T H E N A I V E F I L M M A K E R

“He’s funny, and handsome, and he’s got such lovely teeth”
“He’s not for you Daisy!”
“Course not! He’s too good for me. I know that”
“No! He’s not too good! He’s not the boy for you and you’re not the girl for him.”
“Isn’t that what I just said? and why would he be, when he’s seen and done so much; and I’ve been no where and done nothing”.
“Perhaps Thomas has seen and done more than’s good for him….He’s not a ladies man!”
“Isn’t that a blessed relief?”
“DAISY! THOMAS IS A TROUBLED SOUL!”
“What do you mean?”

This short piece of dialogue between Mrs. Patmore and Daisy upon first watch holds little meaning. A few moments to demonstrate to the audience what has already become very obvious; Daisy has a crush and Mrs Patmore does not approve. Barrow was a bully who’s only interest in Daisy was all part of a beastly scheme. However the neurotic footman would go on to become not only a fan favourite but a character of great importance to me personally.

Season one however is not sympathetic to Thomas Barrow. Straight away he demonstrates a great capacity for cruelty, spite and vindictiveness without proper cause. He makes John Bates unwelcome as the new valet, he makes the life of kind hearted footman William complete hell for no reason and is shown frequently to be a thief and fraud on multiple occasions, stealing wine, money and lying and manipulating his way out of trouble.

The term Mrs Patmore uses to describe Barrow “Troubled Soul” is a rather generous descriptive to say the least. To be a troubled soul is to be plagued by anxieties and unresolved issues that prevent one from being happy, generally used to describe people who are suffering; most might say while watching season one that barrow was not nearly as in depth, that he was simply (as told by Mr Bates) a bastard.

For the sake of fairness it is worth noting that Barrow was meant to be a one series wonder, but the producers felt that Collier’s acting would be too much a loss to the series. As a result he is rewarded with more depth as the series progress and possibly demonstrate accuracy in the words of Mrs Patmore.

Was Barrow a victim?

It is made clear throughout the series that Barrow is a bitter man, twisted by the chip on his shoulder. For this reason he is unable to see the good in people and frequently takes issue with those around him. But most frequently the topics of his various gripes revolve around his career, how others treat him and his sexuality.

Early in the series he makes an enemy out of John Bates, the man employed as Lord Grantham’s valet. Feeling he is owed this position and sick of being a lowly footman his viewpoint seems to neglect the history and years of friendship between Bates and Lord Grantham. Barrow sees himself as being unfairly overlooked and cast aside. This opinion is only strengthened when Mr Moseley is hired as the heir’s valet (a job he applied for). He is again unable to see Moseley’s training and past experience, only that he has been refused his ambition.

This career drive would rear its ugly head again and again throughout the series. When close friend Miss O’Brian asks him to mentor her nephew Alfred (something most of us would gladly do for our friends and their families) he is so insistent that it would be unfair for Alfred to receive the help he did not have that he makes a point to try and sabotage the young footman at every turn. He is so shocked and jealous to see Mr Carson tutoring Alfred that he has completely overlooked the most telling fact. He never received help because he never asked for it.

Despite Barrow for a long time being relentless in his poor treatment of others, he is convinced that it is the others who are the problem. he confesses to lieutenant Edward Courtenay that people have pushed him around his entire life for being different. While this is a human moment for Barrow and the viewer can see how genuine he is in this belief, we can’t help but notice up until that moment it was him pushing others around. Barrow while too proud to show it is deeply effected whenever someone is unkind to him, but still unable to step back from the situation and realize why he is so frequently made an outcast.

Some have suggested that Barrow was the victim of physical or emotional abuse as a child. When Baxter expresses how kind his father was to her he bitterly remarks “He was never very kind to me”. This would explain what might form his anger at the world so early on, his submissiveness in physical confrontations is a tell tale sign and it might explain why he hated fellow footman William so much. William of course being the son of the kind and benevolent Farmer Mason. Though is it likely that Barrow’s father might have just been a difficult man like Barrow himself and two large egos came to head frequently and this is another example of Barrow making himself the victim?

Barrow arguably was a great victim in 20th century England’s treatment of the LGBT community. Because of strict laws persecuting homosexuals he has always had to hide who he is fearing imprisonment and ostracism like many others before him (Oscar Wilde among them), his fears are confirmed following his unceremonious outing in later series when he becomes distrusted and a stigma to socialize with.

Initially remaining proud and knowing full well there is no problem with who he was; defending himself to Carson “I’m not foul Mr Carson! I’m not like you but I’m not foul” he is driven by loneliness to undergo a quack treatment intending to try and change his sexuality, making himself incredibly ill in the process. One must ask what would drive a man once so proud to make such a risky attempt to change himself, the answer by series six was quite obvious. Loneliness.

It does become clear as the series goes on that many of Thomas’ assumptions about those around him become truths. He is not liked by his contemporaries. His attempts to make amends are rejected. He becomes expendable within his job and is the first to be made redundant and his sexuality causes distrust among the staff. As season 6 progresses it is revealed to us that Barrow has in fact become a victim, partially of his own actions, but in many more ways the victim of a narrow minded and unkind society.

How much Tragedies hit home for him.

Thomas Barrow on a number of occasions proves himself to be very human and more sensitive that those around him.

Most notable and heartbreaking was his bond with blinded lieutenant Edward Courtenay. He sat with the devastated man and for the first time showed himself to be capable of kindness and vulnerability. Exhorting Courtenay never to give up or let others make him a victim. He finally demonstrates his capability for empathy, recognizing how depressed Courtenay is and fighting to allow him to stay at the hospital in Downton.

In one of the most devastating scenes of the series we see Thomas sitting next to Courtenay’s bed the morning after his suicide, unable to hold back his tears, he breaks down having lost a man he felt he mirrored and possibly lost a man he had developed feelings for.

We don’t see that level of grief until the untimely death of Sybil. Too proud to cry with the others he runs to the staircase and struggles to contain his grief until relenting he cries with Anna stating “In my life not many have been kind to me. She was one of the few.”.

Less dramatic though still a turning point for Barrow was the departure of his colleague Jimmy. Despite difficult beginnings thanks to the plotting of Miss O’Brian, Jimmy is one of few characters in early seasons to become a genuine friend to Thomas, the two confide in each other, engage in friendly banter and make an effort to help each other out when needed. Jimmy lovingly tells Thomas “I hope you find some happiness”. Once Jimmy is gone, Barrow is the only one who expresses any real sadness at seeing him go. Now left essentially friendless.

Heroics and Human Moments…

In many ways the character arc of Thomas barrow is not so much an arc but a very indecisive line graph of human redemption, continually making efforts to be a better person only to spoil it for himself thereafter.

Despite everything Barrow has a long history of being a hero. He saves Edith’s life, he exposes Nanny West, he takes a beating to spare Jimmy and he is the first to extend friendship to Andrew Parker.

His friendship with Master George and Little Sybbie is frequently demonstrated. Mirroring the parental influence Carson had on the Crawley sisters during his earlier years of service.

Such acts convey the good side of Thomas. Underneath his cruel facade is an inherently good man. Alas he is a man prone to self sabotage. Despite the good he couldn’t help but be petty and unkind.

Collier succeeds however in what many actors of villains cannot. He makes Barrow human. Through everything; in good and bad Barrow has some of the most genuinely personal moments. Reminders that like everyone else at Downton. He is a person. He makes jokes and values his friendships. He is most happy when in a friendly environment. Engaging in some salacious banter with Jimmy or teaching Daisy the Grizzly Bear.

The Grizzly Bear Dance

The Lonely Under Butler…

As the years pass at Downton it becomes clear to Thomas that Nobody likes him.
While trying to become a warmer man, he receives only cold shoulders.
For example he offers Andrew Parker his friendship only to be rebuffed and for his intentions to be questioned. While fulfilling his duties he discovers the staff would rather carry out his orders alone than allow him to assist them in any way, he finds himself unable to keep busy and begins to question his purpose.

The pressure mounts on Thomas when the house intend to make him redundant. A lifetime at Downton only to be told he’s the most expendable This plummets his self esteem and his bitterness reaches a new high. Unable to find suitable work he becomes less and less sure of his future.

Notably his kindness shines through He teaches Andrew Parker to read and keeps it a secret at great cost to save the footman any embarrassment. Barrow reaches his breaking point when through conversations with Carson comes to realize that he is not trusted at Downton and likely never will be.

“So my word is still not good enough Mr Carson! After so many years!”
“I only wish it were”.

Crushed by this realization and steeped in the belief he is beyond redemption Barrow’s character begins to crack. Loneliness and despair begin to bubble over, disconnected from everyone, he isolates himself; sitting alone in the kitchen while the others celebrate Daisy and Mossely’s exam results and eventually convincing himself that life is no longer worth living telling Mr Mossely how he hoped he’d make more of his life than he’d ever make of his own. His despondency is summed up by Mrs Hughes said as they try to rescue him from a suicide attempt “He’s past minding if we put him in a shy and threw coconuts”.

A Happy Ending? More Importantly Why It Matters!

Barrow is saved from the brink of death and his lowest moment becomes a turning point. He finally seems grateful and sincerely thanks those who saved him, finally showing his humility.  He lights up as Mary and George visit him baring the gift of an orange and he realizes he has grown to care deeply for the entire Crawley family and his colleagues, resolving to become a better and kinder man.

It is an emotional moment as he says goodbye to everyone. The family he once resented serving wish him the very best. He puts aside all bad feeling with his long term rivals and when he leaves he is surrounded by friends. Thus making his farewell bittersweet. He is sad to go and everyone is sad to see him go. He has become a man actualized in who he is and comfortable with those around him.

As a result his return to Downton as Butler is met as good news! He is a worthy successor to the well loved Carson and Barrow proves that a small change of heart can go a long way.

With the support of good friends he outgrew his troubles and likely went on to be a far better man. This is an important life lesson for the best of people, everyone has regrets and makes mistakes. We are all carrying baggage and have our day to day troubles. We all deal with self doubt and self loathing. It is very easy to relate to Thomas Barrow in his lowest moments. This is why he has become such a fan favourite and a personal favourite of mine.

To quote Lord Grantham…

“No Man is an Island! Not Even Thomas Barrow!”

Now that is quite enough Downton Abbey for the time being. Scrubs just came onto Amazon Prime!

Alexander.

References and Photos.

Thomas Barrow Wiki 
The Downton Abbey Series.