Downton Abbey lovers, it is important that you NOT continue to read this post if you have not seen Episode Four of Season 3. PBS is streaming each episode one day after it airs at this link. Do watch it and then come back to share your thoughts.
As many of you know, a major character is killed off during this season (perhaps more). It’s been all over the Internet for months. In fact, some headlines in the U.K. have totally spoiled the surprise for some U.S. viewers. Fear not. For the first time in the 3rd season the writing is up to snuff. While some of us already know who has died, the writers have managed to create scenes that stir us, make us laugh, or promote the plot. More importantly, we are able to react with disbelief, grieve alongside friends and family, and still be stunned by our reactions.
Why did the writers kill off such a popular character? Downton Abbey has made the cast uber famous. Who can fault the younger ones from jumping ship to what seems to be a more promising land for their careers? Us! For we oldsters know this is a big mistake 90% of the time.
Actors are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. Some who stay with a successful series are never able to rise above their stereotypical roles and quietly drop out of sight after their run is over. The same fate happens to most actors who drop out prematurely. Only a lucky few manage to carve a solid career for themselves.
Take Dame Maggie Smith, for example. While hanging onto her meaty role as Violet, she’s performed in the following films during the same time period: Nanny McPhee Returns, Gnomeo & Juliet, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Quartet. Maggie, who’s no spring chicken, dug deep inside herself, found a few extra hours in the day, and decided to go for the gusto, staying with Downton while accepting other film projects. (Take that, Leonardo Di Caprio. That poor tired old/young soul is takinga break after making 3 films in 2 years.) Dame Maggie could show him a thing or two. She has proven her acting chops, which is where she has a leg up on the young’uns.
It is no secret that offers are raining down upon some of the more popular Downton actors. Godbless’em for being tempted and providing the writers with marvelous ways to “Auf” them, but all I can say is “Sayonara, darlings. You’re not doing yourselves or your careers a favor.” To make my point, visit IMBD to see the projects for which our much lamented expired cast member left Downton.
Now that I’ve had my rant, on with reviewing the show!
The Battle of the Physicians – or a standoff at the Downton corral
It all started normally, with Dr Clarkson assuring the family that Sybil is a healthy young woman going through normal childbirth.
The earl solicits a “society doctor”, Sir Phillip, to oversee the birth of Sybil’s child, explaining to Cora: “We can’t risk her welfare to soothe Clarkson’s feelings. I like the old boy, but he did misdiagnose Matthew and he did miss the warning signs with Lavinia.”
When Dr. Clarkson notices Sybil’s alarmingly thick ankles and muddled mind, Sir Phillip puffs out his substantial chest. “You are upsetting these people for no reason at all!” and warns Clarkson off, telling him not to interfere with doctoring or his much superior social skills in schmoozing with the ladies at the dinner table. We know Sir Phillip is not too swift for 1) He probably received a second-rate education in a first-rate institution simply because he’s upper class, and 2) He disses our pretty Sybil by accusing her of having fat ankles in the first place, which back in those days was considered a major physical defect. Had I been Papa Crawley, I would have decked Sir Phillip.
But Clarkson won’t be put off: “I think she may be toxemic with a danger of eclampsia, in which case we must act FAST!”
Gasps all around. By now the viewers are reaching for their medical dictionaries (click here for explanation of the condition).
Two factions emerge: On one side is the Cora/Clarkson contingent, on the other side the Robert/Phillips naysayers. Clarkson continues his portents of doom, despite Sir Phillip casting dagger eyes at him: “Her baby is small, she’s confused, and there’s far too much albumen in her urine.”
This is TMI for Robert, who reminds Clarkson that the Crawley matriarch is in the room listening.
Violet, godblessher, retorts, “Peace! A woman my age can face reality far better than most men.”
Continuing with his gloom and doom predictions, Clarkson warns that an immediate delivery is Sybil’s only chance. He urges the chauffeur to hie his wife off to a hospital, where they may yet save Sybil and the baby and deliver it by Caesarian.
Sir Phillip puffs up his chest again and declares that a caesarian will be surely kill Sybil and ruin her flat tummy for life. All eyes turn to Clarkson, who reluctantly agrees that as things stand, a caesarian might just do Sybil in.
“Honesty at last,” intones Robert in his best Yul Brynner as Rameses voice. I will NOT put Sybil at risk. I am the master of Downton Abbey and my decision (even though I co-own the place with Matthew) shall stand. So let it be written, so let it be done!
“The decision lies with the chauffeur”, Violet says sensibly, cutting through the bullshit with a rapier voice.
Branson is summoned. Poor man. All he can hear is If… If…If… If… If… If. He looks this-away way, he looks that-away and … stands paralyzed like a pillar of salt.
Meanwhile, what of the lovely Sybil, she of the slim ankles now thickened? We begin to understand why Jessica Brown Findlay’s role was so minor in the first 3 episodes, for the viewer is starting to realize that she is doomed – that it is Sybil, the most popular and most beloved sister, who is about to DIE. But is she?
Credit: Courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
The next thing we know, Sybil has successfully delivered her baby. She’s radiant! Tom is bursting with pride. They ooh and ah over their little girl.
The servants rejoice. The family is happy.
Credit: Courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Cora apologizes to Robert for doubting him. Sir Phillip’s chest is now so puffed he looks like a mating pigeon just given a come hither look.
My friend, who watched Episode 4 with me, kept sighing with relief. “Ah, she lives. Good, she lives. I thought they were going to kill her off.” I started braiding my tongue to remain quiet.
Credit: Courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Back to the cozy little post-labor scene: Jessica Brown Findlay has all of two lines, which was more than she’d been given all season.
She then nuzzles into her sheets, ready for rest, which leaves the viewers sighing with relief and thinking, “All is well. Someone else besides our beloved Sybil is going to die.”
Tick tock tick tock.
The denizens of Downton Abbey are fast asleep when Mary sounds the alarm. Wake up! Wake up. It’s Sybil!
Lady Sybil, we hardly knew ye.
And now it’s time to lay my tongue-in-cheek tone aside, for Sybil’s death bed scene was as splendid a bit of writing and acting as I have seen. Like you, I sat on the edge of my seat and cried. Every one, from a desperate Cora and Tom, to the disbelieving sisters, father and witnesses, to the resigned yet horrified face of Dr. Clarkson, tugged at my heart.
Sybil, convulsing and unable to breathe, dies swiftly, but the reactions of family members take longer to settle in.
The camera lingers on each face, all showing the same horror and disbelief that I felt.
Elizabetth McGovern could not have been more perfect as the grieving mother. Her last talk with Sybil “( my baby, you will always be my baby”), was heart breaking.
Even though I knew that Sybil would die in this episode, this scene with McGovern’s superb, restrained acting was a revelation. I could not watch it without crying a bucket of tears.
Sybil was the glue that held the three sisters together and now she is gone. The reality has set in for the two remaining sisters:
Mary: She was the only person living who thought that you and I were such nice people.
Edith: Oh, Mary. Do you think we might get along better in the future?
Mary: I doubt it. But since this is the last time that we will all be together in this life, let’s love each other now, as sisters should.
Thank you Julian Fellowes, for giving us back the Downton that we have come to love.
We are even given a foreshadowing of events to come when Cora has the earl sleep in his dressing room.
The next day, she can barely contain her civility, saying in a hasty, tight-lipped phrase:
“I must apologize to [Dr. Clarkson]. Because-if-we’d-listened-to-him,-she-might-still-be-alive.-But-Sir-Phillip-and-your-father-knew-better,-and-now-she-is-dead.”A devastated Cora cannot forgive Robert for his part in promoting Sir Phillip over Dr. Clarkson, and who can blame her?
While most of the hour concentrated on Sybil’s tragic end, there were other plot developments, believe it or not.
Lady Edith flexes her career muscles
Edith can’t win for trying. Arising early in the morning to join the men for breakfast, she happily discovers that she has been offered a regular once a week column in The Sketch to discuss problems faced by the modern woman. Wondering if she should use her name, Robert retorts that this is exactly what they want: her name and title. When Matthew rises to her defense, she says with resignation: “Don’t bother, Matthew, I’m always a failure in this family.”
Violet’s response at dinner is hardly better: “When may she expect an offer to appear on the London stage?” This prompts Edith to mouth – “See?” Yet we’re rooting for her. Let’s hope this sister gets her chance to prove herself and find her niche in the world, as middle children are often wont to do.
Ethel Cooks Badly for Isobel
Isobel finally has a meatier role to play, however minor, in which she tries to rehabilitate Ethel into a respectable servant.
Her good Samaritan gesture results in Mrs. Bird walking out the door and Isobel reaching for the pepto bismol any time Ethel serves up one of her culinary disasters.
Downton Servant Merry Go Round
Credit: Courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Daisy, likes Alfred, who is O’Brien’s nephew. He likes Ivy, the new kitchen maid, which prompts Daisy to behave super bossy towards her, which sinks her in Alfred’s eyes. Ivy likes Jimmy, or James, the wannabee footman, which gives Alfred a hang dog look and prompts him to help Ivy out of kitchen scrapes. Sound complicated? Yeah, well, this story line is like watching puppies tussle. Cute at first and then a little boring.
Thomas is falling into O’Brien’s trap …
O’Brien’s jealousy of Jimmy and hatred of Thomas sets her in motion to do both of them in. When it looks as if Jimmy and Alfred will have to vie for first footman, O’Brien sets a trap for him. “Want to wind the clocks? You’d better ask Mr. Barrow,” she advises the gullible young man. And so he does. Thomas is only too happy to oblige and explicitly sets out to teach James a new skill.
After his lesson, O’Brien attempts to pry some details from a reluctant Jimmy. “What are you implying?” she prompts, “Nothing unseemly I hope?”
“No, nothing like that,” he mutters before scurrying away. Our last glimpse of O’Brien has her wearing a Chesire cat smile and rehearsing the next bad thing for Thomas.
This concludes my review of Episode Four. I am so over Bates’s predicament and Mary’s non-chemistry with Matthew, that I am happily skipping over their story lines.
What did you think of this week’s DA and Sybil’s death? Please, no plot spoilers on future developments.
My other Downton Abbey Season 3 posts: Click here
Jane Austen's World 
I found this episode to give us real drama. Unfortunately, such childbirths at home did result in deaths and i have never seen it dramatically portrayed. It
was well done. And the sexism of the men was on view. The good sense of
the mother was eclipsed by the sparring doctors and Lord G. Sybil and Cora were excellent.
I will always be a Downton fan…however I wish Fellowes would use more creative means to shuffle off characters when they are not needed or are somehow diminished by the plotline. The deaths are plausible, but honestly couldn’t Tom and Sybil have gone into hiding instead of having her die in childbirth? I wonder whether we’ll see Mom Levinson anymore, surely she will grieve her granddaughter’s death in person? Let’s solve the Bates thing. I’ve lost track of all the prison drama and who’s doing what to whom. Mary needs to wake up to her adoring husband. Otherwise I wonder if he’ll regret not having married Lavinia. Lord Grantham as a benign, squeamish aristocrat who demands absolute power is getting tiresome. he needs to man up and take responsibility and stop sniveling when someone says, ‘urine.’ Otherwise I won’t be surprised if he loses Downton or if Matthew winds up being the chief peer. Frigid Mary needs to get off Matthew’s case and let him be the salvation of the outfit. Frankly I wish they’d send off Thomas on some other assignment-didn’t Carson tell him to ‘find someplace to go’? his gayness is so taboo, but it does add a shot of intrigue to this triple-laced household. But to have him hit on every young man who comes into the house is getting old (except puppy-dog Alfred). What ever happened to Robert’s sister? Where could she fit into the picture?
Very affecting episode and it was a relief that the director didn’t break the scene at particularly poignant moments.
The actress, Jessica Brown Findlay, was or is shooting in NY with Russel Crowe. so she must indeed be set on a film career. Agree with your take, Vic, on Dame Maggie, she does it all and sets the bar high.
Also felt the scene with the servants grieving was heartfelt and very well done.
I much prefer the conflict between classes and characters to overarching historical drama. The latter storylines, such as Tom the Revolutionary, are too contrived and don’t go anywhere other than to bring a main character home to die.
Agree again that this episode worth waiting for even if a heartbreaking one.
Thank you for the reminder, Peg. I added the images of the grieving servants, which I forgot.
The death bed scene was, of course, so sad, but Bransons (sorry, don’t know his real name) acting was superb. His best bit yet, I thought. So, is he now going to back to Ireland and become famous (infamous) because he feels he has nothing to lose, or is he going to stay at Downton to overseer the raising of his wee girl and become a major player in running the estate?
I know the answer to this question, but I am not going to tell you! :)
Thank you for your consideration.
The scene where Maggie Smith is returning to DA after Sybil’s death and looking like she had aged overnight as she walked through the room was the essence of how grief affects one. She is a remarkable actress.
I agree. This scene was the most powerful and moving for me. That and when Thomas cried for Lady Sybil. It made him more human and likeable and less a villain. The rest of the episode had me somewhat bored. I knew the spoiler and I’m glad I did or else I probably would have thrown something at the TV. If I hadn’t already known the spoiler, my dad’s comments would have spoiled it. He was the only one who was unspoiled but since he’s a doctor, he knew what the symptoms meant. In all honesty, dear Cora, Dr. Clarkson is ALWAYS wrong and I probably would have trusted Sir Phillip BUT I didn’t like the authoritarian manner the Earl took. That wasn’t necessary. The “as the servants turn” romance plot could be interesting if they make a bigger deal out of Thomas coming on to “James.” Free Bates already and let Anna and Bates ride off into the sunset. Let Edith find something to make her happy and wrap up the show.
“wrap up the show” glad you’re not Julian Fellowes or we DA fans would have to resort to watching regular television.
I fervently wish for Maggie Smith to live forever (or at least outlive me) and continue to grace the large and small screens with her superb acting.
Vic, best episode of season three so far. A few details on Sybil’s eclampsia from a nursing teacher and Downton fan. She would have had convulsions before giving birth, not after, and as high blood pressure is part of this condition, at this period, doctors would have bled her, so at least we were spared that. Also, makeup artists dumped white powder on her in sudden death, but the pallor happens later. As you mention, believable acting all around, even from a grieving rat Thomas.
As to Bates, prisoners and guards generally gang up on someone for a reason, such as he’s a vile criminal or has buried cash somewhere and they want to find out where. There’s no reason for this plot line of the unimportant Bates in prison, not just as you write that its long winded.
Actually, cerebral edema and convulsions (and death) can occur up to a couple of months after giving birth. And involvement of the respiratory muscles in the tonic component of the seizure can lead to asphyxia and thus the pallor. Incidentally, even a first week medical student would know the difference between “thick ankles” and pedal edema. I’m sure the fancy society doctor would have known the difference as well.
I, too, was grateful that, at last, the writing was up to the level of the acting, but am still disappointed that the event has to be so big and dramatic for this to happen. Fellowes needs to take a writing class on how to handle the smaller moments that can be so (and often more) powerful, And relationships! And women! I’m glad Isobel, Ethel, and Cora, characters that have languished shamefully on the shelf for 2 series, are finally getting their moment center stage to show their stuff. They were superb. Robert was an ass. Still, as I told some friends, it pays off to watch Call the Midwife, because I called eclampsia before Dr. Clarkson did. ;). RE: other stories in the episode, did anyone notice how Craig and the guard at Bates’ prison suddenly knew about Mrs. Bartlett and said something to the effect of, ‘too bad about her’ as if they’d gotten to her before Murray could? How in the world would they have known about her and her key testimony. Another leap over a giant plot hole. Why am I surprised? I’m also not buying the Jimmy/Thomas thing. Thomas is practically licking Jimmy’s neck in the clocking winding scene. Careless. Thomas is smarter than that. It’s clear Jimmy isn’t gay, so for Thomas to be salivating over him is another sacrifice of character to plot. Thomas would not go down so easily/stupidly. I’m hoping he’s got his own secret plot to make it seem like Jimmy’s been coming on to him.
The prison guard read Bates’ letters, that’s how he knows about Mrs. Bartlett. In the scene with just him and the other inmate, he asks the inmate where Bates kept his letters when they shared a cell, so he’d know where to look for them.
Thanks for the clarification, Leslie. I swear, I did not get up the entire episode and I don’t remember that at all. Just goes to show how boring the Bates sections are.
I’m glad you were attentive.
The group I watched with also thought right away about eclampsia because we’d seen “Call the Midwife.” Ah! British Broadcasting! I don’t even watch regular TV any longer.
Yes the tears fell at the death of sweet Sybil. I knew something was going to happen, but I was so hoping it wouldn’t be Sybil. How dare Jessica Brown Findlay leave the beloved Downton Abbey! The acting was perfect and the award for the best played character goes to….*drum roll*….Maggie Smith. She made me believe Violet was a genuine, flesh and blood woman who lived and loved, not a character in a fictional story.
I’m with Patty and her thoughts on Bates in prison. Why is he so strongly disliked? Did I miss something?
Alas, Sybil was an interesting character in series 1 but languished–with the level of the writing–in series 2. Remember all those scenes in the garage, reviewing the Historical Topic of the Episode in a most unromantic manner? When she & Tom finally got together, both the characters came alive. Only to remain offstage in the Christmas episode. (“Dublin” scenes were shot for this series but not used; we’re seeing a few small bits the UK did not, but that Irish stuff remains on the cutting room floor–for more Bates & Ethel.)
The actress fulfilled her 3 year contract and decided to try other options. At least her decision made Lord Fellowes write an episode in which something actually happened….
I agree that this is the best episode so far of the new season – seems to be back to the quality of the writing of the first season. Alas, the Bates saga continues – end it please. Lady Mary has become much too haughty – what gives with her? And will Lord Grantham never move into the modern era?
DA is still the best Masterpiece series yet (after Brideshead, that is!).
Violet heralded the disastrous event of Sybil’s demise with her rapier remark re ‘the chauffeur’. What better way to inject another story line with Sybil’s demise, which in itself was temporarily moving scene, beautifully acted and executed.
Branson has , in effect, been led to the guillotine to be ‘aufed’ from the series – unless………
Why did the doctors just stand there? At least one could have assisred Tom with her thrashing about…otherwise very moving.
I noticed from the previews for next week the Crowleys have finally realized that Tom is Catholic. Was wondering how they could miss the fact their daughter marrying an activist Irishman in Ireland was married by a priest and committed to raise their children Catholic. They seemed to care more that he was the chauffeur. Can’t wait to see where this goes. What if the Irish lass was the only grandchild?
Regan
Edith & Mary went to the wedding, so they could have mentioned that Catholic thing. Really, the last couple of episodes were the first in which religion was mentioned. (How many livings does Robert support?)
But we heard Robert out himself as anti-Catholic, episode before last. Lord Fellowes’ cunning & subtle foreshadowing……
A few months ago, while looking at D.A. photos on Pinterest, I accidently read a spoiler that said Sybil had died. I was STUNNED and oh, so sad, as she was my favorite of the three girls. Despite the knowledge of her death, I still cried last night during the episode. During the scene of her dying, I wanted to punch the Fancy Pants doctor. I was surprised that noone was in hysterics though; I certainly would have been hysterical had I witnessed that.
As for the other characters, I’m not even bothering to follow the Bates story anymore, as it’s gotten really old. And I am about ready to smack Mary for being such a, may I say it? Bitch.
For me, the most shocking moment of this season (since I knew Sybil was going to die) was when Edith got left at the altar. I nearly threw the remote at the TV that evening, I was so upset.
“that no one was in hysterics” sometimes it happens so fast there is only shock…at other times the finality of death can be too much at that moment to bear and there will be a moment of hysteria. I’ve witnessed both of my parent’s deaths in the past two years and I’ve experience both.
Stephanie,
I also was unhappily exposed to Lady Sybil’s death before the season began but agree, that the entire scene was played very well. Having lost an infant son years ago and then, my only brother at 19, made me appreciate the genuine show of grief by Lady Cora, Tom, and the fantastic Dame Maggie.
My husband (who has always avoided period pieces also became an avid Downton fan – he got hooked on season 2 with WWI) and I both have wondered what in the world is wrong with Mary. Frankly, I think her character is “as dull as paint!” And, when Edith (once again) tried to bond with her – this time, over thier sister’s death (once again) Mary’s petty personality reared it’s ugly head (“Oh, I doubt it…” to Ediths’ suggestion that they try and be closer now). What is UP with that character and when is Fellowes going to realize he’s got to let her grow up?
I was also moved by Thomas’ open display of grief over Lady Sybil’s death but we can’t help but wonder why the Earl has become suddenly so self absorbed and narrow minded when we all learned to love his character in the first 2 seasons because he was just the opposite!
Anyway, I also unfortunately know that we will be losing yet another vital character before the season ends and all I can say is that I agree with Vic; these actors could easily have worked other movies and projects into their schedule – afterall, the unflappable Maggie Smith has done just that at her age!
Could Fellowes and producers offered these key actors more money and a bit more flexible shooting schedule to keep them on (like they do here in America with a hit series)? I think so, so believe some of the blame goes to those calling the shots.
I don’t think anyone could have been more of an avid fan of D.A. then I have been but sadly, I think this season may be the last great for this show. With the characters dying, Robert’s character changed so from the compassionate Earl we’d grown to love, and Mary turning into pure cardboard, I have lost hope for season 4.
Oh well… thank Heaven for “Call The Midwives” and the new “Upstairs/Downstairs” series!
Oops! Sorry…2nd paragraph, 1st sentence should have read, “…and WE both have wondered…” not, “and I both…”
I thought that Tom was not given enough of a role in this episode. It seems that in real life he would be with his wife the whole time. In most of the dramatic scenes he is either out of the picture or in the background. I would have also expected him to linger with Sybil and speak to her after everyone is gone. He seemed a secondary figure, after Cora and the sisters which does not seem real. Fellowes did not write his role as fully as he should have in my opinion.
You presume, because we were not shown, that Tom did not linger with Sybil. He could have waited for Cora to leave, being gracious, then crept in later. I can understand your thought and just one scene would have sufficed to support my theory. We can’t all be writers of successful productions for Masterpiece Theater.
Just to add a note: when we saw Tom holding the baby and looking out the window, I was wondering if he wasn’t looking west, toward Ireland. Don’t ya think?
reganwalker: Tom, now a widower, was holding his baby girl and looking out that window – one can only imagine what he was thinking – but I agree with you that Ireland was certainly on his mind. His past, his present grief, and his unknown future as a father and as a man.
ata,
I keep thinking that the only thing tying Tom to Downton Abbey was Sybil (well, and the English authorities that forbade his return to Ireland). The baby may be the earl’s granddaughter, but still. I can’t help thinking Tom wants to take his daughter back to the place he loves where good Catholics in his family (I assume he has a family) can help raise the child. No? Just speculating, of course. And, I suppose if he did that, he might not be seen for several episodes.
reganwalker: Re Tom and longing for Ireland. I see your reasoning about Tom. Yes, that is a possibility. We all know that his mother lives in Ireland and even though she thought he was foolish in his decision to marry above his class, that is her granddaughter that was just born. While he is passionate about all things Irish, could fatherhood and wanting to carry out Sybil’s wishes for their child compel him to remain at Downton? It would not be an easy choice whatever Mr. Fellowes decides for Tom’s character to do.
(I’m new to sharing comments with seasoned writers/bloggers. I find some scenes slow and tiresome, as do some of you “professionals” but I enjoy DA on the whole enormously. Note: Just thought, if Jane Austen had lived in these times I would like to have see this more from a woman’s perspective. Mary for instance. So many label her as cool and distant from Matthew but Jane would have let us know what’s really going on in her mind.)
The death scene was good and the corpse watch of the mother was quite affecting, but other than that.. I submit that Sybil is no longer a main character since she ran off to Ireland with her chauffeur lover so it wasn’t a huge loss to the on-going plot lines. And the blatant, too-obvious stand-off between the good, competent but “cottage-hospital” local doctor and the society snob [did you recognize him as the baddie from “The Jewel i the Crown”?] was too irritating. I used to like the Earl, but his slavish kow-towing to the town doctor was just too grotesque. Sorry, I’m finding the dialog so irritating these days I just hit the “mute” button and watch silently.
I HATED it. It didn’t help that it would only have taken about two botched medical decisions in my own pregnancy to land me in Sybil’s place. I was far, far too involved with the characters to pay attention to the writing or any critical details; all I could do was grieve, and shriek in outrage all over tumblr. Mind you, I did it several months ago, because I trick the internet into believing I’m in the UK and able to watch ITV’s iPlayer, but even so. Given that and other developments, I won’t be coming back for season 4.
OMG, how do you do that?? I wouldn’t want to do that for DA, because I like the week by week suspense, but I would LOVE it for the only way is Essex.
I use Tunnelbear, and there’s also ExpatShield.
Julian,
I didn’t have success with either tunnelbear OR expatshield…in fact, one of these sites almost shut down my laptop – husband had to re-align all of the drivers!
However, I do agree with you about season 4 and know of the additional character who will also be killed off, and can’t believe that Fellowes and producers didn’t just offer these actors more money and, a more flexible shooting schedule (like they do here in US when a series gets super popular).
I think they would have stayed like the wonderful Dame Maggie (but I bet they DID give her more money because she’s managed to stay AND do other films at her age!). Of course she’s a shining jewel in any production but it will be a heavier burden for her with Robert’s character changed into such a self absorbed curmudgeon this season, Mary steadily turning into ‘human cardboard,’ and the other key characters gone.
I do wonder if Fellowes and assistant writers have forgotten that when you’re writing for screen or stage – your ensemble of actors are the ones who ‘convey’ your story and are therefore (especially in a series like this) essential to the success of your story…?
Well, at least he’s managed to get his friends at Highclere enough of an income from the series being shot there to completely renovate that lovely estate! ;-)
For two episodes in Series 1, Lord Fellowes had a co-writer. Since then, he has been the only writer credited. (The information is from Wikipedia–which is rife with spoilers!) His wife is his “editor.” A long-running series really benefits from a showrunner & a well-coordinated writing staff. Also from long-range planning of plots & character development.
Lord Fellowes has gone on record about various matters that will become clear once the whole series–including the “Christmas” episode–has shown on PBS. Look forward to further discussions–in due time!
I cried, I hugged myself and I wondered how they could let it happen. I too went to IMDB and looked up her future movie prospects and was disappointed that there was NOTHING that looked even potentially good. Oh Sybil, you will regret leaving. You won’t do better before you could have REALLY increased your star power from DA. So sad.
I agree. The film that Jessica is in does not look that great. She was apparently hoping to land the leading role in Captain America? but no word since and so she probably did not get it. However, I thought that her and Branson’s storyline was very meagre when it had so much material for interesting scenes. Maybe she was disappointed in what Fellowes gave her to work with.
This was a very moving episode and yes, my tears ran. I really dislike the whole prison scene fiasco since for some reason I cannot understand what they are saying. Maybe it is my TV, but the dark prison atmosphere and the fast mumbling make me crazy. The rest of the show has clear audio.
Carol,
I couldn’t agree more with you. They mumble in the prison scenes and Bates is the worst!
I have to hit the “replay” button often when viewing the videos of episodes as they become available online. I can usually understand Bates but the others, because of their dialects, are difficult for us “Westerners” to understand. I’m sure for those in the UK there is no problem understanding what is said.
Toxemia dangers were still major concerns when I was having babies in the 60’s. Even though I knew that swelling ankles and hands are common in pregnancy, I was always concerned when this happened to me. The same is true of my daughter-in-law who is of child bearing age. So the ignorance of the society doctor was all the more perplexing. The most poignant part for me was the portrayal of the matter of fact way Sir Philip, a doctor, reacts to death in childbirth. It was all too common until the infections carried by doctors from patient to birthing mother were curtailed by requiring hand washing and sterilization of instruments.
My one question is that I would think that almost any Catholic would know that he could baptize the baby himself if he poured water and used the appropriate ritual words. After that, any public protestant christening would be irrelevant. Even small Children used to learn this at an early age in school so they would be prepared in an emergency to baptize and thereby allowing the soul to proceed to heaven. Tom seems educated enough to have learned this and certainly motivated to baptize his daughter himself.
Toxemia dangers were still major concerns when I was having babies in the 60′s.
They’re still a concern now! They’re just better about prenatal monitoring and scheduling a C-section if it’s warranted. I was put on bed rest two weeks before my due date because of concerns, and luckily I went into labor only a few days later, before my symptoms progressed into the danger zone.
I’m sure Thomas knows that, but he probably hopes his daughter can be baptized in front of God & everybody. Why should he have to sneak around because Robert is an ass? (Aside from the sacramental aspect, a christening welcomes a child to the family & the community.)
The issue might give Mary a chance to oppose Dear Old Dad in one matter, at least….
I agree.
From a UK midwifery perspective –
Eclamptic fits occurring after a birth are certainly uncommon, but can *definitely* happen without any fits having occurred before the birth.
They usually occur within the first 48 hours after birth, but it is possible – though very rare indeed – for them to occur up to six weeks after birth.
I am sorry that death in childbirth is the first time this season that we have had acting and writing of Season I standards. Glad that others have clarified some of the medical issues raised here. I have a friend who was eclamptic as she went into labor and her survival post Cesarian was very chancy — that was a pregnancy in the 70s. I always think of her when I hear the rabid pregnancy-is-normal-not-an-illness advocating for home births, return to midwives and doulas. The society doctor is frequently viewed in British fiction as more filled with self satisfaction than concern for the patient, and especially through the 50s, doctors were very sure they knew more than silly women about childbirth. I thought that was spot on for the time. But they would not have bled Sybil in the 1920s. Even in the north of England. And lest we think that Dame Maggie is only good for the sharp riposte, I think the scene of Lady Violet shot from her back gathering her strength before going into the room with her son and his surviving family is a testimony to her art.
And certainly Tom Branson would know to baptize his daughter. The real question is: does Julian Fellowes know this? Not enough time and care in the writing — by next year, it will be at Knots Landing level. Is it too much to hope for something pleasant — if not happy — to happen to the denizens of this house? If I were one of them, I would run screaming from the place in fear for my future.
Loved your comment, Lady Anne! I, too, loved Dame Maggie’s comment to her son. Was just what we would expect from her.
reganwalker and Lady Anne: Grandmama’s experience with life was displayed magnificently in those comments she made to her son about grief. Mr. Fellowes gave her great lines to demonstrate that In the midst of her own grief that she could rise to the occasion. Very believable performance from Dame Maggie Smith.
Please be aware that modern midwifery has progressed alongside modern medicine. Homebirth midwives monitor their patients’ urine at every visit as well as check blood pressure and look for signs of swelling. Patients who develop complications such as pre-eclampsia are transferred to the care of a doctor and are no longer eligible for a homebirth.
Agreed! I had certified nurse-midwife care (17 years ago now!) and, while I was put on bed rest (as I said above), and had never been planning a home birth anyway, I still had an entirely unmedicated hospital delivery attended only by midwives and I was fine, because they CAUGHT me in enough time to prevent further problems. If the condition had progressed, then they would have called in the doctors for the delivery.
“and certainly Tom Branson would know (how) to baptize his daughter” Yes. He would, if were a matter of life and death. The point, however, if more that baptism is a “right of passage” so to speak for Catholics. I agree with “not Bridget.”
Such a disappointment to me that a series with so much potential has not been done better. I really have a problem when the characters act so inconsistently with their established personalities and when trouble gets heaped to a ridiculous degree on certain characters. With the actors hired and investments made in this series, I wonder why it had to descend into melodrama. I stopped watching soap operas at age 12 and have been tempted many times to give up on DA because it seems so ridiculous at times. But there is so little to watch on TV these days that I keep on. Still, so disappointing.
My reaction to a Catholic vs. Protestant conflict is to let it go. There does not appear to be enough time (via the world of TV) to fully develop the theme, Certainly Lord Fellowes would not want to make it a primary theme.. Conflict would be appropriate, but let’s not make it the primary plot. By now it’s all written and done anyway.
Note to Lorraine — The quiet, agonizing walk in grief by the Dowager Countess was indeed one of the most heart wrenching scenes I can remember on television, let alone in the DA episodes. All of us who have experienced such grief, know the emotional and physical agony of those moments.
Lord Fellowes is Catholic. He managed to ignore religion for two whole series, but seems to have decided to use the topic now. Long term plotting is not his strong point.
Regan — I do think Cora’s point of view — her agony over the death of her daughter was done briliantly. I could not stop thinking of my third-born child today, “my baby.”
But then reality intervenes. I called her tonight as she came home from work, She had not yet seen the episode. I’m in deep trouble for sharing.
From what I have read thus far no one is probably interested in what I noticed when Anna spoke with Bates at the prison. She had written to him about that comment the neighbor made about Vera scrubbing her fingers/nails as if she didn’t care if she rubbed her skin off. Why was Vera doing that? And, okay, we now know that Vera left something cooking/baking while she dashed off to the post office and the neighbor came in. So, I ask those of you who are still reading this, if Mr. Bates was already headed back to DA on the train, who was Vera cooking for? If she poisoned herself why bother to scrub her fingers/nails? Hmmmm. Remember, she’d been unfaithful to Mr. Bates – who with? Could she have antagonized that lover as much as she antagonized her husband? More hmmmm.
And for the record, I don’t think Mary is distant and cool towards Matthew. I kind of think she’s enjoying not having to worry about not being with the man she loves, about not worrying about being the unmarried/defiled woman of the house, and she’s somewhat layback. But I also see a woman who wants to be pregnant (remember the remark she made to Sybil about wanting to be pregnant). The scene from Ep 3 when she went to the doctor – we don’t know if she went to confirm if she was pregnant or not. We do know that she isn’t pregnant yet. Does she still have any guilt from the Pamuk seduction/death incident? That’s not an easy thing to forget? I mean one minute there’s a guy in your bed, there’s passion and the next minute the guys dead. I think she’s complex. Remember in S1 she commented to someone that she hides her feelings (I think).
There was a depth to Thomas that we’ve only been given a glimpse of in the grief he felt for Sybil’s death. And Ana’s compassion for Thomas’s grief was moving and solicited more tears. (With Thomas’s grief I had a flashback to the suicide scene of the young blinded Lieutenant from S2. I’m drawn to want to know more about Thomas’s past – esp. as a child.)
When Lady Violet, at her age, pulled herself back from losing composure as she reentered Downton Abbey, I saw her humanity as I’ve never seen it before. Magnificent performance. Cora’s grief was raw, as was Tom’s. Cora’s words to her “baby girl” as she lay there dead before her were very personal for me. (Those were some of the last words my dying mother made to me.) I couldn’t stop the tears from falling uncontrollably when Cora spoke that way to her beautiful baby girl.
Someone above mentioned that Tom did not spend the night in vigil with Sybil. We don’t know that. I’d like to think that, once Tom knew Cora had retired from Sybil’s room, he came into her room unobserved to sit with his beautiful Sybil one more night.
ata,
If Vera had poison under her nails, the police/detectives would have known immediately that she’d killed herself. By putting the poise\on into the pastry and eating it after John Bates left, she left a big question mark as to who killed her; Her intention was to bait Bates (sorry, couldn’t resist ;-)!
Allen Leech (who plays Branson) had an online chat with fans earlier today–the transcript is posted on the “Masterpiece” website.
I agree, last night’s episode was an emotional one.
Here’s the link to Branson’s (Leech’s) chat! http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/features/live-chat/allen-leech-branson
I can’t believe no one is commenting about the biggest revelation in the last three episodes: Robert Crawley is the village idiot, the buffoon, the dummkopf at the wheel of the entire estate! Can’t deal with medical terminology whatsoever without getting queasy. Can’t take care of finances, leads the place to the brink of financial ruin, can’t listen to Matthew and gets angry when he is told FACTS about the problems of the place, and makes a decision that ends his daughter’s life. What fiasco is next from this man’s feeble brain?
Roger, my friends and I have wondered about this too. We’re guessing that since his wife is making him sleep in the dressing room, and since he nearly had an affair with the maid earlier…he may look for affection elsewhere, perhaps with Ethel? Who knows?
Roger,
My husband (who hated period dramas before he got hooked on season 2 of D.A. and the scenes around WWI) considered the Earl to be one of his favorite characters – in season 1 and 2 (he went back and watched season 1 and I was glad to keep him company!). But after last night’s show, he (a seasoned author himself) was incredulous that Fellowes had turned our previously loveable Earl into a small sighted, self-absorbed, overbearing curmudgeon.
Neither of us could look back and remember any events in previous episodes that would have changed his character so drastically. He WAS one of the more intriguing and likable characters and now, he’s become boorish and irksome!
WHAT IS Fellowes thinking??? With the death of Lady Sybil and yet another vital character being knocked off this season, and Mary – who’s steadily been turned into a human cardboard cut-out; Dame Maggie, Lady Edith, and the downstairs cast are going to have a heavier load to bring this series anywhere near to it’s orginal splendor.
I DO ‘have a life’ ;-) but damn it all, Downton Abbey certainly has given me an entertaining diversion – and don’t we all need that sometimes…?
I’m afraid I’ve all but given up on Season 4!
lacyJ – about Lord Crantham (Robert) – but don’t you think his character is true to the era? The Industrial Revolution is already here, the war has taken over a dozen of the employees/farmers of DA estate, his “surething” investment fell through and the fortune is gone, and if it hadn’t been for Matthew’s windfall from Lavinia’s dad DA would be on the selling block. It’s like being overqualified and overdegreed in our world of mergers, layoffs, disastrous economy and unemployment.
Let’s hope Fellowes allows Robert to rally. That’s worth waiting to see what comes up in S4 isn’t it? And then there’s the granddaughter…quicker than we know she’ll be of a marriageable age.
I hear there’s going to be a prequel – all about how Robert and Cora first met and courted, etc. Hmmm.
ata,
Lord (Robert Crawley) Grantham is certainly (and has been) steeped in his aristocratic convention, however, in seasons 1 and 2, he was exceptionally compassionate about others (of all classes), and quite open minded for his position. In fact, his character was so loveable because he did things like hire an Irish chauffeur, give up his library to a housemaid who was using it for her interview for the telephone company, behave kindly and even welcoming toward his somewhat middle class heir apparent, sleep in the same bed as his wife and so on… He even shook hands with his future “upstart” son-in-law and wished them luck (after Lavinia’s funeral) while offering to provide Lady Sybil with “some money” after all.
It just seems that Fellowes has taken all the warm fuzzy stuff that gave the Earl a unique and endearing personality and shifted him into that two dimensional persona that he’s become this season. He’s gone from being one of my (and husband’s) favorite characters, to a least of favorites.
I’m not sure Fellowes can turn this whole thing around in Season 4. I’d say he could use some help at this point. Time will tell though…
Roger: I don’t think of Robert as the “village idiot”. AS you can see, whenever he is confronted with a dilemna he turns to “experts”. He invested in the Canadian railroad expansions during WWI, which other aristrocats had also. It is just too bad that the Canadian gvt, didn’t buy it. So after Tom had”abandoned” Sybil in Ireland, her Daddy wanted to ensure a safe delivery. He did go to bat for Tom to ensure he would not go to prison following his involvement with the Irish Republic raicals, Course hesaid that he did itfor Sybil, but heisa Royalist,likeCarson. It must have been difficult for him to hold his temper listening to his(Tom’s) radical politics.
I do acknowledge that Branson is in Robert’s house but as Sybil’s husband. However, “radical politics” would seem understandable within the context of Britain’s long history of oppressing Ireland and the religious strife underlaying it.
I do wonder what will happen to Tom and the baby, After all, she is the Crawley’s first grandchild, Perhaps he and sister Edith could unite over political similarities from English tyranny.
Beth,
While I agree more with Roger over the Earl’s unsavory change of character in this season, couldn’t help but get a laugh over your comment about Tom and Edith! I always thought Edith got an unfair ‘bad rap’ when really, Mary behaved much worse when she should have – as her mother, Lady Cora pointed out in an earlier season, been more gracious to her middle sister! ;-)
What a cold reaction she gave to Edith when she suggested that they, as the two surviving sisters could try to be closer (“Oh, I doubt it”)! And all along Edith’s character gets slammed for being the ‘snarky sister,’ really!
And don’t get me started on how awful Mary treats her new husband now that they’re married…
Vic,
Thanks for the wonderfully in-depth and thorough recap of D.A.’s episode 4. You covered everything so well, that if someone were unable to watch the show, they could read your blog and be up to speed on all things Downton!
The “Downton Servant Merry Go Round” was especially enjoyable after such a dramatic and sad episode, but I’m a bit confused about Jimmy (or James) being “a wannabee footman.” Didn’t he actually get hired as the new 2nd footman?
Well, there’s another “merry go round” you could write about; all of the footmen and valets who’ve come and gone and come back again at Downton! ;-)
PS I’m pining for a remake of another one of our Jane’s stories. I can see why no one would want to do another Pride and Prejudice so soon considering how stellar the PBS/BBC mini-series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth was (and, the new edgier slightly modern version with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen). Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet would be a real hard act to follow (although the 2008 version wasn’t bad).
But maybe…another “Persuasion” or “Northanger Abbey?” Just hoping…
Thank you for your kind comment, Lacy. I should have written, wannabe 1st footman.
Austenland is coming to theaters soon. Would that suit? I agree that Northanger Abbey could use a good film version, but I do so like the Amanda Root version of Persuasion.
With some reservations, I enjoyed the Stephanie Barron “Jane Austen, Detective” series. If done really well, they could make ripping TV shows. Not low budget, though.
Just a possible way to sate the Austen Hunger. She died far too young & left so many stories untold….
Vic, I agree with you about Persuasion – the casting was perfect as were the performances.
Vic,
Ahh…yes, Jimmy a.k.a. James does seem quite determined to overstep poor Alfred! Hopefully, Carsen will keep Alfred on his toes.
I must have been ‘out-to-lunch’ regarding “Austenland” but I’m googling it when I finish this message…is it…about…Jane? (Oh, I do hope so!).
I agree with you about the Amanda Root/Ciaran Hinds movie, “Persuasion;” it’s one of my favorites and would surely be a hard act to follow. I thought the 2007 remake paled in comparison. So, yes, maybe we’ll get a remake of Northanger Abbey?
Btw, Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds starred together in Catherine Cookson’s “The Man Who Cried” mini-series which is available on NetFlix Instant Watch. It was made in 1993 just 2 years before they did Persuasion, however, it is a very different kind of love story and definitely more gritty than our dear Jane’s stories! Never-the-less, it was well acted and fun to see those two together in another film,
Sybil was my favorite and I was shocked they killed her off! She was the prettiest and nicest one in the family; a nice counterpoint to the rest of the meanies…Why didn’t they just send her to America and let her hang out with Shirley McLain for a season? That could have been an interesting twist: gun-running for the Irish cause?
I agree that Mary is like cardboard this season–no passion=no baby!
Can’t stand the prison scenes–very boring. Bates needs a better story line.
Many of you have commented about the dialog between Mary and Edith after Sybil’s death. I find it interesting that while Edith is allowed to grow as a character, Mary is stuck in some Neanderthal woman rut. She’s inflexible and conservative. I get it. Fellowes has designated some characters as traditional and conservative, which is why Robert’s “I am lord of the manor behavior” seems so ghastly in some of these scenes.
Mary’s pride and her sense of her exalted station have ossified her to the point where I can no longer relate to her. She reverts to tight sarcasm, which she uses as a defensive shield. Responding with “I doubt it” to Edith’s request that they might develop a closer bond is a good instance of Mary’s clamming up when someone tries to get too close, even a sister.
I place Sir Philip and Carson on the conservative side. Their adherence to tradition is as rigid as the earl’s and Mary’s. Tom, Matthew, Isobel, Dr. Clarkson and Edith are more flexible and forward thinking. Cora is a bit of both, I believe, for she never forgets her role as mistress of the Abbey (conservative) and yet can accommodate her thinking to suit the times. And Violet? Well, she’s in a class of her own. She’s traditional, but when it comes to family, she will bend over backwards to support them even if she vehemently disagrees with them.
Thanks, all, for leaving your comments! I’m enjoying your reactions.
Dear Vic,
I agree with lacyJ, about your reviews; i’s like re-watching an episode.
I’ve been taking the “cardboard” comments about Lady Mary rather personal but I noticed that in your comments above you lay her at Lord Fellowes feet (or should I say pen) since he is responsible for her being “stuck in some Neanderthal woman rut.” You also touched upon something I noticed, that her “sense of exalted station have ossified her to the point where I can no longer relate to her.” Now that’s where I differ with others about Lady Mary. Maybe that’s because I worked for so many bosses like her in the past. But while some find it cold of Mary when she responds to Edith’s request I’m not surprised at her sarcasm but I am touched when she fully embraces Edith and talked about this being the last time the three of them would be together, as well as her comment that Sybil was the only one who thought she and Edith were nice people. I think Mary wants to be “nice, sweet, vulnerable” but it’s not her comfort zone. Remember her two “papa’s” are Lord Crantham and Carson – two very conservative and traditional “God is an Englishman” sort of guys). Sybil brought out the softer side of Mary – kind of what Matthew does (and they both are not intimidated by Mary). In your comments you noticed that Mary’s reaction to Edith was a “good instance of Mary’s clamming up when someone tries to get too close, even a sister.”
Fellowes has allowed us to see Lady Mary handle some difficult circumstances stoically – yet allowed glimpses of her soft side: in her bedroom when Edith blurted it out that Matthew would be arriving with his fiance then immediately afterwards when alone with Anna and we saw her broken heart for a moment – then she composed herself to meet with everyone downstairs who she knew would be watching her response; then meeting him at the train station all alone in the morning as he left to go to war; kneeling at the bed praying for God to bring Matthew back home (but she wouldn’t admit this to Edith when she came into her room unexpectedly); the look on her face when he came into the room after he’d been reported missing; then when he was brought back from France she helped with caring for him and his paralyzed body (and that is not a lady-like job). So many times she HAD to be stoic when Matthew was with Lavinia – and she was even gracious when instead she could have sabotaged their romance. Mary was willing to “punish” herself and marry the newspaper magnate, remember, because 1) she wasn’t getting any other offers and not getting any younger and 2) he was preventing her scandal from being published in the papers).
As you can see, I haven’t given up on Lady Mary, er, I mean Lord Fellowes writing some redeeming and revealing episodes for Lady Mary. I’m hoping that Lord Fellowes writes a platform from which we can again see love, laughter, intimacy and romance between Matthew and Lady Mary before the end of S3. Although that will take some creativity on Fellowes part since he had Mary tell Matthew to dig into the estate’s books. Matthew being the good businessman that he is has found his purpose in making DA a successfully run estate. Robert’s passion has always been keeping the legacy of DA alive for the next generation and Fellowes needs to give Robert a way to see that he can embrace the changes Matthew will be proposing.
Cora has always been a loyal wife and mistress of the estate and I hope in time she can work through the grief and anger at Robert – for her sake.
And for her sake, I hope Fellowes has scripted something for Mary to let us viewers see her love for Matthew, and his for her, as they work through the “issues” of DA.
ata,
I feel the same sentiments as Vic and Mrs. Huges (especially when she’s disagreeing with Carson about Mary).
Granted, we all felt a warm blooded woman (finally) in Mary when she was worried for Matthew at war, crying over losing him to Lavinia, and caring for him when he was considered to be permanently crippled. However, watching her this season once again makes me feel she has icey blood in those veins.
If she could show so much emotion toward Matthew in Season 2, why is she so aloof this season? It feels like now that Mary has what she needs in Matthew, he’s just become another ‘Downton asset.”
Mary’s character has to be close to 30 at this point – yet Fellowes is presenting her as if she were still the self absorbed 19 year old of Season 1. She hasn’t shown one tender emotion or gesture toward her new husband as of yet, but hey, the season’s not over yet! ;-)
PS Sorry, that should have read “Mrs. HUGHES.”
[“Thank you Julian Fellowes, for giving us back the Downton that we have come to love.”]
I suspect it won’t last long.
Hello Vic, my name is Miss Margaret Dashwood and I have taken the liberty of tagging you, so please check out my blog, An Accomplished Young Lady.
I think you’re a bit hard on poor Jessica Brown Findlay! Once Sibyl got married and moved to Ireland, there was going to be less and less for her, and she didn’t even have very much to do in the episodes leading up to this, which was Fellowes’s choice. Why should she hang around on, let’s face it, a show that’s been going slowly downhill since the first season and is probably going to continue getting more melodramatic? I mean, yes, we’d love the show to have gone on with all the same actors (plus occasional fancy guest roles), but the cast is a pretty big one, and it has to lose a couple of actors every once in a while to change things up.
She might not be signed up for Oscar-winners right now, but it’s possible that not being attached to an indefinitely-running tv show will open her up to more offers and auditions. Maggie Smith and James Franco can do loads of concurrent projects, but not every actor can or should be just like them.
Sorry, it just rubbed me the wrong way.
Cassidy,
I agree with Vic that Jessica could have stayed on and Fellowes could have written the story where she was less involved while doing other projects. Her character was so integral to the story because she was the only one of the immediate (aristocratic) Crawley family who was bridging the gap between the upper and middle classes. She also was the most loving of the 3 sisters; nursing the soldiers through the war and then, marrying the Irish rebel who was the family’s former chauffeur, she was a much needed fresh breeze in a long too stale environment.
Dame Maggie managed to do a number of movies and other projects and still stay with the ensemble of D.A. However, Fellowes and producers probably (wisely) increased the Dowager Countess’ salary and perhaps (not-so-wisely) did not offer an increase to Ms. Findlay! Another key player (at least in my books) will also leave this season and I think the producers and Fellowes could have also found a way to keep this character and Lady Sybil, but failed to see the importance of their roles in the overall story line.
I cannot see how Season 4 will be able to keep up to par with the previous seasons — but then again, I might (hopefully) be wrong!
Salaries may have something to do with it. If I recall correctly in the press surrounding, er, the second departure, being tired of the show was part of it in that case, though, wasn’t it? Just not wanting to do it anymore? or am I misremembering?
To be honest, I think the first season was incredible and each season has declined from it, so I haven’t had a lot of high hopes about S4 anyway. I agree that Sybil was integral thematically, and I think her loss negatively impacts the rest of the season, but the fact is that actors, especially actors who play side characters, don’t owe it to fans to keep playing a role if it’s not a job they enjoy. I know that Dame Maggie can do a lot of things at once, but I get the impression she thrives on it. If someone else doesn’t, they aren’t obliged to do it (unless they need to). Most people have to take risks in their careers, and acting is no different. I’m just disturbed by the pronouncements that she’s ruining hers and that it’s somehow wrong of her to leave the show just because other actors are staying.
It is getting harder and harder to stick with the Abbey.
First there was the silly “threat” that the family would have to move, while Matthew had this huge inheritance coming. Like no one thought the money would come thru in the end. The series isn’t called “The Crawleys;” it’s named for the house, so it was pretty obvious no one was going anywhere.
Then there was the whole ridiculous business with Edith’s betrothal and wedding– but there’s been plenty written about that already.
And the endless storyline of Bates in prison. I signed on for a series about a Great House, not The Big House.
And, though it is very realistic that Mary and her father would be fairly reactionary, it doesn’t make them particularly appealing, especially to an American. Mary, in fact, is becoming a generally dislikeable young woman. And her constant disapproval of Matthew’s every move is getting dreary. It would be nice to see her being kindly, and/or pleasant, once in a while.
Meg: “I signed on for a series about a Great House, not The Big House.” This made me laugh out loud. Thanks.
Vic one last comment re Sybil: I just checked her IMDB and there are pre-production projects, those being filmed, and post-production projects. The young beauty is on a fast track.
I think if we truly want more depth and substance regarding story lines and characters, we simply need a DA novel.. Lord Fellowes is working with a different medium altogether with respect to time constraints and contracts.
P.S. We may never see a book, but I predict a screenplay in the future.
Perhaps you could write the book on DA. Vic or the screenplay, and Lord Fellowes could be very Hitchcockian about it all.
Killing off the main characters so soon? Their characters had so much more to offer. Now it looks like every time there is a new baby someone has to die. Ridiculous.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Downton Abbey and all its characters. My fondest wish is that Dame Maggie Smith will live forever and continue to grace the big and small screens with her incredible acting ability. I also wish that Sybil and Matthew could remain at Downton. But what’s a (Julian) Fellows to do? These actors needed to stretch their muscles in another gym. In his place I would have used the same script-writing technique he did, rather than trying to insert new actors into the ensemble. And let’s face it, the way these characters leave Downton’s story was high drama, which turned most fans into waterfalls. I think Fellows handled the resignation of Downton’s actors brilliantly.
Vic, I wish you had pulled this comment and all the subsequent ones, too. It’s too bad that they have spoiled the upcoming episodes. This will certainly affect the way I read your blog’s comments….
Barbara, in my next post, all comments will be checked by me before they are published. I am really upset that people did not heed my request to not reveal plot spoilers and I have deleted their comments. I thought I had taken care of the situation before I went to work, but then another comment came in, which I did not catch.
PLEASE folks, NO SPOILERS!! Go to the forums if you must discuss your reactions to the final episode, which is yet to be shown in the U.S.
I’ve watched Episode 4 more than three times now and the one actor whose performance is the most compelling remains Dame Maggie’s…the tears still well up watching her struggle with her grief. Next in line is Cora “my beautiful baby” “you’ll always be my baby,” “my baby.” Tom and Thomas’s grief still reach out across the screen.
I cannot agree with you more. Dame Maggie’s British struggle to contain her overwhelming grief makes me sob out loud. As does Cora’s promise that Sybil will be her beautiful baby always. Whew! What acting! What script writing! I am so grateful that each Downton actor now owns a Screen Actors’ Guild statuette for Best Ensemble, on top of Emmys and Golden Globes. ‘Cause in my mind it doesn’t get better than this!
Vic, your “rant” was so dead on that I may take the liberty of quoting you – these were my very first thoughts when I learned about Jessica’s departure. For many years I have seen the young and upcoming charge away from a good production only to fade into the sunset. Although she is a good actress, she is young. And someone needs to tell her that a good actress only becomes great with perserverance and practice. (Maggie Smith could tell her that..) But then sometimes the young do not want to hear these things. My admiration is for all those who are remaining and still managing to do plenty of work in their field. Looking at the list of things done by Michelle, Elizabeth, Hugh, Penelope, Laura, Allen, Maggie and others during the past 3 yrs., I am thoroughly impressed with their professionalism. As to the episode itself, it was well done and very emotional. But there were things missing, characters exagerated and moments missing. Like the previous episodes, nothing was quite right. Some one mentioned above that J. Fellowes had 2 co-writers during the past 2 seasons and that he is sole writer (with his wife as editor) this year. If I were him, I’d find those other 2 people. Nothing this year is the same.
Imhess,
I agree with you that Fellowes needs to get those extra creative minds working with him again. It’s REALLY difficult to write all of those scenes involving so many characters and their stories and still interwine them into the overall story.
Too many things seem two-dimensional this season (although this latest episode 4 was probably the best to date in season 3).
So, so right. A friend said “cardboard characters” and I even defined some as “comic book”.
I’m giving up on Downton. There’s a lot to like about it, but I feel there have been too many twists just to have twists – like this episode’s death. I understand death and the universe can be capricious & random, but I don’t think good storytelling should be.