Downton Abbey: Season 4

Shepardess, glad you feel the same about Baxter. I remember her introduction, but some how I missed Thomas' hold on her. I am glad though that she may have found an ally.

The Bates-Anna storyline is getting really scary.

Rose seems to have found a gentleman, and a nice way out of that story thread. I don't believe that there were too many of those relationships until after WWII.

Mary's character is maturing nicely.

Baxter seems sincerely happy to be lady's maid to the countess. I think she'd like to keep this job. Thomas is putting her in danger of losing it by expecting her to spy for him. She doesn't seem to like being put in this position, but also seems obligated to tell him what's going on . I'd still like to know what he's using to pressure her with. And what will Thomas do about her allying herself with Molesly? Actually, James doesn't seem to happy about that alliance either.

I can't remember why Rose hates her mother so much to be willing to risk ruining her own future for revenge? It's too bad the singer didn't break it off before Mary visited him. Now Rose is going to resent Mary for making it happen when it would have anyway.

So, do you guys think Bates killed Mr. Green? On the one hand, he has proven himself in the past to be an honorable man and it's hard for me to believe he'd go that far for revenge. On the other hand, he was very angry and he deliberately went to York. And he felt guilty for not preventing the attack. He might have felt he could at least carry out justice and eliminate further discomfort for Anna.

But I think he's also angry with Anna for lying to him. I was a little uncomfortable with the way he reminded her of how much she had liked Mr. Green when he first arrived. To me it was as if he was trying to hurt her because she had hurt him by lying instead of telling him it was Mr. Green in the first place. Or maybe it was just his way of letting her know that he knows. But I'm sure he wanted to know what her reaction would be --perhaps hoping that she would finally be honest with him?

I missed a few episodes and need to catch up . . . but does Lady Edith have a maid? Surely she does, if Mary and Cora each have their own. Wouldn't her maid have noticed her condition? Is anything known about Michael other than that he is missing?

I rather liked the practical pig man for Mary, rather than Tony (can't remember his name).

I think Bates went to Yorkshire to threaten Mr. Green. I don't think Bates would be a match for Mr. Green in any physical confrontation, and have a hard time believing he would kill Mr. Green . . . but he seems to be keeping secrets from Anna, just as she kept secrets from him.

I don't really like the teacher who seems to have her eye on Tom - she reminds me too much of Edna.