DOWNTON ABBEY Season 3 Discussion Thread - SPOILERS WITHIN- Page 4

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 9:32am

I thought it was very honest of Mary. There is no love lost there especially after Edith sent the letter regarding the man (forgetting his name) that Mary slept with to the embassy.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 9:49am

I also thought it was cold of Mary (who honestly is no favorite of mine). With the way Fellowes writes, I wouldn't be surprised if Mary was still mad at Edith for writing about Kemal Pamuk, but that happened like 8 years ago. Plus Mary exacted her revenge by thwarting Sir Anthony's initial plan to propose to Edith at the end of the first season.

In conclusion Edith is my favorite because character growth and development.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 9:51am

Yes, it was. However, I think they'll try to start mending their relationship. They will forgive one another-Mary wasn't particularly nice to Edith before she sent the letter.

I have a feeling that the baby will end up being raised by Matthew and Mary, who will discover that they will never have a child of their own.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 10:36am

I am looking forward to how all of this will play out in the remaining episodes.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 10:38am

Huss-you and me both. I love this show.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 12:23pm

I don't think it was cold of Mary; it was honest. People always want to believe that tragedy will change them for the better, but it very rarely happens.

I don't think Mary is still harboring any anger at Edith over written to the Embassy about Mr. Pamuk. I think that they are just two very different people who have never really gotten along. Even on Edith's failed-wedding day they had a moment where it was acknowledged that that probably wouldn't get along any better, but that Mary was still happy for her.

Updated On: 10/16/12 at 12:23 PM

[carolineorchange21]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 2:17pm

I agree, Dame Maggie can convey multitudes with just a turned back. The dialogue between the Dowager Countess and Mr. Carson was quite simple and then she just walks into the drawing room to join the family. When a genius is playing the part, these few words and actions become a master class in acting.

Another thought, Sybil's graphic and realistic death more than makes up for the 'nary-a-hair-out-of-place-bathed-in-ethereal-white-light' death of Miss Swire.

I've also found Elizabeth McGovern's Cora to be a bit wooden and I still can't get over that accent! - but, having re-watched the first two seasons prior to the premier of the current one, she has been totally consistent in speech and mannerism. I don't think EM is wooden - Edith's wedding episode and this one prove that - I just think that semi-stodgy characterization is how she and the show runners saw the character of Cora.

Like so many of you I, too, cannot wait to see how things will play out!

[romantico]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 10:43pm

DO we know if they are still airing a Christmas episode on Christmas day like they did last year?

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/15/12 at 11:53pm

I believe it is airing on Christmas day. I will see if I can confirm that.

Updated On: 10/16/12 at 11:53 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 4:50am

givesmevoice, I spend a great deal of time looking at McGovern's face in puzzlement.

Well, I feel like this episode should have come with a personal warning for me. I lost my brother very unexpectedly two months ago and my wife is 20 weeks pregnant. It was a double knife to the heart. I didn't see it coming at all.

[Taryn]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 8:53am

Count me in the group who loves Mary and thinks she was just being honest. Edith wasn't really asking "Oh, can we be closer now?" She was asking if Mary thought they would. And let's be honest, Mary and Edith have never gotten along, and it's just honest to admit that probably won't change, but the important part is that they still love each other, which is what Mary was saying.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 2:16pm

I had no idea so many people were bugged by Elizabeth McGovern's performance. I love the weird cadence to her voice in this.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 3:36pm

I think she's brilliant. And I'm genuine scared that she's going to freeze him out to the point of divorce.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 3:41pm

I think this past episode from Cora next to Sybil by the bed till the end when she walks out of the drawing room was great acting by McGovern. I haven't really been a fan of how she was playing the role but something in her clicked for me with the start of Edith's wedding.

[romantico]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 4:47pm

Looks as if there will be a Christmas special. The site where I get my episodes only mention the 8th episode airing November 4th and no mention of a Christmas episode,so I was not certain there would be one.

I found this:

"Not only do we have a few more exciting episodes worth watching, but there is talk of a Christmas special coming up later this year that may not have as much to do with the actual holiday as you would otherwise originally perceive."

http://cartermatt.com/36969/downton-abbey-season-3-scores-another-victory-with-spoiler/

I remember last season's Christmas episode being only the first 10 minutes of a 90 minute finale so I assume the same goes here. It was just nice to see Downton all decorated for the holidays.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 5:53pm

I remember seeing McGovern in something shortly after she had some...work done...and being a bit startled by her appearance. But I don't know if it's that I've gotten used to it, or her face has settled, but I think she looks and sounds stunning. I mean, it's not like she appears monstrously disfigured like Madeleine Stowe in Revenge or anything. I absolutely love her in this series and find her portrayal both appropriate and consistent. It's amazing to think she's the same person who burst onto the scene in Ordinary People. I just adore her.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 7:00pm

@romantico

We know there is a Christmas Special but what we are still trying to figure out is the exact date. :)

Updated On: 10/16/12 at 07:00 PM

[romantico]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 7:29pm

Wasn't last years episode on Christmas day in the UK? Here in the states, it aired as a 9th episode back in late January or early February I believe. Perhaps they waiting til closer to the last episode to officially announce but I would assume they would do it like last year.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 7:34pm

I'm hoping it is the same as last year and is on Christmas Day. Depending on how far ahead the show advances by Christmas it seems like it will be a very somber Christmas at Downton Abbey.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 8:00pm

I mean, it's not like she appears monstrously disfigured like Madeleine Stowe in Revenge or anything.

I actually think that most of the time she looks lovely! It's just that there are other times when she looks exactly like Kaa from The Jungle Book.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 10/16/12 at 11:18pm

I hated this episode. Really. It is NOT okay to play with my emotions like this...write yourself into a corner, Mr.Fellowes, so eclampsia is your solution? I hate you.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 10/17/12 at 4:55pm

SonofRobbieJ dropped a very big hint about this in the previous thread. See the 11:05am post on 2/21/12:

https://monaco.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1022789&boardname=off&boardid=2&page=10

And I quote

"I wouldn't count on Lady Sybil picking up a rifle or picking up where she left off at Downton. I think Lady Sybil will not be picking up anything, alas."

So what else can you tell us Robbie???





Updated On: 10/17/12 at 04:55 PM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/19/12 at 4:56pm

I've been so busy between classes and work this past month, that only now am I finally up to date with Downton--and feel able to read this thread.

Re Sybil, I kinda saw it coming (I wish I hadn't) as since Spring they had been talking about a "death in the family" and it being a major character. I *hate* to see Sybil go, but I admit it opens the show to a lot of conflicts and drama, something I found a bit missing in the early episodes (where smaller family conflicts would come up, and then seem to be instantly solved).

I admit though, I find it ridiculous (and this is not meant in any disrespect to you Jay--I always appreciate your posts and insights) when fans call outrage at a writer for killing off someone they love. (One big example was when Russell Davies killed off Ianto in Torchwood--so many people claimed they would never watch anything he writes again). I personally prefer in serials having some sense that nobody is safe--the story can go where it will go, as long as it's justified and not merely for shock, as I believe this was. I was fearing Downton was starting to fall into the trap of being too safe and always finding a way to essentially return to the status quo (Oh no! Nearly all families post war in such situations had to downsize, maybe they will too... Oh wait, so and so inherited some money--phew, etc). Admittedly this does in a way help the status quo--we don't have to have endless excuses for visits from Ireland, or even film scenes set there, but...

I believe we are getting another special on Xmas day, I think that was confirmed. (I always find it amusing that the UK seems to love Christmas Day episodes--growing up my family weren't even allowed to turn the tv on during Christmas, though I know in the Uk they often have Christmas dinner in the afternoon, so I guess it's something to watch while you're hungover with food and drink and too much family socializing).

Has any news about this Summer's prequel series about the courtship of Robert and Cora leaked? Like casting?

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/19/12 at 5:00pm

"I also thought it was cold of Mary (who honestly is no favorite of mine). With the way Fellowes writes, I wouldn't be surprised if Mary was still mad at Edith for writing about Kemal Pamuk, but that happened like 8 years ago. Plus Mary exacted her revenge by thwarting Sir Anthony's initial plan to propose to Edith at the end of the first season. "

I see that as true to the character of Mary. She grows, but at a much slower rate than most of the other characters (Robert, perhaps, aside as well as Carson of course). Keep in mind, too, that it was shown even before the letter scandal that Edtih and Mary NEVER EVER got along.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 10/19/12 at 9:21pm

I guess I agree with you, Eric, about writers killing off characters...my post was an emotional one, typed through tears. :) But why Sybil??? I'm sure Tom is next for the high jump, perhaps the Irish Civil War of 1922 will work its way in. I agree with whomever said that Matthew and Mary will raise the new baby...the seeds have been sown.

Bates to die next, please.

Updated On: 10/19/12 at 09:21 PM