We're dropped back into Downton six months after the Season 4 finale, but there has been many changes afoot. I'm sure Carson will spend much of the year super-vexed at everything.
For one, it's 1924 and there's a new prime minister who -- scandal! -- represents the Labour Party. Watching Carson and Robert grumble with disdain is what I imagine it was like in the Bush home when Obama was elected.
The youngins' don't seem to mind the new blood in government. Mary mentions that Prime Minister MacDonald is "the son of a crofter," which, after consulting my Old-Fashioned British To English dictionary, means his dad was a farmer. Robert pretty much yells, "THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO DESTROY US! HIDE THE TAPESTRIES!!"
Secondly, Edith has a new bike with a little basket, and she seems to enjoy riding through the winter fog all melancholy like. To be fair, she's sad because, you know, she gave her daughter away to the pig farmer. But Edith has started visiting little Marigold regularly/stalking the Drewes.
Thirdly, Daisy wants to learn math.
See, changes. Here's some highlights of the premiere.
About that fire
Yes, there's a fire at Downton, but it's not nearly as bad as the season previews led fans to believe.
And yes, it's caused by Edith because she pretty much is responsible for doing all the annoying things in the Crawley family. OK, so I'm being rather harsh, because the fire is caused by Edith in tears throwing a book that once belonged to Michael Gregson across her room and a little too close to her fireplace.
Everyone is fine, though. Thomas (!) rescues Edith from her flaming bed, Robert and Branson use their sand buckets (!!) and personal water hose (!!!) to hold off the flames before the fire brigade with fancy helmets (!!!!) arrive.
Mr. Drewe is part of the fire brigade and takes Edith aside to basically say, "Look, you're being way too obvious with Marigold. Play it cool for once in your life."
He had earlier admitted to her that he figured out the baby is Edith's, but that he not only won't tell his wife (who's getting really suspicious of Edith, thinking that she's after her husband, which wouldn't be too out of the question for someone who once fell in love with a man without a face, but I digress) but also that he's going to try to work out some plan where Edith can see Marigold more.
You can always trust a good pig farmer.
Sex talk (and hook-ups)
Yup, some more changes! Mary talks openly with Anna about feeling the need to have sex with a potential suitor before she marries him so she knows they're compatible. Geez, women had it rough back then. Anna is "too old-fashioned" to hear about all of this.
Later, Lord Gillingham (whom Mary is still interested in, but not committed to) proposes that they go away for a week in secret, where they'll spend the days (AND NIGHTS!) together. Mary agrees. The Dowager would not approve.
Bates even makes a joke about practicing more with Anna. The two are trying to have a child.
There was also a somewhat misguided minor plot involving Jimmy and a former employer, Lady Anstruther (more like Answhorer, amiright?), who can't keep her hands off him. She even finds a way to invite herself to Downton just so she can find ample time to have sex with Jimmy in her guest room. Robert discovers them while he warns people about the fire. Anstruther plans to sneak out in the morning, while Robert tells Carson to let Jimmy go.