Downton Abbey Review: Many Noses Will Be Out Of Joint Comments (Page 2)
19 Comments
BC
January 21st, 2013 8:37 PM
The immediate post WW1 period, in which the current series is set, was a turbulent time in Anglo/Irish politics. Up to that time, the whole of Ireland was under the direct rule of Britain, following centuries of tyranny and exploitation. The landed gentry in Ireland were English by origin, having been awarded Irish lands by various English kings, from which the original Irish owners had been ruthlessly dispossessed. In 1916, an Irish rebellion and war of independence finally resulted in freedom from British rule, although six northern counties of the provice of Ulster remained under British rule because of the wishes of the Protestant majority (setting the stage for further problems that we have witnessed in our own time period). The other three provinces became The Irish Free State, and later The Republic of Ireland. Branson, obviously is a conflicted Irish patriot who has managed to marry himself into the English aristocracy, the very people that had lorded it over the Irish in his n
gatvfan Rank: Guest Star
January 21st, 2013 8:11 PM
I remembered from my own education about the trouble brewing in Ireland and knew it has been slowly building up to try to make a break from England. Still not impressed with Tom's character. To watch Sybil when she found out that he at meetings where taking action was discussed and he had not told her was something to see. She felt betrayed.
Poor Bates thinking his wife no longer cared about him by not writing. I suspected the guards were withholding his mail for their own reasons.
As usual Downton Abbey held my attention for the 50 minutes it on. I found myself wishing it was on for 2 whole hours.
DeAnn Rank: Recurring Character
January 21st, 2013 6:23 PM
BTW, it amazes me that the reviewer knew nothing of Irelands "Troubles" during this era when it is a major point of European history! What are they teaching in school these days? I learned about the problems between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland while I was in Junior High School, for heaven's sake.Did no one watch "In the Name of the Father"? Emma Thompson won an Oscar for her role in that movie!
Anyway, I also wanted to say that the new guy getting preyed upon by Thomas the gay valet is inevitable. And I loved Mrs OBriens new toaster! I hope that Daisy finds someone, she seems so lonely, and I also hope that Isobel Crawley saves the fallen maid. Thumbs up for Edith becoming a journalist, too!
DeAnn Rank: Recurring Character
January 21st, 2013 6:17 PM
I loved this episode for many reasons, but I have to say that the Dowager Countess's quips were totally on point and hilarious throughout the episode. I was glad to see Bates get back in favor so that he and Anna could exchange letters, but I agree that it is a bit grim to have to view prison life in Edwardian England so often. I have a feeling that Bates will get killed, or he will be released, but either way I am with the viewers who said that it can't keep going on this way, because it is too depressing. Meanwhile, I am flummoxed as to why the Irish get such a rum go in Downton, with Branson being an eejit and leaving his pregnant wife behind in an Ireland boiling with the "Troubles" I can't imagine any man who loves his wife just leaving her like that in such a cowardly way to save his own skin.
Twilla
January 21st, 2013 4:46 PM
I agree with all who are tired of the Bates/Anna storyline. While they have always been likeable characters, the prison scenes are not interesting or enjoyable. Let's either free Bates and move on, or write him out.
I do think you have some confusion with the footmen, however: James, the new and good-looking footman, is not related to Miss O'Brien, and is not the object of Daisy's interest. That person is Alfred, the somewhat homely footman who is O'Brien's nephew. And he, sadly, appears to be interested in the new kitchen maid, Ivy. Poor Daisy! She does deserve to have a feller! It will be interesting to see how the amoral Branson affects James in his new employment. Nothing positive, I'm sure.
Carissa Pavlica Rank: Staff Member
January 21st, 2013 10:09 AM
Hi @TS - I agree about the characters in focus during the episode. For me, it was what happened because of them that I enjoyed. Robert's hissy fit while still helping Branson and watching Isobel formulate a plan. I've always enjoyed Isobel, but she's much like Edith. Nobody gives her credit for her brain because she doesn't have a man standing behind her. She can be annoying, but she has some very cutting edge ideas. Bates needs to get out of prison or be written off. Just blah.
TS
January 21st, 2013 9:57 AM
Why would M/M need to discuss children? At that time and in their situation, having children would be both expected and desired. (And it wouldn't be "appropriate" for them to explicitly discuss anyway.) I thought it was pretty clear that Mary, in her own subtle way, was telling Matthew that she went to the doctor because she thought she was pregnant but it turned out she wasn't and might not be for some time, if ever.
I think Cora runs the household affairs and staff, but Robert is in charge of the estate (e.g. rent from tenants, etc.) where the problems mostly are.
The Dowager was cracking me up, but overall I wasn't enthralled with much of this episode, since Branson's, Bates' and Ethel's tragic sagas are my least favorite storylines.
Picazo
January 20th, 2013 10:58 PM
So I decided to watch this show today.. I was hooked Right away I am halft tru S2 already... I can't wait to catch up.. I am hooked
Bobby Lyons
January 20th, 2013 10:46 PM
I think that Mary should be pregnant. Cora will confront Mr Branson about his wife being pregnant
Mathew and Robert talk about throwing mr Carson out of Downton
January 21st, 2013 8:37 PM
The immediate post WW1 period, in which the current series is set, was a turbulent time in Anglo/Irish politics. Up to that time, the whole of Ireland was under the direct rule of Britain, following centuries of tyranny and exploitation. The landed gentry in Ireland were English by origin, having been awarded Irish lands by various English kings, from which the original Irish owners had been ruthlessly dispossessed. In 1916, an Irish rebellion and war of independence finally resulted in freedom from British rule, although six northern counties of the provice of Ulster remained under British rule because of the wishes of the Protestant majority (setting the stage for further problems that we have witnessed in our own time period). The other three provinces became The Irish Free State, and later The Republic of Ireland. Branson, obviously is a conflicted Irish patriot who has managed to marry himself into the English aristocracy, the very people that had lorded it over the Irish in his n
Rank: Guest Star
January 21st, 2013 8:11 PM
I remembered from my own education about the trouble brewing in Ireland and knew it has been slowly building up to try to make a break from England. Still not impressed with Tom's character. To watch Sybil when she found out that he at meetings where taking action was discussed and he had not told her was something to see. She felt betrayed.
Poor Bates thinking his wife no longer cared about him by not writing. I suspected the guards were withholding his mail for their own reasons.
As usual Downton Abbey held my attention for the 50 minutes it on. I found myself wishing it was on for 2 whole hours.
Rank: Recurring Character
January 21st, 2013 6:23 PM
BTW, it amazes me that the reviewer knew nothing of Irelands "Troubles" during this era when it is a major point of European history! What are they teaching in school these days? I learned about the problems between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland while I was in Junior High School, for heaven's sake.Did no one watch "In the Name of the Father"? Emma Thompson won an Oscar for her role in that movie!
Anyway, I also wanted to say that the new guy getting preyed upon by Thomas the gay valet is inevitable. And I loved Mrs OBriens new toaster! I hope that Daisy finds someone, she seems so lonely, and I also hope that Isobel Crawley saves the fallen maid. Thumbs up for Edith becoming a journalist, too!
Rank: Recurring Character
January 21st, 2013 6:17 PM
I loved this episode for many reasons, but I have to say that the Dowager Countess's quips were totally on point and hilarious throughout the episode. I was glad to see Bates get back in favor so that he and Anna could exchange letters, but I agree that it is a bit grim to have to view prison life in Edwardian England so often. I have a feeling that Bates will get killed, or he will be released, but either way I am with the viewers who said that it can't keep going on this way, because it is too depressing. Meanwhile, I am flummoxed as to why the Irish get such a rum go in Downton, with Branson being an eejit and leaving his pregnant wife behind in an Ireland boiling with the "Troubles" I can't imagine any man who loves his wife just leaving her like that in such a cowardly way to save his own skin.
January 21st, 2013 4:46 PM
I agree with all who are tired of the Bates/Anna storyline. While they have always been likeable characters, the prison scenes are not interesting or enjoyable. Let's either free Bates and move on, or write him out.
I do think you have some confusion with the footmen, however: James, the new and good-looking footman, is not related to Miss O'Brien, and is not the object of Daisy's interest. That person is Alfred, the somewhat homely footman who is O'Brien's nephew. And he, sadly, appears to be interested in the new kitchen maid, Ivy. Poor Daisy! She does deserve to have a feller! It will be interesting to see how the amoral Branson affects James in his new employment. Nothing positive, I'm sure.
Rank: Staff Member
January 21st, 2013 10:09 AM
Hi @TS - I agree about the characters in focus during the episode. For me, it was what happened because of them that I enjoyed. Robert's hissy fit while still helping Branson and watching Isobel formulate a plan. I've always enjoyed Isobel, but she's much like Edith. Nobody gives her credit for her brain because she doesn't have a man standing behind her. She can be annoying, but she has some very cutting edge ideas. Bates needs to get out of prison or be written off. Just blah.
January 21st, 2013 9:57 AM
Why would M/M need to discuss children? At that time and in their situation, having children would be both expected and desired. (And it wouldn't be "appropriate" for them to explicitly discuss anyway.) I thought it was pretty clear that Mary, in her own subtle way, was telling Matthew that she went to the doctor because she thought she was pregnant but it turned out she wasn't and might not be for some time, if ever.
I think Cora runs the household affairs and staff, but Robert is in charge of the estate (e.g. rent from tenants, etc.) where the problems mostly are.
The Dowager was cracking me up, but overall I wasn't enthralled with much of this episode, since Branson's, Bates' and Ethel's tragic sagas are my least favorite storylines.
January 20th, 2013 10:58 PM
So I decided to watch this show today.. I was hooked Right away I am halft tru S2 already... I can't wait to catch up.. I am hooked
January 20th, 2013 10:46 PM
I think that Mary should be pregnant. Cora will confront Mr Branson about his wife being pregnant
Mathew and Robert talk about throwing mr Carson out of Downton