Downton Abbey!

[Julie2owlsdene]

I'm enjoying the series, as I have enjoyed the others from the beginning.

I feel for Thomas at the moment, I wonder if this is going to change his character into a better person, than the scheming one he was.

The murder and Mr and Mrs Bates seeming to be the suspects, is getting a bit annoying. It wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be Lady Mary herself!!!

Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes are lovely characters, let's hope they get together.

I feel for Edith, and now she has run off with her child. How sad, I bet this happened a lot back in those days. The family should accept her as a single mother and welcome her and her child into the fold. But of course her own mother has no idea what has happened. It shouldn't have been covered up by her aunt and grandmother. If Edith's mother finds out I'm sure she'll be livid!!

All in all a great series, I love it.

[burlingtonbertram]

The murder and Mr and Mrs Bates seeming to be the suspects, is getting a bit annoying. It wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be Lady Mary herself!!!

Yeah; we have gone down that road before. I read a sort-of spoiler on Digital-Spy that implied it was actually someone far less obvious; although they still listed several suspects.

[burlingtonbertram]

I'm having trouble breaking down Mary's suitors into their component parts. They both seem the same to me.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Yes, they even look similar! To be honest, neither of them seems at all interesting so far!

I was touched by Violet admitting how much Isobel's companionship means to her.

[Moonraker]

Violet is becoming rather vulnerable. She doesn't really mix well, and Isobel puts up with her cantankerous ways. If Isobel's visits cease, who will Violet turn to? She is intimidated by the new housekeeper who seems to get away with murder, and the suitably named Pratt shows her little respect either. The times they are a-changing, it would seem.

I loved the speech that included "family that has accepted a chauffeur and a Jew", or words to that effect.

I wonder if the demise of Isis has anything to do with the unfortunate terrorist-linked name?

[burlingtonbertram]

Oh, is it Pratt? I thought it was Spratt which, somehow, struck me as an even funnier name!

[pete9012S]

http://downtonabbey.wikia.com/wiki/Spratt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[burlingtonbertram]

Thanks; Spratt is definitely funnier.

[Moonraker]

Yes, sorry, it is Spratt!

Readers of Radio Times can read an open letter to Julian Fellowes from Alison Graham (TV Critic) in next week's issue. I agree with all she says! It won't be online yet (if it ever is), but if you don't get a copy, go to a newsagent and read it. It's on page 66.

[Julie2owlsdene]

I enjoyed Sunday's episode, and I believe this series ends on Sunday 9th November. Poor Isis why get rid of the dog, she played a good part! What will they do at the Christmas episode, get a puppy I wonder. It won't be the same as gentle Isis.

All in all a good episode, though why they have to be so cagey about Edith's child is beyond me! Lady Mary is such a snob sometimes! I just want to give her a slap! But I do enjoy it all!

[Moonraker]

I'd love to give Lady M a good slap!

Sunday's is a 90 minute (less adverts) programme and there will be a Christmas special, so all is not over yet!

[Anita Bensoussane]

I'd love to give Lady M a good slap!

I'd have thought you'd love Lady Mary to give you a good slap!

Surely Robert, Lady Mary and Tom ought to know the truth about Marigold? It's only a matter of time before they put two and two together and feel miffed at having been kept in the dark. Though I did chuckle at Violet's remark that it was Cora's right to know everything but not Robert's because "he's a man. Men don't have rights."

[Moonraker]

You know me, Anita; always willing to help a lady out!

I agree about Violet's remark - pure comedy!

[Julie2owlsdene]

Sadly the series has now finished, so we have to wait until Christmas. I had an idea they were going to arrest Mrs Bates. Let's hope she's not behind bars for too long!

A very good series. Can't wait for the next one.

[burlingtonbertram]

He is a preview of the Christmas episode (NO ACTUAL SPOILERS AS SUCH) cut and pasted from the Digital Spy TV forum:

Cora, Robert, Mary, Tom and Edith go to Brancaster to join the Sinderbys
- Thomas goes - Bates doesn't. Baxter seems to be looking after Mary as well as Cora
- Carson, Hrs Hughes, Mrs P, Bates, Molesley and (I think) Daisy enjoy a fancy candlelit dinner downstairs during the family's absence.
- Daisy whines about something
- Lady Sinderby talks to Tom about outsiders joining the family. They seem to get along well (nice to see - they're both adorable!)
- Lots of shooting
- Alun Armstrong's butler doesn't get along with Thomas
- Rose and Atticus look very happy
- The younger ones are dancing in a room at Brancaster. There seem to be a few younger people around and Edith is dancing with man who seems to like her! Can't see who Mary and Tom are dancing with.
- Plotting against Alun Armstrong...
- Lord Sinderby creates a scene at a very fancy dinner.
- Cora wants Robert to look after himself - he says that she does it so well he doesn't need to worry (hmm...)
- Something has happened while the family were away - Molesley looks serious
- There's an evening event at the Dower House attended by Dickie Merton which seems to have given him fresh hope of marrying Isobel
- Spratt and Denker are at odds. Quite... sinister....
- A new footman is going to be taken on it seems
- Robert asks "There must be room for negotiation." Cora is smiling and Mary asks him to "lay off everything" till Christmas. He agrees to do so till Christmas Eve.
- Downton in the snow!
- The children dress the tree and George speaks!
- Mrs P is preparing the Christmas lunch.
- Mary, Tom and Edith are placing stockings on the children's beds and join hands to wish Sybil the happiest of Christmasses. They all look about to cry (Tom especially) and so am I. (I got this wrong earlier - the stocking we see is addressed to Marigold).
- Tom counts down to the lighting up of the tree.

I think that's it. No sign of Anna. The scenery looks wonderful, as does Alnwick Castle.