Source: AustenProse.com

(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.

Best Scene and Line of the Night

“Mosely does it Gangnam style”

Source & Caption:  DowntonAbbeyOnline.com

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.

***

Violet: “Unless you want Rose married to a third rate colonial official with no money and bad teeth Susan better think again.”

***

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!

***

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.

Julian Fellowes Statement on Downton Abbey Season 3 Finale *Spoilers*:

 Julian Fellowes Discusses a Season of Comings and Goings at ‘Downton Abbey’

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3 finale: Season 4 promises new love and a new face at Downton

(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. 😉

Have a great holiday!