Downton Abbey's Most Intriguing Character: Tom Branson

Tom Branson's character arc might just be the best in the show

Downton Abbey’s Best: Tom Branson, a character study (seasons 1-6)

Downton Abbey is filled to the brim with complex, fascinating, three-dimensional characters. Tom Branson, however, is in my not-so-humble opinion the most interesting character in the series. It’s easy to chalk this up to his chauffeur-turned-Agent, or employee-turned-family, or downstairs-turned-upstairs arc, but to sum up Tom’s arc to these simple labels does his contribution to Downton Abbey’s story a disservice. Tom represents the breaking down of generalizations that we are all guilty of in real life to varying degrees. Simultaneously, though, Tom also mirrors the audience’s experiences relating to people rather than superficial labels and/or socio-economic class. Lastly, Tom is a symbol of the willingness to adapt and evolve in our judgements and lives, demonstrated in Downton through Tom’s relation to the Crawley family moving into the future. On a more personal note, Tom represents all of us in our own real-life “character arcs.”

Tom's journey is about the struggle with the realizing of the true self. This is not the identity of the self Tom developed through outside influence and labels; not the identity he recognized through his genuine, albeit only partially informed, radical views, but his true identity; the one that transcends his social roles and socially influenced self-concepts. One that is honest to himself, about the world around him, and free of regrets.

Let us review Tom Branson’s journey to self-discovery.

Identity Phase 1. Tom the Downstairs Revolutionary:

Why Tom, an anti-upper-class Irish revolutionary applies to work at Downton, let alone why he is in England and not Ireland at all, is beyond me. Nevertheless, he does, and he is. From the beginning, Tom demonstrates his nonconformist ideals within the early 20th century English social hierarchy. His pursuit of Lady Sybil is one example, but he also speaks out of turn regularly to others of higher rank. Tom refuses to eat and spend his spare time where other past chauffeurs have—alone with the parked cars—and instead dines and hangs about the servant’s hall. Additionally, in season two when Cora, Lady Grantham, tells Branson to have Sybil come home from the hospital for dinner, Tom interjects his thought on the situation, saying, “I think she enjoys [her work] though.” Cora, visibly offended, shifts her tone to sound more authoritative, repeating her order. And let us not forget his and Robert’s, Lord Grantham’s, showdown in the Grantham Arms hotel after it is reveled Tom and Lady Sybil plan on marrying. An argument Tom clearly won, refusing money in return for leaving town without Lady Sybil, and standing his ground for what both he, Tom, and Lady Sybil want.

Tom’s biggest “revolutionary” move, something he would be incapable of later in the series, is when he plots to dump muck on a military General during a luncheon at Downton Abbey in season two. Tom sees the General as a representative of an oppressive system, which to a degree, he might be, but Tom views the general’s entire identity and character as such—one dimensional and without nuance. Tom ignores the fact that he, Tom, is not privy to information that led this General to make the decisions he did, nor that he does not have any other perhaps complex information that would allow Tom a better judgement on who the General is as a human being—his character. To Tom, the world is very black and white; an “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” mentality. There are no shades gray in the top of this social hierarchy, save Lady Sybil, who is a paradox to him: An upper-class Lady with a “revolutionary” mind.

Identity Phase 2. Tom, Lady Sybil’s Husband:

When Lady Mary and Matthew’s wedding is nearly cancelled, Tom demonstrates for the first of many times his rational peacemaking ability and wisdom, bringing Lady Mary and Matthew back together. Matthew had immediately warmed to Tom after Tom andf Lady Sybil returned; Lady Mary did as well, but in her case, it was done in her love and support of Lady Sybil. Although I will say, Lady Mary’s motivation is irrelevant in her genuine desire to accept Tom, because when she does so, she does so completely and without any suppressed negative judgements. Tom’s part in resolving the quarrel between Matthew and Lady Mary is perhaps the first step toward an alliance with Robert, Lord Grantham, as Robert sincerely thanks Tom the morning of the wedding. At this point, Tom still does not feel completely comfortable, but he feels at least slightly more so with the acceptance and friendship of Matthew and Lady Mary. It is also revealed Violet sent Tom and Lady Sybil the money to travel to Downton when Robert, Lord Grantham, refused. Violet says of this act, “I wanted Sybil’s husband here.”

When Lady Mary and Matthew’s wedding is nearly cancelled, Tom demonstrates for the first of many times his rational peacemaking ability and wisdom, bringing Lady Mary and Matthew back together. Matthew had immediately warmed to Tom after Tom and Lady Sybil returned; Lady Mary did as well, but in her case, it was done in her love and support of Lady Sybil. Although I will say, Lady Mary’s motivation is irrelevant in her genuine desire to accept Tom, because when she does so, she does so completely and without any suppressed negative judgements. Tom’s part in resolving the quarrel between Matthew and Lady Mary is perhaps the first step toward an alliance with Robert, Lord Grantham, as Robert sincerely thanks Tom the morning of the wedding. At this point, Tom still does not feel completely comfortable, but he feels at least slightly more so with the acceptance and friendship of Matthew and Lady Mary.

Identity Phase 3. Tom the Lonely Outsider:

The last of Tom’s extremist views are tempered when he is involved in the burning down of a great house in Ireland. A house like Downton Abbey. It seems a shock to Tom in his dichotomous worldview that the side of Irish revolutionaries, his perceived side of wholly good, could be capable of immoral violence. Tom is still teetering on the idea that “the ends justify the means,” but this event has clearly shaken him. This is not because of the consequences he faces, which include never returning to Ireland without facing arrest, but because the terrible image of seeing a family watch their home burn. It is here Tom begins to see that people are more than their class, circumstance, or belief system, but that all are equal in their ability to experience what truly makes people human: love, grief, happiness, sadness, or even injustice. This is a lesson that grows within his mind.

(Tom’s best quote comes later in the series, but it is worth mentioning here, as this is where the seed of the idea is planted. Tom tells Sarah Bunting, a woman with the dichotomous worldview Tom held once, “I don’t believe in types. I believe in people”).

Shortly after Tom flees Ireland, Sybil dies in childbirth, and Tom is left alone with a baby, living with the Crawley family; a family Tom doesn’t at all feel a part of. While Robert tolerates Tom, Robert is hardly familial with him. Without Lady Sybil, Ireland, and without feeling as certain in his political belief system—a belief system that he thought defined him--Tom living as an upstairs occupant leaves him feeling further displaced and unsure of himself. Tom feels he belongs nowhere, not in his homeland, not downstairs or upstairs at Downton. Tom asks Mary to be the baby’s godmother, and it is here where Downton Abbey begins to lay the real foundation between Lady Mary and Tom, who gradually from here on become closer than even Lady Mary and Lady Sybil were. Tom and Lady Mary become more best friends than brother and sister-in-law.

While the Crawley women are welcoming toward Tom, he is frequently alienated by Robert, whose acceptance is crucial in Tom’s ability to feel a sense of belonging at Downton. When Tom discusses a plan for the estate with Matthew and Lady Mary, Robert cuts in dismissively, “So says the Marxist.” Tom then challenges Robert’s view of socialism, demonstrating that even if Tom feels he has lost himself, he is still there, showing a piece of his core self that will remain as he evolves. This is the passionate man willing to speak up and confront others against unfairness, even when those others are in positions of authority.

It is interesting to watch Tom when his brother comes to visit and behaves outside of the Downton norm, asking for beer and speaking crassly. Tom’s nonverbal reactions are those akin to Lady Sybil’s when Tom first dined upstairs. Tom looks embarrassed of his brother and uncomfortable. I think that even by Tom’s standards, his brother is somewhat off the beaten path. Tom is not upper-class, but he is able to adapt his behavior appropriately to the occasion and situation. Even still, Tom feels out of place and plans to move out of Downton—an idea Robert agrees with until Violet reminds him of his granddaughter Sybbie, who would leave with Tom.

Identity Phase 4. Tom the Agent:

With Violet, Cora, Isobel, Mary, Edith, and most of all Matthew on Tom’s side, Tom is offered a purpose as the new agent of Downton. As Robert is the head of house and the biggest objector to Tom, it is not until Robert sees Tom’s value as an agent (after much pushback) and accepts him that Tom finally begins to settle into a feeling of some version of belonging. Tom achieves this with his characteristic peacemaking wisdom, that until now, Robert has not fully learned to appreciate. When Robert disagrees with the new way the estate is run, it is Tom that reminds Robert of his place in the plan, “I’m a hard worker. I have some knowledge of the land. Matthew knows the law and the nature of business. . . . you understand the responsibility we owe to the people around here. Those who work for the estate and those who don’t. . . . “ Robert replies, “you’re very eloquent,” after which Tom agrees to Robert’s pleas to play cricket for Downton, and Tom and Robert’s relationship finally lay some solid roots.

Tom begins to feel comfortable in his place at Downton, but Tom has been forced into this new life and “upstairs” identity, as these are the outcomes of his exile from Ireland, being the husband of the late Lady Sybil, and also the revelation that his views were once partly in contrast to Tom’s own moral code. Tom feels that he is a new man, but with it, he feels he lost part of his identity, being cut off entirely from his political and social views, even if those view have evolved. When someone is an extremist, or their whole identity is primarily defined by their value system, it can be deeply disturbing and sad to suddenly not be a part of that. Tom begins to accept his new place, but every time he starts to really settle in, he is reminded by various people outside the family that he is not only an outsider, but in being one, he may not be staying true to himself. At this point, in Tom’s view, he is either a political advocate or he is not. And if Tom is to be at Downton happily, it must be as himself and on his terms. However, this is a truth Tom has yet to realize.

Identity Phase 5. Tom, Family-in-Law:

Tom has been accepted as an in-law by Robert, who now appreciates Tom’s presence, his role within the Crawley family and in the running of the Downton estate. Tom can now assert himself as someone who has the right to intervene in matters of family, and no one feels more like genuine family to him than Lady Mary. When Matthew dies, it is Tom and Violet who understand what Lady Mary needs most to move on with her life in a healthy way. Tom is not only wise, but he’s been in Mary’s position, losing a spouse unexpectedly, and he knows her on an inherently deeper level than many in the Crawley family. Understanding her as deeply and cleverly as he does, Tom understands immediately to whom he must appeal to have a better chance getting through to Lady Mary: Mr. Carson. Carson has accepted Tom on a professional level but not ever warmed to him as a real member of the family. Tom has never been one to hold back his opinions, regardless of the rank or relationship he has with the receiver. However, this time Carson gains respect for Tom’s bluntness, and he agrees with Tom’s proposal that Mary should be an active part of the running of the estate, which will help take her out of her grief. Carson not only sees that Tom cares for Mary and agrees with Tom, he also notices Tom’s ability to be insightful, wise, and dedicated to Lady Mary.

While Tom now feels a sense of belonging and purpose as an in-law and agent, several people interfere with his progress. Edna, Sarah Bunting, and the Duchess of Yeovil all remind Tom in some form that he is not one of the Crawley’s. Edna the house/lady's maid intentionally tries to make him feel guilty, “Are you ashamed of who you were?” I know most people despise Ms. Bunting, but it is Edna Braithwaite who holds my fury. She makes Tom second guess himself and takes full advantage of him when he is down. I mean, FULL advantage. The famous rape episode contained two instances of rape. Anna, violently, and Tom, fed alcohol until he was inebriated enough for Edna to take advantage. Edna is truly vile.

Sarah Bunting, however, is basically Tom before he got to where he is at this point. She sees the world dichotomously: there is the bad upper-class and everyone else. The dilemma Tom has here is that he relates to her. He realizes though that bringing a middle-class woman back to Downton is odd, and he thinks it can’t work, based on the experiences he has with Ms. Bunting at dinner. But Sarah Bunting is not a representative of the middle-class, in their entirety. She is one person, and she is an extremist. Again, Tom tells her, “I don’t believe in types. I believe in people.” She replies, “Well, I do!” Tom has simply outgrown Sarah Bunting. He recognizes this in his goodbye to her when she moves. But still, she instilled more doubt in his place within the Crawley family. The duchess’s message, however, was unintentional. She reminds Tom that he is an outsider in her ignorance that he was not born upper-class. Nevertheless, it affects Tom, and he feels he needs to find his own path, not the one that fate has handed him.

Identity Phase 6. Tom Knows Who He Is:

For Tom to understand where he belongs, he must first understand who he is at a fundamental level. If he were to have left Downton early after Sybil’s death, he would have been running, but feeling included in the Crawley family first, Tom was able to leave with clarity of mind for the right reasons. And he did need to go. If he hadn’t, Tom always would have wondered if he truly belonged there because of the Crawley’s or because it was his own choice, free of influence. Tom moves to Boston, Massachusetts in the United States to start a life of his own, one true to himself. In so doing, he understands who he is, who he isn’t, and where he really wants to be.

Identity Realized. The Crawley, Tom Branson:

Tom isn’t a Crawley by name or blood, but when he returns to Downton, he does so because his realization that he is a Crawley in identity. That identity isn’t that Tom is a part of the Crawley’s as members of the upper-class; it is only that he belongs to this specific family system; this group. The rank of class or “type” of group has nothing to do with it. He belongs with these people.

When Tom appears suddenly at Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes’ wedding, the reaction of the Crawley’s and of Mr. Carson is one of my favorite moments to watch. The excitement and relief of everyone that Tom is back is wonderful. Following this, the language other characters use reinforces Tom’s position as an integral member of the family. At breakfast the following morning, Lady Edith asks Lady Mary, who has been agent in Tom’s wake, “What will you do now that Tom’s home?” I always heard this line as “Tom’s back,” but the word home is a small yet important way of establishing his true place within the family. When Tom left for Boston, the Crawley’s still considered Downton Tom’s true home, so when he returns, he is not “back,” but “home.” When this conversation is revisited with Lady Mary and Tom at the agent’s office, Mary says, “You’re my brother, Tom. I want what you want.” The use of “brother,” and not “brother-in-law” or “you’re like my brother,” is another way Tom’s belonging is reinforced. Even Robert is thrilled. Robert asks Tom to go for a walk, and he says he will in a moment and leaves the room, Cora asks Robert, “You’re happy he’s back, aren’t you?” Robert replies, smiling, “I really am! Funny, isn’t it?”

So now that Tom’s identity arc is complete, how does he move forward? Well, put simply, he plays his role as part of the family. When Mary turns her self-sabotage (out of her fear of car accidents) with Henry toward Edith and Bertie, Tom stands up to Mary, in my absolute favorite scene, “You ruined Edith’s life today! How many lives are you going wreck just to swallow your own misery? . . . . You’re a coward, Mary. Like all bullies, you’re a coward.” Tom is brutally honest with the Crawley he loves the most. During this period, Violet has fled to France, in her anger with Cora, and Violet has given her contact information to only Tom. As she tells Isobel, “Tom knows how to find me. He’s the most reasonable.” So, Tom reaches out to Violet as family, and Violet rushes home at his call to help Mary and Edith. In the end, Tom is the best man at Mary’s wedding for the second time and Edith marries Bertie.

So, in the end, Tom is who ties the upstairs and downstairs together, who leads the Crawley’s into the future, who ends up the foundational rock of the Crawley family in times of distress, and who teaches not only Robert but himself that it is the character of people who matter, not position in a hierarchy. Tom is the best.

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