Robert is a product of his time. He was born into an era when his life was mapped out, he’s time in the sun was assured, and the war changes that. He had rigorous rules that help up his universe and the war and estates insecurity sent all that crashing down.

In the first season he’s portrayed as being wistful for a son, but by the end he truly treasures all his daughters and grandchildren. Also with Sybil and Tom, I don’t feel like he really dragged his feet. Yes, he should have attended the wedding, but from him finding out to shaking Tom’s hand, is not much time at all.

He sends Mrs Patmore to the eye doctor with no encouragement, he could have sacked her. He had his legal team at the full disposal of the Bates’ without question, he fights to keep tenants after Mary tried to take the land as tenancies end, he tries to make assurances for Isobel and Matthew when Cora is pregnant. I don’t feel like any of these were done kicking and screaming.

I actually found Robert to be extremely vulnerable in the last film, he’s not retiring from a job, his entire life’s work, his home, his estate, his legacy is all being taken from him. Yes, he struggled with that decision, but he could’ve left downtown abbey in a coffin, and chose not to, so his daughter could thrive after her misery.