I too felt that there was an element of forcing involved, on the sofa. But, to be, honest Helen is such a drama queen, its not always easy to tell.
Its quite clear what Rob is trying to do. He is attempting to embed himself into the family structure to such an extent, that he will be ready to "take over" when the time comes. The old Tom would have seen through him by now, but this new Tom just doesn't have the same fire in him...in fact his character is totally different. I think the scriptwriters have slipped up there...they needed a new actor but not a new Tom.
There have been quite a few instances of Robs mask slipping. Remember Shula witnessing the assault on the hunt protester ? And Shula is nobodies fool. I thought he was unspeakably rude to Jim at the Opera but nobody else seemed to notice or care....strange !
Pip was never going to leave home...I could have predicted that months ago, as to where she is going to live...in the barn perhaps, as that is the only place left, or maybe Brickyard Cottage.
Come to think of it, why couldn't one of her Grandmothers have lived in Brickyard Cottage...their new cow man won't need it now will ?