damn I hate Aerion, but hearing Maekar recognize his son's cries in that slaughter, throwing his brother away like a puppet, knocking down a horse and almost dodging two men and screaming "my boy!"
gods I've never cried like this, he loves his children despite everything
Maekar objecting to his father sending a 9 or 10 year old Aemon to the citadel. Maekar going out to look for Daeron and Egg himself. Maekar joining Daeron and Aerion in the Trial of Seven. Maekar using the Kingsguard in the Trial of Seven to try to protect Daeron and Aerion. Maekar offering Dunk a position in his personal guard for Egg. Maekar allowing Egg to squire for Dunk because he’s the only knight Egg will squire for. Maekar giving Egg a ring with his personal seal to protect Egg while travelling with Dunk. Maekar summoning Aemon to court to be his maester as soon as he ascended the Iron Throne… mans just really loved his sons.
This is going to be a long one, but I thought it would be useful to have a reference document for everything we learn about Thomas in canon, so I have rewatched the series (I will handle the movies separately as I have issues with how they handle the series canon) and made many notes.
I'm going to try to be as objective as possible so this is actually useful for people wanting to check canon, but if I cannot help to interject with my opinions they will be written in purple text.
Series One
Episode One (April 1912)
Tells William off for being late
Delivers telegram with news of James & Patrick to Sybil
Dresses Lord Grantham
Is grumpy towards Mr Bates
Runs down to the village to send a telegram (with permission)
Says he bets Bates is a spy for the family and starts scheming with Miss O'Brien to get rid of him - Miss O'Brien is the driving force of the scheming at this point
Complains to Mr Carson about Mr Bates
Snarks at Mr Bates when he offers to help carry luggage
Complains to Mr Carson about Mr Bates again (Mr Carson agrees that Mr Bates is unfit for the extra duties expected of a valet)
Offers to dress Lord Grantham after Mr Bates is dismissed
Has been having an affair with the Duke of Crowborough and exchanging letters with him
Tries to blackmail the Duke (with good reason and unsuccessfully)
Is very sad - FUCK THE DUKE OF CROWBOROUGH
Misc notes: Everyone (except Anna) doubts Bates can work as a valet – Even Robert / “I always apologise when I’m in the wrong, it’s a habit of mine” is a quote from Mary / I swear Robert is a lil bit gay / Thomas is a sweetie pie who just wants a better job
Episode Two (September 1912)
Asks questions about Matthew and Isobel Crawley (not rude ones)
Distracts Daisy from her work
Explains to Matthew how to serve himself at dinner
Snarky about Mr Molesley
Applied to be the butler at Crawley House
Calls the Dowager "the old lady" (Mr Carson tells him off)
Mr Bates says "not even Mr Carson was born standing to attention", and Thomas replies "I hope not, for his mother's sake"
Overhears Robert and Violet talking about getting Mary to marry Matthew and tells Anna
Complains after Cora comes into the servants hall and hears them talking about Matthew (Mrs Hughes tells him off)
Anna told Mrs Hughes she thinks Thomas is bullying William
Dances with Daisy - cutest scene in the show
Is fixing a clock in the yard, tells Miss O'Brien that Mr Carson lets him do so because his father was a clockmaker
Misc notes: Carson stealing food / O’Brien getting told off, hell yeah / the Dowager has a cat??? / Mrs Hughes calls the Dowager an “old bat”
Episode Three (March 1913)
Curious about Gwen’s typewriter when O’Brien steals it from her room and brings it into the servant’s hall
Nicks a bit of brownie while waiting for Mrs Patmore to load up his tray
Asks Carson “is that one mine?” when he sees Kamul Pamuk, then shows him off of Anna, Gwen and O’Brien who are watching from behind the green baize door
Bates tells Robert “you know Thomas, he has to have a grumble, but I gather he cheered up when he saw the gentleman”
Tries flirting with Mr Pamuk
Helps Mr Pamuk get into Mary’s room
Anna says “William can’t keep a secret, Thomas wouldn’t try to” when she and Mary need help with the body
Finds Mr Pamuk dead in his bed in the morning
Makes a comment about how Mr Pamuk “didn’t bother with books much, he had other interests”
Bates says “Thomas likes to show off”
Won’t explain to Gwen what he knows about Mr Pamuk, but O’Brien demands that he tell her
He tells O’Brien he saw Mr Pamuk go into Mary’s room, but that he was dead in his own bed (Miss O’Brien says the secret is safe with her)
Misc notes: Robert is so down bad for Bates / Top hats on horses is insane
Episode Four (May 1913)
Asks Daisy to the fair right as William is trying to
Asks Mr Carson if the servants can go to the fair
Wonders where Mrs Hughes is when she goes out with her old friend
Knows Mrs Hughes has a sister – this is very interesting as we find out in series five that Mr Carson didn’t know this
Says “Mrs Hughes has a fancy man”
He’s leading Daisy on to piss off William - and also probably to hide that he’s gay
Gets threatened by Mr Bates for bullying William
Calls himself “a champion” in regards to flirting – second hand embarrassment is real
Insults William and gets Daisy to join in
Mrs Patmore tells Daisy “he’s not a ladies man… he’s a troubled soul”
Mrs Hughes tells William “everyone likes you more than Thomas”
Misc notes: O’Brien is a bitch / I hate O’Brien / Thomas is a little shit, but he’s not evil
Episode Five (August 1913)
Bates catches Thomas stealing wine
Is rude to William for polishing silver in the servant’s hall and threatens to tell Mr Carson
Says he wonders if Downton is haunted – “it ought to be”
O’Brien: “by the spirits of maids and footmen who died in slavery?”
Bates: “but not, in Thomas’s case, from overwork”
Goads Daisy into talking about why she doesn’t like Lady Mary’s room, he and O’Brien are sure she knows something about Mr Pamuk and they want to know what
Wrote to a friend about Mary and Mr Pamuk, and the friend spread rumours around London
He and O’Brien corner Daisy to get information out of her, but he doesn’t say anything
Steals one of Robert’s snuff boxes to frame Bates
Freaks the fuck out when Bates & Anna convince Mr Carson & Mrs Hughes that they should search the servants rooms for the snuff box
Calls O’Brien a grouch
Goes to the flower show with the other servants
Episode Six (May 1914)
Threatens William after he makes him spill his tea down his shirt
Bates then threatens Thomas over his lack of belief in “rights of property”
Daisy says she’ll bring up the sauce and he says “would you do that for me?” with a flirty smile – THOMAS STOP IT
Bates doesn’t want Thomas to lose his job for stealing even after how horrible he’s been – no for real he actually says this out loud
Gets nervous about Bates seeing him stealing wine and reports to Mr Carson that he’d seen Bates stealing it
Makes Daisy join him and O’Brien when Mr Carson questions them about Bates “stealing”
Complains to O’Brien about Carson not firing Bates outright after they reported him
After Daisy tells Carson she was lying about her evidence against Mr Bates, Carson tells all of them off and Thomas changes his story (Carson punishes no one, and Bates reveals he was a drunkard and thief to Carson, Mrs Hughes, and Anna)
O’Brien warns Thomas to be careful and not to push too hard with his schemes
Misc notes: “We can’t have him assassinated… I suppose” – Violet on the Turkish Ambassador
Episode Seven (July-August 1914)
William calls Thomas & O’Brien “Guy Fawkes and his assistant” and Anna asks “which is which?”
Thomas is pleased over some news from a friend of O’Brien’s regarding Mr Bates and they take it to Mr Carson
Thomas is an asshole about William’s mother dying
Reading aloud from the paper about the war to the rest of the servants
Calls William “cannon fodder”
Suggests that he’s preparing in case a war breaks out
Tells O’Brien he doesn’t intend to fight if there is a war
Hears Violet and Cora talking about the ad for a new lady’s maid
Mr Molesley catches Thomas taking Mr Carson’s wallet – why the fuck is he trying to steal from Carson???
Tells O’Brien that Cora has advertised for her replacement
Daisy sabotages the dinner she thought was upstairs, and says she was going to put fig syrup in the next meal but she hadn’t done it yet – Thomas: “at least we’d have all been regular”
Asks Doctor Clarkson about being a medic if a war breaks out, and Clarkson agrees to find out if there’s a place for him as a volunteer
Robert is reluctant to fire Thomas even though they know he’s a thief – he must be good at his job, for all that it’s implied he’s lazy
After Cora loses the baby and the servants are all at the table together he calls them “a long-faced lot” and says that the baby is “no bigger than a hamster at that stage”
Complains about having to “live through them, they’re just our employers”
Is an asshole about William’s mum again and gets punched – he deserved that
Clarkson gets him a place on a medic training course, and offers to keep an eye on him
Tells Mr Carson that he’s handing in his notice to start the training course
Misc notes: Robert sending Mrs Patmore to the eye specialist is very kind / Robert acts like everyone’s dad / O’Brien finding out after she did what she did to Cora that she’s not being sacked is so satisfying, what a terrible woman.
Series Two
Episode One (September 1916)
William is bitter that “even Thomas” is at the Front
Corporal Barrow runs into Matthew as he returns from leave – “you’ll never guess where I’ve just been”
Says to the other stretcher-bearer “there must be more to life than this”
Freaks the fuck out when a shell hits nearby, and panics even more when the other stretcher-bearer gets shot in the head – poor thing is absolutely terrifed
O’Brien tells Cora that Thomas said in a letter that life at Downton seems like a dream and it feels like it was a century ago
Invites Matthew into his dugout for tea, asks him if it would be possible to get a transfer to the Downton Hospital. Matthew says he’d need to get sent home from the Front first and then “pull a few strings”
“What would my mother say? Me, entertaining the future Earl of Grantham for tea”
Finds an empty bit of the trench and holds his lighter up in the air. A sniper shoots his hand – “thank you for my deliverance”
Episode Two (April 1917)
Cora asks O’Brien about Thomas, says there has to be a way to get him to Downton Hospital through Clarkson
Cora says “I think it a credit to him that he wants to continue to serve in this way after he’s been wounded”
He’s grateful to O’Brien for getting him back to Downton
Is an asshole the moment he walks into the house – like actually very rude, especially about William
In the hospital when Branson comes to fetch Lady Sybil, and Branson says “so, you’re back then, safe and sound” – “that’s not how I’d put it with my hand the way it is, but yes, Major Clarkson’s found me a place and I’m grateful”
He’s nicer to Sybil, Isobel, and (kind of) Branson than he was to the servants
Violet says she’s seen Thomas in the hospital
Making friends with Lieutenant Courtenay
Reading Lt. Courtenay’s letter to him, and tells him “don’t let them walk all over you… you’re not a victim, don’t let them make you into one” tells him to fight back with his brain and fight his corner.
“All my life, they’ve pushed me round just because I’m different”
Tries to speak against Lt. Courtenay being sent to convalesce at Farley Hall because he’s depressed. Clarkson reprimands him for speaking out of turn, Sybil agrees with Thomas
Breaks down after Lt. Courtenay is found dead
Misc notes: wait, did we seriously only get one episode with Edward???
Episode Three (July 1917)
O’Brien tells Cora she should get Thomas to manage the convalescent home – says they need a friend instead of “one of Mrs Crawley’s toadies”
O’Brien tells Thomas she wants him in charge to protect Cora, and he says he’ll come if it can be fixed mostly because he likes the idea of “giving orders to Carson”
Thomas is made Acting Sergeant (Lance Sergeant) and will be managing the convalescent home on the medical side, and Cora is pleased
Robert says to Carson they should forgive Thomas’s earlier sins since he has been wounded in service of king and country (Carson disagrees, but doesn’t say so) – RESPECT THOMAS CARSON YOU FUCK
Mrs Crawley is in the servants hall telling them their orders, and Thomas says he must oversee the medical staff, she agrees that he will but overseen by her
When Mr Lang has a nightmare and wakes everyone in the servants quarters, he’s a dick about it
Mr Carson: “no one’s asking you to go back Mr Lang”
Thomas: “just to put a sock in it” – his fringe is sticking up in a way that suggests he sleeps on his face, I love him
Goes to Major Clarkson about Mrs Crawley trying to take charge, and Clarkson decides to formally put Cora and Isobel in shared charge
Misc notes: Mrs Patmore is trying to be kind but she’s being really unfair to Daisy about William
Episode Four (March 1918)
Thomas hears from a friend that Mr Bates is working in a pub
Calls Mr Lang a “loony” and when O’Brien defends Lang, says she’s “sweet & sour”
Tells Robert he saw no need to tell Mr Carson what he’s heard about Bates because he’s not under Carson anymore, and Robert is annoyed with him
Has a go at Daisy for telling Mr Carson about the letter he got about Bates
I am looking respectfully at him out of uniform 👀
Won’t put O’Brien down for a “career in diplomacy” when she tells him he should’ve just refused to answer when Carson and Robert questioned him about Bates
Seems surprised when O’Brien suggests William and Matthew may be dead
Is dismissive of the idea of Bates returning and Mrs Hughes tells him off
Tells Anna she shouldn’t call Lady Sybil “Lady” anymore as she is now “Nurse Crawley”
When Bates returns he says he and Thomas are like bad pennies - O’Brien brags to Bates that Thomas isn’t back as a servant though
Rudely asks Daisy for more tea – “hot this time” and demands that she call him Sergeant Barrow, not Thomas
Clarkson tells him off for being “mighty imperious” (Mrs Hughes says “he’s been getting grander than Lady Mary, and that’s saying something” when Clarkson tells her he’s done as she asked)
O’Brien tells Thomas she reckons it was Bates who reported his behaviour to Clarkson
Stands at the back of the concert crowd looking very bored
Says he doesn’t like Bates because “he’s a patronising bastard who sneaks behind my back” but that he “has other things to worry about”
O’Brien says he’s going soft and that she holds a grudge longer than him
Misc notes: I still think Robert is kind of in love with Bates
Episode Five (August 1918)
When they hear Matthew and William have been injured he says “I’m sorry for them… I don’t mind Captain Crawley, he’s a better man than most of them”
O’Brien says she regrets writing to Vera Bates – “don’t blame me, it wasn’t my idea”
Daisy is upset that William can’t be brought to Downton Hospital and Thomas surprises everyone when he agrees it isn’t fair – “well I’m a working class lad and so is he. I get fed up seeing how our lot always get shafted”
Tells O’Brien off for writing to Vera and tells her “the devil is in the details” when she is pissed that Vera is trying to take down the Granthams, not just Mr Bates
When O’Brien says Daisy isn’t “quite the blooming bride” he says “I don’t think it’s the same when you’re marrying a corpse”
O’Brien: “Are you going?”
Thomas: “Why not, I wouldn’t mind shaking William’s hand before he goes”
O’Brien: “Is that sentiment, or superstition in case he haunts you?”
He looks quite moved at the wedding
Episode Six (November 1918)
He tells Jane that he hasn’t started planning for after the war
Mrs Patmore puts him on to thinking about the black market
Being a shit to Mr Carson – “Lady Mary was looking for you… when she got back from her outing” – I think Carson deserves it, he treats Thomas badly
He starts finding out how to get into the black market trade, O’Brien seems to disapprove, and he says it’ll take all his savings and then some
Robert tells the servants the end of the war has been announced – “the 11th of the 11th sounds pretty tidy to me”
Looks pleased that Bates is struggling with his “London business”
When O’Brien comments on Vera he says “if I were you I’d keep out of it” and Anna agrees – “wise words”
Doesn’t stand when Mr Carson comes into the room
After Bates storms out he asks “what was that about?” and Anna tells him “his wife’s dead” – Anna doesn’t approve of a lot of Thomas’s behaviour and will happily scold him, but she doesn’t dislike him
Episode Seven (February 1919)
Sitting with the servants quite happily, and doesn’t object to being called Thomas again
Won’t tell Daisy what he’s planning to do now, but tells O’Brien that he’s gone “into business” on the black market
Says he thinks he’ll be allowed to stay at Downton “for a week or two” which O’Brien doubts
Shows O’Brien his shed of supplies in the village, says he got it from a guy in Leeds. Brags about being smart enough not to take anything perishable but admits he spent “a great deal of money”
Tries to get Mrs Patmore to buy supplies from him but she just ignores him until O’Brien steps in and says that he’s “come by” some groceries
He’s determined that Mrs Patmore knows he didn’t steal anything that he’s selling
Mrs Patmore agrees to give him a chance and gives him a list
“I hope you’re pleased Mrs Patmore” when he delivers the groceries to her, then he just stands in the background smoking while O’Brien questions Mrs Patmore about when he’ll get paid. Mrs Patmore says that he knows that this is “the sprat to catch the mackerel”
Daisy and Mrs Patmore discover that Thomas’s groceries are faked, old, and nasty
He goes down to his shed and has a breakdown – iconic behaviour honestly, I bet Rob had fun filming that scene
O’Brien finds him, and is actually concerned. He says “I’ve been tricked, been had, been taken for the fool I am” and he tells her that he spent every penny he had “and then some”
O’Brien: “what will you do now?”
Thomas: “I don’t know, I don’t bloody know” *trying not to cry*
O’Brien tells him to challenge the man he bought the supplies from and get his money back but he says he only ever met him in a pub and wouldn’t know where to find him
Episode Eight (April 1919)
Carson is rude when Thomas asks to stay, and Thomas says he’ll try to make himself useful. Carson tells him he needs to find somewhere to go – “you’ve made such a thing of not being a servant”
O’Brien is not particularly sympathetic, she tells him “you can’t have expected to live here free forever” he says “didn’t expect to get booted out either”
Tells O’Brien it’s hard looking for work with all the other men back from the war also looking and they “don’t all have a hand like a Jules Verne experiment”
When Carson falls ill and Mr Molesley is brought in to replace him, Thomas says he could’ve done it, that he’s “just trying to be helpful” and Mrs Patmore says being helpful is not something Downton associates with Thomas. When he leaves she laughs and says “it’s wonderful what fear can do to the human spirit” – Mrs Patmore! The audacity (she’s right)
He finds Mrs Hughes frantically trying to prepare for Sir Richard’s visit
Thomas: “I’ll help you with the bedroom, then I’ll sort out a room for his man, and I’ll serve at dinner”
Mrs Hughes: “I’ve no money to pay you”
Thomas: “Call it rent”
Shows up when Mary and Richard are arguing
Offers to make tea for Sir Richard, and take a cup up to Mr Carson
Delivers Carson’s tea while Mary and Dr Clarkson are with him, Mary warns Carson about Thomas and he says he doesn’t know how they can get rid of him – “But he won’t want to stay footman forever – watch out”
Mary tells him at the buffet dinner that he looks very smart in his livery (he’d been in his own clothes during Ep.7 and up until this point)
Helps the maids take down the wedding decorations in the hall
Carson comes into the pantry to find Thomas locking the silver cupboard and says he doesn’t know how to express his gratitude “for how he’s kept it all running” – “You’ll find a way” – the way Carson looks at him when he leaves makes me think all of this should have changed Carson’s opinion of Thomas, like he is clearly very good at his job, and Carson has forgiven others for worse crimes than some petty theft (well we know what he thinks Thomas’s worst crime is and he clearly can’t forgive that)
Looks pouty at Lavinia’s funeral – that’s just his face though I think
Anna says to Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson that Thomas and Mrs Patmore have gone ahead back to the house to organise the food
Mrs Hughes: “I’ve no doubt Thomas will have everything sorted out”
Mr Carson: “I’m sorry Mrs Hughes but we can’t think we’ll be shot of him now” – I kind of forgot that Mrs H doesn’t like Thomas in these early seasons, I’m glad Carson is seeing his value now though
Looks stunned when Bates is arrested
Episode Nine – Christmas at Downton (December 1919 – January 1920)
Opens with Thomas instructing the hall boys on unloading the Christmas tree
He and Mrs Patmore have a good rapport - she still thinks he’s a little shit but mostly in an amusing way
Planchette with O’Brien and the maids, tries to convince Daisy to join in
Robert tells Carson “we’ve forgiven Thomas his early sins, but I’m not sure I could ever quite feel trust” when it’s suggested that Thomas should take over as valet – Robert says ‘we’ but Carson’s face says he hasn’t
“I can read Mr Carson’s hint, His Lordship doesn’t trust me”
Asks O’Brien how to get Robert to trust him, she says “hide something he loves, then find it and give it back” – because of course she does
At the shooting lunch, Carson asks him if he thinks they have time to serve the coffee, and Thomas suggests they should’ve had a maid to help – interesting to see Carson asking Thomas’s opinion
More planchette, and Mrs Patmore comes to watch, the board spells out T-O-O-F-A-T and Thomas turns to her and says “it says you’re too fat” she says he was pushing the planchette – they’re so fond
They’re told Mr Bates is to be hanged and he says “there’ll have to be a new valet now” to which O’Brien responds “I don’t often feel selfless but when I listen to you I do”
Carson confirms that Robert doesn’t trust Thomas and so doesn’t want him as his valet
Daisy has to mend the fire in the hall during the day because “Thomas has disappeared”
Hides Isis in a shed in the woods
Planchette again, Mrs Patmore asks to join in and uses it to convince Daisy to see Mr Mason – he’s got a cigarette over his ear and it’s so cute
Joins the search for Isis and looks terrified when the shed is quiet
Runs off when Carson tells him to go ahead and organise soup for the search party
Feels guilty about hiding Isis and having to leave her out overnight, O’Brien says he should go find her first thing in the morning
Finds the shed empty, gets really upset when he can’t find her and then falls down a hill
Is a mess coming back to the house and finds Isis with Robert on the drive. Robert says he’s impressed he’d get himself into such a state for his dog – “I know how fond you are of her”
Robert tells Carson he’ll give Thomas a trial as valet “there’s more true kindness in him than I thought… everyone deserves a chance, even Thomas”
Servants are told the ball will be going ahead – “tonight, are you serious?” he looks very pleased
Robert tells Matthew his mother would typically dance with his valet, but they’ve let the tradition lapse since Bates can’t dance, “perhaps Thomas will revive the tradition” – “he’s certainly got the nerve”
Mary is sitting with Violet and sees Thomas coming over “uh oh, here he comes to claim his prize” Violet agrees to dance with him since it is a waltz
He dances with Edith later on and he looks like he’s having a great time
Misc notes: Mr Bates tells Anna to forgive Mrs Hughes and Miss O’Brien for being witnesses and says of O’Brien - “we haven’t been friends but she doesn’t want me here”
Series Three
Episode One (March-April 1920)
Valet Thomas!!!
Says he’s “surprised Anna held onto that house, I thought they’d confiscate the profits of murder… I don’t think I’d’ve allowed it Mr Carson”
Mr Carson: “then we must all be grateful you were not the presiding judge”
Thomas: “I still think it’s funny, given that he’s a convicted murderer”
Mr Carson: “in this house, Mr Bates is a wronged man seeking justice and if you take issue with that definition then I suggest that you eat in the yard”
Pulls out Mrs Hughes chair for her
Quietly judging Alfred when he arrives
Chatty with Robert – says that Alfred is “very eager, and very tall”
Doesn’t think Alfred should’ve been taken on because he lacks experience, O’Brien is annoyed and tells Alfred to “pay no attention, you’ve a nice manner; you’re not vain like Thomas”
Notices Daisy is mad she’s not been given the promotion she was promised and tells her to go on strike – but not to tell anyone he suggested it
Molesley tells the servants he’s staying as butler at Crawley house, and Thomas is pissed he’ll have to be Matthew’s valet once he and Mary marry – ungrateful prig
Refuses to dress Tom and is pleased that Mr Carson agrees with his stand
Tells Alfred he knows nothing when Alfred comments on Tom’s behaviour
Very unwillingly stands up when Tom comes down to the servant’s hall
O’Brien asks him to help Alfred learn how to be a valet and he is mad
Thomas: “can you remember what I had to go through to be a valet?”
O’Brien: “I watched it didn’t I?”
Thomas: “But young Alfred is to make the great leap in one bound? Well I’m sorry Miss O’Brien but I’m not convinced” – this scene is quite tragic honestly, they’re so let down by each other. Thomas’s voice and O’Brien’s eyes say it all. This conversation is when O’Brien decides that Thomas isn’t worth her time anymore
Mrs Patmore knows straightaway that Daisy’s protest was Thomas’s idea – she thinks him such a funny little bother
Playing footman at Mary and Matthew’s wedding
Episode Two (April 1920)
Is so mad that Alfred is acting as Matthew’s valet (forgetting how pissed off he was at the idea of having to be Matthew’s valet)
Gives Alfred some decent advice about handling Matthew’s shirt but he’s rude about it
Pretends to be nice and give Alfred a secret tip to get a mark out of Matthew’s tailcoat but has him use something that burns the coat instead
Tells O’Brien he recommended soda crystals and that if Alfred used them wrongly it was because they “made him run before he could walk”
Tells Robert that Alfred isn’t suitable as Matthew’s permanent valet and Molesley would be a better option
Carson demotes Alfred and O’Brien says “this is Thomas’s doing, but don’t you fret, we’ll make him sorry”
O’Brien hides Roberts evening shirts to get at Thomas and Robert is furious with him
Robert: “are you not popular downstairs?”
Thomas: “I wouldn’t say that m’lord, but you know how people can be, they like a little joke” – Thomas looks like he’s ready to be beaten while Robert is shouting
The shirts reappear and he tries to threaten O’Brien but she brushes him off and the housemaids laugh – he looks so pathetic and miserable, my poor boy
Misc notes: “If you must pay money, better to a doctor than to an undertaker” – Mrs Patmore
Episode Three (May 1920)
O’Brien quips that Thomas should make sure he has a shirt ready for Robert and he says he’s hidden a couple so she can’t catch him out like that again – he looks so proud of himself
Tells Mr Molesley that O’Brien is planning to leave, but not to tell anyone
Reminds Mr Carson that it’s time for the dressing gong so Mr Molesley won’t get a chance to tell O’Brien where he heard she was leaving
Molesley does tell her he heard it from Thomas but he thinks “it was an honest mistake” but she knows “it wasn’t honest and it wasn’t a mistake. When you see Mr Barrow you can tell him I may make some honest mistakes of my own in future”
Helps Alfred put the hall carpet back after Edith is jilted at the altar
Explains the canapés to Alfred when the servants get to eat the wedding food
When O’Brien says she wouldn’t be able to show her face if she were jilted at the altar he says “it’s a good thing no one’s ever asked you”
O’Brien threatens him and he looks very uneasy
Episode Four (May 1920)
Receives two letters at breakfast, doesn’t open them at the table
Carson says he’s advertised for a new footman and Thomas says “try to find a man with something about him Mr Carson, I don’t like to feel the house isn’t properly represented” Alfred gets offended and Thomas just says to him “if the cap fits” – he knows how to play into Carson’s pride for the family
Finds Carson teaching Alfred about spoons “you’re taking a lot of trouble with young Alfred, I feel quite jealous” – “I don’t know why, he asked for help, you never did” and Thomas just looks upset – it’s so clear that Thomas struggles with father figures
Gossiping with the other servants when Tom turns up, goes to bed when Carson tells them to stop
Finds the maids and O’Brien staring at Jimmy and instead of doing anything useful, just joins in on the staring – Jimmy must’ve thought them all stupid, he has to tell like four separate people why he’s there
Went to London with Robert even though it seems Robert was only gone for the day?
Tells Jimmy he can ask if there’s anything he needs – he’s happy to have some eye candy
O’Brien immediately starts stirring shit with Thomas in regards to Jimmy – “he’s nice that new bloke, isn’t he?” – “why do you say that?” – “only an impression”
Misc notes: let it be known that I greatly dislike Jimmy, I think he’s an asshole, and not in the charmingly defensive way that Thomas is
Episode Five (May 1920)
Says to Jimmy “I expect you’re always prepared” – “I try to be, Mr Barrow”
O’Brien tells Jimmy to ask Thomas about winding the clocks and to stay in with him as “he has the ear of His Lordship”
Is very tactile when showing Jimmy how to wind the clock and tells Jimmy he grew up with clocks because his dad was a clockmaker
Sitting at the table with the others and asks Jimmy to show them a card trick
Tells Jimmy he knows Sybil better than “all of them” because they worked together in the hospital during the war and that she’s a lovely person – “like you” – except Jimmy isn’t a lovely person Thomas pleaseeeeeeeee
Jimmy tells O’Brien he doesn’t like how familiar Thomas is and that he wants to tell him to keep his distance
Carson tells the servants that Sybil is dead and Thomas leaves the room so no one will see him cry. Anna follows him and offers some comfort.
Thomas: “she wouldn’t’ve noticed if I’d died”
Anna: “you don’t mean that”
Thomas: “no, no I don’t. In my life I can tell you not many have been kind to me. She was one of the few”
Tries to hide when Mrs Hughes comes past but she tells him not to worry and that she’s crying too
Misc notes: Sybil is 24 when she dies
Episode Six (May – June 1920)
Anna defends Thomas when Alfred tells him to cheer up – “he knew Lady Sybil better than any of us”
Jimmy says he thinks Thomas’s grief speaks well for Sybil and Thomas grabs his hand and thanks him for saying that
Agrees when Jimmy says “a man can choose to be different without it making him a traitor”
Asks Alfred how he feels about transubstantiation when he says he’s “glad to be Church of England” and laughs when Alfred doesn’t understand. Carson steps in “nevermind Alfred, your heart’s in the right place and I can’t say that for everyone under this roof” and Thomas looks offended – as he should, fuck you Mr Carson
Ivy says Jimmy must be interested in someone and Thomas says “that someone isn’t you” – sorry Thomas darling but it’s not you either
Puts his hands on Jimmy’s shoulders while he’s playing the piano, later Jimmy tells O’Brien he wants to complain to Mr Carson and that he’d “tell the police if it would make him stop”
Episode Seven (July 1920)
Unhappy to see Mr Bates return
Bates asks Robert about Thomas and Robert says he’ll sort it out
Cora tells Robert he can’t just sack Thomas and to ask Carson what to do with him – Cora has a soft spot for Thomas
Bates says Robert has told him to have a rest for a while, and Molesley says “I expect you’ll be looking for something to do, now that Mr Bates is back” to Thomas. Mrs Hughes, Anna, and Mr Bates all look horrified/shocked that he just came out and said it. Thomas’s face goes completely blank.
Bates questions what he’ll do now and Anna says he’ll go back to his job and “they’ll have to give Thomas his notice” – “Mr Barrow” – “Mr Stick-it-up-your-jumper. He’ll have to go”
Jimmy grumbles about Alfred being given the duties of the first footman and Thomas tells him “these things can be managed, but not by losing your temper” – Thomas looks so good in this scene and it has me wanting to learn to GIF so I guess that’s my next project lol
O’Brien sees them talking and tells Thomas that he and Jimmy “make a cozy couple” and that Alfred is sick and tired of Jimmy “going on about you… silly sloppy stuff.” He doesn’t believe her, says Alfred must be making it up, but he’s dwelling on it – Thomas stop, please
Sitting in the servant’s hall alone when Jimmy finds him and complains that Carson prefers Alfred “no matter what he does, it’s not fair” – “well I love you” – “if you do, you’re on your own”
Asks about Jimmy’s family (he has none left) and says he must get lonely, which he understands - “funny, we’re quite a pair. We both like to look very sure of ourselves but we’re not so sure underneath”
Tells Jimmy “Carson may prefer Alfred, but no one else does”
O’Brien suggests there’s something going on between him and Jimmy, Thomas says she’s wrong, that Jimmy is a “proper little ladies’ man”. When Thomas gets annoyed with her insisting that Alfred has told her things. “If he says Jimmy is interested in me, he’s lying” – “oh dear, was it supposed to be a secret?”
Goes up to his room and spends a while contemplating what he’s about to do – I hate this scene. The framing makes him look so creepy, and him deciding to go into Jimmy’s shared room before his roommate gets home is insane and dangerous and Jimmy is ASLEEP, ughhhh I hate it so much
He sneaks into Jimmy’s room, finding him asleep, and kisses him
Alfred walks in and shouts, Jimmy wakes up and freaks out and throws Thomas out – “there’s nothing between us except my fists if you don’t get out”
The three of them are horrifically awkward at breakfast and everyone else is sitting there wondering what happened. Carson demands they tell him before the end of the day
Is quiet while dressing Robert – “you seem nervous today Barrow, we will get things sorted out, we won’t leave you in the lurch” – “I’d be grateful if you’d let me know when you’ve made a decision” – he’s so withdrawn and pale but thank you Robert for being kind to him
Laughing with the other servants and Kieran
Alfred tells O’Brien what happened and she says “report him, and stand back and enjoy his fall”
Alfred does tell Carson and that he’s sure Jimmy was asleep and not at fault
Gets in huge trouble with Mr Carson – “I don’t need to tell you that this is a criminal offence” – Thomas is terrified that Carson wants to hurt him, but is stunned that he isn’t going to involve the police
When he leaves he passes Mrs Hughes and she says he looks “very grim-faced”
Episode Eight (July – August 1920)
Carson tells him “Mr Bates has had his rest and wants to get back to work. It is time to draw a line under this whole unfortunate episode” – “so I go out the window”
Carson: “I cannot hide that I find your situation revolting. But whether or not your believe me I am not entirely unsympathetic. You have been twisted by nature into something foul and even I can see that you did not ask for it. I think is better that resign quietly, citing the excuse that Mr Bates has returned. I will write a perfectly acceptable reference and you’ll find there’s nothing about it that’s hard to explain”
He’s very pale and drawn and speaks very softly to Mr Carson, but he’s determined when he says “I’m not foul, Mr Carson, I’m not the same as you but I’m not foul”
Robert says won’t let Thomas leave before the cricket match
O’Brien tells Jimmy to kick up a fuss and demand Carson give Thomas a bad reference
Hands over his valet duties to Bates, and Robert says he wishes Thomas “every good fortune”
Thomas: “to the victor, the spoils”
Bates: “what will you do?”
Thomas: “what’s it to you?”
Bates: “you’re right, it’s nothing to me” – they’re so bitchy
Carson tells Jimmy that Thomas is leaving and that he “thinks he was genuinely sorry.. not that it’s any excuse” and Jimmy says he “wants to be sure you’ll give him a bad reference, I can’t let a man like that go to work in innocent people’s homes… I ought to report him to the police… I’m sorry Mr Carson, I can’t stay quiet if my conscience prompts me differently, I won’t turn a blind eye to sin” – is your conscience perhaps called Sarah O’Brien you asshole?
Is on the verge of tears when Carson tells him he’s to leave with no reference – “I’m to leave with no reference? After working here for ten years? I’ll never get a job now, does His Lordship know?”
Thomas: “this wasn’t Jimmy’s idea, somebody’s put him up to it. He wouldn’t be so unkind, not left to himself”
Carson: “I’m almost touched that you will defend him under such circumstances, but there it is”
Carson agrees to let him stay for a day or two while he “figures out some kind of plan” – he’s basically crying when he leaves
Crying in the yard in the dark and rain, where Mrs Hughes finds him – “I know you’re leaving, but things can’t be as black as all that? You’re trained now, you can apply for a position as a butler”
Thomas: “you don’t know everything then”
Mrs Hughes: “then will you tell me everything?”
Thomas: “I’m afraid if I do, Mrs Hughes, it will shock and disgust you”
Mrs Hughes: “shock and disgust? My, my, I think I have to hear it now” – is he maybe a bit drunk? He’s all wobbly when she leads him inside
Mrs Hughes scolds Carson for letting Jimmy blackmail him, and says she thinks Jimmy led him on – “I don’t mean deliberately, but he’s a vain and silly flirt. He may have given Thomas the wrong impression without meaning to”
Mrs Hughes: “I won’t let that young whippersnapper ruin a man for the rest of his life”
Carson: “If we stand up to James and he goes to the police it’ll only put Thomas in prison, which he will not thank you for”
Lurks outside the Bates’s cottage, being all suspicious when Mr Bates finds him – “I envy you… the happy couple and everyone so pleased for you”
Bates: “perhaps you should try being nicer”
Thomas: “It’s being nice that got me into trouble”
Bates: “what do you mean?”
Thomas: “never mind. I’ll be gone soon and out of your hair, you’ll be glad of that”
Bates: “yes, I will be” – this weird conversation makes me think Thomas is trying to apologise to Bates and ask him for help. Bates definitely knows something’s up
Says he doesn’t think he’ll still be around for the cricket match when the servants are discussing the team
Anna asks Bates why he wants to help Thomas – “I don’t know, something he said, and I feel funny taking his job… I might ask Mrs Hughes”
Mrs Hughes tells Bates what happened – “you’re not too shocked then?”
Bates: “no, but why is Mr Carson? It’s not as if none of us knew”
Mrs Hughes: “I think that point is we didn’t know officially. That’s what Mr Carson finds hard, he can’t avoid the subject any longer because it’s lying there on the mat”
Bates: “and he can’t stand up to Jimmy?”
Mrs Hughes: “he says he’s powerless, and it’s true we won’t help Thomas by putting him in prison”
Bates: “I wouldn’t wish that on any man. Ha, imagine me feeling sorry for Thomas”
Mrs Hughes: “life is full of surprises”
Jimmy asks Mr Carson when Thomas is leaving as he “finds it very awkward” and Mr Bates says “he made a mistake, you’re still in one piece, why do you have to be such a big girl’s blouse about it?” – thank you John Bates
Jimmy then complains in the servant’s hall that Bates is “full of himself” and tells Alfred that he was “sticking up for Mr Barrow” and he has a go at Ivy when she says Thomas not getting a reference “isn’t right”
Ivy and Daisy are appalled that Thomas isn’t getting a reference – “what will he do?” Mrs Patmore suggests he could go abroad as “he might do well in America” Jimmy hears them talking and tells them to keep out of it – he’s being even more horrible than usual
Bates tells Robert the situation, and Robert questions why Carson didn’t bring it to him. Bates says Carson struggles to speak of it.
Robert: “it’s not as if we didn’t all know about Barrow”
Bates: “that’s what I said to Mrs Hughes”
Robert: “I mean if I shouted blue murder every time someone tried to kiss me at Eton I’d’ve gone hoarse in a month. What a tiresome fellow”
Bates: “it’s not the boys fault m’lord, he’s been whipped up, told if he doesn’t see it through we’d all suspect him of batting for the same team”
Robert: “crikey, but who would do that, who’s got it in for Barrow?”
Bates: “Miss O’Brien”
Robert: “O’Brien? I thought they were as thick as thieves?”
Bates: “not now m’lord”
Bates offers his help in stopping Jimmy and O’Brien but Thomas is resigned to his fate now – “you’ve heard of the phrase ‘to know when you’re beaten’ well I’m beaten Mr Bates, I'm well and truly beaten" – he’s so quiet and miserable, my poor boy 😭
Bates insists “then give me the weapon, and I’ll do the work. What can I say that’ll make her change her mind?” - throughout this scene he is soft spoken, won’t make eye contact, doesn’t rise to the bait when Bates tries to rile him up, and is gobsmacked when Bates offers to stop O’Brien on his behalf
Bates tells Anna he’s helping Thomas “because I know what it is to feel powerless, to see your life slide away and there’s nothing you can do to stop it”
Bates has O’Brien come to the cottage for tea and forces her to convince Jimmy to allow Thomas to have a reference
O’Brien convinces Jimmy that letting it go “would be the gentlemanly thing to do” – god Jimmy is so stupid
Robert tells Bates he’s glad they’ve settled Thomas getting a reference, but then says he’s upset he won’t be able to play in the cricket match – “I know we were soundly beaten last year, but he did get most of our runs”
Bates: “I thought we just wanted him to have a reference?”
Robert: “But now that I think of it, [Carson] should insist he stays on, he needs to reinstate his authority over James”
Bates: “couldn’t Mr Barrow just stay ‘til after the match m’lord, and then go?”
Robert: “that seems rather unkind, wouldn’t we be using him?”
Bates: “he may not want to stay m’lord, after the unpleasantness”
Robert: “I think he will, but don’t forget the cricket!”
Bates: “I won’t, m’lord”
Alfred is now pissed that Jimmy has “given in” and allowed Thomas to have a reference – “I heard he’s staying for the cricket match”
Bates tells Carson and Mrs Hughes that Robert wants Thomas to stay, but Carson doesn’t know what position to give him. Mrs Hughes suggests under-butler, but worries how they’ll convince Jimmy. Carson says “it’s His Lordship who wants Mr Barrow to stay on, so I think His Lordship can bring it about”
Scores a century in the cricket match – Robert congratulates him “well played Barrow, excellent innings”
Bates complains to Anna that Thomas is staying “I thought I was helping him to get out of our lives for good, now he ranks higher than I do”
Robert tells Molesley “we’re in good shape thanks to Barrow, but we could use a bonus” as he’s going in to bat
Robert promotes Jimmy to first footman to stop him from being a upset about Thomas staying
Alfred called the police, but Robert steps in and convinces Alfred to tell the police he’d been drinking and made a mistake
Robert: “Thomas does not choose to be the way he is… and what harm was done, really? That his life should be destroyed for it?
He’s grinning in the background when we see Tom make his catch
Misc notes: I love Rose / further proof that Robert is everyone’s dad
Episode Nine – A Journey to the Highlands (August 1921)
Takes charge of the hall boys
Helps Jimmy and Alfred lift some heavy luggage (Jimmy looks annoyed and uncomfortable)
Presides over breakfast
Questions Tufton when he arrives with groceries for Mrs Patmore “how do you know she wants to do business with you?” – “I can fight me own battles Mr Barrow” – more fond Mrs Patmore, my queen
Offers to return the dried ginger Tufton supplied when he goes into Thirsk
Hat Hat Hat HAT hat - that is literally all I wrote for the scene of him, Alfred and Jimmy at Tufton’s shop lmao
When Mrs Patmore asks Mrs Hughes if she can go to the fair - “Mr Barrow and the boys have asked to go to the same fair”
Offers to buy everyone a bottle of pop at the fair (Jimmy says he can buy his own)
Ivy and Daisy think Mrs Patmore has “a fancy man” – “she’s a woman ain’t she?” – “only technically”
Pouts after Tom asks to eat with the servants
Judges Edna for flirting with Tom – also a bit impressed by her audacity I think
Alfred tells Jimmy he needs to take it easy on Thomas and says it’s weird that Thomas “won’t hear a bad word about you”
Jimmy says the tug-of-war will be too rough for Mr Barrow – “oh I think I can manage”
Jacket off, sleeves rolled up, floppy hair!!!
HAPPY THOMAS WHEN THEY WIN – it’s just Rob and Allen being besties caught in the background but Thomas and Tom hugging is adorable
Follows drunk Jimmy and takes a beating to stop him getting mugged – such a brave boy
Is battered and bruised from the beating but Clarkson doesn’t find anything broken, and tells Mrs Hughes they need to get him home
The next morning Jimmy visits him to apologise for running off at the fair, and for how he’s been treating Thomas – “you were brave Mr Barrow, very brave” – he’s also a little bit pathetic, my dearest darling, I love him
Jimmy: “I can never give you what you want”
Thomas: “I understand that, I do, and I don’t ask for it. But I’d like it if we could be friends”
Jimmy: “right you are Mr Barrow, if that’s all, I think I can manage that”
Thomas: “thank you Jimmy, thank you” – Jimmy’s apology is very stilted but sincere, and they’re both grinning like idiots by the end of the conversation
Series Four
Episode One (February 1922)
Runs into Anna on the stairs and she tells him “Miss O’Brien’s upped and left” – “Never!” and he goes out into the main house and tells Jimmy, Ivy overhears and tells the maids, Alfred hears that and they all gather in the hall to gossip
Runs into Nanny West and a maid with the children on the driveway, and greets Miss Sybbie in her pram “hello! It’ll soon be time for you to get out and walk young lady”, when Nanny West tells him not to touch the children without her permission his face goes O-O
Thomas: “I would remind you that I knew this young girls mother, which you never did”
Nanny West: “that doesn’t make you her friend”
Thomas: “as a matter of fact, it does” – the facial expressions really make this scene
Nanny West asks him to tell Mrs Patmore to send up the children’s luncheon and he tells her “ask her yourself, why don’t you?” and walks away – this is a pointless observation but at the start of the scene Thomas is walking away from the house like he’s on his way into the village and then at the end when he walks away he heads back to the house?
Enters the servant’s hall and Jimmy leaps up from the chair by the fire so Thomas can have it – this is so funny like they’re friends now yes but what is this deference Jimmy
Thomas: “that Nanny West thinks too much of herself”
Alfred: “why, what’s she done?”
Thomas: “she only tried to give me orders”
Bates: “you mean she mistook you for a servant?”
Alfred: “but he is a servant”
Bates: “don’t tell him that, he’ll never get over the shock”
Thomas: *looks annoyed*
Asks Daisy who her Valentine is from, Jimmy says “don’t tease her Mr Barrow”
Cleaning up the tea when Nanny West brings the children into the drawing room, she offers to help – “no thank you Miss West, I can manage” looking bored, but he’s annoyed
Quietly judging Nanny West for being a kiss arse to Mary about George
Tells Nanny West she can tell Mrs Patmore herself if she has changes to the children’s food (also tells her that she should address him as Mr Barrow)
Asks Jimmy who he sent a Valentine to after he won’t tell Daisy, Jimmy tells him he sent one to Lady Anstruther as she “might be useful”
Thomas: “wasn’t that a bit forward?”
Jimmy: “I don’t think she’ll mind”
Mending the fire in the hall when Nanny West comes downstairs
Thomas: “can I help you?”
Nanny West: “I doubt you would if you could”
Thomas: “excuse me?”
Nanny West: “why didn’t you give my instructions to Mrs Patmore about the eggs?”
Thomas: “because I didn’t feel like it, besides, why can’t Miss Sybbie have an egg to her tea?”
Nanny West: “I don’t have to explain my decisions to you, you’re a member of staff and the orders I give are to be obeyed”
Thomas: “and aren’t you a member of staff?”
Nanny West: “not in that way, now I believe I’m needed upstairs”
He now has a vendetta against Nanny West for implying he’s above him
Catches Cora when she comes downstairs and tells her he’s worried that Nanny West has been “leaving the children to their own devices” – “you mean she’s neglecting them?” – “I wouldn’t’ve spoken up if it weren’t for a little girl and baby boy being put at risk” and Cora believes his concerns – Cora likes Thomas, and trusts his word
When Mary storms out of dinner he looks either upset or like he’s trying not to laugh? He has a weird expression on his face
Playing cards and smoking with Jimmy in the servant’s hall. Laughs when Alfred gets summoned by Mrs Patmore but doesn’t speak
Cora finds Nanny West being horrible to Sybbie, and the next morning when she and Robert come downstairs she tells him “we owe a great debt to Barrow here” and explains that Nanny West is leaving
Cora: “Barrow, I meant what I said, thank you”
Thomas: “I’m glad, Your Ladyship, I just had a hunch she wasn’t all Sir Garnet*” (*the phrase “all Sir Garnet” means that all is in order)
Misc notes: Spratt fucking with Moseley is funny but for fucks sake Violet should’ve told him what they were doing, I’m a bit sick of the “someone needs a new servant but we don’t tell our own servants we’re trying to help so they get worried they’re being replaced” plot / Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore gossiping is the best – “it’s not for me to have an opinion, but I will say this…”
Episode Two (March 1922)
Tries to get on Edna’s good side, asks how she’s finding it and if the others have “got used to her promotion”
Anna tells Edna to keep Thomas at arm’s length
Notices Edna is upset – “what’s the matter with you?”
Edna: “I’ve been a stupid fool” *shows him the burned shirt*
Thomas: “oh lordy, how did you manage that?” – he actually sounds so concerned
Edna: “daydreaming… she’ll be livid”
Thomas: “not if you do as I tell you, c’mon”
Tells Cora that Edna couldn’t tell her what happened to the shirt without “pointing the finger” and that he couldn’t say either because he’s “already in enough trouble with Mr Bates as it is” and implies that Anna was at fault – “there’s no one so jealous as a lady’s maid”
Quietly judging Mr Molesley, and wondering what Bates is up to when he gives him the money – his face is priceless
Answers the door when Sam Thawley comes looking for Rose – “the housemaid Rose? Look chum…” Anna catches him and says she’ll deal with it, and Thomas can absolutely tell that something fishy is happening
Laughing with Edna in the servant’s hall when he’s supposed to be serving (Anna and Bates see and realise that he’s the reason Cora and Robert think Anna has been cruel to Edna)
Misc notes: Excellent quote from Mr Molesley – “you’re not discourteous Mr Bates, I’ll give you that, but you’re not friendly”
Episode Three (April 1922)
Directing traffic as the house party guests arrive
Serving drinks after dinner, Tom catches him – “Thomas, get me a drink will you for God’s sake?” – “It’s Barrow now sir, but yes of course” – Tom looks so exasperated but fond
When Samson suggests a round of cards, Robert says he’ll “have them set up a table. Barrow?” – “already done, m’lord” – too good at his job
All the boys have gathered in the boot room, and Mr Green tells them Samson got a fortune off Sir John, but that Lord Gillingham is “too smart for that, he got out of the game early” but Thomas says “that’s not what I heard” – he’s smoking (of course) and he breathes it out his nose and looks like a dragon, I love him
Comes downstairs during dinner to see what the delay is, and finds out that Jimmy has hurt himself and can’t carry his tray so Carson tells him he’ll have to – “Mr Carson, must I remind you that I am the under-butler?” – “I don’t care if you’re the high cockalorum*. You’re a footman tonight” (*high cockalorum means an important person, boss, or chief; and describing someone as a cockalorum is a way to call them self-important)
He takes the tray and Jimmy whispers an apology to him but Thomas is pissed
Carson asks Mr Molesley to help out as a footman as Thomas “believes the duties are beneath him” – THEY ARE YOU ARSE CARSON, well like Thomas could help out but Carson treats him like shit so why would he want to
Is blank-faced during the concert, but looks rather moved during O mio babbino caro
Misc notes: Violet: “Tom’s small talk is very small indeed” Robert: “not everyone can be Oscar Wilde” Violet: “that’s a relief” / ROBERT BLAMING CARSON FOR CORA BEING UPSET WITH HIM FOR DAME NELLIE NOT BEING TREATED WELL IS THE COMEUPPANCE CARSON NEEDS / DOES EDNA DRUG TOM??? / oh god Anna
Episode Four (April 1922)
Concerned for Anna when he sees her injured face – “blimey, what happened to you?”
Grins at Jimmy when he complains about being volunteered by Carson to help the visiting lady’s maids
Notices the table is quiet at breakfast “what’s the matter with everyone this merry morn?” Carson says “I always think there’s something rather foreign about high spirits at breakfast”
Helping get the guests gone
Hears Tom talking to Edna about “last night”
Finds Edna humming, questions her as she was “so down in the mouth” talking to Tom
Edna: “you think you can read me like a book”
Thomas: “I pride myself on keeping my eyes open”
Edna: “you’ll need to keep your eyes open and your ears too where I’m concerned… there will be a day when you’re glad you kept in with me”
Is suspicious of whatever Edna is up to
Runs into Edna on the stairs after she’s been caught by Mrs Hughes – “what’s the matter with you? I thought we were all about to be dancing to your tune?”
Edna: “do you ever wonder why people dislike you so much? It’s because you are sly and oily and smug, and I’m really pleased I got the chance to tell you before I go”
Thomas: “well if we’re playing the truth game, then you’re a manipulative little witch and if your schemes have come to nothing I’m delighted. Are you leaving Downton then?”
Edna: “what’s it to you?”
Thomas: “oh, plenty. It’s plenty to me”
Catches Robert in the hall to tell him he has a candidate to take over from Edna, Robert says to discuss it with Cora but he doesn’t object – “she’s a little older than Miss Braithwaite” and Tom says “well that won’t hurt”
Episode Five (May 1922)
Baxter arrives!!!
Bates wonders what Miss Baxter “sees in our friend Thomas”
When Mrs Patmore displays her disapproval of Baxter’s sewing machine Thomas tells her “Mrs Patmore is not what you’d call a futurist” – “I think I’d got there already” – the sibling vibes are already strong
Sees there’s some tension between the Bates’
He’s been feeding Miss Baxter info so Cora will trust her, and he’s glad she hasn’t made any enemies downstairs either – “that was Miss O’Brien’s mistake, no one liked her so no one told her anything”
Miss Baxter: “they don’t like you much”
Thomas: “that’s why you’re here, to rectify that failing on my part”
Offers Miss Baxter’s help when Mrs Patmore realises she’s torn her apron – you can pry the belief that Mrs Patmore likes Thomas from my cold dead hands, she’s just so fond, even if she thinks he’s a little shit
Comes into the servant’s hall to tell Mrs Patmore Cora is on her way down to see her, and congratulates Miss Baxter on getting on Mrs Patmore’s good side – “another one roped to the chariot”
Miss Baxter: “I’m grateful for this job Thomas, and we both know why. Now what’s it all about”
Thomas: “there’s going to be changes at Downton.. so I want to know about any plans upstairs – any detail, no matter how small, understand?”
Miss Baxter: “did the other lady’s maids keep you informed?”
Thomas: “O’Brien, yes, but we fell out”
Miss Baxter: “what about Mrs Bates, is she an enemy? She knows what’s going on”
Thomas: “no, she’s not an enemy, but she’s incorruptible so we have nothing in common”
Miss Baxter: “she’s also silent, shouldn’t think I’ve had four words out her since I arrived”
Thomas: “just get them all to trust you and tell you everything”
Episode Six (June 1922)
Tries to be intimidating when he asks Baxter for a report, and is annoyed when she tells him she knows Rose and Cora have a secret they want Mrs Hughes to keep but that she doesn’t know what the secret is
Approaches Mrs Hughes after Rose leaves her sitting room – “I wondered why Lady Rose was down here”
Mrs Hughes: “and you will continue to wonder”
Thomas: “that’s very mysterious Mrs Hughes”
Mrs Hughes: “you know me Mr Barrow, a woman of mystery if ever there was one”
Thomas: “well her secret won’t affect us?”
Mrs Hughes: “how can you be so sure?”
Thomas: “now you have got me worried”
Mrs Hughes: “I am sorry to hear that Mr Barrow, but now you must let me get on” – she is having so much fun messing with him. Thomas is actually concerned, because of course he is, he may have a position now but he’s still not secure in it
He tells Baxter after dinner that she needs to find out more (the servants were discussing jobs over dinner and that would’ve worried him more, especially when Carson talks about working with people “who don’t want to be here”)
When Alfred leaves he tells him “don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” – Mrs Patmore says “that gives you a bit of leeway” – I am cackling
Baxter tells him “Anna’s been hurt somehow and Bates feels he should’ve protected her” – Thomas says she needs to find out how Anna was hurt, but Baxter is hesitant because she doesn’t “like telling tales” or that Cora deserves her spying. Thomas reminds her that “you knew the conditions when you came” and that she needs to “decide where your first loyalties lie, with her or with me”
Miss Baxter: “alright, have it your own way:
Thomas: “oh, I intend to”
Looks shocked when Mr Ross arrives (he probably also thinks he’s attractive)
During upstairs dinner, Carson gives him a look and he nods and gestures to James and Molesley to start clearing plates – this is such a tiny moment but I LOVE IT SO MUCH, showing how the servants work
Episode Seven (July 1922)
Mary tells Robert he can’t take Bates to America and that Thomas should go instead
Robert: “suppose Thomas doesn’t want to go?”
Mary: “of course he will, all those handsome stewards strolling down the boat decks”
Robert: “what do you know of such things?”
Mary: “I’ve been married, I know everything”
Robert tells Bates to stay behind and that “Thomas has been selected as your deputy”
Is packing in the boot room and Jimmy complains that he wishes he were going – “I’m not sorry, I can say that”
When Jimmy says he’s had no luck courting Ivy, Thomas tells him “when I get back, I want to find you happy and healthy and courting a girl from the village” then says “c’mon, lets go up, you can wish me luck”
Overseeing James and Molesley loading luggage – in his traveling clothes and wearing his stupid fucking bowler hat (I don’t care if it was the fashion it looks stupid)
Says goodbye to Miss Baxter “I look forward to a full report when I get back. Why am I going instead of Mr Bates?” – “I don’t know” – “No, but that’s what you’re going to find out” – BYE THOMAS 😭
Mr Molesley is also a bit jealous – “what a chance for Mr Barrow!”
Episode Eight (August 1922)
Mr Molesley tells Miss Baxter “that we don’t much care for Mr Barrow. I’m sorry if that offends you” – “I’m not offended” – “I wish you’d give us credit for making our own minds up about you”
When Thomas returns Mr Molesley asks how it was – “interesting. Very modern, very interesting. How’s it been here?” and Jimmy says “not very interesting and not very modern”
Robert says hello to Mr Bates and asks “have you missed me? Because I have certainly missed you” and looks over at Thomas in a judgemental way – Robert how fucking dare you
Asks Baxter “anything to tell me about life since I’ve been away?” – “No, nothing’s happened” – “I’ll find out if it has, you know” and Mr Molesley tells him to leave her alone “we don’t want any bullying brought back from overseas” and leads Baxter away
Misc notes: so many things in this show would be solved if people just asked the questions they wanted to ask
Episode Nine – The London Season Part One (Summer 1923)
Asks Daisy if she’s looking forward to going to London – “why would I be? What difference does it make whether you peel potatoes in London or peel them in Yorkshire?” he laughs and tells her to “tell Miss Baxter that I’m looking forward to hearing the stories she’s got to tell me” – “that’s odd, what stories?” – “just tell her, she’ll understand” – it’s a bit surprising how nice he is to Daisy really
Once the family has left he asks Tom if he has “any orders for Ivy, sir?” and Tom says he doesn’t want to make trouble
Paces the kitchen ranting to Ivy about having to wait on Tom “hand and foot” and Ivy says he always seems nice to her, which Thomas doesn’t realty disagree with “but we still have to call him sir” – he’s so annoyed, I love expressive Thomas
Daisy passes his message on to Miss Baxter – Daisy seems to be the only one of the staff who calls him Thomas without him correcting her, maybe also Mrs Patmore?
Finds Tom and Miss Bunting on the gallery
Overseeing Tom’s breakfast, and Tom tells him he needn’t stay but Thomas says “I like to keep an eye on things sir, do it Mr Carson’s way” – so Tom tries to explain why he and Miss Bunting were on the gallery and Thomas pretends he doesn’t know what Tom thinks he thought they were doing. Tom tells him she’ll be back and that he didn’t want Thomas to think anything untoward had happened – “however you wish to command me. I am your servant, Mr Branson, but I wasn’t aware I was under orders as to what I might think” *fist of rage* - Tom addresses him as Mr Barrow, which isn’t correct as a member of the family, he should just be ‘Barrow’. Thomas is such a shit to Tom, and I swear he calls him sir a lot more than he actually needs to
Asks to sit in the backseat of the car with Tom instead of in the front with the chauffeur and Ivy (and her basket), Tom asks whether he’d dare ask such a thing of Robert – “I doubt we’d be in the same car”. Ivy is just standing there like what the fuck and suggests they put her basket on the back of the car with the luggage, and Tom says that is a good idea – I see clearly why much of the fandom thinks Tom and Thomas are secretly shagging, they’re so stupid around each other
Misc notes: shout out to that tumblr post that pointed out Thomas in the scene of Carson suggesting outings to the staff in London and then cutting to the scene of Tom, Thomas, and Ivy about to leave Yorkshire 😆
Episode Ten – The London Season Part Two (Summer 1923)
Tells Robert he found Tom and Miss Bunting on the gallery and was concerned for the “honour of the family” and that Tom “is still a young man and he can’t be expected to remain single forever”
Asks Miss Baxter what’s going on and that he “knows there’s something” and Molesley swoops in to rescue her
Confronts Miss Baxter when she’s alone at the table
Thomas: “you’re very thoughtful, Miss Baxter”
Miss Baxter: “am I?”
Thomas: “it’s no use ganging up with Mr Molesley, he can’t protect you like I can and he doesn’t know what I know, does he?”
Miss Baxter: “he knows how to be kind, Mr Barrow, he has the advantage of you there”
Molesley tells Miss Baxter “I don’t know what Mr Barrow has over you and I don’t want to know, but you mustn’t let him bully you” – “That’s easy to say” – “I know, but if he draws you into his schemes it won’t be easy for you either. Sometimes it’s better to take a risk rather than go down the wrong path”
Sees Mary and Tony leave the ballroom, and gives them a curious look when they come back
Threatens Miss Baxter, but she stands up to him – “don’t make me act harshly, Miss Baxter, as you know I can”
Playing ball with the other boys on the beach 🥺
Misc notes: When Carson tells Jimmy he can help at the picnic and Mr Slade asks if he minds he says “I’m a footman, I’ve no right to mind” which feels so Thomas / why is everyone so unenthusiastic about Carson’s ideas for their outing, I’d love to go to the museum / why does no one seem to understand how train tickets work, they’re on trains all the time / Mary’s men are annoying me
I love Scott Hunter so much. He’s the most beautiful man in the world. He runs like he’s used to having way more than four limbs. His flirting game is actively terrifying. He has big sad eyes and perfect stubble. He’s so tired. He murdered Canadian golden boy Shane Hollander on live television. He met Kip 2.5 times, took him back to his fancy-ass New York apartment, declared his love, and asked him to move in. He’s a goal-driven perfectionist, which means he’s probably awesome at sex. His tiny smile when he realized Kip was still in his apartment is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. He looks amazing in his teensy boxer briefs. He’s so sad and he’s wayyyy too much, just, as a person. He’s so scared. He’s the most awkward potato I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s been so alone for so long. He’s SO scared. He wants his life to be different so badly, but he still feels like he has to hide his stupid blueberry banana socks.
Anyway, apparently there are people who didn’t like Heated Rivalry season 1, episode 3, but I simply cannot relate. Sorry you hate fun, I guess.
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