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.
Great podcast episode, Carrie! I love listening to your comments and thoughts. Analyzing stories is the best :)
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of thoughts after listening. Warning: this is long :)
First, I must disagree with you that O'Brien is completely bad. There have been several instances (mere instances though they may be) where we are taunted with the possibility and hope that O'Brien actually has a good heart. First, she clearly felt awful for making Cora slip on the soap, and it seems that ever thereafter, she made it her duty to protect and defend Cora from others' harsh words or actions. Furthermore, you mentioned the scene where O'Brien tells Thomas that he makes her want to think more about others. Basically, she seems to rise above the malice for a moment. I loved that scene - it gave me hope for O'Brien. I feel like she is changing and softening, albeit slowly, and to top it all, is beginning to peg Thomas (who has basically been her sidekick and crony) as too cruel for her tastes. I think the guilt over the soap-n-baby fall started it, and that she is gaining an affinity toward the Crawleys that did not exist before. I could be wrong, but that's my theory. I don't think she will play many more "tricks" with Thomas.
Finally, my theory is that O'Brien had correspondence with Vera and helped her frame Bates (and maybe even got her what she needed to kill herself). There are several quick glances at O'Brien's face whenever this subject comes up in conversations among the servants, and it is clear that she is bothered or saddened or has some negative emotional response in correlation to the Bates/Vera situation. However, her face never belies a sense of vindictiveness or cruelty when it comes up. I have a feeling that she helped Vera somehow and now feels bad for it. Of course, she could just be scared of getting caught, but I don't think so. I think she'll come around and I feel like we can already see redeeming qualities in her character. I hope...
Secondly, and randomly - I just have to say that Edith drives me nuts. I think a lot of people feel sorry for her. I do in some ways, but on the other hand I wish she would stop whining and get herself a freaking husband! Sybil's many "middle fingers" to the family (in more ways than just her marriage), though disrespectful, are also quite inspiring and I applaud her panache. Edith did grow up a bit while the soldiers were there and she kind of got over her feeling-sorry-for-herself-ness while she was helping them. That was awesome.
Thirdly - I didn't think I liked Mary either. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that underneath her (forgive me) bitchy exterior, there is likely a lot of fear. I feel like she is hardened and disillusioned by several facets of life, and she seems the kind of person who packs everything away and just moves on. Always a recipe for hardness. Plus, I'm sure that being the eldest sister in a aristocratic British family puts a tremendous amount of pressure on her. Having said that, I do wish she were nicer... especially to Edith. What she did to her regarding Sir Anthony made me so angry!
That's all for now :) Love the show! Keep 'em comin,' sista.
Hi, thanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteO'Brien has had a few almost redeeming moments. However, I will say that I am much more interested in learning where her evil tendencies come from than in seeing her go soft. And I could totally see her having something to do with Vera's death.
Edith drives me nuts as well! She is petty and simple, not to mention conniving and cruel.
I respect your good faith in Mary. But I don't think that she is as scared as she is just bored and self-centered. She does mention the ugly prospect of never marrying, but I think she is almost more scared of getting married and conforming than of being a spinster. She relieves her boredom by being cruel, especially to Edith. And I agree, what she did to Edith and Sir Anthony was absolutely awful.
Thanks again for the comment. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts!