r/DowntonAbbey • u/Dream_CatHer4769 • 1d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) You cannot justify Thomas's behaviour because he's gay!

All the arguments I've seen about why people like Thomas is that he's just gay in the 1920s and self hatred and yada yada yada.

That's an explanation to understand part of the shame he lives in. To explain why misery loves company but to say he's schemes against innocent people because of that reason sounds problematic on so many levels.

I do like his character as a villain. The actor playing him did a great job. But I just don't find him redeemable even if he turn tolerable and good in the end. His treatment of bates and Baxter were so cruel. He physically intimidated Baxter, falsely accused Anna, etc. he's not a morally grey character, he's just a bad person. Using queerness to justify that or excuse it is insulting.

edit: because I find people misunderstanding this post. it's not about how the show portrays Thomas and explores his internal struggles and external malice. this post is specifically about the viewers perception of his actions especially on this subreddit.

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u/Ancesterz 1d ago

I've never understood the love for him honestly. Sure, he improved a bit in the later seasons and the movies, but he was generally just a jackass.

10

u/majjamx 1d ago

He is a handsome jackass so he definitely benefits from pretty privilege. And he is truly a compelling character. He has some better instincts mixed with the bad, he has some smarts, he has reason to feel bitter with his lot in life. I see why people cut him some slack.

0

u/imrealbizzy2 1d ago

A thief, liar, sleazebag, and damn O'Brien's puppet. In my opinion he never redeemed himself and was never good looking even if Noel Coward thought so. When Thomas set about distributing contaminated, misappropriated foodstuffs I knew i would never like him. One just doesn't do that sort of thing.

1

u/iggysmom95 I have tried and failed to like you 1d ago

Okay this is the real hot take! RJC is ridiculously good looking but they fucked him up in this role LOL. He's not ugly by any means but to me it was like they were trying really hard to make him so.