But the heat cranked up in other ways now that some of the characters are loosening their collars in the liberating year of 1924.
After the depression associated with season four’s character deaths and controversial assault scene, season five returns to the show’s original recipe: overlapping storylines of scandal and intrigue, garnished with genteel manners and delightful stingers from the Dowager Countess.
Let’s untangle this season’s storylines, shall we?
Edith’s secret stirs up trouble
Taking the leap and falling in love with Michael Gregson gave Lady Edith Crawley only a brief glimpse of happiness before he suddenly disappeared in Munich, leaving Edith alone and pregnant with little hope that his fate was anything but grim.
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Although there was no hint of the possible romance that sparked between Carson and Mrs. Hughes at the end of season four, he fulfilled his duty to Lord Grantham.
The villagers want to build a war memorial to those they lost in WWI, but rather than elect Lord Grantham as chairman, they choose Carson. Grantham insists he’s fine with the decision, but it wounds his pride and Carson knows it.
When Sarah brings it up at the anniversary dinner to embarrass Grantham in front of his guests, Carson steps in to help. He tells them that he accepted the position, but on the committee’s condition that Grantham serve as patron. What Carson doesn’t tell them: that it was his condition, not the committee’s.
Carson may possibly be the best wingman an earl could ever have.
