Downton Abbey

[angelaudie]

Poor William! At least when he died his dad and Daisy were with him. It's amazing that once Daisy went through with the marriage she seemed determined to do right by William (refusing to leave his side). Daisy can get on my nerves but I think she's got a good heart. I don't think she's had much guidance in her life.

Dear God, even Thomas's heart grew three sizes in this ep! I giggled at everyone's complete look of shock when Thomas agreed it wasn't right the army wouldn't send William closer to his dad simply because he wasn't an officer. His speech about the working class getting the pushover was a good one.

I know Matthew is understandably depressed about being paralyzed but his, "Oh Lavina! I must dump you because it's what's best for you and I know what's best for you!" routine just made me want to reach through the tv and shake him. I get that was a popular attitude of the times but still it's annoying. Though for someone who claims she'll die without him Lavina didn't exactly put up much of a fight.

Mary sure learned how to nurse fast. I'm not surprised she was so willing to watch over Matthew since she loves him. Though I think only for Matthew or a member of her family she would be that devoted to. No way could some random person get sick in front of her without her fleeing from the room. But for Matthew she'll suck it up and deal.

Props to the makeup department for this episode! Matthew actually looked like he had come close to death. No, "Oh character is near death just ignore their rosey colored cheeks!" for this show!

Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens were great tonight. I thought Dan Stevens did especially well. The way he said, "Mother!" when he saw Isobel was just heartbreaking. I don't care how old you are you want your mother if you were in his position! The look on Mary's face after she told Matthew about his injuries was heartbreaking as well.

Violet, as always, rocked the house. "I have a cold!" Hee. Of course, she would never admit she was crying over the wedding! I also liked her veiled threats to the vicar.

[kostgard]

So both Daisy and Mary felt a disturbance in the Force?

But good on Mary for just coming clean with her fiance and letting the chips fall where they may, and for telling Matthew the truth and stepping up and nursing him. Though I agree that that it's because she loves him and not because she's developed a talent for nursing. During that scene I thought, "You know it's love when you're willing to deal with someone's puke."

Where the hell did Bates meet his wife? North Bitch-hampton-shire? She's truly awful. And even though Mary's fiance turned the tables on her, I doubt she's gone for good.

Violet is awesome. That is all.

[tabby]

Violet, as always, rocked the house. "I have a cold!" Hee. Of course, she would never admit she was crying over the wedding! I also liked her veiled threats to the vicar.

And when she called her nephew, some sort of government official, to get William brought home when the people in the regular channels were getting in her way. Don't mess with the Dowager, y'all.

The wedding scene was wonderful, with all the servants in their best uniforms, Carson standing at attention with tears in his eyes, the Dowager's "cold." It got pretty dusty at my place during that scene.

[magazinewhore]

So both Daisy and Mary felt a disturbance in the Force?

Yeah, I had to google "someone stepped on my grave" to find out exactly what it meant and how it originated.

I, too, was surprised Daisy went through with it. She seemed against the idea, but that was my first thought "widow pension!" Mary's really growing on me. Lavinia seemed rather heartless, but then maybe having an heir and being a mother was particularly important. I'm bored with Branson and Sybil. I hope she dumps him and moves on.

[Karrit]

I just read that Shirley MacLaine has been cast as Cora's mother. That is some interesting casting. Will there be a quip-off between her and Maggie Smith?

[Ladybug]

You know a show is a hit when they start stunt casting.

[kostgard]

Jan 30, 2012 17:13:54 GMT -4 Karrit said:

I just read that Shirley MacLaine has been cast as Cora's mother. That is some interesting casting. Will there be a quip-off between her and Maggie Smith?

Oh, lord yes. You know there will be. It's probably 80% of the reason why they cast her.

This could be entertaining or a "we're trying way too hard" disaster.

[LurkerNan]

Stunt casting, that's the first thing I thought of. Shirley MacLaine is getting on in years, and she's exactly the same age as Maggie Smith, but I worry that her many face lifts will be an anachronism that will pull me out of the story. Cora's mom should look just as wrinkly as Lord Grantham's mom.

But the dowager now will have someone her own stature to pick on. Isobel has neither money nor title, but Cora's mom should know full well that her daughter's inheritance saved Downton Abbey from financial ruin, and I would expect that fact to come up quickly and often. Actually, I would think the dowager and Cora's mom have common interests, seeing as how they share interest in their granddaughters. If you think of the lengths Violet goes to to get her way, can you imagine two of them?

[kateln]

Jan 30, 2012 17:13:54 GMT -4 Karrit said:

I just read that Shirley MacLaine has been cast as Cora's mother. That is some interesting casting. Will there be a quip-off between her and Maggie Smith?

That would be awesome.

I would have loved it had they gotten Carol Burnett. When Maggie Smith was younger she was on that show, and the skit where she's Tim Conway's Chav girlfriend vs. Burnett's Queen Elizabeth was awesome.

[kostgard]

Paper Magazine feature of the DA cast off the set and out of costume.


They even include the dogs.


Who knew that Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. O'Brien were so foxy?