Downton Abbey - No spoilers!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yuck!!! Can that really happen with bleeding ulcers?

I read an article recently about this scene- it was apparently well researched, down to the color of blood that comes up at first vs later. They practiced it at a staged set to get projectile distance right because the scene itself was filmed at Highclere Castle, with all the actual furnishings, and they didn't want to ruin carpets, etc. According to the article Cora's (actual vintage) dress was ruined during the cleanup process after that scene, and it had to be glued together to film the next scene, which was filmed out of sequence- the pre-dinner scene.

It didn't warrant putting vintage anything at risk even a dress. It may have been "realistic" but it was gross.

And since Mary is such a perpetual fishwife, I can't imagine anything changing her view toward Edith and/or Marigold. Sybil's death certainly didn't. In the beginning, the tit for tat nature of their relationship seemed more realistic, but for so long Edith has been the perpetual sad sack and Mary the perpetual snide bully. They're basically caricatures. Any sisterly overtures would be short lived and both will be relieved when Mary heads DA and Edith moves to London to attend to her magazine.

I read about the filming of the scene, too, and they said that in filming, he actually spit farther than they had expected, coming close to ruining the carpet. Cora's dress wasn't meant to be sprayed at all. They did other takes, too, but went with the first because the actors were genuinely startled by the velocity.

Mary will be a bitch to Edith about Marigold. She doesn't know how to be anything else. I agree with the people speculating that she will try to sabotage Edith's romance with Bertie using Marigold as a wedge somehow. I really do not like Mary.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Thomas will become the new butler. A long shot, maybe, but Carsons can't go on forever, and good help is getting hard to come by. Seems like the Carsons and Ms Patmore are looking toward retirement.

+100 re: the don't let Gregson return

I hate how everyone seems to be pairing off. It just doesn't seem realistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Changing topic, remind me of why Barrow is being such a nice guy now? He was so horrid I can't see someone like this having such a change in personality.

They all want him gone. It's known that he's gay (something that's considered a crime), and he's had a hand in some vile schemes but keeps getting a second chance. I think the only reason he's still there is that they're understaffed and he can't find another job, what with all the estates falling to ruin.

Also, Baxter saved hm from some quack remedy that was meant to cure him of homosexuality but actually made him sick. So they're friends now, but he's still a deeply angry and depressed person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yuck!!! Can that really happen with bleeding ulcers?

I read an article recently about this scene- it was apparently well researched, down to the color of blood that comes up at first vs later. They practiced it at a staged set to get projectile distance right because the scene itself was filmed at Highclere Castle, with all the actual furnishings, and they didn't want to ruin carpets, etc. According to the article Cora's (actual vintage) dress was ruined during the cleanup process after that scene, and it had to be glued together to film the next scene, which was filmed out of sequence- the pre-dinner scene.

It didn't warrant putting vintage anything at risk even a dress. It may have been "realistic" but it was gross.

And since Mary is such a perpetual fishwife, I can't imagine anything changing her view toward Edith and/or Marigold. Sybil's death certainly didn't. In the beginning, the tit for tat nature of their relationship seemed more realistic, but for so long Edith has been the perpetual sad sack and Mary the perpetual snide bully. They're basically caricatures. Any sisterly overtures would be short lived and both will be relieved when Mary heads DA and Edith moves to London to attend to her magazine.

I read about the filming of the scene, too, and they said that in filming, he actually spit farther than they had expected, coming close to ruining the carpet. Cora's dress wasn't meant to be sprayed at all. They did other takes, too, but went with the first because the actors were genuinely startled by the velocity.

Mary will be a bitch to Edith about Marigold. She doesn't know how to be anything else. I agree with the people speculating that she will try to sabotage Edith's romance with Bertie using Marigold as a wedge somehow. I really do not like Mary.

I totally disagree. I think finding out about Marigold will bring Edith and Mary closer together. Mary has had her share of scandal, she respects Edith more now that Edith is coming into her own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Changing topic, remind me of why Barrow is being such a nice guy now? He was so horrid I can't see someone like this having such a change in personality.

They all want him gone. It's known that he's gay (something that's considered a crime), and he's had a hand in some vile schemes but keeps getting a second chance. I think the only reason he's still there is that they're understaffed and he can't find another job, what with all the estates falling to ruin.

Also, Baxter saved hm from some quack remedy that was meant to cure him of homosexuality but actually made him sick. So they're friends now, but he's still a deeply angry and depressed person.

That's what brought them closer? I thought he had done mean things to them after that? Or am I confusing that with Bates' attempt to fix his leg?

[Anonymous]

Are Baxter and Mr Molesley going to hook up? I think he's going to become a teacher...

I"m also wondering if Mary + Tom is going to happen (I don't want it to, but there seem to be hints).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Changing topic, remind me of why Barrow is being such a nice guy now? He was so horrid I can't see someone like this having such a change in personality.

They all want him gone. It's known that he's gay (something that's considered a crime), and he's had a hand in some vile schemes but keeps getting a second chance. I think the only reason he's still there is that they're understaffed and he can't find another job, what with all the estates falling to ruin.

Also, Baxter saved hm from some quack remedy that was meant to cure him of homosexuality but actually made him sick. So they're friends now, but he's still a deeply angry and depressed person.

That's what brought them closer? I thought he had done mean things to them after that? Or am I confusing that with Bates' attempt to fix his leg?

No, I think the only mean thing after that was exposing some odious cousin. The whole lot went off to shoot pheasants or some such and the host was a boorish ass who looked down on them all, though they were related. Thomas found out some backstory and arranged to have the lord's mistress and love child show up in the middle of a party. I can't recall what the fallout was but it seemed that everyone just decided to look the other way about his assholishness, though Carson made it clear that if it weren't for Lord Grantham and Lady Mary still accepting Thomas, then he'd be out on his ear.

[Anonymous]

Also, Baxter helping Thomas was a big deal because he'd been so mean to her and she took him to the doctor who told him to just be himself.

[Anonymous]

Was t Baxter a childhood friend of Thomas' sister?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was t Baxter a childhood friend of Thomas' sister?

I'm not sure about this. I've been kind of thinking that we're going to find out that Baxter is actually Barrow's mother!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was t Baxter a childhood friend of Thomas' sister?

I'm not sure about this. I've been kind of thinking that we're going to find out that Baxter is actually Barrow's mother!

No, Baxter was a family friend (or friend of his sister). He got her the job at Downton when her prior incarceration would have kept her out of such jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Changing topic, remind me of why Barrow is being such a nice guy now? He was so horrid I can't see someone like this having such a change in personality.

They all want him gone. It's known that he's gay (something that's considered a crime), and he's had a hand in some vile schemes but keeps getting a second chance. I think the only reason he's still there is that they're understaffed and he can't find another job, what with all the estates falling to ruin.

Also, Baxter saved hm from some quack remedy that was meant to cure him of homosexuality but actually made him sick. So they're friends now, but he's still a deeply angry and depressed person.

That's what brought them closer? I thought he had done mean things to them after that? Or am I confusing that with Bates' attempt to fix his leg?

No, I think the only mean thing after that was exposing some odious cousin. The whole lot went off to shoot pheasants or some such and the host was a boorish ass who looked down on them all, though they were related. Thomas found out some backstory and arranged to have the lord's mistress and love child show up in the middle of a party. I can't recall what the fallout was but it seemed that everyone just decided to look the other way about his assholishness, though Carson made it clear that if it weren't for Lord Grantham and Lady Mary still accepting Thomas, then he'd be out on his ear.

Wow, I don't remember that at all! Must be losing my memory...
Thanks, PP.

[Anonymous]

The boorish asshole at the party. I think that was when Rose realized what was going on and "rescued" the situation by pretending to know the mistress as a dear old friend who dropped by. I can't remember why she felt compelled to do it though.
For you all under 35, this is what you have to look forward to. Can't remember jack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The boorish asshole at the party. I think that was when Rose realized what was going on and "rescued" the situation by pretending to know the mistress as a dear old friend who dropped by. I can't remember why she felt compelled to do it though.
For you all under 35, this is what you have to look forward to. Can't remember jack.

It was Rose's father in law (the boorish asshole)

[Anonymous]

Anyone notice Carson's hand during the last episode? Kept opening and closing his fist, shaking his fingers, etc. Something with Carson or the actor?

I agree, I think Mary will actually support Edith/Marigold situation, realizing how hard it must have been for Edith to give her up for a period of time. Maybe the two will become a bit closer?

I hope Anna makes it to term, they need a happy ending...