Amph "What is a weekend?" The Downton Abbey Adoration Thread (unhighlighted spoilers after UK eps. air)

It wasn't just "dressing up" that bothered him. It was dressing in the uniform of the wealthy ruling class-- the ruling class who had oppressed his people for centuries. Of course, the show was doing its best to set him up as just an annoying contrarian straw socialist/republican. And I know that a few posters in this thread share the program's rather charitable view of wealth and aristocracy and British dominion over other nations. Oh well.

 

There'll be a spinoff...Downton Place! Haha.

I know Matthew is just trying to be honorable, but I wish he would just get over it. I was also disappointed that Hughes wouldn't tell Carson about her health problems, but it's her decision not to and I respect that she doesn't want to become diminished and weak in Carson's eyes. I actually thought Martha was way tolerable compared to last episode. Rescuing the dinner was awesome of her.

Another thought that occurred to me is that perhaps Downton might be trying too hard to shoehorn certain historical things into the show, like Edith's comment about how there are no more young men left. Perhaps there would've been a better, more subtle way to show this.


Also, hurray for Maggie Smith's Emmy win! Hurray for the Dowager Countess!

 

The episode took a long time to hit it's stride, and even then it was an uneven one. Bit of a limp over the line. Last week was much better.

I agree with Maria that Matthew is behaving too stubbornly... and I also think that Lady Mary isn't doing a very good job of forcing him to change his mind. Before they married I got the distinct impression she was going to fight him all the way on this issue, but all she does is make her point and then invite him to kiss her. The problem with Matthew's opinion is that Mr. Swire would surely prefer the money to save Downton (a place that was - for her last years - very close to Lavinia's heart) than he would see it go somewhere else. Matthew may think he's stealing from Lavinia's father, but he'd no doubt be pleasing Lavinia... which would please Mr. Swire. You don't put someone in your will (for so much) if you don't trust them to do some good with the money even if it's not the cause you had imagined.

It's very interesting to see Thomas and O'Brien at each other's throats. Their relationship really has changed over the years. Right now it seems that O'Brien's methods are more effective. Thomas is a bit one dimensional in his approach. Alfred is one big trap for him laid by O'Brien and he's walking in it every time.

As for Edith, halfway through the episode I was on her side. I was completely open to the idea she was genuine, but then rushing into a wedding so quickly? That smacks of desperation and ulterior motives... or if not that then Edith being more interested in getting out of Downton before it is sold than truly loving Sir Anthony. Not good.

"Mrs. Patmore. Will you please leave the hysteria to me." Such a typical Mrs. Hughes line. She is - IMHO - being a bit daft not telling Carson. She might worry that he'd see her as an ill woman, but I think he has unlimited respect for Mrs. Hughes and would (if she told him) stick his neck out for her and respect her wishes to be treated no differently. I can understand her reticence though; it's difficult to place your reputation in the hands of another.

I thought the Dowager Countess had a poor week (save the Emmy win! ). Her motives in approaching Martha were honourable, but she seemed a line away from begging and I don't think it suited her. Even the relief when she thought (albeit briefly) that Martha could help felt a little undignified. I also think it odd that she didn't know (or didn't suspect) that Harold would have the money tied down so effectively.

Mr. Bates. Hmmm. Again. He's not adverse to using his murder conviction as a weapon inside, then. Even if it's just an empty threat, I don't think it was wise for him to say what he said at the end. Plus, it might only serve to prolong the 'getting him out of jail' storyline. Anna and John talking across that table is becoming as tiresome as Mrs. Patmore and Daisy endlessly discussing William or Lady Sybil and Branson's uncountable scenes in the garage. I would be grateful for a speedy development to either see Bates guilty or innocent (once and for all).

 

IS THERE ANY WAY U.S. PEOPLE CAN WATCH THE NEW SEASON

 

Yeah, I guess I meant irritating. Stupid English as a second language... And no, I totally agree that she was sincere - and the way she threw an impromptu "picnic indoors" in order to save the dinner was pretty nice of her. But she was really driving me nuts in the first half of the episode.

... That kind of sounds like a reality show in which the Crawleys are the judges and the winner/loser (delete whichever is inappropriate) gets hanged...

Synonym of really strong flows of water.

 

It'll premiere on PBS in January. That's the only legal way.

 

But where Mars? I don't care if it's legal or not!

 

Uh, you must not do this very often.

 

You must seek out Thomas. He will sort it for you.

 

**** you, Everton, I was just about to post this.

**** you.

 

... and that made my day.

 

I don't think these have been posted yet:

 

Yeah, I was mainly irritated by the fact that Everton had read my mind. Again.

 

Must get one, then.

 

Oh, I forgot to post this before:

Sir Anthony Strallen's house is also Peter Syme's house from Jekyll!

 

Fellowes to write a DA prequel about the Earl and Countess of Grantham, to which I say:

OMG YES PLEASE!!!!!

 

I agree with Mária on this issue.

It takes us back in time, and thus back to more reassuring times ( ), and frankly, the thought of a young Cora is really rather exciting. I'm glad Fellowes doesn't plan on doing it until the main series has concluded though. I don't like the speculation about Matthew in the piece.

 

FYI Amazon has a deal right now for a seasons 1 & 2 box set.

 

Oh. My. Goodness.

I did not see that coming. I might actually feel sorry for Edith now!

And Mrs. Huges...that was so ambiguous! Does she or doesn't she have cancer?! Did Mrs. Patmore tell Carson that just to get him to stop worrying about Mrs. Hughes?! Ahhh...

Oh, and thank goodness Matthew is finally giving them the money. Lord Grantham's compromise is a fair one, I think.

Also, from the trailer...

Spoiler

Branson...what have you done?!

 

Spoiler

Shown his true colours, it seems to me.

 

Basically, Matthew was like this:



Until Lady Mary threatened to smack some sense into him. Thankfully, the threat worked.

Also, I totally ship Mr. Carson/Mrs. Hughes now.

Oh, and the Dowager Countess for President of the Universe, kthxbye.