'Downton Abbey' Recap: Mrs. Hughes Tells Bates About Anna's Rape

by UInterviewJanuary 27, 2014, 12:00 amNews >

Mrs. Hughes revealed to Mr. Bates that Anna had been raped and Tom announces his plans to take Sibby to America in Downton Abbey episode 4.4.

In Downton, Evelyn Napier is back in town researching English estates for the government, and Mary (Michelle Dockery) invites him to stay at Downton, giving him an opportunity to give him condolences for Matthew’s death. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), meanwhile, lends 50 pounds to Thomas Drew, a man whose farmer father died, leaving the Yew Tree Farm in debt. The Crawleys had planed on taking over the land, but Robert lends Drew the money so that he can get the farm out of debt and stay on the land with Mary and Tom’s blessing.

Alfred Works On His Cooking

Downstairs, Alfred (Matt Milne) continues to study to become a master chef with Daisy’s (Sophie McShera) help. He lands a test at the Ritz and everyone is sure he will pass with flying colors, but, unfortunately, he doesn’t make the cut and returns to Downton (to Daisy’s delight). Alfred’s return to Downton is unfortunate for Molesley (Kevin Doyle), who begged Carson (Jim Carter) for a job and had been deciding whether or not to take Alfred’s position as footman, should he leave Downton. It’s a step down for Molesley, and he is hesitant to say yes. His hesitation leaves him without a job.

The maids also get a new addition in Baxter (Raquel Cassidy), Cora’s (Elizabeth McGovern) new lady’s maid who brings technology with her to the servants’ quarters – her sewing machine. Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) is less than pleased about all the technology infiltrating her kitchen. Baxter impresses Cora with her thoughtfulness by bringing her orange juice in the mornings, something she heard Americans like have with breakfast, but she raises eyebrows with her relationship with Thomas (Rob James-Collier).

Bates Learns Anna's Secret

Anna (Joanne Froggatt) had a rough episode. She’s been short with Bates (Brendan Coyle), leaving whatever room he’s in with a sorry excuse and barely looking him in the eye. He thinks she doesn’t love him anymore, and, after overhearing Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) urge Anna to talk to him, he takes drastic measures. Bates goes to Mrs. Hughes one afternoon when Anna’s gone and gives her an ultimatum: either she tells him what’s going on with Anna or he hands in his resignation and clears out before Anna comes home. Mrs. Hughes, unable to let him leave Anna, comes clean. She tells him about the rape, all the details of when and how, but she lies about the who – she tells him it was an outsider, though he is less than convinced. Bates is sure it was Mr. Green, even after Mrs. Hughes swears on her dead mother’s grave that it was not. When he confronts Anna about it, he reassures her that he still loves her and finds her even more honorable than ever. They decide to try to put the rape behind them and move forward together. Later, out of earshot from Anna, Bates reveals to Mrs. Hughes that he has no intentions of letting this go. He will pretend to do so for Anna’s sake, but he swears to hunt down who did this.

Finally, Tom (Allen Leech) is unable to reconcile Sibby’s familial place in Downton with his position in the house – he feels like an outsider, and announces at dinner that he is toying with the idea of taking Sibby to America, the land of opportunity. Cora reveals that she believes it might be a good idea, but Lord Grantham is distraught at the thought of losing Sybil’s child.

Downton Abbey airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on PBS.