Season 4, Episode 1

Welcome to season 4 of the Downton Abbey Reflection! I'm hoping we'll get to hear some early British jazz in this season :)

Well, episode 1 had us missing O'Brien, hoping she found a better place to be and make others miserable. Hopefully she won't get jealous and start using bars of soap as revenge weapons on her new lady.

Six months after Matthew's death, and Mary is still grieving (I would be, too). But she does have who I can only assume is an adorable little son to dote on, so here's hoping she snaps out soon! Plus, it looks like her relationship with Branson (purely platonic) will have her fluent in estate management speak soon enough.

Mosely is still down and out. Mrs. Hughes is still nosy and meddling. Alfred, Daisy, Ivy and Jimmy are still... Alfred, Daisy, Ivy and Jimmy.

Listen to this week's
podcast recap to get the inside scoop on the new season and on the rest of went down in this two-hour season premiere!

Season 3, Episode 7

We discuss the tragic ending of the third season in this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection. Along with these topics:

Mrs. Hughes saving Mrs. Patmore from that sleazeball

O’Brien and Wilkins – kindred spirits? 

Thomas and Jimmy Kent make up

Shrimpy and Rose and Susan

Edith and another unsuitable suitor

Branson and Edna

Robert and Branson modernizing Downton alone?

Dr. Clarkson and Isobel - will that happen?

Mary and Matthew

The Dowager Countess' lines

In season 4, who do you most want to see in a new relationship? Mary, Edith or Thomas and why?

Let us know by leaving a comment, Facebooking us, let us know on Twitter, or call in at 816-379-6956.

Brought to you by It Takes a Village to Write a Book

Season 3, Episode 6

In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we talk about:

Thomas and Jimmy and O’Brien;

Alfred and Daisy;

How Edith has a thing for married and totally unavailable dudes. And they have a thing for her;

The estate, Matthew and crickett;

Anna, Bates and O’Brien;

Branson;

Ethyl; and of course

The Dowager Countess' lines.

This episode is brought to you by the audio program It Takes a Village to Write a book. You have a book in your head. You want to hold it in your hands. For more information on the how-to self publish guide, go to beatnikbudget.com/village.

Season 3, Episode 4

In this (TRAGIC) episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we will discuss:

Isobel Crawley and Ethyl

Matthew and his takeover of the estate

Daisy/Alfred drama

Thomas and Jimmy Kent

Anna and Bates

Edith and the column

Sybil and the baby; and

DC lines.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment or voicemail at DowntonAbbeyReflection.blogspot.com or by calling 816-379-6956.

Fair warning: Watch the episode before you listen! Trust me.

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 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!

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!