Downton Abbey: Series 1, 2 and cast career discussion thread- Page 6

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/26/12 at 5:29pm

I thought maybe that was what you were going for, but I wasn't sure and thought I'd hedge my bets before I put my foot in my mouth!

I guess the American equivalent is "trailer trash".

That follows. I also think that council housing is sort of like what's called "the projects" here.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 1/26/12 at 8:37pm

Sorry Best! I usually post on a forum that's mainly British--and I was downloading it the day after it aired, so sorta forgot the PBS showing is still early in, though I think my comment was both vague and somewhat expected--but I'll be more careful.

I LOVE Rita, Sue and Bob, Too! Ha I always assumed it had a cult following here in N America (maybejust Canada? I know the CBC aired it late night for a while)

[romantico]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:19pm

Thoughts on tonight's episode? Way too sad!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:25pm

It broke my heart... Not a dry eye in the house.

The brilliance of this show takes us on such a journey. Hope and heartache. Good and evil. All wrapped up in such a beautiful package.

And, if I'm ever in trouble, I want the Dowager Countess on my side!

[kec]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:34pm

Very sad. But I wonder what Mrs. Bates has up her sleeve...

[romantico]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:35pm

Agreed. She is a tough old broad,but she's got heart. The wedding scene with all the help and Dowager Countess reminds you that these people are all family.

Of course, I am hoping for a miracle in future episodes,if you know what I mean. Last week the maid found out she was pregnant and this week we find she has the baby already. I hate the time jumps on this show. One week it can be early 1917 and the next it could be late 1918.

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:37pm

Amazing ups and downs in this episode. Love the Dowager Countess talking to the vicar! Bates is my favorite character and I still worry about him and Anna. If that relationship is not happy by the end of the season, I will be devastated.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:47pm

I'm still hoping that someone calls out Thomas's 'injury' as a fraud and that he has to admit to cowardice.

And, I will never forgive O'Brien. She may be showing a softer side, and a bit of remorse, but she's calculating and that slip with the soap is unforgiveable.

Mr. Bates and Anna are the dearest couple. I know everything in their garden isn't rosy, but I want them to have a happily-ever-after.

I, too, hope for a miracle for Matthew... I've been dreaming of a bit of passion between Matthew and Mary.

What can I say, this shows brings out the true romantic in me.

[romantico]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:48pm

Bates is awesome. I hope him and Anna get married. I still don't trust his ex wife and am sure we have not heard the last of her.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:50pm

ps - the only story line I don't care for/about is the soldier and the maid (Ethel) with the baby. Maybe because I didn't like her when she was employed by the Crawley family, I simply don't care about her circumstances now.

I'd imagine the true story of this character has yet to unfold. But, so far, I simply don't care about her.

[romantico]

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:56pm

You are not alone NYadgal.Not crazy about her story and don't really like her character.I really liked Gwen and was sad to see her leave the show.

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 6:34am

Spolier alert: I half-expected William to have a miraculous recovery immediate after the wedding.

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 7:42am

I loved last night's episode. Sad and poignant turning point, punctuated by Maggie Smith wondering delivery of "I have a cold."

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 2:37pm

I was not a huge fan of the Ethel storyline initially, but I thought its conclusion was pretty heartbreaking, honestly.

And rewatching the episode where Thomas gets himself shot reminded me how much I liked the fact that they showed him to be a coward when in the trenches. It made me feel much more sympathy towards him.


And, I just read some exciting casting news: Shirley MacLaine is going to play Cora's mother next season. I think this is excellent casting.
Downton Abbey Casts Shirley MacLaine as Lady Grantham's Mother

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 2:51pm

Did I miss something with a conclusion to the Ethel storyline?

It's interesting that you have the reaction of having more sympathy towards Thomas. I have even less. His cowardice, in the face of what happened to Matthew, and others who paid dearly, makes me loathe him all the more. That he's shown no sign of remorse or regret since his return to Downton adds to that loathing.

Shirley MacLaine? Hmmmmm. I can't say I'm immediately drawn to the idea, but it's interesting to think about.

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 2:55pm

I think it would have been better to bring in Cora's mother before Cora had made her alliance with Violet. And while I'm sure MacLaine will be fine, I'd love to see Stritch invade Downton Abbey with the intention of prying her family's money from the Grantham estate. Stritch was very big in the UK in the 70s, and her scenes with Maggie Smith could be epic.

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 3:21pm

Stritch would certainly been the 1910s answer to an ugly American...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 3:24pm

I saw this online. I don't know why but it makes me laugh.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 4:00pm

Did I miss something with a conclusion to the Ethel storyline?

No, it hasn't aired in the US yet.


It's interesting that you have the reaction of having more sympathy towards Thomas. I have even less. His cowardice, in the face of what happened to Matthew, and others who paid dearly, makes me loathe him all the more. That he's shown no sign of remorse or regret since his return to Downton adds to that loathing.

Yeah, I don't know what it is. I think because Thomas thought he was smart to enlist at the very beginning of the war, and try to get in with the medical corps, but had it all fall apart made me feel sorry for him. And not only is he a coward, but he's never going to find a place where he thinks he fits in. And his scenes with the young soldier who had gas blindness only added to the sympathy I felt for him.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 4:06pm

Just picking up on some of the earlier comments about Mrs Crawley, I think she's been reading some socialist tome and is very excited about the great social advances being made in Russia at this time; she'll be certain they will benefit Russian citizens throughout the coming decades of the twentieth century and will want to see them implemented at home.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 8:39pm

I've been thinking about the Shirley MacLean addition... I think she'll be fabulous.

And I'm eagerly awaiting the next twists and turns in the story.

[romantico]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 8:55pm

Will Shirley be in just one episode or will they write her in as a new character? I hope we don't have to wait another year to see season 3.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 9:35pm

I read season 3 will air in September. I think that might be in the UK though, so we'll get it here later.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 9:39pm

I can't wait until Shirley MacLaine and Maggie Smith lock horns at Downton Abbey!

I confess this is the first TV series in many, many years that I'm completely hooked on.

As for people (particularly from the UK, it seems) posting SPOILERS without warning ...

Shame on you. I hope someone craps on your birthday cake someday.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 1/30/12 at 9:39pm

Poor William.

I don't particularly care for Ethel either, and wouldn't miss her at all if she wasn't back in season 3.

I don't envisage any sort of official comeuppance for Thomas with regard tp his cowardice...but perhaps the wounded soldiers will eat away at his conscience until he has some of the same inner demons that Mrs.O'Brien seems to be struggling with.