Downton Abbey

Who's Your Favorite DA Character?

  • A Grantham daughter (Mary, Edith, Sybil)

    Votes: 6 54.5%

  • A Grantham in general (Lord Grantham, Cora)

    Votes: 2 18.2%

  • Dowager Countess

    Votes: 6 54.5%

  • Mr. Bates

    Votes: 5 45.5%

  • Anna

    Votes: 3 27.3%

  • Mrs. Patmore

    Votes: 3 27.3%

  • Mrs. O'Brien

    Votes: 1 9.1%

  • Carlson

    Votes: 2 18.2%

  • Other servant character

    Votes: 2 18.2%

  • Other (say who in the thread!)

    Votes: 1 9.1%
  • Total voters
    11
Anyone this side of the pond seen the Xmas special yet? (In other words, I'm asking Jewel. :p)

Apparently it was criticised for being boring. However I enjoyed it, finding it an amusing and pleasant show that you could relax to if you were watching on Xmas day. I only just watched it and I do think it's nice when nothing major happens. I found it more tedious last year! See, people moan about the death last time, and now they moan about big things not happening... gah. It's really supposed to be light watching! I'm so glad for no deaths, thankyouverymuch!

That's my five pence worth on that. :D

---

So when is it showing in the US anyway? Or has it? Will the Xmas special just show after the last episode of series 4/is that how it was shown last series?
 
Season 4 is starting here in the US in the next 6 days...this coming Sunday, I believe. As for the Christmas special, season 3's Christmas episode aired after the episode before it. We didn't have to wait for December for it to air. So it will probably air around the same time as season 4.
 
I wasn't too hot about the season premiere; granted, it had some great character moments and some times when I cried because I was again reminded of Matthew's death and his loss to the show.

Last week's episode, however, really did upset me. *spoilers ahead, highlight to read*

Did they really have to go and rape Anna? I mean, I understand such things happened back in the day, but why her? I am grateful, however, that the rape was seen from afar and not in the room. We knew what was happening but we weren't forced to endure the sight of it. Joanna Froggatt's talent was very much on display in the aftermath, and it leaves me wanting to see how this will be resolved in future episodes.
 
Thanks for the spoiler alert!

**Season Premiere spoilers**

I am just now watching the season premiere on Tivo, and so far I am not impressed. I am happy to see everyone, but Lady Mary's depression is not like her. She is a spirited young woman and no matter how hard it is for her to face matthew's loss, she has seemed in the past like the kind of woman who would pluck up her courage and face the world for the sake of her child. Same for Isobel. Both the women morning Matthew's death seem to me to be acting out of character. Of course they would mourn, but they wouldn't give up like they seem to have done.

And Mary's father, trying to keep her out of his business, and not letting her brother-in-law try to engage her in living again ... that is wrong and doesn't seem like him, too.

And what happened with O'Brien?!

**End spoilers **

OK, I am not even halfway through the program, so things may change. I will try to catch up on the next episode as soon as I have the time. I am so happy it is back on! :)
 
Yah, I am getting close to the end of the season premiere now, so she is getting over it. Her daddy still doesnt want her being part of the business though!

*** More season premiere spoilers ***

OK, if I am remembering previous seasons correctly, the Downton Abbey ladies were all well aware of that one house maid's disgrace, because when Isobel hired her and had her serve them lunch, the dad came and made a big stink. So how is it that now Cora doesn't recognize her when she applies for a job? I am having trouble figuring this out! Any ideas?

*** End spoilers ***

I haven't much time to watch TV, and it's killing me having both these episodes sitting in Tivo waiting for me to watch! What do we think about Lady Edith and her boyfriend? Very scandalous so far!
 
inkspot said:
OK, if I am remembering previous seasons correctly, the Downton Abbey ladies were all well aware of that one house maid's disgrace, because when Isobel hired her and had her serve them lunch, the dad came and made a big stink. So how is it that now Cora doesn't recognize her when she applies for a job? I am having trouble figuring this out! Any ideas?

*** End spoilers ***
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Maids and servants, except for the footmen and ladies maids, are supposed to not be seen as much as possible. Considering that Edna didn't stay long at Downton the first time, and the family was away for a lot of the time that she was at Downton when all that went down with Branson. I don't recall that bit in the previous season [not that it means much], but it doesn't sound unlikely that Cora wouldn't recognize her; after all, Edna had nothing to do with Cora or the girls, she only seemed to interact with Branson.
 
Ok I am confusing the maid for someone else -- this is the girl who had a crush on Tom. I was thinking it was the girl who had the baby. Not the same girl, right? My mistake, yes now it makes sense that Cora wouldn't recognize her. Thanks!
 
inkspot said:
Ok I am confusing the maid for someone else -- this is the girl who had a crush on Tom. I was thinking it was the girl who had the baby. Not the same girl, right? My mistake, yes now it makes sense that Cora wouldn't recognize her. Thanks!
Click to expand...

No, no. Different one. I can't remember her name. She had red hair though, so maybe that's why you were confused. :)
 
Right, I see it now. I finished watching the premiere, and it was OK. Not real exciting, but a nice reintroduction to Downton. I started watching the first few minutes of the next episode, but I am kind of freaking out.

** Spoilers**

I don't like this Gillingham visiting servant (I don't know what his name actually is) flirting with Anna, and Anna, who probably doesn't realize it, is sort of flirting with him. Someone will make some mischief out of this, probably the new ladies' maid and Thomas together.

Also, that new made of Cora's is back to trying to be friends with Tom, who obviously feels bad that he can't be friends with her. He is over a barrel though. I wish he had told Cora the truth and not let them hire that woman back! I hope nothing goes horribly wrong ... but I am sure it will ...

** End spoilers**

Obviously I didn't get very far into episode 2, but it was causing me stress. I sholdn't try to watch a soap opera. It's too intense for me ...
 
Aravis Kenobi said:
Just be prepared for when you get to the end of episode 2. Even I was shocked. And somewhat horrified.
Click to expand...
good Lord! talk about something going horribly wrong! I can't believe it! I watched the second episode last night ... crikey!

** Spoilers, Episode 2 **

I figured Edna and Thomas would somehow make Bates believe there was something going on between Anna and that Gillingham servant -- not that he was a rapist! And what is Anna thinking, not telling Bates and the doctor that night? You can't just pretend it didn't happen! And you can't just let the guy off scot-free to do it again.

I agree, shocking and horrifying.

Anna should tell Lady Mary, because she is friends with Lord Gillingham, and she could get him to realize what a monster that servant is. I don't know his name -- they just call him by Lord Gillingham's name. Anyway, his employer should know. And really Bates should know. This secrecy will do no one any good.

Also I am still worried about Tom and Edna. He does belong there, and little Cybil belongs there, so he should stop feeling so bad about not fitting in! Even if he doesn't fit in, Cybil fits in and deserves to grow up there among her family, so he should get over himself. He is making me mad. And if he decides to take off with Edna, and deprive his little daughter of the family to which she's entitled ... that will just be the living end.

I like Edith's boyfriend but I hate the idea of his becoming a German citizen just so he can divorce his mad wife. Everyone in Britain hates Germans, and for him to become one? It will be the end of his reputation and Edith's if she goes with him to Germany. What can she do there, anyway? She'll be giving up her writing career and family to be with a hated German. I can't see it, somehow.

** End spoilers**

I think there was a new episode last night? Tivo should have it for me. I am really curious to see what happens going forward. That's a good soap opera, I guess, it keeps you interested in what will happen next.
 
Yes, there was a new episode last night. It dealt with the repercussions of what happened to both Tom and Anna. I will say, I think you will be satisfied with how the situation between Tom/Edna is handled. Mrs. Hughes lets Edna know what she thinks, and even Thomas says some things I agreed with!

There was an article discussing the historical ramifications of what happened to Anna. I need to try and find it and post it here so you can say what you think. I think the truth will eventually come out, and I can't predict how Mr. Bates will react. Of course, Mr. Bates would be within his right to beat the crap out of Mr. Green [Lord Gillingham's servant's real name], but I don't want Bates to go back to prison for it.
 
Yes I was thinking of that, too. It was a completely different age, and I think women that experienced that violence were often characterized as having asked for it and were blamed for it rather than considered victims, so there is that mindset to consider. Still, I don't think you can just brush it under the rug. If you find the article, post the link, and I will check it out. I didn't watch this Sunday's episode, but I am glad if Branson is safe from Edna's clutches and chooses to remain at Downton.

it's like they're real people the way I get worked up about it!
 
Yes, that was the jist of this article that I found; that women in that era were often seen not as the victim, but as the aggressor. In fact I think the article went on to discuss how unlikely it was that the rapist became arrested or convicted.

Haha, I feel the same way. There should be a law against TV shows making characters everybody likes so well, then doing something horrible to them!

Ah, here 'tis. took me forever to track it down, but I did. http://thedailyheynow.com/post/73175433458/downtons-blurred-lines
 
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Thanks for the link. Yes, I can see why Anna wants to keep it a secret, and of course at the time, they didn't know that there can be PTSD and the need for counseling, etc.

** Spoilers**

OK, I watched the next episode, and I am so glad Edna is gone. Tom was wise to go back to Mrs Hughes for help! It was obvious what Edna was planning, but not obvious to Tom, so Mrs hughes was a good choice.

I am sorry Mary didn't take Tony up on his offer of marriage, but it was too soon after Matthew. I can see that. He said he would wait, but how could she have made that commitment, even if she was going to wait a year or two? If Tony cared enough for her, wouldn't he wait for her decision and not make her say yes or no right then with the threat of Mabel hanging over her head?

Anna is being very cruel to Bates. I can understand how she feels, that she is now soiled -- I think victims of that crime do feel like that -- and so she doesn't feel good enough for him, but she is not explaining that to him, and so he can't figure out what he has done to drive her away ... no good will come of this. She ought to tell him. It's not like he would hunt the man down and kill him. I still think Anna should have told Lady Mary so she could have told Lord Gillingham.

** End spoilers **

That's all I can think of for now. I wonder who Thomas wants to recommend as ladies maid? I was hoping it would be O'brien come back, she was always fun. :)
 
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