Downton Abbey

[Brookie]

Request from QueenMab. Have at it.

[Deleted]

Thanks, Brookie!

So, the Emmy winner for best miniseries just started its second season in the UK. The whole first season is on Netflix instant view for those who haven't seen it yet. Those of us in the States get season 2 in January on PBS, but it's pretty easy to... procure... the new episode if one wishes.

I thought the first episode back was pretty great. I liked that it went straight to the WWI action and didn't let up. Mary and Matthew were heartbreakingly sweet, and I loved Mary's good luck gift to him. Sybil and Branson are my current OTP (those blue eyes and that Irish accent are pretty irresistible), so I was sad that she turned down his advances. I'm sure there's lots more of their storyline to come, though, with the Easter Rising in 1916 and the possibility that Branson's sent to war.

Poor Anna and Bates! Just as soon as it seems they've worked everything out, Evil Mrs. Bates shows up and ruins the lovefest. I hope they round out her character a bit and give her more of a motive for refusing a divorce. Given his previous track record with baddies, I trust Julian Fellowes to make Mrs. Bates more than just stock!evil.

Here's a preview for the next episode.[/color] Get it, Edith! Someone on the internets noticed that the guy she's with is the fellow who was in the hospital with dropsy in season 1.

[iClaudia]

I was a bit worried that the war would upset the balance of the show, especially in regards to the comedic elements, but it's back in fine form. The transition from their pre-war life to their wartime life was seamless. The Mary/Matthew storyline was a bit lacking in the first series but now that there is a meaningful obstacle, I am enjoying their bittersweet love story.

I just knew that life couldn't be so easy for Anna and Bates. Once she said that she couldn't be happier than she was in that moment, I knew it was the kiss of death. Anna is tenacious and she certainly won't give up without a fight so Mrs. Bates has surely met her match.

I've already watched series one twice and I suspect I'll be watching it again (along with another viewing of Sunday's episode) before the next episode airs. I'm completely addicted.

[Deleted]

I agree, iClaudia, the war was nicely integrated into the show. I liked the scene between Matthew and Thomas in the trenches--it demonstrated nicely how war put them nearly on the same level.

I have a question going back to series one. I was discussing the show with a friend the other day and she mentioned the Turkish ambassador's rape of Mary. I had never thought of their encounter as rape. Although he came into her bedroom with her consent, it seemed to me that their night together was consensual and that Mary didn't regret the sex (just the fact that he died afterwards). I've seen commenters on other boards call it rape, too, and I want to make sure I'm not misconstruing what actually happened between them.

[Karrit]

I would have to go back and watch the scene again...but didn't he tell her that if she raised a fuss she would cause more of a scandal than if she just let him have his way? Unfortunately for Mary, his "stay" caused a fuss anyway.

If I remembered it correctly, then I think that what he did could be defined as rape.

[LurkerNan]

How long do we have to wait to get this in the States?

[canuckcutie]

I heard it's not airing in N.America until January 2012.

[Deleted]

Sept 20, 2011 11:05:01 GMT -4 Karrit said:

I would have to go back and watch the scene again...but didn't he tell her that if she raised a fuss she would cause more of a scandal than if she just let him have his way? Unfortunately for Mary, his "stay" caused a fuss anyway.

If I remembered it correctly, then I think that what he did could be defined as rape.

Thanks, Karrit. I just rewatched that episode and at first Mary tells the Turk to leave but then she asks if it will hurt and if it's safe, then appears to kiss him back. When her mother comes into the room after Pamuk dies she asks Mary if he forced himself on her, and she shakes her head no. She also says, "He was so beautiful" when closing his eyes. So I think I'm right that any relations were A-OK with Mary once she got over her initial trepidations about a man being caught in her room.

I ask because it seems like such an important part of Mary's character that she was willing to risk her reputation to have a night of passion with a hot guy. I've always liked the don't-give-a-damn attitude she has, so I was surprised to learn that some people thought she was forced to sleep with Pamuk. Which leads to the question... when/if Matthew and Mary ever get together again, how will he react to Mary's past?

[Ladybug]

Did they ever explain why Pamuk died? A young, healthy guy drops dead after sex. It seems like a stretch and if I recall correctly it was never really explained why it happened.

I can't wait until January. It's going to be hard to stay unspoiled for so long but I'm going to give it a shot!

[MrsCatHead]

I still can't understand why Mary would go through with it at all. It seemed unlikely for her character.