Barrow showed a softer side (finally! His quest to change his sexuality after Jimmys sacking may have had its roots in his loneliness after losing his only friend (and love interest) at the house. Thomas Barrow ( Robert James-Collier) was originally the scheming footman, whose character had an enjoyable redemption arc as the Downton Abbey series progressed, so much so, that he was. Gladys Denker, the Dowager Countess' lady's maid, uses Andy to get free drinks at The Velvet Violin, a basement club. Both places turn out to be unsuitable for Thomas. While reading Virginia Woolfs Orlando aloud on the veranda, Cousin Isobel and Cousin Violet get carried away and unofficially marry each other over afternoon tea. After being told that he is to be moved out of the hospital to make room for newer, wounded patients, Thomas and Sybil are both concerned for him and try to persuade Dr. Clarkson to allow Edward to stay. Jimmy says that Thomas was "brave" and that he feels bad for leaving him. Barrow and Ellis became friends but, in A New Era, Thomas received the sad news that the King's Valet got married. While in York, Thomas and Richard prank call Mr. Wilson, persuading him to send all of the footmen back to London. Despite being introduced as a love interest for Thomas Barrow in the first film, Brown does not reprise his role as . Thomas is playing in the yearly match when the police come to question him. He starts a rumour by telling Molesley that Sarah is going to leave Lady Grantham's service. Masterpiece Series Three promo "Downton Abbey: Robert James-Collier speaks on Thomas and O'Brien". He says that he likes the sun. During the second series, the animosity between Thomas and Bates is not seen much, due to many reasons, one being that Thomas was in the Army Medical Corps for a short time and then Bates is arrested, tried, and sentenced to hang, for the murder of his ex-wife Vera. Andy also gambles at the club and has to spend his savings in order to pay for his losses. July 1865) is the patriarch of the Crawley family and the co-owner of Downton Abbey (along with his eldest daughter). Julian Fellowes relates that the character of Thomas is based on a dresser in his "theatrical past". However Queen Mary convinced him to release Bertie from this duty. Thomas starts to think that Jimmy has feelings for him. Later, it is implied that he falls in love with Edward Courtenay, who dies by suicide. He reveals that he had been following Jimmy that day as he had seen that Jimmy had had too much to drink. Daisy has a crush on Thomas, and Mrs Patmore tries to tell her that Thomas isn't a ladies man, but naive Daisy does not understand why that isn't a good thing. The only clue as to his age is that in. Barely visible next to the altar is the ghost of Lady Sybil, clad only in turquoise pantaloons and a suffragette sash. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. He currently lives at Downton Abbey with his maternal grandparents, his mother, stepfather, half-sister, uncle, and eldest cousin. After securing a new job, he reveals to Miss Baxter that his impertinence and malicious behaviour is what made him so low as no-one liked him because of it. He helps with preparations, but delays polishing the silver in case the royal servants have specifications for what will be used; frustrated by his indecision, Mary invites Carson to return as butler and oversee his work. Thomas is a closeted homosexual man, by necessity as a homosexual act was a criminal offence at the time, punishable by imprisonment. Written by series creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis, Downton Abbey: A New Era introduces viewers to a bustling time of change and innovation at Downton. Upon returning from London, he continues to show an unhealthy interest in what's going on with Mr. Bates and Anna regarding the murder of Mr. Green. And shes wearing Greens trademark bowler hat. Violet also delighted in learning that Spratt had been writing for Ediths newspaper as an advice columnist. Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) is perhaps one ofDownton Abbey'smost polarizing figures; originally a solid villain of the piece, over the course of six seasons, he gradually became one of the most beloved members of the Crawley family staff, eventually taking over Carson's position as a butler. By 1920, Thomas is working as a valet to Lord Grantham and is angry when he is told by Molesley that Matthew will not be bringing a valet to Downton. He realises that happiness can come from friendship and promises to be kinder in his new job and make new friends. Thomas repeatedly insults Alfred, and O'Brien and Thomas each repeatedly try to damage the reputation of the other. He sees a fellow medic, just beside him, get shot in the head and die. The young man is later deceived by Danker, that pin money from Andy to drink like a sponge in a tavern where it is possible to gamble. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action, see Thomas carve out a smidge of romantic happiness for himself. From 1927 until 1946, he was director of the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) founded in 1859 by Louis Agassiz at Harvard University in Cambridge , Massachusetts . When talking to Jimmy Kent, he remarked that [they] both like to look so sure of [themselves], but that [theyre] not so sure underneath, projecting his own insecurities on Jimmy. Thomas is working as the butler at Downton Abbey when they receive news of the upcoming royal visit. Alfred confirms that Thomas won't allow a word to be said against Jimmy. Thomas develops feelings for a patient, Lieutenant Edward Courtenay, while Edward us recovering from gas-blindness. Thomas is devastated by Jimmy's betrayal. When Sybil dies in childbirth, Thomas is reduced to tears, and Anna comforts him outside. "Remember this is not just the end of a long war, but it is the dawn of a new age. However, in between the two movies their relationship appears to have ended, as Thomas receives a letter saying that Richard will be getting married to a woman. He appears to be a very bitter man, having constitutional objection to anyone being happy, according to Molesley. Lady Grantham poisons Lord Grantham (already nearly dead anyway after contracting a rare form of slow-acting rabies from Isis) and on his deathbed he acknowledges Thomas as his son. Thomas leaves as the staff all recognize that he is a better person now. The last episode of series five left a lot open; I will avoid alluding to this directly and other events in the season as US viewers wont have seen it yet. He arrived at Downton in 1910, indicating in 1920 he had worked there for ten years. O'Brien advises Thomas to take something of his lordship and then find it and return it, to prove his trustworthiness. That kiss holds the promise of something more, and we end this story on a hopeful note (as in, the ones they write each other) that perhaps these two men will cross paths again. She says that Alfred has a nice manner unlike Thomas. Thomass father was a clockmaker, and Thomas has a natural affinity with clocks, calling them living things. Thomas wins Lord Grantham's favour and Bates's job as valet when he takes Lord Grantham's dog, so that he can be a hero by finding her. "He just had such a difficult experience one episode after another," the producer reflects. Jimmy says he can do that if it is only being friends and the scene ends with them chatting over a newspaper. Baxter tries to get inside and spots a medicine box with needles. O'Brien hides all of Lord Grantham's dress shirts and Thomas gets blamed for losing them. As Dame Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess of Grantham might tartly remark, "Downton Abbey: A New Era" is as faded as old chintz in a sunny parlor. "They made the decision, even though it was a great scene, to remove that and it was the wise decision. Robert loves his wife and three daughters, but when the series opens, he is revealed to be anxious for the future of his palatial estate home as it would be entailed away from his daughters. Only one of his relationships that we have seen has gone well for Thomas. Thomas believes that he is beaten. Mrs Patmore intercepts the telegrams and, using a unique steam-iron method, gets Daisy (bound for Harvard after securing the first Open University degree*) to help her read them. Thomas realizes that his fellow footman William has feelings for kitchen maid Daisy and is planning to ask her to go to the fair. More than a year after these events, in the 2012 Christmas Special, Jimmy at first still appears uncomfortable around Thomas, and does not want to be alone with him or even accept the gift of a pop when Thomas offers to buy everyone one. It is only the intervention of John Bates who not only takes the matter to Lord Grantham, but also uses information he gets from Thomas to force Sarah O'Brien to make Jimmy take back his threat, that allows Thomas to keep his job. He is not above using crooked methods to further his own career, especially in season 1. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. The Dowager Countess teamed up with cousin Isobel and helped her rescue Lord Merton from his evil son and daughter-in-law, who Isobel announced shed finally marry. He was eager for the position of Lord Grantham's valet, but was passed over by Long John Silver. A labrador backing out of the bushes next to the church. He does relate what he knows to O'Brien. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Lady Mary's son George is only five years old in the . Fortunately for Thomas, Lord Grantham doesn't want to lose his most talented player for the yearly cricket match. What should happen if series six is the finale? Thomas returns to find Baxter having formed a bond with Joseph Molesley. Does Lord Grantham cheat on Cora? This is also the first mention of Thomas having a sister, thereby shedding some more light on his background. Richard gives Thomas a key ring to remember him by until they can meet again before leaving Downton. Well presume we have access to the current existing cast for the final episode, although its unclear whether Branson (Allen Leech) has definitively left the show. A notable example is his care for Lieutenant Courtenay, a soldier blinded by a gas attack when Thomas was working at the hospital as an army medic. Luckily, Miss Baxter realises Thomas' plan as Mr. Molesley mentions his odd behavior earlier, when Thomas showed rare goodwill towards him by wishing him all the best in the future. In 1920 Thomas develops an attraction to the handsome new footman Jimmy Kent. However, it is apparent that Thomas' near-death experience has changed him for the better, as he seems to show self-reproach for what he has done and no signs of the intense despair that he felt before. Following the success of the 2019 Downton Abbey film, the beloved franchise has made its anticipated return to theaters. It was reported today that series six due to air in the UK in September (series five is currently on PBS in the US) will be the last gasp of the Crawley dynasty. Bates overhears bits of what is going, and he goes to Mrs. Hughes for the whole story. In an episode that was all about job prospects lost and found, let's get right to the business of Bates, Thomas, Jimmy, and the late night lip-locking that made so many lines of dialogue . Because it's a movie, it's not as dramatic as the series because you can't have two hours of drama and emotion. This is Coras long-term revenge on her husband. Thomas Barrow poisoned Kemal Pamuk. Downton Abbey Recap Bates catches him stealing wine and threatens to tell Mr Carson, unless Thomas stops insulting William. Thomas is still in love with Jimmy, despite everything that has occurred. Edward committs suicide with a razor he sneaked into his bed. It is this incident which prompts Isobel Crawley to persuade Cora to turn Downton Abbey into a convalescence hospital for the duration of the war. Editor's note: For the benefit of American readers who haven't yet seen Season 3 of Downton Abbey, please do your best to avoid spoilers when commenting.. June Thomas: Seth, you look so . Thomas's relationship with Daisy was rocky, at first. Thomas and Sarah O'Brien, Thomas's friend and Lady Grantham's lady's maid, begin plotting to get John Bates fired, and they try to sabotage his work. She confronts Thomas and threatens him that someway she is going to make sure that things will be wrong for him. Lady Mary comes down with George and Sybbie to say a final goodbye, with George begging Thomas not to go, but Thomas tearfully insisting that he must. Thomas and O'Brien attempt to get him fired for theft by planting one of Robert's snuff boxes in his room, but Anna warns him, and he replaces it without informing them. God bless you. Thomas is very much surprised at Bates helping him. Creator Julian Fellowes says there was also a more emotional reason for choosing to resolve Barrow's story more positively. At the beginning of the series, Thomas the footman has been working toward being a valet, and the position of valet to Lord Grantham looks like it will be his, when suddenly Lord Grantham hires John Bates, who has not been a valet before and walks with a cane. All rights reserved. When the staff and the family travel to London for Lady Rose's wedding to Atticus Aldridge, Carson hires a temporary footman, Andrew. Alfred is a barely experienced footman, and Thomas sees it as an insult that he could just fall into the job in a matter of weeks. Also, Mr. Carson regrets not crediting Thomas with a heart. Thomas still hopes that Lord Grantham will decide to retain him as valet. Jimmy comes to Thomas with his problems. To Mr Bates. Thomas agrees but is clearly hurt that he won't get to spend as much time with Andy. Despite this, he is easily forgiven by the members of the upstairs, who often gossip about him. He had an affair with the Duke of Crowborough, who then refused to hire him as his personal valet, telling him that one swallow does not make a summer. 1868), usually called Lady Grantham, is the wife of Robert and mother of Mary, Edith and Sybil. But I do know you have to fight back. Perhaps the most beleaguered characters (debatable, considering Ediths luck), earned their own happy ending as well, with Annas water breaking in Lady Marys room. She asks Thomas to teach Alfred to be a valet to Matthew Crawley. Thomas agrees and takes him to her room that night. This is one of the first times Thomas is seen with a very kind and caring side. Who is Lord Grantham's son? Lord Grantham is kind, decent, open-minded in his own cloistered way, and a gentleman through and through. The drastic measures involved in this (such as electroconvulsive therapy and investing a lot of money in this) show a certain level of pain, desperation, and determination towards changing himself behind his usually well-maintained behaviour. Alfred confirms that Thomas won't allow a word to be said against Jimmy. In the TV series, you could have a sadder ending one episode because the show would be back the following week and you could contrast that with something. John Bates is imprisoned after being found guilty at the murder trial for his wife's death, and Lord Grantham needs a replacement valet. Going Downton is the end near for the award-winning period drama. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Thomas remarks that she isn't very lady-like after all. Yet after saving Edith from a fire that started in Edith's bedroom, he immediately earns Cora's gratitude and his job is secure. In defense of his kissing Jimmy in his sleep, he told Carson after the incident that when one is like him, they must read the signs as best as they can, as no-one dares to speak aloud about it. Lady Grantham surreptitiously checks up on the nanny and Thomas's warnings prove well founded when she overhears West coldly insulting Sybbie because of her parentage. After this, he is also more sympathetic and defends Baxter. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Thomas comes to his door, while Jimmy is getting dressed. => Read More. "There was a slightly more ambiguous ending to that story in the original script. When he enraged Bates by asking Daisy out on a date to embarrass William in his footman days, Bates slammed him into a wall in the hall of the upstairs bedrooms. and our Thomas impulsively says, "Well, I love you.". Andy admits to Thomas that he cannot read or write anything but his own name, which was all he needed to get into service. He fetches Dr. Richard Clarkson and some of the other staff to help Thomas and stays silent whilst Thomas fails to say what really happened, and so avoids telling everyone that Jimmy left him alone to face the two men and gets beaten. Mr Carson calls Thomas "foul" because of his homosexuality but despite everything, Thomas sticks up for himself saying "I'm not the same as you, but I'm not foul". In result, he is beaten and robbed in Jimmy's place, after the latter runs away and leaves him there. Thomas Barbour (August 19, 1884 - January 8, 1946) was an American herpetologist. During the King and Queen's Royal Visit, Thomas and the King's Royal Dresser Richard leave Downton Abbey to go to York. . He then calls Thomas a "stupid fool" for not giving him the regular entree. As the film stands now, after being rounded up by police for dancing at a secret underground gay jazz club, Thomas is bailed out of jail by the King's valet, Richard (Max Brown) and the two share a brief surprise kiss back at Downton. He is a very proud man, with a razor-sharp tongue, biting sarcasm and dry humour. In the end, Thomas is his own worst enemy, acting how he does to survive the bigoted environment he lives in and pushing people away to protect himself. A possible explanation for this was given by himself when talking to Edward Courtenay. Later, whilst Jimmy is walking alone, two men attempt to rob him. He has worked at Downton for over 10 years, and as a footman used to wind all the clocks in the house. She knows that Thomas is the illegitimate son of OBrien and Lord Grantham and the rightful heir to the house. Andy and Thomas seem to have established a good friendship, but Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore don't look favourably the relationship between the two men. Thomas is beaten and robbed in his place, after Jimmy runs away and leaves him there. She had her happy ending as well, of course, announcing her first pregnancy with new husband Henry Talbot. He then says goodbye to Lord Grantham and thanks him as Downton has helped him grow as a person and taught him many important things, an appreciation that Lord Grantham admires as he wishes him luck in the future. Lady Grantham poisons Lord . Thomas impulsively says, "Well, I love you." Thomas had been close friends with O'Brien, "thick as thieves", as Lord Grantham calls them, who is surprised when he learns they have had a falling out. She points out that it is not unusual for gay men to marry as a cover, and that Ellis is not to be blamed for it; Thomas agrees but remains upset and comments that he wants a different sort of life. The last image before fade out? To begin with, Thomas is extremely annoyed that he had been passed up for the position of Lord Grantham's valet by "Long John Silver", which is what he calls John Bates when talking with O'Brien about the new valet. As of 1924, both dogs have passed away. Thomas says he felt an attraction to Jimmy and thought Jimmy returned it, but he was wrong. And Lady Mary has an exciting new haircut (potential spin-off series: Marys Bangs). Meanwhile, Lord Grantham hires his former batman, John Bates, as his valet. He is one of the few people who knew that Kemal was in Mary 's room the night he died, but it is uncertain if he knows that he died there. Julian Fellowes, the writer of the show, has said that Thomas is not as smart as he thinks he is. James throws him out, and he sees Alfred, glaring at him from a doorway. Edith, free of Impostor Child at last (she has gone to Germany), marries the pig farmer. After Thomas's relationship with O'Brien ends away, Jimmy is the only member of the downstairs staff whom Thomas likes. Meanwhile, Thomas strikes up a friendship with Richard Ellis, the king's second dresser. As Cora is at odds with Isobel, who is trying to run the place, O'Brien suggests that Thomas be made the manager of Downton, as he knows medicine, knows the house, and will automatically hold Cora in respect. He has a younger half-sister named Caroline Talbot . *not an anachronism because, as we all know, there are no anachronisms in Downton Abbey. Sarah tells Thomas that Jimmy has a crush on him and that he won't stop gushing to Alfred about Thomas. She remarks to him that he should be grateful to be in her good graces. Due to Stowell's rudeness to Tom, Lady Mary asks Baxter to ask Thomas to get Stowell into trouble with Lord Sinderby. They also learned to appreciate the modern direction their life was headed, with Cora modernizing her Lady Grantham title by running the hospital. Carson sees no option but to refuse a reference, as otherwise, the intervention of the police would cause gossip and scandal. Thomas knows it was O'Brien or Alfred. Carson is not pleased, as this makes Thomas his superior. Edith is forced to choose between the Traitor Ginger Impostor Child and her burgeoning career as the next Rupert Murdoch (a job for which she never does any work but occasionally mentions over breakfast). "Initially there was an extra scene that's been removed where maybe the ending wasn't as nice, and it was sort of like, tragical Thomas again," Rob James-Collier tells EW.