I missed half of the SAG because I was watching DA. But I think you would like to know that Downton Abbey won this year for Best Drama Ensemble.
In a little bit....there will be spoilers.
Beware.
You have been warned.
Don't look!
*****
Oh my. Last night.
Terribly sad.
Great acting all around.
Cora who I have felt is not a very good actress in the past has been surprising me this year.
Now. Toxemia.
I had this with Katie. I was told that the cure was the delivery of the baby.]
I have not heard of women having attacks after the baby was born. Before, yes. A day later, no.
Dear Nurses,
Was this an accurate portrayal of the condition untreated?
Lord Grantham. Could anyone have been placed in a worse position. I do understand not trusting the other Doc. He made some wrong decisions. I understand that. He felt he was doing what was best for his daughter. How awful to have made that decision.
He is looking like a fool this year. That is too bad. I know the writers can turn it around for him as they are expert at this.
You know, Jessica Brown Findlay/Sybil wanted to leave the show. What else could they do?
They could have done a switheroo like they did with Darren on Bewitched or all those soap stars....
"The part of Sybil is now being played by ___________."
But they did not.
Our elegant soap opera just lost a main character.
I know you all have much to say.
Please add your cries to the comments.
I felt Sybil's birthing outfit was so inappropriate. Silk???
Anna the sleuth. Good girl.
Matthew's timing. Good or bad?
Mrs. Patmore and Daisy. Good. Very good.
Now you.
Go!
I'm sure to be right behind Stephie. We've been on "refreshing" crew.
ReplyDeleteMaggie Smith's weary grieved walk across the room after exchanging such sweet thoughts with Carson just slays me. She's good. (understatement).
Cora saying: We'll watch over them both -- gets me every time. "You are my baby, you know". O I could start with the leaky eyes just typing it.
I've been waiting for this episode to air since I watched the DVD's the first time. whew.
The whole cast really stepped up for this one, I think. Mrs. Hughes hugging Daisy - awwww.
I'll stop. Thanks Donna.
P.S. I loved the acceptance speech!
P.P.S. - when I watched this the first time, I did NOT know that the actress who plays Sybil wanted to leave. I had a secret hope til the end that somehow she would pull thru. I first feared that the baby would not make it.
DeleteI respect the way they handled it -- Sybil did not pass gently into the night. It was very real to me the way the family was fighting for her. Elizabeth McGovern was "every mom" as she begged for Sybil to live. I agree, Donna, she is really going deeper as a character.
Listen to me, I sound like I'm some kind of acting coach ;-)
She died of Eclampsia; I think Toxemia is the same as pre-eclampsia. So I guess she had toxemia and it worsened to eclampsia. I cried so much at her death scene...awful! I'm glad you mentioned that the actress wanted to leave the show because I couldn't understand why they'd kill her off when she was a favorite and there was so much they could do with her story-line.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Here's the thing. I said to Scott 'that girl's got preeclampsia' because, you know, these are real people and this is a life or death situation.
ReplyDeleteahem.
anyway, i was impressed that they described it the right way - it's high blood pressure run amok - and i just kept thinking that women died in childbirth ALL.THE.TIME. from stuff like this before we had the kind of technology we do today. The thing i couldn't believe from a writing perspective was that she had a baby, left the same dress on, in the same bedding, and just tucked back down to go to sleep. [come on now. have you ever SEEN a birthing suite after the fact?!?!?] And it was obvious that she wasn't in her head - that her mom and everyone would have tucked her in and left her alone just didn't make any sense to me.
That said, it totally blindsided me. I did NOT see it coming, and I'm so glad I didn't know. Watching her turn grey after she stopped breathing was just too much. I was beside myself. Cora will come around with Robert, I think. And it's funny - I didn't see him as the problem last night - truly - there just seemed to be an inability to let Tom make any decisions for his little family, and a true absence of leadership. If Lord G was guilty of anything, it was letting the decision happen as a seeming democracy, don't you think?
Mrs. Hughes, I think, just might be my favorite. It used to be Anna, but I love how Mrs. Hughes has stepped up relationally. It's been sweet and sad. [do we even know her true first name?]
Anyway. More to come. I have to watch it again while I fold laundry.
Sigh.
PS - they said toxemia early on, but then they said eclampsia. Are they the same thing? I didn't think so. And yes, if the mom's blood pressure doesn't come down as a result of the birth, I think it really could happen the way it did.
DeleteAnd yes, I'm aware that now I'm having a conversation with myself. :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThey called it toxemia back then, so the term eclampsia would not be in keeping with the time period, I think.
DeleteI'm here for your Steph, I'm listening!
DeleteI love Mrs. Hughes too - she is becoming my favorite - love how she is people glue that seems to hold the staff together.
I just had to delete my comment because I accidentally referred to something that happens next week. I'm watching that Episode right now. I tell you, it's like comfort food to me. All I need is mashed potatoes and I'm all set.
I was unspoiled about the events of last night, the first time I watched and I'm so glad.
Great episode.
I think Dr. Clarkson referred to it as eclampsia at one point -- either way, sad sad sad. oh my.
DeleteOh, and the Dowager and Carson?? Had to wipe me up - her walk across the foyer broke my heart.
DeleteI'm here. Oh Carson. He raised those girls. And she was the baby. Everyone's baby.
DeleteYes, another weepy moment for me was Carson saying "I knew her her whole life you see" - with Mrs. Hughes standing nearby. Sniff.
DeleteI miss the ability to show that I *like* a comment. Because there are several in this thread that I very much like. Steph. You.
DeleteI agree with you completely about the 'like' button.
DeleteI have felt that way many times since I added these new comments.
smooches.
DeleteOh my! I absolutely could not leave my couch for a second last night. I literally was in Shock when Sybil died. I had tears running down my face! Last night's show was so intense. I have been trying to get my friends to watch the show, so far no luck. They have no idea what they are missing. Thank goodness I have you all to talk to about it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad episode. The dowager and Cora had my favorite acting last night. The dowager and her words of wisdom and her obvious grief were touching. Cora and her grief and love for a daughter were well acted. I think it would really be hard to replace a beloved character with another. I know other shows have done it in the past, but sometimes it just doesn't work or isn't the same. What is hard for me to understand is why any actress/actor would want to leave a successful show after only two seasons?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe that what most women get these days is pre-eclampsia. Typically, it isn't allowed to escalate to eclampsia now. But, I am not a nurse or doctor. Just thinking.
Oh, so sad and shocking. I loved Sybil for her backbone and the way she loved others. Such a sweet character whom I will miss.
ReplyDeleteYou know I was wondering what your reaction would be while I was watching, right?
Confession - I only started watching after the season premiere when I figured out that everyone was watching and clearly I was missing something. Last night was the first episode I've seen in "real time."
ReplyDeleteThe acting is incredible, and I was sobbing, literally sobbing.
Being a nurse in Women's Health, I caught the warning signs, and knew she was sick. I was pulling for the C-Section as the only way to stop it is to deliver the baby. But I had to remind myself that as "easy" as it is to do a section today, it certainly was NOT that easy then. Today you deliver the baby, have magnesium sulfate in your IV for 24 hours or so, and life goes on (usually.) Not so in Downton time.
And yet, it was still such a shock. I'm disappointed that Sybil is gone, and interested in where the story goes from here.
Yes, when she mentioned to Mary about the headache and swollen ankles, it made me oh-so-worried that things were going to be very shaky for the rest of the episode. But I didn't imagine how intense and heart-breaking it truly would be.
ReplyDeleteSybil's first mention of a headache and swollen legs tipped me off....
ReplyDeleteCora's sweet little talk and tucking her in for the night sealed it for me. I literally said "UH OH".
I am very disgusted with the male roles. They are buffoons. Tom for sure and I'm mad at Lord Grantham too. There is seriously something to be said about a woman's intuition. And like Steph, I am pretty much treating this like real life....lol
Matthew gripping the bed post, speechless....what was he to do?
I said out loud....oh no...Little Women all over again. I can't handle when sisters die. In stories and in real life. :(
What about the scene after she dies when Edith says to Mary "do you think we'll get along better now" and Mary says "I doubt it". That made me laugh out loud. Also....that hug was a few hours too late.
Completely forgot about the nursing issue. Interesting.
I really understand Cora. I mean. 100%. Completely. Her baby is gone.
Now, I must remember this is just a show. ;)
Oh, Janet. This comment made me cry.
DeleteMrs. Phillip's dress, jewels, hair and makeup are SPECTACULAR in that video clip. She looks perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteSo sad.
ReplyDeleteBut I had a few problems with the dying scene. Why wasn't a doctor by her side, instead of at the end of the bed, behind everyone? And if Lord G was so squeamish about medical issues, I doubt he would've been in the room. I thought Mary and Tom were amazing (actors). It was very dramatic and sad, that's for sure.
The dress: I'm sure they clelaned the bed and Sybil up before they let everyone come up to see her and the baby. That's why she was in the silk dress.
What on earth will they do with Tom now?
I love seeing the reactions of those "downstairs". So touching.
I'll go back to look. But I think she wears that dress while laboring. Yes. All those men would not have been in the room.
ReplyDeleteI'm glued to my loveseat with my laptop and my DVD of last night - instead of in the kitchen getting a start on dinner. I just looked, and yes, she has the same blue silky top on before, during, after delivery and as she goes to sleep. I'm surprised really. The costumes, attention to detail in this Season have been outstanding.
DeleteI have it paused and Cora has such a happy smile on her face as she is telling Sybil what a great job she did. Sigh.
I'm in a bit of a strange mood today. The whole episode annoyed me. Yes it was well-written and as usual superbly acted but I was annoyed with Mary, Thomas (the valet?), O'brien, Lord Grantham, and the death. I'm particularly tired of Mary's spoiled petulance where Matthew is concerned. He just saved DA two weeks ago and she show little gracefulness only more and more impatience with him. I honestly didn't fault him for bringing up the business matters when the man was there even though the timing was unfortunate. I feel very badly for him because he bailed out DA and now sees it is still in danger from mismanagement and he will be vilified, I'm afraid, for his efforts. :(. I love the show but I guess I like the happy times better than the sad ones. :)
DeleteVery good points Sandy!!!
DeleteI think they would have, because of the drama of it all, and once the seizures started the docs knew there was nothing they could do. only cora and tom begged for her to fight. ugh. makes me get weepy all over again.
ReplyDeleteJanice! I wondered why the doctors weren't by her side...although pretty quickly the one dr said it's too late, there's nothing we can do.
ReplyDeleteYup. Wearing same thing before and after.
ReplyDeleteIt was so shocking to me, I can hardly think about it without tears. I hadn't a clue that the actress wanted to leave, but when Cora was tucking her in and they had the brief conversation about Tom, the baby and moving forward, I started saying "No-no-no!!!!" because I just knew. There are no words for how heartbreaking the death scene was... Nothing will ever be quite the same now, will it?
ReplyDeleteMary Z
Oh my! Downstairs was amazing last night. Sheesh, I loved everything. Except... where was the emotion from Lord Grantham??? I know there was guilt, where was the shock, the tears? All I saw was "I am a fool, I messed up." Your daughter died for crying out loud.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the world is going on inside that prison. I don't get it. Are the roomie and the guard in on the cover up? Is there a cover up??? Am I missing something???
When Mathew got busted talking to the lawyer. Such a good scene, he is so misunderstood.
Anyway, everyone else commented on the rest!
Loved the episode,
Kristi in LV
I don't think they're writing too well for Lord G this Season.
DeleteAs soon as I watched the episode last night I knew I had to check your blog today! I was very surprised to see Sybil die but I think the storyline was pretty close to what would have been true at that time. I, too, thought the dying scene was well acted and I admit to shedding a tear or two - or three. I usually watch the show with my husband but he was on a plane coming back from Eastern Canada. I picked him up from the airport at 12:30 in the morning and told him that he missed the wrong episode. He made me promise not to tell him what happens until he can catch up on it next Sunday when they usually play the previous week's episode before the new one. Luckily he is in California all this week so I won't have too much of a chance to break the news to him myself!
ReplyDeleteIf he has any down time he can watch on pbs.org! i'm rewatching it as we speak!
DeleteI'm up in Seattle, helping with my new baby grandson. Today my husband wrote me an email; before he closed he said, "Poor Sybil."
DeleteI was astonished. He watched it by himself!
O Carol, I love that!
DeletePoor Sybil indeed.
Blessings on your new grandbaby and the whole family :)
I wish Patrick Sr would watch with me.
DeleteI hear Patrick Jr. is watching!!
I'll be on an airplane on Sunday night the 10th. I asked Scott if he'd wait for me to watch it on Monday morning. He said, 'Not on your life.'
Deleteheh heh.
Steph that is too funny. My husband, Jesse, watches with me but he with his eyes on his laptop 1/2 the time. He has proven very patient with my re-watching.
DeleteHe also likes to make up his own lines in place of dialog. Which is okay if I've seen the episode before.
Good idea Steph. I will let him know!!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that basically the whole family watched her die is what amazed me. It seems like there would have been more emotion, but perhaps it was more shock than anything else they portrayed. Such a sad way for her character to go. I did not see it coming at all. I had been warned by a friend who has already seen season 3 that there would be some tear jerker episodes. I am so ready for something big to happen with Mr. Bates and Anna and I hope something good happens! Not sure what to think of Matthew's timing, but Mary had a lack of emotion after losing her sister that to me wasn't exactly "proper" either. I suppose it's the British way. Thanks for sharing the acceptance speech. So excited they won!
ReplyDeleteI think Lord G is in shock, that's why there hasn't been much emotion from him. When Sybil was dying, he looked down at her and said this can't be, she's only 24 years old...I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. But then, we didn't see him at all the day after so who knows how he's reacting.
ReplyDeleteI saw it at Mary's wedding, but Carson's reaction last night really showed that he see's those girls as almost his own. He must have been like a second father in the house.
Gasp! I was truly shocked last night. When I woke up this morning I thought, I wonder what Donna is going to have to say about this on her blog. None of my friends watch DA so I come here for for the morning after discussions. Thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteDebbie from Illinois
Our son Ben had a stomach bug yesterday. I kept thinking to myself, as I was washing my hands for the millionth time, "At least I have Downton to look forward to!"
ReplyDeleteThen this happens. Not really how I was hoping the day would end!
I saw it coming from the beginning of the episode. But I blamed it on the fact that they just needed more drama now that Matthew and Mary aren't fighting anymore. I'm glad to know that the actress wanted to leave the show. And so very glad they didn't just find another actress. It's just never the same when there is a different face and voice on a character that you love so much.
I'm a little nervous that Cora and Robert won't recover from this. She made it very clear where she is putting the blame. How does a marriage come back from that, without Jesus? I don't know.
I just want someone to be on Tom's side. The shot of him looking out of the window, holding the baby at the end just hurt my heart. What does a guy do in that situation? He just needs someone to love him and get him through. Donna, I know you have never liked him very much, but he really loved Sybil and I really think he wanted what he believed to be best for his family. Youth and inexperience just have a way of making people do things that are really stupid sometimes.
I just keep thinking that this episode makes me so thankful for the births I have had - with a midwife and no men in formal dinner dress. I want to know how he kept his clothes so clean and white. Seriously.
Sybil's death was so shocking- and she was the warmest and kindest daughter. It's awful and made me so sad. I thought Edith did an amazing acting job at the death bed but I thought Mary was cold (my problem with her character all along..too tamped about everything...last night she should have been wailing and in other episodes I have just wished she would laugh once). Cora and Dowager Violet showed appropriate grief and were wonderful. Love reading everyone's comments! This show is so consuming.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Z.
P.S. Mrs. Hughes looks so glamorous in your video! I love it. She is my favorite. They all look lovely.
DeleteLast night's show was simply incredible. And, like many of the readers here, I didn't know that the actress who plays Sybil wanted to leave the show. Her death was a complete shock to me and left me in tears, especially since I became pre-eclamptic in my first pregnancy and ordered to bed rest until my blood pressure came down.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that they tucked her in to bed in the same outfit, too. And after that talk with her mother, like so many others here in the comment section, I had a suspicion that something was amiss. I was surprised that she passed away after the baby was born rather than during, but I'm not in the medical profession, so maybe this is not abnormal. The doctors were at the end of the bed because they both knew there was absolutely nothing to be done once the fits began.
And the acting. Incredible. I cried so much because we have recently had a death in my husband's family. His younger brother passed away and his mother has been a basket case. He was her baby. I'm going to stop now. But my God, I love this show.
Here's what a friend just told me. (Eclampsia runs in her family, a relative died from it during childbirth, so my friend had a high risk OB/GYN for her pregnancy).
DeleteEclampsia affects the kidneys, and causes your body to not excrete properly (ie the elevated levels of protein in the urine), which causes the swelling, and leads to high blood pressure, which leads to seizures and often stroke. So until they can get your organs working properly again you are at risk, it can happen days after delivery. So it was very plausible the way they presented it.
I'm with Kristi. Not only do I not "get" the jail scenes....I CAN'T UNDERSTAND A WORD THEY ARE SAYING. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI love my closed captions when it comes to British television or movies. I know they are speaking English but yikes they can mumble.
DeleteI got a little lost about the whole jail thing too. I'm going to have to re-watch the show.
DeleteI think somehow the prison guard who keeps escorting bates' roommate is planning to screw up the testimony of Vera's neighbor - he mentioned her name in their last scene. the plot thickens! [just get him out of JAIL already!!!!] . That prisoner roommate gives me the heebs.
DeleteIf you haven't seen CALL THE MIDWIFE on PBS, you must find it and watch it. I've only seen Season One, and Season Two is set to begin the end of March. It's amazing. All about midwives/nurses in the 50s set in England. It's based on the memoirs of a nurse-midwife and it's beautiful, gritty, sad, uplifting, sweet, funny and sometimes all of the above in the same episode. One of the episodes deals with pre-eclampsia, and they said pretty much everyone died at that time, often lingering deaths.
ReplyDeleteI love Downton Abbey, but sometimes it sinks to soap opera levels and has me rolling my eyes. However, I can't give it up, and the costumes alone are worth the price of admission. And Dame Maggie. She's the best.
I agree about the soap opera levels. They almost lost me last season when Matthew just got out of the wheelchair... your right, the costumes, the abbey, the one-liners, worth it.
DeleteKristi in LV
I've been captured by "Call the Midwife" too, and was thinking of recommending it to the QL readers. The Christmas episode is available on PBS.com (or whatever their site is called). It was incredibly touching. So now I'm trying to catch up on all the episodes I've missed.
DeleteI didn't read all of the comments, and I don't watch the show, but I wanted to add my somewhat small knowledge of toxemia/eclampsia...
ReplyDeleteYes, they are the same thing. Yes, you can die from it. And yes, they do treat you after the fact for it. When I had my first child, I was borderline toxemia (called pre-eclampsia) and the doctor decided to induce me to make me have my baby as soon as possible. While I was laboring, I was being treated as though I had eclampsia (magnesium sulfate is a not so lovely drug) and I had to be on it for at least 24 hours after I had her as well (it might have even been longer... it made me pretty dopey).
One day I will watch Downton Abbey... one day when I catch up. =)
Blessings!
I had pre-eclampsia, then eclampsia. I had a seizure the night before Kira was born- here's the wierd thing- it was the night of the sag awards 2 years ago! I was trying to text my sister to see what channel it was on and couldn't spell anything, then i couldn't say the words out loud, and then lost all control of the right side of my body. Anyway, I also had a similar seizure the day after she was born. So yup, it can happen. And I don't watch Downton Abbey, but one of my friend told me all about it this morning because what happened to her and me was the same. Her and I? Not sure the corrent grammar there.
ReplyDeleteIf eclampsia is not treated, it can go on to kill days, even a week or so, later. Surely I am not the only RN who reads the blog? :)
ReplyDeleteI have only seen the very first episode of DA. After reading all of this, I'm kinda glad I didn't see last nights episode. I had pre-eclampsia when I was pregnant with Sophia. I was 29 weeks when I had an emergency c-section. Sophia weighed 1 lb. 11 oz. and was 12 inches long. Our story is a miraculous one!!! I never had any seizures, but was well aware that it could happen. Things can go wrong very quickly and sometimes don't get better after delivery of the baby. Thankfully and gratefully, our story ended very well. Thanks be to God!
ReplyDeleteSarah P. from Iowa
Thanking God along with you - glad yours was a story with a happy ending :-)
DeleteCame back on my lunch hour to check the comments. This group may be too young to remember "thirtysomething", but last night's shocking loss reminded me of Gary Shepherd's death. Anyone else remember crying through that one?? Good writing and characters can really wrap us up in other worlds....
ReplyDeleteMary Z
Oh man, I remember how shocked we were when Gary died.
DeleteDebbie from Illinois
I was holding my baby Emma when Gary and his wife named their baby Emma.
DeleteI started it on netflix but it's so.... 80's. 90's. something. and i LOVE the 80's, but from a 9-19 year old perspective. :) Was gary the one with the long curly hair? And wait. He had pre-eclampsia?!?! ;)
DeleteI forgot they named the baby Emma! My Jamey was born when the show first aired and I remember identifying with what Hope was going through with her Janey.
DeleteMary Z
P.S. Steph, not pre-eclampsia. I won't tell you what really happens in case you decide to finish the series. :)
I remember that episode, Mary, and thought of it, too, watching Downton tonight (I always have to record it and watch on Monday night). I cried and cried like I had lost my own brother when that car accident happened.
DeleteI loved that show. They seemed so grown up to me. I was familiar with Philadelphia too and remember that Gary died on the Schuylkill Expressway. They all thought he was riding his motorcycle, something he always did but no - he was in his car. I cried so hard. I just didn't see it coming.
DeleteYes!!! I felt completely blind-sided when Gary on thirtysomething died! I felt the same way last night after Downton. I kept saying to my husband, "I can't believe they killed Sybil!" After an hour or so of that he said to me with all of the patience he could muster, "You do know that she is alive in real life, right?" LOL Kills me.
DeleteAdd me to the number that loved thirtysomething
Delete@Laney - your husband's comment cracks me up :-)
So glad you and your Sophia are well, Sarah!!
ReplyDeleteMary Z
I just watched it again. Really solid storytelling and acting the whole way through. Matthew is particularly amazing at the foot of Sybil's bed - he watched Lavinia die - it's like he knows what's coming.
ReplyDeleteLord G must simply be in shock. I'm concerned for Cora. I don't know if she has the resources to handle this.
Because, you know, these are real people.
Absolutely real :-)
DeleteI hadn't thought about Matthew and his reaction based on Lavinia's death. good point.
I knew she was going to die when Mary stepped back away from her bed. I saw it in Mary's face first. But I am peeved at the way she is treating Matthew. She doesn't respect or trust her husband while he is trying to save her future. Ugh.
Delete100% real people. My peeps. :)
DeleteI am peeved at the way she's treating Matthew too.
DeleteRemember that old saying "the first year of marriage is the hardest?" well, I think it's proving true in these recent episodes for Mary & Matthew. I remember seeing Julian Fellows saying that he wanted to show people that even though these folks have money and position, they have problems like everybody else. Tense moments and words spoken curtly happen in a marriage.
DeleteRemember when Mary said, back in the first Season "you must learn to never believe what I say" - she is a complicated girl for sure. But it makes me like her more for her faults.
I agree with you Susan. I watched it again and everyone's comments against Mary seem so much harsher than when I look at her face and hear the delivery.
DeleteMary: I doubt it, but since this is the last time we three shall all be together in this life, let's love each other now, as sisters should.
Her delivery of this was very sweet.
We can't forget that Edith wrote the letter telling of her sister and Pamook. Which nearly ruine Mary and the whole family.
When I was re=watching today for the umpteenth time, I noticed that Mary gave Edith a sweet embrace and did not seem to just do it as if going through the motions.
Deletejust back from the Dentist - must read today's post :-)
SO heartbreaking! I knew as soon as they mentioned not trusting the doctor that something was going to go very, very wrong. And I heard before the season that there would be a marriage, a baby, and a death, so I kind of guessed but I still cried when it happened.
ReplyDeleteMary was one of my least favorite characters in season 1, but I grew to like her in season 2. Now I'm back to not liking her! She seems to have NO respect for Matthew, not to mention her "I doubt it" to Edith! Come on, your sister just died, can't you show some love to your only remaining sister when she tries to reach out? (I have an underdog complex and have always felt bad for Edith- I mean, Mary was engaged to her love when the show first started and she didn't even care that he died on the Titanic . That's just awful! I kind of understand why Edith hated Mary so much.)
I'm anxious to see what Tom does now. I could see him running... But what will happen to the baby? And I SO wanted to know the baby's name!!
Out of the kitchen again - I'm loving these comments - I think they write Mary to give us someone to react to -- kind of like Thomas and O'Brien. I think Mary is just totally herself. I was surprised by her reaction to Edith but then realized "that is so Mary". I'm glad she hugged her.
DeleteI admit, Mary has grown on me.
Me too. However much it's possible for it to translate on a show, I think she's portraying her process really honestly -- meaning, I guess, that at least she's consistent.
DeleteSpeaking of which -- have you stopped to tally how many people have died at Downton since we started watching this show?!?!?! Mr. Pamook, Lavinia, William, Sybil - am I forgetting anyone?!?! I mean, I know it's 1920 and we started in 1912, but STILL.
War, Disease, Childbirth....all very plausible for the times.
DeletePamook....that one is suspect :op
I'm with all of you Mary dissenters. She is so...cranky. I try to give her the benefit of the doubt because she is English, but come on. The comment to Edith really got me. Standing over your baby sister's dead body? You can't think of something kind to say to Edith? Mary needs to start being nice, pronto.
DeleteLove Love Love Downton Abbey! I watched last night anticipating reading here today. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned many of my favorite quotes. Also loved this one from Anna - "Oh, I hope she's burning in hell!" You can feel her anger like a tangible thing.
Sybil's wild hair and chapped lips at the beginning when she's talking to Mary...loved the foreshadowing...
And I also SOOO wanted to know what they named the baby!
Oh, Oh! and the look of complete and utter astonishment on Mrs. Bird's face when Mrs. Crawley says, "Goodbye Mrs. Bird, and Good Luck." HA!
ReplyDeleteCarson saying the footmen are NOT to go into Mrs. Crawley's home...
"...the decision lies with the chauffeur." love that Maggie
"Sir Phillip and your father knew better, and now she's dead." - harsh...not sure she'll work through that
and I so wanted Mrs. Hughes and Carson to finally embrace in their grief after Sybil's death...
so much to love about this show!
Sidekick,
DeleteI thought Mrs. Crawley was pretty tough. Wow. I understand Mrs. Birds apprehension about working with Ethel. I wonder if anyone would ever have done that. She is a rebel that Mrs. Crawley. I like her heart. Just felt like she didn't think that thru very well. Perhaps a position at a church with the nuns... would have been better...or something.
Yup. That was my favorite line last night...the decision lies with the chauffeur! ha!
I think Cora will come to forgive her husband. Eventually.
'No one could look at you and think that, Mrs. Bird.'
Deleteheh heh heh.
haha
Deletekatie caught that joke
Dave loved that line!!!!
DeleteThat one struck me, too, Steph! :-)
Delete"The decision lies with the chauffeur" was one of my favorite lines of the night.
Delete'No one could look at you and think that, Mrs. Bird.'
DeleteLOL! I rewound that scene 3 times! I love that Mrs.Crawley.
Love the comments regarding Downton Abbey! I can't convince my friends to watch (they don't know what they are missing); therefore, I really appreciate the feedback on your blog.
ReplyDeleteOh my. I am still crying. Yes, Maggie Smith's walk across the room almost made me cry more than any other part. She is amazing. What a show.
ReplyDeleteOur PBS station didn't air the show last night (they had an auction and are airing tonight! GRR!), so I watched online today.
Last night I actually got onto DA's FB page to see if maybe it wasn't airing this week when I saw some IDIOT'S comment of "Oh - this is the episode that Sybil dies!" So I already knew.....SUCH a bummer. Some people are just jerks.
that is the lamest PBS station! I can't believe they did that in the midst of one of the shows that is giving PBS their highest ratings in history. I'm so sorry it was spoiled for you!!!
DeleteThat's terrible. I try to be so careful. I am forever deleting things off my facebook wall because people don't realize others have not seen the show yet. I think we can not wait forever....but at least until the show has aired on the West coast.
ReplyDeleteYes I know all the big things this year....accidently.
You knew Sybil was going to die? I mean, I know you knew, but did you know it when the episode started? Do you think it ruined it for you? One must have blinders on and devices off these days not to get tipped off ahead of time!
DeleteI can't say ruined. But, it certainly did not effect me as it did you and Janet. And maybe that is okay. I know if I have searched to find the winner of Survivor or Amamzing race ahead of time, I lose interest in the show.
ReplyDeleteI have been around message boards for 15 years and how terrible I felt those times that someone was innocently checking their homeschooling board and spoliers would pop up and their show would be ruined. I know it was really a big pain for those out West. I do not want to be the one to tell the secret. To spoil their fun.
I just don't want it to be because of me.
your vigilance is appreciated Donna :-)
DeleteJust remember, some of us love spoilers (-:
ReplyDeleteWhat a season ... I cannot wait to watch.
My question: why would someone be eager to leave this show? It seems like a fun group.
Di
Oh, I have so enjoyed reading all the replies...and agree that last night's episode was quite emotional.....VERY emotional.
ReplyDeleteAbout the prison scenes...I too am confused, and know there is more story that I am not "getting". I also have a hard time understanding the quiet voices....so will be anxious sto see how it unfolds.
About Call the Midwife...OH...love it as much as Downton A. Absolutely delightful.
Thanks all for the comments...I have last night's episode on right now....for the 2nd time.
Until next time.
Others have mentioned being confused over the prison scenes and I am too. And I am totally with you on trying to catch those quiet voices. I've rewound and listened with the sound turned up but to no avail. If they're going to have dialog, why can't they make it so we can actually hear it? Frustrating.
DeleteOh, for goodness sake! I wasn't expecting that. I just watched (always record on Sunday, watch on Monday) Thanks for being spoiler sensitive. I know to avoid the blog on Monday. ;-) I gleaned that it was going to be sad... but that caught me off guard.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the majority of the commenters on acting, writing, reactions, emotions, quips and quotes! So fun to share.
I noticed a Downton Abbey Bingo game on Pinterest today -- to be played while watching. Might be fun! :)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh. Next they'll make a DA drinking game!
ReplyDeleteJanet!!! That's hilarious!! Okay ladies what shall it be?
ReplyDeleteSips of tea??
anytime someone sips their tea, we sip something more tasty ;-)
DeleteDiet Coke, of course. ;)
DeleteI am in Seattle nannying my grandsons while my kids get their feet underneath them after the birth of their third boy.
ReplyDeleteAfter the boys have gone to bed, I read almost every comment to my daughter-in-law while she nursed. We loved discussing them. Good work, QLCS!
I don't have anything to add; it was sad and I cried and I thought about it today. Oh, one thing I don't think was mentioned: how much like Mrs. Patmore's initial treatment of Daisy was Daisy's of the new girl. Shrill words, mannerisms. I'm would love to see both scenes side by side. I wanted to gently shake Daisy and say "listen to yourself!"
I said it before, but it's worth repeating - these comments are great.
ReplyDeleteSo here I sit, eating my lunch, and watching the last 30 minutes all over again. It struck me this time how Dr. Clarkson was the one to come forward and confirm that she was gone. I found that sweet.
I love when Mrs. Hughes hugs Daisy. I think after viewing this one, we all needed a hug, yes?
I watched the last 30 minutes when I tucked into bed last night, Susan... And I have to say, I just don't see the Mary frustration. I just love her. She said a similar thing to Edith on Mary's wedding day, remember? 'I doubt it' or 'probably not' when Edith asked if they'd get along better now that she was married... it's just their rhythm. And I thought of Donna's same comment yesterday, too. Edith sent that letter to the ambassador and that nearly destroyed Mary's life and future, not to mention the happiness of the estate. She caused a lot of trouble in her desire for revenge after Mary said that nasty thing to old what's-his-name.
Deletebecause, as i have reminded you all before, these are real people, and this is a real thing.
.
I think I need to watch season one and two again so I can remember all of this ^^ :)
DeleteIm still on Edith's side, even though both sisters have been downright nasty. She and Patrick were in love, but Mary was engaged to him through an arrangement for her to inherit everything. When he died, Edith was devastated, and Mary basically told her to stuff it- so I can understand why Edith didn't like her to begin with. I just wish they'd call a truce already! Years have passed and so much has happened. I hope they both come to understand that family can forgive and move on!
DeleteI have read these comments an alarming number of times. FYI.
ReplyDelete:-)
Deleteproof that I have too!
Me, too!! I re-watched the show last night. Had to read these as follow up....
DeleteMary Z
Aaaaand, now it's Thursday morning and I'm reading them again!!! I have issues.
DeleteOh Stephie!
DeleteAt least you've watched the show, Stephie.
DeleteDI
Hi :)
DeleteWell. I have waited until I watched to read. And I accidentally saw yesterday what was going to happen on someone else's Facebook post. I was so mad that I saw it. I didn't see exactly, it was alluded to. But it was clear that something was going to happen to Sybil.
ReplyDeleteI did cry. Even though I knew it was coming. I thought it was very well done, acting-wise. I get everyone's reactions. Even Lord Grantham. I agree...Matthew was heartbreaking during the scene when she was having seizures. And the Countess walking across the room away from Carson...really got to me. The shot of Tom with the baby in the window...the house so huge, they so small. What an amazing, poignant scene. What a story. This is what I'm writing about. This is such a good story...how can we not love it?
okay...
ReplyDeletelast week, since i just watched it... you talk about branson and sybil like she has no will, and had no choice but to marry him. she loved (loves) him. maybe he was a bit forward, but had i not been a bit forward in the beginning with matthew, i would not be your daughter in law. i didn't force him to marry me, but i made him admit that he did love me. i was not mad at branson. they are married. they both knew what they were doing. they had agreed of what to do if this ever happened. it would have been more dangerous for her to be with him. he is fighting for what he believes to be right, and she stands by him. the family i lived with in romania were rebels during the revolution. the days of the final revolution Silviu left to fight, and left Ileana 9 months pregnant in their communist block apartment by herself. he was fighting for freedom. she didn't know if he would ever come home... but this was what they needed and wanted to do. she laid on the floor, clenching her unborn baby, for nearly 2 days, praying, not knowing if Silviu were alive or dead. he lived. a week later their first son was born into a free nation. i ugly ugly cried about ethel. sobbed. asher kept saying "ohh... mama sad, why are you crying?" i understand her desperation. it breaks my heart. she loved him, she cared for him well... the status of women in that time unable to provide for themselves and their family created this. i cried harder at this than sybil dying. and now i can't remember what else happened.
now this week... first. you know mary irks me, and that comment in the bedroom between sisters didn't bother me like i thought it would (i had been reading spoilers and knew people hated it). those sisters are so dumb with each other.
ReplyDeletesecond, i am not a nurse (but i play one on tv). and i also just wrote a paper about eclampsia. toxemia is an outdated term, now they call it preeclampsia and eclampsia. eclampsia can continue to affect a woman up to a month after pregnancy. the only cure for eclampsia is birth. babies are usually not as strong, and often times today premature because doctors do not let you get to an eclamptic state, it is sometimes safer for baby to c-section because of this. labor is hard on the body, she was very sick, they should have ended her labor as soon as symptoms showed. today they can "treat" eclampsia (or preeclampsia, or HELLP or just high blood pressure) with magnesium sulfate... it slows your body down and may keep the seizures from happening, it also slows down the baby. magnesium sulfate is also poison to your body when there is too much, so it can be dangerous. it can only be given in a hospital, through an iv, for a short period of time, with very strict percautions and supervisions. i don't know if they used this treatment then or not. good prenatal care is the only thing that today stops eclampsia from being as prevelant as it was then. it still happens. women still die from this. many premature babies are born because of this. it is still scary today.
lord grantham is a moron. i always think this. this only proved my thought even more. and how dare he not leave this choice up to branson. now he is without a wife, without a mother for his daughter. cora and branson pleading for sybils life, killed me. matthew crying when he saw branson, killed me. that sweet baby...
poor daisy. i just love her. why does everyone love that new kitchen maid? she ain't that cute.
mary needs to decide who she is going to stand by, her husband or her father (it looks like in the preview of the next episode that she maybe does this). as a grown married woman who loves her daddy very much, this really bothers me. why are you always trying to stand up for your father and save him at the cost of supporting your husband?
oh edith... she is right, she can do nothing right in this family. they told her to stop sitting, to find something to do. and she did, and they hate it.
can we just get bates out of jail please... this story line sucks. (putting him in there in the first place jumped the shark a bit if you ask me.)
the end.
The Matthew crying bit got me too, especially since he's so concerned about he and Mary conceiving. I'm sure he was putting himself in Branson's place. So sa.
DeleteYou go, Melinda Sue ~
Deleteoh. ethel. mrs crawley has never bothered me, i know she does some people. i like her. i think in that day ethel could not have had an opportunity anywhere else. that is why she turned to prostution in the first place. it really breaks my heart. i don't believe that most people want to be a prostitute, it is desperation. she needed someone to give her a chance. i am glad she got it. i hope she can get the help she needs. and i hope she can somehow get her baby boy back.
ReplyDeleteI don't think his grandparents would let that happen now that it's done. I wasn't bothered by the sisters, either. Truly. And I'm glad to see mary disagreeing with her dad in next week's ep. Sigh. And yes, they took my Ezra a week early because of my blood pressure/swollen ankles. Thankfully, no c-section. Close, but didn't happen...
DeleteYes. This is why Katie was two weeks early...and only five pounds.
DeleteMy guess is that Mary is not standing up to her father for Matthew's sake but for Branson's sake. ie baptism/catholiciam.
Melinda have you seen Les Miz....cause the way you feel about women and prostitution...oh my word...you will not survive Anne Hathaway singing her song.
I am glad you are Matthew's wife. He is blessed to have a woman like you by his side.
Hello, glad to read Melinda's viewpoint - thanks for the heads up, Donna. I agree about Ethel entirely. I sobbed when she said goodbye to her boy - it triggered some grief in my own heart. I tell you, this show has a way of touching on places in my heart, and sometimes you just need to cry. In a good way.
DeleteI'm glad you had time to view the episodes Melinda. I appreciated reading the bits about the medical stuff too.
I LOVED when Mrs. Hughes hugged Daisy when the staff heard the bad news. LOVE Mrs. Hughes. You are right, Ivy is not that great looking. But of course she is new blood.
Keep watching people. Good stuff ahead. Sorry, gotta rub it in a little - I know whats coming!
P.S. - so glad for the happy births of Katie and Steph's Ezra. Thanks be to God.
DeleteMrs Hughes fired Ethel lickity split when she caught her with the service man.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is in Germany tonight on business so I am even more engrossed in all things Downton.
ReplyDeleteEthel and the serviceman and their hanky panky (to put it mildly) really set a sad series of events in motion. Our choices have consequences. Mrs. Hughes was right to give her the heave ho. (no pun intended).
But I love that Mrs. Crawley (and Mrs. Hughes) are showing her a bit of grace, these few years later. A 2nd chance to live a good life, making good choices. Sort of a picture of redemption?
Heave ho. LOLOLOLOL.
DeleteGrace. I like how you think, Susan.
Fun reading everyones' thoughts on the show. Someone will need to point out to Cora that they saw what happened to Sybil without a c-section, but there is no guarantee of what the other outcome would have been (traveling to a hospital with a baby about to be born?) Hindsight is 20/20. Perhaps Ethel and Branson can share their love of journalism and sparks can fly (don't think so, but hey.) I have favorite characters on the show (Matthew, Anna, Daisy, and more,) but Sybil was not a fav. I agree with whoever said why would she want to leave this popular show, other than her story line seemed small with her living out of the house. Matthew just needs to tell Mary he is bouncing ideas off Murray while he had the chance, he is new at managing an estate and is getting input. All I can figure out on the jail story is the roommate is ticked off that Mr. Bates pushed him against the wall when they first met and warned him not to threaten him. And when will Anna stop calling him Mr. Bates and switch to John, or is it now just a pet name between them. Great show.
ReplyDelete