You forget, Bates inherited some money from his mother which he gave to Vera (the late 1st Mrs. Bates) and he would have gotten it back after her death and him being proven innocence. Plus, I think he had signed some of it over to Anna when they married, and they have the money from his mother's home that they sold. She would need that sewing machine for all the mending she has to do with Lady Mary and Lady Edith's clothing.

yes yes! my eyes went to it right away, the episode was recorded so I want back to check it out, but couldn't make the brand! I love that show, I am said it's almost over.

I love this show - I watch for free online at the PBS site - I just wait until Monday and I can watch it for free. Yes, I did see the sewing machine - Maybe Lady Grantham loaned it to her for the curtains. I can't believe there is only one more episode - I wish it would just keep going.
By the way, I found this really funny show on Netflix - its a BBC show called "Keeping up Appearances" - if you want a good laugh - you will love this. I relate to the characters because I once had a neighbor like Hyacinth - check it out.

I see Keeping Up Appearances every Saturday night at 8 pm on PBS and Downton at 9 pm Sundays. Did anyone catch what Bates whispered that made the lady change her mind and persuade Jamie to back off?

It was something about Lady Grantham's soap, referring to the bath "accident" caused by O'Brien resulting in the miscarriage of the Grantham male heir. Back episodes of this season can be watched only for a few more weeks on PBS.org. Seasons 1 and 2 are on Hulu plus, but will be pulled shortly also. I think Amazon now has the exclusive streaming rights to all episodes!

OMGoodness, tell me that "you know who" (don't want to spoil for those who haven't seen it yet)....is DEAD!! I sure hope not!! That person is one of my favorite characters. I wonder how long we have to wait until Season 4??

Yes, he wanted to leave the show.

I could NOT believe it was ending that way! ! ! Now who will take over modernizing the estate?

I know - I was so disappointed - I read that the real life person that played that character wanted off the show - so the writers didn't have alot of choice - rather than replace that person - they decided to kill him off.
I hope we don't have to wait a whole year for Season 4 - I just love this show.

Well, it does give PBS yet another reason/chance to beg for money. On my station the schedule showed it ending at 11pm but the actual program ended at 10:45. I watched for another 10 minutes hoping they would have one more scene of Downton but Nooooooooo only commercials for DVDs.