I read an interesting post about Downton Abbey at The Deacon’s Bench blog called The Catholic Connection to “Downton Abbey” by Deacon Greg Kandra. I reads:

It begins with the creator of this popular British series — and it will become a part of the storyline in the upcoming season:
Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes has become Vice President of the Catholic Association of Performing Arts. The announcement was made during a special centenary dinner at Alan Hall in Chelsea. During the evening, Lord Fellowes said that Catholicism would be entering the storyline of his popular ITV series “Downton Abbey” at some point in the near future. When questioned about this, he would not say whether the development would be in the two hour Christmas Day special next week, or the new series in 2012.
Guests of honour at the special dinner, were Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Association, actor Frank Finlay CBE, Chairman Richard O’ Callaghan, Frank Comerford, owner of the Stage newspaper, Fr Pat Maloney, National Theatre Chaplain, CAaPA Chaplain Fr Alan Robinson and trustee Mgr Vlad Felzmann. Lord Julian Fellowes came with his wife Lady Emma, lady in waiting to Princess Michael of Kent.
The Catholic Stage Guild was founded in 1911 by Mgr Robert Hugh Benson, a former Anglican priest and youngest son of Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, to encourage and support Catholics in the theatre and allied professions spiritually and artistically. A colourful character, he bequeathed his home in Hertfordshire to the Archbishop of Westminster. It has been the country residence of all Archbishops of Westminster ever since.
During this centenary year, CaAPA on the Road has performed entertainments at churches, care homes, including Denville Hall for retired show business performers, and other venues. A centenary concert, compered by Vice President, comedian Don Maclean raised funds for CAFOD at Westminster Cathedral Hall.
Lord Fellowes, who won an Oscar for his Gosford Park screenplay, has become a household name as the creator of “Downton Abbey.” During his speech he said that one third of the adult population watched the show. “The series will go on as long as people want it to” he said.

What did you think of last night’s episode of Downton Abbey? Here are my thoughts so far.

Mrs. Crawley – I hated to see the way that Mrs. Crawley was getting snippy about Cora and complaining about the changes. She would have gotten a lot farther had she been more willing to compromise and be a team player rather than insisting that everything be done her way. However, my heart did ache for her when she finally left town feeling unloved and unappreciated. I do hope a more humble Mrs. Crawly returns.

Lady Grantham – It was nice to finally see Cora step up and stop being so passive. She stood her ground with Mrs. Crawley and called her bluff all the while keeping her grace and decorum. (I couldn’t help but laugh at their discourse.) Even when O’Brien filled Cora’s head with tales of secret enterprises between Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Bird, she didn’t just blindly believe her. She sought the truth herself. In the end she gave us one of the best scenes of the night – when she joined then in the soup kitchen and made O’Brien do the same. Loved it.

Molesley – My other favorite scene was very trivial but I loved when Mrs Bird and Molesley were in the kitchen talking and Mrs Bird was teasing him about being so grand as the valet to Lord Grantham. The way he laughed and playfully nudged her was so sweet. It was like a brother and sister joking around. I hated to see him shot down again with the return of Mr. Bates.

Branson – I really liked Branson last season but the more I see of him the more I dislike him. He is not evil like Thomas but he seems selfish and only concerned about getting what he wants. There seems to be a stark contrast between the relationship of Bates and Anna and Branson and Sybil. Bates is consumed with protesting Anna’s welfare and not wanting her to do anything that would bring her pain or that she’d later regret. Whereas Branson seems to want Sybil to make all the sacrifices and is pushing her to leave all that she loves, even to the point of belittling the nursing work she is doing. It is true when Sybil and Mary said that he seems to be “full of himself.”

Ethel – Stupid girl. Although, I can’t help but feel sorry for her. The one I really want to bodily harm is that Major Bryant. I can’t stand the smug look on his face (even while he is doing his magic tricks) and I hate the fact that Ethel is the only one being punished for a sin that two committed. (But isn’t that so often the case?) Edith put it nicely when the Major said at the beginning, “I was keeping her talking. You mustn’t blame her.” Edith replied. “I don’t.”

And although his behavior may be winked at wouldn’t Lord Grantham want to know that one of his “house guests” was taking advantage of his servant and now that servant had to be fired. I suppose those were not details he needed to be bothered with, especially when his own daughter was in a worse situation and he still has no clue about that. (How is that possible?)

Matthew & Mary – I was pleased that the two boys returned home safely but frankly, I was hoping Matthew would get hurt and on his deathbed Mary would be forced to spill her heart to him and tell him that she loved him before he died. Of course, that knowledge would give him the strength to live and declare his love for her. Instead I had to watch them look at each other longingly at the concert. I ached for Mary to run to Matthew and put her arms around him even though I knew it would never happen – at least not at this point in time. (I did like that Matthew is still taking Mary’s toy dog with him on the battlefield. It gives me hope.)

William & Daisy – William, on the other hand, may have benefited from his brush with danger. Daisy seemed to be genuinely worried for him. Maybe the thought of losing him made her realize how much she does care for him?

Other random favorite scene – The look of the Countess’ face when Lord Grantham joined in the singing at the concert.

Other random favorite quote

• After the Crawley sisters sing for the first time, Edith says, “I wish we had a man.” Mary replies, “Amen.” (I could hear my single friends giggling.)

The previews for next’s episode looks exciting. There looks like a lot more drama coming, especially from Vera Bates. (If this keeps up I’ll have to go to confession for the anger I am feeling towards certain people and it is mighty embarrassing admitting that those people are not actually real. LOL 😉

On a quick side note Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, is Catholic and he said that in Season 3 “Catholicism would be entering the storyline.” That should be interesting. 🙂

Feel free to leave your comments or join the discussion at By Sun and Candlelight’s A Little Downtown Discussion.

After that depressing Packers game yesterday, Brian and I were happy to sit down and lose ourselves into the world of Downton Abbey. I didn’t use my twitter feed last night so instead I wrote my comments on the main characters this morning. Enjoy and share your own thoughts!

Mrs. Crawley – I loved Mrs. Crawley in Season One, especially when she went toe to toe with The Countess, but she always seemed to be bossing someone this episode. I know she is used to being in charge and doing what she feels is right but it is getting a bit overbearing. Although, she does have the grace to not cause a scene when she is reprimanded or overlooked.

Lord and Lady Grantham – I must give credit to Lord and Lady Grantham for opening their home. I know it seems as if they are being petty and selfish (even the worry over a footman seems a bit ridiculous) but I tried to imagine that happening in my own home. I don’t know if I could do it. Perhaps if I was in charge and called the shots but to have someone else tell me what I could and could not do in my own home, I don’t think I’d take it kindly. I guess I am more selfish than I’d like to admit. Although, I do wonder…the house of Downton Abbey looks HUGE from the outside. If the Granthams wanted their privacy, is there not another wing of the house they can use? Why do they seem so cramped?

Sybil – Her best line, “It is doing nothing that is the enemy.”

O’Brien – O’Brien has shown a much softer side this season and as much as she’s been scheming and pulling strings (is Cora completely blind?) it is nice to see that she feels remorse from her sins and is trying to make up for it by watching out for Lady Grantham. I still don’t understand why she is so attached to Thomas? Will he land out being her son or related to her?

Thomas – Thomas wasn’t that prominent this episode but the scenes he had did not change my views of him. He is still a pain in the arse.

Branson – I don’t know what to think of him. He is so hell-bent on making his political statement that he seems blind to all else. Although, Brian and I got a laugh at how many people had to read the note before they actually got to Branson. Thank God he wasn’t moving very quickly. The second laugh was the “gun” he was going to use. Thank God he was not planning anything worse!

Mary – I love the change I have seen in Mary. She was so selfish and self-centered in Season One. Now she has numerous opportunities to try and destroy Matthew’s engagement but instead she is trying to be empathetic to Lavinia and can’t bear to hurt Matthew, even if it means she has to suffer interior torture. Some may call her a needless martyr but I think it speaks of the depth of her true love of Matthew.

Matthew – He may not admit it, but he will never stop loving Mary. I do believe he cares for Lavinia and that she is a nice girl but she is still his second choice. Little things he does show that his mind turns to Mary before Lavinia. I think a telling act, although it was from last week’s episode, was when he went out into the battlefield and the token of affection he placed in his pocket was not the photo of his fiancé but the little dog given to him by Mary.

Lang – I can feel nothing but pity for him, even when he foolishly reveals Mrs. Patmore’s secret.

Daisy and William – I was so upset with Daisy when she blindly followed Thomas last season, but I chalked it up as a folly of youth. I don’t quite understand why she is not in love with William. He is a good man and kind to her. It is not as if she knows many other men in her life. In her position it seems only natural that she’d fall in love with him. As to lying to him, couldn’t she have just postponed the engagement?

Edith – Poor Edith seemed to vacillate between vindictiveness to stupidity to the Jan Brady syndrome. It is lovely to finally see that she has found her calling in serving others and bringing kindness to weary souls. I think as long as she does not fall for another married man she may truly find true happiness.

Ethel – Oh, boy. You can see the writing on the wall with that one. One look at the Rico Suave officer she is flirting with and you know exactly what he has in mind. Take care, foolish girl!

Anna – I love Anna dearly and it was nice to see her looking so pretty for her fella. But I wish she would please stop asking Bates to live with her in sin. It is like watching Jane Eyre in reverse. She has the weakness of Rochester while Bates has the strength of Jane. I can’t say that I blame her or that I wouldn’t be tempted to do the same thing but that doesn’t make it right.

Mr. Bates – I want to kiss him for being so gallant and gentlemanly to Anna when she is feeling weak. And I wholeheartedly want him and Anna to find happiness together. However, I do not think for a moment that Vera Bates will go without a fight. She seems like the type who would rather see someone dead than to have them happy with someone else, no matter how much money she was offered

Lastly, The Dowager Countess of Grantham – Is there anyone who does not love her? My favorite line of the night:
Mary : “So what? One knows lots of people in London.”
Countess: “I don’t know many people who threaten me behind the laurels.”

Feel free to leave your own comments here or visit the discussion at By Sun and Candlelight: Let’s Dish about Downton. I can’t wait until next week!