NOTE: If you have not already seen Season 3,hurry up already, I mean, there are spoilers ahead!
I’ve been hearing a lot of news here and there about Season 4 and the new cast members so I thought I’d put post a few of the highlights for this week’s 7 Quick Takes, hosted by Jen.
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Earlier this month Masterpiece released the first official photo of Lady Mary and Baby George Crawley.
Source: Carnival Films
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Season 4 will pick up the storyline six months after Matthew Crawley’s death. (I am still shaking my fist over that one.) There are two new love interests waiting in line for her.
Source: Getty
Tom Cullen will play Lord Gillingham, a childhood family friend of the Crawleys who visits the family when he attends a house party.
Source: Getty
Julien Ovenden will play aristocrat Charles Blake, another potential love interest for Lady Mary.
Note: Ovenden played Andrew the son of Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle in Foyle’s War. I loved that show. Not to mention, I also feel in love with the name “Andrew” while watching it and hoped to one day have a son named that. 🙂 Also, did you know that the show is returning? Woohoo! But more on that later.
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Other new cast members include… (Photos from Getty.)
Dame Harriet Walter as Lady Shackleton, an old friend of the Dowager Countess.
Joanna David will have a guest role as the Duchess of Yeovil.
(Remember her as Mrs. Gardiner in the original Pride and Prejudice?)
Nigel Harman will play Green, a valet.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will play a guest who sings in the house.
Lily James who originally made a guest appearance as Violet’s rebellious great niece Rose has been confirmed as a series regular for Season 4.
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Another character which has not been cast as of yet, is the role of Jack Ross. He is to be a musician/singer at an exclusive club in the 20’s. He is black, very handsome, a “real” man (not a boy) and has charm, charisma and the “wow” factor. Just reading that makes me say, Wow. It’ll be interesting who they find!
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As if it wasn’t enough that we had to watch Sybil die in agony, watch Matthew be ridiculously killed off, now we have to say goodbye to the woman (and bangs) that we love to hate. Siobhan Finneran has quit Downton Abbey. Blast!
The big question, of course, is why quit the biggest show on TV? Siobhan admits there is no plan to cross the pond like her fellow cast member Dan Stevens, whose character Matthew Crawley was killed off when he picked Broadway over being the heir apparent.
She just wanted out — and has done for a while. ‘I signed up to do three series and that was all I wanted to do,’ says the 47-year-old. ‘I talked it through with my family and it was the right decision for all of us. I had great fun doing it but I just didn’t want to do it any more. I decided this before we even did the last series. When I stop loving something, I stop doing it.’
She has made her mind up — although the Downton people are hoping she will change it. While Dan was killed off in a car crash in the Christmas special, according to producers the door has been left open for Siobhan to return. Not that she appears to care much about what happens to Sarah O’Brien. ‘I have no idea how they will explain my absence,’ she laughs.
And to signify a change in her life, Siobhan had a hair makeover. She is now even harder to recognize.
Source: Getty Images
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Well, we still have many, many longs months until Season 4 arrives. In the meantime, you can get your period drama fix next week with the new series Mr. Selfridge. It premiers on Masterpiece on March 31, 2013 and will run until May 19. The first episode is 2 hours. Episodes 2-7 will be an hour and Episode 8, 90 minutes. Here’s a preview.
(I couldn’t sleep last night so I write this in the wee hours of the morn, although I couldn’t post it until now.)
Spoiler Alert – If you did not see last night’s episode, stop reading!
For the rest of you, well, what did you think? What an episode!
Of course the only thing on everyone’s mind is Matthew’s death. I accidentally saw the spoiler before Season 3 started. I knew what was coming so there was no emotion from me when it actually happened. I hated knowing because I could not fully enjoy the season with that news hanging over my head. I wonder, if I had not known, if I would have had a suspicion with the way they were playing up Matthew and pumped up his likability after all the “I killed Lavinia” drama was over.
Seriously, what I did not like (besides the actual death) was the way it happened. It was so sudden, so out of the blue and so WTH? We were given absolutely no time to process, grieve or ask ourselves, “Did I just see what I think I saw?” Nada. Instead we get PBS asking us for money. Major boooo!
I can’t help but compare Sybil’s and Matthew’s death. With Sybil, it was tragic but felt organic. You experienced it as it happened and it was believable. Matthew’s death seemed like an after thought that was thrown in at the end.
And frankly, I feel sorry for the UK since this was their Christmas special. Can you imagine? The show is moving along all jolly and playful and then bam, a stake of holly through their hearts. You’re a mean one Mr Grinch Fellowes. At least with us, we’re in the Lenten season and already operating in suffering mode. 😉 (*In defense of Mr. F, see the article links below.)
Anyway, it’s 1:00 in the morning and I can’t sleep. Truth be told, I was watching the show, tweeting and reading the feed at the same time so I know there were little bits that I missed and quotes I wanted to hear again so I could write then down. I rewatched the episode after Brian went to bed and now I’ll comment on a few other story lines.
Romance for the Older Set – both Mrs Patmore and Isobel found themselves with offers of marriage. Cupid was busy this week! Seeing Mrs. Patmore like a school girl made me giddy myself. I loved her line, ““No man’s wanted to squire me since the Golden Jubilee. Even then he expected me to buy the drinks.” I looked that phrase up and saw that it was The Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, celebrated on June 20, 1887. That was 35 years prior so no wonder Mrs. Patmore is excited! When we could see all was not as it seemed, I felt so bad for Mrs. P especially when she covered her eyes as Mrs. H told her the truth. I was delighted that she felt relieved and could laugh at the situation. Mrs. Hughes saves the day again!
As for Isobel, I really thought that she and the doctor would make a good match and Lord knows she will need someone to comfort here when she finds out the news that her baby boy is dead in a ditch. Ugh! When she refused the doctor’s advances I thought she merely mastered the art of the dignified brush off. However, others online said she really didn’t get it. She didn’t realize he was proposing? What do you think?
Mrs. Wilkins – I thought this fellow lady in black would be a possible BFF to Mrs O’Brien but when she was slighted and her nostrils flared, you know it was more akin to frenemy territory. But the poor amateur didn’t stand a chance. You can’t O’Brien Ms. O’Brien.
Shrimpie and Susan – I don’t know which was more heartbreaking, seeing the deterioration of their marriage and home or realizing that a Hugh had to live with his unfortunate name all his life. On the plus side, Robert realized how lucky he was to have listened to Matthew’s advice about modernizing Downton. I also liked that we were able to get some background about Rose. We can see why she is looking for love in all the wrong places.
Mr Granger & Edith – You know, I had some sympathy for the original Mr Rochester and his love for Jane in Jane Eyre, but I have no pity for this version of Rochester and his mad wife. Mr Granger seems more concerned about his own desires and it is an insult to expect Edith to have the “job as his mistress.” #teamedith cheered when Edith realized that and said, “I just can’t see a happy ending.” But as usual, Edith is the writers punching bag so she had to recant and beg Mr G to stay in her life. #teamdith is not amused! So will Edith actually have an affair with this bloke? Will she become the voice of the 20’s modern woman? Ugh.
Jimmy and Thomas – Jimmy continues to think he us all that during this episode. And who would have thought that Thomas would continue to tug at my heart strings and that I’d be rooting for him as he took the fall for Jimmy. Last week, I said that it was a lack of love that made Thomas such a pill and it seems that his caring for another person has made a better man of him. I am glad he and Jimmy were able to reconcile even though it seems like it would be an awkward friendship with Thomas still crushing on him.
Anna and Bates – Okay, I haven’t been waving my #teamanna&bates flag for a long time but today I dusted it off and waved it proudly. When Anna was dancing and Bates looked so fondly at her, it was a beautiful moment. They recaptured that touch of magic that they experienced in the first season. Bravo.
Evil Edna (as Brian nicknamed her) and Tom – From the first moments Edna was on screen I did not like her with her conniving ways and belittling words to Tom. My blood pressure would go up every time she entered the screen and when the hussy went into Tom’s bedroom, I was fit to be tied. I was never so glad to see Mrs. Hughes to the rescue, again.
As for Tom, he has been so grand lately and I’ve grown to love his character and have a sisterly affection for him. However, in regards to Edna, I agree with Mrs Hughes. He may not have encouraged her but he didn’t discourage her either. My heart did break a little when he cried for his beloved Sybil. I do hope he finds happiness again in the future.
Mrs Hughes – Thank God she is at Downton. She is the voice of reason and her motherly love and care continues to nurture countless characters, upstairs and down.
Random Thoughts
I like when the characters’ names differ. There are too many E names – Edith, Ethel, Edna.
The scenes with the bagpiper were hilarious.
It was funny to see Daisy and Ivy arm in arm as BFF’s. Glad of it.
How cute was it when Mr Carson held and cared for Little Sybbie?
I love that Mr Carson was a proud papa with the news of Lady Mary and her baby.
When Mr “Every Savage Can Dance” Molesley gets drunk and dances his jig.
Robert: They do say there is a wild man in all of us.
Violet: If only he’d stay inside.
Other Favorite Lines
Mrs Hughes: You were young once.
Mr Carson: I’m young now. (Brian actually laughed out loud.)
***
Ivy: She’s got a fancy man. I’m telling you.
Alfred: Mrs Patmore?
Ivy: Why not? She’s a woman.
Thomas: Only technically.
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Violet: “Unless you want Rose married to a third rate colonial official with no money and bad teeth Susan better think again.”
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Shrimpie: “Love is like riding or learning French. If you don’t learn it young, it’s hard to get the trick of it later.” So true!
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Matthew: “Ten hours crawling through heather and nothing to show for it. Perhaps it’s a parable of life.” Touché, sweet Matthew. Touché.
Articles of Interest
This is the news I’ve gathered from various articles I’ve read over Season 3. I will try to link the main articles below so you can read them for yourself. Here it is in a nutshell.
Dan Stevens did not want to renew his contract so he could have more time for his other acting jobs. JF tried to get him to stay for the beginning of Season 4 so he could end the Christmas special on a happy note. Dan wanted a clean break. JF saved the final death for the last minute so it didn’t ruin the rest of the storylines. In one way JF is happy because he can start with Season 4 with a clean slate and not have to deal with the grieving family. (That’s my wording. But too soon!) They are looking for an actor to play Lady Mary’s love interest next season. Rose will be a new permanent character to “replace” Sybil in having another female in the house.
(I can’t find the Rose – Sybil link. I’ll try to find it.)
Video
I leave you with this lovely video of some of our favorite moments with Mary and Matthew.
Okay, that’s it for now. Brian is wondering why I am still on the computer. Please do share your thoughts (so I know I am not the only one too obsessed with fictitious characters in a fictitious show. LOL. 😉
While, I loved Episode 6, it seemed a little disjointed to me. There were so many storylines going on at once, I almost preferred the one hour segments in order to let you really take in and absorb what is happening. (Not to mention to savor the goodness before it all fades away next week.)
Thomas – Thomas stepped into the limelight this episode and although there have been times I’ve had to go to confession for wanting to beat the @#$% out of a fictitious character, this time I really felt for Thomas. It was painful to watch him be manipulated into thinking that Jimmy had feelings for him and to see his shame and humiliation as he realized not only his error but the price of that error. Seeing this vulnerably human side of his character makes you understand why he acts the way he does. I read in another review that his character calls to mind Mother Theresa’s quote: “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.”
Although, I didn’t understand why Thomas was not on his guard with O’Brien in the first place. He knew that he pushed her too far with his mistreatment of Albert and she told him herself that she would get even with him one day. He should have been on red alert whenever she walked into the room and instead he fell right into her trap. The real question now is if Thomas will soften towards Bates since he owes him big time or will he go back to being a pain. I think it would be fun to watch a tentatively reserved bromance between Bates and Thomas.
Bates – Speaking of Bates, I don’t know what I think about him anymore. His whole story line was so drawn out and we saw a few uglier sides of him that understandably came out in order to survive in jail. I am just not as happy as I thought I would be to see him and Anna together again. However, I was swooning over his defense of Thomas. That seemed like the old Bates I used to know.
O’Brien – Wow, she was all kinds of evil this week. And the scariest kind of evil that acts loving and kind while she lunges the knife into your back. It will be interesting to see the backlash to come now that Thomas has been promoted and Alfred demoted.
Alfred & Jimmy – Was it last week that I said I wasn’t sure what to make of Jimmy? Well, I know now. Both Alfred and Jimmy are such unlikable characters to me. Their arrogance and weakness makes it hard to watch them.
Branson – The other star of this episode, in a good way, was Tom. Tom has really hit his stride and found his balance. His love for the late Sybil and Baby Sybil has helped smooth out his rough edges. Tom has remained strong in his beliefs but by controlling his temper and passion, he has learned to persuasively voice his opinion and sway Robert’s thinking. That is a miracle in itself. He also looked exceptionally polished and gentlemanly when compared to his boorish excuse of a brother. And I loved him particularly this week for putting baby Sybil’s welfare above his own desires in allowing her to stay at Downton, under his watchful eye, that is.
Mary and Matthew – I loved to see them getting along, working together as a team and being flirtatious with each other. I also loved seeing them interact with Baby Sybil and I was ecstatic to see that Mary was pregnant in the previews. All their work in the baby department must have paid off. 🙂
Edith – Edith, Edit, Edith. Can’t that poor girl get a break? The writers can’t seem to give the girl her own voice. Instead she is a caricature of various characters. First she is Jan Brady always complaining, “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.” Then she starts to learn to drive and get some confidence only to slip into a Miss Hussy role as she messes around with another woman’s husband. Then she finds her groove and channels her inner Florence Nightingale as she nurses the soldiers and becomes a happier and more pleasant woman. Unfortunately the ghost of Miss Havisham enters the story as she is jilted at the altar. Finally, just as she is standing on her own two feet and finding her voice she turns into Jane Eyre in love with a doomed Mr. Rochester. Come on! Granted Jane Eyre is my all time favorite novel but Jane had to go through hell to finally find happiness. Will Edith have to do the same? #teamedith is not amused.
Random Thoughts
I am so glad Ethel has found a way to be near her little boy Charlie once again. I hope she finds happiness, even if it is Stella Dallas style.
I love how the characters are never black and white. Like real people, they have their good and negative qualities and there are some days you want to smack them and some days you just want to give them a hug.
Is it just me or does Mr. Rochester, I mean Edith’s editor, look just like a young Anthony Strallan?
I read that Rose is supposed to be a replacement female character for Sybil. Really? That leaves something to be desired.
With the last episode coming, I will finally see that huge spoiler I accidentally read. (Curse you, spoilers!!) Let’s just say it will feel very Lenten.
Best Lines of the Night
Grand Prize – The conversation between Violet and Isobel.
Isobel: I thought they’d be surrounded by nannies and governesses and you’d only see them for an hour.
Violet: Yes, my dear, but it was an hour each day.
Isobel: Oh, how tiring.
Classic!
Other Faves (I know I am forgetting some because there were so many of them!)
— Violet: “I do think the women’s place is in the home, eventually. But I don’t see any harm in her having some fun before she gets there.”
— Cora: What’s the matter, Robert? Are you afraid you’ll be converted while you’re not looking?
— Isobel to Violet: “Have you changed your pills?”
— Cora: “Is she really so Machiavellian?”
Robert: “Yes.”
— Alfred: They’re showing a movie tonight in the village, down east. It’s about woman who survives in the wilderness by her own wits and courage.
I admire those lovely bloggers who have it all together and can get their Downton Abbey commentary up on Monday morning, but I’m just happy if I get my thoughts down before the next episode airs! So it’s a little late but here are my thoughts on Episode 5 of Downton Abbey. As expected, it was a somber episode with everyone coping with the dramatic and heartbreaking death of Sybil.
Robert & Cora – It was painful to watch Cora as she fought with her grief and her belief that her husband was responsible for her daughter’s death. Although I am still upset with Robert for his arrogant behavior in so many situations, I am glad that he and Cora were able to finally grieve together. The last scene where they hugged each other and sobbed still tears me up.
What I am wondering, did Dr. Clarkson really believe what he said about Sybil dying anyway or did he outright lie to please the Dowager Countess and to help Robert and Cora reconcile?
Mary & Matthew – I had such hopes for Mary in Season 2 when she was nursing Matthew and letting go of her selfish, condescending ways. She seems to go back and forth but tonight I love that she stuck up for Tom’s (and Sybil’s) desire to baptize the baby Catholic. I also loved the scene between Mary and Matthew talking in bed. It reminded me of Brian’s situation when she said, “We must never take us for granted. Who knows what’s coming…” I don’t want to think about what’s coming…
Tom & Baby Sybil – It is not surprising that Tom is sticking to his guns in regards to the baby’s baptism and upbringing. Perhaps in the future he’ll be able to run the farm and live on his own while still having Baby Sybil close to (or at) Downton.
Bates & Anna – The trials of Bates was moving painfully slow and I knew Mrs. Bartlette would recant her story. We are seeing another side of Bates, something other than his normally controlled self, as he becomes unhinged whenever he is around Craig. But he does take care of business. When Anna received the letter that everything had worked out I was ready for “the other chancla (shoe) to fall,” as my mom would say. This is the season of the gut-punches so I was ready for another tragic ending. Alas, we saw Bates return in the previews so I guess he really does get out. Thank God.
Daisy & Mr. Mason – Everyone needs a Mr. Mason in their life to give them wise counsel and tell them they are worthy and cherished. Now if only Daisy will quit mooning over that annoying Alfred.
Ms. Patmore – I wanted to hug Ms. P this episode. I love that she helped Ethel despite the protest from Carson. I also loved the way she looked wistfully sad when she thought Daisy may be leaving her. My favorite lines from her tonight were: To Mr. Carson – “Do I look like a frolicker?” To the kitchen staff – “You’re all in love with the wrong people.” To Ivy – “Not in this house, Miss Hussy!” LOL.
Mr. Carson & Ms. Hughes – All Mr. Carson’s huffing and puffing seemed ridiculously comedic. Sometime it is hard to get into the midset of the time and place and understand that this is how it used to be. Ms. Hughes took it all in stride and remains the voice of reason and charity.
Thomas & Ms. O’Brian – Man, does that lady know how to play a game of cat and mouse. What is that saying? Revenge is a dish best served cold. Thomas better watch it! But is O’Brien only after Thomas and Jimmy is an innocent casualty or is she out to get Jimmy as well? (I still don’t know what to make of Jimmy…)
Favorite Dowager Countess Lines of the Night – My three favorite lines came all in the same scene. When the ladies were lunching at Cora’s house:
When told that Ethel was a prostitute – “Well, of course these days servants are hard to find.”
When Ethel walks into the dining room in her uniform – “She has an appropriate costume for every activity”
When she doesn’t leave as Robert commands – “It seems a pity to miss such a good pudding.”
Future New Characters – It looks like Lady Rose, a cousin of the Crawleys, is coming on the scene as the resident party girl. I guess we will be getting a taste of the untamed Roaring 20’s.
Interesting Historical Background – Thanks to AustenProse.com, I also found two interesting pieces of info in regards to comments that were made in the episode. Laurel wrote:
“The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk is a dear friend and she is more Catholic than the Pope.” – Violet, Dowager Countess Grantham
Lady Violet is referring to Gwendolen Fitzalan-Howard, 12th Lady Herries of Terregles, The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk. She was a Roman Catholic aristocrat whose family was the model for the Marchmain family in Evelyn Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited.
You are always flabbergasted by the unconventional…not everyone chooses their religion to satisfy Debrett’s.” – Lady Grantham
Lady Grantham is referring to Debrett’s Perrage & Baronetage, a book that is a genealogical reference to the British aristocracy. Austen fans will remember that in Persuasion, Sir Walter Elliot “for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage.” He was a puffed up snob. Lady Grantham’s mention of this is a rub to her husband’s snobbish beliefs reminding him of her American roots and values. Well said Lady Grantham.
For those of you who love Downton Abbey, but don’t care about the Super Bowl, (or only watch for the commercials like me) this is for you! (Kudos to kievkirby.)
Source: Carnival Films
Source: Getty
Source: Getty
Source: Carnival Films
Source: Getty Images
