|
Post by ruffles on Jan 9, 2013 8:12:40 GMT -5
What is your take on Tom Branson? He doesn't fit in anywhere now. .... Well, at Downton he's a total misfit.
There's also some on line discussion with people who are completely taken with Tom & Sybil as a couple and see/feel more romance with them than Mary & Matthew. While I understand the 'rebel' side of this, I haven't thought of Tom & Sybil as especially romantic.
|
|
|
Post by Amanda on Jan 9, 2013 11:08:54 GMT -5
I love Tom and Sybil I'm usually a fan of those wrong-side-of-the-tracks romances, though. I like Matthew and Mary, but they've always been a foregone conclusion to me, and Mary is such an ice queen most of the time. I was happy when they finally proceeded toward happily-ever-after with their romantic kiss in the snow, but as romance and passion are concerned, give me Tom and Sybil any day. Of course, Sybil is my favorite of the three sisters, and I have liked Branson since day one as well.
|
|
|
Post by meggie on Jan 9, 2013 17:02:11 GMT -5
I like both couples for different reasons, but my favourite couple is Matthew and Tom. They both come from non-aristocrat backgrounds and are outsiders, while knowing that they are going to have their hands full with the 'Crawley girls'. The scene with them sitting at Matthew's house chatting over drinks was wonderful.
|
|
|
Post by karenk on Jan 9, 2013 17:02:22 GMT -5
What about Edith and the old guy? Why is her father so against that? Is it just because of age and "he's a cripple" or is there something more behind that?
I don't really get into Tom and Sybil. They seem like those annoying relatives you have to invite because they're family. I LOVE the Shirley McClaine character! And of course Maggie Smith. What GREAT lines that woman has -- probably because she can really deliver them!
|
|
|
Post by meggie on Jan 9, 2013 18:09:48 GMT -5
I don't think Lord Grantham realized the depth of Edith's feelings for the old guy (What is his name? Lord something?)and may have been trying to protect her. He was preoccupied with Matthew being the heir and Cora's pregnancy when Edith was seeing him in Episode one, plus like most fathers, he may think that there is someone more suitable for his daughter. 'The old guy' is Sir Anthony Strallan who is the next door neighbour. Downton Abby has 5000 acres so it's a bit of a hike for sugar. www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/character-hub/series/downton-abbey-season-3/character/sir-anthony-strallan_s505
|
|
|
Post by karenk on Jan 9, 2013 18:21:00 GMT -5
I wondered if Lord Old Guy had more than his arm paralyzed, if you catch my drift, but then I realized I was thinking of when Matthew was paralyzed. ;D
|
|
|
Post by ruffles on Jan 9, 2013 21:55:00 GMT -5
Lord Old Guy doesn't seem to be as smitten over Lady Edith as she is for him. In this time period, a lady has to be married. I get the feeling that she's after him and he's going along for a nice ride. He keeps putting up walls which keep her at arms length.
Maggie Smith can steal the entire scene with a single line.
Yes, the 'bonding' between Matthew and Tom works wonderfully and makes a huge amount of sense.
|
|
|
Post by karenk on Jan 10, 2013 6:32:44 GMT -5
I also wondered if Lord Old Guy is gay? Does he have money? Could HE save Downton? That would be a nice twist -- Edith to the rescue! So nice we have a British soap to bond over again! But not sure about any of those guys in a towel...
|
|
|
Post by ruffles on Jan 10, 2013 7:24:35 GMT -5
Should Edith bring Downton's rescue, it would up her over Lady Mary by several notches. This would be a real sting within the rivalry of siblings.
Hmmm....What if Lord Old Guy is gay? It wouldn't be the first time this came up in Downton. We need to see where all of this goes.
Having a castle as the old homestead, a plump purse and fine cuisine on the table 3 times daily could stack up plenty of compensation for that towel.
Does anyone ever wish that Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes would hook up?
|
|
|
Post by karenk on Jan 10, 2013 17:19:27 GMT -5
Mr. Carson needs medication, or a very stiff martini. He comes across (to this American) as such a horse's ass. If Lord Old Guy is gay, it would be wild for Edith to catch him in flagrante delicto with Thomas. AND for him to be the rescuer of Downton Abbey. Then Edith would be in a real twist -- give up her newly attained rank in the family and be his beard or kick Lord Old Guy to the curb. I just checked IMDB -- Lord Old Guy is Sir Anthony Strallan.
|
|
|
Post by Amanda on Jan 10, 2013 17:59:26 GMT -5
It's a lot funnier if we keep calling him Lord Old Guy!
I agree that Mr. Carson could use a martini, but I find him endlessly entertaining in his stodginess! I think he and Mrs. Hughes are the obvious pair -- but they'll never notice that about themselves.
|
|
|
Post by karenk on Jan 10, 2013 18:05:50 GMT -5
What do you think of Bates? Do you think he's as innocent as the Downton crew seem to think he is? That scene where he threatens his cell mate made me reconsider what I think of him. I REALLY like Anna, so if he's a murderer and she's thrown her life away for him, I'll be wicked mad!
|
|
|
Post by ruffles on Jan 10, 2013 22:52:38 GMT -5
That scene with his cell mate brought up a flash back for me. He displayed the same loss of control with his wife. She really pushed his buttons. Yes, I have doubts about the truth of his innocence. He is so strictly selfcontained all of the time but if he were to be pushed to the extreme, then what? ..... This is a soap. It could be a set up. *hands up in air* Who knows!!!
|
|
|
Post by karenk on Jan 11, 2013 6:21:53 GMT -5
It's a soap and don't we love it! :-)
|
|
|
Post by Amanda on Jan 11, 2013 11:26:47 GMT -5
I'm a softie for Bates, so probably biased, but given what he's been put up against, I see why he'd lose his cool, even as mild-mannered as we've known him to be thus far. Everyone has limits. But, that's the fun of our soaps, isn't it? You just never really know for sure.
|
|