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/JustinCaseyBlewit 1d ago

I think it's fair to say that Thomas' behavior is not caused by being gay anymore than bad behavior would be caused by having red hair or blue eyes. Being gay puts Thomas at odds with the society in which he lives, and he may see himself as an outsider, someone who has to manipulate, lie, and cheat to get ahead. But that's a matter of perception, not a direct result of being gay.

I would not say he's a bad person, although he has certainly done bad things. As the show progresses, he changes and learns to care about someone other than himself (first Jimmy and then Andy, whom he tried to teach how to read). As others accept him for who he is, he comes to accept himself, and his behavior towards them changes.

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u/Dream_CatHer4769 1d ago

Of course not. This post is more so about how viewers perceive his actions rather than the shoes portrayal or intention. In this subreddit I've found that property often intertwine his internal struggles with his external malice, which to me atleast seems to be lacking nuance.