As the New Year dawns, the residents of Downton are poised to embrace the new decade with optimism – all that is, but Bates.
Valet to the Earl of Grantham, husband of Anna, and friend to almost all the other servants, Mr John Bates is locked in a prison cell, convicted of his first wife’s murder.
He is in for a long stretch, 20 years at least; though this is better than it might have been – at his trial he was sentenced to hang. His present mental state is something that we – and those around him – can only guess at.
Bates has admitted he felt lost and became a drunkard when he was invalided out of the Army after the Boer War. He believed he had made his wife’s life such a misery, he needed to atone by going to prison for a crime that she had committed, stealing the regimental silver.
Bates has not been able to take whatever life threw at him with a stiff upper lip. Beneath that calm exterior we know there is a man who is both kind and sensitive to the feelings of those close to him, which is why he is one of the most loved characters in the series.
Meeting Anna changed everything for Bates. When he began working at Downton Abbey, his one hope had been to hold onto his job, which at times looked highly unlikely.
The other servants were doubtful he’d be able to do the work due to his limp, and some plotted to get him fired. Bates fought to keep his position. It provided a refuge and kept him apart from his estranged wife, Vera. Having a criminal record, he knew other work opportunities would be limited.
At Downton he had a roof over his head, three meals a day and the patronage of his friend and master, Lord Grantham.
Despite his enigmatic manner, Bates’ fundamental goodness shone through and it wasn’t long before he had won the respect of nearly all the staff below stairs. Although the butler, Carson, initially took against Bates on the grounds his disability would impair his work, he now knows better.
The fact the valet is in prison for murder is not enough for Carson to waver in his protection of the man.
Unexpectedly, Bates fell in love with Anna and she returned his feelings. Together they planned a family life, running a small country hotel. Now he’s in prison, Anna’s faith in her husband keeps Bates going. She loves him, absolutely and entirely, giving him the strength he needs.
As Brendan Coyle, the actor who plays Bates, says, ‘At first he doesn’t think he’s worthy of Anna – of this goodness that’s come into his life.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2199294/Bates-bars-With-20-years-hard-labour-ahead-valet-s-quick-temper-land-deeper-trouble.html
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