Daily Beast exclusive and more

[clairiere]

* Jace Lacob @ the Daily Beast is one of the biggest DA champions out there, and he didn't disappoint with his S2 exclusive today. Based on his interviews with Julian Fellowes as well as the DA cast while they were in the US for the TCA tour, the exclusive consists of two parts:

1. The Brits' Surprising Emmy Hit: ‘Downton Abbey’ creator Julian

Comments

[clunkhall]

"Romantic lead Dan Stevens"?? QUITE!!

Very interesting spoilers. Interesting to get a little more behind Matthew's regard for Lavinia (being from the same background etc), and I'm encouraged, actually, by what DS says about the 'triangle' - it sounds complex and interesting! (And my faith is now unshakeable in M/M!)

I'm very intrigued by some Mary/Edith bonding! Also by the developments in O'Brien and Thomas' characters. Cannot wait for Thomas/Matthew meeting at the front!

I love waking up to spoilers - thank you!!

[sarapellow]

Fantastic article, it's been a while since there's been new fodder to feed our fangirl imaginings for Series 2

[clairiere]

I just don't see Matthew as being bitter towards Mary - when she stalls giving him an answer he tells Isobel not to speak against her, and at the garden party he's disappointed and sad, not angry.

Nor do I, and I agree with your assessment of ep. 7. I never saw him as someone who harbors a grudge or holds onto anger and bitterness, letting it distort him. Doesn't mean he doesn't have deep feelings still, but that's separate from bitterness, IMO. Moreover, it'll be two years since he saw Mary when they meet again, during which he would have seen battle and more on the front. Somehow I just can't picture him being hostile towards Mary, awkward maybe but certainly not angry or bitter. Maybe it's just me, but over time, I tend to remember the good stuff, rather than the bad stuff, and even with the bad stuff, I'm more objective about it than I was at the time (ie. less angry or hurt). Again, doesn't mean I don't have deep, strong feelings about the bad stuff, but anger and bitterness is what goes away first.

I was heartened by Julian

[clairiere]

An 'insider' poster on IMDb (who's been very accurate with filming schedules and stuff, long before these were confirmed elsewhere) had an interesting comment re: the S2 press pack (and I think she was referring to the character profiles rather than the interviews):

Honestly, the hyperbole of the presspack bears very little relation to the actual series - I don't recognise any storylines from that description.

Food for thought, given that the press pack was seen as "glum" vs. other/later spoilers in the press.

[tripp3235]

I guess DS speaks about Lavinia and the triangle in the Sunday Times as I can't read that one. It sounds like it's more of the same though. Oh, I can't wait for the new season. Less than 3 weeks and it still feels like an eternity.

[tripp3235]

Ok, never mind. I read the one with the Lavinia spoilers.

I get what DS is saying on the triangle being subtle in the sense it's not about cat fights and hair pulling, but I do hope it's rather obvious who the OTP is (Please please). I also like DS is stating what many have guessed, Lavinia will not be comfortable in the grand showroom that is Downton Abbey.

I also like Lavinia and Matthew's being more similar with class. It helps explain his attraction to her (along with her being honest probably on her feelings).

[clairiere]

I get what DS is saying on the triangle being subtle in the sense it's not about cat fights and hair pulling, but I do hope it's rather obvious who the OTP is

Given that the takeaway from every reviewer who saw ep. 1 (or even just the highlights) was that M&M still had unresolved feelings that were very apparent, or how they've been covered in the press so far, I'd say it is obvious. One of my first tv OTPs were Mason and Julia on Santa Barbara, and Julia actually became friends with Mason's wife, genuinely and for real, complicating the triangle, but it was apparent from day 1 who the OTP was and had more chemistry.

In Lavinia's case, I don't think it helps that her backstory with Matthew takes place off-screen (eg. "The backstory that we vaguely put together"), which essentially removes one way for the viewers to get invested in the relationship.

[tripp3235]

Oh well Mason and Julia. Which Mason? Hee. I miss Santa Barbara.

I did notice DS's comments on and "vaguely" is certainly an interesting word to use.