Downton Abbey

[kateln]

Both this week's and last week's episodes felt really forced to me. I feel like a lot of the characters took huge steps backwards or out of character. The whole tension between Isabelle and Cora felt really forced to me, Lord Grantham's hissyfit over his house being a convalescent home (after making a big to do over how they have to support the war effort), Thomas and O'Brien making trouble just to make trouble (zO'Brien and the food line)--when two weeks ago they were actually showing signs of being human, and finally, Lady Mary getting gossipy over Sybil and Branson. That actually was a "bitch please" subplot for me.

That said, I'm actually going to disagree on the Branson and Sybil sub-plot. I think Sybil does love him, and does know her own mind--but at the same time, she doesn't want to give up everything she'd have to in order to run-away with Branson i.e. her job and family. So hence the wishy-washy. I do agree though that the "taking drinks to boys" line was out of place.

Oh, and as of now, I no longer care about Matthew and Mary. He seems to have moved on--either let it go, or make it happen. This mooning and moaning has gotten old.

[iClaudia]

This episode was hard to watch in the beginning. WWI combat footage is always harrowing. I actually teared up over Williams' death and I am glad that Daisy came around by the end. I think I should have felt more sympathy for her but, all things considered, she seemed too self centered even though I understood her position.

The Mary/Matthew/Lavinia plot went in the most predictable direction. It would have been more interesting if Lavinia was allowed to show more character and gumption.

The previews are both intriguing and worrying. I like the direction that they are taking Sir Richard but things seem to be getting especially soapy. The only problem I have with that is a fear of storylines falling into classic tropes and becoming too predictable.

[Karrit]

Oct 16, 2011 20:39:42 GMT -4 iClaudia said:

This episode was hard to watch in the beginning. WWI combat footage is always harrowing. I actually teared up over Williams' death and I am glad that Daisy came around by the end. I think I should have felt more sympathy for her but, all things considered, she seemed too self centered even though I understood her position.

The Mary/Matthew/Lavinia plot went in the most predictable direction. It would have been more interesting if Lavinia was allowed to show more character and gumption.

The previews are both intriguing and worrying. I like the direction that they are taking Sir Richard but things seem to be getting especially soapy. The only problem I have with that is a fear of storylines falling into classic tropes and becoming too predictable.

I felt a lot of sympathy for Daisy. William is a sweet boy, and he adored her. But people put a lot of pressure on her, because he was going to war. And Daisy is a child, really. I think she showed a lot of courage. Spoiler: I thought for sure that she was going to end up marrying him because of all the pressure and then he would make a miraculous recovery.

Maggie Smith continues to rock my world. I loved her comment about the telephone: "Is this an instrument of communication or torture?" And the way she pulled strings for William was terrific.

As far as the preview goes, spoiler: They are giving the impression that the disfigured man is the heir-apparent who drowned on the Titanic, right? I think that he is going to turn out to be some guy who heard all the gossip once he was at Downton and is impersonating the dead heir-apparent.

I also think Mrs. Bates is going to end up dead, providing yet another roadblock for true love.

[kateln]

I loved this week's episode, especially Lady Grantham! Maggie Smith just takes over whatever scene she's in!

I wasn't surprised about William's death, I've been calling him "Mr. Token Death" ever since the war started and he was so emphatic about going. I did think that it was handled well, and not in the way that I was expecting.

I'm also, like iClaudia curious to see what was going on with the previews for next week. That should be interesting to see.

Also, the Ethel issue? I totally forgot about it last week, and was pleased to see it touched on again. I'm curious to see what will happen there, though I fear that it'll be Ethel's suicide, and somehow the baby being raised at Downton.

[iClaudia]

Yes, Maggie Smith is an absolute treasure! The Ethel story is one of the ones I fear ending up in the soap tropes category. Based on the previews, we potentially have:

Mary and Matthew possibly unable to have children and, conveniently, a maid who may not be able to raise her own baby

Matthew making a miraculous recovery due to the power of Mary's love

Mrs. Bates dying and Bates and/or Anna being suspected or Mrs. Bates faking her death

The presumed dead man who is found alive but turns out to be an imposter

Hopefully, at least some of these plot points have surprising resolutions. I am hopeful that having Sir Richard in the mix will add an element of surprise. Also, they can take both Sybil and Edith in unexpected directions.

[Augustus]

Maggie Smith railroading everyone just to get William back was pretty awesome to watch.

Lavinia is just...there. Unfortunately they did kind of hint on William's death in some articles like in the Daily Mail. And poor Daisy, she was pretty much pressured to go along from the get go, though at least she showed some strength at the end. And I did find myself sniffling a bit.

I do have to agree though, some parts definitely start to feel a bit soapy.

I am pleased that Edith has been developed into a far more interesting character. In the first season she was mostly the vindictive little sister trying to get back at Mary.

[Deleted]

I agree that the soldier in the preview for next week isn't really Patrick, the heir who died on the Titanic, but someone who knew Patrick or heard about the heir issue at Downton. I'm afraid for poor Edith, because she was in love with Patrick and I have a feeling she will fall for the soldier's story. Can someone please throw Edith a bone by the end of the season? I would love for her to end up with the best marriage of the three sisters.

The whole story with Matthew's paralysis and inability to have children does seem incredibly soapy. I'm rather dreading the eventual walking scene when he's miraculously cured by Mary's love.

I don't care any more about the Bates/Mrs. Bates/Anna story, but I would like Fellowes to give Mrs. Bates a bit more of a motivation for being so eeeeeevil. I read spoilers that Anna is put in a difficult situation by Carlisle, which sounds like it could be juicy. Mostly I'd like her to have something to do each episode other than make moony/sad eyes at Bates.

I'm still waiting for Branson and Sybil to have a conversation other than the conversation they've been having since episode 1 of this season. (Branson: Political reference. I love you! Run away with me! Sybil: I dunno! But I'm going to keep visiting your garage every week so we can keep having this conversation.) There is a spoiler for episode 7 that Branson and Sybil have a secret, which could be that they're running away together but more likely is something like Mrs. Patmore has a secret cookie stash. I have lost all faith that this show will give me what I want.

[kateln]

I would love Mrs. Patmore's secret cookie stash, that would be awesome.

Are Carson and Mrs. Hughes sneaking around with eachother? Cause I could get behind that pairing.

[Augustus]

Well, the impostor story line was easily spotted, but whether or not he was genuine remains up in the air.

As was the untimely death of Mrs Bates, though perhaps not exactly in the manner I'd expected. I do think a real shame in the sense we're still pretty much non the wiser on why she hated him so much.

And the "OMG! I can feel my legs again!!"-card has been pulled. Surprise!

[sugarhigh]

Ok, this season (series) has become egregiously soap-y. What happened to the lovely.slow plot development of the first season?

What's the point of having the imposter!Patrick if everything's going to be wrapped up in one episode. That kind of plot deserves an entire season.