Hollywood Husbands - Tumblr Posts

My new one true paring. I love them

THOMAS & GUY | DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA

Hollywood Husbands - sense and sensibility

As I come to appreciate my Colonels Brandons over my Willoughbys more and more with each passing year, I also find that my criteria for romantic ships have undergone drastic changes. These days I often catch myself looking at a canon-based ship that no amount of wild horses could have dragged me off just ten years ago and closely examining it for things other than sheer dramatic value and the oh-so-elusive chemistry. Ah, the joys of middle age!

Quite understandably, I found myself giving a rather thorough – I hope you’ll allow me this little bit of vanity – examination to the relationship between Thomas Barrow and Guy Dexter in all its canon, Downton Abbey 2: Tokyo Drift glory. Now, admittedly there hasn’t been a lot to actually examine, with their shared, relationship-relevant scenes amounting to measly 8 minutes or so. You’ll surely agree that this is not a very impressive number for a relationship that ends up in a decision as momentous as moving to another continent. On the other hand, 8 minutes could and should be considered a more than respectable amount when it comes to Thomas’ romantic interests over the course of the Downton Abbey movies.

The outcome is this: Thomas makes the choice to leave Downton Abbey and pursue a ‘working relationship’ with Mr. Dexter in Los Angeles. I think we can all agree that this is too major a decision to be made solely on the basis of lust and/or appreciation of the beauty of a man’s smile (and what a smile it is!).

Thomas makes a life-changing choice. But is it an informed one?

One thing cannot be denied – Guy Dexter certainly has no problem with taking the direct approach! Even as certain words remain unsaid, there is little doubt as to the fact that his proposition is a genuine romantic overture. I’d even call it a proposal – Thomas himself describes it as the nearest I’ve come to the offer of an honest way of life. But on what basis does he make his choice? What information does he have that makes him even remotely willing to consider such a thing?

For the purposes of clarity, I’ll be separating that information into two categories, depending on its source. The first batch is what Guy Dexter volunteers about himself, much of it directly related to his romantic overture. The second is what can be reasonably inferred about the man’s character from direct observation and second-hand accounts. Turns out? It adds up to a surprisingly respectable amount.

Mr. Dexter gives account of himself:

I don’t care. I’ve lived in America for ten years now. I don’t believe in that stuff anymore.

Frankly, my dears, Mr. Dexter does not give a damn… about being circumspect. Nor, in fact, does he give much of a one about social hierarchy. His attitude towards those two things should weight heavily in his favour, especially in the eyes of somebody like Thomas Barrow, a man who is remarkably brave when it comes to the first one and has always, always felt burdened by the second.

Let it be noted that Guy still makes sure that the door to the pantry remains closed. One could, at a stretch, call it hypocrisy, I call it an appropriate and healthy amount of caution and care. Let it also be noted that he reacts with neither shame nor guilt when caught downstairs by Daisy; why, he rather boldly announces his intention to seek conference with Mr. Barrow.

I don’t have a wife to look after me, so… you could do it.

Now, this is a bright green flag if I’ve ever seen one. Not the fact that he isn’t married, although that is something which Thomas no doubt finds very important, but that this information is freely volunteered. It can be further inferred that since Guy needs somebody to look after him, there is no long-term male partner in the picture either. Very proper and honourable of him to disclose his marital status, especially in the opening salvo. He is thus able to offer Thomas a fair and equitable arrangement between the two of them without the need to consult and/or involve any third parties.

I’d be your valet? More than that. You’d run the house and organize our journeys.

While following a man to a different country with no guarantee of, well, pretty much anything except love may be foolhardy, this is absolutely not the case here. When and if Thomas decides to move to America, there will be a house and an occupation already waiting for him. The latter of which doubles as a way to ensure his safety by giving him a publicly acceptable reason to live in the same house and accompany Guy on his travels, something that we know he is especially interested in. The basis of this arrangement seems similar to what Thomas tried to pursue with Philip back in season 1, but the exact power dynamic and the scope of the arrangement itself is quite different, as would be Thomas’ much higher position in the household. There is one more promise concealed here; after all you don’t give rein over your house and life to a fling. This is a serious decision that implies a strong hope for a long-term, stable relationship.

To pre-empt any questions about Thomas’ fate should the relationship fail, I’d like to point out that he is in possession of actual marketable skills, to which the title of a Real British Butler to Earl So-and-So would lend a certain (and monetizable) cachet. If that doesn’t work out? I’ve looked it up and transatlantic travel, though dear, was more than affordable on Thomas’ probable salary and savings. Why, he might even be able to travel with class!

Make me comfortable. Make us both comfortable.

And here we’ve got the first use of we, my-my, how forward of you, Mr. Dexter! And seriously, this line serves as a declaration of Guy’s intention to share and use his resources – whatever they might be at any given moment – for both of their benefit. True, any sharing of such resources would be on voluntary basis since Thomas wouldn’t have a legal claim on any of it… but neither would Guy be able to claim any resources that Thomas may bring with him or gain in the future.

Of course, if my career folds, then we’d have to think again, but…

Of course, if Guy’s career folds, they’d have to rethink this star-and-his-assistant ruse, that’s more than understandable. What is promising is that, going by Guy’s language, Thomas is going to be included in the decision-making process. What is even more promising is that Guy isn’t trying to pull wool over Thomas’ eyes by painting a picture of a perfect fairytale. It’s not a throwaway line either – they’ve already had a conversation about this scenario. Thomas may choose to treat Guy’s warning with a grain of salt, but it was made all the same. No gross misrepresentation of one’s financial prospects to be found here! Well… you let me know when you’ve… come to a decision.

Guy has made his move and now he’s exiting the scene, stage left, leaving Thomas ample time to process and consider his offer on its own merits. No pressure nor any alternative means of persuasion are applied at any point; the only thing that does happen is a largely innocent straightening of Thomas lapels (Rape of the Lock it is not) and if this offer has a date of expiration, it is only because of external factors – after all, the film crew will be leaving at some point. Is Thomas left reeling? Of course, who wouldn’t be. He has also just been afforded a great deal of agency; the ball is fully in his court.

And he doesn’t even need to ask for time, whether verbally or by acting hesitant – it is given to him unconditionally. Whatever his answer – and there is no outright assumption that it will be positive – he will be giving it on his own terms and in his own time.

It can mean as little or as much as you like.

Thomas is once again afforded a great deal of agency. Guy Dexter does not keep sex slaves nor, presumably, slaves of any other kind. As far as Guy is concerned, the exact terms of their relationship are something that Thomas should absolutely have control over. Following Thomas’ question – and note that it’s Thomas who is reopening the negotiations, with Guy’s previous remark being just that, a remark – Guy could have simply said yes. It wouldn’t have been a further imposition nor a change to the understood terms of the proposed agreement, simply a confirmation of what Thomas has already surmised. And yet.

I'’d say you've spent long enough [standing].

Don'’t call me "sir."

I don’t think that either of the above quotes needs much comment.

Mr. Barrow, as befits a proper English butler, sees all:

He must have seen – as he’d been present in the room on both occasions – how deftly Guy maneuvers himself into the spotlight, giving his best Guy Dexter: Movie Star performance. His best and more, as he needs to compensate for Myrna and Jack Barber, the former of which their hosts seems to find abrasive and uncouth, while the latter isn't taking his role as the head of this whole filming enterprise all that seriously, what with his initial absence and then his antagonistic comments. In fact, with the exception of the Pelhams, nobody upstairs is putting much effort into socialising on that first afternoon and evening.

He must have also seen that Guy Dexter: Movie Star is just that, a performance, perhaps as soon as the library scene. The moment Guy understands that his glib comment left Thomas startled and perhaps even discomfited, he steps back and corrects himself at once in the most polite, kind way possible. Now, I wonder how many other guests over the years were that sensitive to Thomas’ feelings? And of those, how many apologized for overstepping and offered Thomas his sincere thanks? I’m not saying that this number is zero. I’m also not not saying that.

In fact, being polite, kind and gregarious seems to be Guy’s default setting when in company. And the class and relative social position of said company seems to have very little effect on his level of engagement, as shown in that charming little scene where Thomas comes upon Guy holding court with the extras and Downton staff right in the middle of the hall. Then he gives further proof of his egalitarianism and/or working class roots by asking Thomas about his history in service, doing so in a way that in no way implies any inferiority of that career path to his own. It does, however, indicate genuine interest, a point that is later reiterated with I’ve just been thinking how much more interesting this great house is than our silly little film.

If one pays close attention to the filming scenes, it becomes impossible to ignore the way in which Guy interacts with Myrna, also in the background. He provides support when needed – she keeps very close to him when forced to socialise – and makes sure that she gets credit where credit is due by pulling her back into the room for that final round of applause. Thomas may not be very interested in the filming process, but come on, over however many weeks the filming crew spent in Downton he would have seen enough. What’s interesting is that there seems to be no correlation between Myrna’s behaviour and Guy’s kindness.

In fact, it really seems like being kind is simply Guy’s thing and very little – if anything – is likely to ruffle his feathers. No matter how insecure and fearful of the future he may truly be – which is a considerable amount going by his conversation with Thomas on the merits of old film stars in this new reality where talkies are a thing – he doesn’t take it out on anybody.

And last, but not least, we also know that Downton staff – and Mrs. Hughes in particular – like him quite a bit, which surely has to count for something in Thomas’ eyes.

The long-awaited and terribly subjective conclusion:

Colonel Brandons and Willoughbys aside, I think that we can say without a shade of a doubt that Thomas Barrow did not want for sufficient information to base his final decision on. Especially when we consider the minuscule amount of screentime afforded to this relationship and its development. Guy Dexter makes Thomas Barrow what amounts to a marriage proposal and gives an accounting of himself that is wholly adequate to the occasion. No missing scenes needed. Probable, well, the movie plays out over the course of four to six weeks; welcome, oh yes; being industriously plotted out in our evil little heads, absolutely. Eight minutes of shared scenes? *shakes her head in disbelief*

Now, whether you regard Thomas’ final choice as the right one or not – and that is before taking into account the historical realities, one’s personal interpretation of Thomas Barrow’s character arc and the Word of Fellowes – there is one thing that needs to be said. There are no text-supported red flags attached to Guy Dexter and his courtship of Thomas Barrow. Not a one. And that does, above all else, speak to me of a true possibility of a happy ending.

As for any perceived chemistry as well as Dominic West’s acting chops, well, I won’t bore you with my opinion on that. It would require – and is a matter for – another meta, a very different one at that.

And now, on a more personal note: I am an old woman these days, old and perhaps a little bit pragmatic, and while still very prone to flights of romantic fancy, those have, as of late, taken on a distincly Austenian flavour. From this position I shall say only that I, for one, based solely on its merits, would give such an offer the consideration it surely deserves.