Here's the scene on which so many story lines hinge. Many viewers and fanfiction readers feel that the encounter between Mary and Pamuk was tantamount to a rape. And they're right. Many people also think that Julian Fellowes did this intentionally. They're wrong. I've read Fellowes' notes in the script books and he intended for Pamuk to come off as roguish and charming. He has no idea that Pamuk's lines are coercive and threatening. Since the story line was intended to be that of a consensual encounter, that's how I'm directing. I've adjusted the dialogue to make Mary's consent much more obvious. It's by no means perfect. I hope to get feedback on how to further improve the scene, and make Mary's first sexual experience the darkly comic (what with her lover dying and all) adventure it was meant to be.

Words in italics are stage directions or my own changes.

Pamuk enters Mary's room. She immediately rises and covers herself with the sheet. Her face is shocked, but slightly amused.

While the dialogue is largely the same, imagine Mary having a much more confident posture and the back and forth between delivered like banter.

Mary: You must be mad.

Pamuk: I am. I'm in the grip of madness.

Mary: You need to go. At once. Or I'll-

(She hesitates)

Pamuk: Or you'll what?

Mary: I'll scream.

Pamuk: You could.

Mary: I'll ring the bell.

Pamuk: That's another option.

Mary can't help but smile.

Mary: Do you have any idea what you're asking? I could be ruined if they know we'd even had this conversation. Let alone if…

Pamuk: Don't worry, you would still be a virgin for your husband.

Mary: Heavens. Is this a proposal?

Pamuk: Alas, no. I don't think your family our union would please your family.

Mary: I'm afraid not.

Pamuk: Or mine.

Fix the "still be a virgin" explanation. The vial of blood thing (check the script book) is just plain weird.

Mary: You and my parents have something in common.

Pamuk: Oh?

Mary: You believe I'm more of a rebel than I am.

Pamuk smiles sheepishly/roguishly and exhales.

Pamuk: Well, I see I've met with defeat. Goodnight Lady Mary.

He turns to leave.

Mary: Wait…

She reaches out a touches his arm…

***Cora, Anna, and Mary have finished moving Pamuk's body back to his room. Even though this is 1913, I always felt that Cora seemed uncharacteristically nasty to Mary in this scene. This version will be less "slut shaming".

Cora: I don't think I can every forget what you put me through tonight.

Mary: But you won't tell Papa.

Cora: Since it would probably give him his own heart attack, I will not. But I keep the secret for his sake, not for yours.

Mary: Yes, Mama.

Cora: Anna, I am sorry that Lady Mary wrapped you up in this. And now I will say goodnight.

Anna leaves.

Mary: She won't betray us. Cora: I'm sure she won't. It pains me to say it, but this morning I find that I can rely on a housemaid more than my own child.