Movie Review : "Downton Abbey ~ Part 3"

Synopsis as per www.PBS.org

Episode 3:

 The fair has come to town, and with it comes romantic hopes for several Downton Abbey inhabitants. In a triumph of the absurd, Violet asks a baffled Matthew to use his legal acumen to dissolve the entail — the very document by which he is to inherit Downton Abbey. Matthew's findings and his hopes for Downton cement his growing closeness with Robert, and a new warmth suffuses his encounters with Mary. But Mary's thaw doesn't extend to her sister Edith, as their competition becomes crueler. Cora simply wants Mary married, but newly circulating rumors may hinder that aspiration. Meanwhile, Violet's power struggle with Isobel moves from the hospital grounds to the annual flower show as Isobel casts her democratizing gaze upon Violet's prize-winning roses.


A kind gesture by Bates is not lost on Anna; but he cryptically professes to not being capable of more. Sybil discovers the politics of gender and class, with the help of the socialist chauffeur, Branson, and Carson discovers that several valuable bottles of wine have gone missing. The vulnerable kitchen maid Daisy, under increased pressure and ire from a fretful Mrs. Patmore, possesses a dangerous secret that she learned upstairs.

My Thoughts:

I think this was my favorite episode so far.  I'll be really sad when this mini-series is over.  I'd actually liked to have seen it be a regular series.  TV needs something a little different.

I'm really growing to like Matthew and hope that Mary does also.  There is a hint of it in this episode but she blows it by flirting with another man.

Whoo!  That Edith is very vengeful.  She got the dirt on Mary and is actually writing to the Turkish Ambassdor to rat her out!  Very bold!

Thomas is really getting on my nerves so is O'Brien.  They are just plain hateful and vindictive.  Poor William.  He likes Daisy and Thomas knows and is doing everything he can just to spite William.  Creep.

The love story between Bates and Anna is just heartbreaking.  I wonder if he is still married or just doesn't think he can love her because he isn't worthy in some way.

One of my favorite moments is when the Dowager gives up the Rose Trophy to the father of Matthew's butler.  I can't remember his name.  He was so happy!  I almost cried!  It actually made me like Violet a bit.
Have you been watching this mini-series?  What have you thought about it?

Movie Review: "Downton Abbey ~ Episode 2"

Synopsis as per www.PBS.org

Episode 2:

As Matthew and Isobel, the newly-arrived Crawleys settle into life in the village, Isobel offers her experience with modern medical techniques at the hospital, to the considerable consternation of Violet. Both Matthew and Mary bristle at the prospect of being matched to one another; still, Matthew indulges Mary's clever barbs even as a suitor in the form of Evelyn Napier is invited for a foxhunt, accompanied by the handsome attaché at the Turkish Embassy, Kemal Pamuk.


Downstairs, secrets reflect the ambitions, shames and desperate hopes of the servants, as housemaid Gwen tries to hide the contents of a heavy box set atop the wardrobe in her room; Carson abandons his customary dignity as he skittishly raids the pantry; and Bates refuses to share the source of his debilitating pain to his co-workers. Their concern and camaraderie markedly contrast the festering discontent of Thomas and O'Brien.

A sinister stranger barges into the house, demanding to speak to Lord Grantham, and an attractive stranger captivates Mary before setting into motion a chain of events that put the fate of Downton Abbey on even less stable ground.

My Thoughts:

OK, the second episode I found myself more drawn in because I wasn't still trying to figure out who was who.

There is a lot of interaction between the staff.  Both friendly and unfriendly.  There was one occurance with Bates that was just plain hateful.  I love how Anna always wants to help him.  Anna is probably my favorite staff member.

The schemes of the staff become apparent as do their hopes and dreams.  Some want a life other than service and otherS just want to climb their way to the top stepping on whoever gets in their way.

As for the "Family", Mary has 3 suitors at her house at the same time.  Matthew, the heir, and then two visitors one of which is a handsome foreigner who captivates Mary.  Even, dare I say, compromises her.  gasp!

I won't tell what happens but I bet you will never, ever in a million years guess.  Unless you've seen it already and then of course you already know.

Meanwhile, Edith the middle sister, is casting her hook toward Matthew Crawley.  I don't even think he's aware.  Poor girl.  I'm always a sucker for the underdog.

Well, Episode 3 is on tomorrow night and I already have it set up to DVR.  I can hardly wait.

Of course it will have to wait until after the  Steelers vs. Jets Conference Championship game that is also on Sunday night.  GO STEELERS!

Have you been watching this mini-series?  What have you thought about it?

Movie Review: "Downton Abbey ~ Episode 1"

Synopsis as per www.PBS.org

Episode 1:

It's 1912, and life in the Edwardian country house of Downton Abbey is idyllic and bustling for the Crawley family, aided by their cadre of servants. Robert, Earl of Grantham, his American heiress wife Cora, and their three daughters, along with Robert's mother Violet, have lived largely uncomplicated lives. But the sinking of the Titanic hits home in an unexpected and dramatic way — Lord Grantham's heir, James Crawley, and his son Patrick have perished. It's personally agonizing (momentarily) for daughter Mary who was supposed to marry Patrick. On a grander scale, suddenly all the predictable succession plans have gone terribly awry, and unheard of questions now loom large — Who will be the new heir to the earldom? And what will happen to this distinguished estate, now in jeopardy? Mary's grief is short lived as she sets her sights on another suitor, the Duke of Crowborough.


As the drama unfolds among the aristocrats of Downton Abbey, changes are happening amidst the servants as well. John Bates has arrived as a new valet for Robert, but he has a pronounced limp, potentially making him unfit to perform his duties. Also, Bates seems to have some previous link to Robert, and a murky past. And, someone else in the servant's quarters is darkly entangled with the fortunes of the family he serves.

Despite much angling and consternation, the course of action emerges — a new heir presumptive will soon arrive at Downton. As Matthew Crawley, the heir presumptive, and his mother Isobel arrive, the emotions of the onlookers range from anxiety to outright antagonism. But in crisis there may be opportunity, and Matthew is considered as a suitor for Mary. Yet, nothing is quite as it seems in the changing landscape and shifting fortunes of Downton Abbey.

My Thoughts:

I've been seeing blog posts about this mini-series and it looked like something I would enjoy watching.  By myself, of course, because there's no way Doug would sit through a movie such as this.

I missed the first 2 episodes but found that I could watch them online at www.pbs.org .  I hadn't planned on watching right then, but I couldn't help myself.  I will say that I made my menu and grocery list while watching and also got out my crocheting and worked on Kaylee's legwarmers while watching.  But, needless to say the rest of my to-do list for the day didn't get done.

The first episode I did a lot of figuring out.  Figuring out who was who, the family dynamics, the history and current events of the time period.

I enjoyed watching the differences of the "above-stairs" and "below stairs" characters.

The three sisters could not be more different and I find that I like the youngest best, the middle second best and the oldest is just plain snobby and arrogant.  I'm looking forward to seeing their stories unfold.

I DID NOT, however, like the homosexual scene.  It was nothing overly graphic but to me even a kiss is too much.

I watched the 1st and 2nd episodes back to back.  But I'll save my thoughts about Episode 2 for another post.

Have you been watching this mini-series?  What have you thought about it?