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