Spoilers abound, GOING NUTS

[tripp3235]

So thanks to clairiere we now have a pretty detailed recap of the first episode.  I'm impressed she can hold off reading it, I cannot.  Anyone interested in reading, http://www.itv.com/presscentre/downtonabbey/s2ep01week38/default.html.

As for my own thoughts here they are under the cut:

Comments

[clunkhall]

SO EXCITED.

Interesting about Bate/Vera/Anna and the Mary scandal... I wonder, though, if Bates doesn't know that Anna knows.. I mean, she wouldn't have told him, probably, right? It's not her secret.

Interested by Branson's reaction to the feathers...

VERY interesting about William/Molesley/Clarkson... Ooooh...

Most of the M/M stuff wasn't new, but I love that Carson is going to be cool with Matthew.. Hee! I had also assmued the eye-snogging was mutual, but... OMG Matthew. DS is AMAZING, we'll know... I hope... Otherwise, ANGSTFEST.

Actually, what GENUINELY intrigues me the most about this, and what I'm REALLY looking forward to, is the Matthew/Thomas scene. I just.. think that's going to be amazing. I also reckon that's where Matthew's Heinrich Schliemann line will be... And oooooohh I'd wondered if Thomas would do that... EEE TRENCH SCENES I CANNOT WAIT.

[tripp3235]

I'm sure it's going to be the secret EVERYONE knows but not realizing EVERYONE knows it. That may get on my nerves after awhile.

I figured about Carson especially when he saw how devastated when Matthew walked away, not to mention that he knows THE SECRET as well. I'm crossing my fingers the recapper simply isn't that into M/M and isn't willing to read between the lines or maybe even just taking it from a general standpoint. If Matthew doesn't overtly make it clear about Mary, then we really don't know.

I can't wait for the trench scenes either. They talked about Matthew carrying a man across no man's land. Could that be Thomas?

[shuffleduck]

Yeah, the recap can't have covered every single little thing in each scene, it sweeps through the main points briefly, so there's room for that. Hopefully!

I think Dan Steven;s talked about them finding the smallest male extra ever for him to carry (gah, Dan, so adorable!), and I'm *sure* in some random behind the scenes footage from one of those Australian videos I saw Thomas in the background in the kitchen looking okay, which was why I decided against my theory he might intentionally get hurt. But if it's just his hand then that explains it. Well, I say *just* his hand... ouch.

[shuffleduck]

DITTO, re: Matthew/Thomas, that sounds so good, they've never really had a scene together. And now I've just realised the random guy next to Matthew in a promo shot from that scene is probably Thomas. Apparently I can't recognise him with a hat on! Dan Stevens was saying it's an interesting scene because Matthew no longer sees the class barrier anymore, I like the sound of that.

Is the Heinrich Schliemann the line he says in the teeny teaser trailer? I hadn't realised that was a quote!

[tripp3235]

I saw Thomas in the background in the kitchen looking okay, which was why I decided against my theory he might intentionally get hurt. But if it's just his hand then that explains it. Well, I say *just* his hand... ouch.

I'd be curious to know if he permanently damages his hand. Given all the guff he gave Bates, and we know there is a spoiler that he "lets someone in", the least likely person he would bond with is Bates but if he now is handicapped, who better to understand? Also, it could allow him to make amends finally understanding Bates from a whole new POV.

Heinrich Schliemann is the archaeologist who famously discovered Troy about this time. Dan Stevens apparently changed a line that stated living at Downton was similar to the discovery of Troy but changed to "a whole another world"...sorry I don't remember the actual phrase.

[shuffleduck]

Yes... if he's holding up a match then it's most likely fingers, isn't it? I'm curious too, since surely any damage to your hand/fingers isn't good for a footman who has to carry plates and things in a particular way. So you may be right! I remember the press pack also said when he returns he no longer cares about getting one-up on Bates, so the rivalry is over in that sense, too.

Ah, I see, sounds interesting! Why must it still be over 2 weeks away!