Downton Abbey: A Response to the Season Finale

Downton Season 3 Finale

                 I suppose I should warn you not to read this if you haven't seen the season three finale of Downton Abbey, though like most of us, you were probably already aware of the spoiler that sent Downton Fans down another death-filled tear fest.

              The episode is cruelly lighthearted until the bitter, stab you in the heart end.  A fair is in town for all the servants who did not accompany the Crawleys on a Scottish adventure to visit Rose, Lady Susan, and Cousin Shrimpie (Yes, that is his name, and yes, it is quite amusing to watch so many proper characters say it so solemnly, as though it isn't as ridiculous as it is).  Minor and major developments occur, with Thomas taking a thrashing to protect Jimmie, leading to their friendship.  Branson, the only family representative left behind, is caught up in an awkward opportunist's guilty trap, managing to escape the greedy hands of the new servant Edna.  Ms. Patmore and Isobel are both tangled, rather needlessly, in one-episode and it's done "romances."  All in all, besides the continued evolution of Branson into a confident and capable man and the redemptive friendship of Jimmie and Thomas, not much of consequence occurs back at Downton, barring this:

Carson and Baby Sybil

          Seeing Carson pluck up baby Sybil causes one of the three best "AWE" moment.  What then, are the other two?  Back in Scotland, Cora and Robert's relationship is secure, Rose gives her feuding parents quite a ride, Edith fights feelings for her (complicated order) editor, and Mary tries to dance a jig while eight months pregnant.  The second "AWE" moment came courtesy of Bates and Mary discussing how truly remarkable Anna.  It was sweet payoff for their long way to happiness relationship.

Bates's proud love of Anna

            The episode constantly reminds us of Matthew's view of Mary.  He sees the best version of her, whereas others bring out her worst.  It is a cruel reminder of what life will be for Mary if she doesn't have Matthew.  Can she always be Matthew's girl?  It is a good question, considering what follows.  Mary manages a successful birth of the new Downton heir (with a shocking amount of hair, go figure), causing Matthew to want to do his own jig.  Seeing the family so happy and whole is sweet, but boy is it bitter.  Seeing Matthew at his happiest is all the more bittersweet and "AWE" inducing.

Matthew holds Baby Crawley

            Now for the worst part.  Unlike the death of Sybil, the finale does not give us time to see the family grieve.  Instead, while racing to tell others about the birth of his baby, Matthew is struck straight off the road.  The final scenes show Matthew lying dead as blood pools near his head while Mary sits, happy and unaware with her sweet child.  Ouch, Jullian Fellows, ouch.  Sure, I get that it opens the story to new possibilities  but what if I don't want those possibilities?  Dan Stevens chose to leave, as did Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil), but boy did they leave great roles and holes in the Downton world.  Downton has been so heavily permeated by Matthew's solid, morally strong character.  It is impossible to imagine life in Downton without him.  His death isn't an "AWE" moment at all.  It is difficult and sudden, and almost too cruel.  To quote Martha "Come war or peace, Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it."  How will Downton stand though, losing such a foundation?  Next season will have many questions to answer.

Lady Mary and Matthew, together and happy.

               

Downton Abbey: Picture Response to the Penultimate Episode

Downton Abbey Episode 6 and 7

               When I read that next week's episode of Downton Abbey is the finale, I was quite confused, only until I first remembered that the premiere actually played two episodes, as did last night's episode.  Sadly, the  escapist drama is coming to a close for the season just when it seemed to be starting.  No matter, let's reflect on last night's episode, via pictures of course.

Free Bates of Downton Abbey

1.  Before we can move on, we must address the emancipation of Mr. Bates.  He is finally free from prison.  Looks like those internet campaigns to Free Bates finally paid off.

Jane Eyre

2.  Lady Edith cannot catch a break.  After getting a job as a journalist, she flirts with her editor until she discovers he is actually married.  The Jane Eyre catch- his wife lost her mind is in an asylum.  To make it even more Mr. Rochester and Jane-esqe, he cannot divorce her.  Poor Edith.  Don't forget girl, you are not an automaton!

Mr. Carson does not approve

3.  The introduction of Rose, the eighteen year old cousin with a perchance for clubbing with married men, was ho-hum.  It felt like a weak excuse to spend a few moments in a 1920's club.  The Downton set were shocked, declaring the club to be a part of Dante's Inferno.  I wonder what they'd think of a modern day club...

Dowager Countess

4.  The Dowager Countess was the star of the night once again, tricking others into revealing the truth about Rose, setting up the more and more empathetic Ethel in a job close to her son, approving of Ethel's job and zinging everyone with her Pre-Betty White sass.  You were right, Dowager Countess, in saying that you don't have to worry about admitting you were in the wrong, because you never are.

"I have never taken the high road, but I tell other people to 'cause then there's more room for me on the low road."-Tom Haverford

5.  Am I the only one who was very proud that Bates looked out for Thomas, even though Thomas made a mistake?  I think not.  Way to take the high road.

Be Brave Branson

6.  Tom Branson is growing up!  He'll stay at Downton and be a caretaker.  I am beyond proud of his transformation.  Way to have a makeover Tom.

The Ugly Cry II

7.  I am scared for next week's episode, especially after the happiness of the past week's.  Look out for drama and tears.  Prepare for the Ugly Cry Part II

Downton Abbey Season 3: A Picture Response to a Devastating Episode

Get ready for Oprah's Ugly Cry, but first:

Sybil, Tom, and their sweet family

               If you haven't watched the last of Downton Abbey season three, stop reading now.  I mean it. As for me, I had this episode spoiled months ago when I accidentally read a comment on a youtube trailer.  Here, in picture form, I can finally fully respond to the revelations of last Sunday's episode.


1.  This is how devastated/angry I was when I stumbled on the spoiler that told me the tragic new of the episode months earlier.

Just let me be angry.

2.  This was how I felt when they were not taking Sybil to the hospital.

Okay fine, come back, but LEAVE NOW

3.  I felt for poor Daisy and the poor kitchen maid who faced the wrath of a woman scorned.

Daisy has enter the friend zone.

4.  And now, for the devastating finale, when Sybil, the sweetest spirit at Downton, tragically died, forever changing Downton and sending even Carson and the Dowager into deep depression...

Ugly Crying

Ugly Crying and Eating

      

Downton Abbey Season 3 Episode 2: Picture Response

Downton Abbey Season 3, Episode 2

              Downton Abbey was recently knocked down and called the Ford Fiesta to the Aston Martin of Shakespeare by Brit actor Jeremy Irons.  Well, man who voiced the lion Scar in the Shakespearean Lion King, be prepared for backlash...

Be Prepared Jeremy Irons

                    If Downton Abbey is like a Ford Fiesta, it only means it's a fun, quirky spin on tradition.  It doesn't aspire to be Shakespeare, so it doesn't really deserve to be compared to it.  Being a beloved, of the people show isn't a bad thing.

Ford Fiesta (aka Downton Abbey)

              Now, moving on, last Sunday's S1E2 of Downton brought with it a Ford Fiesta sized load of trouble.  Here, in picture form, is my response to various moments of the show.

1.  Ms. Hughes telling the beloved butler Carson her tumor was benign equaled one of the cutest musical reactions to good news ever.  Carson had a Disney princess moment while he cleaned.

Happy Working Song, Enchanted

2.  Matthew receives a rather too perfect letter releasing him from any guilt over taking money from the relation of his jilted, dead fiance.  It was a little too easy of a fix.

3.  Lady Edith, that obnoxious old man with the lopsided mouth does not deserve you, and you didn't deserve to be humiliated at the alter.  I wish for a time machine so that I could bring you some Nutella from the future.

Can we note how great it is that the spoon in the Nutella is labeled "spoon," as if we needed the clarification?

       

Downton Abbey Season 3 Premiere: A Picture Response

Downton Season 3 Premiere

          Oh the joys of across the pond television obsessions.  The long wait for season 3 of the much obsessed about Downton Abbey finally ended when the period piece/soap opera debuted last night.  Clocking in at nearly 2 hours, the episode saw a lot happen to the Crawley family, the estate, and of course, the downstairs. Here, via pictures, I express my general feelings/reaction to the most important moments of the episode.

     1.  The fight between Lady Mary and Matthew over the future of Downton was frustrating, to put it mildly.

2.  Branson and Sybil returning and causing shenanigans, upending stuffy traditions like only they can.  All while discussing Ireland of course.  Oh how I missed them in the Christmas special.  They are such a breath of normal air.  Irish air of course.

Man do I want want to go there.

3.   The whole Bates, Anna condundrum, where Anna fights clear Bates's name and release him from prison.  All she needs to do is get a map of the prison tattooed to her, just like Michael in Prison Break, and then get in prison herself. Or maybe they need to get Bates out stat...

4.  The appearance of Shirley Maclaine as Cora's American mother caused quite a stir among the more traditional Downton crew.  Go 'Merica.

5.  The arrival of a new, ginger footman. (Maclaine is too, thus there are two main gings)

I just love a good ginger moment.

6.  The wedding of Lady Mary and Matthew finally happening, because as Branson said (pulling straight out of Wuthering Heights, Matthew won't be happy with anyone else as long as Lady Mary roams the earth)

They finally did it!

The New Downton Abbey

           
              Julian Fellows is set to create a New York show set in the 1880's entitled The Gilded Age.  If you haven't stumbled across acclaimed writer Julian Fellowes's brilliant show Downton Abbey, do so now. It spans the upstairs and downstairs drama during the aftermath of Titanic, WWI, and now the roaring 20's.  Fellowes manages to create escapist television with a soul, painting deeply complex, meaningful characters.  Look for The Gilded Age, which is sure to be done in a similar vain, on NBC.

Et tu Internet?

            Okay, so I need to preface this by saying how much I appreciate the internet as a gateway to friends, information, and entertainment.  I love it and can't imagine life without it (and fully acknowledge the irony of using the internet to rant about the internet).  As a member of the generation who used floppy disks and heard the distinct errrchrrrrping of dial-up, I am in awe of the leaps and bounds the internet has made and more than a little scared of how dependent we have become on it.  Still, every so often, you come across a terrible pop-up, comment, or lie that ruins something.  The internet can betray you like Marcus Brutus stabbing Julius Caesar in the back.  Et tu Internet indeed.
     
          Today was such a day.  While looking up a trailer for the new season of Downton Abbey, I accidently stumbled across a truly horrible spoiler for season 3 when I made the rookie mistake of looking at a few of the comments under the video I watched.  The comments revealed a very important and devastating plot twist, which is incredibly frustrating considering series 3 is currently airing in the U.K., not here.  Sometimes, it's nice to know little spoilers, but no viewer wants a spoiler that truly changes everything.  In the age of the internet, shows shouldn't have several month delays between countries.  Viewers may be lost, especially when controversial spoilers are released before the show even airs.
     
          I can't help but paraphrase one of my other favorite shows, Firefly (after just paraphrasing from it in my last blog post.  What can I say, Firefly can be used for everything.)  Curse you internet, for your sudden but inevitable betrayal. Okay, now I can go back to loving the internet  and avoiding comment sections until American programming wises up and airs U.K. hits at the same time as the U.K.
       

Downton Abbey Plays Dirty

Downton Abbey Season 3

               If you have avoided Downton Abbey thus far, I am equal parts impressed and sad for you.  The brilliant British import about the twisted lives of the wealthy Crawley family and their servants hooked me last year when I marathoned through the first and second season.  Set in the 1910's and 20's, the series capitalizes on escapism drama with a heart.  Fans don't casually watch it.  They LOVE it and make an event of it when it finally makes its way across the pond to America.  Here's my problem.  Season three debuts in Great Britain Sept. 16th.  It doesn't come to America (via PBS) until January 2012.  In the age of the internet, it is sheer stupidity to not air shows in the same time frame.  Downton should take a cue from Doctor Who, a British show which now airs on BBC America on the same approximate day as in England.  I love Downton Abbey, which makes it all the crueler that I know England has it first, and for four months.  I feel the same way about Sherlock, another British import that airs months late in America. As a British television lover, I just think it's dirty.  Check on the new trailer for season three here.  The trailer features music from the choir used on The Social Network trailers.

The Next Betty White: Maggie Smith

Dame Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall

           Most people in my generation know and love Maggie Smith for her dead-on portrayal of Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter movies.  Maggie Smith, who is in fact a Dame, boasts a huge career on the screen and on the stage.  In her seventies, Smith recently admitted that she battled breast cancer while filming the Potter films, all the more reason to respect and love her.  Dame Smith currently stars as Violet Crawley, the old school grandmother of old school money in the monstrous hit Downton Abbey.  Smith delivers the most quotable lines of the show including: "What is a weekend?", "No Englishmen would dream of dying in someone else's house," and "We can't have him assassinated...I suppose."  She is a runaway favorite who steals any scene she's in, chewing every line with wit and fire.  In my mind, she is the Englishman's Betty White.  A little more refined perhaps, but just as deliciously snarky.  Now, if only she could host an episode of SNL.