I don’t know anyone who cares much for Bates, the Eeyore of Downton Abbey. He’s a sad sack, self-flagellating martyr who’s always moping about one thing or another. And yet somehow he nabs this young blond lady’s maid? Who seems legitimately cool and charming and full of life and enthusiasm and affection? I can accept a little exaggeration in my melodrama, but I don’t know. Still, in an atmosphere fraught with unrequited love, be it poor Daisy’s crush on every boy, or Thomas’ unwelcome advances on straight dudes, or Lady Edith being Lady Edith, I guess it’s nice to see some residents of Downton getting some. And if Bates can land Anna, maybe anything’s possible.
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