Good Friends Never Leave Us

So, it is true!  It has been officially announced that Season 6 will be the last season.  Consistently interesting writing and impeccable acting, filming and staging cannot go on forever.  But I will miss this show when it ends.

Sadness.

Love and Law

So, wow!  What an episode.  I have had to watch it again since there is so much going on and we sit there in reaction mode and miss a lot.  So, here is where I will start....

This episode, I love Robert.  Robert has revealed himself a true gentleman again.  I am glad he and Cora are made up.  Stark contrast to the other two older couples in the show.  I do like how prejudice was an equal opportunity offender in this show.  Some of the retorts of Atticus's mother were hilarious. As well as Cora.  I am impressed with the ability of the well-bred ladies to act well bred.  So three cheers for Robert, Cora and Mrs. Sinderby.

Adorable as always was Rose and now Atticus.  I want to make special mention of how absolutely beautiful, actually, flawless everything was. The house, the flowers the wardrobe were all just perfect.  Mary looked especially good.  Two things I didn't like were the bow tie for a wedding (silly!) and Edith's dress which wasn't terribly flattering...but that is just me.

Anyway, it was nice to see Edith back to herself and to see her enjoy her child.  I was glad that Robert put two and two together and she doesn't need to tell him.

The other big news!  ANNA!  What is the deal with the guy (the inspector) that he should take our Anna???  IS this some type of ploy?  Where are these witnesses coming from...I mean...I am not buying this whole thing and that they should be setting Anna up really upsets me.  Anna in a line-up!!  Anna in jail!!  Mary needs to help her.  I was glad for how they all reacted...but why didn't anyone go with her??  I mean!  ANNA!!


For the record, Anna might be the only real innocent person in the bloody place.  This whole thing is just wrong.

Next!  Tom???   He needs to stop talking about moving to America.  Figure it out Tom and stay put!  Let Sibby stay!  The idea of there not being "the brother" in the brood is too upsetting.  He needs to be there for them as evidenced at the luncheon prior to the wedding.  His level head is what was needed. Speaking of that incident, what kind of monster is her mother anyway, the miserable cuss!!  Poor Atticus.

But Daisy, who was cheering for that girl this weekend?  I am so proud of her and I hope that she is able to balance everything she wants.  I love how the world is now her oyster!  I also love the tender relationship between her and Mrs. Pattmore.  She has a surrogate mother and father.  She is a good girl and hilarious with her new angsty personality! "I feel so discontented and resentful..." love her.  The Molesly, Baxter, Daisy relationship is perfect.  But what will come of Alex?? Is he to be for Daisy.  He is better looking already.  Do I see even more downstairs weddings???

Granny and Isobel are like teenagers with these boys hanging around.  It has been fun to see them.

Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes....

Mr. Barrow is back to looking mighty fine. And what is this "Uncle Thomas" stuff.  He cracks me up!

I am not ready for a finale.  It makes me sad.

Forgive My Absence

Blame anything and everything but not me.  Please not me.  Oh, that sounds like Edith!

Well so here we are and I have 2 episodes to cover, is that right?

Okay, I am going to start with how annoyed I am with Mary reverting back to her nasty Maryiness.  Don't get me wrong, I love Mary but she has such a single-minded way at times that I find it inexcusable!  For example with Granny.  Granny has a moment of sentimentality, a moment of honest heart and Mary shames her for it??  Or Edith, for heaven sakes the women "lover" died!! Can she not show an ounce of compassion?  Or for Lord G's feelings!  Or for his former fiance's feelings? Even Anna, who has the patience of Job with her couldn't keep herself quiet during one of these moments.  This is not the Mary I like, nor is it the Mary I root for!  I think Charles Blake needs to break her of this and I think he can!  GO CHARLES!

Next annoying person; Mr. Bates.  I can not stand him and his sanctimonious stance. Do not be fooled by some one who looks for every opportunity to play the "misunderstood" or the victim.  To not believe our Anna....OUR ANNA...the lying snake that he is and I mean it, I think he is.  But to take her to task because YOU are untrustworthy and therefore everyone else must be really takes kahoonas!!  Anyway, he made Anna cry and now she is worried that they can't have kids and now she is going to want Marigold because nothing can be easy in Edith's world. (Wow! Guess I have been holding that in!)

And Edith.....OY!  But the troubles you make.  Go steal a child and run away.  But hide in an open place....(I would like to add here that my hero this season is Cora) so that everyone will find you. Ugh. I feel for her, I do, but UGH!  How much energy it must take to not come clean.

Cora.....she is acting the true Matriarch.  I am so impressed with her calm in the storm and perpetual class that I take back whatever I said before.  She is a true Mama bear ("Would you like to discuss this now in front of your new staff?? ba bam!)  Always compassionate and motherly, ("Lay her down beside me and then she will be surrounded by love") and always kind.

Someone had to die, I guess it will be Isis....was anyone else in tears, we were.  Robert broke my heart.

Tom cannot leave.  He cannot and I won't even discuss it. But I love that he said, "No, she had to go" about Miss Bunting...so he did get my letter after all!

Daisy needs a new dresser cause that peachy orange does not become her but I did like the little party that went to her former father in law.  Very sweet.  I hear wedding bells.

Speaking of wedding bells how about that proposal from Mr. Carson to Mrs. Hughes....he can't picture retirement without her.  Sweet.

Barrow seems on the mend and has found a touch of humility, that is always good.  I am glad that Baxter is a good person, she may make something of him yet.  Another teachable moment in our house, you cannot change what God intended you to be.  That whole thing made me very sad.  I think it tapped his self-loathing and his loneliness very well.

Oh, and Lord Merton and Isobell and I am ready to pummel those bums of sons of his.  I do like the feeling at the table that everyone was going to defend Isobell.

AND ROSE!  I love the name Atticus and he is so cute.  Marriage, marriage everywhere!!

 So much left out??

Crisis

Okay, whose crisis do we talk about first on this snowy day?  Cora and Robert, Edith, Tom, Mr. Barrow?

I'm going to go with Cora and Robert.  I am a little concerned with the explosive nature of Robert lately.  But, having said that I am glad he pummeled the interloper.  That man had nerve and Cora needed to be a little less accepting of his "arts"  haha!  Get it???  Okay.  Anyway, he was creepy and way more forward than he should have been but I think this is a good lesson for Robert. I think he is so angry with Cora because what Mr. Bricker said rang true and the truth hurts,  But what a stupid answer to give a grown woman "WE were playing a little game" to me that would just raise a red flag!  What kind of games do you two play!???!!

So, since I brought Edith into this I have to say that she is as  thick as a brick, that one! Let's see how many times she can do it her way and make things worse.  If she had just kept her head together at one moment along the way, she would have a very different life but she keeps making these dumb choices!  UGH!  I feel sorry for her but I also don't understand why she is forever stupid about things.  She is an intelligent girl and she needs to get some blasted confidence already!  GRRR!

Ok, enough on Edith.  Tom terrified me when I thought he was running after Miss Bunting.  I thought, NO NO NO NO NO!  But, I was so happy when he was just a gentleman who felt he had to end things right.  I hope this is the end but oh well, who knows with these writers.  Tom, though, had some of that honest gentleness that I really appreciated in the earlier episodes. And he bitterness is so opposite of what Sybil offered. "Don't you hate them too?" What kind of relationship is going to be built on that question.  So Sibby would always be a little rich girl in her eyes instead of the saving grace for the family that she is. Anyway, I was happy to see Tom back and I hope that he recognizes that he is loved and accepted by his family.  The moments with him and Robert and then him and Mary were so touching...we really have come a long way.

Onto Rose.  I love her. She is so darn sweet and so earnest!  I like how they have cleaned up her character a little.  What about that new man!  He is so cute.  I love the name Atticus.  I look forward to where this will lead.  We will see what Robert says when he finds out he is Jewish.  What a weird world to live in to have everyone just like you.  How utterly dull and limiting.

Ok.....very concerned about Barrow.  What is he playing at?  But again, so sad that he is going through this because the idea of being who he is is just too much anymore.  What a sad way to have to live.  I cannot help wonder what will happen but I hope he doesn't die in the process. What is the point of Downton without his smugness.  Who would torture Bates?

Speaking of Bates....that officer needs to lay off Anna!  And Bates is on my very last nerve.  So Barrow apparently tells the inspector that Baxter knows something so that she is put in the line of fire but all she did was see Mrs. Hughes with something in her hand.  I am finding this portion more than a little ridiculous.  Did Lord Gillingham say something?

Before I move to Lord Gillingham, how funny is Daisy?  She went from little field mouse to a roaring lion.  So glad she isn't going to get left behind!  Go Daisy!! (But do not try to fix up Tom and Miss Bunting!)

Okay, so I never got Lord G and Mary G last week.  I  would like to go on record as saying that Mary handed over power to him and he is not going to go away quietly.  He gave up his fiance for her.  (BTW, I like his former fiance! She is sassy and classy!!)  So, rest assured he will make some trouble as only an aristocratic gentleman who has been rebuffed can.  I would like to thank Downton Abbey for the talking point provided.  If you are going to give over power, you'd better know to whom! She didn't know Lord G and now she is going to find out.

On the other hand Charles Blake would not do that.  I think he is a man of the real world and that he would get over it sooner allowing for her to simply be a woman.  I like him.  He is more crass than Matthew but she is more herself with him.

The whole Carson. Hughes and Pattmore exchange was funny!  Just indulge him with compliments and he is appeased.  Such an ego that one.

One thing that I would like to point out is how the writers made a point of Mary and Violet noticing the rift between Cora and Robert. Impressive for Violet since she was so fixated on Isobel and Lord Merton.  (Those two are cute) and poor Dr.!

Ok, I am sure I forgot something!  Let me know by commenting.  YOU TOO ANONYMOUS!  :D

Miss Bunting Must Go Part one

**** Please forgive me, I wrote this Monday and never finished it.  Here are some thoughts on the last episode*********


I wonder if anyone else had a collective moment of horror with the tactless Miss Bunting that happened in our house.  We were all yelling, "You need to shut up and leave!!" by the end of dinner.  What the heck was that all about?  Why is she so determined to insult Robert?  Now mind you, Robert was on my nerves here and there so I would have been perfectly happy if Cora set him straight, but because it was the arrogant, disrespectful and dishonest Miss Bunting, I won't have it.  I say dishonest because she sits in judgement of those who she considers as sitting in judgement.  Her own prejudice shows itself in her need to call Robert out about the treatment of his servants when she knows nothing about it.  She considers them as looking down on these various "house" positions, when in fact, it is she who looks down on them.  The Grantham family has always respected their help and has seen them as part of the larger picture of their legacy.  Evidenced by Granny apologizing for the "inconsiderate and disrespectful" interruption of their work.  Because the family understands keenly how important it is to a good servant to serve well.  It is honorable work.  But Miss Bunting can't look beyond her own credentials to appreciate the skill that is required to be part of the machine that runs such a large and active estate. She is blinded by her arrogance and is insensitive to the actual situation of others outside of the narrative that she has created in her head.  OH MY GOSH!  I could go on but I will stop there.  Tom needs to break ties with her...she is not for handsome Branson.

This was such a good episode!  The proposal from Lord Merton had all of us gushing.  It was beautiful, practical and from the heart.  I think Mrs. Crawley is going to really consider it.  I wonder if she realized just how tightly wound she was, there was just the slightest softening, real softening in her features.  To think of how long she has been with out love, it made me a little sad for her and even though he is awkward, I think it would be a good match.

Violet and Prince Caspian (I know that isn't his name but I have made it his name to annoy my children, 'THIS ISN'T NARNIA MOM!') have an interesting relationship.  Love that she considered running away with him...but her children made her see sense.  Makes her ability to relate with her granddaughters that much more believable.  Remember it was she who sent money to Sybil and Tom so they could come home.  She has the gift of "long-view" that her son didn't. But, one of the lines that I liked in that parting of information was that her husband held these feelings "under an extremely thick veni

Granny, Granny, Granny!

Okay!  So please accept my sincerest apologies for taking so long to blog on this very interesting episode.  I left my power cord for my computer at the place where I conducted a Confirmation retreat on


 Sunday and had to get it from the EKG dept of the local medical facility yesterday.  Thus...I was powerless!  Get it?? haah!

So for the three people that read this blog, this is my reaction to Sunday's episode:

Favorite moment: Hard to choose, could be Spratt and his desire to resemble an old bitty at all costs or Mrs. Crawley when she was able to tease Granny about her suitor!  That was hilarious!  My kids were roaring because they so enjoy their relationship.

So, You have my whole life planned do you?

Most uncomfortable moment:  Probably when LG was trying to tell Mary that their life was now sealed.  See, this is what bothers me and was a good talking point with my teens.  So, here they are after a week of frolicking and she comes away like "well, it's ok...I mean better than nothing....I guess" (I am not even convinced she felt that) and he is all, "AHAH! Sucka!  What's ya gonna do now??? You have to marry me!!"  For this reason, I no longer like LG.  And I want to smack Mary but in fairness, she is young and vital so I only want to kind of sorta smack her.

Shared moment between Tom and Mary was lovely. Tom must stay and Miss Bunting must shove off.  Not a fan. She needs to have some filter. I am all for opinions, God knows that is what this whole blog is about, but really!  Sensitivity goes a long way! I was horrified at her conduct and once again smitten by our Rose.  Who, though daffy, would really never want to hurt anyone. "Her Russians" (as Robert and Cora calls them) give a wonderful peak into repercussions of the revolution )which by the way my kids are well versed in and thusly end up arguing points as they are being spoken.  Here's me: Um...shhhhh!)

Daisy:  WE are so excited for her and just love that Mrs. Hughes and Mrs, Pattmore are supporting her. But Mr. Carson! OY!

Bates is going to get caught and I can't help but wonder if the old Ladies Maid (I can't think of her name) is going to be the witness. Who is the witness???  Poor Anna.

Barrow heads out! Who wants to guess where he is going?  Is he looking for James? Is he looking for new employment?  What is up??  I love that he can't manipulate Baxter anymore and I think that was the final straw for him.  Baxter in the meantime basically said what I would have guessed.  But does anyone else feel like there is even more or that the person is going to show up or that another shoe will drop with her?  Something is unsettled there. Not sure what.  But Cora, I thought was her generous self and I believe that she is smart putting her trust in Baxter.

Ok, so the whole Cora and Robert debacle!  Can I punch Robert?  Is it possible for him to be any more of a baby?  I was proud of Cora for standing up for herself. And I loved hearing her history!  It sounded so interesting.  "Please forgive me for bragging!"  haha  But he is a little dangerous. She is so gracious.

I think what was neat in this episode is that all of the women had a pulse instead of living in convention.  It was nice and I especially like the bond between Mary and Granny, there is something very sweet there.

But I have to finish this post with Edith because this whole thing is really breaking my heart.  I am not sure what is going to happen but no good will come of it.  She is not a horrible person and I am so sad that all of this is happening to her because she as Anna said, "has so little love coming to her" anyway.  I am paraphrasing but even the servants feel bad for her.

Okay, I think that covers it,  please comment, I am lonely.

DA s5e2 Torn Between Two Lovers

So there was a moment when Jimmy said goodbye to Mr. Barrow where both my eldest and I felt that their story was not over.  I have the distinct feeling that Jimmy and Barrow had some sparks that were genuine.  Moreover, I was thinking that would be a good thing for Barrow.  Jimmy is just randy he doesn't know what is what, but Barrow knows who he is and he has shown real affection and actual friendship toward Jimmy.  I think I would just caution Barrow because Pretty Boy is not going to commit any time soon to someone with no money.

Anyway, in the meantime, Lord Gillingham is kind of annoying me.  I don't know why.  Perhaps because he is endangering Mary's name in some way.  But, my daughter reminded me that it was the 20's and she was a widow so maybe I am just being a little Carson-esque.  But, you know, I just think if you are going to take that step and jump that chasm than don't send your pure hearted albeit married Ladies Maid to do your dirty work! And Blake talking about sex!  Please, you aren't in America! (But I couldn't help but hear Dan Ackroyd in the back of my mind, "Mary, You ignorant s**t.")

Speaking of Anna, I love her.  And I stand by my lack of trust for Bates.  I wonder who the witness was and why it took a year to come forward.  I bet Barrow has something to do with this.  Somehow, just as he has something to do with the unanswered questions of Baxter's.  ERGH!  I want to like him (Barrow), and I do, but mostly because I like to look at him.  If he were ugly he'd be done in my eyes long ago.  Sad state of affairs!

So this whole Tom and Miss Bunting thing reminds me of Tom and Sybil in that Miss Bunting is now playing the part of Tom.  I like the character but not for Handsome Branson. I am not sure anyone will ever be good enough after our Sybil.  :(  But stop trying to lure him away from the bighouse!

Edith is brutal.  That is all. Oh wait, and the poor wife of that man.

Robert and Carson are hilarious.  It's like they try to see who can out-prude the next. But Rose and her "wireless" was really fun to watch. Standing for the King's speech.

Cora and that man, one of my favorite scenes: "Tell him to stop flirting with my dog!"  Or Carson to Mrs. Hughes, "I don't like it when we don't agree." Mrs. Hughes, "We are different people Mr. Carson and we won't always agree."  At some point Carson needs to grow up a little He gets so petulant.


Did I forget something?

Downton Abbey 2015!! Episode 1

Well, my daughters and I jumped on my bed at 8:58pm so excited about the show!  I just finished re-watching Season 4 which was so very good and was eager to see what direction they would take tonight.  I was not disappointed,

I must start with Mr. Molesly.  I LOVE that they are making him a quiet hero to one person.  I am quite fond of Miss Baxter and anytime that Thomas Barrow can be thwarted it is exciting, doubly so when it is done by the ever enigmatic Mr. Molesly!  Informed by his recent humiliation of being brought down in station from valet to mere footman, I think Mr. Molesly is in just the right position to be a nuisance to Mr. Barrow and a gift to Miss Baxter.  I love this sweet couple...but I don't underestimate Mr. Barrows anger toward his former minion and that will be something to watch, indeed.  However, that was only part of the story for in his "only Molesly" way, he was able to be the best comedic part of the show.  The hair dye gone awry was hilarious and written in with such strategy and humor, one of my favorite lines of the night, "Take steps Mr. Molesly, take steps!"

In keeping with the humor here are the two ladies I love to watch.  How horrified Granny looked when Robert suggested that Isabelle might be a "great lady in the neighborhood!" and off she went to construct her plan to undo any attachment between Isabelle and Lord Merton.  And what was up with Spratt?  How in his mind is he better than the village doctor?  What does a man have to do to get a cup of coffee or piece of cake? How does one remind Spratt that the good doctor is a guest of his employer?  I think she took care of him.  Aside:  Did anyone else catch the Dowager's reference to Pride and Prejudice?

Great ladies don't talk smutty.

Onto the real deal of this show!  Times they are a' changin'!  When Robert is dissed by the community as they desire to erect a statue in honor of fallen soldiers from the war, Carson can barely stand the attention.  So many things at play. It is kind of rude to say, "give us your land and your butler, they are what matters!"  There were several moments of rudeness I thought.  I can't get 100% on board with Miss Bunting. Yes, she is a lively character and probably a lot of depth to her but she could be better behaved.  As someone who is a leader in the community, she should know better than to embarrass her hosts.   I wasn't pleased with that part. 

Especially with Cora and Robert celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary while have a house of guests with them, including Lord Gillingham, it just seemed more "common" than would have been experienced. Granny did not approve.

Marigold

Then Edith, our long-suffering Edith!  OY!  Let's make some more bad decisions while we are there! What is it with her?  Is it because her sister is so mean to her? Mary really needs to lighten up on her. So the train that left the station last season is clearly going to form a wreck this season.  Makes no sense except of course in social commentary but really enough with that. haha

But perhaps one of my favorite moments is when Cora, knowing Baxter's secret as we all do now, calls Barrow out.  Her handling of the whole situation is admirable and very lady-like.  Cora has been proving herself to be far more open minded than she used to be but then she has been through an awful lot.  So when the house catches fire Barrow is one lucky duck that mischief put him in the right place at the right time because losing another child would probably end that smile of Cora's forever. But the point should be made that now both Cora and Robert have ex-cons in their most intimate service. Interesting.

Thanks for saving my bacon Lady Edith!

 But Barrow is showing his viscous side a bit much lately and it will come crashing down like it did for Jimmy this week.  That was something to behold...eek!  Poor Robert!  Must all the world go mad? Thank God Mary kept it together with the Lord G in her private quarters!  I can't imagine! (Can you tell how appalled I am, ha!)  But the best moments of that fire was the kiss bestowed by Tom on Sibby (he is such a tender heart) and the father/son moment between Robert and Tom.  Something good is growing there and Sybil would be proud.


Finally, I am so pleased with Mary's growth.  I really like her so much more than when we started. It is hard to choose which suitor will be best but Lord G is really laying his cards on the table and that makes me wonder about him.  After all, he is a Lord and knows the implications of a torrid affair, why risk it?  What is he up to?  I am also impressed with the way Mary has taken over the estate.  Way to go Mare!

So here are my questions:  How bad will things get for Edith?  Who will Mary chose?  What will become of James?  Will the teacher help Daisy and thereby get closer to Branson?  Why did Baxter steal the jewelry in the first place.  Ok, I have to stop there as dinner must be made. There is no Mrs. Pattmore in my world!

Please share your thoughts!

In the meantime always remember