Season 1, Episode 7

The season one finale of Downton Abbey is full of suspense and heart aching moments! In this episode, we recap:

Mary and Matthew's future

Mrs. Patmore's eyesight

Thomas' attitude

O'Brien's big mistake

Cora's baby

Edith's prospects

A telephone

The Dowager Countess' lines

And so much more!

Leave a comment with your thoughts on the finale, or leave us a voicemail at 816- OR use your computer microphone to leave a voice message from your computer with character study ideas.

Season 1, Episode 6

Downton tension!

In this episode of the DA Reflection, we will talk about all the tension that is going around Downton. Namely, tension between Sybil and Robert, Thomas and Bates, Anna and Bates, Mary and Matthew, and Daisy and... Daisy.

Mr. Bates also takes nobility to new levels in this episode of Downton Abbey, so we will have a segment called, "Bates, why can't you defend yourself?" In this segment, we'll go over all the ways that Bates sabotages his standing at the Downton household, defends the guilty and refuses to exonerate himself. And to what end?

Finally, we will wrap up with some typical Dowager Countess lines.

Thanks so much for listening, and if you have comments or points of view you'd like to share with the listeners, you can do so from the blog in written or spoken form - or - you can give us a call at 816-379-6956. We look forward to hearing from you!

John Bates: A Study

In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we dig deep into the character of John Bates. One of our listeners, Muneerah Page, requested a Bates study, so a Bates study we did. A lot of John Bates' past is a mystery.

So in this episode, we do a lot of searching and a lot of speculation. What was Bates really like before he came to Downton Abbey? Has he really changed his ways? What causes him to be so selfless? After discussing Bates' past, we talk about his current state of affairs: prison. Is Bates really guilty? If not, who is? We talk about who a lot of you think may be guilty of poisoning Vera Bates and what motives they may have. If I left out any significant possibilities, leave a comment or voice message to let me know!

 Also, there are now two new ways that you can interact with me and the other listeners of the DA Reflection. You can leave a voice message by calling (816) 379-6956 or by going to the blog at www.downtonabbeyreflection.blogspot.com and clicking on the "leave a voicemail" button on the right side of the screen. Let me know your name, where you're calling from, and what question or comment you'd like addressed on the podcast or blog.

 Free Mr. Bates!

Season 1, Episode 5

This episode is all about sister rivalry! Hear about how Edith and Mary go at it (in very back-stabbing, slandering, passive aggressive, British ways) and how Mary's pride keeps her from solving everyone's problems. Edith may finally have a love interest, and Matthew has hope for a future that would please Robert and Cora. And of course, we'll talk about the latest quick witted lines from the Dowager Countess.

A listener asked that we do a character study of Bates next, so you can look forward to that next episode. Leave a comment with take aways from this episode - do you agree with my assessment of Mary and Edith's relationship? Is their rivalry simply a carry over from adolescence, or is there more to it?

Let me know what you'd like to hear about next!

Season 1, Episode 4

Things are getting wild at the Downton household! There's a new chauffeur, some new romantic interests, and - as always - some new secrets revealed.

In season 1, episode 4, Mrs. Hughes lets us in on her past and how she came to be at Downton Abbey. Daisy struggles to find out who she is and how she fits in, Sybil pushes the envelope (several of them), and Mary decides to do anything but what she is supposed to. This episode is so packed full that I couldn't fit in all of the action in to one podcast episode.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think about Sybil and Mary - and also to discuss some of the plot lines not gone into detail.

One last thing - apologies for inverting the names Violet and Isobel. For some reason, every time I refer to Isobel Crawley, I call her Violet.

Let me know what you'd like to hear next - another character study?

Season 1, Episode 3

Season 1 Episode 3 is such a fun episode because, although the inheritance storyline moves forward very little, there are SO many subplots that we hardly even notice! Edith is into Matthew, but he seems to enjoy looking at churches more than being in her company. Gwen is (gasp!) taking a correspondence course to become a secretary. I can't imagine why she would want to leave service...

But - if you remember anything at all about episode 3, it's that Mary puts herself in a compromising situation with one Mr. Pamuk. An attractive, persistent, confident and frisky Turkish gentlemen who visits Downton Abbey with Mary's pen pal, Evelyn Napier. It's a racy and scandalous episode, and although Mr. Pamuk succeeds in his conquest, it had nothing to do with his being smooth. As a matter of fact, his advances are quite awkward and uncomfortable.

I name a few awkward moments of Pamuk's in the podcast. If you can think of any others, leave me a comment!

Downton Parody

If you haven't already seen these videos, they're hilarious!

Parody

Cora: a Study

In this episode of the DA Reflection, we analyze Cora - the lady of Downton Abbey.

We discuss how Cora's American heritage plays into her behavior and attempt to identify her motives. I think it's Cora's soft voice that fools me into thinking she is a soft character. She is actually quite strong, opinionated, determined, and at times devious.

Though she married Robert for a title, and he married her for money, they have developed a charming relationship. They guard each other from what they know about their girls, as well as other matters.

It's hard to tell whose interest Cora has in mind a lot of the time. To that end, I'm looking forward to season 3 when we get to meet her mother! I can only imagine that Cora's back story will unfold like we never imagined when we see her interacting with another American, especially one so close.

Season 1, Episode 2

On this episode, we discuss main plot, subplot lines, and the witty banter that weaves its way throughout episode 2 of season 1 of Downton Abbey. We learn plenty about the members of the Downton household and hear a good deal of one liners and zingers as well.

Matthew is prideful and doesn't want to be changed. His cousins think he is unfit to inherit. Mary thinks he's full of himself. Edith doesn't mind him. Carson is outed as a former performer. Does Gwen have an admirer? Who is Mary's suitor?

Come for the Andromeda metaphor; stay for the Dowager Countess' facial expression at the end of the show.

Let me know what you'd like to discuss next on the podcast, rate us on itunes, like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter.

This could be amazing

It is also sure to be depressing.

Would you watch Downton Abbey at sea?

Season 1, Episode 1

While waiting for Season 3 to get here, here is a recap of season 1, episode 1.

We get introduced to all of the characters here: Robert, Cora, Mary, Edith, Sybil, Bates, Anna, Thomas, O'Brien, Carson, etc. And we learn quite a bit about them.

We learn that Robert is kind and is led by his conscience.
Cora is strong-willed.
Mary is conceited and cold.
Edith is jealous and cruel to Mary.
Sybil is kind and optimistic.
Thomas and O'Brien are cold, Anna is nice, Bates is disadvantaged, and Carson is proud.

All this and more just in the first episode.

Also, if you had a hard time figuring out the heir/entails situation, or just need a reminder, this podcast episode explains it.

If you're just beginning your journey with Downton Abbey, let me know what you think so far. I'd love to address the predictions and first impressions of someone who is fresh to the show.

Thanks for listening!

Season 2, Episode 7

In this podcast episode, we talk about notable events from the season 2 finale of Downton Abbey:

• Thomas back and moving up
• Bates guilty verdict and reprieve
• Edith and Sir Anthony
• Mary and Matthew - together!

We also discuss some unresolved plot lines that the show has asked that we invest emotion into - and then we never hear about them again! I'm sure there are more. Please leave a comment letting me know of others if you think of them.

In the interrum between season 2 and season 3, expect some podcast episodes covering season 1 and earlier season 2 Downton Abbey episodes. Also, I will do some character studies - let me know in a comment who you would like to hear about first!

If you come across a notable Downton Abbey resource (blog, paper doll, etc.), be sure to mention it in a comment so that I can spread the word.

Also, as promised, here is the link to the awesome Downton Abbey paper dolls I mentioned. Enjoy!

Season 2, Episode 6

In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we discuss episode 6 of season 2.

We start off this episode by asking some big questions that the episode leaves us asking. If you have an opinion on these topics, please let me know by leaving a comment. I'll address your comments on the next episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection.

Big questions:
Will Daisy accept kinship with William's father?
What's going to happen to Thomas?
Will Sybil be happy with Branson?
Is Cora and Robert's marriage in jeopardy?
Will Edith ever marry?
and of course - Will Matthew and Mary end up together?

We then discuss the big issues of the episode. Feel free to chime in.

#1 - Jane and Robert
#2 - Richard's character
#3 - Ethyl and Bryant
#4 - Poor Thomas
#5 - Sybil and Branson
#6 - Did Bates kill Vera?
#7 - O'Brien and Cora
#8 - Mary and Matthew
#9 - Daisy - annoying?
#10 - Anna and Bates - FINALLY!

Lastly, I predict what will happen next on Downton.

Thomas will use Daisy for her money.
Thomas will attempt to take Carson's job.
"Patrick" will come back and shake things up.
Ethyl will return to Downton as a maid.
Carson and Mrs. Hughes... an item?
Bates will be on trial for murder, but will act terribly noble instead of trying to clear his name.

Let me know what you think of my predictions - and add your own!