Last night PBS showcased the Christmas special of Downton Abbey. Did you find the finale of Season 2 satisfying? Too cliched? Did you encounter unexpected twists? Or did you guess just about every plot point as my neighbor did? Warning to those who have not seen the Christmas special: This post contains nothing but plot spoilers!
Julian Fellowes with Dan Stevens and Elizabeth McGovern. Credit courtesy Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE
I found the details of how the Crawleys treated the servants at Christmas quite interesting, giving them gifts and allowing them a free day. Sir Richard’s response to the Crawleys’ generosity towards the servants told much about him and foreshadowed the difficulties he would encounter with Mary. They are constantly at loggerheads and his jealousy towards her real feelings for Matthew bubbled over.Sir Richard’s jealousy of Matthew bubbles over. He and Mary are constantly at loggerheads. While he seemed a harsh man, in the end it turns out that he truly cared for the eldest Crawley sister. Even as they make googoo eyes at each other, an upright and uptight Matthew informs Lady Mary that they can never be together because of his guilt trip over Lavinia’s death. Her reply, “Didn’t they teach you never to make promises?” This story line, ending in their engagement, finally gives the viewer a happy ending
With Mr. Bates in prison, the viewer is beginning to wonder if things will ever go right for him and Anna. I am beginning not to care. The trial was over the top and melodramatic, but it did showcase O’Brien’s attempts to say and do the right thing. As for Anna’s reaction to hubby’s impending life/death sentence in prison – violin strings please.
This viewer sorely missed seeing Sybil and Tom. Their absence created a glaring hole in the story line, although their good news about her pregnancy meant joy for Cora and a Fenian grandchild for the skeptical earl.
It was a delight to see Edith boldly cast her hook and line at Sir Anthony Strallan, one of the few able bodied single men left standing after the war, albeit a little long in the tooth.
In order to be thought a hero,Thomas absconded with the earl’s dog, Isis, a most foul deed that backfired. With this act he entered the pantheon of the ten most dastardly villains in entertainment history. Isis escapes from the shack
The story of Mr. Mason, William’s father, and Daisy provided a sweet sub plot. Daisy talks to William via the ouija board and Mrs. Patmore.
Many plot points were tied up during the finale, which redeemed Season 2. I do hope that Sybil and Branson will return, for I felt their absence keenly. As for Bates and Anna, their down-in-the-luck story line is getting a little old. While a happy couple makes for boring fiction, the relentless bad luck that this couple experiences has entered the realm of the absurd. It is also time that Edith enjoys her moment in the spotlight. She’s changed this year. While she still gives Mary a couple of good digs, she has become a more rounded character. What did you think of the last episode? Alas we will have to wait 11 months before Season 3 airs. Can we even stand it?
Today I conclude this year’s coverage of Downton Abbey. Future posts will return to the Georgian and Regency eras, where this blog ideally resides. Thank you, readers, for your patience as my Downton Abbey fever ran its course.
Jane Austen's World 
As for waiting for Season 3… thank goodness I don’t have to hold my breath until that happens! LOL! I LOVED the finale! I’m happy for Mary and Matthew but do think we’ve not heard the last of Sir Richard… I feel he will wreak havoc for sure. As for Bates… why doesn’t someone say, “Let’s find who did it?” and I agree I’m not into the constant bad luck for these two. It does grow weary. Looking forward to Season 3… the way Season 2 ended there are openings for all kinds of ups and downs in the next season.
I loved this the ending was wonderful but cannot wait for next showing
I LOVED the ending. Finally things are right!
But I find the Bates legal fiasco to be waaay over the top. And I can’t fanthom the idea of Robert cheating on Cora. He’s such a painfully dull character.
I’ve had a hard time with DA from the beginning. I am a period drama junkie so I watch it because the house and costumes are sumptuous and the actors wonderful. But Juluan Fellowes cannot write for TV and he cannot write women. Characters often did things without sufficient motivation, merely for plot. And some plots dragged on and on in circles with nothing new. Lady Sybil
Branson was so excruciatingly boring, I had to mute their scenes. Sir Richard wasn.t used to best advantage, as many characters weren’t. There were some redeeming moments, thank goodness for Maggie Smith!
Many of my friends agree with your assessment, Chris. I have problems with a few of the characters, but who can’t help but hate Thomas with his constant plotting to get ahead regardless of who stands in the way or to make a quick buck? I really hope that his hand wound will come back to clamp down on his ambitions. I thought the final scenes with Daisy and Mr. Mason were quite touching. The costumes and scenery were to die for, and the acting was superb. My main problems with Season 2 were the many predictable plot elements. Let’s hope Season 3 has more surprises in store that go against type. We’ll see.
I also loved the finale. I both chuckled, cheered out loud, and teared up as the episode progressed. The ending was the highlight! Mary faced what she feared most (her secret revealed) and survived. LOVED it!!
I enjoyed it very much, and am eagerly anticipating season 3. Even more eagerly am I waiting for the uncut UK versions of seasons 1 & 2 with which to while away the time. I’m hoping that season 2, especially, will be more clear with whatever bits were chopped being restored. I do hope someone steps in and solves Mrs. Bates’ murder. Anna may be able to cope; I, alas, cannot. I also can’t help wondering how things are really going in Ireland-I have a feeling that motherhood may change some of Sybil’s viewpoints.
I find myself actually hoping Sir Richard spills Mary’s secret, just to see how she changes and (one assumes) rises above it. I agree with Vic and others in not caring much about Bates and Anna — and it surprises me a bit that the family is SO very involved in his troubles.
Violet got quite a few good lines in this one. I haven’t quite decided whether her character has credibly changed with the times, or whether Fellowes realized Violet’s popularity and gave her a more active role in promoting the various matches.
Here’s a question from my last comment I’d like to see others answer – why does Lady Mary not defend herself? Pamuk said he would expose her if she didn’t let him have his way with her and she never tells anyone that. So, she couldn’t even scream him off.
This is for Patty on Feb. 20, 2012
Re Lady Mary and why doesn’t she defend herself. I agree most heartily. Pamuk seduced her. He bribed his way into her room for which Thomas would be fired if discovered. Then he did threaten her with discovery and went on to seduce her after she asked him to leave.. But it doesn’t keep me from enjoying DA.
So many different emotions. I thought DA was the best I have ever seen. I disagree with Chris however. Julien fellowes is a brilliant writer, although you can almost.. but not quite gather his plots. I believe season 3 we will see Sir Richard will not be the wedge in Matthew and Mary’s relationship but instead will be the villan in the murder ofBates wife. Think about it? Who else so far (outside of Bates) threatened her? The return of the Canadian soldier (Patrick) will cause problems with Mary and Matthew.. demanding his inhertance and her hand. Speculation my firends… mere speculation on one of the best programs on the telly.
For Harry Birkenhead on Feb. 20.
Regarding the villain in the murder of Bate’s wife. I have thought about it. While I find your suspicion well founded, what about O’Brien? Recall how after she orchestrates Lady Grantham’s accident/miscarriage she is so filled with remorse that she tells Thomas she won’t let any harm come to her. Bate’s wife threatens to leak the scandal to the press which would harm the family and Lady Grantham very directly. Wouldn’t O’Brien do anything to protect her? And, I’ve never forgotten that Bates and his wife were sitting in Mrs. Hughes’ parlor and Mrs. Hughes heard their heated arguing and Mrs. Bate’s threats. Remember how Mrs. Bates remarked about the tea they were drinking and how she liked it and did Lord Grantham have his own special brand? My money is still on O’Brien, however. I’ve rewatched the episodes many times and when they were recently shown on PBS it popped out that O’Brien could have done it. We’ll find out soon enough. I hope Bates is sprung by the end of Season 3.
Such wonderful comments…almost as much fun as watching Downton! I so like who Edith is with Sir Anthony Stralian. She deserves a good ending. They will be wonderful together….even though she will be a widow well into the 50’s. I agree…we have not seen the last of Sir Richard. Did you see him licking his chops as he surveyed Downton for the “last” time….enough said. Bates and Anna…ahh….I see them going to America. I did not know there was an unedited version….my, how clever…I will certainly purchase both so my business partner in Rome can see them with me this summer…too fabulous !
Here is my problem with Downton at this point: It’s become a victim of its own success. By that I mean that the stars are all over the Web and showing up on David Letterman – being themselves, of course. What that (and the “behind the scenes” clips at the end last night) have done is make it much harder for me to surrender to the illusion they’ve worked so hard to create (of another world populated with fascinating people). Now the actors in their modern hairdos and real accents keep popping into my head as I watch the show. If it had not become the Hula Hoop of British drama, it could have just been what it is – plot problems and all – and I for one would have been much happier. I plan to spend the next year scrubbing all of this out of my head so I can enjoy Season 3 fully.
Season 3 can’t come soon enough! But I fear the Irish Civil War of 1922-23 may, in some fashion, be the death knell for Sybil and Thomas. Or at least a plot point to get her back to Downton Abbey. It’ll be interesting to see what year it is when Season 3 opens. And we’ve all heard that Shirley Maclaine will be joining the cast as Cora’s American mother. Oooo, Violet had better sharpen her rapier wit! I love this show…good or bad, it’s a lovely place to visit every once in a while.
I really like this show. I just started watching about 4 weeks ago..It is so much better than most of the programs on the regular networks..I wish it was not ending right now. But am sure I’ll watch he reruns to get more acquainted with what has occurred in the past…Can’t wait until the new season, shur hope it is soon
I’m a period drama junkie so I could not help enjoying DA, but I found some of the plot devices of Fellowes a bit ham-handed. It doesn’t take too long to notice all the point-counterpoint structures that mirror every issue with one character (or character pair) with a similar or opposite issue with another. Trouble is when watcher sees the plot arc of one, the other becomes easier to anticipate.
I found Mrs Bates’ (the first one) character very wooden, like a NO figure programmed for doom, so that made that plot thread a bit less compelling (but I loved Anna). Lady Mary’s transitions from hard nosed bitch to vulnerable woman, frequently her own worst enemy, made her plot arc compelling for me, but I did not expect the mushy ending (although I found it touching). Lord Grantham was twisted into the weak role of neglected husband looking for solace, and it definitely didn’t work. Yes, we need more Sir Richard, and more of Branson and Sybil—but we will likely get them since post-1920 the whole social upheavals of Britain see their side ascendent.
No one seems to have compared DA with Upstairs, Downstairs, but many of the character roles were virtual copies. Rose and Anna stand out most. Anyone else have any comparisons?
Loved this ending! So glad Mary and Matthew are finally getting together. Now if they can only get Anna and Mr. Bates together again.
As we know, the Entail Laws were abolished in 1924, thus that would leave Lord Grantham free to pass on Downton Abbey and his fortune to his eldest daughter Mary … how might this affect the plot on Season 3 of Downton Abbey? If Mary were suddenly the heiress to it all … her number of suitors would dramatically increase and maybe Matthew would be the one to be jealous?
What I noticed from watching Season 1, in particular, was how “familiar” everything was … it was as if Julian Fellowes made a pastiche from every British film and period costume drama of the past century. The Flower Show was lifted almost intact from “Mrs. Miniver”. And the whole entail dilemma is reminiscent of “Sense & Sensibility”, is it not? The whole seems to be just another re-telling altogether of Upstairs Downstairs …
Since the mysterious Patrick Crawley in his face bandages disappeared, might he yet return again to claim either Mary or Edith? After all, if HE is to inherit the title, he might need to marry a fortune to support the lifestyle of an Earl. Thus, though he seems to have a bond with Edith, he might once again go after Mary (if she inherits the most) and that would pit the two sisters against one another.
I also think that an interesting plot twist might come if Cora had succumbed to Spanish Flu (or some future ailment) … leaving the Earl to remarry and begat a new heir. Primogeniture still rules, even after the entail ends. Which would cause Mary and Matthew both to eke out an existence on his lawyer salary.
It seems to me that the Series was meant to be a one season, nostalgic, cozy look back at the Edwardian era … and unexpectedly became so popular that Season 2 and 3 have now come to pass. But the Great War destroyed so much that it is difficult have a quaint cozy view of that time. By the way, Lord Grantham gave Carson a book on “The Royal Families of Europe” for Christmas 1919 … a year after all the great European Empires had fallen, what was he thinking???
Except for Lavinia, William and poor Mr. Pamuk … characters do not die. Perhaps they need more turnover to propel the plot along??? That’s the trouble with soap operas. We come to love the characters so much, we hate to let them go (until they get film offers and ask to be released). Lady Sibyl will doubtless lose Branson to the Troubles and return to Downton with her baby in tow so don’t cry for them too much. Lady Sibyl is so voluptuous that having discovered sex she will surely seek it out again in London society of the 1920s!!
The plot twist I am actually most eager to see is as follows: Matthew dies, Patrick Crawley really does die and they all scramble to find out who the next heir is … which turns out to be: MR. BATES!!!! and in the process they discover who the next cousin is due to inherit after Mr. Bates and it turns out to be . . . THOMAS!!!! Leading to an Unkind Hearts & Coronets plot line with Thomas seeking ways to send Mr. Bates to his maker. Bates survives and Thomas finally gets his appointment with the noose!!! Bates and Anna then open Downton to the paying braying public and serve tea in the great hall while the crazy aunts live upstairs in the servants old quarters … and we get a retelling of “To the Manor Born”!!!
Kathryn: Granted, I know there’s a bit of tongue-and-cheek in your comment, but I think you actually expect us to take at least some of your remarks seriously. Clearly, you watch the series, but you appear to have no connection to the arcs of the various characters. For example, it’s clear throughout the entire second season that Mary deeply regrets what happened with Matthew before the war. She comes as close as she ever does to telling him this when she asks him in 2×05 “and if what if she [a woman] should just want to be with you, on any terms?” She’s come to terms with what she really wants now out of life and marriage. Regardless of what happens with the P. Gordon character or the entail, she’s chosen her man. That doesn’t mean, of course, that his reappearance or the changing inheritance laws wouldn’t put a strain on the relationship, but it’s no longer a deal-breaker …
Incidentally, as a “voluptuous” woman myself, I can say emphatically that there is no direct correlation between bra size and promiscuity. (Though at times I wish there were; sometimes been selective about one’s sexual partners is a real drag.)
In the last scene, Lady Mary and her erstwhile suitor are having a tete a tete as the snow falls . She is wearing a sleeveless evening dress. He sports a jacket, which he doesn’t offer her. This does not auger well. :)
EJ
You are absolutely right. He would have (should have) offered her his jacket. Good on you!
Lady Mary doesn’t even shiver. Maybe Matthew doesn’t know she’s cold.
Maybe living in those chilly, drafty English manor houses makes you impervious to cold.
I don’t believe it.Especially as, at the time, “taking a chill” was well known to lead, inevitably, to terminal catarrh.
The gentleman is too self involved.
EJ
EJ Wagner
So I am not the only one who noticed that it should have been written in for Lady Mary to have been shrugging her arms in the cold (it’s snowing folks!) and for Matthew Crawley to offer Lady Mary his jacket as a true gentleman. Probably one of the few flaws I found in DA but not one that quenched my enjoyment of Season 2’s finale nor my desire to see ore.
Love Downton Abbey – wish it was a weekly series! Love that Matthew and Mary FINALLY got together and sooo glad to see Richard the Mean One head for the hills – good riddance.
Didn’t miss Sybil & Branson – this was a relationship that just seemed to d.r.a.g. on and out. Boring.
O’Brien certainly has had her ups and downs on the likeability scale as has Thomas. These are 2 characters that you never know what’s going to happen there.
I found the Daisy & William saga consistently worth a bathroom break.
Loved the elderly Lady Grantham’s comment to Sir Richard when he told he would probably not see her again and she said ‘You Promise?’ I laughed out loud. Good one!
I’m in the minority, but I’ve always liked Mr. Bates and Anna and love how highly regarded they both are in the household.
I’ll be looking forward to see what happens in the next season.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas special. Everything was tied up so neatly and to
My satisfaction! And now the long wait for season 3 *sigh*
I am a huge fan of Masterpiece Theatre and crave more shows like the Jane Austen movies and the Cranford series. I was so looking forward to Season 1 of Downton Abbey. It really set the bar very high, but Season 2 just did not live up to it. The Christmas finale seemed to capture some of what I loved about Season 1.
Season one was so fresh and entertaining, I knew season two would not easily live up to the experience for me, and in that prediction I was not disappointed. It’s so hard to recapture that initial magic, isn’t it? Having said that, season two is a gazillion times better than most everything else available to television viewers. The acting, settings, atmosphere, and desire to please us, the viewer, is commendable and I’m so glad we got another season. I just found myself drifting off into the kitchen more and being riveted to the screen less this go-round. I’ve never lived in a situation with a lot of servants at my beck and call but can’t help but wonder if the upstairs/downstairs groups were a little over-involved with the others’ concerns – it makes for delicious drama but is that normal? Anyway, I do look forward to season three – and any others we get – as the characters – angelic, evil, and in-between – seem to be a part of my life now and I must know what our story-teller lets happen next!
The ending was great, it will make it a little easier to wait knowing something good happened.
Great recap Vic. This final episode did redeem some of the blaring faults of this season. I am still hoping that we will return to the character driven plot of season one for season three. I would like to see Lady Rosamund’s children introduced and another love interest for Edith. I want her to be a bit of a rebel and become a flapper.
I wish they hadn’t erased Lady Rosamund’s son and daughter from the plot–but perhaps it would have made the entail issue even more confusing for non-history buffs (there are still queries on DA message boards wondering if Sybil & Branson’s son could inherit the earldom if Mary and Matthew had no children!).
No, even after the entail laws ended in 1924, primogeniture governed the inheritance of titles of nobility – as it does up until this day. There are a few exceptions (the Countess of Sutherland, for example) where the original letters patent granted the title to pass through females, but generally in England, titles go the eldest son of the eldest son and should he have no sons, then it goes to the next son. Bypassing female descendants. Lady Sibyll’s son by Branson cannot inherit the title Earl of Grantham. It is possible, after the ending of the entail laws, that the current earl can re-do his will and leave the property to whomever he pleases. But a man as “traditional” as Robert, Lord Grantham, will probably leave it to Mary and Matthew.
I have been watching TV since 1950 I have enjoyed DA more than anything I have seen on tv. I really enjoyed the costumes. The fact that some of the material was so old it could only be worn one time. The scens in the house were beautiful. Mary changed so much and really was a LADY in the end of season II. Waiting for it and watching it took me away from my problems in the modern age, if only for 2 hours. I am so excited that there will be a season two. I hope to put togeather my tea service and bake some spice rolls with lemon curd sauce, then invite my friend over to watch. I am a lover of Jane Austin and Brontee sisters.
While season two was shorter than one, and some of the subplots seemed to deadend (Patrick), all in all, I loved it. I have purchased both seasons dvds from PBS but still watched the episodes as they premiered on PBS.
I do wish the second season was longer. Hopefully, the third season will be at least the length of the first season.
Congratulations to PBS and all of the writers and production staff of Downton Abbey. Outstanding entertainment.
Perhaps my memory fails but I’m pretty sure that Season 1 lasted for only 3 episodes and this season had 7 episodes, if you include the Christmas Special. Correct me if I’m wrong on this.
The best parts of the finale involved Daisy and Mr. Mason. Their relationship has worked out so well for both of them; William really knew what he was doing, marrying Daisy, even if she didn’t think it was quite right.
I was so happy when Mary finally got rid of Sir Richard. I wouldn’t be surprised if he (or one of his cronies) killed Mrs. Bates. He and Mary would have made each other miserable. Best line of the night from the Dowager: “Do you promise?” Love her.
Hope that Lord Grantham gets his mojo back in Series 3.This dalliance with Jane was so beneath the man that we knew and loved back in Series 1.
While I understand that they wanted to get through the whole of WWI in one series, it made everything feel very rushed. One week to another all sorts of things happened, so much so that it was hard to take in. First Matthew can’t walk then the following week he can… I hope Series 3 takes its time in telling the story. But I totally agree with Jen’s comment, even on a bad day, Downton Abbey is still better programming than most of the stuff being shown on US tv.
I liked it much better than the rest of the episodes. It was much more rational and contained. Season 2 was all over the place.
Love having Thomas always being portrayed as too clever by half and ending up in tears (the blackmail letters with the Duke, the black market goods), Though I guess he got lucky with the Isis episode.
Kind of agree about Anna and Bates, it’s all getting too be a bit much, though Anna is fantastic. But why on Earth doesn’t Lord Grantham hire Hercule Poirot to find out who really killed Mrs. Bates?
Even O’Brien is softening up, never thought I would see that happening.
The actress playing Lady Mary has been extraordinary this season, pitch perfect recreation, I think.
I found Patrick X rather an interesting character, I’m sure he’ll be back. Then Edith and Mary can be at daggers drawn again!
Daisy and William’s father became a rather touching story. In Daisy you see this young girl developing as a person, it’s an interesting arc.
Sir Richard became totally unbearable. Julian Fellowes doesn’t think too much of self-made millionaires, does he? Or is it just press barons?
Loved and waited to see about Mary and Matthew…but do fear our happy moment will be short lived….Hoping we finally see more happy Mary and Matthew time and hoping not to wait A YEAR till next season this time! Other than Austen, this has a jackpot stroke of genius for Masterpiece; this series!
Thank you for sharing in my Downton Abby
enthusiasm. 11 months is a very long time
to be patient for Season 3 !
I really hope Anna and Bates will finally find
happiness, I am rooting for them but can’t stand much more. If Sybil reruns (as I think
there were hints regarding) it will bring some
new drama. I’m tired of Daisey’s guilt over
not ‘really’ loving William. Get over it already!
Maybe now that she has someone she’s ‘special’ to (Will’s dear old Dad) we won’t need to hear about it next season. I was most satisfied with the Christmas special, though found in unbelievable that Mary and her Mama went sleeveless in England in December (even at night, outdoors, while it snowed). Even though they filmed in July it would have been more realistic to have the ladies wear a wrap.
As usual all the dresses are amazing.i loved lady Granthom’s parting words to Sir Richard.
I too am anxious to see Edith find love as her sisters both have. I like seeing O’brien getting a conscience . I also enjoyed seeing the Christmas season traditions which bestowed appreciation towards the servants. A very satisfying episode.
I never imagined I could like O’Brien.
Must point out, if no one has, that Rosamund’s maid is Shore, not Shaw.
Thank you. Correction made. I went by what my American ears heard! Vic
This is why I watch with close captioning (American ears)!
So the baby’s name is not really ‘Cholly’?
We welcomed your Downton Fever!
As I said elsewhere, I’m enjoying all the Maggie Smith lines–high point of the show.
But I felt manipulated by this episode.
Don’t make me worry about a dog–and drag it out!
I didn’t think the show would kill Isis. People could never have forgiven Thomas that!
Whqt happened to the illegit. baby by the soldier–did she just go away with the child, robbing him of a “rich life”?
I agree! Ethel and her baby were just one of the plot threads which suddenly dropped off inexplicably … why create a storyline and then just drop it???? Another is the sudden disappearance of Patrick Crawley after his dramatic return and new storyline with Lady Edith? And what about poor Lady Edith’s farmer romance quashed as it was by the farmer’s sister? That seemed awkwardly contrived. Then Sir Anthony gives her the brushoff by saying he is too old for her … and leaves it at that? Although in reality she probably did end up a frustrated old maid who cared for her aged parents in their dotage … we wish she could have some measure of happiness allotted to her …
Kathryn’s post made me wonder about adoption in England at that time. I can imagine many reasons why someone in Lord Grantham’s position would want only his own bloodline to carry on the family name, but would it have been legal to, say, adopt young Charlie, and would he be recognized as the heir of Downton? And while we’re on the subject, what if Lord Grantham and the maid had done the deed, resulting in a pregnancy?
As for Lady Edith, I sure hope she finds some happiness, though the fact that she’s never been discovered as the source of the “leak” about Pamuk’s death seems poised to do her in no matter what.
Until recently, an adopted child by a peer remained simply Mr. or Miss. However, the law now provides that an adopted child may hold a courtesy title of Hon., or Lord or Lady, depending upon the level of peerage held by the father. BUT, an adoptee cannot inherit the title of the father. It is rarely an issue … I believe on the continent European aristocrats can adopt and pass on their titles.
Still, Lord Grantham would have to be married to the mother of his son at the time of the son’s birth for that son to have rights to inherit the title.
I have noticed something consistently that bothers me when people write their criticisms of DA. How many of these people have had careers in writing movies and tv shows and acting in some? Julian Fellowes isn’t perfect but he’s far more qualified to judge the story’s direction based on his research and family knowledge of this time. There have been story lines that I have liked and others that I have really disliked. There have been character developments that I thought fit and some that I didn’t. I don’t feel that I am qualified to judge the writer as so many have in the 2 blogs I frequent. It is all well and good to have an opinion but to outright claim that JF doesn’t know what he’s doing or that his characters are judged by today’s standards, not by the times. JF remembers the last of this glorious time and can speak to the workings of these homes with some authority. I’ve seen interviews with him and he stated that he wanted to recreate that world. How many of us really knows what that world was like? I’m grateful for a well done period drama of a time I previously knew nothing about.
My opinion of a couple of the stories agree with others stated above. The Bates/Anna story just does seem so long and depressing. I suspect that these things could have really happened. I am so glad to have been able to watch Lady Mary grow into a selfless woman after the selfish girl she was. I was disappointed that Lord Grantham dallied with the maid, but respect that he took real responsibility for the whole thing. He was a man who had been displaced in that world, expected to be actively involved in the war but was sidelined as an honorary person. Then his home was turned upside down. His wife gets so involved in the running of the recovery part of the house so he feels abandoned. I don’t think that he was in anyway justified to consider acting on an impulse to have a dalliance. But in the world turning upside down and feeling sidelined, I see why he would have been tempted. I won’t go on with further opinions because I’ve asked you to read too much already. I can’t wait for Season 3!
Here! here, I raise my cup of tea to you and those wonderfully accurate remarks.
Karen, you make some very valid points about Julian Fellowes. And I agree with you whole heartedly. Another thing that people seem to be overlooking is that Fellowes has an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Gosford Park. He clearly knows this era. He clearly knows this kind of character development. And he clearly knows how to write. I say we let him tell the complete story and not get too involved in Monday morning quarterbacking. Okay, well maybe Bates and Anna are getting a bit tiresome…
“I have noticed something consistently that bothers me when people write their criticisms of DA. How many of these people have had careers in writing movies and tv shows and acting in some?”
Probably not many, but I imagine many of them have lots of experience watching period television and know when they like something and when they don’t. We were asked whether we liked the last episode, so naturally people who respond to this question are going to give their own opinions about what they liked and what they didn’t.
It appears what you are saying is that whatever our qualms we should have faith Julian Fellowes will straighten out all out in a way that will satisfy every last one of us by the end. Maybe he will, but that won’t stop some unsatisfied people from complaining in the meantime!
I think one problem simply was structural. Fellowes was trying to cover five years in this one, which is a long stretch. A lot of story lines to keep moving! Glad the next season only covers two years. That said I enjoyed it, if not quite so much as the first season.
I thought DA2 ended up, after WWI and the flu, rather tired. I share the feelings of many above that the Bates/Anna soap opera is getting too maudlin; besides, Bates is not my idea of a hunk worthy of such “romance.”
Mary still continues to be a b****; honestly I would prefer if Matthew could find someone worthy of him. Perhaps Cora’s mother could bring along a cousin or family friend. Edith was no good at cat fighting her sister; maybe a new addition could.
I like Sybil but think Branson is dull. I hope she returns in the 1920s.
I was very disappointed that Thomas was not found out. Maybe he could be run over during the next season, by Edith?
I think Shirley MacLaine will be an awful addition to DA3. She is a space cadet of the first water (to mix 20th c and 19thc metaphors) and no match for the Dowager Dutchess. I wish DA3’s plot lines would give Dame Maggie more to do than make a few witty aphorisms.
I’m fine with Bates not being a “hunk” (surelt we have Matthew for that). The way Bates is presented he’s so good and noble, we understand he’s a good catch for Anna even if he’s not a young hunk (if inexplicable disasters would quit befalling them). My problem with Bates is he’s just so stoical he’s become boring. It’s a truth of human drama, I think, that flawed characters often make for more interesting series television. Of course Anna is perfect too, really, but I can feel for her more because she at least shows some emotion. But Bates may not be too unrealistic in that way–stiff upper lip was the ideal back then!
Matthew did find someone “worthy.” Her name was Lavinia, and Matthew never felt the same passion for her that he did for Mary. He knew this even two days before he was supposed to marry her. 40 years of Lavinia is boring and as honorable as Matthew is, I’m not sure he could have endured a whole lifetime of “polite affections,” as Marianne Dashwood would say. … I’m not sure why we as human beings have such a hard time embracing the fact that having a strong chemistry and connection with another person isn’t rational. Nor does it have much to do with being “nice” or “worthy.” I agree that many people settle for mates who are merely non-threatening, or who look “right” on paper, and that’s why so many unions are unhappy and unfulfilled ones. Lavinia may have ticked all the boxes, objectively, for Matthew, but in the end it isn’t enough.
In any event, Mary has a lot of goodness at her core. She may not be “nice,” but that doesn’t make her a bitch. When she loves, she loves completely.
This was a very disappointing episode for me, considering how much I had heard about this being a first-rate ending to an otherwise mediocre season. I’m afraid that this Xmas episode was just as mediocre or worse.
My feelings for Mary and Matthew’s relationship have changed over the season. I no longer find them interesting. Fellowes has transformed an interesting and complex relationship into one filled with cliches from bad romance novels. Making Sir Richard’s “villainy” even more ham-fisted and that last scene featuring Matthew’s marriage proposal made it even worse for me.
I hate what Fellowes did with Thomas’ role. He started out very interesting and complex at the beginning of the season and regressed back to being a one-dimensional villain, by hanging around doorways and in the servants’ area, smoking and sneering. If we’re supposed to cheer at his comeuppance after he lost his money, I didn’t bother. I saw nothing wrong with his attempt to make money for himself. Nor do I believe he should have been punished for wanting to be something other than a servant.
The resolution of Daisy’s story line sickened me. It really did. I found it was bad enough that Mrs. Patmore bullied her into marrying William under false pretenses. It was worse when Fellowes justified Mrs. Patmore by allowing Daisy to form an attachment to William’s dad, via a Ouiji board. It was stupid and nauseating to watch.
The servants’ ball was amusing . . . and that’s about it.
Let me get this straight. Sir Anthony lost the use of his arm in combat, yet Lord Grantham was unable to serve in the Army in France? Why was Sir Anthony so lucky? And I mean this with a great deal of irony.
[“Julian Fellowes isn’t perfect but he’s far more qualified to judge the story’s direction based on his research and family knowledge of this time.”]
That doesn’t mean anything. I believe as long time viewers of drama, most of us are more than qualified to know a well written story from a badly written one. And I also believe that we have every right to express how we feel about Fellowes’ writing, regardless of his knowledge and research.
If Thomas became financially independent he would have nothing to do with Downtown Abbey and the character would be written out of the show. I thought Thomas became somewhat more sympathetic, expressing a little sympathy for William and declining torturing Bates. O’Brien too was made more more sympathetic.
As a closeted gay man, Thomas is pretty bitter in general. He was able to open up a bit emotionally to one man, the blind soldier who committed suicide. The only other times he did, with the Duke and Turkish diplomat, it also ended in disaster. By the way, note for all Thomas’ sneering at the upper classes, he keeps getting attracted to men from it!
Interesting take on Daisy. She apparently is an orphan girl and friendless. Now she has a pension coming to her and a kind old man who wants to be a father to her (and gave her good advice on how to ask for a better job). Sounds terrible to me!
[“Having said that, season two is a gazillion times better than most everything else available to television viewers.”]
I don’t think so. Despite my disappointment of Season 2, I will still continue to watch Season 3 of “DOWNTON ABBEY”.
However . . . I disagree with your opinion that the show is a lot better than everything else available on television. I can think of a good number of shows that are on the air right now that are just as good or better than “DOWNTON ABBEY”, including “MAD MEN”, which will be returning in late March.
[“Now she has a pension coming to her and a kind old man who wants to be a father to her (and gave her good advice on how to ask for a better job). Sounds terrible to me!”]
Sounds like a good excuse to bully someone into marrying another person one does not love. Or not.
Someone she didn’t love who was on his immediate deathbed. What was the harm done?
Though I agree it would have been rather dire for Daisy had William suddenly recovered (as I was halfway expecting with this show).
I absolutely adore Downton! One of the best shows to come along in a very long time. Am particularly looking forward to Season 3. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Sir Richard. I’m inclined to think that he and Thomas had something to do with Vera Bates’s death. Perhaps Sir Richard paid Thomas to do it, because Vera got greedy, and was trying to blackmail Sir Richard by threatening to expose Mary’s secret about her tryst with Pamuk. I can’t forget a look that Thomas gave to Sir Richard during what I believe was the last episode.
As for Anna and Bates, who doesn’t enjoy a taste of the star-crossed lovers line for a bit – just as long as it doesn’t drag on forever. I would like them to have more happiness than just their wedding night.
Am looking forward to Lady Sybil’s new hubby Branson to cross wires with Pa Pa again. That would be great fun.
And I disagree with some of the comments about Lord Grantham acting out of character with the house maid Jane. I think this gave a nice twist to the show. I saw it coming with the two of them, the chemistry that was building. Lord Grantham is an honorable character, but that twist in his character shows how people as a whole aren’t perfect and how all have their own flaws. I hope we haven’t seen the last of Jane.
[“Someone she didn’t love who was on his immediate deathbed. What was the harm done?”]
It was a sham and Daisy had been bullied into such an action. Why would you condone something like that? Because deep into your heart, you wanted Daisy and William to be a couple and were disappointed when it didn’t happen?
Deep in my heart, I didn’t much care whether Daisy and William became a couple, to be honest. William was kind of boring. But, like I said, Daisy has a pension now and a sort of surrogate father, who seems to be a very kind man (she likely will inherit his estate now too). She looked pretty happy riding on that wagon with the old man, I thought. Notice how she followed his good advice too and improved her employment position. I say the whole thing has been a “win” for Daisy all round.
Re Daisy and William
Daisy did allow herself to be “bullied” into being engaged to William. The deathbed marriage was more out of compassion. And I do recall when Lady Violet was consoling Daisy crying as she cleaned the fireplace and revealing her “guilt” over marrying William and not wanting to claim the widow’s pension that she showed Daisy that she acted out of compassion for William, which is love. Keep in mind, Daisy had only had eyes for Thomas before this and we all know how naive she was. Ask yourself, would Daisy have recognized that she was in love with William or mistaken it for just “being nice” to him?
William’s character boring? I recall when Lady Mary spoke to him when he was attending to one of the horses in a pinch and he spoke about how he enjoyed working with horses at the farm but that it was his mother’s wishes that he had followed. I found this interesting about him and if he had lived would have liked to think he might pursue that gift he had with horses in the future.
Has anyone ever seen Julian Fellowes’ A Most Mysterious Murder? The Bates case seems to draw from some of the episodes. Perhaps Vera poisoned herself somehow, ne?
Nemo
The thought has crossed my mind that she accidentally grabbed the arsenic instead of the sugar when she had her tea, presuming it was the tea she drank that contained the poison.
Series 2:
Oh, where to begin?…
-Mary/Matthew: I’m so glad they finally got engaged. Not because I like them as a couple but because I hate them apart. They remind me of a more posh Cathy and Heatcliff: They are only capable of being half way decent human beings if they’re together. Especially Mary. And I was also growing tired of the whole Pamuk ordeal. Now it’s out in the open, can we please move on?
I am also so happy that Mary is not actively trying to destroy Edith’s life anymore. Clearly they still dislike each other but at least Mary being absorbed in her own drama is letting her lay off on poor Edith. Hurrah for Mary’s selfishness!
-Bates/Anna: Dear god, can you please just let them be? I like this couple. I really do but it’s so difficult to keep liking them when everytime you start feeling happy for them, Julian just rips out the rug from underneath you. I’m at such a point of desperation where I just yell at the monitor “Either let them be together or just kill one of them but let it be over!!!”. I enjoy Anna so much. She’s one of those characters that I simply can’t find fault with. Even through the ridiculously dramatic plotline of her and Mr. Bates her character just shines through it all and makes it bareable. She’s a strong and independent woman pulling through terrible circumstances. In real life: A wonderfully acted character pulling through cliched writing.
Mr. Bates: Will you for ONCE recognise some self worth and stand up for yourself? I realise somtimes the evidence is against you but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t scream at anyone who will listen that you’re innocent. Unless of course you really aren’t…
-Sybil/Branson: 10 years of sexual tension for these two? Really? I loved them but if they dragged their relationship any longer I was going to go insane. JF better not tear it all out from under me (AGAIN) and make them split up or have Branson killed in some Irish revolution. I know it would probably make for more drama, but I don’t think I could bear it without Branson’s accent or his general adorableness. Besides, I think that it would be rather interesting to see how the downstairs would react to having to serve Branson as, not just a simple guest at Downton, but Lady Sybil’s husband and NOT an employee. Oh, I’m sure Thomas and O’brian will LOVE that….
-Lord Grantham’s affair with the maid: What the…? I wasn’t buying this at all. I doubt he would ever cheat on Cora. He owes her too much (all of Downton to be exact) and Robert is a man who thinks he is the most integral and moral person on the face of the planet. In Branson’s words he thinks he “has the monopoly of honor”. Mostly, I didn’t buy this because: Why would the maid fall in love with him, when he is “as dull as paint”? To me it came off as the maid trying to get something out of it but it seemed unlikely as Jane seemed like a generally good person and thus, this whole plotline left me confused…but mostly uninterested. One question I did have though: I wonder if Bates knew that Jane was in the room with Robert? I wonder if he interrupted deliberately. After all, no one is more chivalrous than good old Mr. Bates.
-Ethel: Finally! Karma! I miss Gwen! I hated Ethel so much. But it was nice to see O’brian and the rest of the downstairs being able to agree on something. Mutual hatred really does bring people together! I was only disappointed with not knowing what really happened to Ethel and the baby. I thought she might give him up at first but when she didn’t it all made sense: Giving up your child to be raised as a wealthy and educated aristocrat and thus, saving him from a life of poverty would be the SELFLESS thing to do. Not Ethel at all.
-Daisy (or more specifically Mrs. Patmore): Mrs. Patmore needs to mind her own business! Yes, we all know she means well but she needs to let poor Daisy breathe. I do however think Daisy loved William a lot more than she realised. She was immature and young when they first got together. She didn’t see him for months and all of a sudden he comes home and about to die. It’s natural for her to still think of her feelings for him as they were when they first became a couple but I think the war changed her and made her mature. I’m glad that she went to see Mr. Mason (even though it was thanks to Mrs. Patmore’s ridiculous meddling) because I think it made her see how much William loved her and how much she could have grown to love him, had she been given the chance. Very tragic story for poor Daisy. I hope she finds a happier ending in series 3. I hope Mrs. Patmore retires and moves to America.
Last but not least I will say this: Thomas is delightfully evil. I enjoy him so much. I have never loved to hate a character so much before…or perhaps hated to love him…Can’t decide. Either way he is about 75% of the reason I enjoy this show so much. I cannot wait for series 3. For more wonderful advice from the Dowager Countess, more Thomas and O’brian, and, oh, why not? more Mary and Matthew as well. All I wish is for Branson to be safe and sound, and happily married to Sybil for all the coming series and I will love this show forever
Audrey,
Enjoyed reading all of your comments – I can see you (like myself) are a detailed person LOL.
I agree that it took a very long time for Sybil to come around to Branson but I think the time frame was actually about 5 years; didn’t Lord Grantham hire his Irish chauffeur in 1914 just before WWI? If so, then they had about a 4 to 5 year courtship since they ran off together right after the war (wasn’t that like 1919 after Lavinia’s funeral?). STILL in all…that’s a very patient Branson!
I too, would like to know what happened to Ethel and baby boy AND it would be nice to hear how Gwen fared with her new job.
[“Daisy (or more specifically Mrs. Patmore): Mrs. Patmore needs to mind her own business! Yes, we all know she means well but she needs to let poor Daisy breathe. I do however think Daisy loved William a lot more than she realised. “]
This sounds like wishful thinking on your part.
The only two people who have a good excuse for murdering Vera Bates were Mr. Bates and Anna. Sir Richard? Why would he bother? Vera was not a threat to him. He only stopped her harassment on Mary’s behalf. Once he and Mary became engaged, Vera was no longer any use to him.
Does the idea of Vera killing herself in order to frame Bates for murder so unbelievable that many of you would rather speculate that someone had murdered her?
I think she killed herself. After all, didn’t she say she would take him down with her? I think she framed him as her last vicious act.
Re the ending, I loved it! What a melt-down to see a man get down on one knee! I thought the ouija message from Lavinia was a great touch too. :-)
Other comments:
I expected Thomas to evolve and to become more complex and sympathetic character. He did have some moments of genuine empathy in the military hospital.
I think the character of O’Brien is more successful. Her attempt to confess to Lady Cora as she imagined her nearing her end was most moving.
In general, I have the feeling of opportunities lost in the writing. For example, how I would have loved to see the family in London, and Sybil’s successful coming out!
Anyway, I love the series overall and own both DVD sets. :-)
I will also be seriously mad if after all that build-up Sybil and Branson are separated. There is plenty of opportunity for drama with them together. Same with Matthew and Mary. At any rate the number of people killed in the Irish war was comparatively very low.
It was beyond adorable, wasn’t it. I wish I was an Edwardian lady being proposed to in the snow…
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I have so many feelings for this show I’m afraid I’ll never be able to express them accurately in a comment but here goes:
I’m deeply troubled by the way these elegant, well-educated nobles treated Sir Richard throughout most of the second season. It seems they never even tried to hide their disdain for his humble roots, even those who knew the protection he was offering their beloved Lady Mary. I mean, it was all they could hope for in the first season that Mary be quickly married to a rich suitor and now they were willingly sabotaging it.
As for Lady Mary herself, the character was portrayed wonderfully by Dockery this season giving her more of a heart but I fear we would be wrong to forget the “cold Lady Mary Crawley” of the past and I do hope for Matthew’s sake (he is too good for her) that my fears are unfounded. I for one, however unpopular this statement may make me, actually thought that the match between Mary and Richard was not so ridiculous. He could match her punch for punch and though the marriage would be based on mutual benefit at first I think it was always clear he had feelings for her, however ill equipped he was at showing them, and that she would one day learn to appreciate all he had to offer her and all he had already done for her and thus would love him back.
Let’s see what season 3 brings us all. The return of Lady Sybil is sorely needed as she is the only female character that is ready to embrace the upcoming changes in society.
Just love the whole series.. so much so.. that even the corney parts I’ve overlooked. Series 3… I believe we’ll find that Sir Richard is the culprit in the murder of Bates’ wife. Brason will die in the Irish uprising and Sibyl will return home child in tow.
It seems plain from all the different viewer comments that this series has caught the imagination of so many people on so many different levels. In spite of some failings within the direction of character plot lines, the show continues to draw a huge audience. I, too, would like to see the Dowager Countess Violet play a more active role within JF’s scripts. However, having given this some thought, Dame Maggie Smith protrays such a mesmerising character, stealing every scene she appears in, perhaps more of her could be a just a little too much for the overall story line. I just LOVE her comments and they are always delivered perfectly. What a woman!! I do hope that John Bates and Anna Smith rise above their struggles to enjoy some real happiness, that Sybil and Branson aren’t torn apart by an angry mob because of her upper class background and Lady Edith at last, finds a man who can offer her his heart. Her character has developed so much and I feel that she has a lot to offer the right man. As for Sir Robert – well – stop feeling sorry for yourself and find something useful and worthwhile to do for goodness sake. I came across a poster recently which read “when science discovers the centre of the universe, some people will be shocked to find they aren’t it”. Oh, by the bye – can Lady Grantham at least begin to develop some gray hair? A few tastefully feathered streaks at the temples and sides should do it! Roll on season three. In spite of the nit picking, we’ll be watching!!
Oh, what a tangled web we weave – – – – – – – it’s the subterfuge and deceit that make this show so damn intriguing!! AND, we love to see Highclere with all its beautiful constructions, both inside and out and try to absorb as much detail as possible within each room as the scenes come and go. I can imagine Thomas Barrow eventually finding a job at some little pub and turning it into a profit making venture (illegal and all for himself of course!) renting out rooms not just for the week but by the hour. There would have to be a local tea-shop girl on the next street corner working an “additional shift” at 4 o’clock in the afternoon while all sorts of sly betting activities take place in the cellar each evening Too delicious to contemplate and an opportunist like Thomas Barrow wouldn’t let a single chance slip by, would he? Comparing some publicity photos taken at the start of this series and looking at three main characters now, have Lord Grantham, John Bates and Mr. Carter all gone up at least one suit size?? The female characters seem to remain the same shape and build, but some of the men have me wondering what food items they keep in their coat pockets to munch on during filming!! I’d like to eventually see O’Brien lose her head over some man (he’d have to be a strong type) and turn to water in the common sense department where matters of the heart are concerned. Now, that would make for some interesting story lines!! Roll on season three – you’ve got us hooked.
Thank God you had this Downton Abbey fever, it’s the most spectacular series I’ ve seen lately. Also enjoyed a lot “Call the Midwife”.
My Downton Abbey “fever” is running high and my husband (who amazingly, has become a fan too – he, who said he’d never be interested in a “period piece!) and I almost succumbed to the PBS offer for season 3 on DVD. Only after we listended carefully, did we realize they would not be sending the DVDs out until “mid-January” after the season has begun to air! We’ll definitely WAIT!
I do hope Fellowes isn’t going to string us along YET another season with Mary and Matthew…P-L-E-A-S-E, it would be worse than the long drawn out “will they/won’t they” that we went through with Branson and Sybil!
I agree with most about the Bates drama; enough already! Sort it out and put this couple (and the rest of us) out of misery.
I don’t think Sir Richard would’ve bothered with killing Vera. I think either she did it herself (OR, perhaps she meant for the poison to go to John and mistakenly took or drank it herself?). If not, then what about O’Brien? She regretted bringing Vera down on the Abbey and vowed she wouldn’t let anyone hurt the family’s good name – and especially her Lady Grantham who she’s found a whole new loyalty to.
My main complaint with that final Christmas proposal was that it would have been icy and probably snow on the ground with Mary and Matthew’s warm breaths contrasted against the icy air. Mary would have been FREEZING in that slip of a dress and no body fat for insulation, and Matthew would have first and foremost offered her his jacket.
***Mr. Fellowes and producers: Could you PLEASE shoot a few scenes in the real winter months instead of darkening the film during the day scenes?? Everyone knows the grass is dead and trees are barren during winter months in that part of England — you have to be making a lot of money by now on these episodes – can’t you shoot the scenes during the actual seasons?
I agree with someone who posted earlier; Lady Grantham should by now have a few strands of grey hair – they might have had hair color then but I don’t see her having O’Brien tint her hair.
Less than six weeks to season 3!!!
Only 12 more days until S3 of DA!