275 replies to this topic

[Jschoolgirl]

Change is again in store at Downton Abbey. A yearly cricket match with the village finds a novice player making his mark.

[izabella]

I loved Edith in London! You go, girl!

And then, of course, poor Edith had to be crushed by circumstances. Jane Eyre, no less!

[Jschoolgirl]

Edith's editor is so handsome!

Why is Rose here, and why are we supposed to care? Yes, she's a wannabe flapper and pushing the limits and so on -- I get that. She took valuable screen time away from others. And God forbid that she ends up with Tom!!!

Oh, that baby!!!

Edited by Jschoolgirl, Feb 11, 2013 @ 12:02 AM.

[SpringIsHere]

At this point, only the lines from the DC are keeping me entertained.

Poor Edith finds herself re-enacting Jane Eyre. She really can't catch a break! And seriously - a young rebellious aristocrat named Rose who actually kind of looks like Kate Winslet? They should have talked Leo DiCaprio into making a cameo as the married guy in the club, just for laughs. I liked Matthew's attempts at reality checking her, but I hope Rose doesn't make a play for him now.

My new favorite quote: "When I asked for the truth, I didn't expect you to take me literally."

Is it possible that we've seen the end of Bates' legal woes AND Ethel AND the Thomas/O'Brien war all in one swoop? It's like Christmas.

[olivia1]

I loved all the clothes that Edith wore, especially that turquoise beret and dress that she wore on the last visit to London.

Loved Violet tricking Rosamund and getting the whole story.

Loved Tom doing good on the cricket match and bringing Robert around to changes to Downton.

Robert was at his best dealing with the police.

Glad Ethel is leaving and getting to see Little Charlie, but mostly that she is leaving.

Awww...Matthew is ready to make some babies.

[Twodognite]

What kind of "little operation" would there be to fix Lady Mary's baby-making equipment?

[Jschoolgirl]

The Grantham ladies seemed to have moved into violet/grey clothes for mourning Sybil, but I was surprised to see Edith in red for her meeting and Mary in scarlet for evening.

What sort of "small operation" would Mary have had in that day and age?

Isobel had some great lines and facial expressions to go with them!

And I am thinking about adding "stick it up your jumper" to my "shut the French windows!" routine.

Edited by Jschoolgirl, Feb 11, 2013 @ 12:22 AM.

[Pallas429]

What sort of "small operation" would Mary have had in that day and age?

Probably a D&C (dilation and curettage).

[mikep47]

I'm glad several threads were wrapped up here, although it did seem a little rushed. We finally find out the point of Bates going to jail - so he could save Thomas' hide when he got out, just wish we would have found out a little more what the heck was going on with his cell mate, whoever were the outside characters, etc. etc. It's nice to know that everyone seems to have a secret that can be used against him or her at the opportune time, the look on Mrs. O'Brien's face when Bates threatens to expose her dark secret was priceless. And poor Edith just cannot catch a break, even with Sir Strallen's unknown younger brother (the resemblence was interesting). Notice how by the end of the two episodes EVERYONE was softening up? Daisy, Branson, Matthew, Mary, Cora, Carson!!! and lo and behold, Robert!!!!!!! On a not so happy note, I'm not Irish, but I thought Branson's brother was being played as charicature of a drunken, loud mouthed brute. I think it would have played better if he was portrayed with the strong views, but without the overtones, and had Tom just force him to tone it down a little. And Maggie Smith still is the strongest character with Violet manipulating like crazy, yet able to back down and compromise when it seemed appropriate. Maybe Mary is learning something here.

[lucindabelle]

Perhaps Mary had a blocked tube.

Tom was eloquent and it was good to see in contrastnwithnhis brother that he really doesn't belong in a lower middle class world anymore.

I always knew Mrs. bryyant had steel in her and knew how to control her husband.

[Contralto]

Why is Rose here, and why are we supposed to care?

To remind Edith that adulterers always have a sob story?

What sort of "small operation" would Mary have had in that day and age?

Probably a D&C (dilation and curettage).

Or maybe she had her tubes blown open.

Nice to see the respect and affection between Cora and Tom.

Bates, Bates . . . haven't you learned by now that no good deed goes unpunished?

[jerusha]

I'm confused on the "going up/down to London" thing. When people leave Downton, they say they are going "up" to London, and vice-versa, but Downton's in Yorkshire, which is well north of London, correct? Shouldn't it be the other way around? (Down to London/ Up to Downton)

Also, the "Yes, but it was an hour >every day<"/ "I see, yes. ...How tiring." exchange was pure gold.

Edited by jerusha, Feb 11, 2013 @ 1:23 AM.

[Overit]

I was actually pulling for Thomas until the end when everything came up roses for him. Lord Grantham, the overbearing ass, suddenly becomes the gay rights champion? Please. The way that whole story line ended was completely unbelievable. I'm still not sure how Thomas ended up getting a promotion. The more believable storyline, IMHO, would have him taking his reference and going elsewhere.

I think the actors portraying Thomas and O'Brien are very strong. O'Brien seems to be able to drain the color from her face and they both make me care about them and hate them at the same time.

[PetuniaP]

Loved two hour Downton Abbey! Every thing moved along so swiftly...it was great. I was really feeling for Thomas...I can't believe they got me to forget how despicable he's been in the past...so it was very nice to see the house rally to save him. I could expect bad behavior from O'Brien but Jimmy is turning out to be quite a nasty piece of business, isn't he? Robert finally used his powers for good at the end there...it still does pay to be Lord Grantham.

I hope Edith has a torrid affair with Mr. Rochester and that his mad wife dies in a fire so that they can have a happily ever after...she deserves one.

Mary has been so horrid to Matthew all season but it was still sweet to see them so much in love and I found all of the sexual innuendo quite cute.

Nice to see Tom softening up and becoming part of the family with baby Sybbie.

Violet is still my favorite character and Maggie Smith....huzzah! I'd watch this show for her facial expressions alone.

I'm terribly terribly sad that next week is the season finale already.

Edited by PetuniaP, Feb 11, 2013 @ 1:50 AM.

[randomchance]

I was actually pulling for Thomas until the end when everything came up roses for him. Lord Grantham, the overbearing ass, suddenly becomes the gay rights champion? Please.

I thought so too at first, but then I realized that he wasn't actually giving his blessing to Thomas having a live-in boyfriend, he was giving his blessing to Thomas continuing to be a servant.

[Tiergan]

Boo! I thought we were finally rid of Thomas. Nasty way to go a out it, but it would have been so nice to have that character gone. Then O'Brien, and everything would have been lovely. I'm so sick of those two, and Thomas as #2 in the household is revolting. "Injured for king and country" - bah!

Edited by Tiergan, Feb 11, 2013 @ 2:01 AM.

[GTS]

So while I am not a huge social history buff how likely is it the Lord G would say about Thomas "He didn't ask to be born this way" or whatever it was that he said to Jimmy? While I have no problem believing he could have yelled himself til he was blue in the face everytime somone tried to kiss him his first month at Eaton I don't think they were exactly grooving to "Born this way" when getting down at Downton.

And this may have been an all time record for Dowager quotes my favotrit being "parenthood is so tiring, the on and on of it" tied with "but it was an hour EVERY DAY". Zing a ding ding!

[Trikywu]

Perhaps I missed something along the way, but does anyone happen to know what dirt Bates has on O'Brien? When he whispered in her ear, it was like she saw a ghost.

[Mystery]

The Eton remark surprised me along with, as others have said, Lord Grantham's enlightened "born this way" attitude.

Cora miscarried what would have been the heir to Downton Abbey when O'Brien, who thought she was going to be replaced, engineered a slip on a soap bar as Cora was getting out of the bath tub.

[wolvfbfn]

So, overall I thought it was a great episode. I didn't realize it was a 2 hour episode until half way through the second hour. Always a good sign.

I loved the DC's zingers as always. I do always love when she is able to show up Isobel. This was the first episode where the Ethel issue and moving her away from her "known reputation" in order to start over was brought up. FINALLY. And obviously our beloved DC got to do it.

I also really liked that Anna didn't like that O'Brien was going to be their first visitor. That was pretty funny and in character.

Additionally, all the reactions to Thomas' "gender preference" was hilarious. Every single person was "umm, didn't we already know that?" Made things realistic and brought out what we've all been saying. Though, in the end, Thomas getting a promotion was ridiculous. He's just one of those people who things always turn out their way. I really don't like those people...

Edited by wolvfbfn, Feb 11, 2013 @ 2:34 AM.

[jjj]

This looks like two episodes patched together, like the first episode of this season. I assume the final baptism picture originally was the end of that episode?

I agree that Thomas ending up with a promotion is very lazy writing out of the web created by the gay flirtation. I still have not forgiven him for abducting and locking up Robert's dog so he could pretend to rescue it.

Who is DC? Violet ?

Edited by jjj, Feb 11, 2013 @ 2:53 AM.

[Mystery]

I think it stands for Dowager Countess, so yes, Violet.

[hunterhunted]

Seriously Julian Fellowes, just write someone off. Thomas was, is, and continues to be unnecessary.

[morakot]

m confused on the "going up/down to London" thing. When people leave Downton, they say they are going "up" to London, and vice-versa, but Downton's in Yorkshire, which is well north of London, correct? Shouldn't it be the other way around? (Down to London/ Up to Downton)

London is the most important destination and so it is at the top. You always go up to London and down to the country or your smaller town.

[mcjen]

I'm confused on the "going up/down to London" thing.

"Going up to London", regardless of which direction you're traveling, is a common English expression. I'm not certain of its exact derivation. I've read the expression is you go "up" to London and "down" to the country, because the city represents the Big Apple in terms of status and such. More convincing to me (although, again, I can't vouch for authenticity) is that it had to do with train schedule - a train running toward London being called an up line, while one that ran away from the city was a down line.

Edited by mcjen, Feb 11, 2013 @ 7:53 AM.

[Jessie Q]

Perhaps Mary had a blocked tube.

She does have a stick up her ass...

Love, love, love Edith's clothing!

When Mrs. Hughes was comforting Thomas, she morphed into Mrs. Garrett from the Facts of Life.

[kccody]

Only watched half- want to savor it. Funny how the DC is so much smarter and progressive than her stuffy son- getting employment for Tom, figuring out how to make Ethel's life better while ridding her from Downton. Gosh I love her. Violet would not have run through Cora's money like Robert did- how did he end up such a doofus?

[nilyank]

The whole Thomas storyline was able to something that the last two seasons of Dowton Abbey have failed to do, it made me like Robert. I don't think it is ridiculous that Thomas was promoted. He was an excellent footman and valet for the family for the past ten years. He actually wasn't scheming this time during this whole affair and he never retaliated or said a bad word abot Jimmy or Obrien. Finally he got promoted because of Robert's enlightened attitude and self interest. He wanted to keep his best cricket player and he wanted to keep Bates as his valet. He could have made Bates the underbutler and kept Thomas as his valet.

Edited by nilyank, Feb 11, 2013 @ 6:50 AM.

[Blackie]

Does no one in Downtown knock on a door before entering?

Cutest baby ever but too bad Robert and Cora couldn't have been pushing the pram around on their walk instead of "Nanny".

[Haleth]

Perhaps I missed something along the way, but does anyone happen to know what dirt Bates has on O'Brien? When he whispered in her ear, it was like she saw a ghost.

Thomas told Bates to whisper "Her Ladyship's soap" to O'Brien. He (Bates) didn't know what I means, but the message got through.

I didn't find it believable that Robert was so progressive regarding Thomas's sexuality. I am glad the character will continue on the show though. In no time he will forget how kind everyone was to him and become an insufferable boss over the staff.

I love that Edith is finding her voice, but please don't let her get involved with her editor! It will just mean more heartache for her in the long run.

Have we ever seen Cora holding her baby granddaughter?