tv: downton abbey

New season coming up this next weekend! Because that was a very stressful ending.



Why for the love of God do I like Lady Mary so much?

Okay, the thing is, she annoys me so badly, and it's all her own behavior that's caused her problems (except the thing with the uberhot Turkish diplomat; holy God, better women than any of us would be throwing our skirts up to hit that until we die of exhaustion), but I don't even care. I am sending death thoughts at Matthew and want to strangle Edith in her sleep (though I do feel bad for her almost-fiancee; something about his eyes was sweet, and there was genuine affection between them. I hope eventually that works out). It's just--she's so proud and vulnerable and she has that spiteful streak (not to match Edith's, though) and she's incredibly kind when she forgets she's supposed to be above human emotions and goddammit, I didn't want to love her, but I do.

And I totally blame Matthew. (I KNOW I SHOULDN'T.) But I do.

Also, Bates and Anna break my heart and put it all together again. I do not know how he could be more awesome or she could be more utterly amazing (CARRIES DEAD TURKISH AMBASSADORS ALL CALM AND COOL) but oh. My heart.

My thoughts on Downton Abbey. New season! Wartime! MATTHEW IN A UNIFORM. And the Earl being awesome and maybe convincing Carson to perform for them! (I know this won't happen, but that ep was the funniest thing I have ever seen ever.)

*happy*

Comments

[starfish]

I am ALL THE SAD about not having the cable. Perhaps I will watch S1 again and pretend ...

[seperis]

They are soooo angsty and now going to war. *hearts Matthew in uniform*

[lilacsigil]

I think I like Lady Mary because her whole life is built on ritual and not talking about things and politeness and arrangements...and none of that is working, but she can't understand an alternative. And yet, as soon as she forgets about all that ritual etc., she is a genuinely kind and passionate person.

[out_there]

Why for the love of God do I like Lady Mary so much?

You know, I like Edith in the same way. I'm not sure why. I mean, she's spiteful and cruel at times and can be a genuinely horrible person, and yet, there's this little part of me that wanted her to have a happy ending, that wants her to stop trying to compete with Mary (even if half of the insulting competition comes from Mary, there's no point becoming more vicious simply to score points).

Also, Bates and Anna break my heart and put it all together again.

Anna and Bates are my OTP for this show. Mind you, I even love the cruelty of the nasty two (oh, the lady's maid and ... hmm, Thomas? I'm blanking on names) -- there's something about the friendship those two share that makes me happy too.

It's an odd show, Downton Abbey. Full of flawed, not-entirely-nice people (apart from Anna and Bates), and yet fascinating to watch.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

Are you talking about the first season, or is there a new one already?

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Second season starts this weekend! I think!

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

Sweet!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Just here to share my icon....

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Their love is so complicated!

[alethialia.livejournal.com]

They did such a lovely turn with Mary in the first season. I remember being so impressed with how they took this woman who on the surface wasn't very likable and fleshed her out such that you understood her, loved her, even. Such wonderful character work in this show.

And yeah, Bates/Anna, man. DAMN.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

God yes. They did an amazing job with showing all the different parts of her and why she was the way she was. By the end I was practically growling at Matthew for not understanding her, dammit.

And aww, Carson's love for her is so sweet it breaks my heart.

[be-a-rebel.livejournal.com]

You cannot stop loving Lady Mary. I have no idea why.

[viggofest.livejournal.com]

I'd read somewhere that it wasn't hitting the States until January. Where are you?

[seperis.livejournal.com]

US, but I didn't see anything but the currnet start date. I hope it's earlier than January! But at least it's starting again. *hopeful*

[the-moonmoth.livejournal.com]

OMG Lady Mary! I love her beyond all reason :D I think it's because she's this wonderfully elegant human being, all collected and unruffled, but every now and again you see through that and realise that part of her is still just a child. ♥

*is listening to the Downton Abbey extended theme song as she types this*

[askmehow.livejournal.com]

The first episode of the new season's on Sunday evening here, and I'll miss it because I'm travelling! :(

On the one hand, yay travel! On the other, boo, no Downton! (this is when one realises one is a huge, huge dork. Oh dear.)

[ahab99.livejournal.com]

You HAVE to love Mary, don't you? She's trying to be an adult in a world that essentially wants her to stay a docile child, but she just can't get it together quite yet. During the last episode (which I actually only just finished), I spent the whole thing yelling at her to just TELL MATTHEW ALREADY. He's a good guy! He'd muddle through and still love you!

And the closest thing I have to an appropriate icon is Mr. Darcy. Hmm.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

During the last episode (which I actually only just finished), I spent the whole thing yelling at her to just TELL MATTHEW ALREADY. He's a good guy! He'd muddle through and still love you!

Oh my God this, so much. Yes, please.

[nymphaea1.livejournal.com]

I loooove Mary. And I totally blame Matthew, too.

I think female characters just aren't often allowed that sort of complicated mix of good and bad. It's more the sort of arrogant rake with human core role that is usually given to men in historical dramas. And Matthew is sort of the blandly good middle class sobriety that supposed to save her from aristocratic decay. I don't want her to be "saved", particularly not by some dude who seems to have no appreciation of what she'd be rebelling against.

I'm just really, really bored with male sense of betrayal. Even when it's actually somewhat earned, as Matthew's admittedly is.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

It's more the sort of arrogant rake with human core role that is usually given to men in historical dramas.

Even better; she doesn't have any of the super irritating male rake qualities but kept all the ones that are actually good traits for character building and character complexity.

And Matthew is sort of the blandly good middle class sobriety that supposed to save her from aristocratic decay.

So very much this. Though I do like the fact that while they show him growing and changing in his life, they're doing it naturally with time and exposure--actually, almost as well as they slowly developed all the facets of Mary's personality. And I love how Mary's growing; she's slowly beginning to not only identify what she's unhappy about in herself and the world, but starting to understand how to do something about it.

I broke at the end of the ep. I'm looking forward so much to seeing her be amazing during the war.