As usual, the new season of the British period drama seemed way shorter than it really was, and the "Downton Abbey" finale, while skipping some traditions of the series' Christmas episodes (like a baby being born and someone consequently dying) definitely makes viewers curious about what's next for the characters in the house.
In the "Downton Abbey" finale, the long-running arch of Anna's rape, the consequent death of her attacker and the police charging both the blonde maid and her butler husband John (respectively, Anna is played by Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt, while Brendan Coyle portrays Mr. Bates) continues to be one of the main plot points, as the loving couple seems to be the unluckiest pair in all England.
According to The Washington Post, in the "Downton Abbey" finale Mr. Bates remains in Downton to be able to visit Anna, until ultimately sending the authorities a letter in which he takes full responsibility for John Green's murder, only to keep his wife from prison - though he's obviously innocent himself.
Molesley (Kevin Doyle) and Miss Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) go on a long search, visiting every single pub in York to find where Bates had been when Green was murdered - and, ultimately, the "Downton Abbey" finale sees Mr. Bates cleared of all charges, and reuniting with his wife at the Downton estate.
According to Deadline, the ill-fated couple meeting each other once again wasn't the only interesting thing happening in the "Downton Abbey" finale, as one of the most beloved couples in the show is finally getting together, as Carson (Jim Carter) finally asked Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) to marry him!
The Downton girls are also getting some action, as The New York Times reports: Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), one of the most tragic figures in the series, has finally stepped out of her shell and danced a few rounds with a nice man called Bertie Pelham and played by Harry Hadden-Paton.
Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) also found herself a new suitor: a handsome stranger named Henry Talbot, played by Matthew Goode, who definitely makes a mark on the oldest of the Crawleys.
Two of the most beloved characters have decided to take up a new life in America and have said farewell on the season finale: the socialist chauffer turned Crawley Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lady Rose (Lily James), after she just tied the knot.
In any case, the "Downton Abbey" finale leaves things open for everything to look better in the next season - even for Anna and Mr. Bates.
