Nanny West Gets Her Comeuppance | Downton Abbey

[@colleenodriscoll8914]

I think Cora was particularly upset because that was Sybil’s child being abused. The family is shown to be quite attached to Sybbie in particular because they see her as the most precious piece of Sybil that she left behind. Out of the three Crawley sisters, Sybil was the kindest and most lovable, with a light inside her that drew everyone in. To the family, Sybbie is Sybil’s last gift to them, so they cherish her just a little more than the other children.

[@sophieirwin3497]

Cora defends her babies and grand-babies. She has class where Nanny West didn't. And anyone abusing Sybbie was a particular sore spot for Cora

[@bugen5]

Sybil always showed compassion and was very friendly with the staff, seeing them as actual people to be treated equal, not lower class citizens. Thomas loved that about her and became extra close with her daughter when she died 😢

[@JixieDyeAuthor]

Well there was the scene when she tricked Branson into going to the political rally, even though she knew Tom would be in trouble if anything happened, and when she later was knocked out, Robert almost fired him. But yes, for the most part Sybil cared about the staff.

[@JJSparxx]

Thomas wasn't a saint or the kindest person on the show but in this matter, he did the right thing as he did show throughout the series that he cared about the children plus Nanny West was being negligent towards both children and she was being a complete bully to sweet little Sybbie.

[@MandieTerrier]

He only wanted to cause trouble. Nanny West being being an actual monster was 100% luck on his part.

[@stefs3460]

Thomas was an interesting character. Very realistic actually because he wasn't all bad or all good he was just a person. Usually pretty selfish and looked out for himself but still had people in his life he cared deeply about.

[@cards0486]

I was happy Thomas got to be the one that made Cora aware of that horrific nanny. He felt an obligation, and affection toward Sybbie because Sybil was a friend to him. Sybil and he developed a real friendship when the War was going on. She talked with him, and respected his service. (Even though she didn’t know what he had done to get out of it.) And, remember, he was good with George, Mary’s son, too. George asked for horseback rides and got them. Thomas was a complex character. But he had a good ending in the series.

[@harleyquinn5774]

@@MandieTerrier He appreciated children because they had not yet been taught to hate.

[@theiran]

@@MandieTerrier No, he saw her being an arrogant tosser and wanted to make sure that she didn't think that her being a nanny gave her any sense of actual authority. He made the point of reminding her that she's a member of the staff as well.

[@dorisbarkler8570]

Her ladyship’s quiet, dignified fury is outstanding ❤❤❤ Never even had to raise her voice. Would’ve scared the babies. I hope Sybbie forgets her completely or at least remembers grandmama coming to her rescue.

[@deniseeulert2503]

At that young of an age I doubt she would remember in a month or so. The earliest real memories a lot of children have is around four years. I may have a membory that dated before that, but Sibbie wasn't even three, was she?

[@hilaryc3203]

They'll be fine; they're mini actors lol

[@dachickenlady]

@@deniseeulert2503 I have some memories from before I was 4. I also remember some feelings rather than memories of actual events from when I was really young.

[@Robert08010]

@@deniseeulert2503 That may be true of many but some of us remember down to 2 years old. For instance, I can remember being small enough to be bathed in a kitchen sink. And I have many strong memories from when I was 3 because I remember moving out of my old house and into my new home and my first time seeing the rooms empty.

[@daniels7907]

Sybbie was young enough that the memory would be vague at best, since her grandmother fired the offending nanny before this had gone on too long, and Sybbie (and George) probably never saw or heard her ever again. The memory would get buried by her later experiences. It would have been different if Nanny West had remained with the household or in the village to trigger the memory. There is an advantage when the abuser is a servant who can be permanently dismissed, as opposed to some relative or other person who would still be around at least some of the time.

[@c00mgoblin]

The only time Thomas ever gained my respect was the way he treated the children, especially after the soft spot he had for Sybil. Her death hit him hard and you could see he truly cares for the kids.

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

The kids are innocent, especially young Sybbie. Even Thomas could tell the difference

[@CeltycSparrow]

The ONE THING I can actually respect Thomas Barrow for. He protected the children from this horrible woman.

[@desibatable]

I was thinking the same thing. One of the very few times he managed to show the good side of him.

[@davidthaler7018]

Yes, but really just Sybbie because Nanny was a classist snob.

[@OceanHedgehog]

Thomas was quite fond of Sybil, and he knows she doesn’t treat Sybil’s daughter properly, so he also protects the girl in Sybil’s memory.

[@wongo79]

I always felt like he just needed a friend.

[@maidinulster]

He had an alterer motive, it was not so much about protecting the kids but more about getting her out as she thought she was above him and he couldn’t have that

[@simonhadley8829]

I've been screamed at by military training instructors for weeks on end with little effect but Cora's quiet, dignified berating would leave me shaking with tears.

[@Robert08010]

Yes, when Cora repeated "You are to fetch a maid and prepare a room!" the intensity was incredible. Something I have noticed with any character, when they act a certain way 99% of the time, those rare occasions when they wander into another territory are so much more impactful. I remember watching a series of skits that involved Darth Vader joking around and they were so off the charts funny because it was so outside of his expected character. Likewise here, Cora is so universally kind and giving throughout the series, those rare occasions when she is not are devastating. Remember that scene when she was asserting her authority over the operations at the house and letting Isabel know she was now free to find something (anything) else to do. It was ruthless! Its also why Barrow's ultimate redemption was so intense.

[@simonhadley8829]

@@Robert08010 Spot on!

[@kayleighbrown459]

Honestly screaming works well with younger people as it tends to catch their attention but as an adult I just think it reveals a lack of faith in ones own authority. It's a bit pathetic.

[@rashelelashley]

Cora is pure Class at it's finest!

[@Joseph-es6mu]

Such a great example of a strong American woman.

[@anniebaker6763]

“Crossbreed” not only refers to the difference in the class and status between Tom and Sybil. It points to the fact that Tom is Irish. Anti-Irish discrimination had been going on in Britain for centuries

[@stars-and-clouds]

Also bc she's half catholic and half protestant.

[@Clutching.My.Pearls]

There was anti-Irish here in the US, with signs "No Irish should apply."

[@cindyhalpern3187]

I am glad Thomas told on her!

[@coffeeaddictexpress5038]

The Irish get it from all sides lol. It boggles the mind!

[@lynnedavies5884]

All races get attacked it is not just the British against the Irish remember the IRA.

[@rheailiarome2287]

Imagine what she must have felt when she heard that, especially after she saw her beautiful young daughter dying giving birth to this lovely little girl. She did well throwing her out that nanny was mistreating the child and not feeding her properly.

[@lotfibouhedjeur]

Barrow is the most challenging character in all of Downton Abbey. Just when you can't stand the smug look on his face anymore he goes on and does something heroic. 😂

[@lizanna6390]

I think Thomas respected Sybill for her kindness and her efforts during the war. For all his faults he protected her child.

[@daniels7907]

Cora was especially angry over the "crossbreed" comment because she herself is half-Jewish, during an era when that carried more than a little social stigma in both her native U.S. and in the U.K. There was just no chance that Nanny West was going to talk her way out of addressing Cora's granddaughter like that within the countess's hearing. In this case, Barrow wasn't even being petty or mean. Nanny West really did have the potential to become an abuser.

[@freedomwriter1995]

What exactly made baby sybil a supposed "crossbreed" I don't understand it.

[@Zero-fo3rq]

@@freedomwriter1995 i think it had to do with the fact Sybie was a child of a Nobel lady that being Sybil and a Working lower class man that being Branson cause in this time period such a marriage between two opposite sides of the social classes was considered blasphemy, so that's why nanny west called her a "crossbreed" cause she was a child of a Nobel woman and Working class man

[@daniels7907]

@@freedomwriter1995 - Her husband Tom was an Irishman. Which many of the more bigoted English such as Nanny West considered to be practically subhuman.

[@copster_]

@@daniels7907 an Irish Republican and chauffeur to boot! He was staff, and his relationship with Lady Sybil crossed the great divide of class.

[@andrewthornhill7042]

@@Zero-fo3rq Plus Branson was Irish Catholic while Sybil would've been C of E.

[@avi.chan23]

This is what made Downton Abbey so successful: the characters are not one-dimensional but rather complex. Thomas is a jealous, mischievous and egoistic person. But during the show his behavior gets explained to an extend. Also, no matter his bad sides, he really adores the children. I think, deep in hin heart Thomas is a kind and caring person. In another time he would have been a kindergardener and could have lived with a kind man on his side. Thomas was just born in the wrong time and I love how the show displayed the hardship and loneliness that gay people suffered back then. Also, Nanny West was horrible and deserved even more consequences than she got.

[@matthewhelland9258]

She wasn't just fired, though. She was sacked without references, which would have been a death sentence for her career. She'll be lucky if she can get a job waiting tables in some seedy, run-down pub, and in all likelihood will wind up in the poorhouse before long.

[@staciecarrel4492]

@@matthewhelland9258 only if she was there for a significant amount of time, if not she could just pretend she was unemployed and still looking during the time she was at Downton. Not shown in this video, but when Cora tells Robert that Nanny West has been sacked he says “oh not another one” so they went through at least a couple of Nannies since Sybbie was born. She could have only been there for a couple of months.

[@saquist]

Let's be honest about what happened here. Thomas didn't go to Lady Grantham and LIE about the children being neglected because of the children. He had no idea what was actually happening. What he did do is what Thomas always does...vindictively attempt to destroy someone else's life and career over bruised ego. This time it worked in the children's favor but it was not born from chivalry or charity.

[@matthewhelland9258]

@@saquist Except he didn't lie at all. She literally told him that she was leaving the children on their own when she asked him to relay the message about the egg, which is a major red flag in children of that age. Plus, she was isolating and witholding food from Sibby right in front of him. I'm sure he at least partly did it to spite Nanny West, but he had every reason to suspect that she was mistreating the children.

[@saquist]

@@matthewhelland9258 because he wouldn't assist the nanny. She was annoyed she had to leave. And Thomas would have told Grantham she was depriving a child of food so he didn't believe that. It wasn't neglect but he made it sound that way. That's what Thomas does. Deception is a lie if you're purposely misleading the severity of the action.

[@timc_720s]

Thomas is one of the most interesting characters in the show, in the beginning he was selfish and everything a villian should be. But throughout the show he has become more of an anti hero but a very good one

[@leahcimolrac1477]

I think Miss O’Brien was way more evil for reasons I don’t have to say. Thomas has his redemption though.

[@Robert08010]

@@leahcimolrac1477 As I read your comment, I had the names of Mrs Hughes and Mrs O'Brien confused in my head and I thought "WHAT!?!? That woman is practically a saint!" And then I realized my mistake. LOL

[@mikegalvin9801]

At first I hated that the only gay character was such a bad guy. He was hugely protective of Sybbie and loved Little George though. Later it occurred to me that without excusing his often wretched behavior he was an unhappy closeted gay man at a time when that was the Only option for 99% of gay people. He lived in a time where homosexual conduct even among consenting adults was illegal pretty much worldwide. Such men were also, even if quietly tolerated by decent employers like Lord Grantham, under constant suspicion. Note the way his awkward attempts with friendship with the younger footmen are immediately suspected of merely being attempts to seduce them. His one previous "relationship" with the slimy duke was clearly dysfunctional and he just being used. It's not till late in the series he even gets to go to one of the very secretive gay clubs around then.

[@strugglingcollegestudent]

I like how in the beginning the nanny tells Thomas not to touch the children but at the end Cora tells the nanny not to touch the children

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

Truly great full circle moment LOL!!!

[@kellymcfalls1458]

@@dreamsteddybearsmaster I don’t really watch the show only clips of KZbin but I’m surprised Cora even let Nanny stay the night I would have told her LEAVE NOW !

[@fandomenthusiast9187]

Thomas is so sassy lol. "As a matter of fact, it does." "Mr. Barrow to you." "Ask her yourself, why don't you?" "Can I help you?" "Because I didn't feel like it."

[@theiran]

2:11 Good point Thomas. She is a member of staff, yet believes in her arrogance that being a nanny somehow puts her above the other staff as far as authority. It was nice to see her brought down.

[@mariahoulihan9483]

nanny weren;t classed as household servants, so she was quite right when she said, not in the same way. They had a slightly higher social standing in the hierarchy of the lower level servants but had no actual practical seniority over household staff. The Cook and Butler still were the senior members of staff. They could not tell her what to do, howevever, as they would those under them in the household.

[@theiran]

@@mariahoulihan9483 Well then by that explanation, she couldn't give them orders either. So she tried to rise above her station and got put in her place.

[@TechBearSeattle]

@@theiran - Exactly. As I recall, the Nanny or Nurse formed an entirely separate branch of staff, possibly as head of one or more nursery maids. She was below the Housekeeper in rank, but not in Housekeeping's chain of command: like the Housekeeper, she reported directly to the lady of the house.

[@lsamoa]

Let's not pretend that there's anything dignified about that social hierarchy, it was only designed to keep the working class down.

[@wendyramirez3350]

With no references!

[@SilwanBusuttil]

i love how Thomas stands up to Nanny West. The way he shows class is freaking amazing.

[@seanbowes94]

3:40 Lady Grantham rips the nanny apart and destroys her in such a calm manner 😂

[@trenae77]

Class does not need volume.

[@carolesmith2619]

​@trenae77 indeed, a low controlled tone works everytime 😊

[@lucretciaseven4873]

At the heart of all Barrows flaws was a proud man who was desperately lonely and who wished acceptance, the children were innocent of any pre-conceived notions and simply responded to love and care which were things Barrow could give without fear of rejection and I think he wanted to protect them as he had never been.

[@michaeltutty1540]

I love this. I only wish the story arc had been completed. Personally I would have included the scene where Lady Grantham expresses her gratitude to Thomas, both to him and Lord Grantham.

[@thelmadickinson6811]

She did. At some point in the episode, she thanks Thomas in front of Robert and tells him that Nanny West was gone and he exclaims “another One”! Or something to that affect

[@l.n.3372]

There are 2 other videos uploaded with this scene included

[@katestevens86]

Thomas wasn't reporting on the Nanny from any altruistic motive. She challenged his authority and that pissed him off, that's why he told Lady Cora. It was pure coincidence that Nanny turned out to be a child abuser.

[@3piper]

Have you seen the fire scene and Thomas saving the daughter. When Cora praised him and called him brave he

[@KiLovely]

I looooved this scene!!! Cora is such a class act in this scene!

[@12classics39]

When Thomas stops thinking and just acts on instinct, people end up saved: the children, Jimmy, Edith, etc. At heart, he is a hero. His pain just won’t let him show that in his words to others.

[@lauraalbert3607]

My new go to response: “Because I don’t feel like it!”🤨😂

[@l.n.3372]

When I first watched this episode, I had wondered if the nanny was unfairly biased against Thomas (because he's gay) and if she was just treating him worse as a result. As the episode went on, I realized how she was treating little Sybbie and I was glad that Thomas noticed her bad behavior enough to report it to Cora.

[@Robert08010]

I still feel like he did the right thing but only by accident. He did it to get even with her, not to protect the children. And I'm not saying he wouldn't have called her out if he knew she was doing real harm, but based on what he knew, I don't think he had any justification to go to Cora and say what he said.

[@l.n.3372]

@@Robert08010 Not true at all. Thomas saw the nanny doing questionable things even before he went to Cora. A) deprive Sybbie of contact (with him, and with Isobel, the grandmother). B) heard the nanny calling George a little prince while barely acknowledging Sybbie at all. C) request that Sybbie can't have eggs with her tea (I'm assuming that means with her breakfast? lol idk). Which could inherently be depriving her of food and starving her too. D) and then of course, there's the fact that the nanny is arrogant and superior and believes herself better than the other staff, which is a bad sign already tbh. All of these reasons add up to why Thomas went to Cora. It wasn't just his own arrogance at all. After all, if you heard a nanny saying a child can't eat eggs for breakfast for no reason, and not seemingly ask for a different food instead, wouldn't you question why she's depriving the kid of food also?

[@christinebutler7630]

@l.n.3372 tea would have been like supper for the children. In the UK the word is often still used to mean "early evening meal", and can include eggs, sausages, baked beans, as well as breads and cake-like things. Basically the nanny was depriving the child of protein and presumably just giving her tea and toast because her father was not of the aristocracy. Class lines could be pretty rigid in the UK, really till well after WWII.

[@l.n.3372]

@@christinebutler7630 Thanks for the casual explanation for a non British person! Tbh that's bad too but I had feared even worse (I thought it was no food at all. But don't get me wrong, depriving of protein/nutrients is very bad for a growing child).

[@thelmadickinson6811]

@@l.n.3372 great examples and one more to add, she says she can’t tell Mrs. Patmore herself, as she’s going back up the stairs, because she doesn’t have time to tell her as she has to get back to the children, they are all alone. This is the final straw and he tells Cora.

[@DannyJane.]

One of the single most satisfying moments in a series that's full of them.

[@Knappa22]

Di Botcher is a super actress. She made Nanny West so intense and monstrous.

[@riversong656]

She is wonderful, agreed.

[@mirellalastar]

So true, she really sold that scene.

[@hypontoto]

The "What" always gets me at 0:16, lol

[@kitm141]

Only Barrow could take one word and make it so savage.

[@madabbafan]

It is the 'OK Nanny West, it's war' moment

[@annettemalaski1967]

Barrow had always shown the little ones great affection. Little George played with him with no fear and Barrow loved it. He felt the same way for Sybie. He would protect them at all costs! He truely felt he was thier friend.

[@teresasmith8946]

Downton Abbey, I never grow tired of it, just a beautiful told story.

[@3piper]

I always felt Thomas had abuse in his childhood. He hinted problems with his father. If he was an abused child it would explain a lot of his personality

[@firechasersparkles2023]

You have a point there.

[@alexandrapolyakova2881]

On the walk and further, in the house, the nanny rather humiliated him, trying to demonstrate her superiority. The children were not harmed at that time. And after Tom's words, her true attitude towards children was revealed in the nursery.

[@matthewhelland9258]

She tried to starve Sibby, and I highly doubt that was the first time. She was absolutely harming her.

[@slcRN1971]

@@matthewhelland9258 : yes, I can not help but think that she did treat Sibbie poorly when no one was around. I feel that she was far more prejudiced against ‘mixed-breeds’, enough to deny her proper meals. It reminds me of how Queen Elizabeth II father was treated very poorly by his nanny - - it’s a large part of why he had a bad stutter!!!

[@doody244]

Cory always was honest that Tom was not the man she would’ve picked for Sybil. However that’s who Sybil picked and Cora respected that. She loved her granddaughter very much and would always protect her:

[@m.layfette6249]

"Because I didn't feel like it."

[@shannonadams887]

More importantly, the shows writer's created a complex character for Thomas. We watched him change over time and come to terms with who he was. He was heartbroken when Sylbe died. He cried, he knew she was a kind and good soul found so rare in the people who are in his life.

[@NebirosVT]

Saying she was having a game and joking with Miss Sybbie probably made it far worse. It says that discrimination and abuse are all a game and a joke.

[@veqweic8797]

I’m not defending her actions, but what method of reasoning did you use to come to that conclusion

[@NebirosVT]

@@veqweic8797 To me, it's kind of similar to something like joking about slavery, racism, the Holocaust, etc. Or maybe it's like someone saying something like, "Hey, you're a complete loser. Haha only joking." I don't know if that makes sense. I'm not great at explaining things.

[@veqweic8797]

@@NebirosVT I get it. But you're misinterpreting her intentions then. When somebody makes those type of joke they find genuine humour in it. However, nanny west over here didn't say 'I'm joking' in that genuine manner becaude she was making an excuse, she was trying to defend herself. She didn't actually find any humour in calling sybbie a 'crossbreed'

[@Robert08010]

What I wonder is, was this just a bad moment for Nanny West, where Sybie had woken the baby and the nanny was frustrated and said something she didn't really mean or was that really what she thought? The venom in her voice suggests she was expressing her actual opinion but I do wonder primarily because its out of character for Thomas to do the right thing for the right reason.

[@NebirosVT]

@@veqweic8797 The problem is that Nanny West wasn't playing or joking; she only said she was to protect herself, and I think it just made it worse. Nanny West was a horrible woman.

[@mahram]

Love that thumbnail, that’s the look when Mama Cora comes for you!

[@mynamesnotrick7498]

Nanny: “Please don’t touch the children.” Thomas: *“…what?”*

[@m.layfette6249]

"Mr. Barrow to you."

[@shellygreene3081]

❤❤❤

[@jimlittle5769]

I totally forgot about this. Mr. Barrow is an awesome character.

[@hindaschneider5206]

Cora did the right thing to fire her, no telling what she might do to the children, especially Sybie.

[@femmanagh7247]

Every time I watch this scene, makes me smile and I love those scary green eyes of Thomas, Mr, Barrow to you 😂❤😂😂😂😂

[@Crazy4ramn]

This always broke my heart! 💔💔 It breaks me to hear any one neglect or abuse a child!

[@emmelia-6068]

My heart was pounding listening to Cora!! Go Mama Bear!!

[@hellokitten469]

I need more of this show in my life.

[@safespacebear]

Thomas loves Master George but he's extra protective of his friend Sybil's daughter. His ears immediately picked up on nanny west treating the children differently

[@MsJubjubbird]

Sybbie has less protection. George is the heir to the estate and has his aristocratic mother to protect him. Sybbie has only her mother's dowry and her working class father

[@capture_diaries]

​@@MsJubjubbirdWhich old Lady Grantham corrected in the 2nd movie by leaving the french villa that was left to her by her old flame to Sybbie. Now all the Downton kids get relatively equal inheritances.

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@capture_diaries that was only at the very end though. before then she had not much

[@elizabethdopita7357]

Never get tired of watching this episode.

[@sandywaddell4303]

James-Collier’s line reading of “… Wot?” here is brilliant.

[@christineraffa-diggon]

Thomas redeemed himself. ❤

[@sidr8920]

Not in this scene, part of the reason he told cora was out of his own pettiness

[@annaelisavettavonnedozza9607]

That “what??” was FANTASTIC 😂

[@ElizabethZacharski]

Barrow was a jerk in the beginning of the series because he was protecting himself and at the time he didn't know anything else but that changed ... But I started to find him endearing after this episode of his character. The dimensions of his character were enviable. The English are great at putting together movies and series with depth that can not be matched with America's movies. Thomas turned out to be a true gentleman and a great person to count on for the family. I loved this show. If you haven't already heard of "Call the Midwife" it is also based in England, please do so the depth of characters in this series is just as beautiful and creative as Downton Abbey. I know the title doesn't sound all that exciting but the show is and you will not be disappointed.

[@anyaw340]

American television is unrivaled - especially within the last 20 years. Many consider this the "golden age" of television due to shows like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Better Call Saul, The Wire, Orange is the New Black, Succession, etc. Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife are great, but so many American shows are in another league.

[@toygurl]

Cora has so much class! Even when outraged - she was still civil and have humanity in her to make sure nanny west had a room for the night, and didn’t kick her out right there and then. If that was my granddaughter or family member treated that way, I would have dragged her by the hair and kicked her off my property - “geeeeeeetttttt ooouuutttt!!!!”

[@Laurentius_fox]

Mr. Barrow’s surprised and shocked reaction “What?!!” Spot on

[@lynnbennett7140]

I didn't always care for Thomas he was vindictive but I will always believe He Loved those kids

[@short_sprite]

Thomas had his arrogant moments, and he was not afraid to speak his mind and manipulate. But he drew the line at the kids. He would throw hands at anyone who dared treat them badly

[@liamholmes9169]

My favourite show.

[@_Callum_Owens_]

Trust Cora to come to the rescue, love her!!

[@shayne8980]

Mrs Hughes looks so shocked lol

[@RainAngel111]

Nanny West mistook her place as being on the same level as a governess, not a servant. A governess, though she was paid to take care of and educate children, was always born into the upper class. She was usually a well educated gentleman's daughter, whose parents couldn't give her enough of an inheritance to live comfortably or to get married. So she makes her way by teaching other young ladies how to sing, draw, etc, and she acts as their chaperone. Despite this she was still a member of the upper class and would sometimes be like a member of the family. She wouldn't eat with the servants. However a Nanny, is a nanny. Little more than a wetnurse.

[@anyaw340]

Yes, she confused me with her "not in that way" response to Thomas' question about her being a member of staff. It's a either a "yes" or "no". She was a servant like the rest of them, not a governess. Unlike a governess, she was a caregiver for small children. And I'm sure she must've come from a poor background - not the middle or class, like most governesses. Governesses lived in a lonely world of being neither a servant, nor a member of the family. Nanny West seemed to think that because she worked "upstairs" often, it put her closer to the family in status.

[@eliothorowitz5627]

It wasn't done at the time, but Thomas would have made an excellent nanny as he truly loved the children.

[@strugglingcollegestudent]

Yeah he would.

[@reikun86]

I think he would’ve been happy to accept the role if asked.

[@Marcus_1001]

I was not the biggest fan of Cora but she had her moments and this was definitely one of the best. Good for her sending that despicable witch packing. What a horrible woman.

[@WardNightstone]

No matter whatcelse he did Thomas stepped up to protect kids who needed it

[@Jester-fs8xe]

Will never ever forgive Nanny West for sending Isobel away when she wanted to visit her grandson. That alone would have been a reason to sack her😡

[@rashelelashley]

I love Thomas, my favourite character!

[@Popunkwillneverdie]

Thank you Shirley ❤

[@m.layfette6249]

"As a matter of fact it does."

[@shaniquawhitfield94]

I love when Cora goes off

[@wrh41]

"not for one minute" - FRIED!

[@carolchristiansen635]

This made me so happy. And I both the children are safe.

[@SN-sz7kw]

Such brilliant casting.

[@RIXRADvidz]

yeesh, the FeeLs you get from this show. Excellent writing and acting. Excellent.

[@BillyAlabama]

Nanny West should have left on her broom.

[@Highland_Moo]

She would have, but my mother still has it. She and her band of flying monkeys are whizzing about making life unpleasant for all who meet them.

[@avi.chan23]

Hey, don't blame poor witches for the bad behavior of a b**** 😅

[@professormadhattgaming583]

Thomas wasn’t the nicest person, but this is the one moment I genuinely liked him.

[@GabrielleHayes1921]

Did Thomas say something because she was making him angry? Yes, but also because he really cared for Sybil and therefore also her daughter very much. This tough as nails man who hates everything broke down crying when Sybil died, that took something from him. He has so many faults that's true, but Thomas grew as a person and did slowly become a better one, he was a wonderful character no matter how sometimes aggravating. Don't forget he also risked his life to save one of the other daughters during the fire, he cared deeply.

[@baconbap]

Take that, Nanny!

[@melpy84]

Man this scene hits soooooooo much harder after having a baby. Bawling my eyes out over here.

[@sarahjuarez238]

I get it times were different back than. But if I was her or the parent of said child. I'd have my child sleep with me. That's just horrible, and I wonder if the parents found out. Because I'd be pissed and upset if I wasn't told.

[@harringt100]

Tom was her only living parent, and I don't see what good could have come from telling him. The nanny was mistreating Sybbie because she's her (Irish) father's daughter and Tom already felt awkward enough trying to fit in with his in-laws after his wife's death. (Although by this time, they had warmed to each other a lot.) But it only would have hurt his feelings. I _guess_ Cora could have had Sybbie aleep with her.(?) But everyone would have thought that was strange.

[@avi.chan23]

Well, times were extremely different back than. Especially higher class parents did no have such a deep bond to their children as parents have nowadays. Not even husband and wives shared one bed officially with each other back then, not to speak of parents taking their kid into their own bed. Poor people were a different story as they mostly did not have the space or money to afford own beds or even rooms for their children. My great-grandmother grew up in the 1920s and they were not rich people. She shared a bed with her 3 sisters most of her childhood and teenage time. Though, this was in Germany, I am pretty sure, it was similar in England. Her mother in law on the other hand born into a higher class lived different and her two sons had their own rooms and didn't have a deep bond to their mother as my great-grandmother had to her's. I am glad, times changed and that children's needs for emotional support, love and affection are taken more serious today.

[@frankhooper7871]

@@harringt100 I was never sure if the half-breed comment was due to Tom being Irish or having been the chauffeur - nannies can be very class conscious.

[@staciecarrel4492]

@@frankhooper7871 probably both, he was both a different religion and the polar opposite in terms of class status.

[@staciecarrel4492]

@@frankhooper7871 probably both, he was both a different religion and the polar opposite in terms of class status.

[@_Callum_Owens_]

This foreshadows Barrow's redemption I believe

[@MrJackKnightSays]

If that had been my own grandmother or mother and they witnessed their grandchildren being treated as such, the nanny would be flying through the window.

[@JL-iu7fk]

She heard it for herself

[@lymarie1974]

I’ve never watched the show before. But just to watch the nanny get put in her place was nice 👍🏽.

[@Jarod-te2bi]

The family that ran the house and owned it treated their servants like people with compassion, rare in real life

[@stephenking6396]

Cora was brilliant here

[@Ciara1594]

I really loved this scene! Especially since the woman was prejudiced against little Sybie because her father's Irish. 🤨

[@brianna9687]

I’m of Irish descent and I can tell you Irish people weren’t often given many good jobs lots of shop owners and such would have signs in their windows saying No Blacks No communists No fascists No Dogs No (insulting slang term for Irish)

[@ingridgallagher1029]

I thought it was more bc he was a chauffeur. The way she called George "the little prince"

[@sidr8920]

@@ingridgallagher1029 well, it was because of both technically

[@carmenpeters728]

My favorite scene!!!

[@christinaify]

Thomas Barrow was a nasty piece of work with few redeeming qualities. One of those qualities was the way he looked out for Sybil Jr. after her mother's death because of the respect he'd had for her. In the entirety of the series, Sybil was the closest thing to a friend Thomas ever had. She didn't want anything from him, didn't need anything from him, and was kind because she was a genuinely gentle soul. Barrow was so manipulative and narcissistic, I don't know that he truly could have real friends but Sybil came close. And he never forgot that.

[@sidr8920]

Barrow wasn't very narcissistic, it was only really in the first season that he was, with a steady decline from then. He literally attempts suicide in the last season

[@christinaify]

@@sidr8920 I'd argue that when he knew Sybil and formed their bond he was, which is impressive.

[@monaramirez-stanek8172]

I love this scene!!

[@femmanagh7247]

From this moment I fall in love with Thomas ( Mr. Barrow for me ! ) and I was happy that wicked witch was fired.

[@mjremy2605]

Don't mess with Barrow! Thomas had a kind heart and loved those kids. His interactions with them were so sweet. Imagine that he was gay and knew he would never have kids, and so they meant a lot to him. So great that he protected the children against that vile nanny. Poor Sybbie, what a horrible way to treat a small child. This scene was very satisfying - to see her being sacked.

[@m.layfette6249]

"Obviously not."

[@georgiannmartinez8547]

Loved downtown abby

[@debbiegilbert9388]

Well done 👍🏾✅ Barrow ...

[@treco2583]

Such class and a cool head … I would’ve been in a there as soon as I heard “chauffeur’s daughter.”

[@LuvvyDuck]

I had to love Thomas in this episode ❤️

[@jamiemartin147]

just think if she didn't try to boss thomas around and stayed in the shadows, it would've went on much longer

[@Ritercrazy]

Yay for protective adults.

[@mafmaf82]

It's so weird, in my memories she was in a full season, but when I rewatched the show I realized she's only in one episode.

[@kerrymaloney5524]

I really have to watch this show sometime never got a chance to while it was on.

[@hannah1948]

score one for thomas barrow!!

[@gadfageyar]

Ya don't make an enemy of Thomas Barrow!

[@mjremy2605]

Ha ha ha! My thoughts exactly! The man could be a loyal friend or your worst enemy.