Robert & Cora's Marital Crisis | Downton Abbey

Cora was absolu-freaking-lutely right about this and I'm so glad Robert faced some consequences for this, for once. When he nearly cheated with that maid and was treating Cora terribly, she forgave him (for the part she knew). When he squandered Cora's fortune, Cora forgave him immediately. She was endlessly patient. But here, her baby was dead and she just couldn't muster up the patience and forgiveness for a little while. It's amazing to me that she ever did.

THE FACT IS: Regardless of the likelihood of Sybil's survival had she had a ceasarean, Robert made the choice to ignore Clarkson in favour of Tapsell for all the petty, pretentious, nonsensical reasons Cora stated. He chose to risk his daughter's life for the sake of saying "Sir Phillip Tapsell delivered my grandchild" over dinner to impress people of no consequence. That's the bottom line. I completely see why Cora blamed him and even after discovering the probability of survival, I still wouldn't have forgiven him.

I've noticed that every time the Dowager needs emotional support she touches the walls of downton for strength

The line "Like too many women before her." Always kills me because it is a painful truth.

Imagine trying to save the life of a patient who you've helped since her birth, with clear symptoms staring everyone in the face, just to be shouted at by some snobby doctor and belittled in front of everyone, then to be sadly proven right, with no way of saving her once the fitting began, to then be told by the Dowager Countess to basically go to the parents and basically say that you were wrong all along. (Yes I know C-Section in the 1920s would have had a significant mortality rate, but still better then succuming to eclampsia) Poor Dr Clarkson.

"I will not criticize a mother who is grieving for her daughter."

Elizabeth McGovern's performance was absolutely heart-wrenching.

Cora's words to Robert in their bedroom are probably the most devastating any character ever addressed to another in all Downton Abbey. She was in unbelievable pain, and he loves her so much that to hear such words coming from her would be utterly crushing. Great acting, writing, and quiet understated direction.

I love that as a mother-in-law, she sympathized with Cora. Even chose to support her over Robert during the Ethel scene. She saw that her son and daughter-in-law were suffering and needed some intervention. Sybil was dead and no amount of being angry was going to bring her back. Instead of telling Cora to get over it and forgive her son, like many mother-in-laws would do, she understood her pain. She didn't blindly support Robert but did what she could, to mend the crack in their marriage.

“Is that a Charlotte Russe? How DELICIOUS!” The way Cora says this line tickles me. Totally unbothered by Robert’s ranting! 😂😂😂

Cora crying in the end really makes one teary eyed, the pain of losing a child is written all over her face, like it was real…really excellent acting.

This was the only moment when someone rightfully held Robert accountable. Cora held her tongue when he lost her fortune, she held her tongue when he insisted and didn’t fight for Mary’s rights, no one ever slapped this guy for cheating on Cora, whereas Bricker crosses a line against Cora’s wishes. Also he married her for the money. This was a very necessary fight that the couple needed to have and it was quickly resolved

Robert's character is so complex. His upbringing and his position has made him snobbish toward certain people, yet he could just as easily go downstairs and celebrate with the servants when something wonderful happens in their lives. There are moments when his pride influences his judgement, but there are also times when he recieves a dose of reality and we get to see the real Robert Crawley beneath. There are times when we are angry with him and times when we admire him, which is how Julian Fellows wanted us to see him.

God how much I hated this part of the series...Sybil was such a precious and lovely character. So sad.

That doctor handled his role in that last scene really well. Told them what they needed to hear without compromising his integrity. Solid job, doctor.

I love how Robert lists all the reasons he forgot Sybil is gone. I find it very touching and the best way for a father to commemorate his daughter.

In cases such as Dr. Clarkson's, it shows how difficult it is to balance your professional oath and your loyalty to a great family. Even though I understand why the Dowager did what she thought was necessary to save the Crawley's marriage, I still found myself resenting that sense of entitlement she showed when she essentially manipulated the delivery of the facts. It really shows you how the characters you've grown to like are really mirrors (in some instances) of the flawed beings you can actually find in reality. And that's what I like about this show.

The moment Robert and Corra embrace and just loose it...finally grieving together for the loss of their child...gets me everytime.

Matthews death, unfortunately, was spoiled for me with various interviews and the global reaction since I only started watching the series in 2017. But Sybil’s death really caught me off guard since it really came out of nowhere and the public somehow preserved that scene from getting out

This wasn't the way to go about it, essentially gas-lighting Cora and making her think she was exaggerating the issue when it just a simple fact that Robert was being a pompous, perhaps even classist idiot on the night. It didn't help anything to make him think he was right all along when his arrogance cost literally cost his daughter her life. How maddening to be a woman in marriage in those days. She knew what should have been but her voice was completely and totally ignored because Robert didn't want to "embarass" Sir what's his face. Can you imagine???? Your daughter is literally screaming in pain and you're worried about embarrassing someone with a title. Priorities, darling.