Downton Abbey series 6, episode 5 TV review: The most shocking instalment ever
SPOILERS: Do not read this article if you have not seen episode 5, series 6 of Downton Abbey.
Lady Mary and Neville Chamberlain in Downton Abbey
Where to start? There are no words for what viewers witnessed tonight, it was a moment of pure visceral gore that audiences are more used to seeing on something like Game of Thrones than a cosy, chocolate box episode of everyone’s favourite period drama.
By the end of tonight's episode of Downton Abbey, most viewers would be probably be checking themselves to make sure they didn’t have any spots of blood or guts on them – that’s how much of a bloodbath it was.
Downton has been through the First World War and yet that moment was far more disturbing and violent than anything we have ever seen on the show before.
The deaths of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay) pale in comparison to the sight of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) projectile vomiting blood. Repeatedly.
The fate of Robert Crawley hangs in the balance
ITV- Downton Abbey Series 5 Official trailer
Lady Mary and Neville Chamberlain in Downton Abbey
It probably made everyone’s stomach turn just a little bit but kudos to writer Julian Fellowes on that front. We were nearly falling asleep during the dullest debate on Downton and possibly in the history of television - something about the fate of the local hospital - but now we’re wide awake and worried sick about Robert.
Just like the ulcer, Downton is planning on going out with a bang (too soon?) and with moments like this we’re certainly not going to forget this show for a very, very long time.
Perhaps as we are drawing near the end – it’s already episode five – there was creative licence to push the boat out on the gore front.
It was all getting a bit too cosy on Downton until tonight
The cast of Downton Abbey
This moment is the kick up the old posterior that Downton needed. While it was all very charming as it tied up the loose ends, it did feel like the series was prematurely grinding to a halt.
It was also a reminder that there are perils on the path to the finale and that not everyone is safe.
There are going to be deaths and further shocks in store, that's a given. Nevertheless it’s going to take something quite spectacular to beat that scene – who knows, maybe the final will deliver…
Downton Abbey contines on ITV on Sundays at 9pm