratic upper class have less and less connections as time goes on. At the start Robert is a member of the House of Lords with a Conservative government in power several close friends and family members as high ranking members of said government. This allows for them to use their influence (and brag about it) to among other things get William transfered to an officers only hospital and for Robert to find out what happened to Mrs. Patmore nephew. But by the final season the Blue Bloods literally had the upcoming generation die off in World War I, a new Liberal government has taken over and greater economic oppurtunties in cities for lower class people mean less people to work tenant farms or in service so many older families die off or go bankrupt.
Scullery Maid: Daisy. Also Ivy, when she gets there.
Second Episode Introduction: We don't meet Matthew and Isobel until the very last minute of the first episode, where they have a single very short scene.
Secret Keeper:
Several, regarding the Kemal Pamuk affair, but someone spills the beans.
Mrs Patmore regarding Mrs Hughes' cancer scare.
Mrs Hughes keeps Anna's secret about being raped. (Though she eventually lets it out to Mary, to explain why Bates needs to stay home rather than accompany Robert to New York. Mary keeps it thereafter.)
Rosamund regarding Edith's pregnancy at first, although more people find out or figure it out on their own later.
Secret Other Family: The Season 5 Christmas special reveals that Lord Sinderby has a mistress and love child somewhere off on the side. Rose's quick thinking after Sinderby's Secret Other Family shows up at a party finally endears her to her father-in-law.
Self-Made Man:
Cora's father was this as part of his backstory.
Matthew and Richard Carlisle. Lampshaded by Carlisle himself when he explains to Mary that he sees no shame in not being from "old money".
Separated by a Common Language: From the Season 4 Christmas special, when Martha and Harold Levinson cross the pond to visit their Crawley in-laws:
Martha: Well, the gang's all here!
Violet: Is that American for "hello"?
Martha: Harold, I don't believe you've met Tom, Sybil's husband.
Tom: It seems strange we never met when she was here to introduce us.
Harold: Well, I'm glad to know you now.
Violet: How curious these phrases are!
Serious Business: Oh no! We may have to sell our enormous castle and move into a slightly smaller mansion! Branson lampshades this, pointing out that even the smaller mansion is a "fairy palace" by most peoples' standards.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: Lang, the footman.
Shipper on Deck:
Carson, Cora, Robert, The Dowager Countess, Rosamund (although perhaps in part out of guilt for shooting it down the first time), possibly Branson, even Isobel and Anna, even Lavinia, at the end of her life... at this point, is there anyone who doesn't ship Mary/Matthew? Apparently so, for Martha Levinson isn't fond of them to begin with, but it grows on her.
Maybe Edith. Sir Richard.
Mary, for her part, ships Anna/Bates rather blatantly.
Isobel for Sybil/Branson in S2. Matthew jumps on board in S3. (And they do need the support).
Cruelly subverted/deconstructed with O'Brien in Season 3. After discovering that Jimmy not only suspects that Thomas has a crush on him, but is revolted and a whisper away from reporting him to Carson, she starts encouraging Thomas that Jimmy feels the same way. This hearsay evidence is enough to convince Thomas to sneak into Jimmy's room half-undressed and kiss him as he sleeps.
Branson for Mary/Henry in season 6, to Mary's annoyance.
Shipping Torpedo:
Daisy is not fond of anyone Alfred flirts with.
In Season 2, everyone towards Tom and Sybil, and Violet and Rosamund towards Matthew and Lavinia.
Mary effectively and intentionally ruins the engagement between Edith and Bertie Pelham by revealing that Marigold is Edith's daughter.
Ship Tease: If Carson cheerfully singing "She Stole My Heart Away" whilst polishing silver after Mrs Hughes is declared cancer-free — while that lady looks on biting her lip and beaming like a giddy schoolgirl — isn't this, then nothing is. And then in the Season 4 Christmas Special Carson and Hughes holding hands on the beach.
Shirtless Scene:
Branson gets a partial one in Season 1 and then a full one in the Season 3 Christmas Special.
Jimmy has one, just when Thomas happens to stumble upon him undressing.
Shock Value Relationship: Though Rose does genuinely care for Jack Ross, she also plans on marrying him explicitly because she "want(s) to see mummy's face crumble when she finds out." Ironically, she actually does get to see "mummy's face crumble" when she marries a very nice (and aristocratic, if recently so) Jewish boy whom she genuinely loves and who loves her back.
Shot at Dawn: The fate of Mrs Patmore's nephew, for cowardice.
Shout-Out:
Matthew remarks "I am the cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me" — a reference to one of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
In the first Christmas special Mary compares herself and Matthew to Tess Durbeyfield and Angel Clare.
Mrs Hughes makes a parallel between Ethel's story and The Scarlet Letter. Violet doesn't get the reference but says it sounds "most unsuitable" (trust the Dowager Countess not to know anything about American literature!).
In Season 5 Tom and Sybbie play a game of Poohsticks. This is a particularly nice piece of Shown Their Work, as the story that introduced the game was indeed published in 1924 when the episode is set, but Winnie the Pooh hadn't yet been given a name beyond Teddy Bear so they don't actually call it that.
Shown Their Work/Truth in Television:
There was in fact a real Earl of Grantham. The title was created in 1698, but became extinct upon the Earl's death in 1754, because he had no surviving male heirs. Ironically, this also averts the trope of did not do the research, for the press pack states that the First Earl of Grantham (in the show) became earl in 1772, eighteen years later.
Though it's played for laughs, acting was seen by many at the time to be just as disreputable a profession as Carson believes it to be.
It may seem to views like an a** Pull to have Lavinia die of the Spanish flu rather than Cora, especially when the latter was initially responding worse to it. However, part of what made the 1918 flu unique was that, unlike other strains, most of the deaths were from teenagers and young adults with healthy immune systems.
Edith's plans to move to Detroit might sound like a bad case of This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Critical Research Failure - why would an earl's daughter ever want to move to a place whose name is synonymous with urban decay and high crime? But in fact, back in the 1920s, Detroit was one of America's most beautiful and affluent cities, known as "the Paris of the Midwest". So in fact it would be a perfect place for Edith to live a comfortable life and probably not be tracked down.
Sibling Rivalry: Between Mary and Edith. Culminates most viciously in the end of Season 1 when Mary learns that Edith ruined her reputation by informing the Turkish ambassador of the circumstances of Mr Pamuk's death, and ruins Edith's prospect of a good and happy marriage in revenge.
Single Woman Seeks Good Man
Slap-Slap-Kiss: Matthew and Mary, holy crap.
Sleeping Single: Averted by Robert and Cora, despite the fact that "really smart people sleep in separate rooms". Technically Robert's bedroom is his dressing room, essentially a very large walk-in wardrobe adjoining the marital bedroom that also happens to have a small bed in it. This was actually a fairly common practice for aristocracy and royalty at the time, so husbands who had stayed up late playing cards, travelling, or working wouldn't wake their wives by coming to bed late. In Season 3, Cora refuses her bed to Robert because she blames him for Sybil’s death. This is one of the few occations where Robert's own bed gets some use.
Slipping a Mickey: Larry Grey does this to Tom at one dinner early in Season 3; he is roundly condemned for it by everyone, especially his father.
Slut-Shaming: Premarital sex was just short of a crime. For women.
Lady Mary's unfortunate dalliance with the Turk wasn't just unlucky, but very nearly a social disaster, and not merely because he died.
From the second season, housemaid Ethel loves a man in uniform, and when caught with one is sacked without notice and without references. The gentleman has to put his trousers back on. Pregnancy leaves her destitute and him... mildly inconvenienced when people try to rub his nose in it.
By the third season, Ethel has become a prostitute. It goes as well for her as you might imagine when she asks for help. Her son's grandparents are divided: the grandmother is sympathetic and caring, the grandfather heaps her with recrimination and hatred. When Mrs Crawley takes her in as a maid (and later cook), her cook has nothing but contempt for her and eventually leaves Mrs Crawley's service over it. Lady Violet doesn't care for it either, and eventually helps Mrs Crawley get her a position in London, away from the village and its gossip.
Cousin Rose's mother even calls her a slut in the Season 3 Christmas special for wearing a dress in the latest fashion. Lady Violet, of all people, defends her ("Dear me, that's not a word you often hear among the heather" wink . Amusingly, she then says she has no place to criticise when in her youth she had once worn the latest fashions of the 1860s and '70s:
Violet: Oh, my dear, in my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle, and the leg-of-mutton sleeves; I am not in a strong position to criticise.
Lady Edith in Season 4 is called out by Aunt Rosamund for spending the night with Gregson. Rosamund eventually helps Edith give birth to a child discreetly in Switzerland.
Small Reference Pools: The writers were wise making the sinking of the RMS Titanic as the starting event for the series considering it is the one historical event at the time that is widely known with the general English-speaking public that would logically make such a big impact on the nobility.
Smug Snake: Thomas.
Snow Means Love: The moment when Matthew finally pops the question to Mary (at the end of the Season 2 Christmas special) provides the image on this trope's page.
Someone to Remember Him By:
Gender Swapped with Baby Sybil. It's the mother who dies in this case.
When Matthew is killed in an accident right after the birth of his son we’re even treated to a shot of an unsuspecting Mary holding their baby in the hospital right afterwards to close out the episode.
Though Michael Gregson's fate was unknown when Edith had their baby in Season 4, the confirmation of his death in the following season puts Edith in the same boat.
Something Only They Would Say: Patrick.
Spirited Young Lady: Mary and Sybil.
Spiritual Successor: To Upstairs Downstairs and Gosford Park. Julian Fellowes, who created both Downton and Gosford, This example contains a TRIVIA entry. It should be moved to the TRIVIA tab.says so himself.
Spot of Tea:
Lady Violet: Nanny always said sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves. Don’t know why it has to be sweet, I couldn’t tell you.
It's just the ticket for when the handsome stranger's sudden death has upset the ladies.
Your estranged wife suddenly appears to ruin any sliver of happiness you might have had. Have some tea.
Sorry, you'll never walk again. Tea?
Mary points this out when she first discovers Sybil and Branson's relationship and says, "What do you think would happen, you'd marry the chauffeur and you'd invite us over for tea?"
Spousal Privilege: Anna is forced onto the sidelines at Bates' trial.
Star-Crossed Lovers: The chauffeur Tom Branson and Lady Sybil. Subverted in that they elope in Season 2.
Stigmatic Pregnancy Euphemism: Edith's pregnancy is covered up with the pretext of going on a long trip to Switzerland with Rosamund.
The Stoic: Bates. Except when he cries alone in his room. So a This example contains a YMMV entry. It should be moved to the YMMV tab.Stoic Woobie, really.
Straight Gay: Thomas.
Strange Minds Think Alike: In the pilot, both Daisy and Robert think its pointless to install electricity in the kitchen.
Succession Crisis: Two of the Earl's heirs die on the Titanic.
Suffrage and Political Liberation: Lady Sybil is a suffragist and socialist. She tries to help women and takes part in a socialist rally. She bonds with Tom Branson, an Irish chauffeur employed at Downton, who is very active politically, too; he's a socialist and fights for the liberation of the Irish. He had a cousin killed in the Easter Rebellion (an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916; launched by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in the First World War). There's also a moment where he and Sybil spar over it when she doesn't understand why Tom has such a strong dislike of the English government and military. She views the issue from the English side of things, and even though she's a rebelling daughter, she still grew up among aristocracy.
The Suffragette:
Lady Sybil is a politically active young woman, liberal and radical in her opinions. She's a socialist at heart and supports woman's suffrage. She also cares on a personal level. She befriends housemaid Gwen Dawson who is determined not to follow the prescribed path for women of her social status and strives to make a better life for herself. Lady Sybil helps her.
After WWI, Lady Edith finds out she's a worthy person, too, and finds her cause. She takes an interest in writing about her support for women's suffrage and other political issues to a newspaper.
Gwen Dawson, now Mrs Harding, reappears in season 6. It is revealed that she has made a successful career in government alongside her husband John, and helps to support young women from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds to progress their careers. John is named as a trustee at a woman's college for middle-class girls who want to do other jobs aside from service.
Suicide, Not Murder: The resolution to the mystery of Vera Bates's death.
Sunday Evening Drama Series: In both the U.K. and in the U.S., interestingly enough.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute:
An ambitious redhead that doesn't want to stay in service but go out and make it big. Where have we heard that before, Ethel? Although there are some differences: Gwen's ambition ran only to the much more realistic goal of becoming a secretary; Ethel wants to be a movie star. And Gwen actually works toward her goals (with some help from Lady Sybil), while Ethel seems to think she should just be handed them. In turn, the ends for each of their characters are also very different.
After Sybil's death, Rose seems set to take her place as the upstairs "modern girl", although, in true M*A*S*H fashion, there are clear differences between their characters (Sybil was an idealistic reformer and Rose is a party girl).
After William is killed in World War I, Season 3 brings us Alfred: tall, fair-haired, awkward, and a potential love interest for Daisy.
It takes a while to determine who fits this role most closely, but by the end of Series 4, it appears that Charles Blake is turning out to be this regarding Matthew. He and Mary start out with an initially hostile relationship, then share a sweeter moment or two, and by the end of the season wants to marry her. Sound familiar?
Sarah Bunting has strong opinions, particularly where politics and class are concerned, likes helping people, and is attracted to Tom, much like the late Sybil.
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