DOWNTON ABBEY Season 3 Discussion Thread - SPOILERS WITHIN- Page 7

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/26/12 at 3:28am

I wish I didn't know the behind the scenes troubles, either. It's one of the few problems I have with the internet when it comes to tv shows. (Lots of daytime soap fans, rather short-sightedly, like to blame the internet for the decline of soaps. There are soooo many other reasons, but I think there is a point that when, ten or so years back, networks started even releasing, sometimes months in advance, "spoilers" about actors who were leaving, actors returning, etc, it did ruin what was one of the pleasures of following the show).

[romantico]

Posted: 10/26/12 at 11:36pm

Found this awesome pic. Oh and Eric, that Youtube video is awesome. That guy is incredible. Carson and Mrs.Patmore are dead on.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/28/12 at 6:23pm

I am hoping to get to see Downton Abbey tonight as I have a feeling I will be wanting for power for a few days starting tomorrow.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/28/12 at 6:51pm

Glad you enjoyed, Romantico!

OK, did anyone else chuckle at Carson's comment tonight that Thomas should "take it on the chin"? Maybe I just have a dirty mind...

[romantico]

Posted: 10/28/12 at 7:51pm

I can't believe Thomas could be so dumb. He knows O'Brien is not his friend.Then again, he is a pretty bold guy when it comes to stuff like this.Even though he is a real jerk I keep hoping he somehow redeems himself.

Carson's comment was great.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/28/12 at 8:56pm

And Maggie Smith was in rare form again tonight. :)

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 10/29/12 at 2:28am

I enjoyed the latest episode, as usual...(thanks again, Eric!). Bates-lite, which I liked, plus the underscoring seemed particulary lovely.

Which of Carson's comments were great, romantico? I was kinda expecting him to show a softer Mrs.Hughes/Isobel-esque side to Thomas, but then he made the "tour of your revolting world" comment which made me .

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/29/12 at 2:31am

Yeah, I admit that reaction made me too, even though of course it's realistic for the character and the time. Glad it worked, Jay!

[romantico]

Posted: 10/29/12 at 6:56am

I liked his 'take it on the chin' comment. I thought it was funny. Carson is one of my favorite characters on the show and I was disappointed to hear his slur towards Thomas. However, you have to look at the times and see how far we have come.

Carson was also repulsed by Ethel's 'lifestyle'. He is a typical English Gentleman with very traditional old fashion values which make him a snob,although he would take offense to such an observation I'm sure.Let's not forget,in season one it was revealed that Carson had a bit of a 'dark' past as one half of the vaudeville act "The Cheerful Charlies". Carson was embarrassed by this dark secret of his past.He felt it was not dignified for an English butler.

[Huss417]

Posted: 10/29/12 at 12:15pm

I'm also wondering if Carson is gay? Was just a feeling I had last night.

[romantico]

Posted: 10/29/12 at 12:22pm

That would be a twist. Thomas and Carson run off together. (LOL)

Maybe I've seen Remains of the Day too many times but I hope when the series ends, Carson and Mrs.Hughes get together. They obviously respect each other a lot plus they at times sound like an old married couple.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 10/29/12 at 7:51pm

Ha, I completely forgot about The Cheerful Charlies! I think Carson is just married to his job and the family--as others have implied, and it means everything to him. While he and Hughes obviously have a connection, and a lot of mutual respect--I can't see it ever getting romantic.

[Huss417]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 7:51pm

Still waiting for links to be posted for tonights episode.

[romantico]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 8:05pm

I just watched it.Let me know if you need a link. Very simple finale. Very up ending. Bates does a pretty cool thing in this episode. The real finale will be the 90 minute Christmas episode.

[Huss417]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 9:39pm

Thanks romantico.

I just finished watching it. I think they handled the whole Thomas "issue" very well and I loved Roberts comment about Eton.

Do we know the date of the Christmas episode yet? Last year wasn't actually done on Christmas night?

[romantico]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 9:41pm

No word just yet but I am assuming it will be on Christmas night like last year.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 11:11pm

Edited because I forgot Call the Midwife is BBC and Downton is ITV so one doesn't affect the other. I still feel like I read somewhere that the Downton Christmas special wouldn't actually be on Christmas.

Wonderful finale to a wonderful season. I think I want to start a band called Her Ladyship's Soap.



Updated On: 11/4/12 at 11:11 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 11:19pm

The Christmas special, which has also been filmed, is said to be set when “time has moved on” which could leave Fellowes with just over a decade to work with.

Downton must end before 1939

[Huss417]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 8:38am

The Christmas Special will air on Christmas Day in the UK.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/downton-abbey-season-3-highest-rated-movie-christmas-questions-fourth-season/

[Scripps2]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 9:26am

I don't think it's been officially announced yet but you can be sure it will be on the evening of Christmas Day: there is always a major ratings war between ITV and BBC1 on Christmas Day and Downton is the biggest gun in ITV's arsenal.

I think there'll be some kick-back from Alfred and Jimmy with Carson and my noble Lord Grantham having thrown a blanket over Thomas's behaviour.


Updated On: 11/5/12 at 09:26 AM

[romantico]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 9:45am

Will Bates and Thomas now become friends? I thought it was funny how no one was really surprised. Oh, and everyone should have someone like Mrs.Hughes in their lives. She really is one of my favorite characters.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 12:29pm

I loved last night's episode too, but as usual I must exorcise a couple of nitpicks, minor though they are.

Branson...what kind of Irish revolutionary is he anyway? I studied Irish history for a little while, and I can tell you that anti-Brit feeling was overwhelming and I cannot imagine any historical figures from that time playing cricket with the Big House aristocrats. A lot of Big Houses were burnt down routinely in Ireland by the way, and both people and police forces were not unsympathetic to the nationalist cause so I was never clear just who Branson was running from anyhow.

I'm not familiar with the law of 1920's Britain, but could Thomas really have been thrown in jail for just going in for a little kiss? And what was the burden of proof?

Also, it would have been nice to see Thomas' reaction to being allowed stay on, as well as his promtion.

If you've read this far, I thank you for indulging me.

[romantico]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 12:41pm

Good questions and I agree. However, some may be answered during the Christmas episode. I'm hoping we see a new Thomas now and he can some redeem himself for being such a jerk to everyone. I think he is jealous of Bates and Anna. He wants what they have and see's a lonely life ahead.Thomas does not seem to be the type who likes having friends. O'Brien was the closest he came to that look how that went.I'm hoping Bates understands why Thomas is such a ****and tries to help him.I always got the impression that Anna felt sorry for him so the two of them might be good for Thomas.

I would have liked to see his reaction as well.Maybe now that everyone knows his secret he may act different.I think there is a lot of potential for his character,if they bother exploring that side of him.

Ethel's story had a somewhat happy ending and I hope Edith gets to have another go at a relationship this time around.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 12:46pm

I hope that's the last we see of Ethel, I never really cared about her. I was also kinda expecting a last-minute twist to the Bates story, like it turns out he actually did kill Vera. I mean...that's it? Really? Anti-climax. I thought he might turn to the camera, his eyes flashing red a la Michael Jackson in Thriller.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 3:21pm

Jay, you make me laugh. I hope next season it's ALL Bates ALL the time! :)

I laughed when Robert mentioned wanting to give his money to Charles Ponzi. And all I kept thinking was, "You poor dears. If this show makes it to 1929, you're going to lose all your money again!"

Jay, I don't know any of the specifics of anti-homosexuality laws, but I always that those things always DID just hinge on hearsay. Maybe someone else knows more, though.