Mr. Fellows didn't shy away from the happy ending.
He gave us the very happiest ending of all...
the singing of Auld Lang Syne...with kissing....and a quip from Violet.
But that was not her best quip of the night. There were a few others that were wonderful.
Violet and Mrs. Crawley barging into the home of Lord Merton...to rescue him!
I loved it so much.
Amelia: "Mrs. Crawley wants to take you away from your son and your
family and kidnap you into marriage. What do you say?"
Lord Merton: "How perfectly marvelous."
***
Rosamund: What do you think makes the English the way we are?
Violet: I don't know. Opinions differ. Some say our history, but I blame the weather.
****
My other favorite line of the night was when Cora says something like,
"Edith is going to be happy." Can any of you remember it? It was so sweet.
****
Please feel free to post them. I'd love to re-read them and I didn't find much online this morning.
Happy, happy all around. Just like I wanted it. The good parts version.
Why not?
And was it ever beautiful?!?
I liked Edith's blue dress and Violet's blue dress coat.
Everything was spectacular.
Love stories for everyone, except Thomas, but he got respect and friendship and a place.
I hung on every word and I honestly felt it was so cleverly and perfectly written.
Name dropping included.
Charlie and Elsie :o)
Oh I just love them all.
I love everybody.
:o)
I just read this and thought I would share it;
Q. What was the last scene that you filmed for the finale?
A. It was Edith and Bertie’s reconciliation dinner at the Ritz. We had to shoot from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. when the dining room was closed. It was the crew’s final scene too, and a lot of them played waiters and diners which made the whole thing like a very glamorous, joyous party. It was quite emotional. Julian came, and at about 3 a.m. we went outside to do an exterior shot. They shut down Piccadilly for us so that we could put in period cars and taxis. Julian looked around and said, “There really are worse jobs in the world.”
Then Michelle and some of the other actors came to the Ritz at 4 a.m. so that we could all be together, and we had a Champagne toast. Our final cast party was at the Ivy restaurant and John Lunn, who composed the "Downton" music, sat down and played it on the piano. Everyone fell silent. It was the music of our story, and of their lives for six years. It was the most stirring, moving moment.
~Director, Michael Engler
How interesting.
I want to hear from you most of all.
Tell me what you loved? and share you favorite moments and quotes!!
Thank you for watching along and enjoying Downton with me.
It's been so much fun.
Donna Elsie :o)
I love THIS. Your post xxx
ReplyDeleteI love: Master George saying "Mr. Barrow" and riding on Henry's shoulders.
Anna saying "we have a son, John"
Bertie kissing Edith.
Everybody kissing everybody!! Muches Smooches!
The whole Isobel and Dickey story. Violet pointing out she's in love with Dickey.
Lord Grantham bringing up Michael Gregson, that was fitting.
Mrs Pelham sitting with Marigold at the reception.
Mr. Mason twinkling at Mrs Pattmore.
Barrow beginning anew.
I could go on ... it was so good.
I will miss I, but it was the right time to end.
BTW, thanks for the part about the last shoot. The scene at the Ritz was stunning. But of course they all were!
Oh, and the opening scenes outdoors ... gorgeous.
Ok, I'm stopping
Thanks, Donna Elsie
My favorite part of the final episode is reading the NYTimes recap in the morning...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/arts/television/downton-abbey-finale-a-grand-british-story-with-an-american-finish.html?_r=0
It was perfection in my opinion. It was the wrapping up of six years in a box with a pretty bow on top. I loved Violet trying not to laugh at the advice column and telling Spratt she would be consulting him for fashion advice. All the handshaking amd kissing and affirmations gave me warm fuzzies. I like warm fuzzies. I wish Shirley MacLaine had made it for the wedding in this final episode. I recorded it so I can go back and see things I didn't see the first time. Now I'll be watching the waiters in the Edith and Bertie reconciliation scene, too. I'm going to miss your recaps!
ReplyDeleteYay for warm fuzzies!
DeleteYes, the hand shaking. Very intimate!
DeleteI confess that the first time I watched, when Henry and Edith were driving down the road, I was afraid for a second that we were heading towards another car crash! Glad Julian didn't go that route.
ReplyDeleteI loved it when Henry called her "Edie" when he saw her flat.
And the "Your Mary is not my Mary." followed by "Yes, let's hope it stays that way." conversation. :)
DeleteI was thinking the same thing. And the loud "speak now or forever hold your peace?" I was holding my breath then.
DeleteIt was so brilliant and I cannot wait to watch it again. And again. And again.
ReplyDeleteBertie’s face at the reconciliation dinner? Each time a waiter approached with a menu or the drinks, he appeared to be having so much trouble holding himself together. After reading what you posted about it being the final scene film, that adds another context to it. So moving! When Mary got the look on her face at the Dowager’s home and you just knew she was going to try to arrange something for Edith and Bertie? When Edith approached Mary and asked why she did work towards Edith’s happiness? Edith telling all to her future mother-in-law – consequences be damned – because she felt it was the right thing to do? Bertie demanding a kiss? Henry and Tom’s big adventure? Tom and Henry hanging out with Sybbie and George “working”? Mary’s pregnancy and Henry’s joy? The goodbye scene for Thomas with the children hugging and asking him not to go? Thomas thanking Anna, Baxter and Andy privately? Daisy and Andy finally “getting in step”? Mr. Mason asking Mrs. Patmore to visit the farm more often? The Dickie Merton rescue operation? Molesly being offered the teaching job? Baxter reassuring Molesly that they will most definitely continue to see one another? Carson realizing he could no longer work? Robert telling Cora he is proud of her? Edith’s joy on her wedding day? Robert gasping when Edith came down the stairs? Baby Bates arriving on New Year’s Eve? The Auld Lang Syne scene? These are some of the scenes that had me in tears last night. I’m sure I left out many. Absolute perfection. I love and will miss these characters so very much, but am forever grateful for this beautiful, beautiful world.
{{{LIKE}}} :-)
DeleteI was so not ready for it to be over! It wasn't as dramatic as the other episodes but so sweet and so dear! And finally for Edith to get her happiness! And even for the new mother-in-law, who really looked like she was going to end it all, to tell her that she couldn't help but be pleased to have a daughter-in-law who was so honest. She even won her over. So incredibly pleased for Mr. Mosely and his class! And even though I had hated Mr. Barrow for years, I had begun to feel sorry for him the last couple of seasons and was so glad to see him get the job and know he would stay at Downton. It was just so lovely that everyone was pleased for him. All in all, a beautiful ending! But really, I just wanted one more!
ReplyDeleteI loved every minute of it! I am seriously choked up reading the comments here - brings it all back.... Much like another series we watched for years (Parenthood), this one will forever capture a time in my life, and even better than Parenthood, will rekindle wonderful memories..... I am going to watch the whole series again this summer or early next fall. I, too, will miss your recaps, Donna. They were always a highlight of my Monday mornings at work....
ReplyDeleteLove live the Crawleys!
This morning I am trying not to feel a little blue that it is all over! I loved every minute of the final episode and I am so grateful to Julian Fellowes for giving everyone happiness all around. My favorite scene? The reconciliation at the Ritz. Finally, joy for Edith! And those darling children (so sweet with Barrows). I kept thinking that George actually looked like his daddy, Matthew Crawley. And how wonderful that he will now have a sibling. The Auld Lang Syne at the end was just too wonderful- so moving, and made my teary. Of course eventually I am going to have to buy all the seasons so that I can rewatch and rewatch. Thank you, Donna, for all your recaps here. It was always the first place I came the morning after an episode. There is nothing like enjoyment shared by like-minded people!
ReplyDeleteDebbie Z.
Now I will have to be satisfied with Downton memories...thanks Donna for the final show recap. I guess this means there will not be a movie after all. I watched a youtube with Maggie Smith on a talk show and she said that she was kind of glad it was over since Granny was about 110 years old. Maggie Smith has a very dry sense of humor. I am getting my Downton fix reading her new biography by Michael Coveney. love and prayers, jep
ReplyDeleteI loved it all! The scene where Sybbie came up and hugged Barrows was unscripted according to an article I read today. He looked so surprised and happy . I loved it!
ReplyDelete"Edith is going to be happy. Just think about that!"
ReplyDelete"You're right, of course, hurrah!"
Yes! You found it! :)
DeleteIt was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, a masterpiece. I'm sad it is ended because there is so little brilliant writing on television. Each character is so sharply drawn and the finale had them each in their most perfect and lovable form. All of the little pairings, one after another, some only hinted at, was a good way to end. It came to the brink of sentimentality but not over in my opinion.
It was brilliant to end on New Year's Eve! Ending with a beginning.
What will Julian Fellows bless us with next??
I guess I'm in the minority, I felt like they took the easy way out with all the happy endings. I love this show so much but I felt like it was a bit of a cop out. I cried so much a couple of weeks ago and I got got teary just hearing the intro music last night. I'm ready to rewatch the previous seasons!
ReplyDeleteDonna, what I would love is for you to post your favorite DA looks over the years in the spirit of your wonderful Oscar and other award show reviews. You have such a good eye, and it is so fun to swoon over the shots that you include...What do you say?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, Alison! Donna, please do. Maybe the best and the worst of the Downtown dresses, or most stunning hats, or something. You are so good at that sort of thing!
DeleteDebbie Z.
I don't think I'm the right person to do this. I didn't noticed all the details like others did!!
DeleteIt was so much fun and a perfect ending. The only thing I want to know: what is did Anna name the baby boy?? I loved the scene of them in the bedroom and her holding her baby. Pure bliss for Anna and John. I heard that Julian's next show is called, The Gilded Age.
ReplyDeleteI wondered the babies name too. I wondered if it was John and had to rewind to check.
DeleteI wished they had used a real baby for that scene.
DeleteI read that the scene in the kitchen where everyone is saying goodbye to Barrow and Sybbie runs over and gives him a body hug was totally unscripted, and that made it especially sweet to me. I was charmed by every moment of the finale and will miss this show for a long time to come!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite moment was when Violet told Cora that she was doing a good job at the hospital. Made me choke up. :)
ReplyDelete