PBS

[tabby]

Correct me if I'm wrong fellow Greecies, but I'm assuming being gay was a dangerous thing back then, especially for the lower classes?

You're right, it was illegal. I believe Oscar Wilde went to jail for being gay.

[smockery]

Jan 13, 2011 16:02:28 GMT -4 tabby said:

Correct me if I'm wrong fellow Greecies, but I'm assuming being gay was a dangerous thing back then, especially for the lower classes?

You're right, it was illegal. I believe Oscar Wilde went to jail for being gay.

I'm pretty sure that homosexuality was still a capital offense and the only reason Wilde went to jail was they set no bail for him previous to his crown trial. He was also accused of gross indecency rather than the capital sodomy.

[magazinewhore]

I believe homosexuality was technically illegal, but friendships between men (and women) at times overlapped (they often slept in the same beds, for example). I believe the realms that men and women lived in were very different, and women were considered inferior to a degree, so unless you were pretty flagrant about it (Oscar Wilde), it was ignored.

Topic: Downton Abbey is so good. I'm really torn between it and the GG show tonight. I can catch DA on demand, but it's so good!

[divasahm]

There's an old story that when Queen Victoria signed the decree making male homosexuality illegal, there was some question about whether lesbians should be included in the decree as well. The Queen steadfastly refused to believe that any female was capable of such a "morally corrupt and vile act".

[kostgard]

One of the few times in television viewing when being on the west coast is an advantage - The Golden Globes should be over by the time this starts. If it isn't, it means it is running way long and I'm turning it off anyway.

[LurkerNan]

Mary was really naive to think that a man sneaking into her room was a secret, she should have wondered how he knew where her room was. And with all those servants around, finding the hallways empty enough to carry a body through is pretty unlikely. Also, you would think Thomas would have been a bit more discrete than to put his hands on a man without knowing for sure which way he swung.

Honestly, this week Downton Abbey was full of stupid people. I think the new lord should forget about Mary and go after little sister... she seems the sweetest of the lot.

[peachybean]

It felt like Mary and Thomas were being impulsive, which does seem dumb considering how little control they have over their lives. It seems like Mary gets caught. I really hope Thomas gets his due.

Lurker Nan, you're totally right. the youngest sister is the best.

[kostgard]

Man, poor Bates and his leg.

And again, the servants continue to be even bigger snobs than their employers. The red-headed maid (I didn't catch her name) wants to become a secretary, and the servants all freak out (minus Anna, who is awesome). But then her employer finds a job ad, encourages her to apply and offers a letter of recommendation.

[Carolina]

Jan 18, 2011 23:52:23 GMT -4 peachybean said:

Lurker Nan, you're totally right. the youngest sister is the best.

It certainly is shaping up that way. Lady Sybil is definitely a future Suffragette in the making. Fingers crossed we'll get to see Gwen the maid get her secretarial job in the future.

In spite of a horribly traumatic first sexual experience, I still can't like Mary. She invited that guy Napier over after they'd been writing to each other for a date weekend and then she blows him off and ignores him as soon as she catches sight of the (admittedly gorgeous but jerky) Turk.

I can't help but feel bad for Edith. The bitter edge she's got is not becoming but understandable. Hopefully she'll be able to get out of her sister's shadow and meet someone who will appreciate her.

I can't decide who I have a bigger crush on at the moment, Bates or Lord Grantham. Anna the maid might be a dark horse.

[tabby]

I can't help but feel bad for Edith. The bitter edge she's got is not becoming but understandable. Hopefully she'll be able to get out of her sister's shadow and meet someone who will appreciate her.

I feel sorry for Edith, too. She seemed to love Mary's fiance, the one who went down with the Titanic, and she's constantly being elbowed aside by the men in favor of Mary. She's probably been unfavorably compared to Mary her entire life.