S01.E04: A Long Ladder

[OtterMommy]

Air date: February 14, 2022

[Snazzy Daisy]

Synopsis:

In the aftermath of a tragedy, George agrees to help Bertha; a visit has a lasting impact on the staff of Russell house.

 

[AntFTW]

Peggy: What are you doing here?

Marian: I thought I'd surprise you.

Peggy: You succeeded!

Edited February 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[AntFTW]

The Russells definitely complement each other. #PowerCouple

By decree of King George of the House Russell, Turner shall henceforth be referred to as "that dirty maid."

I'm still thinking George eventually takes the bait.

Edited February 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[eejm]

Holy shit, Marian.  Did you not pay attention to the fact that Peggy paid your train fare from Pennsylvania and she has very nice clothes?  Peggy has money, you dumbass!

In Marian’s defense, at least she considers Peggy a friend and has good (if not deeply, deeply misguided) intentions.  Turner is not only laughably bad at reading a room, she risked her dignity and job with that stupid stunt in George Russell’s bed.  That chick is trouble.

Mrs. Chamberlain is a bohemian, albeit a rich one.  I hope we see her son before too long.

 

[AntFTW]

7 minutes ago, eejm said:

Holy shit, Marian.  Did you not pay attention to the fact that Peggy paid your train fare from Pennsylvania and she has very nice clothes?  Peggy has money, you dumbass!

She lives in a bubble.

I thought the scene of Marian getting out of the carriage was good. She had a really good "so this is how the other half lives" face with a mixture of stupidity to learn she assumed wrong and that Peggy isn't poor. That look of astonishment she made looking at the Scotts' house realizing it's big and about equal in size to her aunt's house.

I also loved all of the people looking at Marian like "are you lost?"

Edited February 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[Brian Cronin]

Marian was unreasonably stupid, but otherwise, that scene was nice. But BOY was she unreasonably stupid. Fucking SHOES? For SERIOUS, Marian?! I also love the bit where Peggy explains that she obviously has money (she paid for your ticket) and Marian just gave her this, like, look of a dullard. "Ooooh...yeah....I dumb."

[SailorGirl]

For me, this was the best episode so far. Lots of character movement, both upstairs and down, we learned that the "old v. new" is drama downstairs as well as up, got more house and clothing porn (that cape!),  and most importantly, Pumpkin did not get run over by a horse! 

Baranski snark was in fine form--her snarling growling "NO" was perfection, and Cynthia Nixon is really redeeming the trainwreck of AJLT. Even young Ms. Streep's acting was improved tonight. 

I feel like the show is hitting its groove. Turner can go any damn time. Trollop. 

Edited February 15, 2022 by SailorGirl

[Brian Cronin]

I do really enjoy the show, but boy, some of the set pieces just stand out so much in a bad way, but most of the set pieces are good, so I still DO enjoy it a lot. 

[AntFTW]

5 minutes ago, Brian Cronin said:

Marian was unreasonably stupid, but otherwise, that scene was nice. But BOY was she unreasonably stupid. Fucking SHOES? For SERIOUS, Marian?

I'm thinking that if I misjudged (or just assumed based on nothing) a situation like that, there is no Earth, timeline, or alternative universe where I open that bag.

Edited February 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[Miss Slay]

I really liked this episode.

Especially the scenes between Marian and Peggy because they could have taken place in 2022. That's exactly how people assume that all black people are poor today. Excellent writing.

I'm not invested in Marian and Tom Raikes at all. It could because the character of Tom seems a bit dull or that I simply refuse to get invested in another country lawyer who could break up my favorite couple and leave in season 3. :)

[DesiJF]

Who is Mr. Russell' valet stalking?  Man, creepy much?

So glad Mr. Russell tossed that skank out on her ass.  Is she some kind of moron?  He has never, ever, shown the slightest bit of interest in any of her previous overtures, so she decides that crawling into bed with him will do the trick?  What could possibly go wrong? 

Sheesh!

Edited February 15, 2022 by DesiJF

[rollacoaster]

Well, now. Hellooooooo Mr. Fortune. 

Get it, Peggy! 

[AntFTW]

1 minute ago, DesiJF said:

Who is Mr. Morris' valet stalking?  Man, creepy much?

So glad Mr. Morris tossed that skank out on her ass.  Is she some kind of moron?  He has never, ever, shown the slightest bit of interest in any of her previous overtures, so she decides that crawling into bed with him will do the trick?  What could possibly go wrong? 

Sheesh!

The Russells

[eejm]

I honestly prefer the servants’ domain in the Russell house to the upstairs.  The former is clean, simple, and refined while the latter is OMG lOoK aT mE!!!!!

[AntFTW]

Just now, rollacoaster said:

Well, now. Hellooooooo Mr. Fortune. 

Get it, Peggy! 

I'd much rather watch those two over Marian and Tom Raikes.

Tom Raikes motto appears to be "persistence beats resistance."

[DesiJF]

Just now, AntFTW said:

The Russells

Thank you, I've corrected my post.

[sistermagpie]

14 minutes ago, eejm said:

Holy shit, Marian.  Did you not pay attention to the fact that Peggy paid your train fare from Pennsylvania and she has very nice clothes?  Peggy has money, you dumbass!

The clothes were the funniest part. I mean...who brings hand-me-downs to someone that are obviously much worse than what you see them wear every single day? I mean, yes, Peggy's hiding exactly who her parents are etc., but it's not like she's presenting herself as a poor person. Never assume somebody wants your used shoes, Marian. If you want to bring something, consider cake.

Meanwhile, Marian actually IS a poor person. "My aunt lets you live in her house!" Your aunt lets YOU live in her house too, Marian!

Just now, AntFTW said:

I'm thinking that if I misjudged (or just assumed based on nothing) a situation like that, there is no Earth, timeline, alternative universe where I open that bag.

Seriously. Why tell them your mistake? Just say it was something you were carrying for something else.

Gotta say, this society is really obnoxious. Whether or not Marian is "really" Peggy's friend, imagine having that relationship with someone and then get accused of showing up uninvited if you go by the house when you're in the neighborhood.

Glad to finally understand the scandal of what's-her-face. Makes sense now.

Cynthia Nixon was great reacting to Pumpkin's disappearance. Also hilarious watching the butler make the other house feel insecure.

George really should have tossed that maid out. It's not protecting your wife to have her hanging around. 

I do like the guy at the newspaper. He and Peggy look like they could be fun together, unlike Marian and Raikes. Yawn.

Note the modern day touch of the maid who was molested by her father and blames her mother solely.

[AntFTW]

Part of Gladys's sadness over her governess being fired is that she has nothing to blackmail a new governess with... I think.

[Brian Cronin]

7 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

I'm thinking that if I misjudged (or just assumed based on nothing) a situation like that, there is no Earth, timeline, or alternative universe where I open that bag.

RIGHT? Why in the world would you say, "I brought you this" when it wouldn't have been a thing if you hadn't made it a thing? 

[Sigmagirl]

FWIW I can confirm that the piston valves on the horns in the orchestra are authentic to the period, as are the skins on the drum heads.

[AntFTW]

6 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

Glad to finally understand the scandal of what's-her-face. Makes sense now.

Yes, that backstory makes sense.

My 21st century reaction to "she had an affair with Mr. Chamberlain while his now-dead wife was still alive" is "that is none of my business." 😂

5 minutes ago, Brian Cronin said:

RIGHT? Why in the world would you say, "I brought you this" when it wouldn't have been a thing if you hadn't made it a thing? 

Exactly! She was hypothetically passing by while she was on the way to "donate" these hand-me-down shoes to a nearby charity-slash-dumpster.

Edited February 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[peridot]

Marian thought she could drop by without invitation because they were nobody and don't deserve the courtesy afforded to everyone else.
I was half expecting her not to have any card at all, after she barged her way into their home.

The remark about her aunt "letting her stay" was messed up, I'm glad Peggy snapped back to stop pretending they were friends.

George really should have let his wife know what her maid did.  She would feel humiliated that her husband has a secret with one of her staff.

I was expecting for the butler's visit to the new home to be a positive thing, not looking down his nose at the other staff.

I really can't understand Marian's thought process - she respects her aunts enough to snub Mrs. Chamberlain but not enough that it affects her courting with Raikes?  I really hated that she dragged Peggy into the shop too, without trying to read the room.

[Popples]

7 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

Meanwhile, Marian actually IS a poor person. "My aunt lets you live in her house!" Your aunt lets YOU live in her house too, Marian!

I yelled the same thing, but I left off the "too." Peggy works there and serves a purpose in the household, Marian is just adding to the bills. Agnes is investing money into Marian by buying her lots of clothes and sending her off the the right events in hopes that she'll meet a gentleman of proper standing and get the hell out of Agnes' house.

Finally, we get the story on Mrs. Chamberlain. Her house is stunning.

Someone on Reddit said this dress that Ada had on made it look like she'd been attacked by a lion and I can't stop laughing.

I can't wait for next week when HE shows up!

[Broderbits]

23 minutes ago, DesiJF said:

Who is Mr. Russell' valet stalking?  Man, creepy much?

It seems like he's trying to catch a glimpse of someone he loves, or used to love.

Merely existing in this society is exhausting, and to top it off you have to wear a corset!

[sistermagpie]

2 minutes ago, Popples said:

I yelled the same thing, but I left off the "too." Peggy works there and serves a purpose in the household, Marian is just adding to the bills.

Excellent point, yes. Not to mention, of course, that as Peggy pointed out she's the one who has a house she could live in other than Agnes's. Marian's actually the one who showed up penniless on the doorstep.

5 minutes ago, peridot said:

Marian thought she could drop by without invitation because they were nobody and don't deserve the courtesy afforded to everyone else.

Absolutely. But still, from a 21st century perspective it's weird to think dropping by the (pre-telephone) house of the person you hang out with every day more than anyone, who knows about your secret marriage proposal and who you hooked up with a secret lawyer is like barging into a stranger's house. Though of course I get that the faux pas was that Marian assumed black people wouldn't expect/get the same treatment as her white society people. 

 

[Noneofyourbusiness]

22 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

I do like the guy at the newspaper. He and Peggy look like they could be fun together,

Unfortunately he's a real person, so we can be reasonably sure they won't be marrying.

.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Mr. Russell in the bedroom…

 

Hey Ms. Turner, seduce his mind then you can have his body! 🙄

[AntFTW]

This woman deserves an Emmy. She put my emotions on the screen. I felt it:

 

[sistermagpie]

5 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

This woman deserves an Emmy. She put my emotions on the screen. I felt it:

 

Auditions for this role must have been hilarious. And maybe silent.

Edited February 15, 2022 by sistermagpie

[Brian Cronin]

52 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

Exactly! She was hypothetically passing by while she was on the way to "donate" these hand-me-down shoes to a nearby charity-slash-dumpster.

Think about the fact that she was already IN their fancy house when she told them she brought them something! Think of how her messed up brain must work! "Hmmm...wow...this is a nice house....they must have some money....but I bet they'd still be impressed to know that I brought them some old shoes."

[AntFTW]

1 hour ago, SailorGirl said:

Baranski snark was in fine form--her snarling growling "NO" was perfection

I'm addicted to it. I need a good dose of Baranski snark each week. It was perfection in this episode.

[Bulldog]

1 hour ago, SailorGirl said:

Baranski snark was in fine form--her snarling growling "NO" was perfection,

Baranski definitely got the best one liners tonight.  I do wonder what happened in 1865, which is apparently the last time she was "thrilled."

[izabella]

13 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

Baranski definitely got the best one liners tonight.  I do wonder what happened in 1865, which is apparently the last time she was "thrilled."

The end of the Civil War would be thrilling.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Is Tom Raikes a gigolo or he stole Marian’s inheritance (whatever left of it)? 🤔

[Bulldog]

8 minutes ago, izabella said:

The end of the Civil War would be thrilling.

Well, that works.  I was hoping for something a little more, um, personal. 

[AntFTW]

9 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

Well, that works.  I was hoping for something a little more, um, personal. 

She had a betting pool. She won.

[ZeeEnnui]

Karen's gonna Karen, am I right Marian? What a fuckwhit.

As a viewer, I died from secondhand cringe during Marian's terrible no good, very racist decision to visit Peggy's family. UNANNOUNCED. Like, who invited you?!? Those manky boots are made for walking, so beat it out of Brooklyn. Can Marian suffer some period appropriate malady like cholera or tuberculosis or anything that can kill you while playing the Oregon Trail? Just get her off my screen (and into acting lessons). 

Did the Gilded Age have a literary equivalent to He's Just Not That Into You? Turner could really use a copy. I cheered when George told Turner what we've all been screaming at our TVs - he loves his wife, and he doesn't need her scheming nips. I did think it was kind of lame to not fire her ass (this will come back to haunt him for sure). I vaguely remember in the pilot that Turner was hired because she'd worked in old money society, but we haven't seen enough of her interactions with Bertha to see the value of keeping her. At least on Downton, the dynamics between Cora and O'Brien/ Mary and Anna were complex and well-developed. 

Okay, Raikes is totally shady, right? There is no way that a nobody lawyer from Pennsylvania can social climb that quickly without shenanigans. 

[Brn2bwild]

Count me among those who like this episode best of the series so far.  Hopefully a sign that it's finding its footing.  

Marian and Peggy's relationship - whatever it was - will never recover from Marian's visit.  I cringed so hard during that scene.

[buckboard]

1 hour ago, Bulldog said:

Baranski definitely got the best one liners tonight.  I do wonder what happened in 1865, which is apparently the last time she was "thrilled."

Perhaps the end of the Civil War?

ETA:  Oops, I tried to cancel when I saw that others had also mentioned this.  I think we're all right.  

Edited February 15, 2022 by buckboard

[CattyK]

George should have immediately thrown Turner out of the house in her nightgown.  She would have been totally shamed and ruined.  It makes no sense at all to keep her on.  She’ll probably start giving Bertha bad advice now.  And if Bertha ever finds out what Turner did, she’ll kill Turner, then kill George for covering it up.  
I think the show would be better without Turner, it’s just unnecessary melodrama,  but this is typical for Julian Fellowes I guess.  

[Cheezwiz]

I was close to throwing in the towel, but this has been the best episode so far, and I'm a tad more invested now.

I actually felt bad for the Russell servants having their heads messed with by the Van Rijn's butler, especially when he was graciously invited to have a look around.

Mr. Russell should have fired Turner's ass. That is going to come back and bite HIM in the ass. I wonder if she's going to try and roofie him next, like the scheming maid going after Tom Branson on Downton.

Marian was pure cringe - I'm sad, because her relationship with Peggy made her screen-time bearable. Sigh. And yes, the  actress playing the parlour maid at the Scott's totally nailed her silent part and deserves an Emmy!

I initially liked Mr. Raikes, but Aunt Agnes is correct - he is an adventurer. How much do we wanna bet Marian's true wuv will turn out to be Mrs. Chamberlain's offspring?

[Noneofyourbusiness]

2 hours ago, sistermagpie said:

Note the modern day touch of the maid who was molested by her father and blames her mother solely.

Not blaming the father because he was "mad" seems more of the past to me.

[buttersister]

Marian is the worst. 

Fellowes’ idea of a heroine? 🤮

[Noneofyourbusiness]

15 minutes ago, Cheezwiz said:

I initially liked Mr. Raikes, but Aunt Agnes is correct - he is an adventurer. How much do we wanna bet Marian's true wuv will turn out to be Mrs. Chamberlain's offspring?

Could be. But we still need Larry to serve some purpose on this show.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Noneofyourbusiness

[CattyK]

35 minutes ago, Cheezwiz said:

 How much do we wanna bet Marian's true wuv will turn out to be Mrs. Chamberlain's offspring?

I’d marry into that family just so I could look at all those paintings!  Degas, Monet….swoon!  

[Brn2bwild]

 

1 hour ago, Cheezwiz said:

I initially liked Mr. Raikes, but Aunt Agnes is correct - he is an adventurer. How much do we wanna bet Marian's true wuv will turn out to be Mrs. Chamberlain's offspring?

I'm starting to think we'll learn that Raikes is fueling his rise with money stolen from his clients, including Marian's father.

[sheetmoss]

4 hours ago, peridot said:

 

I was expecting for the butler's visit to the new home to be a positive thing, not looking down his nose at the other staff.

 

IMO- I actually think he was helping the Russell's major-domo  out -  he knows  Mrs Russell  wants to break into  society . The  things he suggested will help pave the way of that entree

[Roseanna]

5 hours ago, eejm said:

Holy shit, Marian.  Did you not pay attention to the fact that Peggy paid your train fare from Pennsylvania and she has very nice clothes?  Peggy has money, you dumbass!

In Marian’s defense, at least she considers Peggy a friend and has good (if not deeply, deeply misguided) intentions.  

Has she? Friendship means equality. If you believe that your friend needs help, you try to do it without humbling her and her family on the top. 

[Roseanna]

4 hours ago, DesiJF said:

So glad Mr. Russell tossed that skank out on her ass.  Is she some kind of moron?  He has never, ever, shown the slightest bit of interest in any of her previous overtures, so she decides that crawling into bed with him will do the trick?  What could possibly go wrong? 

A man of another kind might have lain with a woman who offered herself - but even he would hardly have believed her declaration of love when it was obvious that she only wanted to material benefits from him.