You summed it up perfectly and I understand the epi better after reading you. I guess there were too many details and subplots and people for me to get without as-we-go commenting.
And I agree Dame M's performence was of the award winning kind. (some of what she said yesterday was sharp enough for me to get why you all keep watching this). But I wonder: is she the mother of the arrogant father (Dr. Posh Is Always Right) or of the poor mother (Family Dr. may be right: let's take her to hospital)? Because I had the impression it was OOC for her not to support the family Dr. as she already knew him? So when there was argument, I expected her to protect her grandchild more and be more judjmental after she died.
The Dowager is the mother of 'His Lordship', the father.
It was suggested in the first series that her relation with Cora, the mother, had been bad. But actually, during the episodes, they had quite a number of good moments together. So I may be a little surprised with you, why she didn't support Cora and the family doctor more.
I feel they limit her role now very much to the, famous, one-liners (which aren't half as poignant as they used to be, due to poor writing - not due to Maggie), rather than letting her act scenes.
Yes, Maggie hasn't had an actual personal story-arc since the first season -- she just gets brought on for the one-liners. I'm not sure whether this is her choice (though I suspect it is) --she can do that sort of thing in her sleep, and of course, she's got nothing to prove any more. So she can afford to take it easy if she wants to.
Well, that explains why she comforts him instead of blaming him; he's her dear boy, after all, and favourite sons are never wrong.
Now that I finally know what everybody's talking about, though, I'm not sure I'll bother with watching this again. Despite Maggie's best efforts, one needs to find interest in one's TV shows, and one-liners - brilliant as they are - can't hold me for too long. I find more DRAMA in the x-factor that's broadcasted just before. And talent. And scheming. And, well, Modern Times, too (Louis Walsh doing Urban? The times are a changin for sure!!!)
The only way they're going to be able to make that plotline interesting to me is if one of them offs the other by impaling him or her on Granny's cane.
Now THAT could really resuscitate my interest in this show. (Impaling always does.) Wouldn't mind Granny impaling the both of 'em, either. ... Here's hoping S4 will mark the turn to Downton Abbey: The Vigilantism Narrative Remix.
I'm probably a fan-girl heretic, but I never really thought her two seasons of bon-mots were worth the Emmys
No, you're absolutely right; I've thought the same. Funny how often that happens -- someone doesn't get anything for a fantastic performance and then wins for something that's essentially a throw-away.
Interesting (and sad) stats about eclampsia. The one person I've personally known who had it did not die. What a scary condition.
Fortunately, in developed countries, where cesarean section is safe and available, pre-eclampsia is rarely allowed to progresses to full eclampsia, and it's rare to have a mother die. Babies are a different story. My niece recovered fully, but two of my acquaintances who had it during pregnancy had profoundly injured babies (one died and the other is severely brain-injured.)
I doubt they'll go down this route on DA, but it wouldn't strain credulity if Little Sybil turned out to have a brain injury, given how severely her mother's body was deprived of oxygen. They also hinted that the baby had intra-uterine growth retardation, which suggests Sybil had been pre-ecclamptic for a considerable time before she became acutely ill.
I had gotten fed up with Isobel in Season 2, because the writers seemed to sacrifice so much of her character and just go with "annoying busybody." But this season, they've gone back to a more complex view. Better writing all around in Season 3, I think, despite some clunker plots and uninspired scenes.
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"Be a Strong Female Suffragette and you will get pregnant and die."
-- Julian Fellowes
What is WRONG with him? But you're right: a strong cast can carry even the most devastating pile of WTF.
And I totally dig your loving description of Dame M's performance. Damn right.
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... This is why we need the likes of you writing fic for these lovelies, you know.
Just... sayin'. Is all. I'll just be here in my Corner Of Subtlety, being Subtle.
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And I agree Dame M's performence was of the award winning kind. (some of what she said yesterday was sharp enough for me to get why you all keep watching this). But I wonder: is she the mother of the arrogant father (Dr. Posh Is Always Right) or of the poor mother (Family Dr. may be right: let's take her to hospital)? Because I had the impression it was OOC for her not to support the family Dr. as she already knew him? So when there was argument, I expected her to protect her grandchild more and be more judjmental after she died.
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It was suggested in the first series that her relation with Cora, the mother, had been bad. But actually, during the episodes, they had quite a number of good moments together. So I may be a little surprised with you, why she didn't support Cora and the family doctor more.
I feel they limit her role now very much to the, famous, one-liners (which aren't half as poignant as they used to be, due to poor writing - not due to Maggie), rather than letting her act scenes.
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Now that I finally know what everybody's talking about, though, I'm not sure I'll bother with watching this again. Despite Maggie's best efforts, one needs to find interest in one's TV shows, and one-liners - brilliant as they are - can't hold me for too long. I find more DRAMA in the x-factor that's broadcasted just before. And talent. And scheming. And, well, Modern Times, too (Louis Walsh doing Urban? The times are a changin for sure!!!)
Reply
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Now THAT could really resuscitate my interest in this show. (Impaling always does.) Wouldn't mind Granny impaling the both of 'em, either. ... Here's hoping S4 will mark the turn to Downton Abbey: The Vigilantism Narrative Remix.
Reply
No, you're absolutely right; I've thought the same. Funny how often that happens -- someone doesn't get anything for a fantastic performance and then wins for something that's essentially a throw-away.
Interesting (and sad) stats about eclampsia. The one person I've personally known who had it did not die. What a scary condition.
Reply
I doubt they'll go down this route on DA, but it wouldn't strain credulity if Little Sybil turned out to have a brain injury, given how severely her mother's body was deprived of oxygen. They also hinted that the baby had intra-uterine growth retardation, which suggests Sybil had been pre-ecclamptic for a considerable time before she became acutely ill.
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I had gotten fed up with Isobel in Season 2, because the writers seemed to sacrifice so much of her character and just go with "annoying busybody." But this season, they've gone back to a more complex view. Better writing all around in Season 3, I think, despite some clunker plots and uninspired scenes.
Reply
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