Can We Have a Downton Abbey Discussion Thread?

[BostonKisses]

We can discuss previous seasons too if people are newer to the series and watching 1-4, but I was hoping for more of a discussion on Season 5.  And I realize this is late to start the thread since we're more than halfway through the season lol.  I'm going to start my discussion with last night's episode, but will likely comment on previous episodes as it comes up or pertains to discussion.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!  Don't read the comments until you're ready to catch up!

[BostonKisses]

I really wanted to smack Edith last night when she was getting all indignant at Mary for making such a dramatic change in hairstyle. I get that she's now truly grieving for her lover, but I thought she was being a bit unreasonable expecting everyone else to mourn him and/or be miserable. She wasn't married to the guy, and the family barely knew him, so they didn't have to be in mourning or grieve the way she is. Plus I really think they did their grieving ages ago when he disappeared.

I was shocked when she actually decided to leave Downton, taking Marigold with her! I kind of had a feeling she was going to take her child and decide to raise her after all, regardless of the outcome of the investigation for her lover, but I didn't expect it to happen like this. And I'm on pins and needles waiting to see how the family will ultimately react, particularly Robert and Cora. The Dowager looked really worried about Edith and Marigold as well, so I'm wondering if she and Lady Rosamund are going to run interference for now since they've been involved with Edith's situation ever since she discovered she was pregnant.

I'm still trying to figure out where Mary's going with her relationships, but I'm still going with my theory that I've had since toward the end of season 4 that she's going to end up with Charles Blake. Tony Gillingham is nice, but he's not my favorite of the 2. Charles has more spunk, and I think he and Mary would make an awesome couple!

[graysweater]

I was shocked that Mary cut her hair. I cant figure her out either. I don't think she will end up with anyone. I think that they are trying to portray her as progressive and independent. The way her grandmother scoffs at all of her ideas/what she does is what leads me to this conclusion.

I kind of had a feeling that Edith was going to run away with her daughter. I think the plan to stash her away so close was never going to work. How could you be a part of the child's life, but not ever say you were the mother. Too hard. I am glad that they are finally together. I don't think that way she acted was appropriate. Seems a little selfish to me. The man has been missing for what 2 years?? Most of the family is over it. I dont blame her for being distraught though.

I thought the twist about Mr Banks and Mr Green was interesting. If he didn't kill him, then who did???

[dmlk413]

Ugh, I'm so over this season. I really want to love it but I'm kind of bored.

I understand Edith wanting her child and good for her for leaving Downton but I felt so bad for the adoptive family. It had me in tears.

I don't care about Mary anymore, she's become kind of boring and I'm not a fan of the new hair.

I'm interested in the whole Prince Kuragin/Dowager Countess storyline. Can we have more of that?

[NatashaBromanoff]

OK I will keep my commentary reeled in since I already watched ahead on everything but the Christmas special/episode 9. I love this show so much!

Seconding Mary trying to come off as progressive and independent. It seems like that's the direction they want to go with her character even before Matthew died. It's deviating a lot from her being a paragon for upholding the old family and what they represent though. Personally, I like her new hair but I am really digging the fashion this season and they're emphasizing it with her story it seems.

I've been bothered with how Edith has handled everything since she got with Marigold's father. All the awkwardness with the foster parents...She could've handled this much better, but the advice from Rosamund is what set her down that road so I guess I can't blame her too much :/ Let's just say, Mary would've had a better strategy for this.

I'm pretty bothered Anna and Bates can't seem to have one season without a bunch of intense emotional turmoil :/

[BostonKisses]

Feb 9, 2015 11:41:08 GMT -5 graysweater said:

I was shocked that Mary cut her hair. I cant figure her out either. I don't think she will end up with anyone. I think that they are trying to portray her as progressive and independent. The way her grandmother scoffs at all of her ideas/what she does is what leads me to this conclusion.

I kind of had a feeling that Edith was going to run away with her daughter. I think the plan to stash her away so close was never going to work. How could you be a part of the child's life, but not ever say you were the mother. Too hard. I am glad that they are finally together. I don't think that way she acted was appropriate. Seems a little selfish to me. The man has been missing for what 2 years?? Most of the family is over it. I dont blame her for being distraught though.

I thought the twist about Mr Banks and Mr Green was interesting. If he didn't kill him, then who did???

I was a bit shocked that Mary cut her hair too, but it was a good kind of shocked.  I more couldn't believe she actually did it, because she was always the more "traditional" one, whereas if Sybil was still alive, I would've totally seen her doing something like that, albeit way sooner than this point lol.  I do like the new tension between the Dowager and Mary, because it's adding a new flavor to everything.  Based off the revelations of the Dowager's affair with the Russian prince, I swear the only reason they're butting heads is because Mary is exactly like her grandmother, and the Dowager totally sees that.

The whole situation with Bates has me so tense this season!  Prison definitely changed him, as it would anyone who was incarcerated, whether guilty or innocent, but I do believe him when he said he didn't actually kill Green.  Even though he really wanted to kill him for raping Anna, I know he loves her way too much to risk being hung for murder.  I'm really interested to find out who actually killed Green, though.

[BostonKisses]

Feb 9, 2015 12:03:05 GMT -5 dmlk413 said:

Ugh, I'm so over this season. I really want to love it but I'm kind of bored.

I understand Edith wanting her child and good for her for leaving Downton but I felt so bad for the adoptive family. It had me in tears.

I don't care about Mary anymore, she's become kind of boring and I'm not a fan of the new hair.

I'm interested in the whole Prince Kuragin/Dowager Countess storyline. Can we have more of that?

I felt bad for the adoptive family too, mainly the mother because I think the father had a feeling that Edith would eventually come back and claim Marigold/take her to live with her.

I still love Mary's character.  I've heard from others that they think her character's boring now, and I think it's because she's reverted back to how she was pre-Matthew.  Not fully, but enough that it's noticeable and all.  I just wish her romantic relationships would move along a little more, because the back and forth and not knowing is driving me nuts lol!

YES!  I really want to see them delve into the relationship between the Prince and the Dowager much more.  Last night she was all like, "nope, not getting into it," but the continued small glimpses are so intriguing and I'd love for more to be revealed.

[BostonKisses]

Feb 9, 2015 14:15:17 GMT -5 NatashaBromanoff said:

OK I will keep my commentary reeled in since I already watched ahead on everything but the Christmas special/episode 9. I love this show so much!

Seconding Mary trying to come off as progressive and independent. It seems like that's the direction they want to go with her character even before Matthew died. It's deviating a lot from her being a paragon for upholding the old family and what they represent though. Personally, I like her new hair but I am really digging the fashion this season and they're emphasizing it with her story it seems.

I've been bothered with how Edith has handled everything since she got with Marigold's father. All the awkwardness with the foster parents...She could've handled this much better, but the advice from Rosamund is what set her down that road so I guess I can't blame her too much :/ Let's just say, Mary would've had a better strategy for this.

I'm pretty bothered Anna and Bates can't seem to have one season without a bunch of intense emotional turmoil :/

I can honestly say the only time I was a fan of Edith was back in season 3, when she picked herself up and got feisty after being left at the altar.  By the start of season 4, though, I couldn't stand her again.  She's always been a massive Eeyore, and handles things weird when she gets into a sticky situation.  ITA that Mary would've had a better strategy, and I think her tryst with Gillingham proved that.

ITA as well with Anna and Bates' story line.  They've had a rough go nonstop, and they deserve a break, along with a season where they can just be happy.

[graysweater]

Feb 9, 2015 14:57:22 GMT -5 BostonKisses said:

Feb 9, 2015 11:41:08 GMT -5 graysweater said:

I was shocked that Mary cut her hair. I cant figure her out either. I don't think she will end up with anyone. I think that they are trying to portray her as progressive and independent. The way her grandmother scoffs at all of her ideas/what she does is what leads me to this conclusion.

I kind of had a feeling that Edith was going to run away with her daughter. I think the plan to stash her away so close was never going to work. How could you be a part of the child's life, but not ever say you were the mother. Too hard. I am glad that they are finally together. I don't think that way she acted was appropriate. Seems a little selfish to me. The man has been missing for what 2 years?? Most of the family is over it. I dont blame her for being distraught though.

I thought the twist about Mr Banks and Mr Green was interesting. If he didn't kill him, then who did???

I was a bit shocked that Mary cut her hair too, but it was a good kind of shocked.  I more couldn't believe she actually did it, because she was always the more "traditional" one, whereas if Sybil was still alive, I would've totally seen her doing something like that, albeit way sooner than this point lol.  I do like the new tension between the Dowager and Mary, because it's adding a new flavor to everything.  Based off the revelations of the Dowager's affair with the Russian prince, I swear the only reason they're butting heads is because Mary is exactly like her grandmother, and the Dowager totally sees that.

The whole situation with Bates has me so tense this season!  Prison definitely changed him, as it would anyone who was incarcerated, whether guilty or innocent, but I do believe him when he said he didn't actually kill Green.  Even though he really wanted to kill him for raping Anna, I know he loves her way too much to risk being hung for murder.  I'm really interested to find out who actually killed Green, though.

I agree that Mary and her grandmother are exactly alike!! I really thought bates had murdered Mr Green. I was shocked last night what when he said he didn't do it. 

Oh and what did you make of Mr. Carson asking Mrs. Hughes to buy a rental property with him? and her little laugh/sigh that she did after he left??

[NatashaBromanoff]

Feb 9, 2015 15:06:06 GMT -5 BostonKisses said:

Feb 9, 2015 14:15:17 GMT -5 NatashaBromanoff said:

OK I will keep my commentary reeled in since I already watched ahead on everything but the Christmas special/episode 9. I love this show so much!

Seconding Mary trying to come off as progressive and independent. It seems like that's the direction they want to go with her character even before Matthew died. It's deviating a lot from her being a paragon for upholding the old family and what they represent though. Personally, I like her new hair but I am really digging the fashion this season and they're emphasizing it with her story it seems.

I've been bothered with how Edith has handled everything since she got with Marigold's father. All the awkwardness with the foster parents...She could've handled this much better, but the advice from Rosamund is what set her down that road so I guess I can't blame her too much :/ Let's just say, Mary would've had a better strategy for this.

I'm pretty bothered Anna and Bates can't seem to have one season without a bunch of intense emotional turmoil :/

I can honestly say the only time I was a fan of Edith was back in season 3, when she picked herself up and got feisty after being left at the altar.  By the start of season 4, though, I couldn't stand her again.  She's always been a massive Eeyore, and handles things weird when she gets into a sticky situation.  ITA that Mary would've had a better strategy, and I think her tryst with Gillingham proved that.

ITA as well with Anna and Bates' story line.  They've had a rough go nonstop, and they deserve a break, along with a season where they can just be happy.

YES Edith has that textbook middle child syndrome going on and has always been a bit of a downer. In earlier seasons it sort of made sense with all the daughters bouncing off each other, but now it's just annoying. She could easily be the one breaking out of tradition and doing things her own way, had the opportunity to and did with the writing job, but everything with Marigold has set her back.

To be honest I don't get Gillingham's character, though I like the angle they played at it with regards to Mary's story. He made sense last season but now I just feel like they wanted Mary to have suitor drama and he happened to be there. He's been the dullest of her suitors so far IMO.

[BostonKisses]

Feb 9, 2015 15:09:50 GMT -5 graysweater said:

Feb 9, 2015 14:57:22 GMT -5 BostonKisses said:

I was a bit shocked that Mary cut her hair too, but it was a good kind of shocked.  I more couldn't believe she actually did it, because she was always the more "traditional" one, whereas if Sybil was still alive, I would've totally seen her doing something like that, albeit way sooner than this point lol.  I do like the new tension between the Dowager and Mary, because it's adding a new flavor to everything.  Based off the revelations of the Dowager's affair with the Russian prince, I swear the only reason they're butting heads is because Mary is exactly like her grandmother, and the Dowager totally sees that.

The whole situation with Bates has me so tense this season!  Prison definitely changed him, as it would anyone who was incarcerated, whether guilty or innocent, but I do believe him when he said he didn't actually kill Green.  Even though he really wanted to kill him for raping Anna, I know he loves her way too much to risk being hung for murder.  I'm really interested to find out who actually killed Green, though.

I agree that Mary and her grandmother are exactly alike!! I really thought bates had murdered Mr Green. I was shocked last night what when he said he didn't do it. 

Oh and what did you make of Mr. Carson asking Mrs. Hughes to buy a rental property with him? and her little laugh/sigh that she did after he left??

With Bates, it was such a sense of relief to finally hear him come out and say it.  The tension was getting unbearable!

Carson and Mrs. Hughes was such a sweet little twist!  I loved their little moments in the Christmas episode of season 4, and I was hoping that some of that would come back into play this season!  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they decided to live together as friends or something at the very least once they retire, but it would be such an interesting twist if they actually got married.

[BostonKisses]

Feb 9, 2015 15:18:04 GMT -5 NatashaBromanoff said:

Feb 9, 2015 15:06:06 GMT -5 BostonKisses said:

I can honestly say the only time I was a fan of Edith was back in season 3, when she picked herself up and got feisty after being left at the altar.  By the start of season 4, though, I couldn't stand her again.  She's always been a massive Eeyore, and handles things weird when she gets into a sticky situation.  ITA that Mary would've had a better strategy, and I think her tryst with Gillingham proved that.

ITA as well with Anna and Bates' story line.  They've had a rough go nonstop, and they deserve a break, along with a season where they can just be happy.

YES Edith has that textbook middle child syndrome going on and has always been a bit of a downer. In earlier seasons it sort of made sense with all the daughters bouncing off each other, but now it's just annoying. She could easily be the one breaking out of tradition and doing things her own way, had the opportunity to and did with the writing job, but everything with Marigold has set her back.

To be honest I don't get Gillingham's character, though I like the angle they played at it with regards to Mary's story. He made sense last season but now I just feel like they wanted Mary to have suitor drama and he happened to be there. He's been the dullest of her suitors so far IMO.

Yes, middle child syndrome!  That's a perfect description for it!  Marigold definitely did set her back, which I can kind of see, but at the same time I was kind of wondering how long she'd be able to keep up her momentum.  I think I'm just disappointed that she didn't keep it up, and she's back to her annoying, mopey self.

Gillingham's definitely the dullest suitor.  I think that's why I'm so glad they didn't take it even further with him and Mary and had her marry him, because I think she'd be bored to tears with him in the end.  And even though all of the reasons were never stated, I'm kind of thinking that's part of what she realized when she said that they wouldn't suit.  Charles Blake wouldn't bore her, that's for sure lol.

[BostonKisses]

I need to say that I liked Cora's ultimatum with Robert last night, and how she got him to return to their room. He gets so damned stubborn sometimes, and that little "oh snap!" moment was awesome.

[threetexans]

I'm 3 episodes behind.  I'm hoping to get caught up this week. 

[NatashaBromanoff]

Feb 9, 2015 15:43:30 GMT -5 BostonKisses said:

I need to say that I liked Cora's ultimatum with Robert last night, and how she got him to return to their room. He gets so damned stubborn sometimes, and that little "oh snap!" moment was awesome.

Cora was never a character I thought I'd like (she was kind of an asshole in season 1) but she ends up being awesome. She's so much more open minded/progressive than the world she lives in. ~So American.

ETA so American from a 19th century/early turn of the century British Dowager Countess' perspective haha

[BostonKisses]

Feb 9, 2015 16:56:46 GMT -5 NatashaBromanoff said:

Feb 9, 2015 15:43:30 GMT -5 BostonKisses said:

I need to say that I liked Cora's ultimatum with Robert last night, and how she got him to return to their room. He gets so damned stubborn sometimes, and that little "oh snap!" moment was awesome.

Cora was never a character I thought I's like (she was kind of an asshole in season 1) but she ends up being awesome. She's so much more open minded/progressive than the world she lives in. ~So American.

She totally is!  I liked her right away, even though she was kind of a twat very early on.  But seeing how her character has developed over the years has made me like her even more.

[dmlk413]

Soooo, if Mr. Bates didn't kill Green, who do you think did? I'm kind of stumped on this one.

[queenbabee]

Tried not to read the spoilers yet because I have to finish last night's buttttt,
I LOVE THIS THREAD!! awesome BostonKisses.
Ok. I will be back tomorrow!

[legomyago]

I felt so bad for the family that was taking care of Marigold. Couldn't they work something out where she could tell the wife that she was the mother but then Marigold could still live with the family? I would think that they could make some arrangement to make sure she was providing care. I kind of want Edith to suck it up, tell the truth. I understand she is mourning though too.
I'm over the "who will be the next suitor of Mary?" I'm more interested in her running of the business with Tom. Who cares who wants to date her.
I'm tired of the Bates' beating around the bush. God, just talk to each other! I was really surprised that Mr. Bates didn't kill Mr. Greene.

[NatashaBromanoff]

Feb 10, 2015 11:29:16 GMT -5 legomyago said:

I felt so bad for the family that was taking care of Marigold. Couldn't they work something out where she could tell the wife that she was the mother but then Marigold could still live with the family? I would think that they could make some arrangement to make sure she was providing care. I kind of want Edith to suck it up, tell the truth. I understand she is mourning though too.
I'm over the "who will be the next suitor of Mary?" I'm more interested in her running of the business with Tom. Who cares who wants to date her.
I'm tired of the Bates' beating around the bush. God, just talk to each other! I was really surprised that Mr. Bates didn't kill Mr. Greene.

I think with Edith even if she had told the foster mom, they would be at odds. The foster mother clearly loved that child like her own and she had her for so long, it'd be hard to expect her to just accept it and relinquish the bond. It's such a sticky situation that could've been avoided if Rosamund hadn't put it into her mind that it had to be super secret hidden from everyone or the world would crumble around her.