Have to put Series Five and Six in a reblog because this got so long tumblr wouldn't process it
Episode One (February 1924)
Finds Jimmy reading “another” letter from Lady Anstruther – “Blimey, she doesn’t give up easily”
Jimmy: “well you know me, irresistible’s my middle name”
Thomas: “was she like this while you were working for her?”
Jimmy: “not as bad, she had to be more discreet with the other servants”
Thomas: “hadn’t you better do up to London and put her out of her misery?”
Jimmy: “don’t tempt me, because I know this; if I weaken, I’ll pay for it”
Carson: “this sounds very much like the kind of “boy’s talk” I do not allow. If you can both tear yourselves away from your smutty deliberations, I need you both upstairs”
They both run off like scolded children – Thomas is quite concerned about Lady Anstruther’s attention to Jimmy
Sits with Miss Baxter at the table, and says “I wish you’d tell me what you know about [the Bates’]”
Miss Baxter: “I don’t know anything”
Thomas: “what you suspect then, because I’ve seen you. You can’t keep your eyes off them when you think no one’s looking”
Molesley: “can I join in?”
Thomas: “do you have to?” *bitchy look*
Doesn’t add to the discussion on the Labour government, until Jimmy says “up the workers!” and Mrs Patmore says “James is a revolutionary!” then he says “he’s not a revolutionary, he believe in justice for the majority, what’s wrong with that?” – “nothing, but I suppose he can fight his own battles”
Is really concerned when Jimmy has another letter from Lady Anstruther, Jimmy says it’s his own fault for sending her Valentine’s cards and tells Thomas not to worry – “one day I’ll settle down. We all settle down one day” – “we don’t all have the option” – Jimmy you’ve made him sad you bastard, I may not hate you outright anymore but you’re still on thin ice
Corners Miss Baxter on the stairs, and does his best to be intimidating – “I’m tired of waiting Miss Baxter” – “I’m tired of being bullied” – “I got you this job, and you knew what I wanted in return so don’t complain about it now”
Sees Miss Baxter watching the Bates’ again – “I’ll have it out of you” then Molesley invites her outside and Thomas goes to smoke with Jimmy – “what’s wrong with you? You’ve not said a word all afternoon” and Jimmy says he telephoned Lady Anstruther and that it was a mistake – “she hates getting older and that at the bottom of it”
Thomas: “still it’s pathetic for a Lady to be pining over a footman”
Jimmy: “excuse me, I think it shows very good taste” – Thomas is so concerned, and I think the situation is dragging up memories of how he was treated by the Duke
Molesley tells Miss Baxter to report Thomas to Cora
Tries to catch Cora after dinner but she’s busy talking to Mary and Edith
Jimmy shows him the next letter from Lady Anstruther that just says “see you soon” and Thomas says “blimey, what does that mean?” with a concerned look on his face and Jimmy looks worried
Overhears Miss Baxter saying “it seems a bit ironic for Mr Bates to dress [Lord Gillingham]” and asks what she means, but she refuses to explain and runs off
Corners Miss Baxter and tells her that if she doesn’t tell him the connection between Bates and Mr Green by dinnertime he’ll tell Cora her story – “I can’t tell you what I don’t know” – “but you know something” and he really frightens her
Quietly judging Lady Anstruther when she tells Cora her car broke down
Molesley convinces Miss Baxter to tell her story to Cora – “I may not know your story but I do know it’ll be worse if Mr Barrow tells her first”
Relaying the dining table to fit Lady Anstruther and Thomas asks Jimmy why she’s there – “they don’t know her, do they?”
Jimmy: “if they do she never said so to me”
Thomas: “what are you going to say to her”
Jimmy: “who says I’ll get a chance to say anything”
Thomas: “go on, have it out. She’s playing with you like a cat with a vole”
Carson asks Jimmy if he knew Lady Anstruther was coming since he worked for her at one time, and Thomas jumps in to defend him – “that was quite a while back, wasn’t it James?” and Carson leaves it alone, handing Thomas the seating chart to adjust
Baxter tells Cora that she needs to tell her something “before Mr Barrow does”
Miss Baxter: “Mr Barrow wants to tell you about something in my past m’lady. I’ve a secret you see, a bad secret”
Cora: “how does he know it?”
Miss Baxter: “I was a friend of his sister’s when we were growing up”
Cora: “if he knew something wrong about you why would he put you forward for the job? I think you better tell me”
Anna tells Thomas and Jimmy that Lady Anstruther’s chauffeur said there’s nothing wrong with the car, and Thomas tells Jimmy that that proves she’s there to see him
Jimmy: “I don’t know what she wants”
Thomas: “don’t you? ‘Cause I do”
Jimmy: “it’s embarrassing”
Thomas: “I have a feeling it could get a lot more embarrassing if you don’t find a way to keep her quiet”
Carson scolds Jimmy for receiving a note from Lady Anstruther during dinner and Thomas tells him that Jimmy “could hardly slap her hand away” and that he’s thrown the note away
Catches Cora on her way upstairs, and she scolds him for recommending Baxter when he knew she was a convicted thief
Thomas: “I wanted her to have another chance”
Cora: “don’t you think that should’ve been my decision in my own house?”
Thomas: “yes m’lady, perhaps it should”
Cora: “why tell me now? Because if you’ve been using your knowledge against her I’ll have to consider your future here Barrow, indeed if you have one at all”
Thomas: *looks like he might cry* “I just thought I’d been wrong and you ought to know”
Goes downstairs upset and runs into Miss Baxter on the stairs – “you think you’re so clever don’t you!”
Helps Jimmy sneak into Lady Anstruther’s room, and they see Tony go into Mary’s room
Jimmy: “the trouble is I can’t resist when it’s offered on a plate”
Thomas: “well you’re not alone there”
Jimmy: “you’re a real pal, Thomas, really”
Thomas: “well, I try to be”
Discovers Edith’s room on fire and sounds the alarm before pulling her out of her bed and away from the fire
In the hallway with Edith on a chair when Robert comes – “Barrow! Is she all right?” – “I think so m’lord” and Robert tells him to get her away from the smoke and that he’ll check the bedrooms. Thomas tries to stop him and go instead to protect Jimmy but Robert tells him to hurry up and help Edith.
Cora finds him outside – “Barrow, we have to thank you for raising the alarm and rescuing Lady Edith so bravely. What were you doing on the gallery?”
Thomas: “just keeping an eye on things”
Cora: “thank goodness you were. I was angry with you before and was tempted to take it further but I accept that you have earned our goodwill by your actions tonight”
Thomas: “thank you m’lady”
Misc notes: “I’m going upstairs to take off my hat” which is a meme in my family and I love that you can see Elizabeth corpsing when the camera cuts back to Cora / Molesley asks Miss Baxter “how do you think I look” and her immediate response is “why, have you got a rash?” I AM CACKLING / I love Cora, she’s so nice
Sees Jimmy off – “well, this is it then” and Jimmy says “I’m sorry for putting you through all that trouble, you’ve been a good friend to me Thomas. If anyone had told me I’d been friends with a man like you I’d’ve not believed them, but we have been friends and I’m sad to see the back of you. I am”
Thomas: “could always write” – he’s so SAD
Jimmy: “I’m not much at letter writing, I’ll do me best, but in case we don’t meet again; I hope you find some happiness, I do truly”
Thomas: “I hope the same for you too Jimmy” – he’s going to cry, Jimmy I will fight you. With Jimmy gone and Miss Baxter not playing his game, he’s so alone
Mrs Patmore giving food to Molesley to take up to the servery – “shall I put it on one tray, or will Mr Barrow lend a hand?” – “one tray please, I can’t be bothered to fight it out with him”
Pouring the white wine at lunch
Stops Miss Baxter on the stairs – “up you go Miss Goody-two-shoes, you can play the Holy Mother all you like, you still nearly got me sacked!” – this has such sibling energy – she gets past him and Mr Molesley confronts him – “leave her alone!”
Thomas: “oh gallant Mr Molesley! She’s never told you though, has she?”
Molesley: “Miss Baxter has had troubles in her past, which you tried to use against her until Her Ladyship put a stop to it. That is all I need to know”
Thomas: “I knew she hadn’t told you” – then he has to immediately turn around and be nice to Rose who is looking for Mrs Patmore
Sitting in front of the fire, one of the hall boys brings him a clean pair of shoes, then he lights a cigarette and goes back to the newspaper. Mr Molesley comes in and he says “if you’re looking for Miss Baxter, she’s still upstairs”
Daisy: “why do you have to make everything sound so nasty all the time?”
Thomas: “I’m nasty about Miss Baxter because she came here to help and support me and she’s broken her word”
Daisy: “I doubt that’s how she’d put it” *walks out*
Thomas: “do you think with her past she’d come near a house like this? She’d be lucky to get work in a public laundry”
Molesley: “I’m sure she’s grateful”
Thomas: “then she has a funny way of showing it. You do know she’s a thief? Stole her mistress’s jewels” *smirks*
Molesley: “there must be more to it than that”
Thomas: “no, she sneaked up to the bedroom, snatched up the pieces; pearl necklaces, diamond bracelets, put them in her pockets then tried to make it look as if someone had broken in”
Molesley: “well she was obviously unsuccessful”
Thomas: “they gave her five years but she only served three, came out a few months before I brought her up here so don’t say she doesn’t owe me”
Bates: *walks in* “has Mrs Bates come down yet?”
Thomas: “not yet. We were just discussing your friend Miss Baxter”
Bates: “is she my friend particularly?”
Thomas: “she seems to think so”
Bates: “I know you mean to lead me into further inquiry but I couldn’t care less what you think Thomas, on that subject or any other”
Thomas: “no you don’t, ‘cause you listened to the story. Didn’t you?”
Molesley tells Miss Baxter that Thomas told him that she stole from her employer – “his account was a bleak one” and he asks why she did it but she won’t explain
Tells Rose and Tom that Miss Bunting is downstairs giving Daisy her lesson
Stands between Carson and Anna during the King’s address on the wireless with a blank look on his face
Looks sad when they come downstairs and Anna notices – “cheer up Mr Barrow, weren’t you glad to hear the King? I expect it’s difficult for you with Jimmy gone, we all need a special friend from time to time”
Thomas: “I wasn’t special to him, not truly”
Anna: “I don’t agree, I think he liked you”
Thomas: “maybe, a little, but I don’t think I’m very likeable to people here”
Anna: “do you want to be?”
Thomas: “there are times when I’d like to belong. *sad laugh* Does that sound funny?”
Anna: “Not to me, not at all”
He smiles at her sadly then when Bates walks in goes to sit at the table looking so sad and lost in thought
Knocks on the door to Carson’s office – “ah, there’s a policeman here to see you Mr Carson” – cheeky little shit
Willis: “just Sargeant Willis, Mr Carson” *pushing past Thomas into the room*
Carson: “thank you Mr Barrow, your scaremongering has not succeeded, that will be all”
Asks Mr Carson if he can make a telephone call
Carson: “don’t make a habit of it”
Thomas: “I’m sorry to ask but I wonder if I might be alone?”
Thomas: *basically slams the pantry door behind Carson* “Hello, I’ve been reading your advertisement in The London Magazine – Choose Your Own Path” – oh god
Molesley tells Carson there’s a telephone call for Mr Barrow
Carson: “then you better go and find him, now that you’re first footman”
Over dinner Carson says “I hope your flurry of telephonic communications does not involve bad news, Mr Barrow?”
Thomas: “my father’s ill, Mr Carson”
Carson: “I am sorry. Will you need time off?” *annoyed*
Thomas: “Well I ought to leave in the morning”
Thomas: “if you want me to see him alive”
Carson: “Oh my heaven, of course I do, course you must go”
Miss Baxter: “I’m sorry to hear it, I remember your father very well”
Thomas: “don’t pretend you could care less”
Miss Baxter: “I’ve known your family for a good long time, I may not want to be your spy but nothing changes that”
Miss Baxter: “your dad was always kind to me”
Thomas: “was he? ‘Cause he was never very kind to me” – he looks so upset
Thomas is in London for the rest of the episode, being tortured
Misc notes: Cora reminiscing on the war when she “was running everything with Barrow” / Robert is such a bitch to Cora oh my god
He walks into the servant’s hall and Carson says “ah, Mr Barrow, you’re back. I’m afraid you’ve missed our luncheon but you’re in time to help upstairs” – Carson I hate you
Mrs Hughes: “maybe there’s something left” – she at least looks concerned for Thomas
Thomas: “don’t bother, I’m not hungry”
Carson: “charming as ever, I see”
Miss Baxter: “how’s your father doing?”
Thomas: “much better, as it happens, in fact he’s quite well again”
Thomas: “yes, it is” – he looks terrible
He comes into the dining room looking like a scolded child and Carson hands him a salad to serve. Cora smiles at Thomas as very neatly delivers her a salad plate – I love Cora
Carson tells Molesley he “was looking for Mr Barrow” to clean some silver, and Molesley says he’s gone out. Carson goes on with the ‘first footman’ teasing and gets Molesley to do it instead
Thomas comes into the kitchen to steal a spoon and Mrs Hughes scolds him – “I hope there’s no cooking going on up in your room!?” – he doesn’t say anything but Mr Molesley says “I should find out what he’s up to”, Mrs Patmore says “I’m sure it’s nothing” and they leave it
Once the family have coffee, Thomas and Molesley leave them – Molesley opens the door for Thomas like a good little underling
Baxter walks past the bathroom as Thomas cries out and demands to know who’s in the room – “hello, who’s in there? Please let me know who’s in there!?”
Thomas: *through the door* “go away”
Miss Baxter: “Mr Barrow? Would you like me to fetch a man to help you?”
Thomas: *opens the door, crying* “what man? There isn’t a man in this house who’d help me”
Miss Baxter: *pushes into the room and sees the box of ‘medicine’* “what’s the matter with you?”
Thomas: *pushes her out* “just mind your own business”
Baxter is sewing in the servant’s hall, Thomas is loitering in the doorway – “has Molesley gone to bed?”
Thomas: “Mrs Patmore needs more chafing dishes first thing tomorrow”
Miss Baxter: “you can tell him in the morning”
Thomas: “you’re not so pally now, are you? Why are you still up?”
Miss Baxter: “I just wanted to get this finished. Your father was never ill, was he?”
Thomas: “I’m sorry?” – he looks confused
Miss Baxter: “are you the one who’s ill? Is that it? Is that why you went away?”
Thomas: “what’s it to do with you?”
Miss Baxter: “I’m right, aren’t I? You’re the one who’s ill, you went away to be treated and now you’re trying to carry on with the treatment yourself”
Thomas: *upset* “yeah, well it has nothing to do with you so just leave me alone” – Miss Baxter looks like she’s trying not to cry as he walks away
Mrs Hughes finds The London Magazine dropped in the passage and Anna tells her she’d seen Mr Barrow reading it. Mrs Hughes gives it to Miss Baxter to give to him. Baxter sees the earmarked Choose Your Own Path ad and Thomas catches her looking at it and snatches the magazine away – “where did you get this? Have you been in my room?”
Miss Baxter: “course not, you dropped it in the passageway and Mrs Hughes found it”
Thomas: “Mrs Hughes may have, but Miss Baxter read it!”
Miss Baxter: “I’m sorry for what you’ve put yourself through if what I think is correct”
Thomas: “Don’t you pity me, don’t you dare pity me” – she’s so upset and he’s miserable and pale
Is a bit surprised when Robert calls for Daisy and Mrs Patmore at dinner
After Robert storms out of dinner:
Anna: “it’s true then? I thought Mr Barrow might be exaggerating”
Mrs Hughes: “it seems he wasn’t, for once”
Misc notes: Robert stop ignoring your wife / Edith stalking is creepy
Lets Molesley into the library with the tea tray
Hears Carson telling Anna that Sgt Willis is coming to see her and Mary
Asks Mrs Hughes who the London detective is and why he keeps questioning the Bates’
Mrs Hughes: “you’ll have to ask Mr Vyner”
Thomas: “I may just do that, who knows, I might have something to tell him”
Mrs Hughes: “don’t make trouble, Mr Barrow”
Thomas: “are you saying I shouldn’t do my duty, Mrs Hughes?”
Mrs Hughes: “no. I’m asking you not to make trouble. Are you quite well? You looks as if you could do with a lie down?”
Thomas: “don’t worry about me” *looks like he’s dying*
He falters at dinner and Violet notices – “Barrow, are you quite well? Carson have you been overworking him?”
Carson: “not that I’m aware of, Your Ladyship. Mr Barrow am I ill-treating you?”
Thomas: “you are the soul of kindness, Mr Carson”
Carson: “thank you, Mr Barrow” *glaring at Thomas* - Molesley gives Thomas a weird look
Falters on his way upstairs with the port and Miss Baxter catches him – “you’ve got to stop this, you’re poisoning yourself”
Miss Baxter: “look at you, sweating like a beast”
Thomas: “just because Her Ladyship let you stay you think you can boss us all around”
Asks Anna is she’s heard “any more from that policeman?”
Thomas: “do you think you will?”
Anna: “no, I hope not anyway” – she looks kind of annoyed but doesn’t dither over it
After Anna leaves, Bates: “why do you pester her with this?” – he’s pissed, ofc
Thomas: “because I feel like it” – he’s trying to act normal and like he knows everything
Supervising the hall boys rolling up the rug
Serving cocktails at the gathering
Misc notes: Mr Bricker slips Carson money as he’s leaving???
Anna: “honestly Mr Barrow, you should take some time off and have a rest, you look dreadful”
Thomas: “I’m perfectly fine thank you, I’ve never felt better”
Bates: “you’ve never looked worse”
Thomas: “since you’re indifferent to my opinions, Mr Bates, it’s only fitting I am indifferent to yours”
When the servants hear that Mr Gregson is confirmed dead – “of course I’m sorry but lets face it, he’s been dead for over a year, that’s when he went missing” – Thomas is weird about death
Anna: “yes, but he didn’t die for Lady Edith until this afternoon, that’s what matters isn’t it?”
Told the police that Miss Baxter knows something
Asks Mrs Hughes if she’s seen Miss Baxter
Mrs Hughes: “it’s not like you to seek Miss Baxter’s company”
Thomas: “I’m serious, Mrs Hughes”
Miss Baxter: “it’s alright, I heard”
Thomas: “I need to talk with you please”
He leads her to the bathroom upstairs and shows her the ‘medicine’ box
Thomas: “I’m sorry about this”
Miss Baxter: “go on, I can take it” *he shows her the abcess* “God in heaven”
Thomas: “thought it would pass but it just keeps getting worse, can’t sleep”
Miss Baxter: “I’m not surprised”
Thomas: “help me, you were always asking if I need help, well now’s your chance. I don’t know what to do”
Miss Baxter: “we’re going to the doctor. Now. And we’ll show him the syringe and the liquid you’ve injected, all the pills you’ve been taking, all of it. Follow me down in five minutes, we’ll meet by the back door. And bring everything with you. Do you understand?"
He looks so ashamed but nods. Then he stops her leaving
Thomas: “I’ve done something I shouldn’t have. If you knew what it was, you wouldn’t want to be part of this” – this is him apologising for writing to the police
Miss Baxter: “I know what it was. Now come down in five minutes”
He’s so ashamed in the doctor’s office
Clarkson: “I assume this is a course of treatment you’ve spent money on?”
Thomas: “yes. A lot of money. I went to London for what they call ‘electrotherapy’ and the pills and injections were meant to continue the process”
Clarkson: “the purpose of which was?”
Thomas: “to change me, to make me more like other people, other men” – he won’t make eye contact and spends half the scene blinking a lot to hold back tears
Clarkson: “well I’ll not be coy and pretend I don’t understand, nor do I blame you. But there is no drug, no electric shock that will achieve what you want”
Thomas: “you mean I’ve been taken for a mug”
Clarkson: “my advice to you Thomas would be to accept the burden that chance has seen fit to lay upon you and to fashion as good a life as you’re able. Remember, harsh reality is always better than false hope”
Thomas just nods – I reckon Clarkson told him something similar during the war
Thomas and Miss Baxter leave the hospital
Thomas: “well, that’ll give you a good laugh”
Miss Baxter: “it won’t, and I don’t expect you to understand but I think it shows you to be a very brave person”
Thomas: *smiles, almost laughs* “what?”
Miss Baxter: “to inflict such pain on yourself to achieve your goal. Think what you could do in this world if you just set your mind to it”
Thomas: *looks at her for a moment* “you’re daft, y’know that?” *laughs*
He looks better when he lets Mary into the drawing room that night
Serving for the family at the point-to-point
Helping take luggage up from the cars after the point-to-point
Tells Cora that Mrs Drewe has come to see her
Tells Mrs Patmore when the family are going in to dinner
Drinking tea in the kitchen after dinner while Mrs Patmore and Mr Molesley discuss Daisy’s studies. Mrs Patmore suggests Mr Molesley should tell her that he wants to help
Mr Molesley: “she wouldn’t listen”
Thomas: “well spotted, what about Mr Mason?”
Mrs Patmore: “funnily enough, Mr Barrow might be right for once”
Working with Mrs Hughes and Carson in the passage, then comes into the servant’s hall to get Molesley to remove the baize from the tables, and gets worried about Miss Baxter trying to help the Bates’
Miss Baxter: “I can’t, I feel sorry for them”
Thomas: “then tell them why you had to talk to the police”
Miss Baxter: “I’d feel ashamed”
Pouring tea for Miss Baxter at lunch
When Mr Molesley tells Daisy that Mr Mason has invited them to the farm, Thomas tells Miss Baxter that she should go with them
Miss Baxter: “what’s it to you?”
Thomas: “you did me a good turn when I’d done you a bad one, so I think you deserve a treat”
Mr Molesley: “he’s right, it’ll do you good”
Carries Isis into the library for Robert after she’s been seen by the vet and looks very upset while Robert explains that she’s ill – Robert and Thomas have a cute little bond over Isis
Clears Larry’s place after he’s forced out of the dinner
Misc notes: Thomas and Mrs Patmore are besties and you can’t convince me otherwise / BYE ISIS 😭😭😭
Supervising the hall boys with luggage and giving Carson and Mrs Hughes the inventory lists
Helps Robert into the car
Is pleased to see the temporary footman, Andy, is less pleased by Miss Denker’s interest in him so spirits him off to “show [him] how it all works”
Explaining to Andy in the kitchen – “now, in London, we supervise but they help themselves to coffee and drinks from a side table. Once they settle we leave them to it”
Andy: “at my last place the footmen stayed ‘til they went to bed” *Thomas fixing his bowtie”
Thomas: “not here. If they want a second drink it’s up to them.” *finishes with the bowtie* “there we are”
Andy looks at him kind of nervously
Announces the Sinderbys and Atticus before dinner
Asks Andy about his night – “did you go for your walk with Miss Denker?”
Andy: “yes I bloody well did, the more fool me” *walks off*
Playing cards with Andy after lunch when Carson tells them there’s no upstairs dinner that night. When Andy leaves, Miss Denker asks Carson if he can have time off “if the family don’t need him” which Thomas overhears
Thomas: “what are you going to show him that you didn’t last night?”
Miss Denker: “why? What did he tell you?”
Thomas: “only that he didn’t enjoy himself”
Miss Denker: “oh poor diddums, I hope he’s made of sterner stuff than that”
Sees Miss Denker forcing Andy to go out with her again
Thomas: “why are you bullying him Miss Denker? Can’t you pick on someone your own age?”
Miss Denker: “he’ll have fun once he gets there”
Thomas: “maybe, but I suspect you’re a bad influence all the same”
Miss Denker: “then I suspect we have something in common, Mr Barrow”
Thomas: *chuckles* “cheeky”
Tells Carson that Andy and Miss Denker aren’t back yet and Carson is pissed because he wanted them all back by 10pm
Thomas: “it’s a bit hard for Mr Carson, Miss Denker’s not under his jurisdiction and Andy won’t be ‘round long enough to mind a black mark”
Mrs Patmore: “oh she’s using him in some way that lad, to her own benefit”
Thomas: “which I do not like to see”
Andy and Miss Denker get back and she is drunk as a skunk
Asks Andy what happened – “she took me both nights to this horrible basement club, somewhere on Shaftsbury Avenue”
Thomas: “and I suppose you gambled?”
Andy: “yeah I lost the lot, I paid for it on a note but it’ll take all my savings”
Thomas: “I bet she didn’t lose a thing?” *Andy shakes his head* “One question, she hasn’t made a play for you? Done anything improper?”
Andy: “No! God no, no nothing like that. She just sat there and drank and they gave her whatever she wanted”
Thomas: “I see, at least I think I do. Next time, I’m coming with you”
Andy: “does there have to be a next time?”
Thomas: “yes, just one more, and I’m fairly sure you’re gonna enjoy it” – he looks like he’s trying not to be sick?
Asks what’s happening with the upstairs dinner and Carson says they’re to have a buffet
Tells Denker they’ll be able to get away, that he’s jealous of the fun she and Andy have been having. Denker tells Andy he needn’t come if Thomas is – “no, we want Andy with us”
Mrs Hughes: “with you for what?”
Thomas: “nothing, Mrs Hughes”
Mrs Hughes: “you should know Andy, you take your life in your hands if you throw your lot in with these two”
On Rose and Atticus: “I wish them well, I don’t mind Lady Rose, me”
Thomas asks Andy the club owner’s name and then heads for the tables, telling Andy not to play – “Pontoon’s my game”
Thomas wins and gives Andy his chips – “cash them in and pay your bill”
Andy: “I couldn’t let you do that”
Thomas: “why not? You want to get out of here alive don’t you?”
Andy: “I’ll have to pay you back”
Thomas: “we’ll argue about that later, now off you go while I see to Mr Schute”
Goes up to Mr Schute, pretending to not know who he is – “excuse me, can you tell me which of these knuckleheads is a Mr Basil Schute?”
Thomas: “well there’s a woman at the bar who’s boasting of a trick she’s been playing on him all week”
Schute: “oh yeah? What’s that then?”
Thomas: “yes, she waits outside ‘til someone’s coming in, then enters with them and claims free drinks all night for bringing in new punters”
Schute: “oh she does, does she?”
Thomas: “it’s the woman I arrived with” *waves at Denker* “bye!”
Leaves with Andy – “she was using me!? She chose me ‘cause she thought I was too young and stupid to see what she was at?”
Thomas: “and she was right, wasn’t she? So next time, ask your Uncle Thomas”
Standing with the other servants at the unveiling of the war memorial
Walking with Miss Baxter on the way back to the house
Episode Nine – A Moorland Holiday Part One (September 1924)
Robert thanks him for agreeing to valet for him to Bates can stay behind and visit Anna in prison. He warns Thomas that Lord Sinderby has taken his own butler to Brancaster and that he’ll “need to be on [his] toes” as everything will be done in the “most lickety-split manner”. Tells him to watch Bates pack
Cleaning the guns for Robert in the servant’s hall as he didn’t want to be in the way of the groundskeeper
Carson: “but you’re in our way here”
Bates: “it won’t take long, Mr Carson, and I’m glad of the chance to check it’s all in shape before they go”
Thomas: “I don’t need checking thank you, and in fact, I’m to load for His Lordship which you never can”
Miss Baxter: “Mr Barrow’s father was a shooting man”
Carson: “killing sparrows by the gasworks is hardly the same as shooting grouse at Brancaster Castle!”
Thomas and Bates share a look as Carson leaves, trying not to laugh
Mr Molesley says to Bates it must have been hard to miss his visit to Anna, and Bates says that he couldn’t because Mary went. Miss Baxter says it’s good for people to see the family thinks her innocent – “so the sacrifice could be worth it”
Bates: “I’d cut my arm off if I think it’d do any good”
Thomas: “oh I don’t think that’d be sensible Mr Bates, we can’t have you wobbly at both ends” – Bates’ face, I’m dying
At the train station Carson tells him to check all the luggage when they’re transferred in York – “I have changed trains before, Mr Carson”
As the family get onto the train, Violet says “Lord Sinderby, Branson, and Barrow; not what I’d call a recipe for a peaceful week’s shooting”
Isobel: “makes you wonder what they’ll be shooting at by the end of it”
Meets the Sinderby’s butler – “may I introduce myself, I am Mr Barrow, valet to the Earl of Grantham”
Stowell: “I believe you are temporary valet to Lord Grantham, the sad story of Mrs Bates has reached our ears”
Thomas: “news travels fast”
Stowell: “I am Lord Sinderby’s butler, Stowell”
Thomas: “ah, so you’re a novice here too”
Stowell: “I am not a novice anywhere”
Thomas tells the hall boys that they’ve got Mr Branson’s cases – “he’s up here without a valet”
Stowell: “few chauffeurs travel with a valet”
Thomas: “heavens, you are up to date with your detail, Mr Stowell”
Stowell: “how can you bear to wait on him?”
Thomas: “we do what we have to do, don’t we?”
Stowell: “on which subject, you will help out as a footman while you’re here”
Thomas: “excuse me, I am an underbutler”
Stowell: “Lord Hexam is seldom at home and so they do not maintain a full staff. You will serve as a footman. Don’t worry, we’ll find you a livery”
Miss Baxter comes in and asks Stowell if Cora, Mary, and Edith are in rooms close together as she is “maiding them all”
Stowell: “then you’ll be sturdy by the time you get home” *turns to Thomas* “what does Mr Branson do when the others are shooting? Pick up, or read motor magazines?”
Thomas: “in fact, he’s a very good shot”
Stowell: “is he indeed? I suppose that was his training with the Fenians”
Thomas: “well I’m sorry if we’re not up to your standards, Mr Stowell”
Is pissed about how Lord Sinderby treats him – “you, milk!” - and Mary glances at him in sympathy
Loading for Robert at the shoot, gets to hear Robert call Lord Sinderby “a prig and a snob”
Mary tells Baxter that she doesn’t like Stowell, suggests they get Barrow to do something about him
Miss Baxter: “you’re right, Mr Barrow usually has a card or two up his sleeve”
Mary: “well tell him to get a card out his sleeve and play it, pronto”
Miss Baxter tells him what Mary said and he says “I don’t mind taking him down a peg or two”
Asks a maid for Lord Sinderby’s valet and she says he’s gone out and Thomas gets an idea – “do you think they’d mind annoying Lord Sinderby into the bargain?”
Miss Baxter: “none of our lot would mind”
Thomas: “and will you help me?”
Miss Baxter: “I suppose so, since it’s what Lady Mary’s asked”
Thomas: “there’s your answer”
Miss Baxter: “I don’t understand”
Thomas: “you will. We need a piece of paper and a pencil” – he’s so pleased with himself the bastard
Fakes a notes from Lord Sinderby’s valet to the cook asking for “simple food” and Miss Baxter is worried it’ll be traced back to them – “I’m not a complete amateur, Miss Baxter, give me some credit”
The prank works and Stowell gets a dressing down but Lord Sinderby is angry and calls Thomas a “stupid fool” in front of everyone at dinner
Mary says “I don’t think Barrow will much like being called a stupid fool” – she’s very right
Cora and Robert talking – “I should go, Barrow will be waiting” – “let him wait”
After the upstairs dinner Miss Baxter says to Thomas “I gather you got more than you bargained for?”
Thomas: “I’ve had my run ins with His Lordship before but I’ve never been insulted in public and I don’t intend to start now”
Miss Baxter: “still, Mr Stowell got a flea in his ear and that’s what we wanted”
Thomas: “what you and Lady Mary wanted perhaps, I’ve got bigger plans now”
Miss Baxter: “what do you mean?”
Goes to see Stowell in the butler’s pantry to “offer his sympathies” and Stowell has him write something so he can compare his handwriting to the note given to the cook. Once Stowell is happy Thomas didn’t do it, he complains about the staff at Brancaster and Lord Sinderby – “His Lordship, with a title that’s not ten minutes old” – tells Thomas he knows things that’d surprise him
Thomas: “go on then, surprise me” – Thomas knows how to butter up a snob
Thomas comes to tell Stowell he can announce dinner
Stowell: “Mr Barrow, I’m afraid I said too much last night. I was angry and I’d had more to drink than was good for me”
Thomas: “oh don’t worry about that Mr Stowell, got a mind like a sieve” – oh no he doesn’t and I love him for it
Episode Ten – A Moorland Holiday Part Two (September and December 1924)
Out with Robert for the shoot again
Mary says she “told Barrow to get Stowell into trouble and I’m terribly afraid he overdid it” when Diana and her son arrive
In the front seat of Robert and Cora’s car with Miss Baxter on the way home
Getting the hall boys to unload the cars
When they get inside and find out Mr Bates is gone he asks if that means he stays on as valet – “or am I expected to double up?”
“Did I hear right, Mr Carson, are we to have a new footman?”
Carson: “do your ears have wireless aerials Mr Barrow?”
Thomas: “I hope you’ll give another chance to Andy?”
Carson: “the lad we had in London for Lady Rose’s wedding?”
Miss Baxter: “he was very nice”
Carson: “I seem to remember him gadding around town with Miss Denker and staying out ‘til all hours”
Mrs Hughes: “I had no trouble with the lad but it’s your decision”
*jump to Christmas – Andy has been hired*
Thomas and Andy in aprons helping make punch – Thomas is so cute
Carson tells him and Andy to take up the food as the guests arrive
Showing Andy the ropes – he’s such a good mentor
Singing hymns with everyone at the Christmas party
Sees Andy having a drink – “don’t let Mr Carson catch you”
Andy: “he seems a kind man to me”
Thomas: “he’s a fair man, but I wouldn’t put it higher than that”
Takes a tray of drinks from Mrs Patmore
Looks very pleased while they sing For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow and is definitely amused by how drunk Robert is
Misc notes: my favourite conversation is Cora: “but you didn’t sound drunk, how did you do that?” Robert: “concentration. You forget, I was trained as a solider” (he’s so drunk and trying to be serious and I’m dying of laughter)
Serving drinks to the riders before the hunt
Tells Andy that it “never hurts to check” when Mrs Hughes tells him to go up and make sure they’ve brought everything down, and he goes up
Mrs Hughes: “he’s a nice boy”
Thomas: “he is, and I think I’m showing him the right way to go about things” – he’s smiling so big and I’m crying
Mrs Hughes: “I should let him find his own way, Mr Barrow” – MRS HUGHES HOW DARE YOU HE LOOKS SO SAD NOW
Giving George a piggy back ride when he asks – “alright, but not for long!” – pretending to be strict but he’s a soft touch
Comes into the servant’s hall where Anna, Bates, and Baxter are sewing and Molesley is pouring tea – “I’m worn out, give me some tea”
Miss Baxter: “you let those children run you ragged”
Thomas: “I’ve had Miss Marigold on my back since luncheon”
Robert and Carson discuss staffing – “who has an underbutler these days” – you do! And you need him!!!
Thomas comes in to announce the Dowager
Reading the paper while Mr Mason and Daisy are discussing Mason losing his tenancy
Daisy: “but that’s not how I see it!”
Thomas: “but that’s how it is, doesn’t matter how you see it”
Denker comes into the servant’s hall to offer her ‘condolences’ over the staff reductions
Andy: “suppose that’s me gone, last in, first out”
Thomas: “you don’t know that”
Miss Denker: “I suppose it comes down to who’s useful and who’s ornamental, wouldn’t you agree, Mr Barrow?”
Thomas: “if it’s alright with you, Miss Denker, I’d rather talk to the organ grinder”
Miss Denker: “oh dear, I hope I haven’t cast a shadow”
Mrs Patmore: “what did you think you were doing? Sprinkling sunshine?”
Carson comes in to fetch Mr Mason
Thomas: “Mr Carson, did you know anything about staff being laid off?”
Carson: “it’s not a subject for the here and now”
Tries to ask Carson about the staff changes but Carson puts him off
Miss Baxter: “well he doesn’t seem that bothered so it can’t be that bad”
Thomas: “you and I both know that the worse it is the less he’ll want to seem bothered. Besides, they’ll want to be rid of me anyway”
Miss Baxter: “I’m sure that’s not true”
Thomas: “yes it is, you’ve seen how they warn Andy to keep away from me. We got on very well when he first arrived and now he hardly dares to talk to me”
Miss Baxter: “I think this this all in your head”
Thomas: “no it’s not” – they are so siblings, also justice for my boy, why must his reoccurring plotline be job insecurity
Daisy tells the others about her outburst at the auction
Mrs Patmore: “this was in front of His Lordship?”
Daisy: “in front of all of them”
Thomas: “that could prove awkward”
Mrs Patmore: “thank you Thomas”
Andy says that farming sounds like “the life” and Thomas says “are you turning into a country boy Andy? You’ll have to let me show you around”
Mrs Patmore: “I think Andy can find his own way ‘round, he looks sharp enough to me”
Andy glances at Thomas awkwardly and Thomas smiles back awkwardly
Looks pleased for the Bates’ when Sgt Willis tells them they’re in the clear
Chatting with Anna during the celebration
Misc notes: banger quote from Violet: “does it ever get cold on the moral highground?”
Offers to go with Andy when he walks the woods but Andy says he prefers to walk on his own
Mrs Hughes: “I agree with you Andy, it’s very liberating”
Thomas: “if you say so” – LET THOMAS HAVE A FRIEND
Asks Carson “I don’t suppose there’s any more news on when you’ll be serving notice?”
Carson: “nobody’s going to flung into the road I can assure you”
Thomas: “no, but I mean, should I start looking for another job?”
Carson: “how could it hurt?”
Thomas fake laughs and Carson leaves
Miss Baxter: “at least you know you won’t be asked to leave until you’ve got somewhere to go”
Thomas: “I don’t know anything of the sort”
Miss Baxter: “but you heard him”
Thomas: “what I heard is that I am for the chop and they won’t wait forever to make it come true” – he just wants his job 😭
Comes into the servant’s hall to read the paper while Molesley is asking is Miss Baxter will talk to Cora about Mr Mason, and tells her not to get involved
Miss Baxter: “no, and you don’t like to get involved in helping others do you?”
Thomas: “I’m trying to help you” *looks at her fondly before looking back at the paper*
Miss Baxter: “anything interesting?”
Thomas: “is this interesting? Assistant Butler, varied duties, start at once, then there’s a Ripon number?”
Miss Baxter: “oh it would be nice if you didn’t have to move to far away”
Miss Baxter: “you won’t let me be fond of you will you? No matter what I do”
Offers to help Andy with the clocks, but Andy says he’ll be alright as he looked after the clocks in his last place – Thomas looks so awkward and sad as Andy leaves again but shrugs it off and returns to his paper, saying “what’s an assistant butler when it’s at home anyway, that’s what I’d like to know” to Miss Baxter
Asks Carson for time off to go to a job interview
Carson: “you don’t let the grass grow, I must say” – YOU’VE GIVEN HIM NO CHOICE YOU ASSHOLE
Thomas: “thank you, Mr Carson”
Thomas: “if I was lucky, I wouldn’t be leaving”
Goes for the job interview, and asks what the duties of an assistant butler are. The butler tells him they want to combine the roles of footman, chauffeur, and valet – this is where we find out that he arrived at Downton as a junior footman “about 15 years ago”
Thomas: “goodness, this is a job for a one-man-band”
Butler: “you’re a delicate looking fellow aren’t you?”
Thomas: “I wouldn’t say that”
The butler is standoffish and asks if he’s married and Thomas says no – “I think you know not many footmen or butlers are married” – the butler brags that he is
“Thank you Mr Barrow, I think I’ve got enough, we’ll let you know”
In the servant’s hall before dinner Miss Baxter asks how the interview went and he tells her what they were asking – “I don’t suppose that was reflected in the pay?” – and she reassures him that something will turn up. He huffs and leaves – poor Thomas is so sad and grumpy and angry and upset
Mr Molesley: “I don’t understand why you bother with him”
Miss Baxter: “I know you don’t”
Overseeing breakfast, pulls out Cora’s seat for her
Says “I don’t think I’ll bother, it’s only a muddy little affair” when Carson says the servants are free to go to the Multon show, but Anna says “oh no you should come, I think it’ll be fun”
Turns to talk to Mrs Hughes when the Bates’ get up to leave
Molesley asks when they need to be back from the show and Carson says he’ll need him and Andy back to serve tea, Thomas says he can do it and Carson says “I don’t think so” and tells Molesley and Andy to be back by a quarter past four
Thomas: “then when do you need me, Mr Carson?”
Carson: “when indeed?” – ASSHOLE, I AM SCREAMING
Invites Andy to “come and see Lady Mary showing off her pigs” and offers to show him how to bowl for skittles but Andy rebuffs him on both counts – “don’t worry Mr Barrow, it’s not my game” and he hands Thomas the ball and leaves. Mrs Patmore heard the whole exchange and says “you’re not a quick learner, are you?”
Thomas: “I don’t know what you mean, Mrs Patmore”
Mrs Patmore: “I’m only thinking of you, just be sensible for heaven’s sake”
Thomas: “does it ever occur to you that just this once, you might be wrong?” *bowls a strike and strides off*
Joins the search for Marigold when Robert tells him she’s missing – Thomas loves the kiddos
Misc notes: I’m bored by the Carson & Hughes romance plotline and also Mrs Hughes is not as nice as I remembered
Sitting at the table with Miss Baxter and Andy looking at the newspaper
Andy: “looking for a place, Mr Barrow?”
Thomas: “I might be, would you be sorry?”
Miss Baxter: “they’ve not said anything though?”
Thomas: “Mr Carson is hoping I’ll resign to avoid any possible unpleasantness, that’s all” – then reads out an advertisement looking for an “experienced manservant” and says he’s only looking in the Yorkshire papers
Bates: “careful, Mr Barrow, someone might accuse you of having feelings for the area”
Thomas: “would that be so hard to believe?”
Bates: “harder for you to accept than for us to believe, I should’ve thought” – goddamnit his face after every single conversation this series makes me so sad
Carson tells Robert there “may be a painless solution to the problem of Barrow” as he’s applying for other jobs
Has an interview at Dryden Park, but the house isn’t actually running, the owner Sir Michael Raesby just wants to keep it “for when the good times return”
Sir Michael insists that Dryden Park is a prominent household, and Thomas says “but that was some time ago” and Sir Michael asks if he’s a Republican – “no, I don’t believe so, but then I’ve never really thought about it much”
Sir Michael: “well think about it now! I can’t risk a republican in this house when anyone might call!”
Thomas: “well maybe you’re right, maybe I’m not up to it, philosophically”
Sir Michael tells him “we can’t let our standards slip!” – “well good luck with those standards” – Thomas thinks Sir Michael is nuts
Carson asks how he got on at Dryden Park
Thomas: “it wasn’t right for me”
Andy tells him not to worry, that something will turn up
Thomas: “I expect you’d be glad to see the back of me”
Andy: “if it’s what you want” *goes upstairs*
Thomas: “he means it too”
Miss Baxter: “don’t fish, especially where they’re never going to bite”
Thomas: “you’ve got me wrong, you all have”
Miss Baxter: “how have we got you wrong?”
Thomas: “I don’t want anything from Andy but friendship, we were friends when he first came – I helped to get him the job for God’s sake but now you’ve all poisoned his mind against me”
Miss Baxter: “then tell him”
Thomas: “it’s too late, the damage has been done. You don’t believe me anyway”
When Carson questions why Mrs Hughes was caught in Cora’s room trying on her clothes – “typical though isn’t it? Thirty years of service, one wrong move, and snap *clicks fingers* you’re out on your ear”
Daisy says she wants to get things settled for Mr Mason
Carson: “you seem unusually disenchanted with life these days, Mr Barrow” – OH I WONDER WHY THAT IS CARSON???
Thomas: “I can’t see the future, Mr Carson, but then I suppose none of us can” – he’s so listless and miserable, Daisy looks worried about him
Overhears Molesley telling Carson he should have ushers for his wedding and Carson saying that he and Andy can have a buttonhole
Thomas: “what about me, Mr Carson?”
Carson: “take one, I might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb”
Thomas takes the flowers with an awkward smile and nod
Congratulates Mrs Hughes and Carson
Asks the hall boys serving at the wedding breakfast for drinks for Mrs Hughes and Carson – he’s so nice to the hall boys, I also find it interesting that he’s allowed to oversee the hall boys but Andy has been warned off him so much
Overseeing breakfast, tells Robert that the Carsons rang to say they’d arrived at their honeymoon destination
Hears that Sgt Willis is coming to see Miss Baxter and tells Mrs Patmore off for inviting him to come without running it past him – “I am the butler now!”
Mrs Patmore: “for the next five minutes, until Mr Carson gets back!”
Thomas: “and don’t let’s forget it!”
Allows Andy and Molesley to go into the village
He’s so pleased when the others have to stand for him – I am too
Asks for volunteers to clean the cottage for the Carsons, Andy says he will
Judges Molesley for laughing about “the Carsons”
Tells Daisy the Crawley’s are planning to farm Yewtree themselves and not take on a new tenant
Andy says he’ll go see the cottage for the Carsons while the family is changing and rebuffs Thomas when he says he’ll come
Molesley: “I expect he’s got something he wants to think through”
Thomas: “keep your pity, Mr Molesley, you need it more than I do”
Announces Lady Shackleton and Henry Talbot when they arrive
“Come along Mr Molesley… just because Mr Carson’s away” – he’s annoyed, he works very hard and no one appreciates it 😡
Tells Miss Baxter “I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a lack of reason”
Miss Baxter: “what do you mean ‘reason’?”
Thomas: “why am I here, what am I doing?”
Miss Baxter: “what are we all doing? Trying to get through life as best we can”
Thomas: “yes but you, you make friends, people like you. Her Ladyship likes you, Mr Molesley more than likes you”
Miss Baxter: “don’t be silly”
Thomas: “it’s true, I’m quite envious. Not of Mr Molesley, but the rest of it”
Miss Baxter: “well I envy you, you don’t care what people say, while I tremble at the mere idea of public ridicule. I should be used to it by now but…”
Thomas: “well you are stronger than you think, and you’re wrong about me. I mind what people say” *walks away* - once again looking like he’s trying not to cry
Is surprised to see Gwen when she arrives with her husband, says to Anna – “she hasn’t got time to greet her old friends then?”
Anna: “when were you a friend of Gwens?”
Hears when Gwen tells Mary they haven’t “met exactly”
Also hears Gwen talking to Tom
Says Gwen is “too important to speak to the likes of us”
While pouring wine at lunch – “you remember Mr Carson, surely madam?” – Gwen stops him when he starts explaining what he meant – “thank you, Mr Barrow, I can tell it” – Thomas this is why you struggle to make friends my darling
Andy tells the others “Mr Barrow just landed her in it” when he comes down to get the next course and they say he was bound to do something like that and Bates calls him out when Thomas comes down too
Bates: “… you’re jealous of her luck”
Thomas: “jealous? Why? Because I dedicated my life to service and I’m about to be thrown out on my ear, when she scarpered first chance she got and now she’s lunching in the dining room? Why would that make me jealous, Mr Bates?”
Anna: “His Lordship won’t like it, your trying to wrong foot her”
Thomas: “well, we’ll see, I know Lady Mary didn’t like being made a fool of. Now, in case I have to remind you all again, I am the butler, so please get on”
Back in the dining room Mary says “thank you, Mr Barrow, for reminding us of Mrs Harding’s time here” – “my pleasure, m’lady”
Robert catches him after lunch and tells him “I’ve an idea that when you mentioned Mrs Harding’s time with us, you were trying to catch her out”
Robert: “I don’t like to see such things, Barrow, I don’t care for a lack of generosity, do you understand me?”
Robert leaves and Miss Baxter comes over
Miss Baxter: “you are your own worst enemy”
Thomas: “if I am, I’ve got competition”
Tries to stop Daisy ambushing Cora, alongside Mrs Patmore
Thomas: “she’s right, Daisy, have you forgotten what happened when you let off steam at the auction?”
Taking newspaper though the hall and Robert catches him to ask when the Carsons are due back, and if the servants have planned anything to welcome them back
Robert: “back to normal, at last!”
Thomas: “I’ve enjoyed my time as butler”
Robert: “I hope you’ve learned something from it. You see, Barrow, Carson is a kind man, don’t overlook that, it’s why people are loyal to him”
Thomas: “I’ll bear it in mind, m’lord” - he's like bitch, Carson has never been kind to me
Robert: “Do. It should be helpful when you… that is, when the hour strikes”
Thomas: “to move on. Yes, m’lord”
Shows the Dowager into the library and mends the fire
Tells Andy to be sure Robert has a drink at the welcome party
Standing at attention in the corner at the welcome party
Looks curiously at the Carsons before taking them a drink
Tells Carson that he learnt that being a butler is more complicated than he’d thought
Comes into the servant’s hall and asks Mr Molesley where he’d been
Mr Molesley: “oh, I’m sorry Mr Barrow, it was only coffee for the family so I thought Andy could manage”
Thomas: “he could, but it’s for me to say, not you”
Asks Andy if he wants to come into the village with him
Andy: “thanks, but no thanks”
Thomas: “I thought you needed some things?”
Andy: “nothing urgent. Right, is that it?”
Thomas: “ah, yes?” – poor confused Thomas, he knows the others have told Andy to steer clear of him, but he’s still so confused by this conversation
Bates and Anna defend Thomas to Andy
Anna: “he only means to be friendly”
Andy says he means him no ill will – “we are what we are” – but that he doesn’t “want to give him any wrong ideas”
Asks Andy about the books he’d been given by Mr Mason, and immediately clocks that he can’t read when Andy says he’s going to start with “the red one”
Hears Andy throw something and break something and goes to check on him
Thomas: “why did you throw the book, Andy?”
Thomas: “you can’t read, can you?”
Andy: “no I can’t bloody read, go on, have a good laugh about it!”
Thomas: “I’m not laughing”
Offers to teach Andy to read, and write, and reassures him that he’s not too stupid to learn. Andy apologises for being rude to him – “ Mr Barrow, I’ve not behaved well towards you and I’m sorry for it”
Thomas: “I’ve known worse”
Assisting Dr Clarkson when Robert’s ulcer bursts
Looking quite upset sitting in the servant’s hall, when Carson tells them Robert will recover – “I’m quite relieved”
Miss Baxter: “of course you are”
Thomas: “I didn’t think I’d mind, one way or the other to be honest. I must be getting soft in my old ag”"
Mr Molesley: “don’t let the other animals find out or they’ll pounce”
Miss Baxter: “leave him alone”
Discussing the open house – “suppose I always wonder whether someone else is having a better time than I am”
Carson: “but that’s what’s so dangerous, you think they must be having a better time, then you want them not to have a better time, and the next thing you know there’s a guillotine in Trafalgar Square”
Daisy says she thinks all the great houses should be open to the public, Molesley says it’s nice to let people appreciate fine craftsmanship and beautiful paintings – “but then of course, they’re bound to start asking ‘why have the Crawley’s got all of this and I haven’t?’”
Carson: “thank you, Mr Molesley, I couldn’t have put it better myself”
Thomas: “but why have they, Mr Carson?”
Carson: “how is your job search going, Mr Barrow?” – ASSHOLE
Robert aks whether there’s anything they can do to help with Thomas’s job search and Carson says he’ll ask him
Playing horse for George in the gallery, where Mary finds them. George tells her that he was cheering Thomas up
Mary: “do you need cheering up, Barrow?”
Thomas: “we all need it sometimes, m’lady”
Mary thinks Thomas is “rather sweet with George and the girls” and is concerned when Robert says that he’s the obvious candidate for reducing the household
Carson tells him “you’re not a creature of today”
Mrs Hughes comes in – “no, no we’re finished, Mrs Hughes, or one of us is”
Mrs Patmore overhears him and Andy talking
Thomas: “we’ll meet upstairs after our dinner, my room or yours?”
Thomas: “mine then, the lighting’s better”
While Anna and Mary are in London – Anna says “Master George does make me laugh, he rules Mr Barrow with a rod of iron”
Mary: “yes, Barrow is rather sweet with the children, do you think he’s trying to get in with us?”
Anna: “I’d say he’s genuine, m’lady, I doubt he’ll have any children of his own, and he enjoys their company”
Carson catches Andy leaving Thomas’s room late at night and Andy panics, and gives a terrible excuse for being there – “I was borrowing a book” *is not holding a book*
Asks Miss Baxter and Molesley what they’re talking about (Coyle’s letter) and Miss Baxter says “nothing that would interest you”
Thomas: “you don’t know what might interest me”
Carson comes in and makes Miss Baxter and Molesley leave
Thomas: “I hope you’re not planning to hit me with [your walking stick]”
Carson: “no, but I will not beat about the bush either, Mr Barrow. Someone has reported that you seem to have a private understanding with Andrew”
Carson: “I might not have given it much mind, but I was upstairs last night, quite late, and I saw him leave your room”
Thomas: “Mr Carson, how long do I have to work in this house before I am given any credit?”
Carson: “that is all very well but we are talking about a vulnerable young man and I must look to his welfare”
Thomas: “yes, and if I were to five my word of honour that nothing took place of which you would disapprove?”
Carson: “if I could just be sure”
Thomas: “so my word is still not good enough, Mr Carson, after so many years?”
Carson: “I only wish it were” – another conversation where he spends the whole thing trying not to cry and I spend it wishing I could find Carson and beat him with a brick
Crying in his chair by the fireplace – my darling boy 😭
Episode Seven (June 1925)
“I am trying to find a position, Mr Carson, honestly”
Carson: “I don’t say you’re not, but it doesn’t seem quite fair on His Lordship to string it out”
Thomas: “does that mean I’m sacked?”
Carson: “it mean I shall be pleased when we learn the identity of your next employer, Mr Barrow”
Mrs Hughes looks concerned for Thomas
Smoking in the yard when Mrs Hughes comes outside, and she apologises
Mrs Hughes: “I’m sorry if Mr Carson spoke harshly just now, he doesn’t mean to be unkind but it worries him when a plan is delayed”
Thomas: “the plan being my departure”
Mrs Hughes: “you just haven’t found the right person yet, Mr Barrow, but I’m sure there are friends out there waiting for you and a new job in a new house may help you to find them”
Thomas: “but you see, Mrs Hughes, this is the first place I’ve found where I’ve laid down some roots” – he hardly looks at her the whole conversation and is blinking a lot to hold back tears ONCE AGAIN
Playing cards with Andy while Carson tells the servants they can take time off while the family is in London if they’re owed it, and listens to Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore discuss Mrs Patmore’s guesthouse
Thomas: “everyone has something to do on the free days, except me”
Carson: “we know what you’ve got to do, Mr Barrow”
Thomas: “yes, Mr Carson” – looks like a scolded little boy, turns away from Carson quickly
Everyone happy for Daisy and Molesley when they get the date for their exams, Mrs Patmore and Andy say they’ll bring them lunch and Mrs Hughes asks Thomas what he’s doing with his free time – “scanning the jobs column, Mrs Hughes, what else?” – he sounds very resigned and everyone goes awkward and quiet
Brings the lemonade Mrs Patmore forgot to the exam picnic and asks how they’re going
Tries to help Andy hide that he can’t read when Daisy gives him her exam paper
Looks very sad when Andy says “I’m a fool who knows nothing, I am nothing”
Offers to continue helping Andy alongside Mr Dawes, but Mr Dawes says “actually, Mr Barrow, it might be better if you step back now, you’ve been very generous but we wouldn’t want to confuse Andy with different methods” – “no, of course not”
Offers to help Andy pack up the picnic but he says he can manage so Thomas heads back to the house alone
Catches Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson sitting on the sofa in the library – “hello, what have we here? Can anyone join in?”
Carson: “no, Mr Barrow, they cannot”
Playing cards with Andy when Mr Dawes come up to ask Mr Molesley to join the teaching team at the school
Stays behind in the servant’s hall when the others go into the kitchen to celebrate
Andy: “are you coming, Mr Barrow?”
Thomas: “in a minute, you go ahead”
Watches them make merry from the other end of the corridor – everyone is getting new opportunities and chances and getting on with their lives and poor Thomas is left to struggle with finding a new job in a dying industry with basically no support
Overseeing the hall boys unloading luggage
Enjoying watching Robert meet his new puppy
Episode Eight (August 1925)
Mr Molesley tells Carson he has a teaching trial and Carson complains that he won’t be around for the end of serving luncheon
Mrs Hughes: “Mr Barrow’s still here”
Carson: “don’t I know it”
Mrs Hughes: “but if lunch does go on a bit, there’s still Andrew and Mr Barrow and you to see to it”
Mr Carson is then mean to Molesley about the teaching job – “what makes you think you’ll be any good at it?”
Has a letter at lunch and looks very upset when Bates tells Carson that Bertie still wants to be called Mr Pelham
Miss Baxter asks him if his letter was good news
Miss Baxter: *takes the letter and reads aloud* “thank you for your enquiry but we wish to combine the roles of butler, chauffeur, and valet and you seem overqualified but please accept a best wishes for the future”
Miss Baxter: “don’t be silly”
Thomas: “of course, that’s right, I’m silly aren’t I? Silly old me” *walks away*
Mr Molesley: “let him go”
Pouring water at luncheon, looks upset again when Berties talks about Peter being an artist
Anna and Miss Baxter see Thomas upstairs looking very glum, Anna asks him if he’s alright and he says “’course, why wouldn’t I be?” and gives Miss Baxter a strange look before walking away and into his room, Anna shrugs him off but Miss Baxter is worried
While they’re walking to the school Molesley tells Miss Baxter “Mr Barrow’s in a funny mood”
Molesley: “he suddenly told me, out of the blue, how he hoped I’d make more of my life that he’d ever make of his”
Miss Baxter: “I should go back”
Molesley: “is something wrong?”
Miss Baxter: “I hope not” – her gut is telling her something is very wrong and unfortunately she is very right
Miss Baxter runs back to the house and looks frantically for Thomas, doesn’t find him downstairs and runs into Andy when she goes up to the servant’s quarters
Andy: “does Mrs Hughes know you’re on the men’s side?”
Miss Baxter: “never mind that, have you seen Mr Barrow?”
Andy: “he was going in for a bath”
Miss Baxter: “oh my god, come with me”
Miss Baxter and Andy run to the bathroom and when Thomas doesn’t respond to Miss Baxter knocking and yelling, Andy kicks the door in and they find Thomas in the bath in his underclothes with slit wrists
Miss Baxter immediately rips the lining of her skirt out to bandage Thomas up and tells Andy to find Mrs Hughes and to send Anna for the doctor
Unconscious when Mrs Hughes and Andy come into the room and Miss Baxter has drained the bath and is patting his face with a towel
Mrs Hughes: “Anna’s gone for Dr Clarkson. Now, we should get him into bed and out of his wet things”
Miss Baxter: “I hope he won’t mind if we undress him”
Mrs Hughes: “he’s past minding if we put him in a shy and threw coconuts. Now, you take his feet and we’ll take an arm each”
Miss Baxter: “should we tell His Lordship?”
Mrs Hughes: “Mr Carson’s seeing to that”
Miss Baxter: “I hate to think he was so unhappy”
Andy: “well as least it’s not gone too far”
Carson tells Robert that Thomas has cut his wrists, and he, Cora, and Rosamund are shocked, Mary mostly seems angry
Mary: “do you still think dismissing Barrow was a useful saving, Papa?”
Robert: “that’s rather below the belt, even for you”
Carson tells Mrs Hughes “we’ve kept him out of the hospital, Dr Clarkson’s stitched him up here. He says Miss Baxter found him in time” and tells the other servants that “Mr Barrow has been taken poorly, he’ll spend a day or two in bed, Anna and Miss Baxter will look after him”
Anna tells Mary “he’ll recover, m’lady, and he hasn’t had to go to hospital”
Mary: “can we keep it quiet, for his sake?”
Anna: “that’s what Mr Carson wants”
Mary: “what a day, I ruin Lady Edith’s life, and Barrow tries to end his”
Is reading in bed when Mary brings George to visit
Mary: “we want you to get better, Barrow, and no one more than Master George”
Thomas: “at least I’ve got one friend, eh?”
Mary: “have you been lonely?”
Thomas: “if I have, I’ve only myself to blame. I’ve done and said things, I don’t know why, can’t stop myself, now I’m paying the price”
Mary: “strange, I could say the same”
Anna comes in and Mary and George leave
Mary: “I hope things improve for you, I really do”
Thomas: “I’d say the same, if it weren’t impertinent, m’lady”
Carson calls Thomas a “suicidal footman” – fuck you Carson he’s the underbutler
An example of Carson actually being a decent person
Carson: “with your permission, I’d like to tell Mr Barrow that he can stay, for the time being at any rate. It would take a weight off his mind”
Robert: “that’s a relief, I was going to suggest the same thing”
Carson: “were you, m’lord?”
Robert: “yes, you see, I feel quite as guilty as you do, Carson”
Carson:” I tell you what I blame myself for, I didn’t credit him with any feelings. I thought he was a man without a heart, and I was wrong”
Robert: “no man is an island, Carson, not even Thomas Barrow”
Sitting next to Mrs Hughes at Edith and Bertie’s wedding
Episode Nine (September 1925)
Serving at the family picnic
Catches Anna, Miss Baxter, and Andy in the boot room and thanks them for rescuing him. Miss Baxter says he must be glad he can stay, and he says they’ve just given him a breathing space and he’s still expected to leave. Anna suggests he uses the time to “figure out what brought [him] so low”
Says “that’s enough love talk” to Andy and Daisy
Looks concerned/confused when Carson spills wine at dinner
Anna sees him reading a letter – “good news, I hope?”
Thomas: “good enough, I’ve found a job”
Anna: “oh, I’m happy for you, if it’s what you want”
Thomas: “you know I wouldn’t leave by choice, but it’s time to draw a curtain over the past few months”
Anna: “will you be working nearby?”
Thomas: “not far, the other side of York”
Anna: “so we’ll still see you?”
Anna: “Mr Barrow’s found a job”
Carson: “has he indeed? Well I’m glad your efforts have paid off, Mr Barrow, you deserve it”
Thomas: “thank you, Mr Carson” – Anna is so gentle with him and I love her for it, but he’s so sad to leave
Carson is annoyed when Molesley tells him he’s taking the teacher’s cottage and leaving properly – “so now Mr Barrow’s going, Mr Molesley’s going, and only Andrew stands between me and Armageddon” – AND WHY THE FUCK DO YOU THINK THOMAS IS GOING HUH? BECAUSE YOU FORCED HIM OUT!!!!!
Letter comes for him in the evening post from Lady Styles asking him to arrive on Sunday so he can start the new job on Monday, and he asks Carson if they need him to work out his notice
Carson: “we won’t insist on it”
Bates: “Downton without Mr Barrow”
Anna: “nothing ungenerous”
Mrs Patmore: “are you really going?”
Thomas: “even good things must come to an end”
Mrs Patmore: “well I don’t know if you were a good or a bad thing, Mr Barrow, but we’ve all been together a long time”
Thomas: “and on that moving note, I think I’ll check the dining room”
Cleaning shoes when Miss Baxter comes into the boot room
Thomas: “why was Lady Edith ringing so late? Mr Carson was quite worried”
Miss Baxter: “I couldn’t tell you, I was finishing with Her Ladyship when Mr Carson knocked, His Lordship went down”
Thomas: “I never think she has much luck”
Miss Baxter: “not like you to care”
Thomas: *laughs* “you remember when Anna said I should try to understand what brought me so low?”
Thomas: “well I’ve been thinking and I thought I might try to be someone else when I get to my new position”
Miss Baxter: “we do change as life goes on. Well, we could if our pasts would let us”
Thomas: “you know what, Miss Baxter, I listened to Anna, you should listen to Mr Molesley. Forget about Coyle and your time in prison. You think the strong decision would be to go and see him but you’re wrong, the strong decision is to take away his power over you. Leave him behind, Miss Baxter, get on with your life. Let that be my parting gift to you”
Miss Baxter: “I wonder if you’re right”
Thomas: *grins* “I am right" - they’re so siblings
Carson tells him to “say goodbye to His Lordship before they leave, you’ll be gone when they get back” - everyone around the table looks disappointed in him/awkward
Managing the inventory list for Robert and Cora’s trip to Brancaster
Says goodbye to Miss Baxter and Mr Bates
Miss Baxter: “be strong in your new resolution and I know you’ll be happier”
Thomas: “you had faith in me, when I had none in myself and I’m grateful”
He tries to shake her hand but she grabs it and pulls him in so she can kiss his cheek and he blushes
Thomas: “what do you say Mr Bates?”
Bates: “I’d say I rather we part as friends than enemies”
He and Bates shake hands and he goes to stand between the cars
Cora sees him and prompts Robert into saying something to him
Thomas: “Your Lordship, Your Ladyship, I wanted to thank you for everything”
Mary: “you’re not going yet?”
Thomas: “on Sunday morning, m’lady”
Robert: “we’ve known some adventures during your time with us, Barrow”
Thomas: “I’ve learnt a great deal while I’ve been here”
Robert: “I’m afraid I’ve rather lectured you at times, not too harshly I hope?”
Thomas: “on the contrary, I will begin my new position with a new spirit and I have you to thank for that”
Robert: “I’m glad if on balance it’s been rewarding for you”
Thomas: “I arrived here as a boy, I leave as a man. Please will you give my best wishes to Lady Edith”
Cora: “we’ll always be so grateful to you for saving her from the fire”
Thomas: “and it turns out I saved her for better things”
Robert: *reaches out to shake Thomas’s hand* “very good luck to you, Barrow”
Thomas: *surprised* “thank you, m’lord” – he’s such a sweetie
The servants gather in the kitchen to say goodbye to him, they all say nice things and Thomas nearly cries. Mary and the nanny bring the children down and George asks him not to go, but he says that he must.
Carson: “you’re quick and efficient and no one’s ever called you stupid, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get on”
Once he leaves Daisy says to Mrs Patmore “it’s strange to think I was soft on him once” and Mrs Patmore laughs “you were never much a of judge in that department”
Setting the table for dinner in his new house and Sir Mark comes to check he’s getting on alright. Thomas says Mrs Jenkins will help if he needs anything, and Sir Mark tells him the maid, Elsie, will be there soon too.
Thomas: “is that it, Sir Mark, Mrs Jenkins, me, and Elsie?”
Sir Mark: “yes, this is not 1850 you know”
Thomas sighs and looks forlornly out the window – my poor baby
Episode Ten (September and December 1925)
Overseeing dinner for the Styles’
Looks rather depressed when they go through and he’s left to clean up
Rose asks Mrs Hughes if he’ll be at Downton for the wedding
Mrs Hughes: “he’s been invited, m’lady, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to get away”
Rose: “of course, he’s got a new job”
Mrs Patmore: “oh don’t exaggerate, it’s just quieter than he’s used to”
Reminds Sir Mark that he’ll be away on New Year’s Eve and that Mrs Jenkins will bring the tea into the library
Sir Mark: “the cook, carry the tea into the library?”
Thomas: “Lady Styles said she’d allow it, just this once”
Sitting with Anna at the wedding
Anna: “you managed to get away then?”
Thomas: “don’t worry, the treadmill awaits my return”
Anna: “how’s it going? Are you getting on with everyone?”
Thomas: “there’s not much of an ‘everyone’ to get on with”
Anna: “don’t you enjoy it more? Than being at war with all the world?”
Thomas: “hmm, I suppose.”
Is concerned when Anna says she’s a bit hot in the church
Looks quietly content during the service
Hears Carson when he shouts that he can’t pour and offers to help
Carson: “Mr Barrow, you are here as a guest”
Thomas: “I’m happy to help, Mr Carson”
Robert then suggests that they make Thomas the new butler – Thomas looks absolutely stunned when Robert suggests it
Mary: “you can’t pretend Barrow isn’t sufficiently experienced?”
Carson: “no, I wouldn’t say that, m’lady. I trained him”
Mary: “well, Barrow, would you like to be butler here?”
Thomas: “certainly, m’lady” – he smiles but looks a bit sad really
Robert: “that’s settled then. Barrow will work out his notice and start at Downton on a date that suits you both”
Carson: “I don’t want to force your hand, Mr Barrow”
Thomas: “and I don’t want to twist your arm, Mr Carson”
Mrs Hughes: “I think His Lordship has found a solution, so we should be glad of that”
Standing with Miss Baxter during the speeches
Celebrating the New Year with the servants
Pours wine for Mrs Hughes and Carson and Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason as they’re singing Auld Lang Syne – I always cry at this point
Misc notes: Daisy: “I don’t think people ever want mistakes, Mrs Patmore, they just happen” / Carson tells Mary that he “cannot stay if he cannot perform [his] duties” and that he won’t stay on to oversee things because he doubts “the new butler would accept the job under those conditions, I know I wouldn’t”
