Downton Abbey recap: We discuss the best dresses, worst proposals, and the most awkward make out session from the season two premiere!
By Randi Bergman and Paige Dzenis
Welcome to the first of our weekly recaps of Downton Abbey, the British drama/period series chronicling the life and late-Edwardian times of the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff.
The first season opened in 1912, with the sinking of the Titanic, and continued through to 1914—ending with the outbreak of World War I. Last night, the second season opened in 1916: Britain is in the thick of war but many things are still at stake at Downton. Inheritance! Romance! Scandal! So much drama done up in velvet and lace, and so much brewing under the surface!
We take a look at the best and worst moments from episode one! »
Best lady in red: While we’re still pondering Mary’s beige gloves, which required Anna’s assistance to button up, the gown Cora wore while saying goodbye to Sybil takes the award for best outfit of the episode. We’re sure Poiret would have designed that red velvet harem dress just for her!
Worst lady in green: It’s pretty obvious that Lavinia Swire is no match for Mary. Firstly, pairing emerald velvet with an awkwardly placed crystal headpiece has her looking like she pulled a Guinevere costume out of the discount bin. And secondly, with a name like Lavinia, she may as well be a Disney villainess!
Worst and best advice: In an attempt to prove he’s not heir-ier than thou, Matthew shares a spot of tea with Thomas in the trenches. What he doesn’t realize is that Thomas is begging for advice on how to get out of the war. Meanwhile, back at Downton, Mary visits Carson who’s on bed rest. She seeks fatherly advice about her secret love for Matthew, but doesn’t end up following through. Lesson learned: it’s easier to sacrifice your hand than your heart.
Best chest: Shock of all shocks, O’Brien seems to have softened after her blow with the soap, the bathtub, and the baby heir. Despite (or perhaps because of) being called an old maid (pun intended!) by the staff’s newest addition, her neckline is looking decidedly lower these days. Hey girl!
Worst reason to wear pants: Look at you go, Edith! Obviously inspired by the gung-ho attitude of her younger sister, Edith starts driving a tractor for that farmer we met back in season one. However, after borrowing some work pants from the farmer’s wife, Edith decides to also borrow the farmer. Unfortunately, her face sucking actions don’t go unnoticed: she’s soon informed (via letter, of course) that they’ve hired a male replacement. May we remind you that said farmer was the same one who had fluid drained from his heart in front of Gran and cousin Isobel? Way to stomp on our sympathy, Edith.
Best use of a cane to try to get your way: Downton is put forth as a venue for a convalescence home for soldiers. Granny’s none too pleased upon hearing the news. She slams her cane down and gives a few of her signature quips. “What’s next, resuscitation in the dining room?”
Worst proposal: Bates inherits from his recently deceased mother and promptly proposes to Anna. (Correction: he suggests a future together and then tells Anna that she can consider it a marriage proposal “if that’s what she’d like to call it.”) How… sweet?
Best use of a swear word (and most likely the only one ever): Vera, the infamous wife of Bates, shows up looking like a mighty sinister Eliza Doolittle (why did he marry her in the first place?) and threatens to spread the “dead in Mary’s bed” scandal if Bates doesn’t resign from Downton. We finally see a little bit of spine on the valet. Snapping out of character for just one sec, he calls her a b*tch, and then snaps back, totally accepting defeat. True to form, he doesn’t reveal the real reason of why he’s leaving to the earl or to Anna, which kills us. If you’re going to be gallant, at least say you’re being gallant! Not to worry though, since Mrs. Hughes heard the whole thing through the grate, and is sure to come to the rescue. (By yente-ing to Carson, who then yente’s to the earl, who then becomes curious as to what the rumour could be in the first place… uh oh.)
Worst “first world problem” thanks to the war: What, no means for getting new outfits? Quite a few gowns were worn and worn again throughout the episode: Mary alternated between a few lovely cranberry day suits and the same sheer-black beaded dress.
Best secret to unfold in future episodes: Why, Miss Lavina Swire! What hidden bit of gossip does Mary’s newspaperman have on you?
And that’s it folks, until next week! Stay tuned for our recap of Episode 2 next Monday January 16! Catch new episodes of Downton Abbey Sunday nights at 9 p.m on PBS.
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[caption id="attachment_71684" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography by Nick Briggs/ITV for MASTERPIECE courtesy of eOne Films"][/caption]
By Randi Bergman and Paige Dzenis
Welcome to the first of our weekly recaps of Downton Abbey, the British drama/period series chronicling the life and late-Edwardian times of the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff.
The first season opened in 1912, with the sinking of the Titanic, and continued through to 1914—ending with the outbreak of World War I. Last night, the second season opened in 1916: Britain is in the thick of war but many things are still at stake at Downton. Inheritance! Romance! Scandal! So much drama done up in velvet and lace, and so much brewing under the surface!
We take a look at the best and worst moments from episode one! »
[caption id="attachment_71686" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography by Nick Briggs/ITV for MASTERPIECE courtesy of eOne Films"][/caption]
Best lady in red: While we’re still pondering Mary’s beige gloves, which required Anna’s assistance to button up, the gown Cora wore while saying goodbye to Sybil takes the award for best outfit of the episode. We’re sure Poiret would have designed that red velvet harem dress just for her!
Worst lady in green: It’s pretty obvious that Lavinia Swire is no match for Mary. Firstly, pairing emerald velvet with an awkwardly placed crystal headpiece has her looking like she pulled a Guinevere costume out of the discount bin. And secondly, with a name like Lavinia, she may as well be a Disney villainess!
Worst and best advice: In an attempt to prove he’s not heir-ier than thou, Matthew shares a spot of tea with Thomas in the trenches. What he doesn’t realize is that Thomas is begging for advice on how to get out of the war. Meanwhile, back at Downton, Mary visits Carson who’s on bed rest. She seeks fatherly advice about her secret love for Matthew, but doesn’t end up following through. Lesson learned: it’s easier to sacrifice your hand than your heart.
Best chest: Shock of all shocks, O’Brien seems to have softened after her blow with the soap, the bathtub, and the baby heir. Despite (or perhaps because of) being called an old maid (pun intended!) by the staff’s newest addition, her neckline is looking decidedly lower these days. Hey girl!
[caption id="attachment_71685" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography by Nick Briggs/ITV for MASTERPIECE courtesy of eOne Films"][/caption]
Worst reason to wear pants: Look at you go, Edith! Obviously inspired by the gung-ho attitude of her younger sister, Edith starts driving a tractor for that farmer we met back in season one. However, after borrowing some work pants from the farmer’s wife, Edith decides to also borrow the farmer. Unfortunately, her face sucking actions don’t go unnoticed: she’s soon informed (via letter, of course) that they’ve hired a male replacement. May we remind you that said farmer was the same one who had fluid drained from his heart in front of Gran and cousin Isobel? Way to stomp on our sympathy, Edith.
Best use of a cane to try to get your way: Downton is put forth as a venue for a convalescence home for soldiers. Granny’s none too pleased upon hearing the news. She slams her cane down and gives a few of her signature quips. “What’s next, resuscitation in the dining room?”
Worst proposal: Bates inherits from his recently deceased mother and promptly proposes to Anna. (Correction: he suggests a future together and then tells Anna that she can consider it a marriage proposal “if that’s what she’d like to call it.”) How… sweet?
[caption id="attachment_71687" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography by Nick Briggs/ITV for MASTERPIECE courtesy of eOne Films"][/caption]
Best use of a swear word (and most likely the only one ever): Vera, the infamous wife of Bates, shows up looking like a mighty sinister Eliza Doolittle (why did he marry her in the first place?) and threatens to spread the “dead in Mary’s bed” scandal if Bates doesn’t resign from Downton. We finally see a little bit of spine on the valet. Snapping out of character for just one sec, he calls her a b*tch, and then snaps back, totally accepting defeat. True to form, he doesn’t reveal the real reason of why he’s leaving to the earl or to Anna, which kills us. If you’re going to be gallant, at least say you’re being gallant! Not to worry though, since Mrs. Hughes heard the whole thing through the grate, and is sure to come to the rescue. (By yente-ing to Carson, who then yente’s to the earl, who then becomes curious as to what the rumour could be in the first place… uh oh.)
Worst “first world problem” thanks to the war: What, no means for getting new outfits? Quite a few gowns were worn and worn again throughout the episode: Mary alternated between a few lovely cranberry day suits and the same sheer-black beaded dress.
Best secret to unfold in future episodes: Why, Miss Lavina Swire! What hidden bit of gossip does Mary’s newspaperman have on you?
And that’s it folks, until next week! Stay tuned for our recap of Episode 2 next Monday January 16! Catch new episodes of Downton Abbey Sunday nights at 9 p.m on PBS.){kind=link}
