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Downton Abbey: Season 3
shepherdess Sat Jun 23, 2012 5:57 pm
These are according to news clips I've read. If you don't want to be spoiled concerning season three, don't look. 
About Cora's mother aka Shirley MacLaine:
About marriages:
From executove producer Rebecca Eaton:
About Cora's mother aka Shirley MacLaine:
- Spoiler:
- Season 3 will open with Cora's mother arriving at Downton Abbey, amid hopes that she might be able to help Downton financially. Violet, of course, will not be happy about needing an American to bail out Downton. We are promised some good scenes between the two of them.
Again? How many times must Cora's family be expected to do this? And if they have to keep pouring their money into Downton, shouldn't they have some say in who inherits it?
So I guess I was wrong about Mary going to America. Then why did they have Mary tell Matthew that she was going to?
That was pointless.
About marriages:
- Spoiler:
- Both Mary and Edith will get married. They have been seen filming both weddings, in the same church, Mary and Matthew's about a while back and Edith's more recently. Mary and Mathew's wedding has also been confirmed by the executive porducer. I've found nothing about who Edith is marrying.
From executove producer Rebecca Eaton:
- Spoiler:
- "Somebody will be born, and somebody will die, somebody pretty key in the cast, unfortunately not going to make it. It's the 1920s now."
So who's going to have a baby? Didn't Sybil already have a baby (or two? )?
Which 'pretty key' cast member is going to die? There have been rumors of cast changes for seasons 4 and 5, and so far most all of the cast has signed on except Maggie Smith (Violet), Dan Stevens Matthew), Siobhan Finneran (O'Brien) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Lady Sybil). Another report leaves Dan Stevens off the list of unsigned cast members.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:32 pm
Okay, here are my thoughts ... so far! 
- Spoiler:
- About the baby ... I'm hoping Mary and Matthew have a child. Didn't Sybil already have a child, or are they just pregnant?
If Bates has conjugal visits in prison, it's possible he and Anna may have a child. I'd like that. They are my favorite couple on the show. I think Sir Richard is the one who REALLY killed Vera Bates ... or had her killed.
Carson is a possibility for dying. He was either ill or had a stroke or something near the end of season 2 ... right? I suppose Maggie Smith is also a good candidate, as are any of the girls (who could die in childbirth, which seems more common back then).
Frankly, I'd love to see Thomas get his comeuppance. He is dishonest and a coward ... although I doubt anyone will ever know how he got his "wound," unless someone pops up who saw it happen.
I don't think much of O'Brien, either. I hope Lady Cora finds out about her little trick with the soap ... although she probably never will.
I can't make up my mind about Edith. She is a real stinker, but she certainly does keep things interesting. I wonder who she marries, too. Do you suppose it is that guy whose face was all bandaged ... or the older gent?
I hope Samantha Bond (Lady Rosamund) comes back. I like her.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
shepherdess Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:32 pm
Ramblings...
- Spoiler:
- About the baby:
If a man and woman fall in love, get married, then have a baby, it's nice, but it's not drama. For there to be a story that holds people's interest and makes them want to watch the next episode to see what happens, there has to be some kind of drama. So I don't think it will be as simple as Mary and Matthew get married and have a baby. Unless one of them is the one who dies and the other has to raise the next heir to Downton as a single parent.
What if they get married and can't have a baby but Edith does?
I think Cora's getting too old to have another baby, and Sybil already has one (I think).
Bates and Anna have already had at least one night together. How close was that to the end of season 2? Could she be pregnant and we not know it yet, or was there too much time there for that to be a possibility? That would make it even more important to find out who killed Vera and get Bates freed.
If it's one of the other women in the household staff, or even someone from the town, it wouldn't matter too much, unless the father was someone important.
About the death:
How much stock should we put in the fact that some cast members haven't signed up to do seasons 4 and 5? On the one hand, if they're going to die in season 3, there would be no need for them to sign up beyond that. On the other hand, there could be other reasons why they haven't signed yet, including the possibility that that information has been put out to pique people's interest and speculation for the sake of publicity. But let's look at the list--
Violet-she is getting old and Rebecca Eaton has talked about how difficult Maggie is to work with. But Violet's humor is one of the things people love most about the show. Would they get rid of her?
Sybil-she's moved away and it doesn't seem like she's that important to the story anymore. If she's not going to be on the show they could just leave it as is.
O'Brien-now there's an interesting idea. But she's one of the main protagonists, and people love to hate her.
Matthew-(remember, one list left him off, so he may have signed) I wouldn't consider Matthew 'pretty key', I would consider him very key. What would that do to Downton's future?
Yes, Carson did have a medical problem in season 2. Again, this is a much-loved character. Would they get rid of him?
Death-goodness! It could happen to anyone in the Crawley family or the staff of Downton!
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Lady Arabella Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:50 pm
Oooh! Thanks for sharing, Shepherdess!!
Hmm . . .
Hmm . . .
- Spoiler:
Why does Downton Abby need financial help again? Was that mentioned? I thought that Cora's dowry put things right several years ago. When I heard Shirley MacClaine was going to be in Season 3, I thought for sure Cora was going to die at the end of Season 2 and her mother would come for her funeral at the start of Season 3.
As far as "key" cast members who might die, the Violet and Carson characters are likely because of age. How old is Violet in the show? 75 or 80? But if her character dies, the show will lose a great deal of its humor.
I guess the Earl and Countess would be considered key, as would Mary and Matthew. Or Bates - maybe he will be executed after all
(I hope not!!!) I don't think I'd consider Sybill a key member at this point. Matthew's mother?
As far as the baby goes, Mary and Matthew need that boy - maybe the drama is that they have a child but it's another girl, and Mary dies in childbirth. (Too "soap opera" to happen, but Season 2 seemed more "soap opera" than Season 1). Who is the heir after Matthew, assuming he doesn't have a child that can inherit?
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:33 pm
- Spoiler:
- I really like Carson and would hate to see him go.
Maggie Smith seems to have so many projects going that it is difficult to imagine her wanting to be tied to a series. I wonder what makes her so difficult to work with. Perfectionism? Is she demanding? It's interesting that she is hard to work with, because she certainly has made a lot of movies, especially the last 10 years or so. I wouldn't think anyone would want to work with her if she is that bad. Then again, I guess people will put up with a lot for that talent, and she does lend class and "importance" to any project with which she is associated.
I agree about people "loving to hate" O'Brien. She is sort of the J.R. Ewing of Downton Abbey! Or maybe that role goes to Thomas, and O'Brien is more like Alexis Carrington (Dynasty). LOL My dad would have loved both of them!
I still think Sir Richard is evil, too, and had something to do with Vera's death. I just can't shake that feeling!
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Lady Arabella Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:16 pm
I could have sworn I posted a reply earlier today, but I don't see it. Of, course, I could easily be losing my mind . . .
Of, course, I could easily be losing my mind . . . - Spoiler:
I agree that Sir Richard is evil, and could easily believe he had something to do with Vera's death. But I don't see him killing her unless she had something that threatened him. Otherwise, he could simply ruin her by publishing lies (truths?) about her in his newspapers. It doesn't seem that killing Vera would have helped him with Mary, so if Sir Richard did kill Vera, it was for some other reason.
I googled "Maggie Smith hard to work with" and all the hits related to Downton Abbey. She didn't make the celebrity Diva list published by The Guardian (UK). Although weren't a lot of the "old school" actresses in the Hollywood heyday supposed to be temperamental? I'm thinking of Olivia de Havilland, Bette Davis, Judy Garland . . . Maggie Smith is younger, but still seems old school.
I don't know that any of this really needed to be in a spoiler box, but just in case . . .
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
shepherdess Wed Jun 27, 2012 3:52 pm
Well, I went back and looked again at what Rebecca Eaton said about Maggie Smith, and I guess, in the end, it doesn't look like she's eager to let her go.
"Maggie Smith is a handful, it's true. She's very difficult. She knows her worth, and she's tricky on the set, but she delivers when the time comes."
Another new cast member...
"Maggie Smith is a handful, it's true. She's very difficult. She knows her worth, and she's tricky on the set, but she delivers when the time comes."
Another new cast member...
- Spoiler:
- Matt Milne (War Horse) will join the cast as footman Alfred, nephew of O'Brien. Hmm...that sounds like trouble to me.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Sun Jul 01, 2012 6:20 pm
I agree, Shepherdess ... BIG trouble.Hmm...that sounds like trouble to me.
- Spoiler:
- Then again, you never know. Perhaps he might set up a conflict of interest for her between himself and Thomas, to whom she has always been close.
I seem to remember Sir Richard threatening Vera at the end of one of the episodes, telling her not to cross him ... that's why I think he may be involved. Of course, I do not know that he would have done his own dirty work.
BTW, I just did a search for Richard Carlisle+Vera Bates and found this hit on Austenprose.com that agrees with me:
The most gripping plot of this episode was Mr. Bates’ murder trial. We had a feeling this would not end well. The scenes of his wife Anna at the trial, (conveniently moved to York), and the rest of the household’s reactions to being called to testify against their fellow servant were harrowing. Even evil O’Brien was uncomfortable and showed concern! Personally, we still think Sir Richard ‘Murdock’ Carlisle had Vera Bates done in to protect Lady Mary. Just sayin’.
I think there would have had to be more than just protecting Mary, but I'm not sure what it would be.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Mrs. Sirius Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:27 pm
The Emmy awards were announced today. Downton Abbey was nominated for best drama and best male and female lead actors. Nominating BBC productions for those awards seems almost unfair.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:39 am
Why unfair? I think DA is a lot better than some of the other junk that probably was nominated. I'm only surprised that they didn't receive more awards in more categories.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Mrs. Sirius Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:19 am
Soli, that was sort of a tongue-in-cheek "not fair". The acting on those productions is superb. If they don't win the top acting awards often it is just because they are up against other British actors.
I also love the quality of sets and locations on these productions.
I also love the quality of sets and locations on these productions.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
shepherdess Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:23 pm
About getting Shirley MacLaine for the role of Cora's mother:
Gareth Neame, the show’s executive producer, said MacLaine was the dream choice for the role. “They key thing was to make sure we had an actress who was a match for Maggie Smith,” he said, “and that made the list very small.”
I bet it did. Heh.
Gareth Neame, the show’s executive producer, said MacLaine was the dream choice for the role. “They key thing was to make sure we had an actress who was a match for Maggie Smith,” he said, “and that made the list very small.”
I bet it did. Heh.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:10 am
What I find so interesting about Maggie Smith is that she--like Joan Plowright, Helen Mirren, Judy Dench--seems to be appearing in more films the older she gets. Age does not seem to be a hindrance to some of these great actresses the way it used to be. Have you noticed how many of our over-40s, over-50s, and even over 70s are going strong and doing more interesting work? I love it!
Compare the strong and often still-attractive characters they play with what Bette Davis had to play when SHE was 54--Baby Jane! I mean, Maggie is over 75, and Violet still looks younger and healthier than poor old Baby Jane did at 52! **sigh**
Compare the strong and often still-attractive characters they play with what Bette Davis had to play when SHE was 54--Baby Jane! I mean, Maggie is over 75, and Violet still looks younger and healthier than poor old Baby Jane did at 52! **sigh**
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Mrs. Sirius Mon Aug 13, 2012 12:06 am
That is a very true point Soli and reminds me of Gloria Swanson on Sunset Boulevard. She was only 51 and came out of retirement to play a washed up old actress. I think it is a little bit easier for British actresses to get good parts at an older age but on our side of the pond, we do have Meryl Streep.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:23 pm
There are so many great actresses between the ages of 50 and 80 who are still active today. Perhaps one reason so many are continuing to do great work is due to the number of successful Baby Boomer women who want to see women like themselves or their role models up on the screen. And these actresses don't just sit and wait for good projects to come to them, like their predecessors had to do.
Many of the top actresses in Hollywood are writing, producing, and acting in a lot of their own projects. Or they're willing to take small but interesting character parts in good movies. Many, too, are willing to take roles in great ensemble pieces, like Calendar Girls or How to Make an American Quilt. Did anyone see those? And TV channels like Showtime, HBO, PBS, etc., are starting to make some interesting indie movies and miniseries. That opens a whole new area of possibilities. I hope to be seeing the likes of Maggie, Judi, Helen, Meryl, and the others for many years to come!
Many of the top actresses in Hollywood are writing, producing, and acting in a lot of their own projects. Or they're willing to take small but interesting character parts in good movies. Many, too, are willing to take roles in great ensemble pieces, like Calendar Girls or How to Make an American Quilt. Did anyone see those? And TV channels like Showtime, HBO, PBS, etc., are starting to make some interesting indie movies and miniseries. That opens a whole new area of possibilities. I hope to be seeing the likes of Maggie, Judi, Helen, Meryl, and the others for many years to come!
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Lady Arabella Wed Aug 22, 2012 2:11 pm
I just saw that the premiere of Season 3 in the US is scheduled for January 6th, 2013. Gosh that's a long time to wait!
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Lady Arabella Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:33 pm
I was talking to some friends last night who also love Downton Abbey, and we got the idea for a Downton Abbey Release Party. One person has agreed to host it, and we plan to come in period-appropriate costumes and serve afternoon tea! Of course, it will be at night, but the tea things will seem like dessert. Now I am glad of the 4-month wait, because it will take me that long to come up with a costume. I can spend time re-watching the two previous seasons for ideas. Time to get out the sewing machine . . . .
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
shepherdess Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:13 pm
So season 3 started today in the UK. From the season 3 trailer, I have some questions:
- Spoiler:
- 1. What were the papers that Anna and John Bates were looking at when she visited him in jail?
2. Why is Anna kissing the hand of a small boy? Who is he?
3. Why is Anthony Strallon telling Lady Edith that she's 'given him his life back'?
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
shepherdess Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:10 pm
This isn't about season three, but there isn't a place where it would fit properly.
Julian Fellowes said he was working on a spin-off story about the courtship between Lord Grantham, played in the series by Hugh Bonneville, and his American wife, Cora, played by Elizabeth McGovern.
A pair of young actors will portray the couple in the early days of their relationship.
Viewers already know that the cash-strapped Earl married Cora, daughter of a US tycoon, for her fortune. In the first series, he admitted to falling in love with her only after they married.
Fellowes said: “I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London - the Buccaneers, as they were called.
“They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money.
“I sort of feel there’s something quite nice in there because he’s a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this.”
Fellowes said the drama would be shown when Downton Abbey draws to a close. “I don’t think you can continue a narrative in more than one area at once,” he explained.
Julian Fellowes said he was working on a spin-off story about the courtship between Lord Grantham, played in the series by Hugh Bonneville, and his American wife, Cora, played by Elizabeth McGovern.
A pair of young actors will portray the couple in the early days of their relationship.
Viewers already know that the cash-strapped Earl married Cora, daughter of a US tycoon, for her fortune. In the first series, he admitted to falling in love with her only after they married.
Fellowes said: “I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London - the Buccaneers, as they were called.
“They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money.
“I sort of feel there’s something quite nice in there because he’s a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this.”
Fellowes said the drama would be shown when Downton Abbey draws to a close. “I don’t think you can continue a narrative in more than one area at once,” he explained.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Lady Arabella Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:41 pm
I think that could make quite an interesting series, especially if the outcome of Robert and Cora's relationship/marriage would be contrasted by others of the same ilk, such as Consuelo Vanderbilt's.
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Lady Arabella Mon Jan 07, 2013 4:49 pm
I really loved Lady Mary's wedding dress, and her drive to the church in the carriage (reminded me of recent royal weddings)!
I actually sympathized with Matthew's predicament (I kept expecting him to quote Richard Lovelace) and wondered at the mentality of constantly pouring money into an estate that doesn't support itself. Do Cora and Mrs. Levinson resent being treated as cash cows? Mrs. Levinson didn't seem to find it unusual - but my goodness, the Dowager Countess was pretty rude to her, and then seemed to expect Mrs. Levinson to hand over more money. And did anyone in the family thank Mrs. Levinson for saving their dinner party?
One thing that rather surprised me was how underbred Mrs. Levinson was. I wonder how Cora's father made his money? If Cora was like Mrs. Levinson when she first married Robert, she must have had a terrible time adjusting to aristocratic life and fitting in.
I liked Branson as a chauffer in the first season, but not as Lady Sibyl's husband in the second season, and liked him even less in the third season. He is very dictatorial, and it seems as if Lady Sibyl has to make all the adjustments to his ideas. Why shouldn't he make some adjustments - and be willing to borrow some formal attire for his in-laws dinner parties if he can't afford to buy any?
I do hope Edith is finally able to find some happiness and purpose - I liked Sir Anthony for calling out what the obnoxious guest did to Branson (forgot the guest's name . . . )
I actually sympathized with Matthew's predicament (I kept expecting him to quote Richard Lovelace) and wondered at the mentality of constantly pouring money into an estate that doesn't support itself. Do Cora and Mrs. Levinson resent being treated as cash cows? Mrs. Levinson didn't seem to find it unusual - but my goodness, the Dowager Countess was pretty rude to her, and then seemed to expect Mrs. Levinson to hand over more money. And did anyone in the family thank Mrs. Levinson for saving their dinner party?
One thing that rather surprised me was how underbred Mrs. Levinson was. I wonder how Cora's father made his money? If Cora was like Mrs. Levinson when she first married Robert, she must have had a terrible time adjusting to aristocratic life and fitting in.
I liked Branson as a chauffer in the first season, but not as Lady Sibyl's husband in the second season, and liked him even less in the third season. He is very dictatorial, and it seems as if Lady Sibyl has to make all the adjustments to his ideas. Why shouldn't he make some adjustments - and be willing to borrow some formal attire for his in-laws dinner parties if he can't afford to buy any?
I do hope Edith is finally able to find some happiness and purpose - I liked Sir Anthony for calling out what the obnoxious guest did to Branson (forgot the guest's name . . . )
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:18 am
- Spoiler:
- I agree about Branson's behavior. I did not like the way he seemed to flaunt his lack of wealth, as though it were some crime to be rich. Okay, maybe it is in some cases (depending on how the fortunes were built); however, he certainly showed his lack of breeding in a couple of instances. Matthew was totally classy when he asked Branson to stand up for him at the wedding, and Branson's unwillingness to borrow the waistcoat, etc. was just plain pigheadedness. Thank goodness for Isobel Crowley's plain good manners. I'm glad Violet followed her lead this time, as it had the desired outcome.
I feel terribly sorry for poor Alfred, the new footman. He doesn't realize the depth of evil he must overcome in Thomas. I still remember how Thomas managed to get his "combat wound" and get sent home. All I can say is he'd better watch his step around O'Brien. She is as devious as he is, and she "knows where all of the bodies are buried," so to speak, where Thomas is concerned. Truthfully, it's nice to see her pulling for someone who truly deserves it.
I am very worried for Bates. I have a sick feeling he may never make out of prison alive ... not because he can't be cleared, but because his new cell mate seems bent on doing him mischief.
More to come ...
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Re: Downton Abbey: Season 3
Solitaire Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:39 am
Okay ... my comment on tonight's show!
- Spoiler:
- I think Edith should go to America and visit Granny Martha (Shirley MacLaine). I'm sure Granny could introduce her to some nice, nouveau riche American oil men!
I can't wait to see what O'Brien has in store for Thomas. Whatever it is, I hope it is totally nasty, because he deserves the worst she can give!
I'm wondering if Carson and Mrs. Hughes will be the next Downton Abbey romance. Carson looked pretty excited when he was polishing that silver tray at the end ... after he found out Mrs. Hughes was going to be okay!
Something bad is going to happen to Matthew and Mary ... I can feel it. Maybe it's connected to that inheritance he doesn't really want.
I'm worried about Bates. Do you think Anna believed anything she heard from that woman? I still think Sir Richard had something to do with Vera's death.
I rather liked the new, smaller-scale house and agree with Branson ... it looks like a palace to me, too! Speaking of Branson ... was he running away from his house in the previews for next week? Has he abandoned Lady Sybil? I hope he doesn't turn out to be a complete jerk.
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