Downton Abbey Season 5 Episode 3

SPOILER ALERT! This post is intended for those who have already seen Downton Abbey Season 5 Episode 3

Well, Lady Mary is on the cutting edge of morality yet again. She seems to have enjoyed the roll in the hay with Tony Gillingham and yet doesn't seem impressed enough to get hitched again. Matthew must be a hard act to follow. I think Mary wants more of a challenge than Tony. He's just too eager!

The Lady Edith and Marigold saga is finally starting to bubble. The poor farmer's wife thought she had abducted Marigold, and I have to admit I was rather thinking that myself. Something is going to give with Lady Edith. I only hope she stays sane.

And good grief! Will we never hear the end of this Mr. Green the rapist valet story? Why can't we have a happy story with the Bates's? Maybe a mini Bates? Never mind...keep going stringing this mystery out of who flung the bastard under the bus, Lord Fellowes. It could have been any number of women in London I would think!

I wonder where Thomas is really going in London? Certainly not to visit his sick father if we know Thomas...and we certainly know Thomas.

Lord Grantham's surprise visit to London backfired big time. And Mr. Bricker is getting pretty cozy with Cora, who seems to be giddy as a school girl with the brazen flattery. But she doesn't seem to have any desire to take it past a flirtation as His Lordship should now be aware!

Daisy is turning into a well educated feminist thanks to the horrid Miss Bunting. By the way, how many times can Miss B come upstairs and make trouble before Lord Grantham sics Isis on her???  I was a little shocked that Daisy had to leave school at age 11 and that she thought education to age 14 would be wonderful. Gosh!

It's lovely that Mrs. Hughes and Carson still seem to be thick as thieves. But even she couldn't change Carson's mind about Mrs. Patmore's nephew. More friction downstairs!

I looooove the appearance of Prince Kuragin, the Russian flirtation of Violet's in the glorious Victorian era. And Lady Mary's sly dig at Granny was perfection! Hurrah! And any guesses whether the Fabergé eggs they were weeping over were real? They look pretty wonderful!

And now Baxter can stay (will the nasty man who forced her to steal show up in a later episode?) and there are plans under consideration to build ugly housing on "Pip's Corner" but Lord Grantham seems horrified even though it would free up some cash for the estate.

"Significant Looks Award" of the week goes to Spratt, Violet's butler and my new favourite character at Downton. Lady Mary's escapades just about popped his eyeballs out. By the way, I just re-watched Julian Fellowes's other masterpiece Gosford Park this weekend and you will find Spratt, Dowager Countess Violet and Mr. Bricker from Downton amongst many other familiar faces from various Period Dramas. I left the closed captioning on this time and caught a few lines I had missed on other viewings. :)

Best Lines of the Week:

Tony Gillingham: I want to acclimate myself with the routines and rituals that will govern the rest of my life. (Ewwwwww! Creepy!)

Lady Mary: I've been tarnished once and I won't be tarnished again.

Isobel: Servants are human beings too.
Violet:  Preferably only on their days off.

Isobel: Hopeless lovers wandering over a desolate moor. If it wasn't Emily Bronte it could be Tolstoy or Gogol.

Countess Violet (to Spratt): What were you imagining? Nothing vulgar, I hope. Nothing beneath the dignity of a butler of this household.

Mrs. Patmore: Sympathy butters no parsnips.

Mrs Hughes: My advice Daisy is to go as far in life as God and luck allow.

Countess Violet: In my day, a lady was incapable of feeling physical attraction before she was instructed to do so by her mama.

Lord Grantham: That an art expert would find your observations on the work of Piero della Francesca impossible to resist, yes, it is hard to believe. (Ouch. You're going to regret that one Robert!)

Lady Mary: Granny has a past!

Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 4

SPOILER ALERT! This post is intended for those who have already seen Season 4 Episode 4

Well, it looks like Bates's eavesdropping and manipulation of poor Mrs. Hughes finally removed all doubt about what happened to Anna. And although he was sweet and supportive to her, he is getting kind of scary, so perhaps Anna is right after all in worrying that he may do something violent to the perpetrator.

Wouldn't it be awesome if she went all Gosford Park and killed the rapist/valet before Bates does? It's not illegal to stab a corpse you know. I'm just saying...

Oh dear. Edith is visiting the doctor. I hope it is for a sore throat although I think it may be for birth control reasons. I just hope it isn't too late for birth control. And no sign of her Michael Palin/Gregson chappie for a while. Dooooom!!!! I am sensing a Nazi plot, are you?

But on a lighter note, Lady Edith is at least looking lovely in her 1920s fashions. I love the collar on that coat she is wearing in the photo above.

And so Alfred was turned down after going to London to try for the job cooking at The Ritz! Maybe it's for the best. I think they would have had to build him a taller counter to work at or he would have back issues before he turns 30!

But seriously, nice to see that he has ambition. And congrats on those bouchees de fromage. Ohh, la la!

I am happy to see the new ladies' maid Baxter with her outrageous orange juice and her electric sewing machine. Radical I say! I hope Thomas or Barrow or whatever we are supposed to call him doesn't torture her too much. She seems really nice. I wonder will Mrs. Patmore survive with an electric refrigerator in the kitchen? Horrors!

And is the Dowager Countess experiencing a bit of dementia, losing her letter opener from the King of Sweden? Or was a thief just what Julian Fellowes thought the plot was needin? Hidee-hidee-hidee-ho! Apologies to Cab Calloway and Minnie the Moocher, but I couldn't resist.

Best lines of the week:

Violet: "I wonder your halo doesn't grow heavy. It must be like wearing a tiara round the clock."

Lady Mary: "Do you think she is having a good childhood?" (with regards to baby Sybbie)

Alfred: "Is there anything I ought to know about London?"

Thomas: "Mrs. Bates is incorruptible. So we have nothing in common."

Violet: "Yes, but your gratitude never seems to last. I've no sooner said yes then you come back with another request!"

Violet: "The one thing we don't want is a poet in the family....The only poet/peer I am familiar with is Lord Byron and I presume we all know how that ended!"

See you again next week!

Stephen Fry- Actor of the Week

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is truly a national treasure in England. He is part of the culture of Britain at this point. I love him. He is such a wonderful combination of intelligence and vulnerability as well as being a fantastic actor. Comedy is his specialty, having started out in the Cambridge Footlights Club with Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie who both remain his dear friends to this day. Emma Thompson once described Stephen Fry as "90% gay, 10% other" but I say he is 100% fabulous!

His love of all things technological is well documented. He owned one of the very first Apple computers in the 80s and apparently has a collection of mobile phones. He is a regular on Twitter where he mostly hilarious but occasionally likes to bring attention to various charities and causes, the most recent of which is the campaign to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.

Stehpen Fry as Oscar Wilde

In the film Wilde, he portrays Oscar Wilde himself. An obvious bit of casting, this one looks fabulous, and yet I have never seen it. Can anyone give us a recommendation? I think I'll hunt this one out. I love Oscar Wilde and I love Stephen Fry.

Oscar Wilde:  In this life there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants. The other is getting it.

Stephen Fry as Inspector Thompson in Gosford Park

In Gosford Park, he plays the hilariously inept Inspector Thompson. There is so much going on in this film but even so, Fry's Inspector Thompson stands out. Comic genius.

Constable Dexter: Sir, someone's traipsed a load of mud in down here.
Inspector Thompson: Not now, Dexter, please.

Constable Dexter: Inspector, there's a broken coffee cup down here.
Inspector Thompson: Dexter, they have people to clear these things up. You get on with your own job.

Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster

Perfectly cast as the all knowing valet Jeeves in Jeeves and Wooster, Fry and Laurie seem to be having the time of their lives filming three wonderful seasons of P. G. Wodehouse's dynamic duo.

Bertie Wooster: Tell me, Jeeves, were you always like this, or did it come on suddenly?

Jeeves: Sir?

Bertie Wooster: The brain, the gray matter. Were you an outstandingly brilliant child?

Jeeves: My mother thought me intelligent, sir.

Bertie: Well, can't go by that. My mother thought me intelligent.

Stephen Fry as The Duke of Wellington in Blackadder 3 with Hugh Laurie as the Prince Regent

Stephen and Hugh were together again in a few Blackadders. The episode above from Blackadder the Third is entitled Duel and Duality with The Duke of Wellington challenging the Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) to a duel for taking advantage of his nieces. Of course it ends up Blackadder involved and mayhem ensues.

Duke of Wellington: There's only one way to win a campaign: SHOUT, SHOUT AND SHOUT AGAIN!

Stephen Fry as General Melchett with Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder

Stephen was also in Blackadder Goes Forth as General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett. Hilarious as usual. Must watch this again soon!

Blackadder: Remember you mentioned a clever boyfriend?

Nurse Mary: Yes.

Blackadder: I leapt on the opportunity to test you. I asked if he'd been to one of the great universities: Oxford, Cambridge, Hull.

Nurse Mary: Well?

Blackadder: You failed to spot that only two of those are great universities!

Nurse Mary: You swine!

Melchett: That's right! Oxford's a complete dump!

Stephen Fry as Mycroft Holmes

As Sherlock's brother Mycroft in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, we get to see a bit more of Stephen than usual. Thankfully for some strategic photography, not too much, as he walks around completely naked in one scene.

Mycroft Holmes: Good evening, Mrs Watson. I'm the other Holmes.
Mary Watson: You mean there's *two* of you? How marvelous! Could this evening get any better?

Stephen Fry as host of QI

When I have a few moments to myself and I need a good laugh, I find a snippet of QI on YouTube. I will warn you if you haven't seen this before, this is one of the most entertaining quiz shows around and will suck you into the Youtube vortex for hours. Feeling brave?



So hopefully this post has given you lots of inspiration for viewing (or re-watching) some of Stephen Fry's work, both period and modern. I know I am going to dig out some Blackadder at the very least!

Kristin Scott Thomas- Actor of the Week

Kristin Scott Thomas- English or French?

I think Kristin Scott Thomas is a wonderful actress and I find the fact that she has lived in France since she was 19 fascinating. Employed as an au pair when she was a teen and fluent in French, she never left. She married a French obstetrician (now divorced) and raised three children there. She stars in both English and French language films and appears to be aging gracefully. What's not to love?

Kristin with Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and a Funeral

Of course her all time great role in my estimation is that of Fiona in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Who else could have given that role it's depth, both in comedy and tragedy? A legendary performance! Poor Fifi.

Fiona: There's a sort of greatness to your lateness.
Charles: Thanks, it's not achieved without real suffering.

Kristin with Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient

After all of these years, I am still not sure whether I liked The English Patient or not. I think I did...perhaps I should watch it again and decide.

Almásy: What do you love?
Katharine Clifton:What do I love?
Almásy: Say everything.
Katharine Clifton: Hm, let's see... Water. Fish in it. And hedgehogs; I love hedgehogs.
Almásy: And what else?
Katharine Clifton: Marmite - I'm addicted. And baths. But not with other people. Islands. Your handwriting. I could go on all day.
Almásy: Go on all day.
Katharine Clifton: My husband.
Almásy: What do you hate most?
Katharine Clifton: A lie. What do you hate most?
Almásy: Ownership. Being owned. When you leave, you should forget me.

Kristin as Lady Elizabeth Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl

I have to confess that I have not seen Kristin Scott Thomas in as Anne Boleyn's mother in The Other Boleyn Girl. Please someone tell me if this is something I should seek out. I love how Kristin looks in Elizabethan costume!

Actually, besides KST, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, it also stars Benedict Cumberbatch, David Morrisey and Eddie Redmayne so I think I have just answered my own question. I'll watch it soon.


Lady Elizabeth: Now go to France. The queen of France is sophisticated. Be useful to her, amuse her. She'll admire your spirit. Learn from her. Observe the ladies of the court. See how they achieve what they want from their men, not by stamping their little feet but by allowing the men to believe that they, indeed, are in charge. That is the art of being a woman.

Kristin as Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Patricia Maxwell in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

I really adored Kristin's character in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. As the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, she is efficiency itself and she plays the part to hilarious comedic perfection. I need to see this film again but it isn't on DVD until July 17th!


Patricia Maxwell: We need a good news story from the Middle East. A big one!

Kristin Scott Thomas as Lady Sylvia in Gosford Park

I think her performance in Gosford Park was truly inspired. She had the snobby, horsey aristocrat down to a tee. Imagine winning your husband in a game of cards! Ugh!

Constance, Countess of Trentham: He's still got that vile little dog, I see.
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Yes, the ones we hate last forever.

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And then there is Keeping Mum, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Easy Virtue...I could go on all day. Any films I missed or would you like to agree or disagree with any of my choices?

Cheers!

Helen Mirren- Actor of the Week

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren is my actor of the week in a little nod to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. This lady has done some pretty amazing period work in her illustrious career. Of Russian and British descent, Helen (born Ilyena Lydia Vasilievna Mironoff) has portrayed both QEI and QEII in film.

Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen

As the beloved Queen of England during one of her most trying times right after Princess Diana's death, Helen Mirren shone. I have seen this film perhaps three times now and each time I marvel at her skill as an actress. She certainly deserved the Oscar she won for The Queen. Helen famously commented that the Queen had much better legs than she has. That may be true but as for the rest of the package, that bathing suit photo a few years ago would tip the scale in Helen's favour!

Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth I- The Miniseries

In another powerful role as the original Queen Elizabeth in Elizabeth I, she proves her gravitas again. She won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing the Virgin Queen in this miniseries. Looking at the photo above, I wouldn't mess with her, would you?

Helen Mirren as Sofya Tolstoy in The Last Station

Riding a roller coaster of emotion as Sofya Tolstoy, wife of Leo, she nabbed another well earned nomination for a lead actress Oscar for The Last Station. This one is a gem with Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti, James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff all adding to the wealth of talent in this film.

Helen Mirren as Ayn Rand in The Passion of Ayn Rand

Who better to portray the sexy yet smart Ayn Rand than Helen Mirren in The Passion of Ayn Rand? Of Russian extraction, she can do a Russian accent perfectly and the sexy/smart thing is in the bag. I haven't seen this one but it looks awesome!

Helen Mirren as Chris in Calendar Girls

I have to admit that Helen's role in Calendar Girls may be my favourite of her many wonderful films. This film is funny and touching and just highly entertaining. I drag it out every year or so. Ciarán Hinds as her husband is pretty easy on the eyes, as is the Yorkshire countryside. Oh, and did I mention that this one is really funny? Yes, I guess I did.

Helen Mirren as Mrs. Wilson in Gosford Park

Her role as Mrs. Wilson, the perfect servant, in Gosford Park may be a close second for my fave role of Dame Mirren's. A small but crucial part in this ensemble piece, Mrs. Wilson always has me crying at the end.

Helen Mirren as Detective Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect

Many viewers first got to know Helen Mirren as no-nonsense Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Jane Tennison in the long running ITV series Prime Suspect. Tough and yet still sexy is what Dame Helen does best. My sister's husband has seen all of the Prime Suspect episodes and I don't think it is entirely because of the storylines, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know-what-I-mean, say no more!

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So hat's off to Helen Mirren. She is busy filming Hitchcock right now as Alma Reville (otherwise known as Lady Hitchcock) with Anthony Hopkins as the man himself and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh (?!). I hope Dame Helen Mirren has many more wonderful films ahead of her. And just to prove that she really does have a sense of humour, Check out this short from 2011 called When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal and Helen Mirren on YouTube.

Claudie Blakley- Actor of the Week

Claudie Blakley

Claudie Blakley is already a treasure of the English stage and screen. She has a face which can be period or modern as the role requires and we have enjoyed her talent in quite a few in the past few years! She is the daughter of Alan Blakley of The Tremeloes (Silence is Golden always makes me think of Colin Firth in Love Actually!)

Claudie Blakley and Jeremy Northam in Gosford Park

Most of us first saw her as Mabel Nesbitt in Gosford Park. She was lovely as the glove manufacturer's daughter whose husband treats her badly after her fortune disappears. I rather loved Mabel with her green dress that Maggie Smith poked fun at.

Fenella Woolgar, David Tennant and Claudie Blakley in He Knew He Was Right

As the hilariously nutty Camilla French in He Knew He Was Right, competing with her sister Arabella for the affections of Reverend Gibson (played to a tee by David Tennant) she gave this miniseries some much needed levity.

Camilla: You don't touch me! I'll stab you in the heart! And her, and him, and then myself! And then you'll all be sorry!

Uncle: Well that's a great deal of stabbing my dear. You'd best get on with it.

Claudie Blakley as Charlotte Lucas

In Pride and Prejudice 2005, Claudie absolutely nails the character of Charlotte Lucas. I love the story that her confrontation scene with Lizzy about Mr. Collins was written by Emma Thompson, who is given a thanks credit in the film, for additional dialogue. This scene really sounds like Emma Thompson doesn't it?

Elizabeth Bennet: Charlotte!
Charlotte Lucas: My dear Lizzie. I've come to tell you the news. Mr. Collins and I are... engaged.
Elizabeth Bennet: To be married?
Charlotte Lucas: Yes of course. What other kind of engaged is there?
[Lizzie looks shocked]
Charlotte Lucas: Oh, for Heaven's sake! Don't look at me like that Lizzie! There is no Earthly reason why I shouldn't be as happy with him as any other.
Elizabeth Bennet: But he's ridiculous!
Charlotte Lucas: Oh hush! Not all of us can afford to be romantic. I've been offered a comfortable home and protection. There's alot to be thankful for.
Elizabeth Bennet: But...
Charlotte Lucas: I'm twenty - seven years old, I've no money and no prospects. I'm already a burden to my parents and I'm frightened. So don't you dare judge me Lizzie. Don't you dare!

Charlotte Lucas with feather

And surely I wasn't the only one who was absolutely transfixed by the feather in Claudie's hair seeming to be alive as she walked into Lady Catherine de Bourgh's drawing room. I rather love that scene now.

Claudie in Bright Star

Claudie was lovely in Bright Star as Maria Dilke, wife of Charles Wentworth Dilke. This is a lovely film, which never fails to make me cry.

Jem Hearne and Martha in Cranford

As Miss Matty's beloved servant and friend Martha in Cranford, Claudie Blakley gives one of her many brilliant performances. I love this photo of Jem and Martha having a cuddle and a serious chat.

Claudie Blakley as Cynthia Lennon in Lennon Naked

I did not see Lennon Naked, but this photo of Claudie as John Lennon's first wife Cynthia makes me want to see it. Can anyone recommend this?

Emma and Robert Timmins in Lark Rise to Candleford

Opposite Brendan Coyle in Lark Rise to Candleford, Claudie Blakley is absolutely perfection. Sigh. She has given us a gift hasn't she?

So here is another supremely talented English actress and we look forward to more brilliant work from her. Thanks Claudie!

Michael Gambon- Actor of the Week

Sir Michael Gambon

Sir Michael Gambon is a Dublin born treasure of the British stage and screen has done so many wonderful period dramas, I will never be able to list them all. He also seems to be quite a character. He flies planes and drives a Ferrari and has "Gambon Corner" on BBC's Top Gear named after the location of his his near roll of a Suzuki Liana in their "Star in a reasonably priced car" segment.

Although he keeps his private life quiet, he became a father for the third time in 2009 at the age of 68 with the then 43-year-old set designer Philippa Hart, with whom he already had a two year-old. He has been married to his wife, retired mathematician and staunch Catholic Lady Anne Gambon for 50 years. He and Lady Anne still share a house in the countryside of Kent, but he visits his other family regularly. OK, enough with the titillating gossip and on to his wonderful work.

Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse with Romola Garai as Emma

I am showing my bias here again with one of my favourite adaptations ever, Emma 2009. Sir Michael Gambon does a wonderful job of the worrywart father Mr. Woodhouse who clings to Emma, ever fearful of being left alone.

Michael Gambon as Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters

With the wonderfully meaty role of Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters, Gambon really gets to flex his acting chops. Poor Squire Hamley goes through a contrariety of emotions, from the love he has for his cultured wife to the rage he vents at his eldest son (and huge disappointment) Osborne and then through sorrow, confusion and on to pride and happiness in his remaining family by the end of the series.

Michael Gambon as Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited with Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell

As the aloof Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited 2008, he has a small role, but quite dramatic at the end when he returns to his beloved Brideshead and to his family.

Michael Gambon as Sir William McCordle in Gosford Park

In Gosford Park, Sir Michael plays the head of the house Sir William McCordle. He turns out to be rather a key character in this wonderful ensemble piece. Well, at least Elsie the maid and his dog loved him! The 3 Dames in this film (Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins and Maggie Smith) thought he was a rotter!

Michael Gambon as Judi Dench's love interest in Cranford

In our beloved Cranford, Sir Michael Gambon plays Mr. Thomas Holbrook, the long lost love interest of Miss Matty Jenkins (Judi Dench) and a tender story it is. I love the way he eats his peas!

Michael Gambon as King George V in The King's Speech

Lending a note of authority to the role of King George V, grandfather to the present Queen Elizabeth in The King's Speech, he shows why the relationships between English rulers and their fathers have usually been fractious.

Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in Harry Potter

And of course, we all know Sir Michael as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. He had big shoes to fill after the death of Richard Harris in 2002 after filming the first two Harry Potter films.

Michael Gambon in Longitude 2000

I had forgotten about Michael Gambon starring as John Harrison in Longitude. Sounds like a good birthday gift for The Squire. Good thing he rarely reads my blog. My secret is safe!

The Lost Prince 2003

The Lost Prince is on my to be watched list. I think I saw it when it first came out, but I may not have seen the whole thing. Michael Gambon plays King Edward VII in this one, grandfather to the "Lost Prince" John. There seem to be a lot of folks who love this one about the epileptic uncle of our present Queen who died of a seizure at the age of 13. Any fans out there?

Listing of period films starring Michael Gambon (thanks to Cheryl at Enchanted Serenity of Period Films):

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2008)
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
Cranford (2007)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Amazing Grace (2006)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Being Julia (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Sylvia (2003)
The Lost Prince (2003)
Path to War (2002)
Charlotte Gray (2001)
Gosford Park (2001)
Wives and Daughters (1999)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Last September (1999)
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)
The Wings of the Dove (1997)
Mary Reilly (1996)
The Browning Version (1994)
Blood Royal: William the Conqueror (1990)
Much Ado About Nothing (1967)