Your Turn - **May Contain Downton Abbey Spoilers**
By request today, here is a place for you to discuss Downtown Abbey and what happened this weekend. You can also say whether you have watched the show or have any intentions of watching the show.
Never watched it, but I plan to someday. Same thing happened with Mad Men. Meant to watch it, but didn't have time in my TV watching schedule. Finally caught up on all the past seasons and season 5 was the first season I watched "live." Same will happen with Downton eventually. I hear it's amazing!!
I'm pissed but Julian Fellowes has said he only killed off Matthew and Sybill because they didn't renew their contracts. I'm interested to see how things will work out next season.
I love the show, however wait until it's on either Netflix or Hulu. I prefer to do shows like that in marathon sessions. Plus, I'm usually working when it's on.
I watched it for a little while, but got tired of it. Mostly I watched it because my wife wanted to. It wasn't bad to start out with, but like any series, there's a point where it just starts spinning its wheels. For me the biggest series like that was "X Files." In any case, DA got to a point where it was just going around in circles and I gave it up.
Personally I wonder if Edith will wind up the last one standing.
They announced at the beginning of the season that "Matthew" would not be returning so it was no surprise. I wish they had wrapped up the whole thing, funeral and all so they could start next season about 5 years in the future. It was nice to see Scotland, how beautiful.
I love Downton Abbey. Cried like a baby when Sybill died. I'm mad at Matthew for leaving the show. If Dame Maggie Smith can suck it up, so can he, for the good of the show. He wasn't my favorite, but I think he screwed up Julian Fellows story line. Of course I'll still watch the show. It's just so long between the seasons. I like marathon watching, but I can't keep myself from watching when it's on. Yeah, I love the show. I don't pick it apart. I'm going to watch it anyway. Thanks CDAN for giving some room to Downton Abbey. Got my mom hooked on it. When we were watching the 2nd season, she would come by and criticize it, then she would stay longer, now she watches it with me.
All I did was cry when Sybil died..yet I could not figure out how they could have kept Matthew and not kill him. You doc..and that would have been perfect!
Remember on "Friends" when Joey said that on soap operas the way they kill off characters that will never be back is by dropping them down an elevator shaft? I think about that every time learn a character will not be back; here comes the elevator shaft. How funny would it have been to throw Cousin Matthew down the elevator shaft. He was so boring. The new guy they have lined up for Lady Mary is smokin' hot.
This season blew. First they drag out the boring Mr. Bates storyline and then they make Thomas all lovesick and soft. Where is my diabolical footman?
I really wish they would have killed Mary off instead of Matthew. I am not looking forward to the return of Mary the pill. She showed a bit of her true colors baiting Edith at every turn in the finale and I fear that she is going to be even worse while in mourning.
And why is poor Edith always saddled with older, unavailable gentlemen? I get she is no Mary in the looks department, but she isn't hideous.
I am really hoping there is more Tom next season and am apparently in the minority by saying I am looking forward to Rose coming to Downton.
My partner loves ANYTHING British, and it drives me nuts. I've watched Pride and Prejudice (the BBC series) more times than I can count. I call Downton Abbey a "tele novella with British accents," and I don't think I'm far off the mark. I watch it out of love but surreptitiously read a Nook book online while the show is on the tv. I think the show is pretty poorly written--any challenge in the plot line is answered with a death. In the latest cases, the actors' decision to leave the show was a factor, but it seems to me that all the previous deaths--the fortuitous death that left an inheritance, the death of Lavinia, the death of Bates' wife--all come at convenient times to propel the plot.
OK, yeah, I loathe the show. It's just "Dynasty" without the camp.
Here's an article that I think is a good summation of the problem with the show--it pretends to be some social commentary blockbuster, but ultimately, it's a defender of the status quo in terms of a benevolent aristocracy---which, in my opinion, does not and did not ever exist.
I didn't know that the actress that plays Sybil wanted off the show but I did know that Matthew wanted off the show - he's playing in the movie about the WikiLeaks guy with Cumberbatch and another movie with Liam Neeson.
Such a bummer though because it really changes the story and of course it's sad when someone dies like that. Too bad they couldn't have let them fade out with just a couple scenes here and there in a season. Oh well, yet another actor who doesn't know how good they have it. >:(
I was SO upset about Matthew being killed off...UNTIL I found out Tom Ellis will be on in season 4. SWOON! I would take him over Dan Stevens any day of the week.
GladysKravitz - Keep in mind that the guy who writes the show is buds with the couple (Earl? Lord? I forget) who actually own the real place where Downton Abbey is shot. Soooo... an attitude of "everything was just lovely back then" may not be totally unexpected.
This is an unpopular opinion, but I didn't give a shit about Matthew. I hate Mary, and after she finally married him and I had their disgusting mushy relationship thrown in my face every single episode, I just don't care that he's dead. The whole finale was a big "Who cares?" to me.
I am still not over Sybil, though. I never will be. I related to that character in my fucking bones (weird, hard to explain), she was a BIG DEAL to me. Her relationship with Tom made me cry, tears of sadness, tears of joy, every time I saw them together. And then the traumatizing way she died, uugghh.
Now I feel like they're just trying to replace her with that poodle haired blonde cousin, or whatever the hell she is. Drives me crazy.
I cosign this seaward. Sybil reminded me a lot of myself and Tom reminded me of my husband. Two star crossed people. Sybill was challenged intellectually by Tom and out of that sprouted a deep, unconditional love. As someone who nearly died during labor I cried and cried in ernest whe killed her off. Mostly because I adored Sybil and also because that could have been me.
It's on PBS. I'm with Seaward. We shut off the sound halfway and did our own dialogue. His death scene was beyond amateurish. My nephew did it better, complete with catsup.
OH AND, I saw people yesterday saying, "But why couldn't they have just replaced Dan Stevens? They could have explained it away as plastic surgery, we're all adults, we would understand." And I just gave a bitch, please and went to sleep.
Wifey and I were kinda taken aback by the last five minutes. Is Matthew's death necessarily a bad thing? Kinda adds a new wrinkle to the whole English line of succession thing, with Mary's new son.
In the setting's context, I think Edith is getting overlooked because most social climbing bachelors at the time knew she isn't the _financial_ prize. Mary is. I was kinda annoyed at how her latest interest (publisher guy) rips off a pretty famous plot twist. Really, Mr. Fellowes, Jane Eyre?
God how I hate all of these people. Except the Lady Dowager, she makes the show.
I'm late to the party and have only seen this season but I loved it. I hope to catch up with previous seasons soon. Personally I prefer the kitchen scenes over anything going on in the rest of the house. Sybil's death made me cry, really good acting from everyone. My favorite character has got to be Mr. Carson
I knew it was coming but I was still sad to see Matthew go. And the Opster and I are glued to the TV on Sunday night. No, it's not the same as the first season but we love it all the same, except for Mary. She's a bloody pain in the ass. I also love the Rose character and I want to see O'Brien get her comeuppance.
I'm not reading anything above me or below me because I am starting Season One soon and I don't want to read any spoilers, but I just wanted to say thank you to Enty for doing this. It's a great idea for those who want to discuss it with their CDAN buddies! And letting me know ahead of time that it's specifically got spoilers didn't spoil anything for me.
The last two weeks, I watched Downton then watched the repeat of Walking Dead--quite a contrast!
Love Maggie Smith, but I appreciate most every character in Downtown. Yes, each can be over-the-top annoying (Hello, dumb Daisy!), but it's still fun.
For those worried about the next season being maudlin, I heard it will be 6 months since Matthew's death, so everyone will have somewhat moved on (and no funeral to cry through...).
I got into the show after my mom had talked about it enough that I went to her house for a 2-season marathon one weekend. Every time I see Carson, I think of him as Juliet's nurse in "Shakespeare in Love." haha I love that guy!
I kinda hoped Mary and Tom would get together. Wouldn't that have been scandalous....I'm Googling the new guy right now.
Cannot believe the show's gone for a while again. Seems like it just got started. Even have everyone else in the house watching it with me now.
I am completely disgusted with the story line. The last two episodes Matthew suddenly turned into a mush-mouth. You could see the end coming from a mile away. I read an article with the creator saying that the viewers don't like happiness on a TV show - they prefer drama. What a cop-out! All he's saying is that he can't write. All I did while watching the last dozen episodes is wonder which character was going to bite the dust. I think I'm done with the show.
I love this show. I have one more epi for season 2 to go, but I already know everything that happens. It's so hard to not be spoilered. I do love watching dramas in marathon form. Highly recommend doing that.
Mary sucks. Sybill is fabulous, natch. And Granny is just SO awesome.
Crazy sidenote: The woman who plays Cora was engaged to Sean Penn in her youth. At least according to Wikipedia. I just find that to be so WTF.
I love all the dramz with the servants. I think they are more interesting than the high society peeps.
Dan Stevens didn't want to stay on, so there was nothing they could do but write the character off (or recast it, but whatever, this ain't Doctor Who).
While I agree with Julian Fellowes that it would've been out of character for Matthew to leave his wife and new baby, I think killing him off so violently (and especially the shot of blood gushing out of his head) was revenge.
I also feel like Matthew's death undid everything the show was about so far. Maybe they just should've ended the show.
Let me say I love Downton Abbey more than any show ever...my devotion borders on obsession. I only started watching it a couple of months ago. Watched seasons 1 and 2 on Hulu, then borrowed Season 3 from a friend and saw the ending well before it appeared on American tv.
I really wish they'd just replaced the Matthew character. Looks-wise, he's very generic and easily replaceable.
That said, I adore every character...the whole thing is just magical.
Okay, maybe that's because I started watching it when my husband was in the hospital and it was, oddly, such a comfort.
I adore this show, and I tried super hard to stay away from spoilers for this season. I'm glad I did, because Matthew's death was a surprise for me, though I should have seen it coming with all the love and happiness going on!
And I was hurt when Sybil died. Like she was my own sister. This show has me involved!
Sybil's death was so sad. I had pre-eclampsia with my first child, that episode made me cry when mom was holding her daughter.
The Matthew scene was a total rip-off from City of Angels.
They definitely dragged the Bates thing on way too long. Anna's visiting Bates. Oh, look, Anna's visiting Bates. Will Anna visit Bates? They gave both of those great characters the short shrift.
I watched the whole lot over the last few weeks. Inhaled it - even the second season.
My motivation for watching it all now was because Vulture kept spoiling things for me - a photo of Bates in a prison jumpsuit, Dan Stevens leaving the show so he must be going to die, the "shocking death" which to be honest I thought was Edith not Sybil so at least that was a surprise ...
They couldn't have recast Matthew!!!! - That would completely sink the show into Days of our Lives territory. It was a bit of a fuck you from Julian Fellowes though ... cause of death: milk truck. And Mary is back in black for the third time.
Neither Lady Mary nor Lady Edith would bring any money or property into any marriage - at that time the line of succession went straight through MALE heirs. This is why Matthew, a distant cousin, was next in line to inherit DA, and now his son will be the heir.
That Lady Mary is the kid's mother was only icing on the cake for the Granthams. The only thing Mary and Edith would bring to any marriage are social connections and noble blood (which is why Sir Richard wanted to marry Lady Mary).
I fully believe that next year Fellowes is going to stir up some stuff between Mary and Tom, which would be such a stupid soap opera cliche (not that this has deterred him before). Bleh.
Thanks, Enty, for the opportunity to post about the show. Too bad Libby isn't here. She became a Downton fan just a few weeks ago.
I've had my ups and downs with the show. First season I was hooked; the writing was sublime. Second season it started to slip, and season 3 has had its ups and downs. I got impatient and Vicki Cupper hooked me up with a link so I watched the whole season online weeks ago. Yes, marathon sessions are definitely the way to go.
I think the writing has gotten a bit sloppy. Does anyone know why Vera committed suicide? Was it just because she hated her ex-husband and wanted to set him up for her murder? Seriously? That's as silly as O'Brien placing a bar of soap in precisely the right spot that will make Lady Grantham slip and fall (and miscarry!)
The production values are fabulous and the show must be so expensive to produce, but I'd trade some cheaper sets for more episodes.
I confess to being more interested, for the most part, on the dramas downstairs, although I was devastated when Lady Sybil died. I've rather enjoyed O'Brien plotting against Thomas, her former partner in crime.
I've grown to like Lady Edith and I hope she gets some sort of a romance instead continuing with her series of disappointments. And like everyone else I adore the dowager. Maggie Smith is an absolute gem.
But the season ending, argh! Must every birth end with a death??
Of course the IMDB message boards lit up after the season finale and someone posted a funny message about Isis (the dog) not renewing his contract because he wants more pay/higher billing and Julian Fellowes was trying to find a way to kill him off, lol.
Mary is such a biatch-- I want her to marry a fake count who takes all her money and runs. It was super sad about Sybil, but it was so obvious her dad's choice to use that Dr. Duke Poopoo was all about class. I am glad he felt guilty for a while.
Hahaha Angelina: I adore the Mary/ Fake Count plot line. But then of course that would kill the estate. Ya know with her and Matthew "doing their duty" having produced a male heir so she could keep his $$.
I also loved Sybil & Tom and hope they give him a happier next season. Can't stand Lady Mary the whiny bitch. And I"m totally team Lady Edith - I really identify with her. I was also kind of glad to see them give a human face to Thomas - Bad is much more interesting when some good is thrown in the mix. And Bates' storyline in prison was a huge yawner. And I still can't stand Lord Grantham that pompous self absorbed twit.
@Mango - I lurv Lady Edith. She was annoying at first, but they started giving her stronger storylines and exploring the "middle child" thing that she has before she realizes she doesn't have to do "precious youngest" or "proudest eldest". She's definitely grown on me. I wanted to slap Grantham when he told her suitor to not let her in his house. Grrr.
IIRC, the guy who plays Matthew (I refuse to look at photos of them out of costume, just like Maggie Smith refuses to watch the show - we are sisters-in-spirit) is on Broadway and the DA shooting schedule won't allow for movies or stage (something like 10 months out of the year). I don't blame him for wanting to pursue his career, but I think he might've done better to stick around for another year at least. If you're not a fan (in the US) of DA, you won't even know who he is, much less watch a movie just for him.
Colbert did a Breaking Bad/DA mashup, starring Hugh B, 'Mr. Carson' and 'Thomas'. Funniest shit ever!
I may be the only fan of Daisy, but i so want her to take the farm, and we can watch her learn farming, and become a real businesswoman with it. Then she could have a great romance where SHE absolutely chooses who she wants to be with, because of her position/property, unusual for those times and of course a complete 180-degree story arc for the dingbat Daisy in the first episode, to independent farm owner.
There will probably be a baby Bates next season...I don't see how they can avoid it, due to the freakish popularity of the characters. I love Anna, but the Bates-liebers, I just don't get. He's alright, I guess.
I will hate Julian Fellowes forever if Mrs. Hughes & Carson never ever even hint or admit their attraction to each other. They are so old-school and professional, and I can see it never happening. But their relationship is so subtle, the most subtle by far on the show I think.
I too love Edith, and her HAIR!!! That dude is SO lying about his 'crazy wife', mark my words. Edith is such a sucker, good god!
I prefer Mary single, interesting, & tart--She IS Violet's granddaughter, after all, but even more outspoken.
A Tom/Mary romance would be GROSS, imo.
I do hope Thomas gets a BF, maybe it will be James after all?
One more thing---I wish American tv had more flings for middle-aged and/or less than perfect people, like DA does. Like Mrs. Patmore's recent story--it was just one episode, but I loved seeing her get dressed up & girly, at least once. I wish American television weren't so afraid of good characters, regardless of age weight or looks.
I really wish it was Mary that died, because their relationship had turned from the interesting pre-marriage contentious interesting type, to the boring always-happy type. However, we can't exactly have 2 sisters die in childbirth in one season I guess.
Understand the actor wanted out, but there could have been another way. Speaking of wanting out - Edna & Branson... didn't like that pair at all, and can't believe Edna was so forward, but at least she's gone from the house. Wonder if she'll turn up living in the village or something.
Anyhow, I am curious to see how young cousin Rose takes to Downton and what nonsense she can get up to, and I hope Edith and her editor work out somehow.
@Claire, that was the first time I like Thomas, too (except maybe when he tried to put the moves on the other footman thanks to O'Brien, that was just cold).
@libby: Exactly! I think what i love about the show most (& other British shows that don't have Kiera Knightly in them) is that the screen isn't full of generic american bodies & faces.
I couldn't stand the Edna and Tom storyline - I was so happy when Mrs Hughes fired her and then I learned that she's going to be back in season 4. RAGE! She was opportunistic and aggressive in her pursuit of a fresh widower who still is prone to bursting into tears at the mention of Sybil - It is way too soon and I want her GONE. But with Mary getting a new love interest already I have little faith that Tom will remain a single parent for long. Ugh.
Early this season, I was hoping that since Sybil had to die (after only having a daughter) that Mary and Matthew would prove barren (or less interestingly, widowed) meaning that spinster Edith would now be in the power position as the only potential breeding stock (at least for about 20 years.) THAT would have been interesting. And I was so hoping that the mean streak Bates showed in prison actually meant something significant and his character would get some dimension and be more interesting, and possibly even- *gasp*- guilty. But no- Fellowes yet again takes the easy way out and too neatly wraps up a storyline by killing off someone. sigh. At least Tom finally came down off his soapbox so he is actually likable (I always riled at how he patronized and domineered Sybil.)
I loved Matthew, but his death didn't really bother me as much as Sybil's and William's in season 2. I had read Matthew's bio on PBS website when I started watching Downton about a month ago. So I knew what his fate was before I even knew who he was. I like the kitchen and staff scenes better than the family's. I hope O'Brien and Thomas go back to being manipulative. They were missing something in Season 3. I feel bad for Edith. I hope they bring on a hottie for her. I hated her Season 1, but she's grown on me. I am not looking forward to the niece being on there all the time. Her and her family are annoying.
Count me as a Matthew fan. Tom Ellis isn't all that, plus he looks like he could be Mary's brother UGH! Matthew haters see him as boring, but really he was a breath of fresh air given the delusions of the Crawleys and how they handle money. I will miss him but look forward to the Wikileaks movie
Never watched it, but I plan to someday. Same thing happened with Mad Men. Meant to watch it, but didn't have time in my TV watching schedule. Finally caught up on all the past seasons and season 5 was the first season I watched "live." Same will happen with Downton eventually. I hear it's amazing!!
ReplyDeleteOh goodie!! Well I haven't watched the finale but I know what happened. What the fuck. I was very upset. I'm still going to watch the next season.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Downtown Julie Brown.
ReplyDelete@FSP- LOL how do you come up with these things!? Hilarious!
DeleteI'm pissed but Julian Fellowes has said he only killed off Matthew and Sybill because they didn't renew their contracts. I'm interested to see how things will work out next season.
ReplyDeleteYes it's not his fault but it still hurts. I read elsewhere that you cannot have a baby without a human sacrifice at Downton.
DeleteOmg yes! Very true Tara.
DeleteI wonder if Mary and Branson will end up together
ReplyDeleteAm the only one who tried it and couldnt get into it?? Wish i could; god knows theres hardly anything good to watch.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Mary and Branson will end up together
ReplyDeleteI love the show, however wait until it's on either Netflix or Hulu.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to do shows like that in marathon sessions.
Plus, I'm usually working when it's on.
I watched it for a little while, but got tired of it. Mostly I watched it because my wife wanted to. It wasn't bad to start out with, but like any series, there's a point where it just starts spinning its wheels. For me the biggest series like that was "X Files." In any case, DA got to a point where it was just going around in circles and I gave it up.
ReplyDeletePersonally I wonder if Edith will wind up the last one standing.
They announced at the beginning of the season that "Matthew" would not be returning so it was no surprise. I wish they had wrapped up the whole thing, funeral and all so they could start next season about 5 years in the future. It was nice to see Scotland, how beautiful.
ReplyDelete@lotta - lack of sleep
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey. Cried like a baby when Sybill died. I'm mad at Matthew for leaving the show. If Dame Maggie Smith can suck it up, so can he, for the good of the show. He wasn't my favorite, but I think he screwed up Julian Fellows story line. Of course I'll still watch the show. It's just so long between the seasons. I like marathon watching, but I can't keep myself from watching when it's on. Yeah, I love the show. I don't pick it apart. I'm going to watch it anyway. Thanks CDAN for giving some room to Downton Abbey. Got my mom hooked on it. When we were watching the 2nd season, she would come by and criticize it, then she would stay longer, now she watches it with me.
ReplyDeleteI'm pissed. Matthew could have gone to America for Christ sake, as business related to funding the estate.
ReplyDeleteAll I did was cry when Sybil died..yet I could not figure out how they could have kept Matthew and not kill him. You doc..and that would have been perfect!
DeleteRemember on "Friends" when Joey said that on soap operas the way they kill off characters that will never be back is by dropping them down an elevator shaft? I think about that every time learn a character will not be back; here comes the elevator shaft. How funny would it have been to throw Cousin Matthew down the elevator shaft. He was so boring. The new guy they have lined up for Lady Mary is smokin' hot.
ReplyDeleteThis season blew. First they drag out the boring Mr. Bates storyline and then they make Thomas all lovesick and soft. Where is my diabolical footman?
ReplyDeleteI really wish they would have killed Mary off instead of Matthew. I am not looking forward to the return of Mary the pill. She showed a bit of her true colors baiting Edith at every turn in the finale and I fear that she is going to be even worse while in mourning.
And why is poor Edith always saddled with older, unavailable gentlemen? I get she is no Mary in the looks department, but she isn't hideous.
I am really hoping there is more Tom next season and am apparently in the minority by saying I am looking forward to Rose coming to Downton.
My partner loves ANYTHING British, and it drives me nuts. I've watched Pride and Prejudice (the BBC series) more times than I can count. I call Downton Abbey a "tele novella with British accents," and I don't think I'm far off the mark. I watch it out of love but surreptitiously read a Nook book online while the show is on the tv. I think the show is pretty poorly written--any challenge in the plot line is answered with a death. In the latest cases, the actors' decision to leave the show was a factor, but it seems to me that all the previous deaths--the fortuitous death that left an inheritance, the death of Lavinia, the death of Bates' wife--all come at convenient times to propel the plot.
ReplyDeleteOK, yeah, I loathe the show. It's just "Dynasty" without the camp.
Here's an article that I think is a good summation of the problem with the show--it pretends to be some social commentary blockbuster, but ultimately, it's a defender of the status quo in terms of a benevolent aristocracy---which, in my opinion, does not and did not ever exist.
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/112427/season-three-finale-downton-abbey-afraid-change#
I didn't know that the actress that plays Sybil wanted off the show but I did know that Matthew wanted off the show - he's playing in the movie about the WikiLeaks guy with Cumberbatch and another movie with Liam Neeson.
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer though because it really changes the story and of course it's sad when someone dies like that. Too bad they couldn't have let them fade out with just a couple scenes here and there in a season. Oh well, yet another actor who doesn't know how good they have it. >:(
I was SO upset about Matthew being killed off...UNTIL I found out Tom Ellis will be on in season 4. SWOON! I would take him over Dan Stevens any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteGladysKravitz - Keep in mind that the guy who writes the show is buds with the couple (Earl? Lord? I forget) who actually own the real place where Downton Abbey is shot. Soooo... an attitude of "everything was just lovely back then" may not be totally unexpected.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unpopular opinion, but I didn't give a shit about Matthew. I hate Mary, and after she finally married him and I had their disgusting mushy relationship thrown in my face every single episode, I just don't care that he's dead. The whole finale was a big "Who cares?" to me.
ReplyDeleteI am still not over Sybil, though. I never will be. I related to that character in my fucking bones (weird, hard to explain), she was a BIG DEAL to me. Her relationship with Tom made me cry, tears of sadness, tears of joy, every time I saw them together. And then the traumatizing way she died, uugghh.
Now I feel like they're just trying to replace her with that poodle haired blonde cousin, or whatever the hell she is. Drives me crazy.
I'm not sure I'll stick around for season 4.
I cosign this seaward. Sybil reminded me a lot of myself and Tom reminded me of my husband. Two star crossed people. Sybill was challenged intellectually by Tom and out of that sprouted a deep, unconditional love. As someone who nearly died during labor I cried and cried in ernest whe killed her off. Mostly because I adored Sybil and also because that could have been me.
DeleteWhat is the show about? Never seen it....what channel is it on?
ReplyDeleteIt's on PBS. I'm with Seaward. We shut off the sound halfway and did our own dialogue. His death scene was beyond amateurish. My nephew did it better, complete with catsup.
DeleteOH AND, I saw people yesterday saying, "But why couldn't they have just replaced Dan Stevens? They could have explained it away as plastic surgery, we're all adults, we would understand." And I just gave a bitch, please and went to sleep.
ReplyDeleteWifey and I were kinda taken aback by the last five minutes. Is Matthew's death necessarily a bad thing? Kinda adds a new wrinkle to the whole English line of succession thing, with Mary's new son.
ReplyDeleteIn the setting's context, I think Edith is getting overlooked because most social climbing bachelors at the time knew she isn't the _financial_ prize. Mary is. I was kinda annoyed at how her latest interest (publisher guy) rips off a pretty famous plot twist. Really, Mr. Fellowes, Jane Eyre?
God how I hate all of these people. Except the Lady Dowager, she makes the show.
Only heard the name, never seen it. Supposed to be some British soap opera or something I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party and have only seen this season but I loved it. I hope to catch up with previous seasons soon. Personally I prefer the kitchen scenes over anything going on in the rest of the house. Sybil's death made me cry, really good acting from everyone. My favorite character has got to be Mr. Carson
ReplyDeleteI'm more of a Walking Dead fan.
ReplyDeleteI knew it was coming but I was still sad to see Matthew go. And the Opster and I are glued to the TV on Sunday night. No, it's not the same as the first season but we love it all the same, except for Mary. She's a bloody pain in the ass. I also love the Rose character and I want to see O'Brien get her comeuppance.
ReplyDeleteLoved the article Gladys.
I'm not reading anything above me or below me because I am starting Season One soon and I don't want to read any spoilers, but I just wanted to say thank you to Enty for doing this. It's a great idea for those who want to discuss it with their CDAN buddies! And letting me know ahead of time that it's specifically got spoilers didn't spoil anything for me.
ReplyDeleteAgain, great idea and well-done. :-)
The last two weeks, I watched Downton then watched the repeat of Walking Dead--quite a contrast!
ReplyDeleteLove Maggie Smith, but I appreciate most every character in Downtown. Yes, each can be over-the-top annoying (Hello, dumb Daisy!), but it's still fun.
For those worried about the next season being maudlin, I heard it will be 6 months since Matthew's death, so everyone will have somewhat moved on (and no funeral to cry through...).
I got into the show after my mom had talked about it enough that I went to her house for a 2-season marathon one weekend. Every time I see Carson, I think of him as Juliet's nurse in "Shakespeare in Love." haha I love that guy!
ReplyDeleteI kinda hoped Mary and Tom would get together. Wouldn't that have been scandalous....I'm Googling the new guy right now.
Cannot believe the show's gone for a while again. Seems like it just got started. Even have everyone else in the house watching it with me now.
I am completely disgusted with the story line. The last two episodes Matthew suddenly turned into a mush-mouth. You could see the end coming from a mile away. I read an article with the creator saying that the viewers don't like happiness on a TV show - they prefer drama. What a cop-out! All he's saying is that he can't write. All I did while watching the last dozen episodes is wonder which character was going to bite the dust. I think I'm done with the show.
ReplyDeleteI love this show. I have one more epi for season 2 to go, but I already know everything that happens. It's so hard to not be spoilered. I do love watching dramas in marathon form. Highly recommend doing that.
ReplyDeleteMary sucks. Sybill is fabulous, natch. And Granny is just SO awesome.
Crazy sidenote: The woman who plays Cora was engaged to Sean Penn in her youth. At least according to Wikipedia. I just find that to be so WTF.
I love all the dramz with the servants. I think they are more interesting than the high society peeps.
Dan Stevens didn't want to stay on, so there was nothing they could do but write the character off (or recast it, but whatever, this ain't Doctor Who).
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with Julian Fellowes that it would've been out of character for Matthew to leave his wife and new baby, I think killing him off so violently (and especially the shot of blood gushing out of his head) was revenge.
I also feel like Matthew's death undid everything the show was about so far. Maybe they just should've ended the show.
Let me say I love Downton Abbey more than any show ever...my devotion borders on obsession. I only started watching it a couple of months ago. Watched seasons 1 and 2 on Hulu, then borrowed Season 3 from a friend and saw the ending well before it appeared on American tv.
ReplyDeleteI really wish they'd just replaced the Matthew character. Looks-wise, he's very generic and easily replaceable.
That said, I adore every character...the whole thing is just magical.
Okay, maybe that's because I started watching it when my husband was in the hospital and it was, oddly, such a comfort.
Had to choose between Walking Dead or Downton Abbey, and Walking Dead won. No 'On Demand' of new WD episode for a week on AMC.
ReplyDeleteI adore this show, and I tried super hard to stay away from spoilers for this season. I'm glad I did, because Matthew's death was a surprise for me, though I should have seen it coming with all the love and happiness going on!
ReplyDeleteAnd I was hurt when Sybil died. Like she was my own sister. This show has me involved!
Sybil's death was so sad. I had pre-eclampsia with my first child, that episode made me cry when mom was holding her daughter.
ReplyDeleteThe Matthew scene was a total rip-off from City of Angels.
They definitely dragged the Bates thing on way too long. Anna's visiting Bates. Oh, look, Anna's visiting Bates. Will Anna visit Bates? They gave both of those great characters the short shrift.
I watched the whole lot over the last few weeks. Inhaled it - even the second season.
ReplyDeleteMy motivation for watching it all now was because Vulture kept spoiling things for me - a photo of Bates in a prison jumpsuit, Dan Stevens leaving the show so he must be going to die, the "shocking death" which to be honest I thought was Edith not Sybil so at least that was a surprise ...
They couldn't have recast Matthew!!!! - That would completely sink the show into Days of our Lives territory. It was a bit of a fuck you from Julian Fellowes though ... cause of death: milk truck. And Mary is back in black for the third time.
Neither Lady Mary nor Lady Edith would bring any money or property into any marriage - at that time the line of succession went straight through MALE heirs. This is why Matthew, a distant cousin, was next in line to inherit DA, and now his son will be the heir.
ReplyDeleteThat Lady Mary is the kid's mother was only icing on the cake for the Granthams. The only thing Mary and Edith would bring to any marriage are social connections and noble blood (which is why Sir Richard wanted to marry Lady Mary).
I fully believe that next year Fellowes is going to stir up some stuff between Mary and Tom, which would be such a stupid soap opera cliche (not that this has deterred him before). Bleh.
Thanks, Enty, for the opportunity to post about the show. Too bad Libby isn't here. She became a Downton fan just a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteI've had my ups and downs with the show. First season I was hooked; the writing was sublime. Second season it started to slip, and season 3 has had its ups and downs. I got impatient and Vicki Cupper hooked me up with a link so I watched the whole season online weeks ago. Yes, marathon sessions are definitely the way to go.
I think the writing has gotten a bit sloppy. Does anyone know why Vera committed suicide? Was it just because she hated her
ex-husband and wanted to set him up for her murder? Seriously? That's as silly as O'Brien placing a bar of soap in precisely the right spot that will make Lady Grantham slip and fall (and miscarry!)
The production values are fabulous and the show must be so expensive to produce, but I'd trade some cheaper sets for more episodes.
I confess to being more interested, for the most part, on the dramas downstairs, although I was devastated when Lady Sybil died. I've rather enjoyed O'Brien plotting against Thomas, her former partner in crime.
I've grown to like Lady Edith and I hope she gets some sort of a romance instead continuing with her series of disappointments. And like everyone else I adore the dowager. Maggie Smith is an absolute gem.
But the season ending, argh! Must every birth end with a death??
Of course the IMDB message boards lit up after the season finale and someone posted a funny message about Isis (the dog) not renewing his contract because he wants more pay/higher billing and Julian Fellowes was trying to find a way to kill him off, lol.
Mary is such a biatch-- I want her to marry a fake count who takes all her money and runs. It was super sad about Sybil, but it was so obvious her dad's choice to use that Dr. Duke Poopoo was all about class. I am glad he felt guilty for a while.
ReplyDeleteHahaha Angelina: I adore the Mary/ Fake Count plot line. But then of course that would kill the estate. Ya know with her and Matthew "doing their duty" having produced a male heir so she could keep his $$.
DeleteI also loved Sybil & Tom and hope they give him a happier next season. Can't stand Lady Mary the whiny bitch. And I"m totally team Lady Edith - I really identify with her. I was also kind of glad to see them give a human face to Thomas - Bad is much more interesting when some good is thrown in the mix. And Bates' storyline in prison was a huge yawner. And I still can't stand Lord Grantham that pompous self absorbed twit.
ReplyDeleteLady Mary is getting a new love interest, who is apparently way hot. So all will be well, Downton girls!
ReplyDelete@Mango - I lurv Lady Edith. She was annoying at first, but they started giving her stronger storylines and exploring the "middle child" thing that she has before she realizes she doesn't have to do "precious youngest" or "proudest eldest". She's definitely grown on me. I wanted to slap Grantham when he told her suitor to not let her in his house. Grrr.
ReplyDeleteIIRC, the guy who plays Matthew (I refuse to look at photos of them out of costume, just like Maggie Smith refuses to watch the show - we are sisters-in-spirit) is on Broadway and the DA shooting schedule won't allow for movies or stage (something like 10 months out of the year). I don't blame him for wanting to pursue his career, but I think he might've done better to stick around for another year at least. If you're not a fan (in the US) of DA, you won't even know who he is, much less watch a movie just for him.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/422221/december-13-2012/uncensored---breaking-abbey
ReplyDeleteColbert did a Breaking Bad/DA mashup, starring Hugh B, 'Mr. Carson' and 'Thomas'. Funniest shit ever!
I may be the only fan of Daisy, but i so want her to take the farm, and we can watch her learn farming, and become a real businesswoman with it. Then she could have a great romance where SHE absolutely chooses who she wants to be with, because of her position/property, unusual for those times and of course a complete 180-degree story arc for the dingbat Daisy in the first episode, to independent farm owner.
There will probably be a baby Bates next season...I don't see how they can avoid it, due to the freakish popularity of the characters. I love Anna, but the Bates-liebers, I just don't get. He's alright, I guess.
I will hate Julian Fellowes forever if Mrs. Hughes & Carson never ever even hint or admit their attraction to each other. They are so old-school and professional, and I can see it never happening. But their relationship is so subtle, the most subtle by far on the show I think.
I too love Edith, and her HAIR!!!
That dude is SO lying about his 'crazy wife', mark my words. Edith is such a sucker, good god!
I prefer Mary single, interesting, & tart--She IS Violet's granddaughter, after all, but even more outspoken.
A Tom/Mary romance would be GROSS, imo.
I do hope Thomas gets a BF, maybe it will be James after all?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2280708/Mirandas-Tom-Ellis-join-cast-Downton-Abbey-Lady-Marys-love-interest.html
ReplyDeleteWhen I say Mary is 'more outspoken' that her Grandmother Violet--I just mean Mary's more course, less subtle and far less artful in her venom.
ReplyDeletePretty link for Ms Snarky - oh my!
ReplyDeleteOne more thing---I wish American tv had more flings for middle-aged and/or less than perfect people, like DA does.
ReplyDeleteLike Mrs. Patmore's recent story--it was just one episode, but I loved seeing her get dressed up & girly, at least once. I wish American television weren't so afraid of good characters, regardless of age weight or looks.
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ReplyDelete@prolixe
ReplyDeletethx, I never know how to embed a link!
I really wish it was Mary that died, because their relationship had turned from the interesting pre-marriage contentious interesting type, to the boring always-happy type. However, we can't exactly have 2 sisters die in childbirth in one season I guess.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand the actor wanted out, but there could have been another way. Speaking of wanting out - Edna & Branson... didn't like that pair at all, and can't believe Edna was so forward, but at least she's gone from the house. Wonder if she'll turn up living in the village or something.
Anyhow, I am curious to see how young cousin Rose takes to Downton and what nonsense she can get up to, and I hope Edith and her editor work out somehow.
I love Daisy, and I love Edith.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see a romance between Carson & Mrs. Hughes.
And the first time I liked Thomas was when he told Carson: "I am not foul". I'm liking him more now than before.
I love this show!
@Claire, that was the first time I like Thomas, too (except maybe when he tried to put the moves on the other footman thanks to O'Brien, that was just cold).
ReplyDelete*liked, gah, can I type today?!
ReplyDelete@libby: Exactly! I think what i love about the show most (& other British shows that don't have Kiera Knightly in them) is that the screen isn't full of generic american bodies & faces.
ReplyDeleteDon't watch the show, but already Wiki'd the finale to see what the hoopla was about. Still have no interest in watching it.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't stand the Edna and Tom storyline - I was so happy when Mrs Hughes fired her and then I learned that she's going to be back in season 4. RAGE! She was opportunistic and aggressive in her pursuit of a fresh widower who still is prone to bursting into tears at the mention of Sybil - It is way too soon and I want her GONE. But with Mary getting a new love interest already I have little faith that Tom will remain a single parent for long. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteEarly this season, I was hoping that since Sybil had to die (after only having a daughter) that Mary and Matthew would prove barren (or less interestingly, widowed) meaning that spinster Edith would now be in the power position as the only potential breeding stock (at least for about 20 years.) THAT would have been interesting. And I was so hoping that the mean streak Bates showed in prison actually meant something significant and his character would get some dimension and be more interesting, and possibly even- *gasp*- guilty. But no- Fellowes yet again takes the easy way out and too neatly wraps up a storyline by killing off someone. sigh. At least Tom finally came down off his soapbox so he is actually likable (I always riled at how he patronized and domineered Sybil.)
ReplyDeleteI watch walking dead and downton abbey
ReplyDeletewish Matthew had gone away on protracted business and come back for an episode or so a season
Not happy with Mary aleady getting a love interest next season.
Dont want Tom and Edna together either.
Tom is so hot!!!
Like Daisy too and want to see more of her.
Hope Edith finds happiness in her editor and can marry somehow.
I feel bad for Thomas now and he hasn't done anything bad lately.
Maan when will we get a Walking Dead post?!
ReplyDeleteI loved Matthew, but his death didn't really bother me as much as Sybil's and William's in season 2. I had read Matthew's bio on PBS website when I started watching Downton about a month ago. So I knew what his fate was before I even knew who he was.
ReplyDeleteI like the kitchen and staff scenes better than the family's.
I hope O'Brien and Thomas go back to being manipulative. They were missing something in Season 3.
I feel bad for Edith. I hope they bring on a hottie for her. I hated her Season 1, but she's grown on me. I am not looking forward to the niece being on there all the time. Her and her family are annoying.
Count me as a Matthew fan. Tom Ellis isn't all that, plus he looks like he could be Mary's brother UGH! Matthew haters see him as boring, but really he was a breath of fresh air given the delusions of the Crawleys and how they handle money. I will miss him but look forward to the Wikileaks movie
ReplyDelete@JSierra, I watched the WD episode you were talking about - holy cow. HOLY COW. Yeah, didn't see that one coming.
ReplyDelete@Libby - Thanks for the link... That mashup was hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the drug dealer in the mashup is Kelly Ripa's husband. Mark Consuelos.
ReplyDeleteLibby, I loved your perspective, and I've felt the same way for a long time.
ReplyDelete