Thomas Barrow

Name: Thomas Barrow
Door:Door pass
Canon: Downton Abbey
Canon Point: Season 5, Ep 4

Age: 29
Appearance: right here!

History: HERE

Personality:

Positive Trait: Loyal

Thomas has shown his loyality to others throughout the show on several occasions. After he is sent home from fighting in the war, he works in the hospital alongside Lady Sybil, one of his former employer's daughters who had volunteered to be a nurse. They become closer as a result and he openly grieves after her death. During his work in the hospital, he developed feelings for a soldier who was blinded by gas; in fact, he fights to try and keep the soldier in the hospital, hoping it would aid in his recovery. Sadly, the doctor in charge orders the soldier to be sent to another hospital and he takes his own life, which devastated Thomas.

Over time, Thomas also became more loyal to the household he serves in and the people who live there. He rescues Lady Edith from a fire (one of the Earl's daughters) and develops a relationship with George, the son of Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley. He also starts to improve his standing among the other staff in the household, treating them more with respect and kindness. They treat Thomas better in return which only strengthens his loyalty and trust towards them.

He also endured a beating for one of the other footmen - Jimmy- at a fair, wanting to protect him from harm. Jimmy was someone whom Thomas had an attraction to, but even though the other man rejected him, Thomas still looked out for his wellbeing as a friend.

Negative Trait: Bitter

Thomas frequently displayed a bitterness or a disdain towards anyone who seems to have a happy life. A notable example is when he mocks Anna and Mr Bates's steadily growing relationship. He went out of his way to make trouble for Mr Bates, wanting to take him down a few pegs - especially when he was hired as Lord Grantham's new valet. Thomas wanted the role for himself, knowing it would mean a rise in status and salary. He even admits to Mr Bates that he envied his position and his marriage, how he got along with the rest of the staff and Thomas didn't.

He is also bitter because of his ongoing struggle with his homosexuality. Thomas comes from a time where homosexuality was a crime and he would be put into prison if he ever got caught. Therefore, he has been closeted for a lot of his life but some of the household staff know about it. Some of them do take an issue with it and Thomas knows that wider society wouldn't accept him for who he was. This bitterness and rejection drives Thomas to "cure" himself, travelling to London for electroshock therapy. He also acquires medicine to inject himself with which only makes him ill.

Thomas has had to hide his feelings to protect himself, even when canon shows that he is capable of caring about other people and would want a committed relationship if the right person came along. This only add to the bitterness and causes Thomas to frequently lash out at others, unable to deal with his own frustrations.

Negative Trait: Manipulative

His ambitiousness and desire to get what he wanted meant that Thomas often manipulated others to make this happen. He wasn't afraid to spread gossip, threaten to spill secrets or bully to get his own way. One example is when Thomas tried to get Mr Bates fired from his position as a valet to the Lord of the house so he could take on the role instead.

He also schemes to get one of the new members of staff (Alfred) demoted to footman by giving him the wrong advice on how to clean a jacket; it ends up with a hole, thus "proving" that Alfred wasn't suitable for the role of valet. He begins a rumour that Lady Grantham's maid was going to leave her service to teach her a lesson, annoyed that she was championing Alfred to get the role of valet. In the beginning, Thomas also manipulates one of the kitchen maids into lying for him to get back at Mr Bates. He blackmailed Baxter (Lady Grantham's new maid) into being a whistleblower, knowing about her dark past.

It should be noted that Thomas' manipulative side lessons as the show goes on, bringing out a more kinder and compassionate man. I just thought it was important to highlight it as a negative trait.

Negative Trait: Aloof/Cold

Early on in the series, Thomas presented a very cold and distant exterior, keeping people at an arm's length. Whenever he expressed an interest or appeared friendly, there was always an agenda behind it. Thomas is quick to turn on other people if they slighted him and he would either treat them with indifference or seek revenge. He would rarely confide in other people about how he was feeling or any problems that he had.

This is shown when he kept the details of his self-medication to himself, believing he could deal with it on his unknown. It was only when Thomas was very visibly ill that another staff member asked him about, feeling sympathy when the truth came out. Thomas did not react well, informing the staff member that he didn't need any pity.

His aloofness could have manifested from his need to protect himself and keep his sexual identity a secret, fearing the consequences if it were to come out. It is heavily implied that Thomas' father was abusive towards him and this may explain his behaviour: sometimes, Thomas came across as very reserved and other times he was angry and vindictive.


Powers and Abilities: No powers or abilities.

Highly skilled as a butler, valet and footman in his place of work. Basically, dressing a gentleman, serving dinner and drinks in a high society party/event.

Inventory: - pack of cigarettes, medicine box (containing needles) and war medal

Samples:

1) A sub thread from TDM

2) 2 more samples in a separate post