tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post5277980444173267780..comments2024-03-05T19:35:48.700-08:00Comments on Booktalk & More: Downton Abbey Series 3, Part 2Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11986319237275869540noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-91560257909593087092013-04-24T13:58:16.434-07:002013-04-24T13:58:16.434-07:00Hey everyone, I know this is like three months too...Hey everyone, I know this is like three months too late but I just wanted to say thanks for the comments! I hate that responding to these got lost in the shuffle... :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11986319237275869540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-65279722925145951842013-01-23T10:11:30.897-08:002013-01-23T10:11:30.897-08:00Love Downton and love your reviews! :) I hope your...Love Downton and love your reviews! :) I hope your Edith prediction happens. I wondered if the old man would bite the dust and leave his fortune to her too... but a Russian Prince? Icing on the cake!Nat at RA FanBloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444335092896254805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-39518176047940018862013-01-19T14:10:13.493-08:002013-01-19T14:10:13.493-08:00Girls. Sheesh.
Permit me to inject some badly ne...Girls. Sheesh.<br /><br />Permit me to inject some badly needed testosterone into the discussion. Downton Abbey was never intended to be a cheap Lifetime Network series. If Season 3 continues on the path set by Episodes 1 and 2, it'll lose every (heterosexual) male viewer.<br /><br />First, what's with all this sympathy for Edith? Have you all forgotten how she went to great lengths to ruin Mary's shot at happiness? Frankly, given all his money and standing, I think that Lord Strallan might have been even better than she deserved, although "Crazy Eyes" does accessorize <a href="http://edithwithgooglyeyes.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">Edith with Googly Eyes</a> well.<br /><br />Second, the two main themes emerging in Season 3 are (1) no wedding ceremony or reception shall be broadcast, and (2) a magical fairy tale solution to the biggest problem shall be found. In fact, theme (2) might have started in Season 2 when Matthew was suddenly and miraculously "hee yaled!" from polio--without so much as physical therapy needed.<br /><br />Give me a break about Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes. They've worked together for a generation. If they didn't have a personal relationship in seasons 1 and 2, creating one in season 3 is a cheap romantic trick barely worthy of the aforementioned Wifetime Network. Carson singing? He never so much as whistled or hummed in Seasons 1 and 2. And "it's a miracle! Mrs. Hughes' lump is benign!"--as I say, miraculous solutions will be employed.<br /><br />For two seasons (minus one Christmas special), Downton Abbey wasn't all about just giving the viewers what we wanted.<br /><br />What this season lacks thus far is what made Season 1 so great--twisted malcontents scheming to ruin other people's lives! To that end, the only worthwhile plot development so far is that Thomas and O'Brien are at daggers drawn. However, in order to overcome the maudlin sappiness that pervades the rest of the show thus far, their <i>contretemps</i> is going to have to escalate rapidly. Which it very well might: we've already seen that Thomas is willing to risk--inflict, even--permanent bodily harm to suit his weaselly purposes. Perhaps there'll be a fire in the servants' quarters.<br /><br />Bates was interesting only when he was the target of Thomas' aggressive efforts to employ the <i>Schadenfreude</i> School of Career Enhancement. In jail, there is no reason to care. At least his jury was smarter than Casey Anthony's. As sympathetic as I am to Master Bates, no reasonable jury could find him innocent, given the evidence. And you're telling me that the Old Bailey prison guards aren't smart enough to search the prisoners' persons when they can't find the contraband they planted in his cell? Sheesh, how far must I suspend my disbelief?<br /><br />I agree (in my masculine way) with your assessments of both Isobel and Cora. Please, let Edith take busybody do-gooder Isobel out for a ride in the country, lose control of the car when a tire blows out, whereupon Isobel is thrown from the car to an instant death. If you want to spice up the story line, let Edith survive the accident with injuries eerily similar to Anthony Strallan's war injuries.<br /><br />Cora--Mmmmm, . . . Cora. Serious cougar action. If not for Mary's irresistible combination of high intellect, slender darkhaired beauty, and self-destructiveness, Cora would be my favorite. (Sybil is stunning, but she's a communist. The end.)<br /><br />Other than that, I agree with everything every one of you said.<br />;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10140128143260553393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-29728950769354925152013-01-17T00:40:54.001-08:002013-01-17T00:40:54.001-08:00if you are super desperate to watch what happens. ...if you are super desperate to watch what happens. (i watched the season months ago) you can find it all on projectfreetv. aimymichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413414194266919778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-64944765808915954562013-01-16T18:51:34.452-08:002013-01-16T18:51:34.452-08:00@Jess - Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the la...@Jess - Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the latest Downton installment! I'm trying to avoid most spoilers too -- but I do know a few of the big developments coming down the pipeline, because it is so hard to avoid everything. *sigh* ;) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11986319237275869540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-76517051777251129442013-01-16T14:23:52.819-08:002013-01-16T14:23:52.819-08:001. Poor, poor Edith. . . even if it does rescue he...1. Poor, poor Edith. . . even if it does rescue her from a strange marriage, she was determined to be happy before Crazy-Eyes decided to run. You're right, it's about time she gets some more screen time and a worthy, happier storyline, perhaps. <br /><br />2. That photo of the sisters, I agree, portend of doom indeed.<br /><br />3. I, too, loved seeing Cora's maternal moment with Edith. <br /><br />4. Your preferred story for Edith--that would be fantastic! lol<br /><br />5. MATTHEW, GEESH. In other words, I again agree; I wanted to smack him so many times. <br /><br />6. Poor Molesley! O'Brien's disconcertion was an odd thing to see, indeed.<br /><br />7. I love the Daisy and Alfred idea, hope it turns out well! I think I like Alfred, so far. <br /><br />8. That last scene was absolutely priceless, wasn't it?? Oh, Carson!<br /><br />This may be the first season of Downton I watch without reading spoilers first, so I'm letting myself sit back and be surprised--except for a few key plot points I came across by accident.<br /><br />Anyways, lovely review! Your blog is always my first stop after catching up on Downton online.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051243926956394352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-78162077857428780562013-01-16T12:47:33.504-08:002013-01-16T12:47:33.504-08:00@Ella - Eeeeppp!! That's awesome. :)
@Kristi...@Ella - Eeeeppp!! That's awesome. :) <br /><br />@Kristin - Yeah, if I'd harbored any second thoughts about Edith & Anthony, her "project" comment killed them. :P And thanks for clearing up the Ethel & kid issue!<br /><br />@Holly - Oh that's awesome! Welcome to the "club"! :)<br /><br />@Anne - Oh dear, I'm getting really nervous for Mrs. Hughes now... :/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11986319237275869540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-26964461154397767372013-01-16T06:32:16.322-08:002013-01-16T06:32:16.322-08:00Ruth, my first thought was also that Mrs. Hughes h...Ruth, my first thought was also that Mrs. Hughes hadn't told them the real diagnosis, but then she looked too truly happy to be lying--although the test results could have been less than accurate and it might reappear as cancer after all. Anne Mateerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330467138236037032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-84647522800578585992013-01-15T17:59:06.229-08:002013-01-15T17:59:06.229-08:00My English husband recently got me addicted to thi...My English husband recently got me addicted to this show and oh, my goodness!Holly (2 Kids and Tired)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13075380878850295214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-18393290376450840242013-01-15T04:48:22.583-08:002013-01-15T04:48:22.583-08:00All I can say is poor Edith!!! Good grief. Will th...All I can say is poor Edith!!! Good grief. Will that girl never get to be happy? {I did cringe when she told Sir Anthony he was going to be her project. Ouch.}<br /><br />I cracked up when one of the family said something about how small "Downton Place" was. They are delusional. :)<br /><br />The look of terror on Moseley's face when he realizes he's on O'Brien's bad side was priceless!<br /><br />Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes should be married ASAP. His singing was adorable. :)<br /><br />P.S. Ethel didn't give her son up to his father's parents. She decided to keep him when she realized they weren't going to let her have any part in his life. I assume he's still her only child, but who knows?<br /><br />~KristinKristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592919145644124930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-20399411760857946482013-01-14T21:44:00.170-08:002013-01-14T21:44:00.170-08:00Like you, I loved seeing O'Brien and Thomas on...Like you, I loved seeing O'Brien and Thomas on different sides for once. And trust me, having seen the whole season.....it gets even better =)<br /><br />Poor Edith. She'll never catch a break will she? I can't help but think there is someone better for her than Strallan though. I loved the scene with Edith and her mama.....so heartbreaking at the same time.<br /><br />Got to love this show!Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12361895789616410614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-65377758048895246922013-01-14T20:03:17.390-08:002013-01-14T20:03:17.390-08:00@Tasha - This episode really did bring out my snar...@Tasha - This episode really did bring out my snarky side. ;) I agree, I don't think Edith thought through ANYTHING except getting the heck out of Downton. :P Hey if this episode proved nothing else she DEFINITELY has the looks for a starlet...just give the gal the right wardrobe!! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11986319237275869540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-3100995952750471452013-01-14T19:58:04.143-08:002013-01-14T19:58:04.143-08:00An even funnier and snarkier recap than usual, Rut...An even funnier and snarkier recap than usual, Ruth! This was a really good episode. Crazy Eyes Anthony was so unbelievably lame. I was kind of torn because on one hand I'm like JUST LET EDITH MARRY HIM IF THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS, but on the other hand... ew. I don't think Edith fully thought through the wedding night, if you know what I mean. I hope she does hook up with a Russian prince, because girl needs a break. Oooh, maybe she'll become a Hollywood starlet!Heidenkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09494625457587427781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-83308863459805918472013-01-14T19:24:04.287-08:002013-01-14T19:24:04.287-08:00@Meghan - Aww, thanks. I like to have fun with the...@Meghan - Aww, thanks. I like to have fun with these, even when I get a little ridiculous. ;)<br /><br />I really started to like Edith last season...so between wanting to marry Anthony as a project, well -- I remain convinced she didn't love him any more than he actually loved her. I think she'll get her happy ending, but I'm thinking it is apt to be a wild ride!<br /><br />Ethel, so pointless. I'm curious to see how this Bates prison drama is gonna play out, too, as the "save" is going to have to be pretty dramatic to warrant all this investigative work on Anna's part, no?<br /><br />Also...generally speaking I hold a very high opinion of Matthew. But this episode he drove me up the WALL. I'm sure we'll be on better terms next week. ;)<br /><br />@Rissi - I would be more worried about Edith if she married in order to have a "project." I want her to get out an live a little!!! ;) Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />@Joanne - HA!! Thank you! :) You hit the proverbial nail on the head with your assessment of Mary and Matthew's relationship status here -- this was way too forced to work in any sort of meaningful way, for me at any rate.<br /><br />And I would not have been surprised AT ALL if Strallan pulled a Rochester on us, lol!! (BTW, I would love to see Shirley MacLaine again...I really liked the scene last week where she comforted Edith. I think they could be a lot of fun together.)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)<br /><br />@Anne - I know, right? *sigh* Poor Edith. Badly done, Sir A. :P <br /><br />I rather wish we could've seen the inside of Downton Place...that house looked just gorgeous!<br /><br />Okay question for everyone: I was talking to my mom about this episode, and a friend of hers thinks that Mrs. Hughes is not out of the woods yet. I thought it was odd that we didn't "see" her get the all clear from the doctor -- and since she went into her appointment alone, is it possible that she is concealing her condition from Mrs. Patmore and Carson in order to avoid pity/coddling? That is going to TEAR ME TO PIECES if that's how this plays out!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11986319237275869540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-40041831013154893182013-01-14T19:09:23.849-08:002013-01-14T19:09:23.849-08:00Ok so I knew the marriage was doomed when Edith to...Ok so I knew the marriage was doomed when Edith told Sir Anthony he'd be her project for the rest of her life. Good grief! Even poor Sir Anthony wants to be loved! But for the first time I really did feel sorry for Edith left standing at the alter like that. <br /><br />Loved Lord Grantham's introduction of Branson to Sir Anthony as "our tame revolutionary, every family should have one." What a hoot! <br /><br />I wanted to throttle Matthew when he said perhaps Lavinia's father's letter was a forgery! I can't believe Mary didn't strangle him then! But at least he finally came around to do the right thing. Although I have to say, Downton Place was a great "little" house, too! <br /><br />And oh, Carson was so sweet about Mrs. Hughes--as was Cora. Which was a good thing since the war between Thomas and O'Brien might tear the downstairs crew to pieces! I wouldn't want to be caught in that crossfire! <br /><br />Yes, I don't even care about Isobel's new cause or the old maid. Completely over that story line. But Daisy and the new footman could be really fun. <br /><br />And I am sooooo worried about Bates! It just stresses me out to think about it! (I haven't read any spoilers, so I'm completely in the dark.) <br /><br />Can't wait for next week. :) Anne Mateerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330467138236037032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-18289773607509198502013-01-14T18:24:34.125-08:002013-01-14T18:24:34.125-08:00Oh, my gravy, this was a fun post to read! I KNEW ...Oh, my gravy, this was a fun post to read! I KNEW you'd have lots to say about this episode,and boy, you said it in the most hilarious way!<br /><br />Yes to pretty much all you touched upon....I'm just disappointed that Matthew and Mary's relationship is so contentious so soon....I get the drama and the seriousness of the financial situation, but I wanted to see some real marital "honeymoon bliss" from them and they just seem like a bickering old couple right now. <br /><br />Edith's wedding.....lordy be! When I saw them gathering outside the church for photos near the graveyard, I got this terrible feeling that this wedding might go all Jane Eyre on us and just when they were going to exchange vows, someone was going to come running into the church and call a halt as Strallan has a crazy wife in his <br />attic!!! But it was SO hard to watch her pain and shock, obviously, and hope she gets a really good storyline ahead. (How about visiting grandmama in the States and being a big hit with the NY elite? How about a Vanberbilt?<br /><br />Favorite line of the night for me? So hard as there were so many, but I think the best zinger was between Thomas and O'Brien: (paraphrasing)<br /><br />O'Brien: "Being left at the altar....I don't think I could ever get over the shame and humiliation."<br /><br />Thomas: "Then it's a good thing nobody's ever asked you." ROFLMAO!!!<br /><br />I'll be back for next weeks' recap!Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07716758796036142540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-47464865370909804292013-01-14T18:11:58.634-08:002013-01-14T18:11:58.634-08:00YAY! So happy to read you liking this, Ruth. :)
...YAY! So happy to read you liking this, Ruth. :) <br /><br />You are always so amusing, girl! The fact that such a big deal is/was being made by the family about Edith and Strallan is a bit annoying. Maybe he's not right for her but gosh, women married older men ALL THE TIME in those eras. Needless to say, Fellowes seems determined to turn her into the "bitter" sister. <br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />Poor Edith - she has changed so much since those early days and still she is treated unfairly. <br /><br />Hope you continue enjoying the ITV run!Rissihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11378400717440822186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1319032275293010502.post-36210845741776950202013-01-14T17:57:46.162-08:002013-01-14T17:57:46.162-08:00My goodness...I agree with you on almost all your ...My goodness...I agree with you on almost all your points. And I laughed at loud at some of your wording! Fangirling at it's best, no? ;) I'll work my way down your post...<br />The wedding outfits of the 3 Crawley girls...LOVE!!! And Edith's gown was lovely, just as Mary's was.<br />I knew it would turn out too good to be true that we'd get 2 weddings in the first two episodes...<br />I actually warmed up to Strallan & Edith, thank you very much. All in all--I was happy Edith *seemed to* be getting her happy ending. I've always held a very odd esteem for the not-as-pretty middle Crawley girl...<br />Matthew is NOT moronic!!! He has a conscience--though, yes. I admit it. I did want to smack him a good one as his guilt trip wove ALL.THRU.THE.EPISODE! But he's not moronic...not even close.<br />And just wait till you see what happens/who Edith ends up with. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on that, because I SOOOO don't like how she ends up! Ticks me off...<br />And what also ticks me off, is the bad name you called Matthew!!! I *get* your frustration, I really do {& please know I'm only "talking" in the most teasing/giving grief manner possible...} but Mary was a tad cool & not understanding or symapthetic towards Matthew. But that is the essence of their relationship...<br />OHMYGOSH--I SOOOOO "ship" Carson & Mrs. Hughes. They are the grandparents of the ENTIRE household--just LOVE THEM!!!<br />That jilting speech was SO bad...my gosh. And Violet somewhat dramatically tried to save the day...but POOR EDITH!!<br />And your prediction abt Anthony is WROOOOOONNNNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You actually don't see him anymore...so be happy, girl! ;) <br />The mother/daughter scene with Cora & Edith was SO touching. Very, very well done & poignant.<br />Grrr...I'm SO sick of Anna & Bates loooong drawn out drama. :P AND Ethel?! Yeesh...her storyline was point.less. The.freakin'.end.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com