I know it was his decision not to renew the contract, but I'm still not happy. I just transferred my irritation's target.

I read somewhere that it is the norm for actors on television series in the UK to have fixed term contracts (three years, sounds right), unlike in the US (where many actors will stay with a series for its duration or will flounce off early.)

This would be in line with British employment law where nearly all positions are under employment contract. The concept of "at will" employment is unknown to them (unless they have collegaues in the States).

I just got into Downton with much prompting from my friends (and realizing it was on Amazon Prime).

So, here's my current question (I'm just starting Season 5): They say they're ok with Tom moving on with his life, but who do THEY expect him to move on with? They want him to stay at Downton (because of Sibby), but they obviously don't approve of the school teacher. I get that part of it is her opinions, but even before they knew her, they expressed discontent at him with a school teacher. So, obviously they want someone better, but there really weren't any better careers for a woman at that time. I suppose he could look for a wealthy merchant's daughter, but he'd be hard pressed to find any of those at Downton. That leaves noblemen'noblemen's daughters (which he may meet as they come through Downton), but he's not likely to find one that will take him on like Sibyl did. Although, personally, now that Mary has snapped out of her Ice Queen persona again, I'd kinda like to see her with Tom. :)

Ooh, intriguing question AF!

Edith isn't married yet; what say Tom snags her and they BOTH move to Boston (children in tow)?

Or perhaps Martha Levinson (Cora's mother) could scare-up a nice high society American gal for Tom once he's in the States.

But I don't WANT Tom to go to America. And I don't want him with Edith. She's not right for him. She needs someone who will coddle her, and Tom isn't that person. I still think he'd be better with Mary.

ETA: I'm just starting the S5 finale, so that might change things.

NOBODY wants Tom to go to America! But he will have to bring Sybbie back to Downton from time to time to see her family. Maybe she won't want to go back to America.

The school teacher was dreadful. Not for her politics, but for her appalling manners.

Mary and Tom would be an interesting pairing. But Mary would have to drop her snobbery to have anything romantic with him.

*

Bump?

As a latecomer to the Downton Abbey series, I wanted to check online as to the ages of characters Mary and Edith. Oopsy, big spoiler mistake! Wikipedia already lists some Season 6 tidbits regarding those two characters. :(

Haven't watched the latest season regularly, but that teacher was horrendous. I hated her voice. It grated on my nerves and her manners were atrocious. If she'd treated them with courtesy they probably would have thought she wasn't so bad.

Poor Edith. I swear Fellowes had an ex GF named Edith who brutally tore his heart. lol Mary's so rude but gets everything her way. /rant ;)

It could just be my misguided "take" but the way Fellowes seems to want to blissfully wrap things up doesn't follow the way the previous seasons have gone. Unless we get a major incident happening to one of the main characters the last episode will break out in a group hug and a circle to sing Kumbaya.
Or, little Marigold could talk. SHOCK...

I'm on Season 5. Mary is my least favorite character; for someone who is supposed to be classy, I find her not to be.

I'm really glad the family has maintained a close relationship with Tom; that would've made Sybil happy. But I don't really see the need for him to be in another relationship. I'm hoping that maybe he goes to school, becomes a lawyer, or does something with his life outside of Downton.

Is Season 6 the final season?

Yes, season 6 is the last

So if you donate to your local PBS station, you can get the whole season on DVD or Blu Ray as soon as they air the first one. I've watched all of Season 6 already- sad it's over already, but I have it on DVD/Blu Ray forever. I will miss it. I liked how it ended, unlike some other shows.

Like "Dexter"? That has to be the worst series finale ever. I didn't like the "Six Feet Under" finale either.