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!