Source: pbs.org

It seemed like a slower news day at the Abbey without any major catastrophes, well, unless you count Edith but we’ve come to expect a dark cloud to follow her around. (Maybe she and Eeyore/Moseley should spend more time together.)

Thomas & Baxter – Thomas is still skulking around trying to get info and twisting Baxter’s arm into getting him some dirt from upstairs. She seems like she is getting more and more reluctant to do his bidding and that look she gave him when she said, “Have it your own way,” makes me wonder if she is going to put up a fight in the near future.

Mary & Blake – Mary is back to form with her sharp tongue and verbal jabs at Mr. Blake, although he seems more than capable to give it right back to her. I would not be surprised if their angry remarks end in a passionate embrace. (Or so I predict.)

Rose – I knew Rose’s idea of having Jack Ross play at Robert’s birthday was going to raise a few eyebrows but I was actually surprised that they took it so well and enjoyed themselves. I was even more surprised that Edith was acting the snob (she is supposed to be more “enlightened” with her feminist ways, is she not?) and it was Granny who basically told her to lighten up. Meanwhile, things between Rose and Jack are heating up. I don’t think Papa will be as open minded about this arrangement.

Edith – Speaking of Edith, it was confirmed that she was pregnant. (I had to press pause to read the entire telegram.) And now Michael is AWOL. (I heard a spoiler.) There’s a troubling road ahead.

Mrs. Crawley – I could not stop laughing when Isobel channeled her inner Miss Marple and pretended to be ill only to enter Granny’s house and search for the letter knife. (I was also laughing because I totally would have secretly searched the room too.) Of course, Granny gets the final word when she already apologized and hired  the gardener back, to the chagrin of Violet. However, I wanted to hug Isobel when she danced with Tom and tried to talk him out of moving to America.

Dowstairs youth – Alfred has never been a favorite but I wish him well on his new venture. I am glad Daisy was able to control her emotions and say a proper goodbye to him. Although, Daisy does let loose on Ivy. As for Jimmy, I knew he was annoying and self-centered but I wasn’t expecting him to treat Ivy in such an underhanded way.

Fave Quote – Granny had so many zingers tonight but my favorite line came from downstairs –
Mrs. Patmore: I like that Rudolph Valentino. He makes me shiver all over.
Carson: What a very disturbing thought.

Fave Scene – I am sure everyone was touched by the scene in the nursery where Isobel, Tom and Mary shared about their loves. I had happy tears reminiscing over the proposal scene between Mary and Matthew. I remember blogging about Mary and her being out in the snow. Now I know how she stayed warm in her strappy dress. 😉

Okay, the clock has struck midnight so time for me to call it a night! In the meantime, share your thoughts. 🙂

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉

Source – ITV

This week I watched Downton with my sweetie in his hospital room. The TV was small and I sorely missed my subtitles (especially to catch the Dowager’s zingers) but at least we were together. (He’s slowly doing better by the way. 🙂 ) I came home and rewatched it with my mom so I could get all the parts I missed.

Anna & Bates – Well, Anna’s secret is finally out and that is good news and bad news. The good news – I could not have loved Bates more when he told Anna that she had nothing to be ashamed of and, if anything, he loved her more because of what she suffered. Thankfully, Anna fell back into his arms, back into his cottage and was once again sharing knowing looks with him. However, because this is Downton, we cannot have a lovely moment without some disaster looming on the horizon. Sweet Bates menacingly vowed to avenge his wife and I cannot say that I blame him. I just pray to God that if Green is served his justice it is not by Bates because I cannot do the “Bates in jail” storyline all over again.

Mary – I knew that kiss from Lord Gillingham was going to shake up Mary. I didn’t realize just how taken she was with Lord G until we caught her wiping tears away as she was writing to congratulate him on his engagement to that girl he doesn’t really love. It was amusing to see her so jovial at the sight of Napier. (He was in Season 1 as the friend of drop dead Mr. Pamuk.) Also, she was definitely feeling like her old self with her verbal jabs at Edith.

Robert – I was pleased that Robert showed a softer, less haughty side by helping out Mr. Drewe. I just hope it all works out okay and doesn’t backfire.

Edith – Ay yi yi. Things are not going well for Edith. First she signs questionable papers without reading them and then she loses her virtue to a suspicious wanna be-Mr Rochester with German overtones and then he leaves her without any word and now she is (I am assuming) with child. Sigh.

Thomas and Baxter – This is an interesting development as Thomas is trying to create an O’Brien 2.0. Although Baxter is doing his dirty work (thanks to blackmail??) I don’t see the evil streak in her that was in O’Brien or Edith. She seems more like someone who has been forced to do his dirty work in order to protect a secret. Time will tell.

Mrs. Crawley – You could tell that Isobel was feeling better. She was getting back to her slightly annoying “I know better than you” attitude. She means well but the Dowager said it best – “I wonder if your halo doesn’t grow heavy. It must be like wearing a tiara around the clock.””

Random Thoughts

• We didn’t see much of Rose this week, besides her offering to help Cora plan Robert’s party. I have a feeling she has the perfect person to provide the musical entertainment. 😉

• It was nice to see Tom and Mary with their absent kids. I am still wrapping my head around the way the nanny basically raises the children and not the parents.

• Joseph ‘Eeyore” Mosley once again provided us with some comic relief.

• I hope Tom is not actually leaving.

• Best lines of the Dowager – when she nicknames Isobel “Queen of the Rebels” or tells her “Wars have been waged with less fervor.”

Downton Abbey Facebook Recaps

Here’s the link to HappyPlace.com for their hilarious Downton Abbey Facebook Recaps. (Note: Some comments are a little crude or use questionable language so if that is no bueno for you, skip it.)

• If Downton Abbey took place entirely on Facebook – Season 4, Episode 4.

Let me know what you thought of the episode! 🙂

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉

Source – ITV

Sorry this is late. I have been busy getting all my things done before Brian’s surgery on Friday. (Next week I’ll be watching Downton with him in his hospital room!) In the meantime, here are my takes from Sunday’s episode.

Anna – Poor Anna! It was painful to see her anguish, particularly when that scumbag was sitting next to her at the table. I thought he had left the house. I wanted to jump through the screen and throttle him to the floor. (Sometimes the Mama Bear in me gets a little crazy.)  However, just as painful was watching Bates struggle with Anna’s coldness towards him.  I can understand why she is shutting out Bates but I still hate to see it!

Mr. Green/Mr. Gillingham – Speaking of the scumbag, I never understood why he was called Mr. Gillingham when his name was actually Mr. Green. I looked it up and found this piece here:

The visiting valet’s name was Mr. Green, but Anna and others referred to him as Gillingham out of deference to his boss, Lord Gillingham, a bit of social niceness that also served as a subtle nod to Green’s obvious sense of entitlement. The name-switchery didn’t make a lot of sense but as the good ol’ Dowager Countess reminded us: “If I were to search for logic, I would not look for it in the English upper class.”

Edna – I am sooooooo glad that this storyline was not played out over many episodes. I don’t know how much more I could take of seeing that nasty thing play the “you used me ill and got me pregnant” card and how many times she’d sneak into Tom’s room again. (Note to Tom – Lock your door, ol’ chap! And note to self – After you jump through the screen and throttle Gillingham’s valet, deal with Edna with equal vigor.) 😉

Mrs. Hughes – She was on fire! After having no problem snooping in Carson’s trash the other week and sneaking into Carson’s room to take the photo of his old love, she could certainly sneak into Edna’s room and find her book “How to Trap A Rich Guy into Marrying You.” Well played, Mrs. Hughes. Well played.

Mrs.  Crawley – I love that she is now working for the Doctor. (He’s a sly one. ;-)) She needs her sense of purpose back. I also loved the scene where the Dowager praised her virtue, to her own surprise.

Rose – Now that we’ve met Rose’s man crush I am eager to see how things develop. I am sure there will be many fireworks to come.

Edith – Was anyone concerned that Edith signed that paper without looking at it? What control was she being given? Was it work related? I’m confused. Although nothing was shown, I am assuming that Edith lost her “virtue” that night. I am not a big fan of Lady Rosamund but she hit the nail on the head when she was speaking to Edith. Will that girl ever find true happiness because all I see is future heartbreak.

Lord Gillingham – Wow, I knew the guy liked Mary but I never imagined him proposing! On the one hand, I know six months is an awfully short time for Mary to consider remarrying and I wonder if he is a little too “nice” for Mary who likes her men with a little devilish streak. Not overboard like Mr. Pamuk or Sir Richard, but like Matthew, a good man who can still stand toe to toe with her strong spirit.

On the other hand, Lord G seems like a decent man and honorable gentleman, not to mention, swoon worthy. I also think he has the ability, like Matthew, to bring out the goodness in Mary. When they are together there is a softness and openness that breaks through her tough shell. (She certainly didn’t seem the lease bit cold when she was kissing him good bye!) I just REALLY hope that Lord G does not marry that other girl then the writers have him come back into Mary’s life and they are unable to contain their attraction. (I can’t stand seeing the married messing around.) We also know there is a second suitor coming onto the scene. (I think he is going to have more of a love-hate attraction to Mary.) So we’ll see where all this goes.

Random Thoughts

• I thought it was very kind of the Duchess (even though I want to call her Aunt Gardiner from P&P) to try and cheer up Tom. As I said last week, it is as if people forget he is a widower.

• It was also sweet of Mary to advise him to find someone he can talk to about his problem.

• What does Thomas do all day besides lurk in hallways and plot getting people fired? But I’ll admit that I was throwing him kisses when he told Edna off.

• Is it just me or is the love triangle rectangle in the kitchen getting a little tedious. Maybe because I don’t get why Daisy likes Alfred in the first place. And I don’t know what to make of Jimmy. Frankly, I enjoy Mrs. Patmore’s quips more.

• Best line of Violet to Robert – “Why are you in your rompers?”

Downton Abbey Facebook Recaps

I completely forgot to give you the links to HappyPlace.com for their hilarious  Downton Abbey Facebook Recaps. (Note: Some comments are a little crude or use questionable language so if that is no bueno for you, skip it.)

• If Downton Abbey took place entirely on Facebook – Season 4, Episode 3.

• If Downton Abbey took place entirely on Facebook – Season 4, Episode 2.

• If Downton Abbey took place entirely on Facebook – Season 4, Episode 1.

Let me know what you thought of the episode! 🙂

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉

Source – ITV

(SPOILER ALERT: Do not read this post if you have not watched last night’s episode yet.)

It is difficult to comment on this episode because of the horrific attack on Anna. Unfortunately, or fortunately rather, I accidentally saw a spoiler a few days ago that said Anna was attacked by Green. It said it was in episode 3 so I thought it was going to be next week and I’d warn you guys today. But I forgot in the UK last night’s episode was #3. (In the US we watched episode 1 & 2 for he premiere.)

Anyway, I was shocked when I read it but at least it prepared me beforehand. I wonder if I would have suspected it as I was watching Green and Anna interact with each other. (Was it a shock to you or did you see it coming?) Instead it just made me sick to my stomach to see him act friendly towards her knowing what was to come, particularly since Bates sensed that something was off with the guy. But when the actual scene came on… to hear her screaming and fighting him… I can’t think about it or I’ll either burst into tears or become so raving angry that it will affect my mood towards my own family. Then to watch Green waltz around downstairs and say goodbye to Bates and Anna as if nothing happened, had my blood boiling. After the episode I literally had to stay up and watch a lighthearted show so it would not be the last thing on my mind before going to bed.

And if that was not enough to make us suffer, we also had to watch Edna lay the ground work for own sexual assault.

Tom – It was painful to watch Tom this episode. He had made such tremendous progress in being a part of the DA family and doing well in his work and helping out Lady Mary but this time we saw his old insecurities as he felt out of place and missed his lost love. I also find it odd that no one seems to be concerned about his loss of Sybil. Little comments have been made in several episodes where it almost seems as if they forgot that he lost his wife. However, nothing was more painful than watching Edna prey on him.

Edna – As Bates would say, “She gets my goat.” I already mentioned last week how much I don’t like her but last night she stooped to a new low. She sickened me with her plot to get Tom drunk (drugged?) and then sneaking into his room… Is there any chance he snapped out of it and threw her out before it was too late? If she purposely gets herself pregnant I think I will lose it.

Okay, let’s try to focus on some of the lighter sides of this episode.

Dowager Countess – Her best line of the night…

Violet: I’m afraid Tom’s small talk is very small indeed.
Robert: Not everyone can be Oscar Wilde.
Violet: That’s a relief.

Mary & Lord Gillingham – I find it interesting that Mary was allowed to test the waters, so to speak, with a character that is romantically involved with someone else. I think it helped her to let her guard down and open up to him. I really enjoyed the scene of Mary and Lord G on horseback. I love how she shared about Matthew and how he changed her. It is true that the Matthew was able to melt the ice queen. However, being open to deep love also means being vulnerable to deep pain. But I love a less icy Mary more and hope she continues to heal and finds a healthy balance between strength and sensitivity.

As for Lord G, he doesn’t seem too attached to his intended but I don’t mind since I think he is lovely. He seems like a gentleman (except for his earlier faux pas when he asked if she had children)  and a decent man and genuinely concerned about Mary and her well being. No one could ever take the place of Matthew but I would like to see Mary happy once again with a good man. Now whether or not he is good remains to be seen. We all know that if there is too much happiness then Fellowes must plan something unspeakable to happen to our beloved characters (death, assault, false imprisonment, betrayal…). Sigh. If I wanted reality, I’d watch the news. Moving on.

Sampson – Brian and I spent the first few minutes of the show trying to figure out where we saw the actor that played Sampson before. I allow myself 10 minutes of racking my brain until I have to pull out my phone and look it up. Thankfully, it came quickly that he was Richard from Bleak House.

Gregson – I may not trust Edith’s boyfriend and think he will cause her future heart ache (this is DA after all) but I did relish the scene where he outsmarted the card sharp Sampson. He even managed to temporarily win over Robert buy winning back his bacon.

Mrs. Crawley – It was so sad to watch Isobel struggle with living life and mourning her dead son as others were “moving on.” I can only imagine the pain it would be lose ones only son and to hardly ever (?) see your only grandchild. Now that her pet project (Mr. Griggs) is gone she needs something else to give her some purpose. Is the doctor married? I could picture them side by side curing the ills of the world.

Carson & Robert – Their snobbery was reaching new heights this episode. Although, when Robert shows it I roll my eyes. When Carson shows it I laugh and think, “You are so silly, Carson, but I love you.”

Tidbits

• I find it hilarious that the table is set with the use of rulers.

• I had to laugh at Cora and Robert’s conversation about the evils of gambling with Robert agreeing and hiding the fact that he lost his own small fortune to Sampson.

• What was up with Mrs. Patmore? She needs to let the girls take the reigns a little more often so she doesn’t have a real heart attack.

• Kudos for Alfred making a delightful sauce. He needs to get in the kitchen more often.

• Cora – The strong and sensible Cora was back tonight. Her best line, “Am I the only member of this family that lives in the 20th century?”

• Mosley – I love our little Debbie Downer. His best line of he night… Mrs. Patmore: Are you a footman now? Mosley: I’m having my career backwards.

Well, usually I am so excited for the next episode of Downton Abbey but I am not this time. We will have to watch the painful aftermath of Anna’s attack as she understandably distances herself from Bates. No more knowing looks and stolen kisses. I just pray it does not do irreparable damage to their marriage. And we will see what damage Edna has done. That (bleep.)

My only consolation is that after next week’s Downton I will get to watch Season 3 of Sherlock..a show I love as much as DA. Okay, that’s it for now.

Let me know what you though of the episode? Did you see all the heartache coming or was it a surprise? What do you think of Mary and Lord Gillingham? Spill. 😉

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉

I wish that before I had watched Season 4, I would have pulled out my Season 3 and rewatched it. It would have refreshed my memory as to who the returning characters where. Brian and I were racking our brains trying to remember who Mr. Griggs was (wasn’t he Carson’s partner that was blackmailing Carson in a previous episode?) and who Edna was. Finally we remembered she was the tart who was after Tom and kissed him. Well, I still need to go back and rewatch this episode to catch all the little parts I missed but for now, here are my first thoughts.

Mary – I did not know what to expect with Mary’s character now that Matthew is gone. Mary can be surly with a sharp tongue but Matthew softened her and her love for Matthew (particularly when he was engaged to Lavinia) brought out a more charitable and empathetic Mary that I loved. I could understand her grief but when she was neglecting baby George, I wanted to shake her and tell her she had to buck up for the sake of her child. However, when she had a good cry with Carson then I knew it would be cathartic and part of her healing. (Bravo, Carson.) By the end of the episode, we saw Mary’s spunk once again.

Dowager Countess – Love her. Need say no more.

Robert – I don’t know why but ever since Robert’s past indiscretion with that maid, I can’t seem to warm up to him. Almost everything he does bugs me and his particular treatment to Mary this episode seemed more self serving than worrying about her welfare.

Tom – Now this is a character who I was unsure about at first but have grown to love over time. This episode sealed the deal in the way he cared for Mary and was the voice of reason numerous times.

Edna – Well, they were quick to fill the role of O’Brien with the new baddie Edna. However, she does not seem like one I will  playfully “love to hate.” I think she will be a “nails on chalkboard” character that raises my blood pressure whenever she is onscreen, much like the former Mrs. Bates. Now she has teamed up with Thomas and they are in cahoots as they play cat and mouse with Anna and Bates. (I’m assuming it is Thomas’ way to continue his personal war against Bates.) Thomas and Edna are really going to get me riled up this season.

Anna & Bates – Are they too cute or what? The Valentine card scene was so sweet I had to get out of my chair and kiss Brian. They just make you want to cherish being in love. But all that happiness in our soapy drama means that some turmoil must be ahead. (Refer back to Thomas and Edna.) Also, how could Cora and Robert immediately think so badly of Anna? She has been nothing but faithful to them (above and beyond duty when you consider carrying a dead body from Mary’s room) to automatically believe she would act in such a manner. At the very least, they could have given her the benefit of the doubt or asked her about the “incident” to get her side of the story. Grrr.

Isobel – It was hard to see her in her grief saying that she was not a mother anymore. I hated when she finally rallied to see her grandson only to be turned out by the nanny. I was so happy to see her find a sense of purpose again in helping Mr. Griggs. (Even though I thought it a little creepy to invite a perfect stranger into your home. )  Oh and speaking of that nanny…

Nanny – I can’t remember her name and don’t feel like looking it up but when Thomas was ratting her out I felt sorry for her since Thomas is Thomas. But when those disgusting words were aimed at sweet Sybbie I wanted to jump through the screen and smack her face. Cora can sometimes get on my nerves but when she calmly but firmly kicked her out and wouldn’t let her touch the children or even be in the same room, I was more than pleased. My question is – was it just a coincidence that Thomas made those comments to Cora or did he really know how awful she was treating Sybbie?

Molesly – I like poor old Molesly. Even thought he is sometimes weird and whiny I can’t hep but want to root for the guy. And I was so upset when that bully butler  made him look a fool in front of a prospective employer.

Mrs. Hughes – She was just a busy little bee going through Carson’s trash, finding Grigg’s, talking Cora into taking him in ect. I wonder how she was able to get so much time off from Downton. 😉

The Downstairs Youngsters – The Jimmy, Alfred, Daisy and Ivy saga is a little stale. When Daisy got that Valentine I was hoping there was a new love interest outside of Downton. Inside, there seems to be only two options and Alfred is too whiny and Jimmy is a troublemaker.

Rose – Speaking of troublemaker, I am waiting to see what shenanigans Miss Rose has in store for us this season.

Edith – I don’t know what t think about Edith. As unlikable as she was at first, I have rooted for her many times and shook my head when she made one mistake after another but hoped she’d finally come around, particularly after she got her confidence caring for the soldiers. But now that she is in this Mr. Rochester-ish relationship I can’t imagine it ending well.  I suppose they needed a female character to reflect the changing times and loosening morals.I thought that was going to be Rose’s role but Edith is charging ahead. And are we suppose to feel sympathetic towards Gregson and his lunatic wife? I don’t trust the guy and the fact that he chooses to become a German before WWII will provide for interesting storyline. The only positive thing Edith has going for her are the lovely outfits she is able to wear. Love the colors.

Okay, I wanted to add my fave quotes and tidbits but it’s late and I’m starting to see double so I better get to bed. Let me know what you thought of the episode!! 🙂

PS – You can follow RoL on Bloglovin, Feedly or another news feed. If you are a social media fan like me, we can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads or Instagram. 😉