Downton Abbey SPOILER THREAD

Watched the Christmas Special and I was less than thrilled. It was okay, but I thought the letter storyline was filler and I find myself frustrated by the direction they are taking Thomas and Bates. In addition, they made it seem like Edith would become this independent working woman this season, but we haven't seen her working at all. Either find Gregson dead, sell off his magazine, or whatever, but end that storyline and figure out who Edith is. I'm also getting tired of Tom whining about how he doesn't fit in. Either decide to fit it or go to America.

My favorite parts were the Daisy storyline, the knowledge that Alfred and Ivy are now gone, Mary stating she knows there is a life for her after Matthew, and Mrs. Hughes' walk in the water holding Carson's hand.

I definitely agree with you about Edith. It's time to develop her character. Tom does need to stop whining. He seems to fit in pretty well to me. One of my favorite parts was when Tom asked the Dowager to dance and she says, "I know I can trust you to steer" or something like that. Daisy is so much more enjoyable without Alfred around. It's looking like Bates has some sort of past that we will probably be learning more about.

Lori wrote:

Tom does need to stop whining.  He seems to fit in pretty well to me.

I'm not feeling the leading man status that Allen Leech is supposed to have now that Dan Stevens is gone. They started out the season with Tom more involved and a good deal of promise, but then he just withdrew back into his shell again, complaining about not fitting it and trying to straddle both worlds--his old life and his new one.

Lisa wrote:

Could Cora's American relatives BE any more obnoxious?? I mean, really...I found Shirley MacLaine's character to be completely loathsome and utterly crass. Cora's brother was rude, obnoxious, brash, and egotistical. Although, he at least did show SOME promise. But my stars - if those two were on the show on a regular basis, I'd quit watching.    They were awful.

I agree with you. I couldn't stand to watch if Cora's mother was a regular part of the cast. The first time she arrived, though she was pointed and nasty at times, you also saw a softer side with her leading the people in song. You didn't get the feeling that she was trying to stick it to them every moment. This time, she was just straight out obnoxious. And you can see that Harold is similar to his mother in that regard; though as you said he shows some promise.

I hadn't really thought about the train ticket being in his pocket for 8 months. Yes, that is definitely ridiculous. If he had killed him, he would have ditched the ticket before he even came home. I don't remember them saying why Cora presented Rose either. I did think that was odd.

I can't help but be disappointed in the Christmas Special, So is that the end of season 4?

Yes, Jacob. That's the end until Season 5. Luckily, we can rewatch the entire season when it airs on PBS in January.

Well my amigos... after so many people talking about Downton Abbey I got curious! lol
My friend has the first 3 seasons on DVD and she lent them to me so yesterday I WATCHED THE VERY FIRST EPISODE. I liked it!
I gave it a 9 out of 10 but that is very good and I'm sure it will grow as I watch more episodes. She told me that Season 4 started yesterday!
So I have it recorded on my DVR but won't see it until I finish all 3 seasons first   

awesome Carol. You will love it and yes, do not watch season 4 until you have seen the others first. does it all make sense? if you have questions, don't be afraid to ask. This is the spoiler thread tho so you might want to steer clear or just read from the very beginning. We have the other Downton thread as well, it should be safe to read.
You are embarking on a wonderful journey back to 1914 England. enjoy

LIWnut wrote:

awesome Carol.  You will love it and yes, do not watch season 4 until you have seen the others first.  does it all make sense?  if you have questions, don't be afraid to ask.  This is the spoiler thread tho so you might want to steer clear or just read from the very beginning.  We have the other Downton thread as well, it should be safe to read.
You are embarking on a wonderful journey back to 1914 England.  enjoy

  

Only read this if you've seen season 4!  SO funny...it's a mock downtown facebook page, season 4.   

http://happyplace.someecards.com/28432/downton-abbey-facebook-recap-season-4-episode-1


I can't believe I haven't commented recently on season 4...I read everything that you all have written, so I'll have to get on here soon to respond!

Season 5 has begun filming.  A bit of info is available here.

Interesting information. Allen Leech was interviewed about Season 5, and though he was vague, he said he was very sad about something that happens in the first episode. Over at the DA forum we've been speculating what that might be.

Carol, so glad you're caught up! It's addicting, huh?!?  I'm writing over on this thread, since this is the spoiler thread....

What do you think so far?  Any thoughts/comments?  Were you shocked when Matthew died or did you see it coming?  Were you disappointed with season 4 or happy with it?  I haven't even re-watched it yet, which is weird for me.  I normally can't wait to re-watch a season, but I guess I just wasn't feeling this one as much as the others. I DID enjoy it, because well, how can you NOT enjoy Downton Abbey?   

I LOVE that scene between Mrs. Hughes and Carson in the water!  Just beautiful.  Whether they get together or not romantically, they ARE a 'couple'.  


Marilyn, that sketch is amazing, although very painful to look at.   The artist certainly did capture the anguish on his face.  Brought me right back to that scene. 

I can FINALLY get around to commenting on here!  It wouldn't been done months ago if it had been for my old computer.    

Anyway, I think I said that I have been a viewer from the very first time it was shown on TV as I was a regular "Masterpiece Theatre" fan, anyway.  So I know all there is to know about past seasons.  And I loved them.

But, now, to be honest, I really didn't like this past season at all.  I really didn't.  And, I don't know how this is going to sound, but the only really interesting part of the story was Anna's attack.  I had no interest in anything else.  

First of all, I know it has been awhile since Matthew died, but did we really need men to pursue her already??  I would've been alright with the introduction of the men.  I would've been OK with hints towards the end of the season that they might be interested in her.  But to make them actually come out and say it, I thought that was silly.  They could've put that kind of thing off for at least one year.  I just didn't care for that storyline.

Second, I really do NOT like the one that they seem to have singled out for Tom.  I thought it was silly to bring someone in for him, too.  Maybe if they didn't bring in such a dislikable person (no, I don't like her at all).  Not to be mean, but he is going to be so drawn to her when he had someone like Sybil?  Come on now!  

Third, how soon we forget that Robert was into that other woman a couple of years ago!  I don't believe they are going to be so in love with one another like that.  I suppose people could be, but I am a cynic.  What can I say?

Fourth, I am tired of them portraying all of the Americans as boorish, rude people.  Nobody in Cora's position would've had a brother behave that way.  I didn't believe that at all.  That was silly, too.

Fifth, I know it adds intrigue, but was Bates a murderer again?  I don't think so.  I understand it will lead to more of a storyline next season, but I didn't care for something this soon that could make people wonder about his character.  It could've waited, too.  Having said that, I will repeat it, I think that story was the best in the season, though.

Sixth, Edith's baby.  That is all I am going to say about that.

Seventh, I didn't get enough Thomas.  Wait!  What did I just say?  Yes, I like Thomas.  He is just nasty enough that I don't like the things that he does.  Yet he is sneaky enough that I DO like him.  I don't really know any reason (although I had theories that were crushed this year) for his nastiness and that is kind of why I like him best (the same thing I say about Javert in "Les Miserables").  I know there was a definite hint of more to come for next season with him, but this wasn't satisfying enough for me.

Basically, this season seemed like one that was full of hints.  So, they could've waited on the possible Mary and Tom relationships.  They could've really begun things next year.

As for anything that I like, there were some things.

First, I do like that they finally have Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes in a situation where you hope more will come from it (it needs to finally happen!!).  But I have a feeling, and I could be wrong, nothing will come from it.

Second, I actually, in the end, liked Cora's brother, Harold.  At first I was irritated with another rude American that was created for the show.  In the end, I actually ended up liking him.  I don't know why but I did.  So I kind of hope they keep him appealing.

Third, I like Violet Crawley.  I like Martha Levinson better.  I really do.  People can think she is rude with what she might say to Violet, but what she says is true.  And you can tell Violet knows it.  And if anyone thinks she is rude for what she says to Violet, do you really think Violet would hold back if she came to America with her rude comments?  Of course not!  So I don't think what she says is that big of a deal.

So, yeah, this is how I felt about the season.  I just hope that this was a "slow" season to something more interesting next year.  I hate waiting a year to see it and then I am just disappointed with the whole thing, basically.

Looking forward to series 5, soon!

Airing tonight in the UK, join the fb pages to watch the shows now instead of waiting until Jan.

Interesting opener. Barrow redeems himself again.

Wow, well...Tony certainly has revealed himself for the cad he is, hasn't he???  Ugh.  Obviously Blake will come in and be the winning suitor.  He DOES have his attributes...I just hope he's in more proximity to Mary this season so that I can TRY to care about her love life again this season, lol.

Did you guys read that George Clooney will be guest starring?  Gee, maybe HE will be Mary's winning suitor!

Officially can't STAND Sarah (the school teacher)....Tom was brash in the beginning too, with his strong opinions, but at least he was likable.  Sarah is NOT.  Hope she is out of the picture sooner than later, but somehow I don't think so.  I'm sure she'll start tutoring Daisy and he'll be seeing even more of her.  Ugh.

Loved the Violet moments, as always!  

And yes, Thomas....the ever-redeeming Thomas!  How DOES he do it?!   I LOVED the scene where he was 'caught' by Cora---she was great in that scene and it was fun to see him get what was coming to him.  But then of course he redeemed himself with his loyalty to risking his life and helping the family when push came to shove.

I'm sure they will find the picture of Edith's baby and it will all come to light soon....really hoping Greyson will return this season, or at least she will find out what happened to him.

Overall a good episode and I'm excited to see the next one!  I hope that JF keeps things rolling along though this season...

George Clooney will not be appearing on the show as we see it but for an annual fund raiser in the UK called Text Santa. I don't know if it will be a commercial, or a spoof or what but he won't be on the show that we see. We'll have to find it online somewhere.

I loved how Cora put Thomas in his place.  I was cheering at this point.  I wonder how he will bully Baxter now or if he can.  Why did it have to be him that found and rescued Edith.

Poor Edith.  She has had too much heartbreak in her young life.  I'm almost glad that her baby is in town, even tho it will likely cause more heartache before it gets better.  I read the books written by the real Countess of Highclere and she wrote about orphans coming to the castle after the war.  Perhaps Drewe will allow Marigold to be one of them so that Edith can mother her without anyone knowing and then maybe she can adopt her.  Let's hope good will come to her somehow and that her baby can be apart of her life.

I have a feeling that Jimmy is gone but not gone from the show.  I've seen a clip from next week where he says goodbye to Thomas but something tells me that that's not the end of him.  

Sarah isn't going anywhere for awhile.  She will become Tom's girlfriend.  What he sees in her, who on earth knows.  

I'm so glad that you guys (Amy and Lisa) got me addicted to this show.

One thing I noticed about this opener is the greater focus on physical relationships: Bates and Anna talking about children (although that's more a family discussion than a physical act one); Mary willing to have a secret liaison with Tony; Tom telling Robert that Sarah isn't his lover; and Jimmy's affair with Lady Anstruther being brought to light. Though handled in a more subtle way than in prime time, it seems they are pushing the envelope more.

I hope Jimmy is gone after this. I never really liked his character. I was hoping we were done with Sarah, but apparently not. The Cora and Thomas scene was the best. I suspect there will be some jewelry missing at some point as he tries to get back at Baxter. When Edith threw the book, I thought that something hidden in it would be revealed that would be a clue to where Greyson is. But, no, it had to cause a fire and let Thomas be a hero.