Some Thoughts on Downton Abbey (episode that aired 2/3/13) * SPOILERS *

* SPOILERS * SPOILERS *

STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE LATEST EPISODE

!!YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

This week’s episode of Downton Abbey was slower moving and kinder to my emotions than last week’s episode, which is a good thing because I don’t think I could have taken another episode of heartbreak. It’s bad enough that earlier this season a woman had to give up her beloved son to someone that hates her because she couldn’t support him, and then last week a sweet young woman dies after giving birth to her daughter. My heart needs a rest.

And yes, I know that these are fictional characters, but their stories remind me that there really are people out there living with heartbreaks very similar to these. Even with all of my introversion and bluntness and pragmatism, motherhood has given me a tender heart that grieves deeply with other mothers.

But enough of that. Let’s move on to my thoughts about this week’s episode:

• My favorite line tonight – The Dowager Lady Grantham says this to Dr. Clarkson when he says that he will not tell an outright lie even to help someone: “Have we nothing in common?”
• On that note, I have to say that Dowager Lady Grantham’s observation that Dr. Clarkson’s need to declare his “rightness” was causing divisiveness between a married couple was surprisingly astute. I hadn’t thought of it that way. I loved how she brought that to his attention and he didn’t take offense but changed his thinking a bit. That was some grown-up behavior on both sides.
• The whole discussion about whether or not Sybil would have survived if she’d delivered the baby by c-section reminded me of how fortunate I am to live in a time and place where childbirth is not usually fatal. I personally have had a couple of traumatic experiences during childbirth that probably wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t used all of the medical “conveniences” available. Natural childbirth probably would have been better for me. But I am also aware that, while women have been having babies for thousands of years, they’ve been dying of childbirth for thousands of years, too. Someone like Sybil would most likely not have died if she’d had modern prenatal care.
• For all of Matthew’s advice-seeking about how to bring up the bad management of Downton with Lord Grantham, he certainly did jump in and bring it up in the worst way possible. Here’s a little tip, Matthew – when you’re going to criticize how someone lives their life and manages their business, try to do it in private first. And sound a little less insulting.
• I can’t begin to say how happy I am that the whole Bates storyline is coming to an end (supposedly). I have grown so weary of the whole thing. And, quite frankly, I think it was a mistake to ever introduce it.
• Mary was a little less on my nerves this episode. At least she speaks her mind and doesn’t (usually) manipulate, which I respect. But has anyone else noticed that she hardly moves her arms? She’s like a statue with a talking head. Reminds me a bit of that Seinfeld episode where Elaine worked with a woman that didn’t move her arms when she walked.
• Edith has grown on me. Poor thing. She’s so shocked when anyone says anything nice to her or about her. And that just makes me so sad. She’s grown a lot, and I’m ready for her to have some accolades.
• Let’s play a little word association, shall we?
  • Thomas: Creeeeeepy.
  • O’Brien: Scary evil genius.
  • Alfred and Daisy and Ivy: Middle school shenanigans. (Please move on, Daisy. You can do so much better.)
• I’m glad Mrs. Patmore doesn’t see how I paint my face.

What did you think of this week’s episode?