Ep 7. Season 4, Episode 7

As the Crawley family and their staff continue to navigate the tumultuous times of the 1920s, Season 4, Episode 7 of Downton Abbey focuses on the aftermath of a significant event that took place in the previous episode. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is still reeling from the loss of a loved one, and her grief is palpable as she struggles to come to terms with the new reality of her life. Despite the best efforts of her family and friends, she finds it difficult to find solace or comfort, and instead retreats further into herself.

Meanwhile, Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) continues to adjust to her new role as a mother, although her happiness is tempered by the fact that she is forced to keep her child a secret from almost everyone she knows. She longs to be reunited with her daughter and to be able to raise her openly, but finds herself hemmed in by the strict conventions of society. Her feelings of isolation are only exacerbated by her ongoing feud with her Aunt Rosamund, who she feels has betrayed her trust.

Elsewhere in the house, tensions continue to simmer between Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) and Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), as the two struggle to define their relationship. Although they clearly have feelings for one another, they are hesitant to take the next step, partly out of fear of how their colleagues and employers will react. Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) tries to intervene and encourage them to be honest with themselves and each other, but they remain guarded.

As always, there are also plenty of goings-on among the downstairs staff, with numerous subplots and interpersonal dramas playing out. Ivy (Cara Theobold) finds herself at the center of a love triangle, as both Jimmy (Ed Speleers) and Alfred (Matt Milne) vie for her affections. Meanwhile, Mrs. Patmore is forced to confront her own mortality when she falls ill and fears that she may not recover. And Thomas (Rob James-Collier) continues to scheme and manipulate, although his efforts are beginning to take a toll on his relationships with his colleagues.

Overall, Season 4, Episode 7 of Downton Abbey is a powerful and emotional hour of television that explores the themes of loss, grief, and the weight of societal expectations. The performances are uniformly excellent, with Dockery in particular delivering a raw and nuanced portrayal of a woman in the depths of despair. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, there are also moments of levity and humor, particularly in the scenes involving the downstairs staff. As always, the show's stunning production values and attention to detail are on full display, making for a truly immersive viewing experience.