Downton Abbey

[Augustus]

I too had worries about how they would go about it in season 2, but it was indeed seamless. The horror of the trenches and this rather carefree and otherworldly life at Downton, where most worried about their reputation than their lives.

I don't think they ever did explain why Pamuk died.

However there have been cases of young athletes in their prime of their lives who died suddenly during a game. Unfortunately I've even some footage of such a case, it is quite troubling to see a young healthy man one moment running around in the field and seeing him slump down to the ground in the next. Most cases were found to have a congenital heart defect they knew nothing of, so it is definitely linked to the amount of exertion.

I am curious in how what they have in petto for the Bates & Anna.

[americanchai]

I only just watched the whole first series this past weekend - bummed we don't get to see it here for another few months.

Anyhoo - I thought maybe that ditzy kitchen maid had accidentally spiked something with whatever poison they were discussing in one of the first episodes and that was why Pamuk died.

I really can't stand the actress or the character of Mary. I don't want her to get her way. Bizarrely, I'm rooting for the ugly redheaded sister since she's obviously the Jan Brady of the family. I know she's behaved poorly but everyone mainly seems to dislike her because she's not that attractive. I would love Matthew to fall in love with Sybil or for Sybil to run off with the socialist chauffeur. Please?

[iClaudia]

I, too, have a lot of sympathy for Edith. I think the dislike for her goes beyond her looks but I think her attitude has been shaped by her inferior position in the family. I hope that she ultimately finds happiness.

[Ladybug]

I think Edith would've been really happy with the older widower who was courting her (until Mary sabotaged their relationship). I also don't see the appeal of Mary, she's a boring snob.

[Deleted]

Oh, I love Mary! I think it's because she started out as such a vile and ungrateful person but really grew to love Matthew and become kinder in the first season. Her relationship with Carson is very sweet, and I like that she's no bullshit but also sympathetic toward those below her station (like when she arranged for William to go see his dying mother S1).

My Mary stanning also owes a lot to the luminous Michelle Dockery, who I think is a fantastic actress with the perfect Edwardian face. Her killer chemistry with Dan Stevens doesn't hurt either.

[MrsCatHead]

Re: Edith. I think she wouldn't be so nasty and petulant if she were treated better within her family, esp by Mary. But there's too much rivalry and jealousy between them. They are doomed to hate each other. I do wish they'd not thwart each other, though. That's just plain evil.

[Deleted]

Count me in as a Mary lover too. It is terrible for her to not be able to a) work, and b) inherit the family estate. All she can do is bag a desirable husband and that must be such a boring fate for someone like her.

Edith is clearly jealous of both Mary's looks and her position as a firstborn. It happens a lot in non-aristocratic families too and I thought the sister rivalry is very well written. When you are that young, it's not inconceivable to do stupid things like sabotage each others' marital chances due to jealousy.

Sybil the actress physically looks so different from her parents and the other two sisters.

I enjoy every scene with Maggie Smith in it. Particularly the scene where she told Lady Grantham about possibly marrying Mary off to an Italian.

[kanding]

I think the sibling rivalry is pretty realistic, too. What I don't get is how Edith is supposed to be homely. She has gorgeous skin and pretty eyes. OK, her nose overpowers the rest of her features, but all in all, I don't think she's left in the dust in the looks department.

[kateln]

Count me in as someone who feels bad for Edith as well (also, I like the name). I just hated Mary for ruining her romance with the older widower. Especially because, while Edith was wrong for writing the letter, Mary's kind of a bitch.

[Yossarian]

I'm totally Team Mary. She makes mistakes and she is horrible at times but I think the actress plays her so beautifully that she has a fragility and a sensivity that is so compelling. In one of the first episodes when she said her aunt's life, a rich widow living in London, was heaven and everyone shouted her down for that sentiment was really telling. She doesn't have the blue stocking urges of her sister but she also doesn't want to be saddled to some man she doesn't love or respect. Which makes her relationship with Matthew all the more fraught when she fully realised that he actually is a man she can love and respect.

And, seriously, didn't Edith realise that when she sabotaged Mary's reputation that she was also going to smear her own? The whole house was brought under Mary's shadow so her own marriage prospects are going to be limited too. Silly girl.