beauty and beauty: ‘Downton Abbey’ Recap: Mary Tells Tony She Doesn’t Want To Marry Him

The women in ‘Downton’ are total heartbreakers this week…and they can’t seem to escape their suitors. A new proposal, a love triangle and a change of heart rocked this week’s episode.

Unrequited love is taking over Downton! Who would have ever thought the day would come where Robert would tease his mama about her old “beau”? Well, that’s exactly what happened over dinner, when he asked the Dowager Countess about her encounter with an admirer from her past — and regardless of how cool she attempts to act, she can’t stay away from the Prince.

‘Downton Abbey’ Recap Season 5, Episode 4 — The Dowager’s Past:

Rose’s father comes to see his daughter to share the unfortunate news that he’s getting a divorce from her mother. “People will drop them like hot potatoes,” Lord Grantham tells Mary when the two discuss the news.

The Dowager Countess enlists Isobel to accompany her when she goes off to pay the Prince a visit. She finally comes clean about her admirer — apparently before she settled down with her late husband, Lord Grantham, the Russian Prince asked her to run away with him — how scandalous! Who knew the Dowager had such a sizzling past? It sounds just like a situation we’ve seen Lady Mary navigate.

Lady Mary (Sort Of) Breaks Things Off With Lord Gillingham:

Speaking of Lady Mary, she has found herself in one tricky situation. Everyone who knows about her scandalous, secret sex trip, (which includes the Dowager!), is eager to see her announce her engagement to Lord Gillingham — even Tony can’t wait to share the good news! Unfortunately, a quick roll around the sheets was all it took for Mary to realize she’s just not that into him.

Mary can’t figure out how to break the news to Tony and finally decides letting him down easy, in person, would be her best bet. She attends a fashion show in London with her aunt Rosamund, where she runs into Charles Blake — but he isn’t alone. After making eyes across the runway, Mary comes face-to-face with the scorned ex-fiancée of Tony’s, Mabel Lane Fox, whom he left to chase after Mary. If that isn’t awkward I don’t know what is.

After Mabel’s hasty exit, Mary takes Charles up on his dinner date offer and tells him she isn’t planning on accepting Tony’s proposal. Poor guy — always the last to know.

The very next day, Lady Mary meets Tony in Kensington Park, where she tells him it just isn’t gonna work out. I don’t know if she thought he would just be cool with it and walk away, but if she was trying to let him down easy she definitely failed. Tony totally freaked out and was shocked that Mary would sleep with a man she wasn’t intending on marrying — he even went as far as refusing to accept the news! Instead, he tells her that the couple will “work” on this problem together. I think it would be in Tony’s best interest if he cut his losses and decided to take a hint — she’s just not that into you.

Lord Merton Proposes To Isobel:

Isobel’s love life also heats up this week when Lord Merton proposes to her — the verdict? She is actually considering taking him up on the offer — and the Dowager definitely isn’t pleased about the prospect of her cousin rising above her in social ranks and wealth.

Cora’s Admirer Is Coming To Town:

Simon Bricker is a man on a mission. He conveniently finds a reason to visit Downton to “admire” art — but what he’s really interested in admiring is Cora. The guy does know how to charm her — and Robert is far from pleased.

Barrow’s In Trouble:

Barrow disappeared last week and said he needed to visit his sick father, but it looks like he’s the one who is in trouble. Although he is often trying to stir up trouble, we are saddened to see him in such turmoil — especially since it looks like he has gotten himself mixed up with drugs.

The Downton women are becoming more and more liberal with their relationships — and we can’t wait to see what will happen next week! Are you upset Mary is over Tony?

Katrina Mitzeliotis