Downton Abbey Feb 1 Super Bowl edition (Spoilers)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel sorry for the actress who plays Edith - her storyline isn't going anywhere. Maybe with the phone call, it finally will.

And I have no interest in who Isobel ends up with. So boring.

I did like when Robert clocked that guy.

PP Since you have no interest in who Isobel ends up with, I am arbitrarily assigning you to team Dr. Clarkson. With Lord Merton pouring on the charm and interest in medicine, the Dr. needs all the support he can get. You may not care about Isobel, but Dr. Clarkson -- come on -- the man has been pining away for Issy since World War I.

I actually don't care because I like them both! But I'll take team Dr C

[Anonymous]

Mrs Hughes found Anna after the rape, she knows the whole story.

Anna told Mary. She initially used the burglar story, but kept getting so freaked out about Lord G coming to visit (with his valet) that she eventually spilled it. That's why Mary asked Lord G to fire the valet, although she refused to tell him why.

Anna told Bates that a burglar broke in and raped her, but he knew there was more to it. He weaseled the truth out of Mrs Hughes.

Baxter and Barrow both suspect something is up, but don't know details.

So by my count: Mr Bates, Mrs Hughes and Mary know that Green raped Anna. I believe only Mrs Hughes knows that Mr Bates knows (although Anna clearly worries that he may have figured it out). Did I miss anything?

[Anonymous]

I didn't realize Mrs. Hughes told Bates.

[Anonymous]

I used to hate the Cora character but now I think she's got a lot going on and usually manages Robert and her mother in law pretty cleverly.

Can't figure out why Edith couldn't come up with a better lie, like some old friend who died and left a baby. Or if she just had brought the farmers wife in on the truth from the start so everyone knew what was what. Or faked a marriage certificate with the father.

[Anonymous]

I don't remember Mrs. Hughes telling Bates, but he did question her and her expression and what she said may have given it away. He gave her one of his usual creepy, piercing looks.

Edith couldn't fake a marriage certificate with the father because everyone knew the father already has an insane wife that he wasn't allowed to divorce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't remember Mrs. Hughes telling Bates, but he did question her and her expression and what she said may have given it away. He gave her one of his usual creepy, piercing looks.

Edith couldn't fake a marriage certificate with the father because everyone knew the father already has an insane wife that he wasn't allowed to divorce.

And that brings me to the question I keep forgetting to ask: what has become of the insane wife??? No one mentions her anymore - could that have something to do with who Edith was calling in London? I think she was calling a lawyer, but I wonder if it has something to do with the wife.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mrs Hughes found Anna after the rape, she knows the whole story.

Anna told Mary. She initially used the burglar story, but kept getting so freaked out about Lord G coming to visit (with his valet) that she eventually spilled it. That's why Mary asked Lord G to fire the valet, although she refused to tell him why.

Anna told Bates that a burglar broke in and raped her, but he knew there was more to it. He weaseled the truth out of Mrs Hughes.

Baxter and Barrow both suspect something is up, but don't know details.

So by my count: Mr Bates, Mrs Hughes and Mary know that Green raped Anna. I believe only Mrs Hughes knows that Mr Bates knows (although Anna clearly worries that he may have figured it out). Did I miss anything?

This was a terrific summary. Thank you! I can't keep it straight.

[Anonymous]

I agree that Cora comes off brainless but I think she is capable of more; they just haven't used her well.

Just want to complain that it's true what art guy said: Lord G doesn't pay attention to Cora or her opinion, and then poor Cora--she's finally got a friend who's listening to her and likes her opinions and he mucks it up--she not only loses her friend (art guy), but now Lord G is giving her the silent treatment after she did nothing wrong! And she has to stand there and smile. Poor Cora.

[Anonymous]

Lord Grantham didn't bother to punch smarmy art guy until art guy insulted him. If I were Lady Grantham, I'd be fine with my husband punching the guy upon discovering him in the bedroom (admittedly uninvited), but PISSED if the uninvited intruder gets a genteel pass until he dares insult the man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lord Grantham didn't bother to punch smarmy art guy until art guy insulted him. If I were Lady Grantham, I'd be fine with my husband punching the guy upon discovering him in the bedroom (admittedly uninvited), but PISSED if the uninvited intruder gets a genteel pass until he dares insult the man.

+1
However, I don't think Cora did nearly enough explaining of the situation to Lord G. She didn't seem at all contrite about what had happened, even if she never invited art guy to her room. She seemed to think it was just a minor incident ("Golly, what a day!") when it must have been pretty traumatic for Lord G. to find art guy in his bedroom, with his wife. Not that I'm a huge fan of Lord G., but still. Kind of felt bad for him.

[Anonymous]

And it looks like LG is giving Cora the cold shoulder now...

[Anonymous]

I love you people! I had to hold off from reading this thread until I watched Sunday's episode. I agree, I will not miss Bunting. I am hoping Mary gets together with Tom (Sybil's husband). What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lord Grantham didn't bother to punch smarmy art guy until art guy insulted him. If I were Lady Grantham, I'd be fine with my husband punching the guy upon discovering him in the bedroom (admittedly uninvited), but PISSED if the uninvited intruder gets a genteel pass until he dares insult the man.

Lord G should have socked Miss Bunting right off the bat. It would have been a relief to shut her up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that Cora comes off brainless but I think she is capable of more; they just haven't used her well.

Just want to complain that it's true what art guy said: Lord G doesn't pay attention to Cora or her opinion, and then poor Cora--she's finally got a friend who's listening to her and likes her opinions and he mucks it up--she not only loses her friend (art guy), but now Lord G is giving her the silent treatment after she did nothing wrong! And she has to stand there and smile. Poor Cora.

I'm not sure I'd say that Cora did NOTHING wrong. She did say things like "you need to behave" to art guy, but she also flirted heavily and really led him on. And then invited him to stay at Downton when Robert was away? I don't really blame art guy for thinking that he'd be welcome in her room.

I do agree, though, that Lord G had it coming. He really needs to show his wife a little respect and appreciation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love you people! I had to hold off from reading this thread until I watched Sunday's episode. I agree, I will not miss Bunting. I am hoping Mary gets together with Tom (Sybil's husband). What do you think?

There was one scene this weekend, Tom and Mary were walking upstairs, and he said something like "you're a lot nicer than most people realize". It reminded me so much of a scene between her and Matthew, way back when, he said almost the exact same thing to her. It was almost eerie.

I like them better as platonic friends, but I do hope they each find someone special.