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Post by meggie on Jan 15, 2013 13:47:51 GMT -5
That was a shocker! In true pre-spoiler soap style, Lord Old Guy bolting at the altar was a true shocker! The poor guy looked like he was going to be physically ill while Edith was coming down the aisle, and then like a man on a mission running away. I expected him to drop with a heart attack.
Poor Spinster Edith! She did look lovely in her wedding gown, and it was sad to hear her say that there was a day that was 'just about her'. In that family, it's sadly true. She not the feisty eldest or the sweet but independent thinking youngest, she's just Edith. I hope she does get out of bed and get on with something.
I was surprised they resolved keeping Downton so quickly. Once LOG was out of the picture, it was pretty obvious that Matthew was going to save the day but I thought it would drag out longer. Lavinia's father should be up for sainthood or he really had no friends if those were his only heirs.
We can see why Bates had to threaten his cellmate. He has to be strong to survive.
Best lines: "Nothing succeeds like excess" and "Vulgarity is not a substitute for wit".
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Post by ruffles on Jan 15, 2013 16:00:53 GMT -5
Poor Edith.
LOG was looking as if he was coming down with the flu. Do we get to find out the why of this?
The veil toss over the banister was a beautifully dramatic statement. I loved that image.
Thankfully they reran the show at midnight which meant I could watch it. I was half out of my head with exhaustion after 5 productions of our Boar's Head Festival this weekend but managed to stay awake through out. ........... What are the details of the financial arrangement between Matthew and Lord Crawley? I don't understand how they can be so high mindedly ?noble? over something of such profound significance for so many people, especially those whom they love.
Thomas is a real jerk! I hope O'Brien does a bang up job of evening off her score with him!
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Post by karenk on Jan 15, 2013 21:55:35 GMT -5
I still think there's something up with LOG. Right before the wedding began, Mamma and the minister were discussing his first wife and Maggie Smith said "perhaps she was a hard act to follow." I hope one day we get to learn the back story. I still think he might be gay and back then it would have been SO hard.
It was hard for me to watch Mrs Hughes wait for her results. Brought back all my PTSD around biopsies. I was actually having a bit of a panic attack watching it, but I'm so glad she'll be ok.
Oh that Thomas is SUCH a bad guy! Sic him, O'Brien! I'm still not sold on Mr. Bates' innocence. That was pretty compelling "testimony" from the neighbor.
I have to shout out for the wardrobe and hair departments. They have done a fabulous job capturing the look of the 20's in a very realistic way. Their hair is done in that wave and it looks like the hairstyles in some old family photos. The costumes are STUNNING!!! I'm not a dress person, but WOW! I'd wear some of the outfits on that show! Fashions of the 1920's may just make a comeback!
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Post by ruffles on Jan 15, 2013 22:59:37 GMT -5
Yes....I am wondering if LOG is gay also. He was in a panic over this wedding.
In that time period, given their medical expertise, or lack of it actually, a cancer diagnosis wouldn't end well. I figured the odds were high that this was a momentary scare which would have a benign ending.
The neighbor struck me as someone who was highly biased, loyal to a friend or quick to point a finger, go along with the public opinion and without any great need for thoughtful depth or truth. She had everything all worked out and justified in her head so 'End Of Story' in her book. I could be the one who is biased here but she was very gun ho with her attitude.
Yes! The fashions are gorgeous over and over again. I love it. This is one of the many many factors that make Downton Abbey work so well. The hats are lovely....except I wouldn't want to be sitting behind one in the theater.
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Post by meggie on Jan 16, 2013 1:18:20 GMT -5
Great news! I just read on the Downton website that Maggie Smith is coming back for Season 4. Two good things- a Season 4 and Maggie Smith!
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Post by karenk on Jan 16, 2013 6:30:02 GMT -5
Ruffles, this site needs a like button! I had to LOL about the hat comment. I could go for the dresses, but leave the hats at home. I HATE hats! Only Maggie Smith can truly pull off the outrageous hat. I told Amanda I want to be Maggie Smith when I grow up. I just love her little asides. I'd like to get to the age when I can utter such bon mots and not get in trouble! BTW, what is her IS her character's name? I can't think of anything but Mamma.
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Post by ruffles on Jan 16, 2013 7:59:40 GMT -5
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Post by Amanda on Jan 16, 2013 12:55:45 GMT -5
I finally did a re-watch of the first three episodes of season (excuse me -- "series") three last night, so I could jump in more here. I was finding it hard to remember the details and didn't want to accidentally say too much.
OK, Ruff had the question about the financial arrangement. Lord Grantham said his condition for accepting the money was that Matthew would be "co-owner" and be equally in charge of the estate. We didn't get anything more explicit than that, so it sounds to me like a gentleman's agreement. I doubt anything has changed legally, so if there was a dispute, Lord Grantham would be the only one with a legal leg to stand on -- it's still his estate until he dies, at which point, it would be Matthew's anyway, regardless of any financial arrangements existing now. I could be wrong, but that was my impression. Given that Matthew was prepared to give the money to Lord Grantham to save the estate without any promise of a say-so in the operations, he shouldn't really care how "official" he is as "co-owner," but human nature does not tend to work that way. Too many cooks in the proverbial kitchen, methinks.
Re: O'Brien and Thomas. They kill me. They were BFFs up to no good together all along and now they've parted ways for some reason (I never really understood why), so they can be nasty to each other. I guess it's good for the rest of the folks in the house that the two evildoers are occupied with undermining each other, but I still think they're ridiculous to carry on as they do. It certainly adds something to the show, though. For the record, I am Team Thomas on that one. I have a soft spot for Thomas (which grew on me), but O'Brien is just evil through and through.
Add me to the ranks of those glad to see Maggie Smith signed on for season 4. Downton is full of so many wonderful characters, and it is so well written, but if she weren't there, that would be a gaping hole, and I'm not sure it could ever be filled.
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Post by meggie on Jan 16, 2013 13:06:43 GMT -5
I think O'Brien & Thomas parted ways when O'Brien's nephew, the tall redheaded footman, arrived. Any male in the place seems to be a threat to Thomas. He knows that he's not popular or trusted and has to undermine anyone that might jeopardize his place in the house. O'Brien has a softer side but Thomas is just pure evil.
BTW, I've always wondered why O'Brien is called by her last name & all the other female maids are called by their first names.
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Post by karenk on Jan 16, 2013 16:00:49 GMT -5
Mrs. Hughes is called Mrs. Hughes. I find the titles incredibly confusing.
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Post by Amanda on Jan 16, 2013 16:25:28 GMT -5
My understanding is that "common" maids are called by their first names. If you have a higher position (i.e. a lady's maid, as O'Brien is), then you are called by your last name. I think that runs across the board, i.e. Mrs. Patmore and Daisy in the kitchen... Mr. Bates (valet) vs. the footmen, and so on.
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Post by karenk on Jan 16, 2013 17:32:26 GMT -5
I have to say, this show makes me very very thankful we broke away from the British. I find the whole caste system incredibly stifling and repugnant, at either end of the spectrum. The rich folks are stuck in their own prisons of formality and convention. Fun to watch, but I'd sure hate to live it.
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Post by meggie on Jan 16, 2013 18:15:06 GMT -5
The cook and head housekeeper are always called Mrs. Whoever, even though they usually aren't married., just as the butler is always Mr. The male staff are sometimes called by their last name ie. Bates, Branson, but Thomas & William were not. Thomas now seems to be called Mr. Something. Maybe it's Anna that's the odd one out, or maybe for the maids it depends on whom you are serving.
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Post by karenk on Jan 16, 2013 18:27:11 GMT -5
Kind of like teachers -- the kids get very confused about the Mrs. and Miss/Ms. Charlie was a bit put out when I got a holiday gift addressed to "Miss Kishpaugh," LOL!
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Post by meggie on Jan 16, 2013 18:28:53 GMT -5
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