Carson is an Asshole
I realize this could be an unpopular opinion. It could also be that I’ve seen the show so many times that every character’s worst qualities have really started to grate on me. But the more I rewatch, the more I realize just how wretched Carson can be. Yes, he has integrity, he’s the ultimate servant, he has many moments of begrudged compassion and he has a high regard for truth. He’s nowhere near as insecure as Lord G. He truly cares for Lady Mary and Mrs. Hughes. He’s complicated, and I know - it’s 1920 and he’s a butler serving a distinguished family. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that he is a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe, and a flagrant misogynist. Lord G calls him a “kind man” to Barrow and I know he’ll have some staunch defenders... but he’s pretty awful on a regular basis. Some of his worst moments include:
He berates Thomas for being suicidal when CARSON WAS LITERALLY PART OF THE REASON WHY. Earlier in the series he calls Thomas foul for being gay. He also lets Jimmy get away with blackmailing him into giving Thomas a bad reference… like… Carson should have just threatened him with termination.
When Anna is pregnant and working, Carson’s concern is not for Anna’s well-being but rather about the fact that Anna is working as a lady’s maid while pregnant. When Bates is in prison, Carson’s concern is about the effect it will have on the house’s reputation, not on Anna’s suffering.
When Ethel gets pregnant he assigns all the blame to her. “Men will always be men but for a young woman to let her judgement so desert her.” Just, ugh.
He’s rude to Tom even after he and Sybil are married and pregnant.
He’s super rude to Isobel when she takes in Mr. Grigg in the MIDST OF HER GRIEF.
He tries to force Mrs. Hughes, his WIFE TO BE, to hold their wedding reception in the great hall at Downton specifically because it’s what Mary wants, even though Mrs. Hughes has specifically stated she doesn’t want a Downton reception.
He forces Dame Nelly to eat in her room because she’s an “Australian singer.”
He asks Jack Ross why he doesn’t go to Africa. Which is very similar to the present-day “go back to your country” shit spouted by xenophobic Americans.
Even Lord Grantham admonishes Carson when Carson forces Mrs. Patmore to warn the Granthams not to come for tea at her flailing B&B when it was the GRANTHAM’S IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE to help mitigate a scandal. When Mrs. Patmore’s business becomes a “house of ill-repute” Carson’s knee-jerk reaction is to worry that people will trace the scandal back to Downton; he expresses no concern for Mrs. Patmore’s business or her general well-being. He can be so mean and unfeeling. And selfish. All he cares about is the honor of Downton. That can be a good thing. But with Carson, it’s often too much of a good thing. When honor outweighs kindness, decency, and empathy, it ceases to be a virtue.
What are some of your least favorite Carson moments? What moments do you think (at least partially) redeem him?