Downton Abbey -- Season 3 on PBS

[skatingfan5]

But I loved seeing him panic when he realized the dog wasn't there!

Indeed, seeing Thomas slipping and sliding and getting all grubby desperately searching for Isis was lovely! The downside was Sir Robert rewarding him for his "caring so much." Not sure how O'Brien's revenge scheming will turn out, but it certainly is worthy.

[4rkidz]

I just love this show.. its been such a great distraction for my mom and sister and I .. we all watched the first two seasons over Xmas as we were dealing with my dad and hospital etc., and now we have our own little facebook group and catch up each sunday.. I was able to see the episode we missed as well on Saturday so thanks for the advice.. I'm so glad the Bates/Prison storyline is coming to an end.. that was getting boring.. Thomas and O'Brien looks like it will be coming to a climax soon My favourite scene this week was watching the downton women in the kitchen standing their ground over the prostitution issue..

[skatingfan5]

My favourite scene this week was watching the downton women in the kitchen standing their ground over the prostitution issue..

I think my favorite scene was at Isobel's luncheon when Robert suffered defeat for his outburst of outraged propriety.

Cora: "Is that a Charlotte russe? It looks lovely."
Violet: "It seems a shame to miss such a good pudding."

[IceAlisa]

Sir Robert is kind of a schmuck in this episode, isn't he.

[danceronice]

Common for boys to be named after their fathers, but I think less so for women.

I disagree that the Dowager was doing her usual manipulations. Manipulation is when she told Dr. Clarkson to have William be excluded from army service due to a non-existent medical condition. That's very different from what she did in this episode. She was quite correct in making Dr. Clarkson re-examine the evidence and evaluate the likely outcome had a C-section been done. Of course she approached Clarkson in order to mend the rift between her son and DIL, but in this case she was operating on a more solid foundation. Clarkson stated the other doctor was wrong to dismiss the signs that Sybil exhibited, but in no way was he lying or stretching the truth when he told them that her chances of living were infintesimally small if they had gone with his advice.

No, but it's unfair to Clarkson to have him fall on his sword just so Cora and Robert would get over themselves. (I don't really care if they did or not-they're past having more children so it's not all that important anyway. It wouldn't be the first Anglo-American marriage to go down the tubes.) He wasn't wrong--there was a chance she could have lived had they done something, doing it Sir Whatever's way there was absolutely none. Let the poor man be right when he's earned it.

Though I'm sure it's not a factor here, in some religions you're SUPPOSED to name children for dead relatives, not live ones. I can't really think what else they'd name little Lady Sybil. Unless Branson REALLY wanted to piss Robert off and named her Brigit. Or Siobhan. Or something else that jumped up and down and screamed IRISH CATHOLIC.

[centerstage01]

Robert's been a schmuck this whole season. I know he's having problems with all the changes in his life but geez. At some point the guy's gonna have to suck it up and go with the flow. Him and Carson both.

Five weeks of buildup and I still have yet to understand how Bates got into all his drama in prison, how he managed to intimidate former cellmate to tell the neighbor lady to recant her recant and then walk out free as a bird. It was the least dramatic, most convoluted drama ever.

[Coco]

I agree it was unfair to Clarkson. But it was such a moving scene, and so epic of the Dowager to make it happen.

[IceAlisa]

No, but it's unfair to Clarkson to have him fall on his sword just so Cora and Robert would get over themselves.

Clarkson didn't fall on his sword. What he said was entirely accurate. It was the last chance Sybil had but it was small. He wasn't wrong when he said that. Not sure if catching preeclampsia would have changed anything as they didn't have meds back then AFAIK. They may have ordered bed rest but it seems she was in bed anyway. So while Sir Philip was arrogant and dismissive, in this specific case, it may not have made much difference.

[znachki]

Clarkson didn't fall on his sword. What he said was entirely accurate. It was the last chance Sybil had but it was small. He wasn't wrong when he said that. Not sure if catching preeclampsia would have changed anything as they didn't have meds back then AFAIK. They may have ordered bed rest but it seems she was in bed anyway. So while Sir Philip was arrogant and dismissive, in this specific case, it may not have made much difference.

I'd say that by the time they even started to argue about it, it was too late. Possibly earlier on in the day, or the day before maybe. But by that point. Nope.

[zee703]

Tom likes Mary and Matthew. The way Mary was holding the baby made me wonder if he'd leave the baby temporarily in their care while he looks for work. He has his pride, but I can't see that standing in the way of him allowing them to help with the baby while he settles in Liverpool or wherever he's looking. Then there's that whole conversation he had with Matthew. Something about raising sheep? I missed that part. But Tom did say he didn't hate it there. Matthew may try to finagle something to keep Tom at Downton if only to keep the baby close to the family. Tom's a common man, so maybe Matthew could use him to help with the tenament farmers? I can see it now: Daisy goes to run the Mason farm, gets close to Tom, and they hook up. I would pay money to see Daisy eating "upstairs" with the family (OK - that's not likely, but still fun to think about)

Yikes! Daisy eating "upstairs"? Just the thought of Robert's reaction is hilarious. Re: Tom giving the baby to Mary to hold...I'd figured it was just a nice gesture on his part to let his sister-in-law hold the baby. But maybe he was thinking about Matthew and Mary looking out for his child while he gets settled. That's an interesting idea! Last night's episode was a relief after the previous week's heart-wringer.

[Artemis@BC]

... I can't really think what else they'd name little Lady Sybil. Unless Branson REALLY wanted to piss Robert off and named her Brigit. Or Siobhan. Or something else that jumped up and down and screamed IRISH CATHOLIC.

Well, they haven't had the christening yet. How about Brigit Oonagh Siobhan Aoife Kathleen Orla Niamh Assumpta Branson.

[Wyliefan]

No, but it's unfair to Clarkson to have him fall on his sword just so Cora and Robert would get over themselves. (I don't really care if they did or not-they're past having more children so it's not all that important anyway. It wouldn't be the first Anglo-American marriage to go down the tubes.)

One's marriage is no longer important after one's past childbearing age . . . ? Now there's something you don't hear every day.

[4rkidz]

Yikes! Daisy eating "upstairs"? Just the thought of Robert's reaction is hilarious. Re: Tom giving the baby to Mary to hold...I'd figured it was just a nice gesture on his part to let his sister-in-law hold the baby. But maybe he was thinking about Matthew and Mary looking out for his child while he gets settled. That's an interesting idea! Last night's episode was a relief after the previous week's heart-wringer.

that is exactly what I thought when she was holding the baby..

Sir Robert is kind of a schmuck in this episode, isn't he.

yes.. he really is struggling with society moving forward... especially for the women.. nice touch by his 'MaMaaa' not supporting him Love Maggie Smith.. what a fab actress..

[smurfy]

I like the idea of Daisy and Tom. Now I won't mind if she goes to the farm. My first thought was - no Daisy, I don't want you to leave.
And maybe she is realizing what a bunch of twits she is working with - she will leave. I think it is so sweet how Thomas's father truly sees her as his daughter and she is accepting it - slowly. Also, compared to most of the characters - Daisy has really grown up over the 3 seasons.
When Mary held the baby - my thought was that Tom felt secure with them - sign of his trust. And I do appreciate how Mary will honor what Sybil said at the end.
And finally some interaction between Mary and Matthew that seemed like newlyweds.
I also enjoyed how Mrs. Patmore and Mrs Hughes are supportive of Ethel.
And Robert - just get over yourself. Matthew and Tom can make lots of money for Downton.

[Latte]

Indeed, seeing Thomas slipping and sliding and getting all grubby desperately searching for Isis was lovely! The downside was Sir Robert rewarding him for his "caring so much." Not sure how O'Brien's revenge scheming will turn out, but it certainly is worthy.

You know, I thought at the time that he really did care about the dog. He was always kind to it and petting it. He may have been honestly upset when the dog went missing.

[Latte]

I think my favorite scene was at Isobel's luncheon when Robert suffered defeat for his outburst of outraged propriety.

Cora: "Is that a Charlotte russe? It looks lovely."
Violet: "It seems a shame to miss such a good pudding."

That was one of the best scenes in the 3 years of the show.

[Japanfan]

Five weeks of buildup and I still have yet to understand how Bates got into all his drama in prison, how he managed to intimidate former cellmate to tell the neighbor lady to recant her recant and then walk out free as a bird. It was the least dramatic, most convoluted drama ever.

Bates found out that his cellmate was a drug dealer and collaborating with a guard in his dealing. Those two made sure Bates and Anna's letters didn't get forwarded for several weeks in order to warn Bates to keep his mouth shut. Another guard was opposed to the dealing and slipped Bates the weapon he eventually uses against his cell-mate. When guard #1 overheard Bates talking about Vera's evidence to Murray, he tipped off Vera and bribed her to change her story. Bates' then played his card and threatened his cellmate with his weapon and reporting him to the governor, which would increase his sentence by five years.

At least that is my understanding after watching the jail episodes twice.

But it all was really unnecessary - the story could have been simplified if Vera had just repeated the story she told Anna to Murray. The whole prison drama was dragged out and could have been skipped.

But I guess a few plot weaknesses are forgivable, giving the general excellence of the series.

[danceronice]

One's marriage is no longer important after one's past childbearing age . . . ? Now there's something you don't hear every day.

He got her money, she gave him kids (not a boy, which is a letdown, but still.) Read "To Marry An English Lord" and be astounded at how unlikely they'd be happily married really is. Land-rich cash-poor Englishmen marrying rich American heiresses for their money was a huge trend (and I find it kinda hard to believe Cora's mother was always as dismissive of England and the English systems as it never was an accident, it was a campaign and Mama had to be on board. Scoring a Countess's coronet was a plum catch.) A few eventually fell in love, a lot more had discrete affairs and eventually just got divorced. I can't recall who Sir Anthony was talking about when he and Edith mentioned did Duke and Duchess so and so finally get divorced, but I do remember it was a real couple and real divorce, from a marriage that had kind of been a joke for years.

Bates found out that his cellmate was a drug dealer and collaborating with a guard in his dealing. Those two made sure Bates and Anna's letters didn't get forwarded for several weeks in order to warn Bates to keep his mouth shut. Another guard was opposed to the dealing and slipped Bates the weapon he eventually uses against his cell-mate. When guard #1 overheard Bates talking about Vera's evidence to Murray, he tipped off Vera and bribed her to change her story. Bates' then played his card and threatened his cellmate with his weapon and reporting him to the governor, which would increase his sentence by five years.

Correct, except Vera's Bates's dead wife, I don't remember Mrs. whatsherface's name. I'm still not clear how the guard managed to not only overhear the conversation but also just happens to know exactly who this woman is and is able to track her down when it was a minor pain for Anna to find her with a full name and address book.

[Artistic Skaters]

Oh, I am so happy my little Daisy is going to have a FUTURE!! That foxtrotting footman is going to regret his actions with the new help when he says Daisy the efficient business woman!

[Matryeshka]

"I don't guess he'll stay speechless for long"

The older men are NOT having a good episode, are they?