The phrase ‘Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ might not have made it into colloquial use until the 1970's, but it definitely was the theme of “Downton Abbey’s” second episode this season. The world is continuing to move forward and our favorite Yorkshire country house is moving with it.

Warning many spoilers ahead. So stop reading if you haven’t seen the episode!

Mary, Her Men And Birth Control

Lady Mary solidified her decision to go away to Liverpool with Tony Gillingham and faces a series of choices in the process. Some are small, such as selecting clothes she can wear without the assistance of a ladies’ maid, while others are much more significant, such as sending Anna to purchase contraceptives and Charles Blake asking her to truly think about her decision to have sleep with Tony before marriage.

Mary relies on Anna to purchase a contraceptive device found in Marie Stopes’ book “Married Love”, a scandalous publication you may remember Edna Braithwaite possessing last season when she attempted to seduce Tom Branson. Anna is flustered by the very idea of sex without marriage, much less contraception, but she visits the drugstore to keep Lady Mary from being recognized and purchasing contraception as a married woman was slightly more socially acceptable. She faces moral scrutiny from the female shopkeeper who only agrees to help her as she claims pregnancy would be detrimental to her health. However, Anna admits to Lady Mary later “it seems unfair to punish [her] like that”, for wanting sex without children. As for Blake, he seems to have conceded defeat to Gillingham for now, but I doubt this will be his last attempt to woo Mary.

Thomas Stirs Up Drama And Daisy Loves To Learn

Meanwhile, Thomas’ heroic deeds from the previous episode aren’t a recurring theme, as he decides to tell Baxter’s tale of theft and imprisonment to Mr. Moseley. While the footman doubts that Thomas’ account is the full story, Baxter doesn’t deny it but refuses to explain further when he presses her. But Thomas also deals with the dismissal of Jimmy, losing his only ally in the house. He admits to Anna in an unusually tender scene “There are times I’d like to belong”.

Other downstairs events include Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes disagreeing over the placement of the WWI memorial, an exchange that Carson admits to disliking when the two aren’t in agreement. Upon Lady Rose’s suggestion, Mrs. Patmore asks Miss Bunting to return to Downton. But instead of turning upstairs dinners into battlegrounds, Bunting is tutoring Daisy in math, something Daisy finds herself not only succeeding in but enjoying as well.

Love, Art And Technology Invade Upstairs

In other upstairs events, Charles Blake brings an art historian to Downton Abbey, claiming the man has an interest in a Piero della Francesca painting that’s featured in the house. However, upon Simon Bricker’s arrival (portrayed by the endearing Richard E. Grant), it’s clear he may show just as much interest in Cora as he does the painting, which aggravates Robert’s jealous side. Bricker’s visit to Downton may not be the last of him, as Robert insists to Cora that he flirted with Isis, and it’s very rude to flirt with someone else’s dog. The look on Cora’s face is clear that she’s aware Robert is, in fact, not referring to Isis.

Finally, Edith decides to become Marigold’s “godmother” at the suggestion of Mr. Drewe (a decision Mrs. Drewe doesn’t agree with), Lord Merton continues to show romantic interest in Isobel (at the ire of Violet and Dr. Clarkson), and Rose suggests the addition of a wireless in Downton Abbey.

She fails in persuading Robert to bring in the new technology until she mentions that King George V plans to address the country via wireless to open the British Empire Exhibition. This convinces Robert to temporarily allow a wireless in Downton Abbey and both the upstairs and downstairs residents come together to listen to the momentous event. The episode ends with a police inspector visiting the downstairs staff. A witness has been found in the death of Mr. Green and the investigation has taken them to Downton Abbey.

Next week, it seems we’ll find out more about Rose’s participation in helping the Russian refugees and how Violet factors into the story. In the meantime, keep tabs on “Desperate for Downton” this week for an update on local Downton Abbey events in Georgia and an exclusive interview with a favorite “Downton Abbey” cook!