Downton Abbey Season 2: Episode Six

Anna and Bates marry- Finally!

Well wasn't that a cracker of a season finale! I cannot believe that season 2 is over (as well as the Spanish flu pandemic). Well, we do get the encore Christmas episode next week and it's another 2 hour treat!

So Anna and Bates have finally gotten married and had their 20 minutes of happiness (in bed...pasty English body alert!) before tragedy strikes this story line again. Boy, I didn't see that one coming...again!

Matthew- We can have children now!

And just as I was getting really attached to Lavinia...the little ginger kid from the wrong side of the tiara who just couldn't believe deep down that she was good enough for Matthew. And yet you know that she would have made him happy, giving him a bunch of ginger babies with sweet faces. Ah well, this is Downton Abbey after all. Sir Julian Fellowes has the soap opera bubbles blowing again. But what will happen to the "cursed" Mary/Matthew story line now? Will it drag on for yet another season? (rhetorical question-sorry)

Look out Carson, Mary's going to blast some flapper music!

We are winging toward the 1920s with gramophones and social upheaval. I did find the Sir Richard/Anna/Carson/Mary spy storyline a bit interesting. Mary seems truly pissed off at Anna and Carson, and poor Carson finally gets a dose of nasty Mary for a change. Now he knows what Mrs. Hughs has been talking about. Mary really is "an uppity minx and the author of her own misfortune"!

Dowager Countess Violet pondering the aftermath of the Spanish Flu

Best Dowager Countess lines of the season finale:

•  "All this unbridled joy has given me quite an appetite."
•  "I was watching her the other night when you spoke of your wedding. She looked like...Juliet on awakening in the tomb."
•  "Marriage is a long business. There’s no getting out of it for our kind of people. I mean, you may live forty...fifty years with one of these two women. Just make sure you have selected the right one."
•  "Marry in May, rue the day."
• "Will someone please tell me what's going on, or have we all stepped through the looking glass?"
•   Branson thinks Violet "deserves to know" what's going on. "Why don't I find that reassuring?" says Violet.
•  Lavinia has been given a gramophone. "I'll stand well clear when you light the blue touch paper."
•  Lady Edith: "I've left space at the front for jewels. I know Lavinia's getting something from Papa."
  Violet: "And from me. Though she's so slight, a real necklace would flatten her."
• "I used to think Mary's beau was a mésalliance but compared to this he's practically a Hapsburg."
• "Don't be defeatist, dear. It's very middle class."
• "The plot thickens!" (Mainly for her little grin. Amazing.)
• "Wasn't there a masked ball in Paris when cholera broke out? Half the guests were dead before they left the ballroom." (Made even better by the following pause and the Earl's: "Thank you, mama. That's cheered us up no end.")
• "And while I am sure Branson has many virtues…He's a good driver."
• "I do hope I'm interrupting something."

Ethel discovers Charlie's grandad is a real bastard!

I think I have invented a new game. Eat an Oreo cookie (or similar chocolate treat) for every time the word bastard was used in this episode with respect to Ethel's love child. I believe have a tummy ache now however. I hope Ethel doesn't live to regret her decision about little Charlie, however horrible his moustachioed grandfather.

And did anyone else shriek at the return of the beanie baby/good luck charm? What is that thing anyway? Rabbit? Dog? Well, whatever it is Matthew will never give it up.

And any of you think that O'Brien almost used the word "soap" when feeling all guilty about her nasty past?

The maid Jane and Lord Grantham storyline was a bit weird. Poor Lord Grantham is just knocking around Downton trying to find something to do. Or someone to do. Oooh sorry for that one!

Lady Sybil clearly not enjoying the dinner table chitchat

Although I haven't been a fan of the whole Irish chauffeur storyline (because there was no spark of affection between the two AT ALL) I have to admit I was highly amused when Sybil took off with him to Gretna Green  (just like Lydia and Wickham!) and then was dragged back to Downton to hash it out with Papa. The final scene between Robert and the Dowager Countess was perfect.

Robert: And perhaps we should let Lavinia's last gift to us be a reminder of what really matters. Of course, you'll think that's soft.

Violet: Well, not at all. The aristocracy has not survived by its intransigence. Oh, no, no, we must work with what we've got to minimize the scandal.

Robert: But what have we got to work with?

Violet: Well, you'd be surprised. He's political, isn't he? And a writer. Well, I could make something out of that. And there's a family called Branson with a place not far from Cork. I believe they have a connection with the Howards. Well, surely, we can hitch him onto them.


So meet me here again next week for the recap of the two hour Christmas special. I hope Isis the new bouncier Labrador Retriever gets a little doggy stocking with a bone or two from Mrs. Patmore!  I can't wait to see more of Thomas the former footman. He is sooooo smarmy!

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 Help for non Brits with references from this episode:


Carson: Definition of "a guinea a minute" which Carson uses to describe Mary as a child-means a "barrel of laughs" or "a hoot".

Sybil: The phrase Uncle Tom Cobley and all is used in British English as a humorous or whimsical way of saying et al., often to express exasperation at the large number of people in a list. The phrase comes from a Devon folk song "Widecombe Fair". Its chorus ends with a long list of people: "Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all."

Violet: Light the blue touch paper was originally used as instruction for British fireworks- "Light blue touch-paper-stand well back". Became a way of suggesting someone had done something dangerous or foolhardy and needed to beware of the consequences, especially, for example, when having said something that was likely to cause someone else to respond explosively

Castle Howard, Yorkshire, England- Filming location

Castle Howard, Yorkshire, England

The period drama which springs instantly to mind when Castle Howard is mentioned is Brideshead Revisited. Both the longer 1981 miniseries with Jeremy Irons and the 2008 film version with Emma Thompson were filmed here. I was fortunate enough to visit in 2009 and I must say it is breathtaking.

Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews as Charles and Sebastian in Brideshead Revisited

Yes, you can imagine Sebastian with his teddy bear Aloysius lounging by the fountain as you walk the grounds. The Temple of the Four Winds is just as impressive as in the films, but alas, there is no sumptuous picnic inside and you must bring your own wine.

Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard

There is a ha-ha just past the Temple of the Four Winds, which does it's job in keeping the cows and the sheep on the lower level and away from the Temple itself.

Haley Atwell in Brideshead Revisited - Castle Howard

Both the interior of the house and the exterior lend themselves perfectly to locations for period drama. Interestingly, there haven't been many filmed here other than the two Bridesheads and The Buccaneers (I don't count Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties!) Perhaps this is because the house is so recognizable.

The Chapel at Castle Howard

The Chapel at Castle Howard was important to the Brideshead Revisited story, as the family's Catholicism was central to the story, however the Howard family and the exquisite chapel are Anglican. The Squire and I were fortunate enough to hear an organ concert in the chapel on the Sunday we were visiting.

Castle Howard aerial view

So if you are in North Yorkshire and you're able to visit, it's worth the better part of a day to go through the house and leisurely prowl the grounds. Even a spot of Yorkshire rain didn't dampen our wonderful day at Castle Howard.

Great Expectations 2011/2012: Battle of the Miss Havishams

Great Expectations 2011- 3 part miniseries with Gillian Anderson

Released Christmas 2011 in the UK, this gorgeously filmed television miniseries in 3 one hour long installments was quite well received by the British public for the most part. We in North America get to watch this one on PBS over 2 Sunday nights in April (April 1st and 8th).

Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham: Great Expectations 2011

The wondrous Gillian Anderson (whose Lady Deadlock from Bleak House 2005 stays with me yet) has been cast as the youngest looking Miss Havisham ever. If anyone can pull this off, I'm betting on her. However, one wonders with a Pip as beautiful looking as Douglas Booth, why doesn't she just tidy up the place, throw on a new frock and go after Pip herself? Sorry...Great Expectations, not Cougar Town!

The incredibly gorgeous Douglas Booth as adult Pip

What do you think of our young hero ladies? No wonder Douglas Booth is being heralded as a teen heart throb in the UK. Maybe he can get a whole new generation of females to read Dickens, which is never a bad thing!

Oscar Kennedy as young Pip in Great Expectations 2011

As seen in the photo above, the cinematography is breathtaking so I would watch it for this alone, but apparently David Suchet's Jaggers is pretty impressive too.

Estella and Pip dancing in Great Expectations 2012

This is something for us to look forward to when we are waiting for spring and a good way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.

Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham Great Expectations 2012

And if that wasn't exciting enough for Dickens's 200th Birthday, there is a theatrical release scheduled for sometime later in the year of yet another adaptation of Great Expectations. I'm holding my breath on this one, as it is a big story to squeeze into a 2 hour film. On the other hand, with Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham and Ralph Fiennes as Magwich, it has a certain appeal already. Add to that director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and various Harry Potters) and Jeremy Irvine (War Horse) as Pip and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) as Jaggers and you have my attention. Fingers crossed on this one friends!

Downton Abbey Season 2: Episode Five

The end of the Great War at Downton Abbey

Well, I am just gobsmacked after tonight's episode. The war is over, Patrick is back (or is he?), Matthew is feeling a stirring in his loins, and what the heck happened between Bates and Vera? He's got a cut on his face and she's dead? Oh, I guess I should have issued a major spoiler alert before that paragraph!

Lord Grantham and the new maid Jane enjoying some "dessert"

Lord Grantham seems to be finding something to interest him below stairs in the form of widowed maid Jane, now that Cora seems to be too busy for him these days. Good thing, for His Lordship was getting a bit boring lately. A bit of action in the butler's pantry may liven things up with his storyline!

Carson the butler of Downton Abbey- will he jump ship?

Lady Mary is in quite a pickle now isn't she? She has finally been perfectly open with Matthew about her feelings, and he is still pushing her away (reluctantly...). And what is with the creepy Sir Richard Carlisle? Bleuch! Threatening your fiancée is a great way to get her all romantic! Shudder!

And does Lady Mary think that taking Carson with her to her new home is going to make it all better? I suppose she needs one friend in that big cold new house they are looking at.

More drama in the Downton servants' hall

What will Ethel do now that Major Mustachio is KIA? Will poor Daisy ever forgive herself, or Mrs. Patmore? And what on earth is the attraction between Lady Sybil and the Irish chauffeur? Will cousin Isobel find satisfaction helping the refugees? And will Isis the yellow Labrador retriever find puppy love?

All this and more, next week on...Downton Abbey!!!!

Jonny Lee Miller- Actor of the Week

Jonny Lee Miller

Jonny Lee Miller has been in some pretty wonderful period dramas. His Mr. Knightley in the 2009 version of Jane Austen's Emma opposite Romola Garai was pretty unforgettable. I didn't think anyone could replace Jeremy Northam as my fave Knightley but I was oh so wrong!

Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley in Emma 2009. Nice cravat!

If there is anyone out there who hasn't seen the 2009 BBC version of Jane Austen's Emma with Romola Garai, you have a real treat in store. Although my sister prefers the 1996 cinematic version with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam (which I still absolutely enjoy), if I could only have one Emma it would be the 2009 version. Both Jonny Lee Miller and Romola Garai do an amazing job and have great chemistry together. The locations and cinematography are pretty awesome too.

Jonny Lee Miller as Lord Byron

If you like your JLM a bit wilder than Mr. Knightley, as Lord Byron (Byron 2003) he is definitely "mad, bad and dangerous to know". Not many people saw this one, but apparently he did a pretty good job. Any of my readers see it? Did you like it?

Jonny Lee Miller and Frances O'Connor in Mansfield Park 1999

I know that the Jane Austen purists in general do not like Mansfield Park 1999, but I actually kind of love it. It veers from the book in it's portrayal of Fanny, but I am not particularly a Fanny "fan" so to speak! The fact that the film makers injected Fanny with a large dose of Jane Austen herself actually improved the film in my opinion. And until we get a properly done Mansfield Park (I understand the BBC Mansfield Park from 1983-with Jonny Lee Miller as Charles Price!-is good but very dated looking now) this is the best one we have. Jonny Lee Miller's Edmund is kind of adorable, I think. No wonder Frances O'Connor is snogging him in the photo above!

Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle in Plunkett & Macleane 1999

In Plunkett & Macleane, a quirky film about a pair of 18th century thieves, Jonny teams up with the wonderful Robert Carlyle, his costar in Trainspotting. A little action, a little comedy, a little techno music and some anachronistic clothing, and you have a nice evening's rental.

Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller in Hackers 1995

And if you want to see him in his youth, Jonny Lee Miller met his first wife, Angelina Jolie on the set of their film Hackers 1995, about a pair of genius teen computer hackers. Quite a smoking hot couple, despite the awful hairdos!

So here's to a real cutie, Jonny Lee Miller. He has a few vampire films coming out soon (Dark Shadows and Byzantium) but I am hoping for more period drama.

P.S. His new TV series on CBS Elementary, starting September 27 is actually a modern day version of Sherlock Holmes set in NYC.  I can't wait for this even though it is too much to hope that it will be as good as Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch (basically the original British version of the same). Fingers crossed for Elementary, my dears.

West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire, England- Filming Location

West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire, England

The Importance of Being Earnest 2002 uses the lovely National Trust Property West Wycombe Park almost as another character in the story. As the country seat of Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) this drop dead gorgeous property is showcased both inside and out. Someday, I will get there and see it in person. (By the way, please visit Lacey Green Walks to see more gorgeous photos of the estate).

Colin Firth and Rupert Everett at a door of West Wycombe Park

The weathered yellow of the exterior of the house is very distinctive. You may recognize it in other productions (see below) because of it's colour.

Frances O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon on the stairs of West Wycombe

Thankfully as the story progresses, we get to see lots of amazing views of the interior as well as the exterior of West Wycombe.

Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Reese Witherspoon in front of the ornate fireplace of West Wycombe

The yellow of the exterior is brought into some of the interior rooms to wonderful effect.

Some more views of the grounds which I have shamelessly borrowed from the Lacey Green Walks website.

The Music Temple, situated on one of the islands on the SWAN-SHAPED LAKE at West Wycombe

You can see why this estate is popular for weddings as well as for filming locations.  It is open to the public from early April until the middle of August from Sunday to Thursday (April is grounds only). The weekends are reserved for weddings or private functions and the Dashwood family live in the house, as they have done since the 18th century.

The distinctive double colonnade of the south side of West Wycombe

Dashwood...I know. Do you think that Jane Austen used this home as inspiration for the Dashwood estate Norland Park in Sense and Sensibility? The property was given to the National Trust in 1943 by the Sir John Dashwood, 10th Baronet (an action apparently strongly resented by his heir). The family retained ownership of the contents of the house and they still reside in the house.

Other films or miniseries using West Wycombe for a filming location:

W.E. 2011
The Duchess 2008
What a Girl Wants 2003
Cranford 2007
An Ideal Husband 1999
I Capture the Castle 2003
Daniel Deronda 2002
Another Country 1984

He Knew He Was Right 2004

Carrington 1995
Austenland 2012

Downton Abbey 2010

Funny that Colin Firth and Rupert Everett were in both Another Country and The Importance of Being Earnest. Everything comes full circle I suppose!

And is anyone else excited about seeing JJ Feild, Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge and Bret McKenzie in Austenland later this year?

Downton Abbey Season 2: Episode Four

Matthew returns from the front

Well, we knew the war would come to Downton eventually. After being sent "over the top" Matthew and William don't make it out unscathed. They both do make it back to Downton eventually, although it takes some doing by Violet to get William back from the hospital in Leeds.

Daisy does the right thing!

Some of the finest acting in this episode was from the actress playing Daisy. She is understandably reluctant to let William know her true feelings, yet she does the right thing and brings everyone to tears at the end.

Bates and Anna in church

They are really leaving us hanging about Anna and Bates. Are we waiting for the divorce to be finalized? Well that leaves the door open for Vera to stick her evil snoot in again doesn't it? Hmmmmm. Very silly of Bates to pay her off before he was actually divorced and remarried. Lovely scene with them praying for Matthew and William.

"Is this an instrument of communication or torture?"

The best lines (and the comic relief) came from the Dowager Countess again. Bless Maggie Smith for her talent. She seems to relish every line she is given! Best lines from this episode:

• "I am no Jacobin revolutionary. Nor do I seek to overthrow the civilized world. We just need one bed for a young man from this village."
• "It always happens when you give these little people power. It goes to their heads like strong drink."
• "Is this an instrument of communication or torture?"
• "Sometimes we must let the blow fall by degrees."
• "I hope it's not vulgar in me to suggest that you find some way to overcome your scruples."
• "I have a cold." Sniff!

Nurse Mary and Matthew- tender moment

Interesting to see the drama playing out between Matthew, Lavinia and Mary when his "medical condition" is revealed. A lot of code words bandied about! And poor Mary had to go and admit her sins to slimy Sir Richard Carlisle (the predecessor of Rupert Murdoch, and just as icky). Her future takes another swerve!

Mrs. Hughs takes food swiped from Downton to Ethel and her baby

Other quotes from this episode:

• "I'd rather have the right man than the right wedding." Love Anna and Bates!
• "I feel I've led him up the garden path with all that nonsense. I'm ashamed, I'm so ashamed." Poor Daisy.
• "I'm not standing by while she brings misery and ruin on my lady," O'Brien huffs. "You started it all," Thomas responds.
• Thomas wants to shake William's hand before he dies. "Is that sentiment or superstition in case he haunts you?" says O'Brien
• "Have you got a handkerchief? I never seem to have one in moments of crisis." Poor Lavinia!
• Vera Bates calls Anna a "floozy". Harrumph!
•  "My husband works for them. We're not on good terms." Vera, really! Not on good terms?
• "I don't think asking permission is his strongest suit." Oh dear Mary, Sir Richard really is a slimy one.
• "It seems such a long time since I turned you down and now look at me - an impotent cripple stinking of sick. What a reversal. You have to admit it's quite funny." Not really, Matthew.
• " I'll die if I can't be with him."

Daisy at the wedding

 Bless you Daisy. I think she really did love William after all.