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Post by meggie on Feb 17, 2014 1:42:59 GMT -5
Did he or didn't he? Will she or won't she?
After a not so great first episode, Downton Abby is back! When the last three episodes ended, I was surprised the time was up. I wanted more! and I'm so sad there is only one more episode to go this season!
So....Did Bates arrange for Green to 'slip' or is it a happy accident? Will Anna just be glad he's gone or will she now doubt Bates?
Will Edith go on the extended French lesson trip or will the elusive Micheal reappear, divorce papers in hand & sweep her off to the vicar? I have to say, either they had shorter pregnancies in the 1920's or she's very tiny for 5 months since she said something about being away for 'four months'.
Hard to decide who is the most eligible widow--Lady Mary or Mrs. Crawley. They're both putting off a 'desire of suitors'.
I love Mr. Mosely and Miss Baxter! Thomas is not going to be a happy under butler.
...and then there's Rose, and Daisy, and Ivy...It's great to have a real soap again!
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Post by ruffles on Feb 17, 2014 12:09:30 GMT -5
We need enough angst and cliff hanging to get us into season 6 !!! Ditto RE Mr. Molesley & Miss Baxter! Some day Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes are going to wake up and smell their own coffee, but not yet. Lady Mary has a real sense of herself now. She's in control.
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Post by karenk on Feb 27, 2014 6:32:21 GMT -5
Unless this show gets drastically better, I think this is my last season. At first their fustiness was amusing, but now it annoys me beyond all belief. They are so ridiculously mired in their class system that I can't watch it anymore. I was hopeful we'd see change over time, but this season just feels like they are throwing ideas at a wall to see what will stick. I am very disappointed.
Sorry to be Debbie Downer, I just had to get that off my chest.
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Post by meggie on Feb 27, 2014 12:20:41 GMT -5
You're asking them to take the class system out of a society that was 'completely mired in their class system' that had been in place for centuries. It was starting to break down in DA's time period but it wasn't going to happen overnight, and was most evident in the upper and lower classes that are portrayed on DA.
The middle class had, and continues to have the most freedom to change and move up or down. It's really not that different from society today, but without the 'rule book'.
I'm sorry that you're not enjoying it but I can't wait for next season.
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Post by karenk on Feb 27, 2014 15:15:06 GMT -5
Remember, I'm from the town who started the war to break away from King George III, so yeah, I kinda hate the snooty class stuff and royalty. I'm so sorry it's gone so far downhill, I had genuinely been enjoying it. Glad you still are, but you've always been more ok with royalty. Maybe it's a BC thing? Maybe it's forming my opinions in the "birthplace of American liberty"? It's just bugging me.
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Post by meggie on Feb 27, 2014 16:32:31 GMT -5
I don't think it's a BC thing or being okay with royalty. I think it's a genre you don't enjoy. It is a period drama about the class system in England, and you don't like watching that period of history. At the same time, you can't expect to watch an English period drama set in the 1920's without the class struggles. It's like not liking westerns because they have too many cowboys.
We like what we like and there's something out there for everyone.
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Post by ruffles on Feb 27, 2014 17:28:19 GMT -5
The class struggle is something that I've been enjoying. I was a psych major and enjoy the peeks into the social norms of previous times which are evident in old movies and now Downton. "It Happened One Night" is a fabulous example. When the heroine had enough frustration and the brass to resist these pressures, the men in her life remarked that she needed a good spanking. No doubt this was all taken as the status quo during the film's time period. The social norms are evolving in Downton. We've gone from Lady Mary's disastrous experience with the Turk who died in bed with her and which ruined her, to Lady Edith's pregnancy which was quietly handled by a trip to Switzerland with the approval of Lady Violet. And let's not forget Ethel and her bastard child and the shadow she cast over anyone who was ever in her company. Personally I value the standards of elegance and decency. Today's society lives in jeans and Ts and the language norm is peppered with casual obscenities. OMG has become a standard. .............. They've gone from horses to cars. The electricity horrified Lady Violet. She nearly fell out of the swivel chair. They have finally mastered the use of the phone and sewing machine. And wasn't Lady Patmore in an uproar over the idea of acquiring a refrigerator? .... Mr. Carson will hold up the standard until he is the last one standing. Lord Grantham's pride is on the line. It's a very bumpy ride.
Differing points of view are always interesting. They broaden our perspectives which then enhances our understanding and appreciation. Plus we get to know each other better which is nice.
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Post by meggie on Feb 27, 2014 23:54:06 GMT -5
KarenK, I hope you didn't delete your post. Whether we agree or not, I always enjoy hearing your point of view. What's the phrase....if we always agree on everything, one of us isn't necessary?
Come back, my fiesty friend!
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Post by ruffles on Feb 28, 2014 1:45:29 GMT -5
Variety is the spice of life.
I have a brother who will disagree in dead pan seriousness because, when asked about it, says 'It is more fun not too.'
The other part of this is that this season has seemed a little bit tame to me in comparison to what we've had in the previous seasons. I am hoping that Mr. Fellowes is not running out of heart or steam where Downton is concerned.
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Post by karenk on Feb 28, 2014 7:02:50 GMT -5
Nah, it's ok. The show is pissing me off and making me very disappointed, I was so looking forward to it, and I'm taking it out on you guys. Oh well... Reminds me of when GL really jumped the shark at the end and it was like "put it out of its misery." Funny that we see this so differently.
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Post by Amanda on Feb 28, 2014 16:06:57 GMT -5
I wasn't as "into" this season as I have been in the previous ones, but for no particular reason outside of the stories being a bit disjointed and trying to follow too many things going on but not particularly invested in any of it.
To the class discussion, though, it's funny that my favorite character is Branson and I loved how Sybil was quick to do away with the notion that she shouldn't marry "beneath her" and his struggle has been one of trying to find a place in this family that he now loves while still feeling like an outsider and also feeling guilty for having "upped his station," so to speak.
The teacher that he seems to be interested in after meeting her at the political rally annoyed me a bit with her remarks that seemed design to shame him about his position with the family. And then there's Thomas, who I was really to LOVE this season, totally took a left turn into being a huge brat again, and he's being a jerk to Branson, too, for no other reason than that he thinks it's not fair that Branson is "above him."
Perhaps the epitome of the problem Karen is mentioning came in a scene that I can bet we all hated equally, when Queen Mary was downright hateful to Carson when he was just trying to help her, and while being affronted may have been understandable, it was impossibly rude that she chose to phrase it that he needed to remember his place.... his place decidedly beneath her where he shouldn't dare to have a normal conversation with her. I guess "respect your elders" doesn't get a lot of traction in her case. But then, I abhor Mary, so I'm a little biased.
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Post by karenk on Feb 28, 2014 17:20:24 GMT -5
The only characters I still like are Branson, Mrs. Hughes, and Isis. I can't stand Mary! And why do English people all look alike? The two kitchen maids and Mary's two suitors look very similar to me. It felt as if they threw this season together because they have a financial juggernaut on their hands, but the writers didn't really know where to go with plot or characters.
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Post by ruffles on Mar 1, 2014 12:09:14 GMT -5
Your comments about Mary's twin suitors is much appreciated. Also, there have been a couple of times, when the shot was either distant or off angle that I wasn't sure if it was Daisy or Ivy and I like Daisy A LOT. ??How can this be happening to me?? They are dressed and made up alike. They are both kitchen maids.
Lady Mary has control of her life now. She knows who she is and what her mission is. What the writers do with the competition between her suitors remains to be seen.
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Post by karenk on Mar 1, 2014 15:32:13 GMT -5
The identical suitors and kitchen maids have been the subject of much debate over in the teachers' room. I think we all thought we were losing our minds, LOL!
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Post by ruffles on Mar 1, 2014 17:21:10 GMT -5
I am so thankful you brought this up. I was thinking these were more than senior mmoments. WHEW!
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