Downton Abbey, series 2, ep 2,
Just been rewatching the Smallville season 3 ep 'Slumber' on DVD, which was a) timely - the soundtrack is all REM because, well see the title and the fact it's Smallville b) not as good as the previous ep 'Extinction' (and a little more continuity between episodes would have helped).
Anyway, Downton Abbey, ep 2
Overall, I thought it was a bit of a rush. Well, the things that weren't set up in the last episode/previous series. That is, apart from The Further Humanising of Sarah O'Brien. Between her and Thomas (I kind of still hate him, though), I was left with Oh Edith, NO degenerating. But it did feel as if there were a few scenes missing - it was a logical leap for Sybil to also be involved in helping the blind lieutenant, but, although I get that the focus was on Thomas, I'd have liked to have seen some build upit, especially as Thomas and Sybil being on the same side is mind-boggling and universe shattering in many ways. I would also like to have seen the women pile on Robert to get him to agree to make Downton Abbey a convalescent home. Of course, the issue was never in doubt when Violet made her faux pas in front of Cora. I could have done with more Mary and Sybil ranged against Violet, also.
To look at what we got: Laing made a real impression. Apart from The Humanising...bit, to have that perspective dramatising William's naivete and the various soldiers' experience was great. Poor man. Just as broken by war as the now-beloved Bates, but Carson and Mrs Hughes don't see it. For it to be O'Brien and for her to open up about her brother...which also maybe explains how she sees Thomas, because apart from having an ally, I always wondered why she went so far for him. But seeing him as a substitute brother...this was one of the most impressive parts of the episode for me.
I wonder, actually, if Robert realised that in backing Cora up (poor Dr Clarkson, one thought, when Sybil and Thomas were all fiery and youthful on his back about the blind lieutenant as well) he'd be bringing Thomas the Thief back. Cora, ILU, but your lady's maid sure can play you. Mrs Hughes could have kicked him out of the servants quarters, I thought.
And Nurse!Sybil is love. She's still a bit teenage, although one gets how frustrated she is at the expanse between the Downton perspective versus her experience. I love Isobel as an influence on her. And I could have done with more of Nurse!Sybil, she had moments, but she was more sidelined than she should have been. I know what we were meant to think if Branson asked her if she'd ever go back to her old like, but I've reverted to being tepid about Branson/Sybil, because it is precisely that, Branson loving Sybil, not shown as reciprocated. If she wants him, then sure, I'll remember the awesome Telephone Incident. But right now, I think he needs to grow as she's been growing for her to take an interest (small thing, and it's honestly not about shipper bias, but Sybil asked Matthew to help, Branson did nothing in the hospital. I know one of them was there as a soldier and he'd said to his mother that he was there to help, although I don't know whether Sybil heard, but she didn't ask Branson. Now he was sent there to feed her and for a bit of a chat, but I don't think Sybil didn't ask him/order him to help out of nicety for his being her family's employee, she was in too much of a getting things done mood. But she didn't ask him for help). I also think we need some further explanation of his attitude towards the war by this point. He's not your average conscientious objector, is he?
To continue with the shipping, I thought the Mary/Matthew was a bit redundant, although her faith that he'd return because she gave him her toy and is praying for him, so he just CAN'T DIE is adorable. I was discounting Carson's advice even as he gave it. Miss Swire is not nothing (I mean, she is, but she's not) and telling Matthew how she felt would have been selfish. And as Anna gave her advice (and all very heartfelt and lovely was Anna's behaviour throughout, I mean, her dumping of Molesley, apart from the WEIRD analogy, made me agree with Bates. She's the most ladylike of them all.) I kept thinking 'BUT YOU HAVE A CAREER.' And unlike Sybil or Proto Land Girl/Driver Oh Edith, NO, Mary still hasn't found an outlet. In another life, she could be the society lady Iain Glen's character wants as his wife. I'm not saying she should accept him, especially as he's involved in a subplot that reminded me of Wives and Daughters with Lavinia and he's a bad egg and she loves Matthew, but...I was proud of her for seeing Lavinia's dependence (and weakness). Mary would survive if Matthew died. She's too much Violet's grandaughter and her parents' daughter not to. She's strong. And thus she shut her mouth and was stoic, and I, who love her less than Carson and Anna do, loved her for it.
But Oh Edith, NO. What WAS that? Her older man issues and thoughtless desperation are not attractive. Poor Mrs Drake (although excellent method of nipping it in the bud). Also, on a shallow level, NOT GETTING IT, EDITH. I could see Sir Anthony's attractions, but there were gaps between the farmerly teeth.
One last thing, I love scenes with Roasmund and her mother. It sounded like Rosamund had grown fond of her husband. I hope she'd have been a little more forthright if she'd seen a man grabbing one of her nieces' wrists like that - but she adds spice, as she promised in S1ep7.
Anyway, Downton Abbey, ep 2
Overall, I thought it was a bit of a rush. Well, the things that weren't set up in the last episode/previous series. That is, apart from The Further Humanising of Sarah O'Brien. Between her and Thomas (I kind of still hate him, though), I was left with Oh Edith, NO degenerating. But it did feel as if there were a few scenes missing - it was a logical leap for Sybil to also be involved in helping the blind lieutenant, but, although I get that the focus was on Thomas, I'd have liked to have seen some build upit, especially as Thomas and Sybil being on the same side is mind-boggling and universe shattering in many ways. I would also like to have seen the women pile on Robert to get him to agree to make Downton Abbey a convalescent home. Of course, the issue was never in doubt when Violet made her faux pas in front of Cora. I could have done with more Mary and Sybil ranged against Violet, also.
To look at what we got: Laing made a real impression. Apart from The Humanising...bit, to have that perspective dramatising William's naivete and the various soldiers' experience was great. Poor man. Just as broken by war as the now-beloved Bates, but Carson and Mrs Hughes don't see it. For it to be O'Brien and for her to open up about her brother...which also maybe explains how she sees Thomas, because apart from having an ally, I always wondered why she went so far for him. But seeing him as a substitute brother...this was one of the most impressive parts of the episode for me.
I wonder, actually, if Robert realised that in backing Cora up (poor Dr Clarkson, one thought, when Sybil and Thomas were all fiery and youthful on his back about the blind lieutenant as well) he'd be bringing Thomas the Thief back. Cora, ILU, but your lady's maid sure can play you. Mrs Hughes could have kicked him out of the servants quarters, I thought.
And Nurse!Sybil is love. She's still a bit teenage, although one gets how frustrated she is at the expanse between the Downton perspective versus her experience. I love Isobel as an influence on her. And I could have done with more of Nurse!Sybil, she had moments, but she was more sidelined than she should have been. I know what we were meant to think if Branson asked her if she'd ever go back to her old like, but I've reverted to being tepid about Branson/Sybil, because it is precisely that, Branson loving Sybil, not shown as reciprocated. If she wants him, then sure, I'll remember the awesome Telephone Incident. But right now, I think he needs to grow as she's been growing for her to take an interest (small thing, and it's honestly not about shipper bias, but Sybil asked Matthew to help, Branson did nothing in the hospital. I know one of them was there as a soldier and he'd said to his mother that he was there to help, although I don't know whether Sybil heard, but she didn't ask Branson. Now he was sent there to feed her and for a bit of a chat, but I don't think Sybil didn't ask him/order him to help out of nicety for his being her family's employee, she was in too much of a getting things done mood. But she didn't ask him for help). I also think we need some further explanation of his attitude towards the war by this point. He's not your average conscientious objector, is he?
To continue with the shipping, I thought the Mary/Matthew was a bit redundant, although her faith that he'd return because she gave him her toy and is praying for him, so he just CAN'T DIE is adorable. I was discounting Carson's advice even as he gave it. Miss Swire is not nothing (I mean, she is, but she's not) and telling Matthew how she felt would have been selfish. And as Anna gave her advice (and all very heartfelt and lovely was Anna's behaviour throughout, I mean, her dumping of Molesley, apart from the WEIRD analogy, made me agree with Bates. She's the most ladylike of them all.) I kept thinking 'BUT YOU HAVE A CAREER.' And unlike Sybil or Proto Land Girl/Driver Oh Edith, NO, Mary still hasn't found an outlet. In another life, she could be the society lady Iain Glen's character wants as his wife. I'm not saying she should accept him, especially as he's involved in a subplot that reminded me of Wives and Daughters with Lavinia and he's a bad egg and she loves Matthew, but...I was proud of her for seeing Lavinia's dependence (and weakness). Mary would survive if Matthew died. She's too much Violet's grandaughter and her parents' daughter not to. She's strong. And thus she shut her mouth and was stoic, and I, who love her less than Carson and Anna do, loved her for it.
But Oh Edith, NO. What WAS that? Her older man issues and thoughtless desperation are not attractive. Poor Mrs Drake (although excellent method of nipping it in the bud). Also, on a shallow level, NOT GETTING IT, EDITH. I could see Sir Anthony's attractions, but there were gaps between the farmerly teeth.
One last thing, I love scenes with Roasmund and her mother. It sounded like Rosamund had grown fond of her husband. I hope she'd have been a little more forthright if she'd seen a man grabbing one of her nieces' wrists like that - but she adds spice, as she promised in S1ep7.