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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zeno Marx" data-source="post: 578450" data-attributes="member: 1211"><p>After many viewings, I think my favorite relationship is between Mary and Tom.  She allowed him to be himself, while also needing who he is in her life.  It was both selfless because of Sybil's wishes, while also being selfish.  Fellowes hit it out of the ball park with their development.  She could have easily used her rank to put him in his place or challenged him, but she trusted and respected him; ultimately loving him.  Maybe even more than the Dowager, he could speak to her in a real, honest, critical way, and she readily accepted his opinions.  Really, the only person she treated like an equal.  At times, she was almost submissive to him because he was so important to her.  Maybe she learned that level of bond from Matthew, but it played out with Tom.  Because it wasn't a romantic relationship, I think it can get overlooked for how substantial it was, and it anchored the final couple of seasons.</p></blockquote><p></p>