Downton Digressions: Season 3, #4

Last week: Edith is a Sister Suffragette; Branson and Sibyl are taking refuge at Downton after Brandon’s banishment from Ireland; Ethel gives up Charlie; Daisy’s finally got her kitchen maid–but the kitchen maid is stealing Albert’s attention!; Matthew goes to Violet for council; James (AKA Jimmy) stirs up the housemaids’ hearts with his hiring. (And possibly Thomas’ as well!)

Sibyl looks Ready To Give Birth–let’s see what she has!

Downton Digressions: Season 3, #3

Last week: Edith got jilted; Mrs. Hughes doesn’t have cancer; Matthew saves Downton (with Reggie’s money…)!

This week preview: Tom gets a beat down from his father-in-law; Sibyl is in a phone booth somewhere! And how will Robert and Matthew work out being “co-masters” of the DA? And what of Ethel and Isobel’s determination to help her?

Oh, the mystery mounts…let’s see what happens this week!

Downton Digressions, Season 3, No. 2

And we’re back in England for the evening, my lovies….

Will Edith and Anthony FINALLY tie the knot? Is Mrs. Hughes diagnosed with breast cancer? Will the family have to move to Downton Place, or will Matthew Save The Day? And will they fix that blasted stove? (If we have to have another picnic, Carson will LOSE HIS MIND!)

From the preview we see the house all decorated, Edith in her wedding dress, an outdoor tea party, Matthew placing a letter in his jacket pocket…intriguing! (But Matthew, really, don’t hide things from your wife!)

So many questions need answered, dear readers! Let’s see what unfolds….

Downton Day!

yes, my lovelies, it’s Downton Day in the U.S. Now, because I “have a dark side” as they say in When Harry Met Sally (“I read the end of a book first, so that if I die while I’m reading it, I know how it ends. That, my friend, is a dark side.”), I know how the season ends. I have KNOWLEDGE.

However, I won’t share it with you. 🙂 I will, however, blog each episode. I did this on my old blog and people seemed to like it, so I’m brining it back here. We will have Countess Quotes, Mary and Matthew moments, love for Anna and not for Thomas or Branson, and baby name questions (because, remember, Sibyl’s pregnant with the “Fenian Grandchild”, as Lord Grantham put it.).

For those of you new to my Downton Digressions (as I call them): They’re usually notes, usually written as I watch the show, and then I just post the blog. It’s a bit of a mish-mash. But I hope you enjoy it anyway.

On to Season 3!

Downton Note:

OK, I will not be watching the episodes, b/c I doubt they’re captioned, and I don’t want to miss words! But I WILL repost pics/gifs that appear on Tumblr, to satiate our appetites.:) (Esp. of Mary and Matthew!) 

Ergo….the Downton Digressions that you all know and love will not appear until January. 

If you want to whet your appetite: 

Here are all of the Digressions for the”regular” season. 

Here is the extra-special “stream of consciousness” one for the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!!! 🙂

Oh, and…

I STILL want a dressing gong. Someone want to get me this for Christmas, please? 

Share this:

Rejoice friends! 

outshinebycomparison:

So our darling Julian Fellowes is releasing two books containing season 1 and season 2 scripts and unseen material. S1 book will be out in august, S2 in 2013.

Brief Downton note

SPOILER SO DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!!!!

OK, so: 

Matthew gets his mobility back (we’re not sure about, erm, the other part.). Lavinia was a wimp and is a brainless, spineless thing. Mary stood by Matthew at this great crisis of his life. I mean, heck, she cleaned up his vomit! And Lavinia just….was a thing.

And yeah, we know how this ends. Which is rather “convenient”. But really, how could Matthew choose Lavinia over someone who put him above herself? Who was with him so devotedly? 

Really folks. 

I’m not sad Lavinia is, erm, “written out.” But I’m also sort of sad that we don’t (or at least, I don’t know if we do) get to see a Matthew say, “look, honey, I just don’t love you. I love Mary.” 

Downton Digressions, V

‘Ere we are, my lovlies, on Super Bowl Sunday…more Mary and Matthew!

• Gosh, just seeing the bits of last week’s episode makes me teary. Poor William! 
• (Not poor Lavinia. Sorry.) 
• “You were both brave. And I don’t think we can say “should” about things that happen in war.”
• YES, SIR RICHARD! You should be AWFULLY JEALOUS!
• (Oh, there’s the dog. 🙂 )
• Random Edith sighting in the library…huh. 
• Oh, the stupid doctor is back. I’m really losing love for him. 
• OH, IT’S PATRICK! You know, PATRICK THE FORMER HEIR! WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO MARRY MARY!!!!!!!!!
• Oh, Cora and Isobel love each other agin. Sigh. 
• And just like that, the war is over…and Downton will be Downton. 
• YES, Cora should want her house back?! Holy crap!?!?!
• Isobel, GO AWAY! It’s their house! 
• Oh my Gosh. I want to KILL ISOBEL RIGHT NOW. 
• “Then I must be the exception that proves the rule.” Go Violet. 
• “I assure at this stage, not much puts me off.” Go Edith. 
• Yes, It’s THAT PATRICK! THAT ONE! That EDITH LOVED MORE THAN MARY DID!
• Jane, why are you being so pushy on Daisy? Strange. 
• Ohh, “You’ll not make me false to his memory.” I love Daisy.
• Again, I don’t like Sir Richards. (Glad he’s going to be gone.) 
• “So, old chap, come be butler for us.” Interesting.
• Yes, one thing Sir R has in abundance. Cash.
• Dude, Sir R, calm down. Mary loves a lot of people. Heel, boy, heel!
• “I don’t dislike him, I just don’t like him, which is quite different.” Violet QOTE
• “Well, change the bridle.”
• “THen we must tempt her with a more enticing scaffold.” Never mind, THAT”s the Violet QOTE
• “Oh, I doubt that very much.” Yes, it would take much to shock Thomas. Awful man. 
• Interesting hall. Mary and Richard have a very….business-like relationship. 
• “Your lot buying it. My lot inherits it.” Zing Mary!
• What needs her attention of urgently at Downton? Matthew! Matthew! Matthew!!!!!
• Oh, that’s right. Call our Lord Grantham to prevail on him! Right!
• LOL Carson! “No!”
• Hmmmm Lord G and the grey-eyed maid Jane—alone! (wink)
• Is it like a script rule, that Thomas and Carson must go at it at least once an episode
• Oh, lightbulb! It’s HIM, EDITH! That man! PATRICK!
• He is rather gallant. I’l give him that. 
• I love how they have all these intimate conversations with tons of other men in the room. Not worried about eavesdropping, are we? 
• Anna’s face is so readable. I love it. Her color changes so rapidly. 
• Anddd of course O’Brien is spying. Again.
• And Patrick was pulled out of the water by one of the boats that came back. And yes, “Why didn’t you just tell them?!” Excellent question, Edith!
• Oh, the convenient amnesia excuse. Heard it a million times…. 
• Edith needs a moment. Yes, she does. Oh, and there is a new heir, convenient to forget Matthew!
• “Did I love her very much?” Um, I guess no. And yes, Edith is the wrong person to ask. Oh man. Poor Edith. 
• NOW the outside scene! 
• “I’d much rather see your face when we talk.” Awww Matthew. 🙂 
• “Since he would open his veins for you, I don’t think there’s much doubt.”
• “I don’t have to marry him, you know. ” “Yes you do.” 
• NO SHE DOESN”T!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MATTHEW, SHUT UP!
• “Well, I’d get you to push me in.” 
• “You have a real life coming.” NO SHE DOESN’T!!!! GAH! MATTHEW STOP TALKING!!!!!!!!!!!
• “I have nothing to give and nothing to share.”  Oh Matthew. Again. STOP TALKING.
• Richard mentions Lavina. Two people I hate! GAH!
• And…..the Sibyl/Branson saga. I hate this. So much.
• “I’d wait forever.” For a woman you constantly demean!
• Cut to requisite Thomas/O’Brien smoking scene. (I’m getting sick of these, too.) 
• Lord G looks quite nice in black tie! 
• Wait, isn’t that Mary’s old dress on Edith? I think so. 
• I love Carson measuring the place settings. 🙂 
• Carson loves Mary. It’s so sweet. 
• “If anyone can keep us out of trouble, it’s you.” Oh, Mary. You are meant to rule Downton! Sigh. 
• Lord G and the Former Heir—sounds like the title of a bad novel. 🙂 
• “The Real Patrick”—spoken in Capital Letters
• Oh, dude, watch it. Lord G’s eyebrows are being raised. 
• Break the news to the family. That doesn’t sound good. 
• Isobel….again. Go away. Please? I mean, go run your own hospital. 
• I love Violet. I really do. Love, love, love. Refugees! Go! Climb that scaffold!
• Oh you’ll do more than think, dear heart. Violet will see to that. 
• “We mustn’t let the iron grow cold.” Sort of like “don’t let the wish go cold!”
• “Carson brought me up!” Oh my 🙂
• We’re asking Bates his opinion? Goes back to my theory as Bates as confessor. 
• “You’re a darling and I love you.” Mary is clearly the favorite. Clearly. 
• Sir Richard, shut up. Matthew is succinct, as always. And Mary, sticking up for Matthew. Love. 
• Oh, claws out, Mary. “He doesn’t have anything to look at!” 
• Aww, Edith still loves him.
• If Richard says “dear me should I be worried” one more time I’ll hit him.
• Oh, Matthew….sigh. Mary loves you! I love how he calls her “my dear.” 
• Cora/O’Brien intimate talk time….
• and again! Jane and Lord G alone!
• Ooh, Jane, custody of the eyes, sweetie. 
• Edith and “Patrick” walking alone….hmmm. 
• OK, this Patrick…I’m not really feeling this…..he sort of…I dunno……playing with Edith. Which I don’t like. He only “Remembers” things if Edith prompts him. 
• Ethel, hon, there are rules. And you play by them here, or….you are in trouble. 
• Mary’s hair! Love that and her outfit in the Carson gong scene. 
• LOVE the dressing gong. I want one. And Carson to ring it. 
• Vera is ruining things, again. But I don’t think he’s going to take Robert’s advice and “Be sensible.” nooo, nooo, nooooooooo…….
• I do feel bad for Ethel and her baby, however annoying Ethel is/was.
• Tralalala! The war is over! Ding dong, the war is dead!
• Thomas likes 11:00 on Nov. 11. That’s all we need, eh? 
• Oh, party hearty in the servants quarters! Drinks for all!
• “Yes, usually I am.” 
• Oh, Isobel,  please, jump the ship. Jump far, very far. Far, far, far. Go, help the refugees! 
• Wow, Cora called Violet “mama.” Holy crap. 
• “I had to promise to be a patron, but it seems to be a small price of pay.” 
• “And I accept your thanks, my dear.” 
• And again, “Patrick” acting really, really odd. Edith, I don’t want to see you get hurt, and I think it’s coming.
• Oh, Daisy, you have such a sensitive conscience. Once of the things I love about you. 
• Anna leaves when Bates comes in. Love that. 
• Oh no. This ain’t good.
• Oh, how she touches him! Love it. 
• Edith vs. Mary in the battle of the lawyer and “Patrick.” 
• Violet!!!!! LOL!!!! “Every cloud has a silver lining!”
• Mary shoots it down. She should be a lawyer. She is awesome when she is defending people she loves. 
• Matthew. Holy crap. Your physical limitations have NOTHING to do with what sort of man you are! Lord a’mercy!
• Edith, do you really think this guy is going to be forthright with you? Really? She can be so naive….and it can hurt her, hugely. (Example: Farmer….)
• So it’s like Edith’s Man Vs. Mary’s Man in the battle for the Family Inheritance. They could sell tickets!
• Carson will miss the wine, apparently. I mean, it’s not like he’s going to Brazil! He’s going to the NEXT HOUSE OVER!
• Awww Mrs. Hughes. 😦 She should go too!
• OH GOD LAVINIA GO AWAY!!!!!! 
• NO WE ARE NOT EXPECTING YOU!!!!! GO AWAY. 
• Oh, Matthew is NOT happy. That was a severely unhappy Matthew look. Like, looks will kill here. 
• Oh yes, Lavinia has grown both a brain and a spine. GEez Louise. 
• OK, why would you want to be with someone who obviously doesn’t want you?!?!?!?!?!
• Lavinia is. an. idiot. 
• Oh, this was Cora’s doing. Nice. 
• Oh, Cora. Low blow. Maybe he wants Mary to be HAPPY!
• But…he doesn’t. We know that. 
• Oh, Mary. Get out. Get out, now. And nice, not kissing him back. But serious, he needs to go. Post haste. Immediately. 
• Did I Mention, Richard? Has to go? Immediately? 
• And “Patrick” is gone. Nice. 
• Edith’s heart breaks again. Man. 
• “P for Patrick or P for Peter?” Nice, Sibyl! Bravo. 
• Oh, Edith….
• Sibyl really is trying to be good here. She is. 
• And it’s Nov. 11. Time for some silent prayer with everyone in the hall. 
• Isobel’s hair…not so much. 
• Lord G as Earl. ice. 
• Love how Bates pushes Matthew, instead of Lavinia doing it. 
• Annnd Matthew might be moving. 🙂 Which would be nice. And then maybe he’d dump Lavinia again. 🙂 
• Carson breaks the news to Lord G. Tear. But Lord G has Bates! Sort of a tear, there. Two old soldiers in running the DA.
• Edith….man…..OK, Julian? Give this girl some love! Like, appropriate love!
• Telegram for Mr. Bates: which he gives to Anna. And walks out of the room. 
• “His wife’s dead.” Oh my! 
• (Side note: Is Thomas sticking around now? Or…what?)
• Oh, that’s a shady death!

Next time: Thinking of poison; the flu hits Downton and Cora; Sibyl and Branson elope? ; Matthew and Lavinia have something to share….

Downton Digressions, IV

• I love William! He’s so brave. 
• Matthew as war commander. I like it. 
• Side note: How did ANYONE fight a war when it was all yelling and charging at each other with swords? I would have been scared stiff. There would have been no running, no anything….just terror.
• “Daisy, what’s the matter with you?” “Someone walked over my grave…” 
• Mary and her psychic connection to Matthew. Liked the dropped tea cup. 
• Oh, God. Matthew. William. Absolutely..
• .Mary’s face is just white. She’s like a statue. If it wasn’t obvious to everyone how much she loves Matthew, it’s evident now. 
• Daisy asking about William: credit to her. 
• Even Edith is acting appropriately! Oh, good show!
• Bates and Anna. At least some things are good. And Anna, praying for them. (Did I mention I love Anna? Have I? Well, not this installment…)
• William wounded, too…and it sounds bad. Oh my. 
• “I am not Jacobin revolutionary….we just need one bed for one man, from this village!” Oh good show Violet! Rock on Dowager Countess. And Edith! Wow! Stepping up for the footman!
• “It always happens when you give these little people power. It goes to their heads like strong drink!” 
• Oh, well, Thomas doesn’t “mind” Matthew. That’s high praise. (Snort.) 
• Wait….is Thomas about to stand up for William?!?!?! Holy of Holies!
• Oh Mary….I love you so, so much. You are so nice!
• Oh yes, we’re glad someone’s thought of Lavinia. Gag. 
• Lord G feels so bad for Mary. It’s very touching. The scene in her bedroom? Kudos. 
• “Now she’s got the bit between her teeth”—Mrs. Patmore and her way with words!
• Oh, Daisy’s conscience is pricking her. Poor Daisy. 
• Oh, Mrs. Bates! Go the freak away!
• Oh yeah, Violet’s working the Peerage. Good show! “Shrimpie? Yes, it’s Aunt Violet!” 
• Calling Anna a floozy! Whoa! Not good Vera. BACK OFF. 
• “It’s nowt to do with me”—Anna’s letting that Yorkshire fly. 🙂 
• Vera is such a P( %)(!*#%^)( ! GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
• Time for more in the Soap Opera of Sybil and Branson….gag….
• “Is she still in love with him?” Well, what do YOu think, you idiot!? Oh, man, almost every time he speaks I want to smack him. HOW does Sibyl like him? 
• Violet manages everything she sets her mind to. Learn that, doc. 
• Oh no, William……..tear! NOT WILLIAM!!!. 😦 😦 And his poor father….
• ‘See, sometimes, we must let the blow fall by degrees.” Very wise, Lady Violet. 
• Oh dude, Doc, BACK OFF when it comes to Mary and Matthew. Just BACK OFF. 
• “I’m not much good at hanging back, I’m afraid.” That’s right, Mary. You tell ‘im! And Sibyl doing the sister support stand-by. Kudos. 
• Oh, Matthew…………………….
• Oh, it’s Mary’s dog. Tear again….
• Mary as war nurse.More proof that she loves him…can you see her doing this for anyone else? No. 
• Daisy’s gonna lose it. Guaranteed. 
• “Silly mare.”—LOVE how O’Brien categories Vera. Perfect. 
• She really does love Lady Cora. Sort of….bizarre….is this post-soap remorse? Or…
• Anna appraises Mary on Vera’s threats. She is almost more friend than maid. 
• Oh, Mary’s going to talk to Richard. Sigh. 
• “I think I can take some time off to save my own neck.” Mary is getting some awesome lines tonight. 
• Poor William……… I”m glad Mrs. P is with him.
• Oh, Edith wants to be wrong! That’s a first. 
• Oh goodness, LAVINIA LEAVE! I don’t care if they’re “engaged” (harrumph) GO AWAY!!!!!!!
• Mary holds up better than Lavinia, is anyone surprised? 
• Oh gosh, Lavinia don’t cry where he can HEAR YOU!!!!!!
• Oh my. Well this does have repercussions for the lineage….whoa-oh. That’s not good. 
• Matthew Needs Mary. Full stop. Not this “small blonde thing.” 
• Don’t like to Mary, Lord G. Just don’t. 
• And she doesn’t SAY anything to him? Oh, Lavinia is hopeless. 
• Oh, it’s Ethel! Wow, that baby came quickly. Geezy Louisy!
• Y’know, Ethel, I wouldn’t be biting the hand that feeds you…
• “You don’t have to be Shakespeare.” 
• And again, I repeat…can someone get Daisy another dress? 
• Edith’s hair is nice when it’s all curly and pulled up. 
• Wow Edith hears marriage and her ears perk up!
• Daisy—you sort of flubbed that. Wow. Not nice. (sigh…) 
• Hmm who is this clear, grey-eyed maid? 
• Oh he’s dreaming of Mary. Are we surprised? Sadly…not. Oh, there she is!
• Oh Mary, you can’t deny Matthew. You know it. 
• Mary delivers bad news well. Very well. 
• “Just not a very mobile one.” Oh gosh, they both look like they’re going to cry. 
• “Would you like some tea? I would.” Mary’s going to spike that tea, I’d bet. 
• Now she’s lost it. Well at least she held it up for Matthew. 
• Mary’s hat in the “Richard Confession” Scene is awesome. I want it, now. And her coat!
• Richard doesn’t really know Mary, does he. She is not really cold and careful…not to Matthew…
• Oh Richard is being an{_()*#%)!&%)(&!! Mary, do us all a favor and toss him off. 
• “We may dissolve it with a minimus of discomfort.” Oh yes, Mary can be cold when she’s being sharp. Much to learn there. She is fantastic. 
• Richard is….oily. Ugh. 
• New housemaid is a war widow. Interesting. 
• Oh, Cora enters! And talks! Wow! Wondered if she was coming in this episode. 
• Oh, marital strife. Not good. 
• Daisy’s conscience is a bit sensitive here. I would marry William now…I mean, he’s dying.
• Oh LAVINIA! DON’T BE DENSE!
• Oh there’s the look. Oh geez, how can Matthew want to marry a little thing like this, she’s so….dumb. 
• Oh, Matthew….I think I’m gonna cry. 
• 1) Matthew is being dumb and noble. 2) What is Lavinia going to do with this? 
• Yes, they shot the czar! Oh, you were wrong, Branson! (See Ep. I…)
• “Sometimes the future needs terrible sacrifices!” Geez, Branson, smack you upside the head…
• I don’t understand how Sibyl likes him. He’s terribly disrespectful of her. 
• Richard does play this well (scene with Vera) I have to say. 
• Daisy, you have to do this. Just man up and do it.  
• No one can withstand Mrs P and Mrs. H together. No one. 
• Oh, William……! (OK, sorry if I keep repeating myself, but geez….) Oh he’s trying to help Daisy! He is SO NICE….! 
• (Really like the lighting in the hall scene here…Daisy and William’s Dad)
• Oh NO. Not another Mary and Lavinia heart to heart!
• Yes, Lavinia, there’s the problem: you are lacking in the brain department. But Mary didn’t know about this either (because her father doesn’t tell her things, grrr.) 
• “I’ll die if I can’t be with him.” Yes, I think Mary feels the same, silly Lavinia!
• “I don’t think asking permissions is his strongest suit.” 
• Oh, Violet is going to bat for William. I LOVE HER. “William Mason has served our family well> At the last, he saved the life, if not the health of my son’s heir. Now he wishes, before he dies, to marry his sweetheart.” You bring it, Violet. “I will certainly attend his wedding. Is that an argument in its favor?” 
• Oh yeah. Threats work well, I love you, Violet. 
•  ”But then, we believe her story.” Oooh, Mrs. Hughes. 
• Richard! Way to defend the new fiancee!
• Oh my Daisy, you look pretty! And what nice flowers! It’s nice that Daisy has other clothes! 🙂 
• “Is that sentiment or superstition in case he haunts you?” Oh, touche, O’Brien.
• Carson as escort for Daisy. How sweet. 
• Oh, how pretty is the room! Love the flowers and Lady Violet. 🙂 Oh, she’s crying! Like, real tears! (Did anyone think she could cry?!)
• I think all of the servants are trying desperately not to cry. Even O’Brien. 
• “And if they should just want to be with you? On any terms?” 
• Oh, Matthew….
• Oh, Isobel’s back. Eugh. Well, she is his mother…
• Really, I just want Mary and Matthew together. Forever. Sigh. 
• Gotta love that big smile from Anna. 
• “My lamb”—wow, Mrs. P’s laying on thick. 
• “I’ll not leave him now, not while he needs me.” 
• Ohh, William…………..tear……why William?!?! Why not THOMAS?!?!?!?!?

And next time: Is Carson leaving? And what’s up with Anna? “I don’t have to marry him you know,” oooh Mary says to Matthew! And do we see Sibyl and the AWFUL CHAUFFEUR getting engaged, too? 

And did Lavinia go back to London? Wha? Guess we’ll find out next week. 

(OK, yes, we know how this ends. So we also know that Lord Richard’s threat is just empty talk.)