Downton Abbey

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

goose2005 wrote: »

Even the Village was a pale imitation of a brilliant German series called "Heimat"

Yeah, well maybe you should move to Germany with Edith and her BF if you love it so much!

Seriously though, I think Downton is really supposed to be light Sunday evening family entertainment in the vein of Ballykissangel or Heartbeat. Somehow it's got swept up in this media storm and people seem to be mistaking it for some sort of high quality drama. I gave up on that idea when Matthew's paralysis was cured by looking at Mary's bum.

Orielle

cofy wrote: »

I think it was mentioned that because his wife was diagnosed as a lunatic (insane), he could not divorce her in England.

Really? ...You couldn't divorce a lunatic in England? I never knew that!!

I would have thought that the lunacy of one of the marriage partners was excellent grounds for divorce!!

I guess the Germans thought so.

cofy

Orielle wrote: »

Really? ...You couldn't divorce a lunatic in England? I never knew that!!

I would have thought that the lunacy of one of the marriage partners was excellent grounds for divorce!!

I guess the Germans thought so.

From what I gather, and I am probably wrong, but a lunatic would have been seen as someone who would not have the mental capacity to engage in legal proceedings such as divorce.

I am trying to look it up, so far I have found that in Melbourne the first divorce granted on the grounds of lunacy was granted in 1919.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

cofy wrote: »

From what I gather, and I am probably wrong, but a lunatic would have been seen as someone who would not have the mental capacity to engage in legal proceedings such as divorce.

I think that's what he said last year, or in the Christmas episode. He can't divorce her because she's not of sound mind to agree to anything.

Addle

Precious flower wrote: »

Still feel that maybe the staff's relationship with the family is just a little bit too relaxed.

I agree. The war couldn't have changed things that much.
Maggie Smith is still the best thing about the show.

_Whimsical_

angeleyes wrote: »

Ah but we made it our own.

I am enjoying Downtown but its slow going though but looking forward to next week. Wonder what the outcome of Lady Edith and her 'boyfriend" will be.

Marriage!
I'm willing to bet several biscuits on it .
At least one of them has to end up happily married, by the law of averages of nothing else.

syklops

[QUOTE=Almaviva;86796187 So much good TV around these days, why is this rubbish pulling in the crowds ? (I suppose soaps do though so maybe...). [/QUOTE]

Pray tell where is all this good TV around these days? Series 1 of Downton was the best thing on TV, it maybe doesnt feel as good, because we have gotten used to it, but what rivals does it have? Genuine question here.

Orielle wrote: »

That puzzled me too...A lot of events in Downton seem to happen 'somewhere else'...and then we are just told the result as a general fact:

As much as I love it, its not as if Downton Abbey is the centre of the universe.

Orielle

syklops wrote: »

As much as I love it, its not as if Downton Abbey is the centre of the universe.

If I remember my science, every single point in the universe is at the centre...so..technically..it is:)

Seriously...I know what you mean...I love it too..but there's no fun in getting too intense about it..I missed a lot of it, that's why I get a bit bewildered at times:

syklops

Orielle wrote: »

If I remember my science, every single point in the universe is at the centre...so..technically..it is:)

Actually every point appears to be at the centre because the universe is expanding, but I digress.

Seriously...I know what you mean...I love it too..but there's no fun in getting too intense about it..I missed a lot of it, that's why I get a bit bewildered at times:

I wasn't getting intense. Downton is not a programme which you can dip in and out of. In our house, even if you're leaving the room for a minute we pause it because you might lose a piece of valuable information. Even then I didnt remember who the new maid was.

iguana

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

How does Mr Bates just have £30 to give away? That was supposedly a lot of money yet here is Mr Bates who 2 years ago only had a suitcase to his name and since then in prison a year,subject to a court case he presumably paid for legal representation for,bought a house and is now flashing the cash like lord of the manor.

There's good money in dressing these fancy gentlemen obviously!

The Crawleys paid for his solicitor and he didn't buy a house, Robert gave him and Anna the use of one of their workmen's cottages that exist on the estate for certain senior servants, especially those who are allowed to marry, or retired senior servants.

brian_t

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

How does Mr Bates just have £30 to give away? That was supposedly a lot of money yet here is Mr Bates who 2 years ago only had a suitcase to his name and since then in prison a year,subject to a court case he presumably paid for legal representation for,bought a house and is now flashing the cash like lord of the manor.

There's good money in dressing these fancy gentlemen obviously!

Although he got the money off Lady Grantham do all the other servants know this.

He still appeared to flash the cash in front of them.

£30 in 1920 would be the equivalent of £1135 today.

Historic inflation calculator - Lump Sum

Orielle

syklops wrote: »

I wasn't getting intense. .

Actually I was referring to myself, wondering about small details...I had no idea about your viewing habits...so why would I make a personal remark about you.. I sometimes miss it...It is unavoidable, but I have no problem
remembering the characters and events with which I am familiar.

I remember about the expanding universe now.. Thanks for the reminder though.....:)

syklops

I had no idea about your viewing habits...so why would I make a personal remark about you

This is the internet. You don't need a reason to do anything.

Anyway, enough said and we are all friends again.

Orielle

syklops wrote: »

This is the internet. You don't need a reason to do anything.

Anyway, enough said and we are all friends again.

I have my standards, even on the internet, I would not knowingly be rude or insulting....but yes...enough said...It's nice to be friends again (Lady Sybil would want it that way )

FloatingVoter

brian_t wrote: »

Although he got the money off Lady Grantham do all the other servants know this.

He still appeared to flash the cash in front of them.

£30 in 1920 would be the equivalent of £1135 today.

Historic inflation calculator - Lump Sum

A grand is not a large sum of money to a member of middle management who no longer drinks, doesn't smoke or gamble and has a wife in a similar employment position. Its what in pre-Bertie times would be about the right sum involved in a "dig out".

brian_t

FloatingVoter wrote: »

A grand is not a large sum of money to a member of middle management who no longer drinks, doesn't smoke or gamble and has a wife in a similar employment position. Its what in pre-Bertie times would be about the right sum involved in a "dig out".

Bates is a valet - is that really middle management ?

I wonder how much a valet would get paid in the 1920's.

FloatingVoter

brian_t wrote: »

Bates is a valet - is that really middle management ?

I wonder how much a valet would get paid in the 1920's.

According to this http://edwardianpromenade.com/downton-abbey-2/introduction-to-downton-abbey-pt-2/- he'd be a top of the line servant...and would make about £35-50 a year. So he must be cooking meth on the side. That or Downton Abbey is fiction and doesn't bear too much close scrutiny.

Layinghen

Bearing in mind at all times that this is just TV Didn't Bates say that the money was lent to him when he first arrived. So therefore he could say that he had saved the money up to pay back the loan if anybody questioned it.

roisinfairy

FloatingVoter wrote: »

According to this http://edwardianpromenade.com/downton-abbey-2/introduction-to-downton-abbey-pt-2/- he'd be a top of the line servant...and would make about £35-50 a year. So he must be cooking meth on the side. That or Downton Abbey is fiction and doesn't bear too much close scrutiny.

eh, maybe Lord Grantham was a heavy payer.

Tramps Like Us

Remember Bates went to the dowager countess - I bet she gave the cash

roisinfairy

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Remember Bates went to the dowager countess - I bet she gave the cash

Ah, very true! completely slipped my mind.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Somebody pointed it out a few posts back that he went to Maggie Smith for the money. I think the question being asked now though is the fact that he was seen splashing the cash in front of all the other staff and they might start to ask where he's gotten this amount of cash from.

canadianwoman

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Somebody pointed it out a few posts back that he went to Maggie Smith for the money. I think the question being asked now though is the fact that he was seen splashing the cash in front of all the other staff and they might start to ask where he's gotten this amount of cash from.

My guess is the staff who need to know are the ones who know the truth and since he and Anna are married the others (who do not need to know the truth) might think that he and Anna combined their saved wages to save in order to pay off the debt.

Also didn't Bates sell off some property in another season. I cannot recall but I think he might have....or he had some to sell.

Tramps Like Us

He also rents(?) or maybe even sold his mothers house. I remember Bates and Anna talking about renting it and then selling it when talking about their plan to get a hotel.

canadianwoman

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

He also rents(?) or maybe even sold his mothers house. I remember Bates and Anna talking about renting it and then selling it when talking about their plan to get a hotel.

Yes! I remember that now. He had property and probably rents it out to some family.

Tramps Like Us

lol we've really gotten the magnifying glass out

canadianwoman

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

lol we've really gotten the magnifying glass out

True. LOL

How hard would it be for the other staff to think he saved the money. He and Anna both work and earn a salary which they can combine. They probably do not spend much on their own needs and take a few of their meals at Downton Abbey. Lord Grantham might supply them with some game after a hunting party so not much need to purchase a lot of food for themselves.

If Bates rents out his mother's property he has income from that or if he sold the property and put the money in a bank then he might have some income from the interest.

Also staff might get a small gift of money at Christmas or on a birthday from their employers. It depends on how generous the Granthams are.

Anyway a plausible story in case some of the staff (I mean you Thomas Barrow!) get to snooping around regarding the 30 pounds.

roisinfairy

canadianwoman wrote: »

True. LOL

How hard would it be for the other staff to think he saved the money. He and Anna both work and earn a salary which they can combine. They probably do not spend much on their own needs and take a few of their meals at Downton Abbey. Lord Grantham might supply them with some game after a hunting party so not much need to purchase a lot of food for themselves.

If Bates rents out his mother's property he has income from that or if he sold the property and put the money in a bank then he might have some income from the interest.

Also staff might get a small gift of money at Christmas or on a birthday from their employers. It depends on how generous the Granthams are.

Anyway a plausible story in case some of the staff (I mean you Thomas Barrow!) get to snooping around regarding the 30 pounds.

True. I wouldn't be surprised if Barrow caused some trouble in later episodes.
; )

Radio5

What is Barrow at, trying to get Anna in trouble ? Just because he was right about the nanny, Lady Grantham seems to think he's right about everything downstairs, despite his past behaviour. They seem to be trying to make the new maid into the new Mrs O'Brien.

Lady Rose's man from the dancehall was a bit of alright.

Does any one of the family know that Lady Edith's man is married?

Orielle

Radio5 wrote: »

Lady Rose's man from the dancehall was a bit of alright.

Not bad at all....but too nice for Lady Rose. I have a feeling she likes the bad boys.
I can see her getting into all sorts of romantic entanglements with cads, and bounders, before she comes to her senses.

She's the wild child of Downton. I'm looking forward to her scandalizing polite
society:D

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Orielle wrote: »

Not bad at all....but too nice for Lady Rose. I have a feeling she likes the bad boys.
I can see her getting into all sorts of romantic entanglements with cads, and bounders, before she comes to her senses.

She's the wild child of Downton. I'm looking forward to her scandalizing polite
society:D

I don't think he's too nice for her. She seems lovely. Not sure his Lordship would approve though. Hope they bring him back though

_Whimsical_

canadianwoman wrote: »

True. LOL

How hard would it be for the other staff to think he saved the money. He and Anna both work and earn a salary which they can combine. They probably do not spend much on their own needs and take a few of their meals at Downton Abbey. Lord Grantham might supply them with some game after a hunting party so not much need to purchase a lot of food for themselves.

If Bates rents out his mother's property he has income from that or if he sold the property and put the money in a bank then he might have some income from the interest.

Also staff might get a small gift of money at Christmas or on a birthday from their employers. It depends on how generous the Granthams are.

Anyway a plausible story in case some of the staff (I mean you Thomas Barrow!) get to snooping around regarding the 30 pounds.

I have to say that regardless of circumstance and in any time period it would be strange to see a work mate land half a years salary onto the table over the morning tea.
Id be amazed if I say it today.

Addle

That was a shock.

SparkySpitfire

Big cheer in my house!

Duchess: "Where are you from?"
Branson: "Bray, Co. Wicklow" hahaha

Layinghen

Wasn't expecting that:eek: Thought episode was very slow up to the last 10/15 minutes. Then a right curve ball thrown.

eager tortoise

Yes, quite shocking. I thought someone would surely come in and save her. It was a very disturbing scene.

Layinghen

I was wondering why they gave a warning of disturbing scenes before the episode. Now I know why.

FloatingVoter

Layinghen wrote: »

I was wondering why they gave a warning of disturbing scenes before the episode. Now I know why.

Yup, a footman cooking dinner...myself and Carson still need a stiff brandy.

SparkySpitfire

FloatingVoter wrote: »

Yup, a footman cooking dinner...myself and Carson still need a stiff brandy.

I'm still reeling over his lordship sitting beside an Australian at dinner... When will this madness end?

syklops

Damn, Im missing this.(Im on holiday). When I get home on Thursday evening, I'll have a week of soaps and a Downton to entertain me. And the missus said Id be bored. :rolleyes:

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Quite upset by that one. Poor Anna. Joanne Froggatt has been the best actress on Downton since the start and she showed it in those few scenes at the end. Shame it's such an upsetting story line for her.

Grid.

Poor Anna..... I was disgusted!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: Nigel Harman can ****off back to Eastenders!!!!:mad:

SarahBM

watching with my housemates, and I have to say the three of us were quiet upset. very shocking, had no idea it was coming. I am very sad now.

Tramps Like Us

Will we ever see relatively carefree happy episodes like some of the first season again? Poor Anna it was quite upsetting and shocking

December2012

I watched this first last night instead of Love Hate cos I wanted something genteel and fluffy to end the weekend - that's not what I got!

Poor Anna - I agree Joanne Froggat is amazing. In a way I'm glad she has something more meaty to get her teeth into as an actress instead of swoony eyes at Mr Bates or wise one liners to Lady Mary.

meoklmrk91

Poor Anna, I found that scene very disturbing. I don't think there is a person that watches the show ha doesn't love Anna, I know she is one of my favourite characters, I will be looking forward to how they deal with it though, it could make for interesting viewing. Certainly the darkest storyline in the history of Downton IMHO.

canadianwoman

That one scene was very shocking. I never expected it.

On the other hand the scenes of Mary and her guest riding horses were just stunning. Highclere Castle is a beautiful estate.

lilmissprincess

Anyone else seeing a storyline where she winds up pregnant from it?

Really disturbing viewing, especially as it was Lovely Anna...

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Which guest was Nigel Harmon's character there with? Was it the guy sniffing around Lady Mary? Just trying to figure out if we're going to be seeing more of him. They wouldn't have cast someone known like him for a one off, I suppose.

Oh, and I was very disappointed not to see more of lovely Sam from the week before. I fear he was a one off

canadianwoman

I can totally see that happening lilmissprincess.