For example, who was your favorite character upstairs? Tom Branson. I mean, come on... he's fabulous to look at and has a fantastic accent. Favorite character downstairs? Mrs. Hughes. She wielded a lot of power and influence with such a light touch. I'd like to be able to do that. Favorite villain? Mary. I have a love/ hate thing with Mary. She's definitely a happier person when she's getting laid regularly. Favorite relationship upstairs? Mary/ the Dowager. Two peas from the same pod.
Favorite relationship downstairs? Alfred/ Daisy. Because Daisy is an idiot. Favorite relationship between an upstairs character and a downstairs character? Mary & Anna. They are closer than sisters. I loved last nights, "oh, your waters have broken." Such a deadpan! Favorite "outside" character? Mabel Lane Fox! I wish she would have been a recurring character! Favorite character evolution/transformation? Edith! I also really enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between the Dowager and Cora. Favorite story line? It was subtle, but I love the continuous changes in technology the show highlighted. From the dowager cowering in the electric lights in Season 1 to the hair dryer in season 6. So many changes in life between 1912 and 1926! Favorite love story? Tom & Sybil Love story that didn't happen but you wish had been explored? I feel like any potential love story was explored... I'd like to have had some "flashbacks" to see the Dowager's relationship with her husband, as well as the relationship between Robert and Cora. Favorite quote? I'm not sure which one, but something from the Dowager. Question/story you most wish had been resolved? What really happened to Michael Gregson? How will Edith deal with the rise of the Nazis and how they killed her first love? Favorite ending? Edith's!
Dowager finding out about Spratt's article = AMAZING. That reaction was superb.
I loved that whole scene with the Dowager & Denker. Denker thinks she's always so smooth but the Dowager is always on to her! "It's conveniently turned to the correct page!"
They resolved the whole Baxter thing that I didn't really care about, but she & Molesley still didn't end up a couple.
I have to imagine that the Dowager hired both Spratt and Denker to get entertainment value from those two! Her version of reality TV
The Baxter thing was also resolved in an unsatisfying way - I wanted to see this mega-charmer that made good-hearted Baxter steal!!!!!!!
Can we talk about favorites now that we have six glorious seasons on which to reflect ?
Question/story you most wish had been resolved: Every time the burned cousin comes up it irritates me. That was such a big thing to ignore or treat as insignificant. But at the same time I'm glad they didn't take it anywhere because I liked Matthew.
Who was your favorite character upstairs? Come on. Mary lol. Dowager Countess is a near tie, however. Favorite character downstairs? Mrs. Hughes Favorite villain? Mrs. Bates. She kind of cracked me up in a wtf kind of way. Favorite relationship upstairs? Tom and Mary. I love how they are truly like siblings. Favorite relationship downstairs? Mrs. Hughes and Carson, even if he did get extra annoying this year. I'll never forget them walking into the water together. So cute. Favorite relationship between an upstairs character and a downstairs character? I was going to say Carson and Mary.I actually didn't consider Tom and Sybil for this, because I think of them as a love story, but given that reframing, I have to give it to Tom and Sybil .I also really liked Sybil and Gwen. Favorite "outside" character? Lady Rosamund, but an honorable mention for Mabel Lane Fox. Favorite character evolution/transformation? Thomas Barrow. Favorite story line? Price Kuragin and the Dowager Countess. It was so unexpected and made me love her even more. You know someone is endearing as hell when even their adultery appeals to you. Favorite love story? Mary and Matthew. Love story that didn't happen but you wish had been explored? Mary and Charles Blake. Favorite quote? Sorry guys. This was a bad question. Too many to choose. But remember when Tom and Robert weren't dressed in regular tuxes for dinner, and Mary and the Dowager were talking, and she turned and said, "Do you think I might have a drink," to Robert? And then, "I'm so sorry, I thought you were a waiter." I cried laughing. Question/story you most wish had been resolved? I wish we knew more about Bates and Donk and their time in the military. In my mind, Bates was injured saving Robert, but who knows? Favorite ending? Isobel and Lord Merton.
Everyone keeps alluding to turning it off too soon. It did end with everyone singing Auld Lang Syne, and the Christmas tree and champagne, right?
It definitely ended there in the PBS broadcast last night. But the UK version could have been different, I have seen differences between the US & UK versions of Downton episodes before.
Love story that didn't happen but you wish had been explored? I feel like any potential love story was explored... I'd like to have had some "flashbacks" to see the Dowager's relationship with her husband, as well as the relationship between Robert and Cora.
Yes! I would have loved to see that courtship, particularly what would have been some amazing one liners from the Dowager at the time re: Cora's "american-ness/heathen-ness" and Cora's saving the estate. I imagine she's always had plenty of spunk so while old age may have sharpened her tongue, it certainly started much, much earlier in life.
Favorite story line? Price Kuragin and the Dowager Countess. It was so unexpected and made me love her even more. You know someone is endearing as hell when even their adultery appeals to you. Favorite quote? Sorry guys. This was a bad question. Too many to choose. But remember when Tom and Robert weren't dressed in regular tuxes for dinner, and Mary and the Dowager were talking, and she turned and said, "Do you think I might have a drink," to Robert? And then, "I'm so sorry, I thought you were a waiter." I cried laughing.
Question/story you most wish had been resolved? I wish we knew more about Bates and Donk and their time in the military. In my mind, Bates was injured saving Robert, but who knows?
I think when you've finally had it with your job/boss you should go on to a second career as a Downton Abbey novelist, writing stories to fill in all the holes, prequels, sequels--the whole shebang. Except you need to have a strong-willed editor who will balance your Mary bias, LOL.
Today could be the day !
It's fine, I am only slightly more biased toward Mary than Julian Fellowes .
Question/story you most wish had been resolved? I wish we knew more about Bates and Donk and their time in the military. In my mind, Bates was injured saving Robert, but who knows?
I think when you've finally had it with your job/boss you should go on to a second career as a Downton Abbey novelist, writing stories to fill in all the holes, prequels, sequels--the whole shebang. Except you need to have a strong-willed editor who will balance your Mary bias, LOL.
It definitely ended there in the PBS broadcast last night. But the UK version could have been different, I have seen differences between the US & UK versions of Downton episodes before.
Really?! I'm intrigued. Do tell.
Apparently it was just season 1, my memory exaggerated But between 25 minutes - 2 hours were lost in the US version of season 1 (articles report different #s): "For the PBS airings, the series is edited (by the production company) into fewer--but longer--episodes than are aired in the UK. For season 1, PBS requested cuts of about 25 minutes total to fit the episodes into certain timeslots. (A wildly inaccurate article in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper claimed that some two hours of content had been removed.) However, the season 1 DVDs sold by PBS and other U.S. outlets contained the unedited UK version of the show.
Because of viewer criticism, subsequent seasons on PBS have aired intact, only being restructured into fewer episodes as mentioned previously. PBS has used timeslots ranging from 60-120 minutes to accommodate the series."
I remember a conversation with my CW, one of us was watching the DVDs (which have the UK version) and the other was watching the PBS show, we were trying to talk about "episode 4" or something and couldn't figure out what each other were talking about
Man, I could talk about Downton all day long. Even though I didn't love last season, it's one of my favorite shows of all time. I think it's the cinematography or something (I'm not a film person) but whatever it was, I felt (gladly) sucked into that world in each episode - everything was always so beautiful. Even the "downstairs" quarters while spare, were warm and welcoming.
Meddling Tom??? I was almost tempted not to like this, but you had other good points lol.
I don't think Thomas cares about meeting anyone as much as he cared about being a butler. It would have been nice, but it is still 1925. Maybe when he's older. Look at how many people on the show had to wait until they were older to find love.
Haha, I used to really like Tom, but lately it feels like he's got too much time on his hands and just wants to nose into everyone else's business. He needs a wife, or at the very least, a girlfriend. Occupy his time. I hope the business does that for him, but really I think he needs a little love.
That's true, actually re: Thomas. Plus he's been burned a couple times so I imagine he's less keen to find a nice man.
There seemed to be heavy hints that he'd end up with Edith's magazine's editor, who does seem like a good fit for him (spunky, independent, forward-thinking).
Shall we do predictions for the final three episodes, or is that too dangerous?
What the heck; I'm doing them anyway. I swear I haven't seen anything beyond Episode 7 (2/14) or had them spoiled. This is all my conjecture.
The following couples will end up together: (star) -Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Mason (they both deserve some happiness) (star) -Isobel and Lord Merton (while trying to find a way to get back at Larry's fiance whose last name I don't want to try to spell) (star) -Tom (Branson) and Edith's editor (also both deserve happiness) :N: -*Either* Mary and Henry or Edith and whats-his-name (no way Julian is going to tie up both of these loose ends together
(star) Anna will have her baby and it will be healthy
:N: Mary will try to ruin Edith's life using Marigold in some way. One of them will end up unhappy and the other happy (see also above).
:N: Rose and her husband will make another appearance with their child (did we ever hear more than speculation that she was pregnant)?
:N: Downton will close
:N: Someone significant will die (Robert? Cora? Thomas?)
(huh) Tia'a's butt will end up in the opening credits instead of Isis's
Quoting myself to assess my predictions. I went ahead and gave myself a gold star for the ones I got right, thumbs down where wrong (some were only partly wrong). Less than 50% if interpreted precisely!
I didn't remember to watch the credits closely enough to check which dog's butt appeared.
Aww, a totally unrealistic feel good ending! I have to run now but I'll be back later to post more and reflect on my predictions from a few weeks ago.
You were like 99% correct in your predictions, it was kind of amazing!
Aww, thanks, but I definitely missed some things. Even though I'm happy Edith is happy, I really didn't think the ending overall would be quite so feel-good. I mean heck, even Lord Merton escaped death!
Haha, I used to really like Tom, but lately it feels like he's got too much time on his hands and just wants to nose into everyone else's business. He needs a wife, or at the very least, a girlfriend. Occupy his time. I hope the business does that for him, but really I think he needs a little love.
That's true, actually re: Thomas. Plus he's been burned a couple times so I imagine he's less keen to find a nice man.
There seemed to be heavy hints that he'd end up with Edith's magazine's editor, who does seem like a good fit for him (spunky, independent, forward-thinking).
I would've preferred watching this relationship develop more, rather than all the time he spent matchmaking Mary and Henry this season, but that's a nitpick.
Favorite character upstairs? Sybil, though Tiaa is a close second. Favorite character downstairs? Mrs. Hughes Favorite villain? Downstairs Tom Favorite relationship upstairs? Violet and Isobel Favorite relationship downstairs? Denker and Spratt (does the Dowager's downstairs count?) Favorite relationship between an upstairs character and a downstairs character? Mary and Carson Favorite "outside" character? Favorite character evolution/transformation? Edith, hands down Favorite story line? Downstairs Tom Favorite love story? As in, the one that I'd most like to have, or the one that's the most interesting to watch? Violet and her Russian Prince was very interesting, but I wouldn't have wanted to live it. I'd want my love story to be more like Rose & Atticus. Love story that didn't happen but you wish had been explored? Favorite quote? This one is going to take a while Question/story you most wish had been resolved? WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN TO DOWNTON ITSELF? Favorite ending? Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Mason putting in their time, reaping the rewards for it, and eventually finding love late in life.
Can we talk about favorites now that we have six glorious seasons on which to reflect ?
Favorite relationship downstairs: I wish I could say Mrs Hughes & Carson, but again he's been so awful at the end. I liked Mrs. Patmore & Daisy at the beginning, but Daisy was such a mess this season that also has been tarnished. I'll go with Mrs. Patmore & Mrs. Hughes friendship
I was going back and forth between these, too, for exactly the same reasons, until I remembered how hilarious the Dowager's downstairs has been this season.
aurora,good point. I would love to know what Fellowes thought might be happening at Downton decades in the future. Also, you graded yourself too harshly!
Man, I could talk about Downton all day long. Even though I didn't love last season, it's one of my favorite shows of all time. I think it's the cinematography or something (I'm not a film person) but whatever it was, I felt (gladly) sucked into that world in each episode - everything was always so beautiful. Even the "downstairs" quarters while spare, were warm and welcoming.
The show was really beautifully lit and shot. Not to mention the gorgeous costuming.
Also, did you guys notice how many first names were being dropped between the staff last night? With the John and the Elsie and the Charlie, sheesh. I felt like I was upstairs.
Now that this is over does this mean that everyone will watch Indian Summer with me?
I watched the first season. It was good but not Downton level. Also, I had some feelings because of the whole story line and my own background.
Yeah I can understand that. I don't think they made the British come off as the good guys and I hope they don't white wash history. I am interested in hearing other perspectives
I watched the first season. It was good but not Downton level. Also, I had some feelings because of the whole story line and my own background.
Yeah I can understand that. I don't think they made the British come off as the good guys and I hope they don't white wash history. I am interested in hearing other perspectives
They did a good job and didn't white wash anything that's for sure. I will continue to watch it though.
Yeah I can understand that. I don't think they made the British come off as the good guys and I hope they don't white wash history. I am interested in hearing other perspectives
Where is this on? It sounds interesting...
It is on PBS. I am not sure when the next season is going to start.
Post by spunkarella on Mar 8, 2016 20:04:48 GMT -5
I just finished the finale. I loved it! I'm so glad everything was tied up with happy endings. I kept waiting for another car crash or tragedy.
Maybe I am just paranoid, but does anyone else think Lord Merton's daughter in law was poisoning him? I suspected it from the time they announced he was sick, and then he got *so* much better under Mrs. Crawley's care.