Forgiveness and Love in the Abbey

For a second week in a row I was in tears at the end of an episode.  It is hard not not to be touched in various ways when two people who love each other are finally able to share one of the most emotional times their lives will present them.  As angry as I am with Lord Grantham I was was happy that the Dowager Countess was able to exercise some wisdom and help him and Cora get past the barrier of blame.  But part of me is annoyed that once again, the his Lordship is not forced to see what his hand has dealt.  He showed more emotion when Bates was getting ready to leave him in Season 2 for a second time.  I don't doubt that he feels the loss of Sybil deeply, which is why even hearing her name suggested for her daughter is unacceptable, but I really wish that what Cora had laid at his feet were not so much that he didn't trust their family doctor, (MAN! I DO not envy Clarkson!) but more importantly, he didn't trust her maternal instincts.  THAT in my world, would be the singular point, "You didn't trust me."  But since I am hurting for Cora, I am happy that she can now lean a little on the only other person who understands what she has lost.  She was looking colder and colder in her prison so in that sense, I am pleased with the outcome.  Forgiveness is always good.

But as predicted,the women have grown weary of his Lordships outdated version of manliness. In this episode, Mary proved herself worthy of nobility when she was true to her sister's wishes about honoring whatever Tom wanted for the baby.  She could have played dumb, after all, we know what his Lordship thinks of Papists.  But she delivered the best line just prior to telling her father that he had lost on the Christening count.  He had just returned from the luncheon where he acted abominably and recounted who and why he was angry, when Mary pointed toward the truth, 'That isn't why you are angry..."you are angry because the world isn't going your way anymore" and you don't like it'.  Ding! Ding! Ding!  Unfortunately, no bells went off in his head, just more self-pity and more denial!  He can be wearisome.  Thankfully, Mary reminded him that Sybil loved Tom very much...he needs to deal with it.  And three cheers for Edith and Matthew who are trying to incorporate Tom into the family. 

By the by, will Mary and Matthew raise Sybil?  Will Tom stay??

Then there is the Bates story.  By playing dirty himself, Bates makes the problems go away.  Interesting and yet....hmmm...I just don't know what to do about him.  He plays the genial good guy who just has hard luck but something makes me itch!  What is it??

Onto Carson. One point for handing Branson his breakfast plate...otherwise he is the very picture of Christian love this week!  Jeez Louise!  What gives???  Good golly, Ethel was annoying and showed bad judgement but Mary did the same thing and she is a queen in his eyes!  What a hypocrite...but Ethel isn't "his" family!  Many cheers for Mrs. Pattmore and Mrs. Hughes...I love those two.  And hooray for Daisy, who deserves to end her days of service by inheriting property and land more than her??? 

So what do you think?  Does Jimmy prefer her?

 How thick can Thomas be that he can't see O'Brian is setting him up?  The kitchen is crazy.  For the record, the Alfred/Ivy story is just annoying to me.

Love to hear your thoughts!!!



 

Women!

Thanks Fran for this great article! 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/01/29/the-politics-of-downton-abbey-down-with-the-patriarchy/


The strange thing is that I was having this conversation with a friend of mine just the other day after church.  The disparity between the outcome of one woman's tryst and another woman's depending on who had the money and the connections.  Here I am siting the Ethel/Mary stories.

The other point in those stories is the utter audacity of the men involved.  So, only the men (who no one can tell me are without any relationship issues themselves) can determine the purity/worthiness of the women?

Not only that but clearly the women are who have been supporting the follies of many of the men.  Sybil and Branson, love Branson though I may, when he abandoned Sybil to run away from Ireland the week prior we saw who the strong one was.  Now, grant you, Sybil has the benefit of being the daughter of an Earl but still...he abandoned her when she was pregnant and let her travel alone.  Livinia dies so Matthew can have the woman he really loves.  It is brutal.  But in so many ways, they all gives over their lives for the men. 

But the death of Sybil will change that, at least I think.  Cora could forgive the loss of money but I am not convinced that she will trust his judgement again...so it is a new day for the women of the Abbey.

I was also talking with another friend about what the attraction of Downton Abbey is.  Well, it is historical fiction to me, and I like that. I also enjoy the landscape and the prettiness of everything...especially the dresses and the library.  I like the story since there aren't many of those anymore.  The acting is fun...as she points out...Maggie Smith is a pearl but there are others.  (I walk around saying "Mr. Bates" like Anna) But I think there is also something to the civility.  Which most often I appreciate but when Sybil died I wanted to go and shake his Lordship.  Cora needs to unleash some American on him! 

But I do think that we long for a more civilized society...it is good to see people speak more gently whatever the backdrop.  As when Rosamond says to the Dowager, "You know me Mama, I have to speak my mind."  The Dowager answers, "And why is that?  Nobody else does."  There really is something to that, especially in light of putting in a political context as what's his name from Fox News did (which to clarify his statements are ridiculous!)  :)

Anyway, let me know your thoughts on this. As a side note, the girls and I sat down to watch Season 2 Episode 1 and the power went out....we were all dejected (even though it will make it my 3rd viewing!)

 

Why? Why Would They Kill Sybil???

So this is my first official post on this blog.  I had too, it is not ready as I wanted it to be but after last night, I just couldn't wait until I had time for it to be "ship shape in Bristol fashion!"  I mean....SYBIL!  Why would they kill our dear girl?  Who next? Anna??

I am going to re-watch the episode except for the grueling part which hit a little too close to home for me...(my third daughter was born via c-section because toxemia had begun, so that was close enough).  But the whole while I was ready to strangle Lord Grantham...pride in the end killed his daughter.  When will he learn that the stars are not on his side when he is answering to his pride?  And poor Tom (who I usually refer to as Handsome Branson) to lose his wife in such a horrific way, good thing he is Irish!  But Cora...who knew...and who was not listened to.  Woebegone the man who ignore the mothers intuition.  Poor Cora...

My other thought was a curious one.  Mary witnessing the death due to ecclampsia when she was hoping to get pregnant herself...I wonder what Mr. Fellowes is doing there. 

Thomas, who officially has a heart.  It took a while, but it was good to see.  And leave that poor young handsome footman alone...what do you think is going to happen there?

Bates, who I have been thinking is guilty...I have re-watched the past two seasons and I am no closer to tilting on either side strongly.  There is evidence on both...but there is also something in the look on his face when he is pronounced guilty that makes me wonder if I am wrong...and of course for Anna's sake, I want to be wrong.

So I will end with Matthew and the Dowager Countess.  She made me want to cry at her unsteady walk but she is a pillar indeed. Matthew on the other hand, when did he get so insensitive and unfeeling??  Very disappointed in him last night.

Please share your thoughts!