I think Isobel didn't like Mary at first - she surely felt more appreciative toward Sybil (they have been close - between politics and nursing, she probably felt a connection) and somehow understanding and sympathetic toward Edith. I think she started to get a glimpse of the real Mary in that late night conversation in 1x06 but then she was a bit...uhm...ill disposed toward her because she saw Matthew's pain. Mothers are protective like that.
I think they're very different women, so at first they haven't sought each other's company. But they have common traits: the strength, the willpower, the assuredness...they don't break down when there's a problem, they carry on and solve it. And I think Isobel understood this when she saw Mary nursing Matthew. That's when she understood who Mary really was, and came to respect her, be fond of her. While Lavinia cried, Mary grabbed hot water and washed Matthew from blood and grime, sat by him and told him the truth, without pity, looked at the life he could still have, and then kept keeping up his spirits refusing to let him drown in his own misery. I think Isobel knew that, and liked that, and saw how similar they were.
Then we get to the Christmas Special - and by then clearly Isobel knew how much Mary loved him and was suffering for him. I loved Isobel in the CS. I'm not her fan, TBH, most of the time I find her incredibly annoying, but then in the CS she absolutely ROCKED. She's also a smart woman, and I don't think she'd ever ostracize Mary in her own home. I believe a cohabitation is possible, even if maybe problematic at first. They'd have to adjust.
Robert surely owns cottages. But would Matthew let his mother live all alone in a house? When his father died, they've supported each other, they were all the family each of one had...I don't know. Matthew is a mama's boy.
Matthew is a very italian boy in that! :-) I don't think he would easily let her move away, but if Isobel decides she wants to go, there is nothing that can stop her.
I think Isobel respects Mary more than she likes her, at least at first. She said that she had thought "Mary was made of stronger stuff" in S1, which to me indicates respect. In general, she and Mary seem to have a no-BS understanding when it comes to Matthew.
It will be interesting to see them interact (and Matthew try to keep the peace, if there is conflict.)
I completely agree. I think they have always respected each others, but then in season2 they're not close, but they have a mutual understanding because they shared a deep love for Matthew, especially after his injury (I think Isobel admired Mary's actions and reactions in this circumstance). And now their relationship will change, and the new interaction will be very interesting to me. I think they'll try to make the cohabitation work. Conflict, of course, could always arise but I expect Mary to dodge it with Violet's help like when Cora didn't want Downton to be a recovery home forever lol.
I think they're very different women, so at first they haven't sought each other's company. But they have common traits: the strength, the willpower, the assuredness...they don't break down when there's a problem, they carry on and solve it. And I think Isobel understood this when she saw Mary nursing Matthew. That's when she understood who Mary really was, and came to respect her, be fond of her. While Lavinia cried, Mary grabbed hot water and washed Matthew from blood and grime, sat by him and told him the truth, without pity, looked at the life he could still have, and then kept keeping up his spirits refusing to let him drown in his own misery. I think Isobel knew that, and liked that, and saw how similar they were.
Then we get to the Christmas Special - and by then clearly Isobel knew how much Mary loved him and was suffering for him. I loved Isobel in the CS. I'm not her fan, TBH, most of the time I find her incredibly annoying, but then in the CS she absolutely ROCKED. She's also a smart woman, and I don't think she'd ever ostracize Mary in her own home. I believe a cohabitation is possible, even if maybe problematic at first. They'd have to adjust.
Robert surely owns cottages. But would Matthew let his mother live all alone in a house? When his father died, they've supported each other, they were all the family each of one had...I don't know. Matthew is a mama's boy.
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I don't think he would easily let her move away, but if Isobel decides she wants to go, there is nothing that can stop her.
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It will be interesting to see them interact (and Matthew try to keep the peace, if there is conflict.)
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