Posted on 02/24/2014 9:50:46 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
Wait, did the season finale of “Downton” leave us with more questions than it answered?
Here’s what we still don’t know:
Did Bates kill Green? Will Mary choose Blake or Gillingham or Napier? (Okay, probably not Napier). Will Edith ever locate Michael Gregson? What dirt does Barrow have on Baxter? (And, related, why do the names of so many characters on “Downton” begin with B? Bates, Blake, Barrow, Baxter, Bunting, Branson, Braithwaite. I’m out of breath).
I doubt the last question will be answered and it looks like we’ll have to wait for next season to find out about the others.
Until then, I hope this scientific analysis of this season’s final episode will suffice.
It’s mid-summer 1923 and London is sinking under the weight of toffs, all in town for debutante season. Our friends from Downton Abbey are here for the presentation of ditzy Rose to the king and queen and for her debutante ball.
It’s not just Americans who think this is a strange ritual. “Seems odd to me that a curtsy and a nod from the throne turns a girl into a woman, but that’s the way they do it so who are we to argue,” says Mrs. Hughes.
There’s not quite as much room in the Granthams’ ramshackle London digs, so they are “squeezed in like sardines,” as Rose puts it. Poor dears. Cora says that there may have to be some doubling up to which Mary responds: “I’d rather sleep on the roof than share with Edith.” That seems a bit mean, but would you want to share a room with Edith?
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I quite enjoy the show, but inevitably it is compared to “Upstairs: Downstairs” and comes up short in the humor department.
The writer/creator..Julian Fellowes.. was obviously caught way off guard by Dan Stevens' ( Matthew Crawley) last minute decision to walk away from the show..they had to kill him off in the car accident the last episode...and he hasn't been able to refocus the show since.
There are far too many characters, and far too many plot lines..they all can't be developed, let alone followed.
This season's ls scene..with Carson and Hughes holding hands in the surf, was really awful..not the fact that they finally connected, but the complete lack of drama..no high note....where's the excitement for next season????..are we to hold our collective breath till next season to see if they do in fact "hook up?"..I mean..there was NO Viagara in 1923..
The "big" story of the last episode, saving ( for a while) the reputation of the Duke of Windsor, was easy peasy TV..we all know how THAT turned out...and without all the cute references to "he'll do it again, no doubt."
There were so many ongoing subplots that could have been developed, instead of the Windsor thing...and still have the ball scene..
You have to remember..one guy has been writing all of this...he may just be worn out...
BTW...take a look at a few pics of Phyllis Logan ( Mrs. Hughes) Utterly amazing make-up job....
Penelope Wilton, IMHO, steals the show...especially the way she plays off/with Maggie Smith. ( Smith can't steal anything..she owns it)
Given the age of many of the stars, actuarial tables suggest that one, or might, might depart this mortal coil and leave the writer in an even bigger quandry..
Bates snuffed Greene
Mary will choose Blake
Gregson was detained by the Brownshirts, years before Hitler
Barrow has nothing
Un asked....
Which of the two sisters will marry Tom Branson.
What is Ms Bunting’s religion?
The evidence we've seen strongly...*very* strongly...suggests that he did.And there can be little doubt that Lady Mary thinks he did.But because of Bates's "outstanding service" to the family she chose to burn that train ticket rather than contact the police,which she seemed determined to due for a short time.
At some point they'll pretty much have to revisit both matters.And as for Bates I'd say "*very* probable murder".
Of course it will be compared to Upstairs/Downstairs.Although the quality of the episodes for U/D was uneven it's best episodes were far superior in every way but technically to Downton,excellent though it is.Downton is outstanding,U/D is classic.
He always wears a flesh-colored brace on the hand (in the show).
Yes, they fast forwarded 8 months. They mentioned it briefly at the very beginning.(”Lady Edith spent 8 months in Switzerland, but she looks so tired...”) and (”It is considered better for the child if the mother weans the baby before it is adopted...”)
So only Aunt Rosalind (who I think has really shined in the previous episodes) and granny know of the child?
Not a good enough comeuppance, IMO. Thomas needs to be fired.
Yes.
Not sure. In a perverted sort of way I like him. He’s evil, snarky and sinister. I have a feeling he will get his due where he’ll be out on the street with no references; which in those days was pretty much a career ender.
Bfl
The Brits, got to love them. Well except that 8 shows + 1 special Epi. is considered a season, rather pathetic.
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