Downton Abbey ~ Season's End

I can't believe it's over!

I'm feeling quite melancholy about the end of this wonderful show - this lovely experience - but oh, what a way to wrap up! I think this was my favorite episode of all! :)

Obviously there is much to discuss, so I'm off to get my first cup of coffee and wake up a bit ... I'll be back here with my comments just as soon as I can ...

Can't wait to read yours!

❤

Comments

[Sue W]

Dawn, Dawn! PBS is hosting an online chat with Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the real "Downton Abbey" resident:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/season2_chat_carnarvon.html

Thought you would like to know :)

[Dawn]

Oh my goodness, all these comments are just so wonderful! I think I might print all these DA posts out and bind them together. I will have to re-read them from time to time, and certainly before season 3 begins next year!

Ami, love the article - how fascinating. Thank you for sharing the link.

(Ami is my sister-in-law, everyone. She's a sweetie. :))

A few of you brought up about how on earth would the prosecution have known all those things? Who heard them and told them about them? (The things Mrs. Hughes, O'Brien and Lord Grantham said and heard?) I think someone was out to get Bates and it could either be Thomas or O'Brien - who I think had regrets once she was on the stand. She really seemed to feel awful about the whole thing. And as some of you suggest - Thomas might have killed Bates and set up Mr. Bates as well. He's one to watch, for sure.

Jennifer, I did not have any troubles with our PBS station but OH would there have been an angry email sent had they robbed me of those final minutes!

Now, remember everyone ... if you're interested, I plan to watch Masterpiece Theater tomorrow night and set up a "morning after" post here on Monday morning. The first show is called "The Old Curiosity Shop" and it does look very interesting.

And thank you all again for taking the time to share your thoughts and bring your own spin to this ongoing and LOVELY conversation. I am so pleased to have shared this show with you all and I am going to miss this chat as much as I'll miss Downton itself!

Blessings to you all ...
~ Dawn

[Ami]

Saw this and thought you might want to check it out: http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2012/02/22/the-aristocrats/

[Kristin]

I've not weighed in here before, but I just watched the last DA again, and am struck by how the prosecution seems to have access to information about several private conversations. Who was filling them in? It really bothers me, since no one should have known that Mrs. Hughes was eavesdropping, or exactly what Lord Grantham and Bates were talking about. Maybe someone will be revealed next season and that will help Bates go free? (I hope so!)

[bobbi @ revolution of love]

I am a day later posting this but here are my thought on the Season 2 finale. :-)

http://revolutionoflove.stblogs.org/archives/2012/02/tv-talk-downton-1.html

[Jennifer N]

Oh, my- we didn't get behind the scenes part here after the show ended. Wah!
In fact, my PBS station even cut off the very last few moments (Matthew and Mary twirling in the snow) to go back to their fundraising. I was a bit in shock- it was all cut off so abruptly.

I had to watch the end again the next day to see what I'd missed. Did anyone else have that happen?

[Lindsey]

I'm thinking a big, big surprise is in order with the Anna/Bates/Vera thing. We might be on to something with O'Brien being the murderer! (nothing would make me happier than to see her fall, however she has slightly redeemed herself)

As much as I love Anna & Bates, I wouldn't be shocked at all if it were "good old Mr. Bates" who actually DID do it out of sheer frustration. I somewhat expect this - Downton needs another "shocker" after they did the Lord Grantham kissing affair that came out of left field for exactly NO reason at all. :)

[Jen]

I cannot believe we have to wait almost one year for season 3!! Oh my!!!

I wonder if Sir Richard didn't have Vera killed to "protect" Mary? Although I don't know why he would want to punish Bates unless he was just willing to "use" him. But, they mentioned several times that Bates' trial had been kept out of the papers. Surely, Richard could have arranged that if he was "saving" the story to use at a later (more opportune?) time.

I thought the episode was perfect and I especially liked the "behind the scenes" part at the end. I love seeing the actors/actresses in "real life". I hardly recognized Matthew's mom, Mrs. Crawley! She looked totally different. And so did Mrs. Patmore, who I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

Thanks again for turning me on to DA, Dawn! So far, I've "converted" 4 of my family and friends. They are hooked, as well! :-)

[missy]

Yes! I've thought that Thomas killed Bates too, but since no one else mentioned it I thought I was probably mistaken.

[Diapeepees]

Oh my, back for my 3rd comment! My last: Couldn't have Thomas killed Bates? It helped him get the job he needed; and it explains how all those servants comments got to the prosecutor....

[Jennifer N]

How much fun to read all the comments here today. What a great ending... I loved it!
I even (sort of) wish the series could end here so that Matthew and Mary could go off into happily ever after land and not have their peace disturbed. Well, not really, but I do hope that season 3 starts with a huge, huge wedding bash!

My local PBS station did an 11 hour Downton Abbey marathon Sunday and showed all of season 2, so I watched on and off during the day. I could really see more clearly Lord Grantham's descent into unhappiness. He lost a baby and a major war started at the end of last season. Then the war changed his world and the people in it... he worried constantly about Matthew and the other men on his estate. His wife became too busy for him, plus the way she pushed Lavinia on Matthew and supported Sir Richard aggravated him severely. When Cora mentioned something about "Just because Matthew has been lame..." I think that pushed him over the edge. He asked her if she could hear how silly and selfish she sounded. Perhaps he felt betrayed by her in a sense, and that made him look for comfort from Jane.

Anyway- I agree with all those who wonder if Sir Richard will exact his revenge by bringing back P. Gordon. I'm thinking he will let go of the Mr. Pamook story (for now) and instead spend his energy shoring up Patrick's story in order to rob Mary of her inheritance. That would be worse even than ruining her reputation. Would she be as happy as a plain solicitor's wife? It's funny- I think she would be. She has changed a lot over this season. But I think she would be incensed for Matthew's sake.

I really liked the way Lady Cora told Lord Grantham and Mary told Matthew about Mr. Pamook each in her own way. The timing seemed perfect, and neither man had to hear it second hand. And I do hope Edith works it out with her man as well. I loved how she said she was not going to give up on someone who had called her lovely.

I'm with all the others who loved Granny's parting words to Sir Richard. They were classic. (I also loved her description of her feelings for Sir Richard in a past episode: I don't dislike him, I just don't like him. There's a difference.) And Matthew's "Crikey" over dancing with O'Brien. Seeing them all dance together at the ball was such fun. My favorite couple was Matthew and Mrs. Patmore. I didn't realize she was so short!

The courtroom scene was so hard to watch... I also wonder if O'Brien was the murderer. She might have done it to protect Lady Cora's family honor. Oh- and seeing Mr. Carson run to Lord Grantham with the telegram! That was so touching, somehow.

Romantic proposal in the snow... no way to make that better. Happy sigh. And even the dog was safely found (I agree with Dawn that I feared the worst there in the woods that night when the shack was ominously silent.)

Anyway- thanks, Dawn. for hosting these talks. Not one single person I know in real life is a DA watcher. How can that be? What is wrong with them, LOL?? It is so nice to be able to come here and "talk" about the show. Can't wait for season 3!

[Charlotte]

They just began filming Season 3 a few weeks ago. It will air in the UK in September and over here January of 2013. Allen Leech who plays Branson tweeted recently "“On my Irish trousers... The 3rd series rocks more than the Cliffs of Moher!! (Irish national treasure!)” Can't wait!!!

[Diapeepees]

One other thing I forgot to remark on...was how slighted Matthew felt when Mary told him about her dalliance. I thought the director/actor captured the mood well. You could feel his hurt. So different from today, when it is expected that a woman has slept with several men -- and that she should be entitled to do so. Here, Matthew felt genuinely robbed, of her innocence. Which was why it was so more meaningful when he asked Mary to marry him anyway.

[Dawn]

Yes, I forgot to mention Edith! (Which makes me feel bad, because everyone seems to forget about Edith ...)

I was so glad she and her sweet gentleman friend made amends, but it broke my heart when he told her there was no chance for them. I hope she doesn't give up!

I also meant to say that the whole time Isis was missing I was on the edge of my seat! (Or at least once Thomas started panicking because there was no sound from the shed.) I was so worried they'd have something happen to her.

And also, though I said in my previous comment that I worry what Sir Richard might do, I also thought it was a nice final moment when Mary made sure they parted with kinder words. I hope that made an impression on him ... and even though he was a real jerk, I did feel badly for him. He did love Mary and she did really use him to get past Matthew and ensure a stable life for herself. It must have been quite a blow to an ego the size of Sir Richard's!!

I know we've asked and answered this question before, but IS Downton currently filming in ENgland? When will season 3 air - this fall in the UK and next winter over here?

I'm already craving more!

:D

[Sarah]

What a fabulous season finale! I agree with so many of your thoughtful comments.

The Anna and Bates situation is absolutely heartbreaking. But I really liked how the entire house rallied to support them. Never telling Anna that she had to leave the house to avoid scandal, welcoming her to go to America with Mary, trying to defend Bates on the stand ... It was like they were one big family when it came down to it ... (But how did the prosecution know about all of those personal conversations, I wonder???)

I really liked how Daisy and William's father have become family, and she now has someone in her life to encourage her and give her proper advice. Her actions leading up to now make so much more sense, now that we know she doesn't have family. She's always been sort of lost. Now, she has someone to help her, and her presence in his life will be very comforting, I am sure.

One of my favorite scenes was the one between Lord Grantham and Mary, when he acted so strong and fatherly! (It redeemed him, to me. I was like, "Yeah! He's back!" His moping and then what happened last week really was so disappointing ...) But in last night's episode, he was loving and compassionate toward Mary, and yet he also told her what to do, which is what she so desperately needed.

And of course, the last scene was the most magical and romantic of all!!! Oh! I wasn't expecting it, but I also was wondering how they were going to end season 2. It was wonderful!

And I agree with Dawn, I think this episode was the most visually pleasing of all! And all of them are so lovely! But this one was "WOW!"

I really enjoyed discussing this show with all of you. And I can't wait for next season! I agree; a countdown is in order!

[jackie]

I cried this whole episode! Bates and Anna in the court room was just heart breaking. Then when Lord G and Mary talked and he told her he knew her secret...oh more tears! Then with sweet Daisy and Williams father and of course that last scene.... Loved it. Love M and M together and I am so glad we didn't have to wait a whole season to see the ends all tied up. Isobel even redeemed herself and I liked her busybodiness this episode!
Cannot wait for season 3!! When will it begin?

[Anne McD]

I think O'Brien killed Vera! She ws willing to hurt Cora so badly when she thught she was being sacked, and I think she doesn't have any scruples in killing someone as a "good deed" for Anna and Bates. As strange as it sounds in saying this, I think she's becoming a better version of herself, shown in her reaction to Thomas stealing the dog to get in Lord Grantham's good gaces. She's a very interesting character!

[Caroline Haydu]

I loved the way the season ended on an up note, yet with enough suspense in the stories of Mr. Bates and Anna and Sir Richard to make me want to return next season to see what will happen. I was so glad Matthew was able to let go of his guilt and move on to a new life with Mary.
I liked the way the story line of Lord Grantham and Jane was used (not that I like seeing sinful situations on TV, mind you, but they did bring out an aspect of repentance and reform). In the end, he turned away from his folly and became a more humble and compassionate man. He was able to forgive Mary and help her make positive choices and forgive herself.
When the Dowager Countess remarked on all of the changes that had occurred and wondered how it could be 1920 already, I couldn't help but think how many changes younger people such as Matthew and Mary would see in their lifetimes--much like my own grandmother born in 1895 who lived into the 1990's. What an incredible number of changes! Two World Wars, the Depression, innumerable inventions and technological advances, even the Space Age! What will Mary think of the riots and revolutions of the 1960's when she is in her early 70's? Makes me wonder what our own lives hold.

[Penny]

Ok. Well. Yum. Great episode :)

My favorite lines: "Do you promise" obviously, but also 'Crickey" (said by Matthew when asked to dance with O'Brien), and my top favorite is from Mary: "My Grandmother owns homes in New York and Newport. It will be dull, but not uncomfortable". lol love that sense of entitlement.

As for Bates, I think Vera killed herself and set it up to frame Bates. I wonder if she had a fatal disease and Anna will find Vera's Doctor to prove it and exonerate Bates. Just a crazy idea. Even better if Carlisle had a hand in it!

[Louise]

It was also my favorite episode! I was surprised when Matthew proposed. I thought we would have to go through the entire season 3 before it happened!

I think Carlisle will get back at them with a vengeance, and not only because he is a spurned fiance. I think he knows that he really does not belong with the royals -- he is a self-made newspaperman. The family never really accepted him, and they looked down on him. Mary made little comments to him (probably not consciously) about his place in society. For instance, in the episode when they talked about furnishing their new house and she said,"Your kind buys the furniture, my kind inherits it." (I loved the way she said it to him.) So, now that she is marrying Matthew, he has even more reason to feel upset that he is "left out."

I think it will be awkward if Branson comes back with Sybil. How will the servants regard him? Will he expect to be waited on? I think that could be an interesting storyline.

[Tracy]

Wow, what a way to end the season! I must say I am very pleased with the way it was wrapped up, that wonderful moment with Matthew and Mary outside in the snow. Could it have been any more romantic or beautiful?

My favorite moments this episode was of Lord Grantham telling Mary to break it off with Carlisle and that they would deal with whatever comes and of course Granny's smart remark to him when he said they would never see him again after the fight with Matthew. When I first started watching the show I really disliked her now I not only love her but would love to have someone like her in my life. She is a rock if ever there was one.

Mr. Bates and Anna's storyline is just heart wrenching. I know, well at least I sincerely hope that he is proven innocent and they can finally be together again, this time in peace. It was wonderful to see how both upstairs and down came together around her like family through all of this. They certainly didn't have to especially in those times and yet you can see that they truly did care for their servants as friends. Granny's care for Daisy was another great illustration of this. Speaking of Daisy how wonderful it is that she has William's father to love her and care for her.

I cannot wait for the beginning of next season, which begins when? We need a countdown to it, I think!

[Charlotte]

I was seriously annoyed that we didn't even get a hint at who might really be behind Vera's murder! Ugh!!! That was frustrating. Bates and Anna ripped my heart out. Her cry in the courtroom brought me to tears. You just know that he will be proven innocent, but how?And I also believe Carlisle will come back with a vengeance. But when he said, "Lady Grantham, I'm afraid we won't be seeing each other anymore." and she replied, "Do you promise?" I shouted "Go Granny!" and almost woke the baby. Whoops!

All of my frustration with Daisy really paid off. I like where her storyline is heading. She's growing up and it's so nice to see. And I was pleased to see Edith's beau make a return. That looks like an interesting story... how she might convince him to let her love him and accept him. But that also sets up nicely for the P. Gordon/Patrick character to make his return. I look forward to that!

I was so pleased with Isobel in this episode and the way she helped straighten Matthew out about who Lavinia really was and what she would have really wanted. I knew that someone or something had to shake him out of his brooding moodiness but they way the writers had written her over this past season, I didn't think it would have been her. And the ending scene was just perfect!

Thanks for hosting these little chats, Dawn!

[Philothea @ Domestic Distractions]

Loved it! Maggie Smith is my favorite! I thought the servants' ball was very sweet. How there was a protocol as to who danced with who for the first dance. Next season I think M & M will finally marry, Bates will be exonerated, and Daisy will come into her own as a person

[Diapeepees]

I've never enjoyed reading comments so much about a TV show! I think Downton's the only one! I guess I was giving the newspaper man more credit. I suppose I shouldn't. It wouldn't be a drama without him using his newspaper in some creepy way. But, I was thinking maybe he'd be heartened by Mary's kind words to him before he left and make a bit of a reformation in his heart...which he revealed had been actually soft for Mary. Even though he was not well-liked, I could see why he felt slighted!

[Greta]

I'm so very glad that Matthew and Mary are finally engaged!

Didn't it make you want to cry when Daisy said she had never been special to anybody - not even her own parents? At least she now has William's father to look out for her.

I wonder what Sir Richard has in store for the family. He knows quite a bit of information that he could publish in the papers - like Sybil running off with the chauffeur.

I really wish we didn't have to wait until next January to find out what is going to happen next!

[Dawn]

Before getting into the plot and characters, I have to mention that I found this a very visually appealing episode. They all have been, really, but during this one in particular I found myself admiring all the domestic details and beautiful costumery. At one point I said to Bill, "I feel like these are the pages of a Victoria magazine come to life! I especially loved observing how they celebrated Christmas and New Year's - how they interwove all those old English customs.

Now, about that plot and those characters ...

I am so thrilled Mary and Matthew are engaged! I had a feeling they would reconcile - that she would break things off with Carlisle - but I didn't think we would get a proposal!! How lovely was that scene? With the snow swirling around them and the Abbey's home fires burning brightly behind them? Gorgeous! So next season I presume it will be all about their upcoming wedding! Yahoooo!

So this makes me wonder if the drama for M&M will come from the scarred stranger claiming to be Patrick? Not that I worry for the couple's commitment - I can't imagine Mary would make the same mistake twice - but more so for the fate of Downton itself.

(I also don't think Sir Richard will go off quietly into the night ... I think he will be all the more incensed once he realizes Mary is marrying Matthew. I can see him trying to trash the Crawley name and I can even see him digging up dirt on Lord G's near-scandal with Jane. I can see that coming back to bit him you know where!)

And of course, I am relieved Bates received a lighter sentence - not that there's anything "light" about life imprisonment, but at least it's not death! I thought Anna was amazing through all her scenes ... she really is a wonderful actress. I think next season we will see Anna do some sleuthing that will ultimately reveal the true cause of Vera's death. I am leaning towards thinking Vera set up her own demise and made it look bad for Bates.

"Granny" as usual was absolutely hysterical in this episode - how I love Maggie Smith! She steals every scene she's in. I can't wait to see how she interacts with Cora's mother.

I thought the storyline with Daisy was very sweet ... how it broke my heart to hear she had no parents or anyone to care for her! I am so relieved she's going to stay in touch with William's dad ... they will be so good for each other, I think.

And now we have Thomas back in favor with Lord Grantham. What a snake! He's all too happy to take advantage of Bates's misfortune ... I was pleased however, to see O'Brien gaining perspective and more of a conscience in this episode. It really affected her to have to testify against Bates and then she seemed so put off by Thomas and his sneakiness. Maybe she's turning a corner ...

OK, ladies ... I think that's all I have time for right now ... the boys are all up and I need to get breakfast going. I'll be popping in and out through the day.

:D

[Arlene Grimm]

Loved the ending to this season...several story lines were tied up and other story lines created. So sad that Bates is in jail but I feel sure that he will be vindicated in the next season. I am glad that Mary's secret is out and she and Matthew are finally together. However, I am sure that it will not be smooth sailing for them as they plan to marry...the evil newspaper man will see to that! And poor Edith...I hope she will find true love. I wonder if Patrick will make a return next season? Happy news for Sybil...will she return to Downton for Mary and Matthew's wedding? And Thomas and OBrien...will they really change?? And I was really happy to see Daisy come to terms with her situation and how lovely that William's father has made her his own daughter! My husband and I have really enjoyed watching this show together. We are both looking forward to season three! Thanks for hosting this Downton comments Dawn...I come back here during my Monday to read everyone's comments!