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‘Downton Abbey’ s6e3 – Wedding crashers

24 Jan

All I know is, when you casually throw a wedding in mid-season, there’s gotta be somethin’ crazy amazing heading our way the rest of the season. Hold that thought.

The Dowager’s in the last throws of desperation to hold on to village hospital as is. Cup of tea for Granny. Freight train’s a-comin’.

I’ve been a little confused this season about why Dr. Clarkson would side with the Dowager when he has always been a forward thinking voice of reason throughout the entire series. Watching this episode — watching the look on Dr. Clarkson’s face when Isobel attacks him unfairly — all the sudden I remembered his proposal to (and rejection by) Isobel. Is it possible that he’s taken Granny’s side against Isobel because of Isobel’s relationship with Merton? When Isobel refused Clarkson, didn’t she say something along the lines of “I’m just not really interested in marrying again?” And now she’s said yes to a local peer…when she said no before to the “lowly” local doctor. Ouch. Dr. Clarkson is a great guy, but he’s still human. I just wonder if the two things are connected. Continue reading →

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‘Downton Abbey’ s6e2 – Goodbye, Drewes

17 Jan

Before we get to this week, I’d like to mention that I’ve updated my episode 1 recap with a couple of additional thoughts. Since PBS is broadcasting each episode six times this season (plus online streaming), repeat watching is positively inevitable. The glorious thing about repeat watching is that good stories are like onions…each time you peel a layer back, you find a lovely new one underneath. Not to mention that a few days in your life can completely change your outlook or how the story is able to impact your life. I always watch Downton Abbey at least twice before blogging…it allows the flavors of the story to marry a little better together before it’s ready to share. Like simmering marinara, repeat watching is a beautiful thing.

And now for this week’s recap…

Letters from America!! If you were still pouring your tea at the opening of this episode you may have missed the lightning fast mention of Tom’s business opening in Boston and Rose out on the town in New York City. I predict that Tom will strike it rich in the States so that Sybbie will return to England as the next Cora, and that Atticus Aldridge had better take a lot, a lot of vitamins to keep up with his wife. I have these recurring nightmares, I mean, visions of Rose unsupervised in the Big Apple among Americans while her husband is working at the office all day…spin off!! Continue reading →

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‘Downton Abbey’ s6e1 – Awkward Abbey

10 Jan

I can’t decide whether to be happy or sad. Blessed Downton Abbey has finally returned but this is our last premiere episode. Only a few more hours of this amazing series to look forward to before it ends forever…sniff. Chin up. Let’s get to it then.

It’s 1925. Headbands and downsizing are all the rage. The styles are marvelous, but as the neighbors sell up, the Crawleys do a little shaking in their boots at the future of their own estate. And Denker “never disappoints” when it comes to spreading the sunshine allll around. Bless Mr. Mason’s poor heart — he dreams of leaving his business to Daisy, who dreams of storming the streets of London. But Daisy takes the wrong page out of Miss Bunting’s book and drives a stake through the heart of any possibility of his dream coming true. How will Daisy find a way to fix it?

The little heirs help Mrs. Patmore in the kitchen, but can we really trust Thomas with them? Were you as nervous as I was when they (a little too eagerly) went off to play with him? Continue reading →

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‘Picture Shows & Petticoats’ DAs5e9 – ‘If you’re really the bigger person, you’re gonna act like it’

10 Mar

Apologies that there are only two episodes of Picture Shows & Petticoats for Downton Abbey season 5. This episode covers our big U.S. finale…the UK Christmas special. It features an appearance by a cuckoo, my dog’s audition for a role on our show, and a lot of giggling over Matthew Goode.

If you’re not following us on Twitter @pspetticoats, you’re really missing out. That’s where the real action heats up during Sunday night Downton broadcasts.

And while you’re following, don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest as well. We don’t have a PS&P user account there — it’s a shared board that Elizabeth and I post to for your period-show pleasure.

Continue reading →

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‘Downton Abbey’ s5e8 – ‘The big parade’s passed by’ but the show goes on

1 Mar

“My dear, love is a far more dangerous motive than dislike.” – Dowager Countess

It’s been months and months since the last episode — well, at least more than two months according to Mary’s estimation of when Shrimpie and Susan should have returned from India. And Rose has just finished up the shortest engagement ever — once again off-screen. She’s sticking with Atticus (because they’re just right together, you know), but it’s very clear he’s the right choice. Lucky for Rose he’s such a dishy Prince Charming…and that she’s part of the Fantastic Four when “racy” photos arrive from after the stag party in his hotel room. He may have been duped, but he’s smart enough to marry Rose in spite of her mother.

Susan’s behavior is so appalling it’s not worth my time repeating. All I have to say about her is whatever sympathy I may have had for her as a woman that Christmas at Duneagle is gone. Now that she’s been separated from everyone it’s clear her troubles are her own and not brought on by others as she claims. She’s certainly made her own choices without taking into consideration anyone else’s advise or feelings. I suspect that not only was she the loneliest person at Rose’s reception, but that she also has far lonelier days to come.

Speaking of Susan and her troubles…WHERE IS O’BRIEN??? Continue reading →

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‘Downton Abbey’ s5e7 – Isis finally sees the vet

1 Mar

Sparks fly when Mama Bear finds out her cub has been pregnant, born her another grandchild and been grieving for her fiancé. Cora finally gets the truth about Edith…from Mrs. Drew. Whoops.

But then it’s game on. It’s an all-girl Team Crawley off to London in search of Edith and a mission to restore her to the fold. Forget society. Let’s get this girl — and grandchild — home. The audacity of Edith to abuse Mrs. Drew made her all the things she whines about Mary calling her. Put Edith side by side with someone like Baxter for a minute. Edith is a snob about the truth of her situation, full of self-pity rather than taking responsibility for her own actions. She’s the one who wrote to the Turkish ambassador…what does she expect from Mary or from her own life? Just when I start feeling sorry for her she goes and feels it all for herself. That poor Marigold is back at a strange hotel being babysat by random strangers instead of Edith or Mrs. Drew. Hardly sounds jolly to me. Continue reading →

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“Downton Abbey” s5e6 – “Pola Negri comes to Downton”

22 Feb

“Oh, it is you. I thought it was a man wearing your clothes.” – Dowager Countess

Fashion enthusiasts everywhere simultaneously squealed with delight this week as Lady Mary stepped off the cover of a magazine and claimed her bob. However, her character is unfashionably wearing her season one attitude, so overall she’s a draw.

“Will this cover it?” she says to her hairdresser. Would he tell her if it didn’t? Is Lady Mary a good tipper? Do the shop folk in London see her as a country bumpkin? Inquiring minds want to know. I’m sorely tempted to start saying that every time I pay for something, you know, so people can feel they’re truly in the presence of poshness. Lucky shopkeepers. Continue reading →

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