Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. Gosford Park (2001) just dropped into Amazon Prime Video today.

From Wikipedia:

Gosford Park is a 2001 satirical black comedy mystery film directed by Robert Altman and written by Julian Fellowes. The film, which is influenced by Jean Renoir's French classic The Rules of the Game, follows a party of wealthy Britons plus an American producer, and their servants, who gather for a shooting weekend at Gosford Park, an English country house. A murder occurs after a dinner party, and the film goes on to present the subsequent investigation from the servants' and guests' perspectives.

I've been wanting to watch this ever since my first watch through of Downton Abbey. Gosford Park is set in 1932 so still contemporary to DA.

Another interesting bit of trivia from Wikipedia:

The TV series Downton Abbey—written and created by Fellowes—was originally planned as a spin-off of Gosford Park, but instead was developed as a standalone property inspired by the film, and set earlier in the 20th century (from 1912 to the mid-1920s).

One week and one set of bangs later (long story involving a lot of tears and a faulty hairdryer) and we are on episode two of series two! Here's a mediocre fact for you: on the Wiki Fandom page, Mr Bates is (or at least was a few months ago) listed as appearing in all 52 episodes despite the fact that he doesn't appear in this episode! Anywho, lets get started before I change my mind about doing this week and start watching A Series Of Unfortunate Events instead (it just popped up on my screensaver and reminded me of how much I love it)!

• A new valet and a letter for dear William!
• Oh poor Mr Lang
• Mrs Patmore has clearly had a startling letter poor dear
• Oh dear William, so excited to do his part
• I normally disapprove of Miss O'Brien's scheming but I can get behind this
• No footmen! What a travesty
• Miss O'Brien is thawing out of he icy demeanour!
• Poor old Mr Molesley
• Mr Bates barely out the door (or maybe he's been gone a while but the timing of series two is a bit strange) and in swoops Mr Molesley!
• Oh goodie! Matthew is coming back!
• Goodness how terrible, to host a dinner party with family but no footmen! It's almost as though there were a war on!
• Good on Edith! But don't go kissing any married farmers now!
• Oh poor Mrs Patmore
• Oh Ethel
• Oh dear god! Maids in the dining room? No that would never do!
• Robert is a bit of an idiot at times but deep down he does have a kind heart
• Oh Mr Molesley
• Nothing like blackmailing the hospital kindly reminding the hospital that they are funded by the estate and therefore the estate should have some say in how it is run
• Aww that dog is sweet
• Thomas! He's certainly not Miss O'Brien's fancy man though
• God he is nasty, and those jabs at Daisy and Anna are just plain cruel!
• Love Mr Carson's reaction
• Anna was positively seething at that!
• Love Rosamund's fur coat
• Oh poor Sybil
• Oh poor Anna, but the way the broken heart/broke limb comment is reused and twisted later on in series four was rather distasteful on Julian Fellowes' part
• I never stop touching it
• Anna could honestly run dinner better than any of those men!
• Matthew and Mary just staring at one another ❤❤
• Edith your dress will be fine!
• Poor Mr Carson
• Oh poor dear Mr Lang
• Poor Miss O'Brien, it's clear she really cared about her brother and doesn't want the same thing to happen to Mr Lang
• Dear Mary
• Oh my god, that poor soldier
• Get with the program Sir Richard! There is a difference between walking and shooting tweeds!
• Oh dear Violet, your daughter Rosamund knows you too well!
• Poor Rosamund, Marmaduke sounds like a rather good fellow
• Poor Edward (the blind soldier by the way)
• Where is everyone getting this fur during wartime!
• Does Mr Drake not remember the time he was literally dying and his wife barely left his bedside?
• Dear god, how I feel for Edward
• Oh my god. I knew it was coming but it's just utterly heart breaking
• Poor Mary, she really does not know what to do about her marriage prospects
• Good for Sybil
• Oh Lavinia
• Poor Mary
• Oh Mr Molesley, Anna has given her heart away already and I'm afraid you never had a chance
• Oh dear, the farm thing never was going to work out was it
• Poor Mrs Drake, Edith seems to have a thing for hurting farmers wives!
• Oh my goodness, how dreadful for Mrs Patmore
• Not Violet banging her cane on the floor
• Cora running for a drink!
• Ahh dear William!
• I love how in this episode we have Mary and Anna, two wildly different characters who are facing such a similar dilemma and managing it so differently

Might've been asked a couple of times already, but I wonder, what's your favourite friendship in Downton Abbey ? I really like Anna & Mary. I know that many people don't consider them to be friends because of the imbalance of power, but it was made clear several times that the two liked each other very much. In a professional way of course, but not only. She's probably the only real friend (with Tom) that Mary has. The fact that they are each other's confidants seems to me to speak volumes about their friendship, and they help each other sooo many times during the series. What about you ?

Obviously, the best. 😎

I realize how things were back then, but holy moly he is bad in his way of life.

William is a lovely young man who is kind and diligent, faithfully working as a servant in the grand house to fulfill his mother's wishes, even though his dream is to be a stableman. Like most brave young men, he longs to fight for his country and king, eagerly heading to the battlefield. He is in love with Daisy, and as he lies injured and near death, his greatest wish is to marry his beloved girl, securing for her a small but lasting assurance of support with his love and life.

The Dowager Countess assists William with his medical care and wedding arrangements. She wants to transfer him from a distant hospital in Leeds to Downton but is met with obstinate refusal from Doctor Clark. Angered, she feels that these people are making mountains out of molehills and decides to use all her influence to facilitate William’s transfer back to Downton.

A notable detail is when William’s father says, “He will be forced to do better, if we can just get him back to where he knows.” the Dowager Countes interrupts the doctor, who was about to explain that William is beyond saving, and agrees with Mr. Mason. Turning to the doctor, she insists, “See, sometimes, we must let the blow fall by degrees. Give him time to find the strength to face it!” If her previous authoritative actions displayed her strong will, this moment shows her compassionate and gentle side as she empathizes with Mr. Mason.

After returning to Downton, the priest expresses doubts about officiating William’s wedding, questioning whether Daisy might be trying to deceive the state for a veteran's pension. The Dowager Countes firmly yet calmly asserts her position: first, this young man served the family well and was gravely injured saving the heir's life; we will not disregard his final wish due to your concerns. Second, I have interest in this young man. Although I couldn’t protect him from conscription, I will certainly attend his wedding.

When the priest tries to interject with "but," she interrupts him, reminding him that his livelihood and home are granted by the Earl, and even the flowers in his church come from the Earl's garden. "Forgive me for being vogue, but you really need not worry so much."

While The Dowager Countes can be commanding with almost everyone, she is typically gentle and rarely displays such fierce determination. She embodies both compassion and decisiveness. Her authoritative presence reminds me of the kind and composed Lady Shi from Dream of the Red Chamber, who maintains a solemn demeanor when dealing with gambling in the garden. These elder women, shaped by the trials of time and experience, possess a unique blend of grace and wisdom that allows them to face challenges while concealing their fierce resolve.

In his final moments, William marries Daisy. People from upstairs and downstairs in the manor come together, genuinely saddened and sincerely wishing him well. He provides his beloved with a name and status, establishing a familial bond between his father and Daisy, allowing them to support each other from now on.

I recall the early quiet days when William felt dejected about not being able to go to war, and Daisy, like a little angel, kissed him and said, “Cheer up! I would do anything for your happiness.” Thus, as the old lady later reflects, if this is not love, then what is?

S4E9 - Charles Blake picks up Mary at the London house to go to an art exhibition, and Cora says "It's a special one, isn't it? I think my niece is going" - who would that be?

I know this is a low effort post without any pics but just had to get this off my chest.

I remember the whole Nanny West story line, and was just rewatching some clips on You Tube. I remember first time I saw her and that entire story line I got some real creepy vibes running throughout my body. When she is finally confronted by Cora, and told she is leaving in the AM, I was thinking get the f*ck out of the house now, and don't wait till morning, or at least have a couple of people sit on her door.

I know the show didn't want to go in that direction but did anyone else get some creepy Annie Wilkes from Steven King's "Misery" vibes from her?

I started my Downton journey a few weeks ago, binged everything, and just watched the first movie. Some of my thoughts...

1. I liked >!Tom and Lucy. I was so invested in Tom and Sybil that any time he was talking to a woman, I would be side-eyeing him like Mrs. Crawley when Mary was with Gillingham...but Lucy seemed lovely and I am happy for them. But this may just be because I had to endure Edna and Bunting. I'll take anything I can get that is not like pulling teeth!<.
2. So glad we didn't get a Bates plot, or much screen time really. I would have lost it if he was framed for some ridiculous murder again. But I am glad Anna was in the movie quite a bit. Go Anna.
3. The dowager. I am in awe of the actress that Dame Maggie Smith was. I feel like her acting was not just through her lines, but also through her expressions, her posture, and even her cane and her hat. Ex. when she was greeting the king, she instantly just owned the scene by the way she just stood there. Also loved her talk with Mary, and her scheming to get the estate back for Tom.
4. Edith and Bertie. I was just so happy for her seeing her as marchioness, and I thought the plot was very tasteful, weaving in Cora at the end as well. Also Edith looked gorgeous. They could never make me hate you Edith.
5. I also like Barrow/Carson plot. Glad Thomas got some love, but I do wish they could have shown more of Carson commanding the house like the experienced butler that he is, really highlighting the contrast between him and Thomas.
6. Mary was a darling in this movie, but I wish they didn't put in Talbot at the end again. I always liked Talbot, but I thought things were a bit rushed for him--he should have appeared in S4 or 5 at least instead of S6. Well, the same thing happened in this movie as well.
7. Finally, I am so happy that I started watching Downton. To me, this was more than a show; it was an experience that allowed me to immerse myself in the world of all of the dazzling people of Downton. I know a final movie is coming in 2025, but if they made like a special or a movie each year I would pay serious money to watch it. Even if it's bad, I'd eat it up.

Over here in the states, it seems like every show gets a Halloween special. If Downton had one, what do you think the plot would be?

It seriously hurts my heart to watch her in that scene.

Are there any fanfics or pieces of writing showing the scene of Mary and the family being told about >!Matthew's death?!<

I know it was unnecessary to film it to forward the plot, but as a lover of >!angst!<, I always feel like it was something very important that was missing. So I'll make do with people's imaginations.

She's rude for no reason. Soooo condescending and acts like she's better than everyone, including Tom who I think she's attracted to. I fast forward through her scenes as much as possible. I just watched the episode with the Russian refugees coming to Downtown and even Rose would know better than to invite someone like her over to meet them.

The fact that Rose keeps inviting her over is completely out of character for her. She knows how to throw a good party, and Miss Bunting always brings negativity. Rose would never have invited her back after that first time.

I really hate her character and don't think she added anything to the show. Just needed to vent!

Edited: people have already commented all the possible reasons, thank you for playing.

Yesterday I asked about it but my post was removed since I forgot to put the spoiler, pretty dumb from me but I take no risk now. So, here was the post :

!« It's been a while since I watched season 4 and 5, so I can't remember exactly all the details, and then the Bates drama spanned so much time. In my mind, Mr. Bates was always innocent. Or maybe he intended to do it but didn't. And then a woman confessed to pushing Mr. Green onto the pavement, right?!<

!And yet I see a lot of people claiming that Mr. Bates is guilty of the murder etc., when there's a lot of evidence to the contrary - including the confession. And also people who say that everything is done to show that Bates is guilty.!<

!Am I missing something? »!<

!So apparently, it's kind of clear that he's not guilty. Tho some people are still arguing that not only he killed Mr. Green, he also killed Vera. So WHY would people want him to be a murderer if he's (apparently) not one ? Someone said it was to fit their opinion that Mr. Bates was a creepy man. That's just strange to wish a main character is a murderer imo, especially if it's a guy who's been depicted as a good man like Bates o_o!<

It usually takes me a few episodes to really "get into" a show. Nowadays I'd much rather re-watch an old favorite than try something new. I've always been a fan of period shows, maybe not as much as others here, except for Downton I don't think I have others in my usual rotation.

I'm curious to know what moment/ plot line/ performance/ etc. really hooked you. The moment in clicked that this was probably a show you'd watch for 15 seasons if they made that many.

For me, the moment Mary places her hand over Anna's mouth and then tells her about Pamuk. Up until then it was still entertaining, but a pretty paint-by-numbers, a typical upstairs/downstairs type show. But that moment, I thought, huh, this just got very interesting...

I also really enjoy how Penelope Wilton plays the character of Isobel and the writing for that character, and I especially enjoy the banter between those two, because they're each wickedly honest in their own ways.

I really don't like how Elizabeth McGovern plays Cora though, I find her delivery, her tone of voice, incredibly annoying.

Several times in the show the "settlements" for Mary, Edith, and Sybil are mentioned. I imagine these are their dowries. Edith talks about her money from "grandpapa's trust", Murray mentions "sums set aside for your wife and daughters", and when Robert talks to the Duke of Crowborough about Mary he says her dowry "won't be ungenerous-you'll be pleased". Robert also tells Sybil "alright, a little money". I always assumed Sybil's settlement is what Tom eventually uses to support himself at Downton, in addition to whatever he earns as the agent. So my question is: how much would it have been? Would it have been kept separately so it wasn't lost in Robert's bad investment? I can understand why Robert might have worried Tom was after Sybil for a windfall, although the two of them were clear it wasn't what they cared about. Would it have been enough for them to live independently as single women? Has anyone looked into this?

I think he did love Lavinia but in the end he wasn't really in love with her. She was important to him but I think he was truly in love with Mary and his love for her was deeper and more passionate

I always wondered how much things truly cost in the 1910s/1920s when the series is set. For the Crawley family, it was all or nothing – either lose the estate or keep the wealth – several times (maybe too many, seriously what was that mess at the start of S3?). For the servants, money is rarely if ever addressed and never in detail.

I would like to know how much it cost to send a letter or a telegram at the Post Office in 1912 (when the Titanic went down). I expect the price either lowered or rose significantly during WW1 for example (when everyone and their mother was sending some to the front), but did it rise or did it lower?

Small things like these are seldom addressed in the series, with only minimal references to shortages of the war in the immediate aftermath of its closure, but I'm curious about the little things. They're what makes the story not just relatable, but actually believable.

A similar situation can be found later on when everybody starts going back and forth from London frequently. How much was the train fare ca. 1925, from 1st to 3rd class? Were servants required to pay their own fares to accompany their master/mistress, or was it detracted from their wages? Would the Crawleys pay for Anna's or Bates's ticket, instead?

We don't even know how much the servants were paid (per month, per year?) because it's never an issue in the series, but I expect wages were calculated based on gender, rank and/or seniority, right?

If anybody can help me out, feel free to answer my questions here and thank you in advance!