Downton Abbey: Series 1, 2 and cast career discussion thread- Page 10

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 8:25am

I too think she killed herself and framed Bates. She couldn't exact revenge in this life, so she saw this as the only option left. I hope some new evidence will come to light so he can be exonorated.

Updated On: 2/21/12 at 08:25 AM

[violet72]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 8:35am

I also think Mrs Bates killed herself and framed Mr Bates. I love Anna and Mr Bates as well as Mary and Matthew.

If they start at 1920 and Mary and Matthew get married soon and have children they will be of age when WWII comes. It would be interesting to continue the series through the generations since the creator is a big fan of British history from 1880's to WWII. I myself would love to see a Prequel and see How Robert and Cora met and fell in love (I know she was a Bucaneer).

Also I want Edith to find happiness, yes she was a witch in the first season but she has grown as a character and also deserves happiness and not end up the spinster sister like her Aunt.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 10:41am

I have a feeling season 3 will start with Sybil's baby already born and her and her husband back at Downton. I do think they're going to drastically slow down the passage of time now that the show is a hit and will obviously be going for a while now, if only to make sure The Dowager Countess isn't 135 years old by season 5.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 11:05am

I wouldn't count on Lady Sybil picking up a rifle or picking up where she left off at Downton. I think Lady Sybil will not be picking up anything, alas.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 12:17pm

I just finished the finale today. What a way to end a season! I too think Mrs Bates set up Bates to take the fall, and I really hope he gets freed soon. Would love to see Tom and Sybil's baby! The conversation between Mary and Robert was so lovely. I think my favorite line of the night had to be either Matthew's "Crikey" at having to dance with O'Brien or Violet's "Do you promise?" to Carlisle. And of course I about melted when Matthew finally proposedto Mary. A beautiful and long awaited scene.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 12:22pm

But they are cousins so their children will have two heads and a tail.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 1:43pm

You know the Wilkes' always marry their cousins.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 1:46pm

I keep thinking about other possibilities for ex-Mrs. Bates's death.

I could see the storyline that she killed herself work. But, she liked herself too much, so I don't know if she could actually do it. Still, the simplest resolution (if they are going to get Bates out) would be to have some evidence that points to a suicide.

I like the idea of O'Brien killing her... after all, she was responsible for bringing Vera back into the house. Now that she's trying to redeem herself, it may have been a way for her to clear a path for Bates and Anna to be together?

...the most plausible, though, is that Vera Bates killed herself. I believe she said something about bringing Mr. Bates down with her.

Good stuff to think about, though!

I don't think that Thomas losing all of his money is retribution enough. He's been consistently evil, and even his attempts to 'redeem' himself are purely self-centered. He wants to be Lord Grantham's new valet. He has gotten away with too much. He needs to be called out for it all. Crushed, in fact.

I do hope that they can create an interesting storyline for Edith. I don't think we've seen the last of 'Patrick'.

Updated On: 2/21/12 at 01:46 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 1:51pm

Wasn't there something about Vera Bates having an affair?

Perhaps that person did the deed.

Could Sir Richard be involved?

Hmmm....

[romantico]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 2:33pm

Suicide does not like sound like her. She wanted revenge on her ex husband and she wanted to gloat and watch him suffer. For her to commit suicide does not sound like something she would do. Did anyone besides Bates have a motive for killing her?

I want the last scene from the Christmas episode as my screen saver. The snow coming down at night on Downton Abbey is a thing of beauty.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 2:36pm

Thomas did show some humanity with the blind soldier who killed himself--I suppose that could be seen as self centered as the implication was he was also sorta falling in love with him, but...

I'm pretty sure Mrs Bates was a suicide. True, the show has gone in some soapy directions, but I can't see this turning into a murder mystery with half the cast as potential suspects...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 3:04pm

Everyone knows Daisy killed her.


And Mrs. Patmore is next...

[Scripps2]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 3:21pm

"I found myself kinda hoping that Bates would be executed"

Me too! It's still possible. I wouldn't be surprised if this happens and, only afterwards, is it found out that he was innocent.

"Thomas just needs the love of a good man. Preferably one who doesn't commit suicide."

Yeah - I was really disappointed that didn't go anywhere. Fellowes had a great opportunity to draw parallel history with the gay war poets and missed it completely. That would never have happened if this had been produced by the BBC.

"Also I want Edith to find happiness"

That was another missed opportunity. I so wanted her to enjoy her bit-of-rough and get some Lady-Chatterley-like action.

"It would be interesting to continue the series through the generations"

The estate, having been bankrupted by 80% tax rates in the mid c20th has to be sold off. Widowed Mary continues to live on her own in the place surrounded by rising damp, dry rot and with water pouring through the roof, whilst an open cast coal mine is dug in the gardens.

"I think Lady Sybil will not be picking up anything, alas."

Robbie knows something...


Updated On: 2/21/12 at 03:21 PM

[romantico]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 3:21pm

My Mom just sent me this picture. SO odd seeing Robert and Cora out of character but I think the two of them are just so cute in this picture!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 3:26pm

I think it's waaaay too early in this series to say anything is a "missed opportunity". They've had what, 17 episodes? Wait a couple years before saying they "missed" doing anything.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 4:48pm

It's not widely known that Hugh Bonneville has an alternative career in gay adult leisure films:

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv162/TangerineUK/loofa.png

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 2/21/12 at 9:30pm

DO they really call porn "adult leisure films" in the UK? Because I'm officially adopting the expression (not that I would ever have any need ot use it of course...)

I actually thought they were going to draw some paralels with the gay (some would argue bisexual I suppose) war poets with that story actually. Maybe it was because I was reading Hollinghurst's The Stranger's Child around the same time (which is kinbda a riff on a character similar to Ruper Brooks). I'm curious though why you think the BBC wqould have handled it differently.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 2/22/12 at 4:40pm

"DO they really call porn "adult leisure films" in the UK?"

Only for tax purposes.

That still is actually from a sitcom called Rev.

"I'm curious though why you think the BBC would have handled it differently."

Watch the new series of Upstairs Downstairs and compare.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 9:25am

Sunday's season two finale of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC's Downton Abbey on PBS attracted an average audience of 5.4 million viewers, not factoring in replays, DVRs or online streaming.

Downton Abbey's finale delivered a 3.5 HH overnight rating based on Nielsen Fast National data which is the highest for a PBS program since the premiere of Ken Burn's National Parks series in September 2009.

Throughout its second season, Downton Abbey delivered an audience that was more than double the PBS primetime average and its average rating was 25% higher than the first season based on metered market averages.


Great news! May we have many, many more seasons of this wonderful show!

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 9:53am

Safe to assume that Downton Abbey will be competing in the Drama Series categories at the Emmys, rather than the miniseries categories? Would anyone be considering leading rather than supporting?

[Taryn]

Posted: 2/25/12 at 5:20am

Looks like, madbrian: http://www.goldderby.com/television/news/2616/exclusive-%27downton-abbey%27-will-switch-to-emmy-race-for-best-drama-series.html#

[romantico]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 12:24am

Shirley MacLaine just started shooting this week. So,if the show is currently in production I would hope we would start seeing some leaked photos of Shirley in character soon. As for plot details we may have to wait til closer to the September or October when they start airing in the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayx_FxMSv4Q

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 9:36am

Saw this floating around on Facebook, I'm not sure if it's been posted before or not. If not...enjoy, if it has...then ignore!

[romantico]

Posted: 2/26/12 at 12:17pm

I had not see this pic before and love it! Thanks for posting it!

[romantico]

Posted: 3/7/12 at 6:12pm

SPOILERS FOR SEASON 3. If YOU DO NOT want to know of ANY spoilers THEN DO NOT READ PAST THIS!!!!!!



































First, here are some candids from the shoot this past Monday in Oxfordshire. Elizabeth McGovern says not only is there Matthew and Mary's wedding but a second wedding in season 3. No idea who that could be. It is also rumored that Maggie Smith and Dan Stevens are not signed on after season 3.I don't see the show being the same without Maggie. I say sign them both up ASAP! (and give her WHATEVER she wants!)

http://socialitelife.com/spoiler-alert-downton-abbey-continues-filming-season-3-photos-03-2012

http://www.boomtron.com/2012/03/the-scene-from-downton-abbey-season-3/