S02.E06: Are We Fired?

[OnceSane]

Juliet invites all to a night of bowling in a bid to make amends. Elsewhere, Caroline Stanbury must scale down her staff to appease investors, and Julie takes Annabelle and Caroline Fleming to her uncle's estate.

[princelina]

Sorry gimipizzauoldtroll - usually I think we are on the same wavelength but tonight - not so much :)  

 

I felt it was weird that Michael Sams was Caroline's guest!  (And since I get most of my news from radio, although I recognized his name, I didn't think he was possibly the same Michael Sams.)  Upon realizing that he was THAT guy, I immediately decided that this show is completely full of shit.  I refuse to believe that this woman randomly ran into that guy and they became such buddies that she invited him to stay at her English manor house and he took her up on it.  Refuse!  Refuse!  Until you throw D-list-celebrity/hanging-onto-my-16th-minute-of-fame reasons into the pot.  Then of course it makes sense -- it then makes perfect sense for them to tuck her kids in while she hangs out with her make-up artist at midnight in the closet.  (and then goes on a "duck tour" while they are the only participants.  Everyone knows those things have waiting lines and are super crowded :)

 

I also felt that Marissa's "cougar" comments were obviously meant in good fun - they were drinking, joking around, and CF was wearing the "cougar" nickname proudly and willingly.  So a few jokes about "lock up your kids" didn't strike me as super offensive.  If I were CF I might have been slightly annoyed, but the over-the-top offense she was taking, which she is apparently going to parlay into a several episode story arc, made me think less of her.

 

All of this is IMO of course - I'm still looking forward to hearing more from you, gimi :)

[forum4idiots]

This show is proof of what I've been saying many years now....why many "celebs" or athletes go broke.  Julie's husband's estate costs about 500,000 pounds to run a year, which is roughly three quarters of a million dollars.  Now a celeb or athlete who gets a sudden hefty salary of 10-20 million a year.  Minus taxes, minus fees from agents, minus whatever.  They'l be lucky....lucky...to get half after all that.  Then these geniuses buy 5, 10, 20 million dollar houses..........is it any wonder why 10, 15 years from the day they bought the house, they file bankruptcy?  These things bleed money and if your yearly income sin't consistently about 10 times the upkeep, you will bankrupt.

 

And here is another example of what "wealth" is courtesy of Caroline.  LEVERAGED debt.  Livng like a somebody during the cash flow period of any business, when in reality, it is often times leveraged debt.  But if you tap too much into that cash flow, it will cripple the business when the cash flow gets disrupted and teh creditors come knocking.

Edited October 13, 2015 by lovebug1975

[ivygirl]

McQueen mention tonight! And thank goodness. I was beginning to forget that Annabelle was so close to him.

[poeticlicensed]

I felt it was weird that Michael Sams was Caroline's guest!  (And since I get most of my news from radio, although I recognized his name, I didn't think he was possibly the same Michael Sams.)  Upon realizing that he was THAT guy, I immediately decided that this show is completely full of shit.  I refuse to believe that this woman randomly ran into that guy and they became such buddies that she invited him to stay at her English manor house and he took her up on it.  Refuse!  Refuse!  Until you throw D-list-celebrity/hanging-onto-my-16th-minute-of-fame reasons into the pot.  Then of course it makes sense -- it then makes perfect sense for them to tuck her kids in while she hangs out with her make-up artist at midnight in the closet.  (and then goes on a "duck tour" while they are the only participants.  Everyone knows those things have waiting lines and are super crowded :)

 

Co-sign on this. It had Satan Andy written all over it. 

 

I did feel a little sympathy for Caroline, knowing that she was going to lose her business and put her staff out of work. I felt really bad for Pauline, she looked like she was about to cry the whole episode. 

 

Wait, what was that trip to visit an estate to see how they make money? So no one in Luke's family has investigated this? I thought Mapperton was already in the business of renting out the house and grounds for events. 

 

Caroline Fleming is such an airhead. Juliet is annoying. 

 

Marissa's trucker hats were awful. 

[Pickles]

Does Michael Sams have a Bravo show in the pipeline? That is the only reason I could see him being on the show last night. Very bizarre. No way did he and his partner just arrive that night and pile into Caroline's house. No way they were staying with Caroline. So weird.

Caroline's makeup guy gets as much air time as the ladies.

I agree about the trucker hats being hideous.

[RCharter]

Ugh, I haven't watched but if I'm going to be subjected to grown women in hipster trucker hats this episode had better be worth it!

[biakbiak]

Caroline F you are kooky and ridiculous to the point that Annabelle has to shield her face to stop laughing at you. Yes, 30 isn't young but you previously had a brief relationship with a dude who was 22/23 when you had his child so stop!

[BucFan]

McQueen mention tonight! And thank goodness. I was beginning to forget that Annabelle was so close to him.

Ha Ha :)

[sasha206]

What happened to Marissa's style this year?  The first season, she dressed impeccably, always looked incredible.  This year she seems to be removing herself from dressing with style and class.  Edgy doesn't work for her.  And please, for fux sake, get another hairstyle.  The flat on top curls to the side looks awful on her.  

 

Gee, what a shock that Caroline's business is failing.  It looked like a bullshit vanity project to begin wtih.  

[sasha206]

The new Baroness reminds me too much of Caprice.  And she needs some major hair conditioning treatment.

[psychoticstate]

The cheese may stand alone here but I love Caroline F.  I find her refreshing, not stuffy at all.  I love how she just flits and bebops around her house, answers the door when she's good and ready (although this may be the editing monkeys) and does her own thing.  I love her house too.

 

I am actually liking and enjoying Annabelle this season.  She seems to be the voice of reason (if not the voice of McQueen.)  She really has no fucks to give when it comes to Caroline S. and the ever annoying Sophie.

 

The visiting of the Sandwich cousin's estate may have been purely for show but I floooooved it.  I love seeing the gorgeous estate houses and British scenery (which is why I liked the Duck tour in all its fakery.)  Julie needs to listen to Caroline F.  Open up the estate and let people dine on tea and sandwiches (sandwich, sandwich, sandwich) at the Earl of Sandwich's estate.  I still think they need the grounds open for most of the year, host events there and a spa weekend!!  Who wouldn't love spending the night in that gorgeous place and going out on the grounds for some restorative yoga?  If I lived in London (and had the money) I would totally do that.

 

I'm not gonna lie.  I love this show.

[sugarbaker design]

The cheese may stand alone here but I love Caroline F.

 

 

You're not alone, cheese, I too love the former Baroness.  I love anyone who has a penchant for younger men and can cook a goose without staff.  Unlike the other Caroline and her odious sister-in-law, I don't detect an undercurrent of distaste for Americans.

[Booger666]

I liked Caroline F the first time she was on, but since she's been so fake and arrogant I can't stand her. I also thought getting that angry about the cougar stuff was stupid.

I actually liked the Michael and Tito scenes. A nice silly break from the ladies bickering.

I, too, love the London scenery so more of that please!

[Texasmom1970]

Caroline S. might be bitchy, but I want someone to hold an umbrella over me to keep me from getting wet when it rains. And then someone else to drive ne around town so I don't have to stress in traffic.

Does anyone know how old Annabelle is? I am sure she is younger than me, in some shots she looks a little old too be runway modeling. Maybe it's just shitty ljghting.

Oh and Baroness thanks to you I can't even think about anything with the word coconut in it without feeling nauseous!

[ScoobieDoobs]

Sorry gimipizzauoldtroll - usually I think we are on the same wavelength but tonight - not so much :)  

 

I felt it was weird that Michael Sams was Caroline's guest!  (And since I get most of my news from radio, although I recognized his name, I didn't think he was possibly the same Michael Sams.)  Upon realizing that he was THAT guy, I immediately decided that this show is completely full of shit.  I refuse to believe that this woman randomly ran into that guy and they became such buddies that she invited him to stay at her English manor house and he took her up on it.  Refuse!  Refuse!  Until you throw D-list-celebrity/hanging-onto-my-16th-minute-of-fame reasons into the pot.  Then of course it makes sense -- it then makes perfect sense for them to tuck her kids in while she hangs out with her make-up artist at midnight in the closet.  (and then goes on a "duck tour" while they are the only participants.  Everyone knows those things have waiting lines and are super crowded :)

 

Man, I was sooooo super-annoyed by that.  First at the phoniness of it all -- that Caroline would be "friends" with him, which seemed completely fake & idiotic.  And I was really annoyed by Caroline's attitude of having gays around for her own selfish, self-absorbed needs -- to just be mindless gay accessories, whose only purpose is to serve her.  Ugh!!!

 

Michael would have had significant historical impact if he had concentrated on football.  But that didn't work out.  Maybe he just didn't have the talent or maybe there were other reasons.  Who knows, but seeing him on here made me sad.  Really sad.  I get it.  His football career crapped out & he's trying desperately hard to make a living doing something else.  So he's chosen reality TV?  Oh, how awful for him.  I don't think Satan Andy has anything to do with this show.  but casting him here was a mistake.  It was distracting & actually made the show look annoyingly fake.

 

I also kinda hated how they concentrated on the usual touristy shit that everyone has seen.  Fail!  Show us stuff we don't usually get to see.-- more house porn & fancy-shmancy neighborhoods, please.  Sheesh, I'm starting to get extremely bored by Juliet's panting over rich Brits & throwing tantrums.  And I'm getting even more bored noticing how awful Julie looks.  In one scene I thought she looked like the sickly pics of poor, poor Yolanda Foster.  Except Yolanda is battling illness & she's 15 years older than Julie.  Oh, Julie, whatever supposedly healthy things you are doing, it just ain't working for you, hun -- cuz, man, you look way older than your age & downright sickly.

Edited October 13, 2015 by ScoobieDoobs

[RCharter]

So Julie just got an investment for JUB Balls, and instead of focusing on her balls and making that business work and making her investors happy she is focused on....how to run Mapperton?

 

I just can't.  Isn't that what her husband is doing?  And her father in law? And mother in law?  Why isn't Luke at this meeting?  Since when is getting an investment in your startup business a signal to focus on something other than that business?

 

And for Caroline -- maybe if she had focused a little more energy on making her Christmas work, she wouldn't be in the position she is in now.  I don't feel even a little sorry for her, I feel sorry for her employees.

 

Marissa's hats look ridiculous -- props to Annabelle for trying to tell her in the kindest way possible.  I like the logo though.

Edited October 13, 2015 by RCharter

[RCharter]

Caroline F can miss me with her faux outrage.  Aren't all these Brits supposed to have a thick skin?  Isn't that why they couldn't understand why Julie was upset before?  What Marissa said was clearly a joke.  If Caroline F were honestly dating 12 year olds, Marissa probably wouldn't say anything to her at all and would just avoid her.  The fact that she is making it a joke shows that thats exactly what it is.  And I'm starting to think Caroline F. is all an act anyways with the goofiness and light and healing and whatever.  Her appearance seems to be an undercover way to promote her cookbook and maybe almond butter.

 

But-- this is who Juliet is stuck with now.  She managed to alienate everyone else, so this is who she is left with.  And BTW Juliet, and apology means you apologize not that you sit around and try to find ways to blame the other person for what you did.

[yourmomiseasy]

So Juliet has been getting all her styling advice from a six year old.  It explains a lot.

 

 

Anyone else think it was weird for Caroline's guests to tuck her kids in, presumably after traveling and probably being exhausted themselves?

Caroline F.  handled Marissa's cougar comments pretty well in the moment.

 

Er, Julie is a vegan and she's shooting for sport? How does that work?

 

You don't always have virtual strangers that your children have never met tuck said children into bed while you gossip with your ever-present make-up artist?  I guess that's just me and Caroline then.

 

I'm assuming Julie is just vegan for health reasons, not for ethical ones.

 

 

I did feel a little sympathy for Caroline, knowing that she was going to lose her business and put her staff out of work. I felt really bad for Pauline, she looked like she was about to cry the whole episode. 

 

 

I would feel sympathy for her, but what struck me is it all seemed to be about "poor me" and she had very little if any concern for her employees.   

[Cheetosandchoc]

I'm not bothered by Caroline S.'s bitchiness because it's straightforward. I can deal with someone like that because I know what to expect and would not open myself up too much to her.

I thought Juliette was a bit over the top with the jokes but I think you would have to expect those jokes if you were in Caroline's situation. I would be annoyed because it's such a lame onviouse joke to make, and not at all original.I think it shows how fake she is because she is not used to teasing. I put up with the stupid "don't you know how that happens!" Jokes during my fourth pregnancy because EVERYONE thinks it's hilarious to say that. It was annoying but I put up with it because I knew it was meant in good fun.

[politichick]

The cheese may stand alone here but I love Caroline F.  I find her refreshing, not stuffy at all.  I love how she just flits and bebops around her house, answers the door when she's good and ready (although this may be the editing monkeys) and does her own thing.  I love her house too.

 

I am actually liking and enjoying Annabelle this season.  She seems to be the voice of reason (if not the voice of McQueen.)  She really has no fucks to give when it comes to Caroline S. and the ever annoying Sophie.

 

The visiting of the Sandwich cousin's estate may have been purely for show but I floooooved it.  I love seeing the gorgeous estate houses and British scenery (which is why I liked the Duck tour in all its fakery.)  Julie needs to listen to Caroline F.  Open up the estate and let people dine on tea and sandwiches (sandwich, sandwich, sandwich) at the Earl of Sandwich's estate.  I still think they need the grounds open for most of the year, host events there and a spa weekend!!  Who wouldn't love spending the night in that gorgeous place and going out on the grounds for some restorative yoga?  If I lived in London (and had the money) I would totally do that.

 

I'm not gonna lie.  I love this show.

What he said. But make that sandwich, sandwich, sandwich and champs. And it's cool how Caroline F likes to cook. Stansbury seems to be the one most dependent on staff I think because she lives in the burbs so to speak and loves to run the streets.

 

The whole Michael Sam thing was okay with me because Luke was probably part of the group when they all met and bonded.

[Babyfoot]

Bravo, stop with the stupid arguments about complete bullshit. More house porn, less fighting. Much more house porn, much less fighting. Marissa's comment to Caroline F. was completely innocuous. She wasn't suggesting that CF was a raging pedophile; she was merely playing on the admittedly stale cougar joke. CF's umbrage reeks of producer meddling. If she had any right at all to be angry with anyone, which she clearly doesn't, it is with Juliet for starting the whole cougar joke by embroidering it on her stupid shirt. Baroness, I get a kick out of your airy fairyfart persona but you need to knock it off with the pseudo rage. Cook barefoot, hang with Grandma in her cozy cottage, watch your dachshunds piddle on a 14th century Danish tapestry - do anything but start/engage/add fodder to yet another inane, Bravofied argument. Juliet provides enough inane arguing for the entire network, no need for any more.

[pasdetrois]

The trip to the other country estate was purely for eye candy and advertising. I think Julie's husband already said in an earlier episode they were preparing to expand commercial operations at Mapperton. I'm sure they've put a lot of time into it, and that Julie's husband and others are heavily involved. Maybe I read this on the Mapperton website. Julie's just following a script that helps her advertise their future plans.

 

I wonder what the real story is behind Caroline S.'s business failure. Her CFO was very distraught; maybe she had invested. And when Caroline left the investor meeting she was very subdued and grim. Maybe there was difficulty in accounting for the investors' funds. Even if Caroline was just the face of the business and did very little actual work, others could have tried to manage the business successfully. Caroline actually seemed ashamed.

 

Maybe Caroline F. can only tolerate wisecracks when she's making them about herself.

[citychic]

 

 

I would feel sympathy for her, but what struck me is it all seemed to be about "poor me" and she had very little if any concern for her employees.   

I like her and I've defended her before but she lost me in the previews when next week she retires to bed from all of the stress. She doesn't seem to devastated, I heard her say two or three times "Oh well, that's what happens." She was over it.

Edited October 14, 2015 by citychic

[citychic]

The trip to the other country estate was purely for eye candy and advertising. I think Julie's husband already said in an earlier episode they were preparing to expand commercial operations at Mapperton. I'm sure they've put a lot of time into it, and that Julie's husband and others are heavily involved. Maybe I read this on the Mapperton website. Julie's just following a script that helps her advertise their future plans.

 

I wonder what the real story is behind Caroline S.'s business failure. Her CFO was very distraught; maybe she had invested. And when Caroline left the investor meeting she was very subdued and grim. Maybe there was difficulty in accounting for the investors' funds. Even if Caroline was just the face of the business and did very little actual work, others could have tried to manage the business successfully. Caroline actually seemed ashamed.

 

Maybe Caroline F. can only tolerate wisecracks when she's making them about herself.

I felt so sorry for the CFO too. When her assistant called in the car and asked if she was fired all I could think of were these two women had invested their lives into Caroline's business and now they would be out of a job within a week and what if they had just bought a new car or home. Her assistant caught herself and asked how Caroline was doing but you could tell she was crushed. I sincerely hope Caroline was up front with them about the possibility of failure and didn't lead them on with investors stories.

[AndreaK1041]

I really like this show. I believe it. I, too, like Carolyn F a lot. Her life has zero in common with mine, and yet she is a human being. Of course she's eccentric and snobbish, could there be another option for her? She's also warm and cute and makes strides to be normal. I think she's a wonderful addition to the show.

[Surrealist]

I really like this show. I believe it. I, too, like Carolyn F a lot. Her life has zero in common with mine, and yet she is a human being. Of course she's eccentric and snobbish, could there be another option for her? She's also warm and cute and makes strides to be normal. I think she's a wonderful addition to the show.

You must have been reading my mind while I was watching last night.

Of course, I expect Caroline F to be a bit of a snob, all things considered. However, I do believe she makes more of a genuine attempt to be friendly toward others. Quite unlike Caroline S.

[Writing Wrongs]

I think if I was in Caroline F's shoes, I would've gotten pissed at Marissa too.

 

"Cougar" shirt, ok, ha ha. "Lock away your children"--ok, you got me, lol. "She only likes little boys"--ok, we all get it. Shut the fuck up now, Marissa.

[beesknees]

I really loathed Marissa this episode.  She was being a real ass and she's got kind of a vicious streak, no?  So many bad hair extension shots this episode.  The scene where Juliet was in Caroline F's kitchen Caroline's hair was giving me WTF realness.

 

Hated everything concerning Caroline S. this episode too.  Not believing a bit of her storyline.  And I, for one, really didn't think Caroline was sooo torn up regarding the folding of Gift Library.  To me her attitude smacked more of relief that it was all over vs. feeling horribly that her employees just lost their jobs.  I felt worse for the CFO that was crying in the back seat of Caroline's car than Caroline. Now she seemed genuine.

 

Agree with Scoobs - more scenery porn please, less of the touristy crap.  Show charming, quirky, upscale neighborhoods, etc. or some beautiful estates.  This is why viewers watch the show!  not for the inane "I want to host Thanksgiving" arguments that span 2 episodes.

[Cheetosandchoc]

I think if I was in Caroline F's shoes, I would've gotten pissed at Marissa too.

 

"Cougar" shirt, ok, ha ha. "Lock away your children"--ok, you got me, lol. "She only likes little boys"--ok, we all get it. Shut the fuck up now, Marissa.

   I would be annoyed, but not offended. I would of made some kind of comment like you said....."oh you got me! Clever and original jokes!" Then it would of been over, move on. I imagine she has heard tem before. I am guessing she does want er advancing age discussed.

[RCharter]

I think if I was in Caroline F's shoes, I would've gotten pissed at Marissa too.

 

"Cougar" shirt, ok, ha ha. "Lock away your children"--ok, you got me, lol. "She only likes little boys"--ok, we all get it. Shut the fuck up now, Marissa.

But aren't the Europeans so much more thick skinned than the Americans?  Don't they just let stuff roll of their backs?  Caroline S. has said things that are far more mean spirited and the entire European crew acts like they are totally confused by why someone is offended.

 

Caroline F. should have been able to give as good as she got.  And if nothing else she should be reveling in it, she is able to be rich, fabulous and date young, hot men.  I would give zero fucks about what anyone said.  I'm dating hot young studs and you're married to an odd looking British dude.

I really loathed Marissa this episode.  She was being a real ass and she's got kind of a vicious streak, no?  So many bad hair extension shots this episode.  The scene where Juliet was in Caroline F's kitchen Caroline's hair was giving me WTF realness.

I'm starting to think that no one combs their hair in London.  But I've been there, and I saw plenty of combed hair, but maybe I wasn't hanging out with all the classy people who can't be bothered.  There are times when even Annabelle looks like she could use a good brush through her hair.  But she is nowhere near the worst offender.

[ScoobieDoobs]

What about Julie?  Hate to pick on her (well, actually I enjoy picking on her -- evil me), but the woman looked dreadful in this ep.  I've seen homeless women on the streets of NYC (& in the subway) who look healthier, better dressed & have better hair than Julie.  Is this a London thing -- for women to look so darn unhealthy & unkempt & so poorly groomed?

 

Oh, big woo, Caroline F.  So you got picked on a little for dating a hot young guy.  Poor you, hun.  You're rich & beautiful & getting banged by a hot young guy, with (according to her) a big . . . er, "heart".  And yet she's still whining?  Cuz the others are teasing her a teeny bit?  This woman really needs to get a sense of humor & get over herself -- quick.  I see from comments above, some like this woman.  Me?  I'm very meh on her.

Edited October 14, 2015 by ScoobieDoobs

[RCharter]

What about Julie?  Hate to pick on her (well, actually I enjoy picking on her -- evil me), but the woman looked dreadful in this ep.  I've seen homeless women on the streets of NYC (& in the subway) who look healthier, better dressed & have better hair than Julie.  Is this a London thing -- for women to look so darn unhealthy & unkempt & so poorly groomed?

 

Oh, big woo, Caroline F.  So you got picked on a little for dating a hot young guy.  Poor you, hun.  You're rich & beautiful & getting banged by a hot young guy, with (according to her) a big . . . er, "heart".  And yet she's still whining?  Cuz the others are teasing her a teeny bit?  This woman really needs to get a sense of humor & get over herself -- quick.  I see from comments above, some like this woman.  Me?  I'm very meh on her.

I actually liked her when I thought her personality was real, but the more I see, the more it seems like an act and a put on.  And, I don't like that.  There is just something about her that is making me think that she isn't really this way.  As Rose once opined in an episode of the Golden Girls "I can't put my finger on it, but if I could, my finger would stink."

[bichonblitz]

So Julie just got an investment for JUB Balls, and instead of focusing on her balls and making that business work and making her investors happy she is focused on....how to run Mapperton?

 

 

I'm curious how this very average looking manic American woman that you can find in any small town across the USA snagged a wealthy Brit? I definitely was doing something wrong and looking in all the wrong places during my prime young single adult life!

 

What I like most about this show= the beginning of each episode when they show all the women in their own homes getting ready for the day. There is always some cool background music. That part is nicely produced. The only part. 

[Bossa Nova]

 

I'm not gonna lie.  I love this show.

Word to your entire post, psychoticstate. But I am enjoying all the other pro & con posts upthread as well.

 

Maybe I am so beaten down by the just awful Housewives. (so my bar for a new reality show is low?) Christ, no tacky, ignorant, and narrowminded Vicki woo hooing or telling workers no scratchy the woody. No Ramona and Tamra stupidly mispronouncing things. No Joisey accents with loser adult kids living at home. No Kim Z horrific plastic doll surgery. No Brandi graphic bodily function talk. No flaunting religion and excessive praying and thanking Jeebus. No stripper classes with pole dancing. No hitting or throwing things at people...yet. No crimes being committed...yet. 

 

I do want more house, lifestyle, and London & surroundings porn, though. And I was turned off by the bowling with silly wigs event. It was veering too close to tacky Housewife territory with formulaic contrived gathering in order to behave like ridiculous mean girl teenagers.

 

There is alot of bad hair. Another neutral observation: everyone is very thin. Not an overweight issue in the bunch. 

Edited October 14, 2015 by Bossa Nova

[gunderda]

Caroline S to me seems like the type of person that puts on a good cold front to other people.  She won't ever admit that her business failing likely made her bawl like a baby at night in her own bed. 

 

If she seemed relief to have it done and over with.. I would imagine that the stress of the failing business is now done, not relief that her business is over. 

 

Although did I misunderstand in a previous episode it seemed like her husband would have been able to give her the money to save it and she said no? 

[OnceSane]

I think if I was in Caroline F's shoes, I would've gotten pissed at Marissa too.

 

"Cougar" shirt, ok, ha ha. "Lock away your children"--ok, you got me, lol. "She only likes little boys"--ok, we all get it. Shut the fuck up now, Marissa.

Exactly. One t-shirt from Juliet and a "hide your children" joke from Marissa? Cool. Marissa beating a dead horse with her gross "she only likes little boys"? Annoying. I see why Caroline F. was done at that point. We get it, Marissa, you think you're funny and are possibly jealous of her life. Get over it.

[Babyfoot]

Caroline was much more concerned about entertaining her celebrity houseguests than she was about the welfare of her loyal employees. Also, her no hug rule is apparently suspended for handsome male athletes, not that I blame her.

[beesknees]

Marissa was giving off some evil looks to Caroline F. at the bowling party.  I don't know why Juliet was pushing Caroline F. to pick the "Cougar" bowling shirt when she opted for "Frank the Tank".  Let Caroline F. choose the shirt she likes, things are supposed to be fun.  Of course if Caroline F. hadn't chosen the Cougar shirt there'd be n in lead-in or door cracked open for Marissa and Juliet to start making fun of her!  Let the games begin.

Edited October 14, 2015 by beesknees

[sugarbaker design]

Marissa beating a dead horse with her gross "she only likes little boys"?

 

 

Right, one remark would be mildly amusing.  Persistently making remarks is being an obnoxious asshole.

[scenicbyway]

I wondered if Caroline F. might have something against Marissa just because she'd just had a cooking lesson with Juliet.  I would surmise that Juliet filled Caroline in on the fact she's no longer BFF's with Marissa.  Caroline wasn't happy about wearing the Cougar shirt to begin with (but probably told by production she had to wear it) and Marissa's comments didn't help.  I think who ever Caroline is isn't who we are seeing  on this show, she seems to be fake to me, that this is all a persona she's putting on for the sake of her brands and former title.

 

There wasn't much Julie in the episode, but considering how long she's been married to Luke (and the friends that come along with that like Annabelle) I'm surprised she's still such a fish out of water.  She still reads as "AMERICAN."  I don't get the same vibe from Marissa, but of course Juliet is the classic loud American.

 

Filming just seems like really poor timing for Caroline S..  I would guess that she did care about what was going on with the business and having to let employees go, but having to go through that on camera would be awful.  It doesn't really affect her financially, she'll still be rich, but on a personal level it would be embarrassing.  She obviously didn't have much idea as to what she was doing and I'm surprised her "business" went on that long.

[RCharter]

While I can understand people saying that Marissa's comments were maybe too many, again, aren't all these Brits and Europeans supposed to have this thick skin?  Nothing Marissa said was offensive or meant to be anything other than a joke.  Caroline F.  seems proud to be dating younger men, so why should she have a problem when people joke about it?  If she is really that upset over a few comments about her being a cougar, she joins the Julie camp of being thin skinned to me.  Marissa clearly didn't mean that she thinks Caroline F. dates 12 year old boys.  It may have been slightly annoying after a while, but it didn't seem like anything worth losing your temper over.

[wovenloaf]

Why did Julie have to tell the Beaulieu Montagu who she was but was still acting like they were getting some sort of special insight about running it. It looked like a regular tour for visitors. I bet they paid for it. Or maybe I just wasn't paying that much attention to it...

I really like the part in the beginning when we see what everyone is up to too!! And it's usually just them doing random happy stuff... Not shouting or staged drama.

[RCharter]

Why did Julie have to tell the Beaulieu Montagu who she was but was still acting like they were getting some sort of special insight about running it. It looked like a regular tour for visitors. I bet they paid for it. Or maybe I just wasn't paying that much attention to it...

I really like the part in the beginning when we see what everyone is up to too!! And it's usually just them doing random happy stuff... Not shouting or staged drama.

I like that the one piece of advice that was aired was about getting a floor mat.  That was some real insider knowledge right there!

 

Oh that, and renting it out for the events they are already renting it out for....

 

I'm just amused that Julie managed to use the show to advertise a better looking, more popular estate than Mapperton.  I can tell you, if I had to choose between the two, I would probably visit Raif's estate before I visited Mapperton.  It just looks like more of a professional operation.

 

I wonder if they could actually have a sandwich shop at Mapperton, or if it would somehow interfere with whoever licenses the "Earl of Sandwich" name?  Meh, I guess they wouldn't care either way.  But the more I think about it, the more a super fancy sandwich shop would be a good idea.  When we did a tour of London, one of the highlights was having tea/lunch in a beautiful garden so it might help them out on the tour circuit.

[ScoobieDoobs]

I'm curious how this very average looking manic American woman that you can find in any small town across the USA snagged a wealthy Brit? I definitely was doing something wrong and looking in all the wrong places during my prime young single adult life!

 

What I like most about this show= the beginning of each episode when they show all the women in their own homes getting ready for the day. There is always some cool background music. That part is nicely produced. The only part. 

 

Yeah, I wanna l know too, how Julie managed to go from some unglam 'burb in the midwest to being married to a Brit in line to the throne -- especially given she's so nothing to look at & not especially interesting or charming.  What gives?  I'd really like to know the backstory on Julie.  Was she a stunning beauty at one time & her looks just fell apart into what we see now?  Her oldest daughter is quite cute.  But all we see on this show is Julie as a jittery unkempt mess with very badly colored hair.  

 

Could it be Julie is actually a very ambitious gal?  We see that a bit in how she's pushing those JUB thingies.  So JUB is this show's SkinnyGirl?  Hey, at least Julie doesn't have Bethenny's annoying nasally whine & she doesn't give us fake therapy sessions.

 

Idk, I just hate, hate, hate the music on this show.  Too loud & blaring for me.

Edited October 15, 2015 by ScoobieDoobs

[hoodooznoodooz]

I hate the opening song, but it has become earworm to me. And ever since CS humped Juliet's husband on NYE, I hear "straddle me" instead of "follow me."

[RCharter]

Yeah, I wanna l know too, how Julie managed to go from some unglam 'burb in the midwest to being married to a Brit in line to the throne -- especially given she's so nothing to look at & not especially interesting or charming.  What gives?  I'd really like to know the backstory on Julie.  Was she a stunning beauty at one time & her looks just fell apart into what we see now?  Her oldest daughter is quite cute.  But all we see on this show is Julie as a jittery unkempt mess with very badly colored hair.  

 

Could it be Julie is actually a very ambitious gal?  We see that a bit in how she's pushing those JUB thingies.  So JUB is this show's SkinnyGirl?  Hey, at least Julie doesn't have Bethenny's annoying nasally whine & she doesn't give us fake therapy sessions.

 

Idk, I just hate, hate, hate the music on this show.  Too loud & blaring for me.

I feel like she was bamboozled.  Yes, he is 373 in line to the throne, but he also comes with an estate he can't afford and some other problems.  Her life looks the least glamorous out of all the women.  She did say that when she met him, he whipped out a black Amex card so maybe he was more financially secure when they met.  But if he had some issues the women in his circles may have felt he wasn't marriage material and so he had to find someone a little more.....downmarket.  Someone who would automatically be impressed with an Amex black card and not ask a whole lotta questions.

[biakbiak]

There is an article in Julie's thread about his addiction to antidepressants that led to him selling his businesses.

[RCharter]

There is an article in Julie's thread about his addiction to antidepressants that led to him selling his businesses.

I'll read it, but there is a chance the women in his circle knew that he had an addictive personality and they maybe weren't as willing to get involved with him....but an innocent wide eyed American?

[hoodooznoodooz]

Caroline S. might be bitchy, but I want someone to hold an umbrella over me to keep me from getting wet when it rains. And then someone else to drive me around town so I don't have to stress in traffic.

Does anyone know how old Annabelle is? I am sure she is younger than me, in some shots she looks a little old too be runway modeling. Maybe it's just shitty ljghting.

I looove the idea of someone driving me around (and that car is pretty beautiful), but the umbrella? Does that even work? That person has to anticipate every step CS takes, or she gets wet or risks getting poked by the umbrella, no? : )

I totally agree with you that Annabelle looks too old to be modeling.

She definitely seems kinder this season, but I wish that she and Ramona Singer would rethink the bangs. They always seems to get tangled up in their eyelashes.