Anonymous wrote:It's a shame because Anna and Bates's relationship was so sweet in the first season. Then they got them embroiled with all these silly storylines and they have become my least favorite characters. So, so boring.

It's hard to believe they love each other because we see no interactions that would explain why they do. They don't tease each other or discuss ideas or do things together. They just have a crisis, one of them says "You'd be better off without me," the other says "Never! I love you!" and then Anna cries and they cling to each other.

Ick.

It's a shame because Anna and Bates's relationship was so sweet in the first season. Then they got them embroiled with all these silly storylines and they have become my least favorite characters. So, so boring.

Anonymous wrote:
Mrs. Hughes is a Mrs. after all, so I assume she was married once upon a time.

A housekeeper is a "Mrs" even if she's never been married (and typically, she wouldn't be, because chances are that once you marry, you'll be having babies rather than working for pay -- unless you're Anna).

Anonymous wrote:I'm just happy it's back, repetitive as it was. I could just watch it with the volume off and be happy with the costumes. The hospital story line is about as boring as it gets. It's definitely getting set up so Mrs. Patmore has some sort of relationship with Mr. Mason.

Mrs. Hughes is a Mrs. after all, so I assume she was married once upon a time. Didn't Carson have some long-ago love interest they talked about last season?

Wasn't Marigold's father Michael Gregson? He disappeared in Germany and then finally they confirmed he was dead last season.

Wasn't that the custom for someone in her position back then? In the early days of DA it would have been verboten for her to be married but work in the house (unlike at the end of the series), but if I remember correctly she was called Mrs according to custom, not because she had ever been married.

I'm just happy it's back, repetitive as it was. I could just watch it with the volume off and be happy with the costumes. The hospital story line is about as boring as it gets. It's definitely getting set up so Mrs. Patmore has some sort of relationship with Mr. Mason.

Mrs. Hughes is a Mrs. after all, so I assume she was married once upon a time. Didn't Carson have some long-ago love interest they talked about last season?

Wasn't Marigold's father Michael Gregson? He disappeared in Germany and then finally they confirmed he was dead last season.

I saw an interview a while back that included Elizabeth McGovern and other cast members. One of them flat out said something about her having very little to work with in the show. It seems to be generally understood that she was relegated to more of a background role than a main player role. Whether that was by original character design or a choice made as the series evolved I don't know. She's lucky that they didn't kill her off in an earlier season and give Robert a gold digging love interest to spice things up.

Love the Carson and Hughes storyline, it was very sweet and well done I think.
Poor Edith, my theory is that Julian Fellows secretly dislikes the actress so just gives her sad sack story lines every season. Truthfully, edith could have the most interesting storyline of any character. A budding feminist, living single in London, editing a magazine etc.
Bates and Anna-the worlds most depressing couple. Also, was anna wearing a wig last night. her hair looked super fake.
Cora- do you think Elizabeth McGovern is bored out of her mind playing this lame character. I used to think she was a good actress but this show she does nothing more then sit on fancy chairs with her head cast slightly down and eyes up and speaks as if she is talking to a petulant children. So boring.

I thought they found the body of Edith's ex?

I like the Mr. Mason and Mrs. Patmore idea. I'm annoyed Daisy no longer gets to own a farm.

It's been so long since last season I forgot who at Downton knows Marigold's true parentage. Her mother for sure. Her father?

If I have to hear one more "times are changing" monologue I'm going to....fall asleep. Snooz.

Ok this is what I think (I have NO idea; have avoided all press on DA bc to even google it is to get a spoiler)

First, Mary's AWESOME dress with the AWESOME necklace!! I'm no fashion queen but wow was that beautiful or what?

Agree with PP re Elizabeth McGovern and also the lack of feeling when delivering her lines (but I think they want that out of her but it's just too lifeless)

There were two scenes that mention Edith's old flame (Marigold's dad): The scene with Mary and Edith talking about the flat in London, and then the aunt and Edith while in the flat. Both comments were totally unnecessary. So I think they did it to remind viewers…so I predict he's coming back.

Mrs. Patmore sighs and wishes someone would fall in love with her…ok, we can NOT end this series with Mrs. Patmore not having someone fall in love with her. Now that Daisy's behavior has guaranteed that her FIL be thrown off his farm, he will end up at DA and voila!

Ok what do you guys think? Any predictions?

It seems like there's some character like the blackmailing bitch in every season. And also, when was Mary's dalliance with Lord Gillingham, anyway? This is 1925 now...

Why the hell does Elizabeth McGovern always cock her head in that mournful way when she delivers her lines? It's very distracting.

Our DVR had some digital breakup and I missed some key dialogue - can't understand the argument about the hospital.

I thought the blackmail story would take a turn into murder for hire. Or maybe I just wanted it to. It's hard to feel sorry for Mary, but the blackmailing woman was deliciously hateful.

Loved the take-down of Miss Denker.

I want Rose back, making trouble and flirting with scandal.

I've been a Downton devotee the entire run, but had a hard time paying attention last night.

The first episode of every season of DA has been slow, except perhaps for the series premier. Time has passed, they need to catch us up where the characters are now, and set up the coming story lines.

Five minutes into the season was not the time for a 10 minute slow dialogue between Hughes and the cook about sex!
Other than that, I agree that the show ought to pick up its storylines.

Just watched the first episode of the final season last night. I really don't want to read any spoilers, so am starting a different thread. What did you all think?

I find the dialogue to be increasingly repetitive - especially with Anna and Bates. They just keep saying the same things, over and over. We want a child, I can't have a child, I'll love you anyway, no you won't, etc. Also, I'm glad the ridiculous storyline re: Green's death is finally over, but it ended just badly as it started. Someone else pushed him into traffic? The whole story was just so convoluted and silly. I love Bates and Anna, but wish they'd get some better stories.

Carson and Hughes - so sweet. Have either been married before?

Sad sack Edith - I really thought the writers would get a clue and give her more optimistic lines/attitude this season, but she's still morose over everything. Will she move to London with Marigold? What does Marigold call her, by the way?

The Dowager once again had the best lines, but I'm tired of the constant bickering between her and Isobel. The hospital story line bores me.

Loved the way Lord Grantham handled Mary's blackmail situation. Good on him.

And finally, I miss Tom already. Bring him back!