S06.E09: Christmas Day

[jschoolgirl]

And yes, I too would like a sequel featuring the next generation

As long as Uncle Julian doesn't write it!

[CeeBeeGee]

Yay!!!!!! Wonderful ending, epically satisfying! LOVED Edith's fate and she certainly deserves it! And didn't she look lovely descending the stairs in that veil? And yay for sisters finally coming together and Mary's evolving. Dickie and Isobel were adorbs and hopefully now that he's not actually dying they can kick out [subsidiary Title] and Lady Sourpuss. It was great to see Rose again and I actually enjoyed Tom's fate--it seemed a bit rushed but he does seem to be a better person.

 

Yaaaaaayyyyy! We'll miss you! May we all pray for a prequel (Robert and Cora's courtship!) or sequel (the cousins!) series.

[Packerbrewerbadger]

My biggest disappointment is that Isobel didn't come to her senses and end up with Dr Carlson!

[Fiddler1]

My favorite part was Robert kissing the dog on the head before handing it off to Tom as they prepared to drive off to Brancaster :)

[bmoore4026]

whatsatool, on 06 Mar 2016 - 9:58 PM, said:

Who did Tom end up with?

Cars

[lulee]

I found myself a bit unnerved by how much Edith and Bertie's mom resembled each other. I know Edith spent time in Switzerland and now I wonder if she had a stop in Vienna during her travels. A certain Dr. Freud might have provided illuminating ideas.

[annzeepark914]

So sad that it's over with but I enjoyed tonight's last episode...especially the new & improved Thomas getting a chance to come back and take over Carson's job.

[AZChristian]

I got my pre-ordered DVDs from Amazon for the entire season over a month ago, and binge-watched all of it.  I loved the Christmas episode as much the second time as I did the first time.  I love happy endings!!!!

[izabella]

I also think that Mary would be appalled to be married to a man who owns an auto shop. I don't understand why her character suddenly and inexplicably changed so much over the last two episodes.

 

I especially don't think Mary would be happy about being married to a used car salesman while Edith becomes a Marchioness.  It's not believable that she's changed like that.  She certainly never lost a bit of snobbery when she was happily married to Matthew, so I'm not believing it just because she's married to Henry.

[honeywest]

Was this the first time Carson and Mrs. Hughes (Carson) called each other by their first names?

[nara]

I loved every one of Edith's outfits. That gown she wore to the surprise dinner with Bertie was gorgeous.

Her dress game has definitely upped since she started working with the magazine. I actually liked her wedding gown and veil better than Mary's.

I'm sorry. I have to say this. Please let me introduce Mr. and Mrs. Bates, and their son, Master Bates. That is all. I'll show myself out now.

Oh no, you didn't!

Unlike some others on this thread, I enjoyed the neat wrap up of the show with lots of happily ever afters--though I agree they did not all have to be saved for the finale. I teared up quite a lot and I am not ashamed to admit it. I especially liked that they remembered that Thomas rescued Edith from the fire.

My only semi-complaints:

I was hoping that Rosamund would catch the bouquet. The Tom/editor future romance was already heavily implied, so she really didn't need to catch the bouquet. Rosamund was the only one left without a wrap-up.

I would have liked Carson to retire in an earlier episode and in the finale realize that he could enjoy a life separate from the Crawleys.

I wanted Denker to be fired! Actress is great, but the character is mean mean mean.

When Mrs. Patmore called Daisy on her unwillingness to believe she deserved love, a shout out about William would have been good.

Edited March 7, 2016 by nara

[moonb]

I had a fleeting moment of worry that Edith's new title would lead her to give up being so involved with the magazine, before I remembered she's fictional. I'm pleased that she's happy with a genuinely nice husband, but it's an about-face for the direction she was heading half a season ago: modern woman in London living on her own, publisher of her own magazine. 

[izabella]

It's an about-face from the direction she was heading in during this episode - finally moving to that flat in London.  She was even planning to put Marigold in boarding school, of all things.

[Amethyst]

I loved every one of Edith's outfits. That gown she wore to the surprise dinner with Bertie was gorgeous.

 

Yes, Edith looked gorgeous.  Except for the wedding dress, oddly enough.  Hated it.  So boring and bland.  

 

I enjoyed the finale.  Yes, things were wrapped up, but given how ludicrous the show has been, I'm ok with it.  

 

I found Thomas' return to be a bit obvious and anticlimatic, but it was sweet that he took over.  I'm guessing the family knew that Thomas hated working at the new estate, because that plan for him to take over seemingly came out of nowhere.  Would have been hilarious if it turned out he loved his new job and didn't want to leave it.  I found Thomas' goodbye to be a lot more meaningful.  Collier acted those scenes beautifully, especially when he teared up when talking to Carson, giving Mrs. Hughes a kiss on the cheek, etc.  And he picked up little George and gave Sybbie a hug.  Aww.

 

I loved the stuff with Isobel.  Merton's relatives may be assholes, but he deserves a happy life with Isobel.  Seeing the Dowager charge in and fight for her friend was everything.  

 

I hope there's some nice lady for Clarkson waiting in the wings.

[avecsans]

My happiest tears came from Isobel and Dickie getting together, no matter how contrived. Isobel is my favorite character and I liked that she had a happy ending, although I had a little pang for Dr Clarkson.

I also teared up for Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason. I've been sad for him ever since William died, especially since that nitwit Daisy was his only family.

You could see the Thomas resolution a mile away, but I was still happy for him. Yes he's been awful, but Rob James Collier is such a good actor that he made Thomas' loneliness palpable. I was rooting for him to have a happy ending.

I loved that Violet and Isobel had the last scene. Maggie Smith was on Fresh Air recently and talked about how much she liked working with Penelope Wilton. I would have liked more of them and much less of Spratt and Denker.

Did Bates say that HE has a son? Like Anna had nothing to do with it?

Edited March 7, 2016 by avecsans

[Amethyst]

I loved every one of Edith's outfits. That gown she wore to the surprise dinner with Bertie was gorgeous.

 

Yes, Edith looked gorgeous.  Except for the wedding dress, oddly enough.  Hated it.  So boring and bland.  

 

I enjoyed the finale.  Yes, things were wrapped up, but given how ludicrous the show has been, I'm ok with it.  

 

I found Thomas' return to be a bit obvious and anticlimatic, but it was sweet that he took over.  I'm guessing the family knew that Thomas hated working at the new estate, because that plan for him to take over seemingly came out of nowhere.  Would have been hilarious if it turned out he loved his new job and didn't want to leave it.  I found Thomas' goodbye to be a lot more meaningful.  Collier acted those scenes beautifully, especially when he teared up when talking to Carson, giving Mrs. Hughes a kiss on the cheek, etc.  And he picked up little George and gave Sybbie a hug.  Aww.

 

I loved the stuff with Isobel.  Merton's relatives may be assholes, but he deserves a happy life with Isobel.  Seeing the Dowager charge in and fight for her friend was everything.  Too bad there wasn't some nice lady for Clarkson waiting in the wings.

 

EDIT: Just realized this was a double post.  Sorry!

Edited March 7, 2016 by Amethyst

[LittleIggy]

Yes, it was predictably happy endings for all, but I don't care. I loved it and the whole last season.

One thing, though: They should have used a messier wig for Daisy's final 'do. Her hair was perfectly cut and coiffed, like a professional did it.

Anna does Mary's hair which is never messy, so why should Daisy's after Anna fixed it?

I hope Dickie Merton lives to be 100 and his awful son and DIL predecease him. I knew there was no way that heifer and her husband could keep Violet out.

I hope Carter doesn't have Parkinson's. There are other kinds of tremor conditions, I believe.

Loved Donk's puppy romping with the kids and being in the basket by Robert's chair.

OMG, where will I get my fashion porn now? Those costumes were unbelievable.

I bawled at Auld Lang Syne. Bye, DA, it's been a trip.

Edited March 7, 2016 by LittleIggy

[AndySmith]

Wow, JF tied that all up in a much tighter bow than even I imagined he would. Pretty much everyone got a happy ending, and I'm glad they did. Except Daisy. She didn't deserve it at all.

While I would have preferred Isobel and the doctor to have ended up together, Option B isn't so bad. And I am a bit tickled that Isobel, of all people, will now be a titled Lady herself.

Nice to see Mary and Henry being happy, with a nice bundle of joy on the way.

Well, at least we see they are giving Tom some option for future happiness? So...yay? He was wasted a bit this season.

 

Happy for Cora in her new position. It seems she might be a bit more fulfilled with the hospital stuff, and glad Robert was happy for her as well.

Oh Violet. I think I will miss you the most.

Anna and Bates had their kid, Molesley happy with his new job and possibly him and Baxter together, Mrs. Patmore has her inn and maybe Mr. Mason as well, Carson and Mrs. Hughes in their cottage...looks like all the downstairs crew get their happiness as well. Good for them. Yes, even Bates and Carson.

The Edith story, like many others this season, had a rushed resolution, but stuff must be wrapped up quickly, I suppose. Bertie's mom would have had to accept Edith anyway if she wanted to stay in Bertie's good graces, and especially if she wanted to keep living at Casa de Hexum. She isn't titled, so if she wants Bertie to keep her around...I was never quite sure how much of her objections to Edith was her actually caring about Bertie's reputation and how much of it was her own prejudices, but oh well. Mama knows who breads her butter.

Yeah, the issue with Marigold is somewhat unreal...but the rush to end this season has been one giant fairytale for just about everyone else as well, right? All couples ended up happy, married, babies were born, married women were pregnant, working woman were happy in their jobs, Thomas came back to Downton, etc. It wasn't perfect - still don't care about Spratt and Denker, Daisy is just ugh - but it was still an enjoyable ending. Yes, even for Edith.

Despite the predictability of most of it, it was still kind of satisfying as an ending. Maybe because we know this is the last time we will see these characters and this world? In any case, despite all of the show's flaws, I will miss it, mostly the acting, the characters, the set pieces and costumes, and the dialogue (the plotting, not so much). Good bye, DA!

Edited March 7, 2016 by AndySmith

[HunterHunted]

Daisy and Bertie's mother are two loud mouthed assholes who do not realize that they only reason that they are in a position to voice their opinions is due to the benevolence of others. Bertie's mother is laying out all of her demands for what Bertie needs in a wife and I kept thinking 1. you're not marrying her and 2. you don't have the title.

Daisy especially didn't deserve even the implication of a happy ending. She's been an unreasonable entitled jackass all season.

[Brn2bwild]

Dickie and Isobel were adorbs and hopefully now that he's not actually dying they can kick out [subsidiary Title] and Lady Sourpuss. 

 

The death of entail is right around the corner.

[Llywela]

The death of entail is right around the corner.

The death of entail won't stop Lord Merton's oldest son from inheriting his title and estate - that's primogeniture, not entail. Entail only kicks in if the sitting title-holder has no sons. Dickie has two. They're gonna inherit - unless Dickie manages to outlive them.

[helenamonster]

Welp, just as predictable as I was expecting.

 

Anna had a healthy New Years baby and lived to tell the tale. That's all I care about.

[Brn2bwild]

The death of entail won't stop Lord Merton's oldest son from inheriting his title and estate - that's primogeniture, not entail. Entail only kicks in if the sitting title-holder has no sons. Dickie has two. They're gonna inherit - unless Dickie manages to outlive them.

Sorry, got them mixed up.  It was primogeniture that got abolished, and in 1925.  While families technically could leave estates to their first born, it was no longer law.  The title remained passed down in the same way, however, making it possible for a title to pass away from a family with no sons even while they kept the estate.

[AndreaK1041]

My favorite part was Cora guessing what Edith's call could be about. "She's pregnant again! She's been arrested for treason!" Ha.

[Amethyst]

Upon rewatch, it's lovely to see Rose again, and she's the same spirited, cheerful woman she was when she left.  Leave it to her scheme to get Robert to finally open his eyes at Cora's success in the hospital.

 

Cracked up when Mrs. Patmore asked her about the baby's name (Victoria Rachel Cora Aldridge) and Rose said her daughter was not carrying Susan's name.  Go, Rose!  Can't blame her in the slightest.  Something tells me the Aldridge family doesn't see Susan very often.

[Andorra]

I just wish this season had better pacing and story development. For instance, I would have liked to see Tom and the lady editor build a relationship slowly so you would really be rooting for them, rather than having it feel like Julian Fellowes just found the nearest single woman and smashed her together with Tom because, as he seemed to remember for the first time all season, Tom is an actual character that people actually care about.

 

This. So much this. I was incredibly disappointed with season 6 and with the ending. The only good thing is, that I'm truly over Downton now and that I'm really glad it is over. Tom's lack of storyline and ending was sad. Just throw a last second "love interest" at him and give him a job as a second car salesman and that's good enough, right? After all who cares for Tom. He was only in the series for 6 years and he had dreams and ambitions once. But he looks good holding a puppy and loves the Crawleys,so what could his fans wish for?

 

 

A part time job at a used car lot. Snerk.

 

So great. Ugh. I should have stopped watching after Episode 3.1. It would have been a much better ending for everyone!

[Glaze Crazy]

Goodbye Downton Abbey, you were simple soapy fun with lovely costumes.  Glad to see almost everyone get their happy ending and that finally Edith got the focus and her man.

 

 

 

I didn't mind the "mega-happy ending" because the show itself is bittersweet: this lifestyle I enjoyed watching died out years ago, that despite Mary and Tom's best efforts, the estate would eventually be sold, the servants unemployed and for those who did not adapt, life would become different and perhaps slightly more difficult (with another World War on the way in 13 years time). So, I loved giving them all their moment and letting them enjoy it -- one last toast to what life once was and would never be again. And true to Downton form, we know they'll all be OK because they all have some sort of love or happiness in their lives (romantic or otherwise).

 

Why do you think the estate gets sold?  It seems like the (fictional) family has done the best they could to ensure it would survive and stay in the family.  I think the episode where they do the house tour implies that they are going to keep it and take advantage of the interest in these estates, along with keeping the land as prosperous as possible.  I would think it would go a similar route that the family/owners of Highclere did and still do, since it is still under the control of the Carnarvons.  They have made it through the same time periods and have made Highclere earn it's keep with the tours and filming location stuff.  I don't know all the history of Highclere though, so I might not have the whole story there.

 

eta: After a jaunt through wikipedia it seems that Highclere was in a state of disrepair inside but the exterior had been used for a lot of different filming projects.  I guess with it being used for DA they get more paid visitors and it helps with getting repairs done now.  So the current Earl of Carnarvon has the quintessential country "pile."

Edited March 7, 2016 by Glaze Crazy

[photo fox]

So. Many. Tears.  Thomas and the kids, Robert and Edith, Robert and Cora.  Edith and especially Bertie at dinner.

 

I can't believe how sad I am to see Downton end.  Lord knows it's had its issues, but rarely have I been so invested in a show and its characters.  It will be missed.

[BrianJ62]

Poor Mr. Bates, we got to learn how he saved Robert's life during a war. I would have loved to see how the family and staff fared through WWII. A few I'm would have passed on by then. Master would have been of age to enlist.

Maybe they could have written “updates" online.

I always thought Tom and Mary would hookup.

Edited March 7, 2016 by BrianJ62

[renatae]

This episode was all I hoped it would be. I love optimistic endings even if they are not too realistic, and I was so relieved that Fellowes was not up to his usual high-jinks of piercing our hearts by killing off favorite characters. 

 

The only thing I might have done differently would be for Mary to end up with Tom, as I love their relationship. I was sad for Henry that he no longer cared for racing, but that did offer a (maybe too neat) resolution to the problem of Mary having to deal with the anxiety of having to sit by while he raced.

 

I did love Edith's and Mary's truce. It was great of Edith to even look at Mary after her treachery, but at least Mary made an effort to undo her nastiness.

 

I was also happy to see the changes in Barrow, and glad he was able to go back to Downton, although I was unhappy for Mr. Carson.

 

Larry and his cormorant of a wife got much more than they deserved. Loved Lord Merton's reprieve!

 

Our newspaper had a feature today, "Year 1 A.D. Life After Downton Abbey: A survival guide."  Although I scoffed at similar articles after the last episode of "Friends," I think I'm going to need it.

[Lonesome Rhodes]

I love the cruelty of Thomas getting the gig as head Butler.

 

He had just discovered how to be in the joy of being with others (the staff, Master George) and now, he is forced to put distance between himself and those he actually loves.  Delicious prison, he is in.

 

I thought Dockery really brought it in the scene when she went down to check on Carson.  In those moments, she was not heiress Mary.  She was little girl Mary and her "real" Dad was perhaps going to leave her forever.  

 

Dowager finally, and lovingly, handing off the family to Cora was intensely powerful to me.  Dame Smith was magnificent.

 

I totally expected a Dickens' denouement.  Instead, we got a Capra (It's a Wonderful Life) ending - as American as it gets.  A final and telling irony.

[Roseanna]

I had a fleeting moment of worry that Edith's new title would lead her to give up being so involved with the magazine, before I remembered she's fictional. I'm pleased that she's happy with a genuinely nice husband, but it's an about-face for the direction she was heading half a season ago: modern woman in London living on her own, publisher of her own magazine. 

 

I like Bertie, but I would have liked him to stay as an agent. It's rather old-fashioned to present that a woman's value depends on the social status of the man she marries, and in this case the social status was quite accidental. Bertie could also have proven his great love towards Edith, besides accepting Marigold, by getting a job in Civil Serice, so that Edith could have lived and worked in London.

[zoey1996]

I'll read through all the comments later.  For now - a satisfying ending, if a bit too all wrapped up with happy endings all around.  Some lovely touching moments throughout.  Not a dry eye in the house, indeed!

[Roseanna]

This. So much this. I was incredibly disappointed with season 6 and with the ending. The only good thing is, that I'm truly over Downton now and that I'm really glad it is over. Tom's lack of storyline and ending was sad. Just throw a last second "love interest" at him and give him a job as a second car salesman and that's good enough, right? After all who cares for Tom. He was only in the series for 6 years and he had dreams and ambitions once. But he looks good holding a puppy and loves the Crawleys,so what could his fans wish for?

 

Tom's fate wasn't only his own, but it revealed best how ultra-conservative, or lets say straight reactionary, Fellowes' word-view and values are. Of course he has a right to present them in DA, being its creator, but one shouldn't take them at face value. DA is a fairy tale about the world that never existed irl.    

[Dejana]

Why do you think the estate gets sold?  It seems like the (fictional) family has done the best they could to ensure it would survive and stay in the family.  I think the episode where they do the house tour implies that they are going to keep it and take advantage of the interest in these estates, along with keeping the land as prosperous as possible.  I would think it would go a similar route that the family/owners of Highclere did and still do, since it is still under the control of the Carnarvons.  They have made it through the same time periods and have made Highclere earn it's keep with the tours and filming location stuff.  I don't know all the history of Highclere though, so I might not have the whole story there.

 

eta: After a jaunt through wikipedia it seems that Highclere was in a state of disrepair inside but the exterior had been used for a lot of different filming projects.  I guess with it being used for DA they get more paid visitors and it helps with getting repairs done now.  So the current Earl of Carnarvon has the quintessential country "pile."

 

The Crawleys aren't the Carnarvons, but I've also seen fans assume as some sort of given that the Crawleys will inevitably lose Downton because the old way of life died out, and it's always left me confused. The Carnarvons have retained Highclere and even had an a heir who would've been a contemporary of George/Sybbie/Marigold, served in World War II and lived to continue the line. Not every single one of these piles ended up being torn down, or converted into a hospital/museum/university/etc. Many, but not all.

 

I like Bertie, but I would have liked him to stay as an agent. It's rather old-fashioned to present that a woman's value depends on the social status of the man she marries, and in this case the social status was quite accidental. Bertie could also have proven his great love towards Edith, besides accepting Marigold, by getting a job in Civil Serice, so that Edith could have lived and worked in London.

 

It's also a retread of the last-minute inheritance storyline, not exactly fresh terrain for Downton Abbey, but the show has proved very conventional, ultimately.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Dejana

[AndySmith]

It's also a retread of the last-minute inheritance storyline, not exactly fresh terrain for Downton, but DA has proved a very conventional show, ultimately.

 

Interesting how none of them discussed Bertie's chances for inheriting the Marquess title, even though he was much closer to an inheritance than Henry was. But I guess they all had to be SHOCKED when he did or something.

[Roseanna]

Interesting how none of them discussed Bertie's chances for inheriting the Marquess title, even though he was much closer to an inheritance than Henry was. But I guess they all had to be SHOCKED when he did or something.

 

How could they discuss about the matter they didn't know? Only Edith knew (presumably she was told by Bertie when they walked in the park, although the audience was kept in the dark), but she evidently didn't take the possibility seriously as Bertie's cousin was young and unmarried.

 

Of course irl the Crawleys would have known. But in DA they didn't know that Blake would inherit a title, either.

[ShadowFacts]

I think it highly unlikely that Bertie's mother went from saying insulting things about the dead gay cousin to graciously accepting Edith and Marigold in the space of one day.  I mean, c'mon, talk about the mother-in-law from hell.  Even if her son and Edith outrank her socially, yada yada yada, she is not going to be easy to be around.  Bertie even described her that way before Edith ever met her. 

 

Once again Tom Branson was playing some kind of quasi-narrator, or something besides the character we knew and loved.  I am happy he wasn't obviously paired up with Miss Editor and remains single for the last 5 or so years, because that does happen sometimes in real life.  Little Sybbie is her mother's daughter, isn't she?

 

I really loved how Mrs. Hughes told Carson to go tell the holy family.  She was really cheeky this episode, and it was great that she called Carson on not letting Molesley take his livery with him.  Hearing her voice singing 'Auld Lang Syne' at the very end was perfect.

 

It was a nice touch to have Shrimpie reading the telegram from Martha. 

 

I have never liked Carson and though it is ironic and fitting that the person he treated the most harshly is replacing him, I found myself feeling badly for the big booby.  That is a tough thing to have to leave the work you love because of disability. 

 

 

[Happy Belly]

This was the type of ending I wanted. Closure. I am happy with it, although very predictable, but at least I know the direction my cast is headed, quite unlike you, Sopranos!!!! I will surely miss my weekly feast of cheese.

[Crs97]

My husband has been a lot more patient with Edith than I have, but when she saw him at dinner and put all the blame on him for their breaking up, even he finally had had enough.  Last night he finally met the Edith "I am never responsible and always a victim" Crawley I have known these past six seasons.  Lots of eye-rolling from both of us at her fairy tale wedding after that.  I liked that Mary and Edith just decided to do better because they were blood and stuck with each other - of course, even in that discussion Edith just said Mary made her life miserable rather than acknowledge her role in anything.  Perpetual victim is our Edith.

 

I thought Mary and Henry had a lot of chemistry, but then again I like Matthew Goode and like them together more than most.  I also thought Mary seemed very content with her life and will be fine with their new business.  I believed all of them that Mary just wanted Henry happy.

 

Edith's wedding dress was meh, and her veil was hideous.  She looked better when she got jilted at the altar.  However, her red dress at the picnic was gorgeous!

 

Daisy and Denker can go away now.  I needed more comeuppance for Denker than just Violet praising Spratt, although I loved Violet's "and the magazine is turned to the right page.  How convenient" shade that flew right over Denker's head.

 

I wanted to see Isobel and Larry's wedding, and I wanted more scenes with Mary and Isobel.  I loved Larry's "I hear Lady Grantham."  She is good at force.

 

I am indifferent to Mr. Barrow.  My favorite part was Anna basically telling him to be nice at his new position if he wants friends.  I liked that we heard the names Charlie, Elsie, and John.  That was sweet.  I also liked that Robert kept shaking the servants' hands, which wouldn't have happened back then.

 

Times change and all, but I would never have left my three month old baby back in America to attend my cousin's wedding.

 

All in all, it was fine.  Could have been better, but still enjoyable.

[Straycat80]

I'm a sucker for happy ending so I loved the finale. My favorite part was at the end showing the abbey in snow. I got a little verklempt. I'm going to miss this show.

[AndySmith]

How could they discuss about the matter they didn't know? Only Edith knew (presumably she was told by Bertie when they walked in the park, although the audience was kept in the dark), but she evidently didn't take the possibility seriously as Bertie's cousin was young and unmarried.

 

Because they could have just easily asked around and found out from another source that Bertie would be next in line to become a Marquess?

 

I mean, I honestly doubt it would have been a classified state secret.

 

I thought Mary and Henry had a lot of chemistry, but then again I like Matthew Goode and like them together more than most.  I also thought Mary seemed very content with her life and will be fine with their new business.  I believed all of them that Mary just wanted Henry happy.

 

Amen. It's a small lonely club we belong to, I think though lol

 

I think it highly unlikely that Bertie's mother went from saying insulting things about the dead gay cousin to graciously accepting Edith and Marigold in the space of one day.  I mean, c'mon, talk about the mother-in-law from hell.  Even if her son and Edith outrank her socially, yada yada yada, she is not going to be easy to be around.  Bertie even described her that way before Edith ever met her.

 

Maybe she realized because she has no real rank, and doesn't want the gravy train to end (which Bertie could easily do if he wanted), she needed to shut up and play nice? If anything, she is probably frustrated Peter Pelham didn't "die of malaria" while her own husband was alive.

Edited March 7, 2016 by AndySmith

[PRgal]

Daisy's bad hair (which could be a really cool runway do circa 2012...or even NOW) is the reason why I only let professionals do my hair.  My hair stays in a ponytail on normal days. :P

[stillshimpy]

Yes, Edith looked gorgeous.  Except for the wedding dress, oddly enough.  Hated it.  So boring and bland.

 

Oh good, it wasn't just me.  Although I am willing to invent gods of fashion, to make sacrifices to in thanks, for whatever moved Julian Fellowes to allow the costume department to be kind to Laura Carmichael the last few seasons.  I think she is genuinely very pretty and they've been playing it up more, but the finale had a couple of notable exceptions:  the odd dress when she first got to her flat, with the scarf that was threaded through hole in the front was very strange looking and then I didn't personally care for her wedding dress and veil.  Particularly the veil just looked like a giant piece of netting.  Like they borrowed it from a bed canopy on the set of a period piece about the Raj.  

 

However, that's my only complaint about the finale, I wished her dress had been a little bit grander and her veil a lot nicer, but everyone ended up happy.  Mary atoned for her misdeeds in as direct a fashion as possible, Edith's long ago ones are just that, so long ago it didn't really matter any longer.   

 

I did get a laugh out of Mary's incredibly calm, cool and collected "Oh, your waters have broken....right then, first order of business, into bed after we get you out of this, the worst maternity gown ever conceived of or sewn.  I'll be sure to rip it strategically and possibly pour acid on it too, just to keep us all safe from it."  

 

I thought all the stories were very sweet and the hints were heavy that Tom actually ended up with Edith's editor or would.  

 

Sure, it was all a little fanfictionesque, but I'm okay with that for an adored period piece on the PBS.  

 

I always feel a little bit sorry for the actor playing Atticus.  His shooting scripts must be a bunch of cues to smile, nod, smile some more and be enthusiastic.  Then every now and then he gets to say something exceptionally positive (with a smile).  Not a test of lad's range, to be sure, if he's Method though at least it would be better than Euphoria Juice-laced tea.  

Edited March 7, 2016 by stillshimpy

[jschoolgirl]

What was the name of Shrimpie's seat? I can't remember.

I wish someone had called him Shrimpie again!

[Roseanna]

I think it highly unlikely that Bertie's mother went from saying insulting things about the dead gay cousin to graciously accepting Edith and Marigold in the space of one day.  I mean, c'mon, talk about the mother-in-law from hell.  Even if her son and Edith outrank her socially, yada yada yada, she is not going to be easy to be around.  Bertie even described her that way before Edith ever met her. 

 

I think that the plot was really odd if we were supposed to believe that Bertie's mother would tell publicly that Edith had an illegitimate child and therefore she couldn't accept her son's engagement. But that kind of behavior would have been impossible for then she would publicly humiliate also Bertie and that would destroy his chances to succeed as a Marquess.

 

The only thing Mrs Pelham could have done would be to make Edith break the engagement because she wasn't "worthy" in her own mind.

[RedHawk]

While I'm resentful that JF wasted time on Daisy and Andrew that could have been used to show us a lovely and heartfelt proposal from Moseley to Baxter, overall I truly enjoyed that everyone got a happy ending (except perhaps Carson -- ha!), the clothes and hats were stunning, and Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton stole the show as usual. Violet's laughter at Spratt's column and putting Denker in her place (which could only have been better if she'd booked Denker out with no reference), and Isobel rescuing her man from his imprisonment -- both scenes so much fun!

 

I wish at some point we'd have seen Baxter telling Moseley that Thomas had been treated badly by his father, schoolmates, etc. Just a bit of their backstory together would have been nice.  

 

That said, the ending was lovely, and I teared up thinking that Sybbie, George, Marigold, and Master Norman Bates could be alive today and in their 90s. Children born into that world -- what changes they'd have witnessed! Much more even than those that Carson and Robert had to roll with.

[Roseanna]

Because they could have just easily asked around and found out from another source that Bertie would be next in line to become a Marquess?

 

I mean, I honestly doubt it would have been a classified state secret.

 

One doesn't ask such things if one isn't interested to know. Obviously Fellowes wanted to show again that nobody in the family believed that Edith would marry grandly.

 

Also Shire's fortune was supposed to be a secret until Matthew inherited it.  

[RedHawk]

The death of entail won't stop Lord Merton's oldest son from inheriting his title and estate - that's primogeniture, not entail. Entail only kicks in if the sitting title-holder has no sons. Dickie has two. They're gonna inherit - unless Dickie manages to outlive them.

Far less wonderful things have happened.

[AndySmith]

Considering how they asked about Henry, it wouldn't be a stretch for them to ask about Bertie as well. Especially as he was the caretaker for the estate of a Marquess for whom he shared the last name with.

 

So what? A fortune isn't the same as a title.

Edited March 7, 2016 by AndySmith