Downton Abbey (1/28) (spoiler alert!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, this nonsense with investigating the death of Green has to stop.
"We've had a plain clothed officer watching and observed Anna walking to Picadilly,,," That is so far-fetched that the police would STILL be spending this much time investigating this murder.

YES!! So outrageous that a police officer would happen to notice Anna walking and "staring" at the exact place where some valet fell into traffic and died. It's not like the valet was someone important - in those days, I'm sure they didn't even blink if a working man or woman died in such a way. Ridiculous.

I think there is something sinister about Tony Gillingham. What if the valet was actually carrying out some criminal enterprise on behalf of Tony Gillingham (not selling drugs, but maybe something illegal with stocks or banking). The police were actually keeping their eyes on Valet Green because they were suspicious of Gillingham. They continue to lurk around Gillingham's residence and when they see anyone visiting they keep an eye on that person as well. Maybe the valet was going to tell on Gillingham and that is why he killed him. Maybe the Anna rape was not related to Valet Green's death. Unless, of course, it was Bates who killed the valet. But I still there is something hinky about Gillingham. He went from hot to cold with Mary pretty darn fast.

[Anonymous]

I think they should invite the wife of the farmer who is keeping Marigold. Sparks would really fly then. The farmer's wife is far more clever and feisty than Bunting.

[Anonymous]

Yes that brings up, what's Edith to do? I mean, if she
'fesses up and takes her child back now, the kid would feel ripped away from her parents. It's sort of too late…if her lover comes back and they successfully deal with the legalities, I'm sure Edith would demand that Marigold come back.

Interesting that DHs watch with some of you. My DH hates this show for a few reasons. One is that it's so slow moving ("it's like watching a rock garden, then everyone gets excited when a rock moves an inch."

But more interesting to me is that he is so annoyed by the fakery of it all. He is very much a history buff, (so besides the crazy timeline problems) he doesn't like the "enlightened" way the characters act. For instance, the Tom storyline. He says IRL Tom would not be so well-spoken and gentlemanly, and there is no way he'd be welcomed into the Downton Upstairs fold. It just didn't happen. He cited someone (Prince Ferdinand or Franz Joseph? I'll have to check) who married someone named Sofia/Sophia who was from an upper crust family but not upper crust enough, and how she was excluded at events etc.

[Anonymous]

I love how we create elaborate plot lines and twists in these threads, then every week all that happens is the teacher gets invited to dinner and Edith wallows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how we create elaborate plot lines and twists in these threads, then every week all that happens is the teacher gets invited to dinner and Edith wallows.

Pretty much.

The story line I'm holding out for is zombie attack Downton. First one to get eaten is Miss Bunting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes that brings up, what's Edith to do? I mean, if she
'fesses up and takes her child back now, the kid would feel ripped away from her parents. It's sort of too late…if her lover comes back and they successfully deal with the legalities, I'm sure Edith would demand that Marigold come back.

Interesting that DHs watch with some of you. My DH hates this show for a few reasons. One is that it's so slow moving ("it's like watching a rock garden, then everyone gets excited when a rock moves an inch."

But more interesting to me is that he is so annoyed by the fakery of it all. He is very much a history buff, (so besides the crazy timeline problems) he doesn't like the "enlightened" way the characters act. For instance, the Tom storyline. He says IRL Tom would not be so well-spoken and gentlemanly, and there is no way he'd be welcomed into the Downton Upstairs fold. It just didn't happen. He cited someone (Prince Ferdinand or Franz Joseph? I'll have to check) who married someone named Sofia/Sophia who was from an upper crust family but not upper crust enough, and how she was excluded at events etc.

It's called suspension of disbelief.

My aristocratic great-grandparents and grandparents lived in the same style as the Granthams at Downton (in France). Of course they didn't behave like the people in the show! But I love watching it anyway, and so do my mother and aunts, who can recall a lot of that life. They lived in the nursery upstairs with the nursery maids, then governesses. My uncle had a tutor. The housemaids were always full of drama. My mother got so hungry at the end of the day that she would sneak into the vast downstairs kitchen and beg the cook for some of her mother's chocolate (which was supposed to be reserved for my grandmother only). They were sent down in formal clothes to greet their parents and their guests, and they were expected to curtsey and kiss some ladies' hands. My mother, who was the youngest, became so flustered one evening that she accidentally kissed a gentleman's hand, and everyone laughed so hard - to this day she remembers being mortified. Seating at the table was strictly hierarchical, by birth and title. Those who liked that sort of thing went hunting on horseback in red uniforms, bugles, beagles, the works. My uncle still does that, unfortunately.

Anyway, a little poetic license never hurt anyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how we create elaborate plot lines and twists in these threads, then every week all that happens is the teacher gets invited to dinner and Edith wallows.

LOL. I love you, PP.

[Anonymous]

And Mary gets a new suitor

[Anonymous]

Well, then, predictions, anyone?

Ok I am going to predict that Miss Bunting does NOT get invited to dinner. At least not Upstairs.

Isis will continue to be there, but off camera.

And if I don't see the handsome Dr. Clarkson, I will be furious!

[Anonymous]

Mary and Tom should get together. Mary is traditional but holds some progrebsive views. Or Tom should get with Rose or Daisy.

[Anonymous]

I think Edith will make a desperate move of some sort. Not sure what- an effort to reclaim her daughter or attempt suicide, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, then, predictions, anyone?

Ok I am going to predict that Miss Bunting does NOT get invited to dinner. At least not Upstairs.

Isis will continue to be there, but off camera.

And if I don't see the handsome Dr. Clarkson, I will be furious!

WHAT?? why?? I love seeing him there. :0)

[Anonymous]

I hope Barrows finds a nice partner and softens up. All that secresy keeps him all bottled up inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Edith will make a desperate move of some sort. Not sure what- an effort to reclaim her daughter or attempt suicide, etc.

Kidnap Marigold and sail to America?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does Barrow have some sort of STD?

No. He's trying to cure himself of the gays.

I would appreciate that story line more if they had shown him wrestling with his attraction more. Except for the Bateses, all the staff are celibate, so Barrow isn't anything special.

Original PP here. I agree that it doesn't make sense really. He's never seemed ashamed or regretful of his feelings.

I think because he was in love with Jimmy, who is now gone. Maybe this is his way of trying to get over him?