Episodes
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Baby MommaAnna and Hughes cleaning out Edith’s room after the fire, find a picture of a small childTim Drewe suggests Edith be Marigold’s godmother - sort of. Mrs. Drewe doesn’t look very pleased.Edith asks Robert if she can “take an interest” in Marigold.
Get Away With YouThe committee/village is trying to find the best place for the memorial. Robert says center of the village, but they want somewhere quiet: the old cricket pit.Hughes agrees with Robert - memorial should be in town. Carson: I was disappointed in his Lordship, but I’m more disappointed in you. Hughes: Every relationship has its ups and downs.Carson to Hughes: I don’t like it when we’re not on the same side. Hughes: We’re different people. We can’t always agree. C: I know, but I don’t like it. A widow convinces Carson about the memorial site. Her son pays respects to her husband on their day.Carson tells Hughes he decided on the village for the memorial. He only wanted to be convinced. His walk convinced him. Carson: There’s a bonus. It puts us back in agreement. I’m not comfortable when you and I are not in agreement.Hughes: You’re very flattering. You talk like that, you make me want to check the looking glass to make sure my hair is tidy. Carson: Get away with you.Hughes: I mean it.
Stop Flirting with the DogMary says she’s going away with Annabelle Portsmith to drive around.Anna tells Mary to choose clothes carefully that she won’t need help taking off. Mary: Well, I’ll have his help. Anna nervous about if they call Lady Portsmith.Anna: Honestly, m’lady. You should hope I never write my memoir.Mary asks Anna to buy contraception.Blake is coming before Mary leaves.At the shop, Anna takes off her glove to reveal that she’s married.She lets a gentleman go first. Points to what she needs in the book. The shop keeper gives her a hard time. “I can see you’re married. But you don’t want any more children. There’s always abstinence.” Anna pays quickly and leaves without instructions. Bates asks Anna why she’s not going with Mary.Anna says it seems unfair that they treated her like that at the shop. Suppose she was a working woman with 8 kids and isn’t want any more. Wouldn’t I have the right? I feel like going back and ordering a baker’s dozen. Mary: One’s enough for now.Blake tells Mary she should have told him he wasn’t the lucky winner. Mary: Well, I don’t seem to have broken your heart. I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. It’s only lately that I’ve begun coming out of the mist. Blake: That’s why I came here. To wish you luck in person.Brixton is flirting with Cora.Cora showing Simon painting. Robert sees them.Blake tells Mary to be sure before she makes a decision. But that she is cleverer than Gillingham, and that won’t work anymore in this century.Mary says she’s not a housemaid drooling over him. Blake says Plantagenets are as susceptible as housemaids when it comes to sex.Mary tells Anna she wants to marry again, and she absolutely does not want to divorce. Her grandparents lived in vast quarters, but things are going to be closer for her. She wants to be sure she wants Gillingham as a friend, lover and husband.
Stirring the PotClarkson tells Isobel about insulin.DC: I’m glad you’re back to your old interests.Clarkson: Why do you say that?DC: Mrs. Crawley’s been distracted lately.Isobel: You make too much of it. DC: Do I?
Mama PatmorePatmore asks Rose to ask Sarah Bunting if she would tutor Daisy.Sarah agrees to tutor Daisy.Robert: So every time we entertain, we must invite this Tin Pot Rosa Luxenbourg?Sarah turns down dinner because she doesn’t want to put herself or Robert through another test of strength. She tells Branson he may have been in Rome too long. “You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.” She tells him he can’t have a future there with those people. He tells Robert she couldn’t stay, and he says, “What a relief.”Mary: I have a feeling Branson is turning back into who he really is. What will happen with Sibby? Branson can’t stay there.Robert says that Tom is a ventriloquist dummy. Cora: If he feels he has to go… Robert: He’s not taking Sibby.
Mopey MoleslyMolesly asks if he is first footman now that Jimmy is gone. Hughes tells him there’s coming a time when a house will not boast any footmen. We’re coming to the end of those distinctions. Carson: You are first, second, third and last. Make what you will of it.Thomas tells Molesly that Baxter is a thief.Baxter tells Molsely that she was a common thief.Baxter tells Molsely she’s changed. And she won’t tell Molesly who she was working with. Baxter: I’d give a limb to rewrite that whole chapter of my life.
What’s Rose For?Robert says a wireless (radio) is a fad, and it won’t last.Rose is talking about helping the Russians. Robert says Bunting would have lectured them. Branson defends her.Rose tells Robert that the king is speaking on the wireless. He can’t believe her.Robert: If the king wants to use the wireless to speak to his people, maybe we have to listen. Carson: I wouldn’t say that.Daisy: Why is it called a wireless when there are so many wires?Hughes: Downton is catching up with the times we live in. Carson: That is exactly what I am afraid of.
CliffhangerThomas brings in a policeman to see Carson. Announces it. Carson: Thank you, Mr. Barrow. Your scaremongering has not succeeded. That will be all. Thank you.
The policeman tells them that a witness has turned up that has to do with Mr. Green’s death.
Dowager Countess' LinesDC: I’m glad you’re back to your old interests.Clarkson: Why do you say that?DC: Mrs. Crawley’s been distracted lately. With Lord Murton frisking around her skirts and getting in the way.Isobel: You make too much of it. DC: Do I?Isobel: Maybe you’re the real quarry. And he’s only including me to throw off the scent.DC: I may be older than I was, but I can still tell when a man is interested.Clarkson tries to change the subject to gardens.DC: The promise of gardens in the summer will be the final worm on the hook.Isobel: Hearing the king’s voice makes him more real.DC: Is that a good thing? The monarchy has thrived on magic and mystery. Strip that away, and people may think the royal family is just like us.Isobel: Would that be so wrong? DC: Well, only if they want to stay at Buckingham Palace. -
Downton Abbey, 5:1
Season 5 is here! And the first episode did not disappoint! Here is a breakdown of the podcast episode we go over for episode 1.
Secret MamaEdith visits her baby, MarigoldTim Drewe was asked to be chief fireman. Tim’s wife doesn’t know Marigold is Edith’s.Hughes found one of Gregson’s old booksEdith agrees to meet Mr. Drewe. He wants to propose something because his wife is getting suspicious of Edith having a crush on him. Margarie, Drewe’s wife - thinks Edith has a crush on Drewe. Drewe: We need a way for you to live the truth without telling the truth.
Stop the World
1924The king has to deal with a labor government - Mr. McDonald - the servants are glad he’s worked before - the prime minister is the son of a crofter.Robert: Government is committed to the destruction of people like us and everything we stand for. Mary: We should wait and see what happens.34th wedding anniversary - tidbit - Robert’s working hard to keep his marriage together.Mr. Carson is asked to be chairman of the board by the village and want Robert to give them land for the site of the memorialCarson to Hughes: The nature of life is not permanence but fluxRobert tells Mary, they don’t want him for the school or the memorial. Would they have asked his grandfather’s butler to head something…?Robert okays Carson being the chair.Robert tells the girls to invite some young girls over.
Slow LearnerDaisy’s upset because they didn’t replace Ivy.Daisy ordered books to learn math so she can run the farm. Has a hard time following.
Match Making - or Breaking?Lord Diffy Murton asked DC to give another luncheon party so he can see Isobel.DC asks Dr. Clarkson about Murton. Tells him Murton and Isobel are friendly. She invites him to luncheon. Wants to matchmake him with Lady Shackleton. Cora tells Robert that DC would be jealous.Isobel is jealous of Lady Shackelton with Murton.
MismatchedJimmy has a letter from Lady Anstrather… He sent her Valentines. Thomas: It’s pathetic for a lady to be pining over a footman. Jimmy: Excuse me. I think it’s in very good taste.Lady Anstrather invited herself over for tea. She is staying over because of car problems, but Tom couldn’t find anything wrong with it.
Another ScandalTony Gillingham - coming to visit. Robert: That’s okay. I want to see him. In private to Cora: I want to inspire him with thoughts of marriage.Mary tells Anna she hasn’t made up her mind yet. We do these things so weirdly. You have to decide without having spent in real time with them much less the other thing.Mary: Do you dread the future?Gillingham: Only if I have to live it without you.Mary: I do love you in my cold and unfeeling way. I don’t want to get it wrong. I intend to be as happy with my next husband as I was with my first.Gillingham tells Mary he wants them to be lovers.
Another prisonerThomas asks Baxter what she knows about Anna and Bates. Bullies her. Molesly is putting on fake hair paint.Baxter tells Molesly about a journey Bates took and something he did that he wouldn’t want known. He would deny the journey. Mosely tells her to report him. Baxter: I can’t. Molesly is tilting his head trying to get her to see his hair. How old do you think I am? Baxter: 52. Molesly: I’m 51.Baxter says to Molesly it’s ironic for Mr. Bates to dress Gillingham because she knows about the scandal. Thomas overhears.Thomas tells Baxter he’ll tell Lady Grantham her story if she doesn’t tell him the connection between Bates and Gillingham’s dead valet.Molesly tells Baxter to tell Cora her story. It will be worse if Mr. Barrow tells her first. (Would be the most nerdy (and uncomfortable) hookup on TV.)Baxter was a friend of his sister’s growing up. She stole from a previous employer. Went to prison for three years.Thomas goes to tell Cora about Baxter and it backfires. She asks why he let a convicted felon in her house, in her bedroom when he knew every detail of her past. If you’ve been using your knowledge against her, I’ll have to consider your future here, Mr. Barrow, whether indeed you have one at all.Baxter is a Bates - won’t give Cora all the details to exonerate herself.Carson to Molesly: I don’t know why you have treated your hair, but the effects are not what you wanted. Take steps, Mr. Molesly. Take steps. You will remain downstairs until you do.
DC LinesDC: There’s nothing simpler than avoiding people you don’t like. Avoiding one’s friends - that’s the real test.DC: He just wants what all men want. Isobel: Don’t be ridiculous. DC: I was referring to companionship. As I hope you were.DC: You should write a book: Daughters in Law and How to Survive Them.DC: It’s time he decided whether he’s fish, flesh, fowl, or good red herring.Edith: Aren’t you being quite snobbish?DC: We’re being realistic. Something your generation has such trouble with.DC: Principles are like prayers: noble, of course - but awkward at a party. -
Missing episodes?
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We break this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection into these segments:
To America
Maximize and diversify
Lost in Munich
Taking a stand
Oh, Alfred
Old Friends
The Dowager Countess' lines
Enjoy! -
In this episode, we talk about:
Vigorous baking,
Cora to the rescue,
Jazz it up,
Game, set and match,
Hard decisions,
Business decisions,
Another Downton baby, and
the Dowager Countess' lines -
This episode brings new innovations to the Downton household, surprise doctors' visits, and some catchy zingers from the Dowager!
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Witness the aftermath of the attack in this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection.
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The shocking and heart-breaking house party episode.
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Welcome to season 4 of the Downton Abbey Reflection! I'm hoping we'll get to hear some early British jazz in this season :)
Well, episode 1 had us missing O'Brien, hoping she found a better place to be and make others miserable. Hopefully she won't get jealous and start using bars of soap as revenge weapons on her new lady.
Six months after Matthew's death, and Mary is still grieving (I would be, too). But she does have who I can only assume is an adorable little son to dote on, so here's hoping she snaps out soon! Plus, it looks like her relationship with Branson (purely platonic) will have her fluent in estate management speak soon enough.
Mosely is still down and out. Mrs. Hughes is still nosy and meddling. Alfred, Daisy, Ivy and Jimmy are still... Alfred, Daisy, Ivy and Jimmy.
Listen to this week's
podcast recap to get the inside scoop on the new season and on the rest of went down in this two-hour season premiere! -
We discuss the tragic ending of the third season in this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection. Along with these topics:
Mrs. Hughes saving Mrs. Patmore from that sleazeballO’Brien and Wilkins – kindred spirits? Thomas and Jimmy Kent make upShrimpy and Rose and SusanEdith and another unsuitable suitorBranson and EdnaRobert and Branson modernizing Downton alone?Dr. Clarkson and Isobel - will that happen?Mary and MatthewThe Dowager Countess' lines
In season 4, who do you most want to see in a new relationship? Mary, Edith or Thomas and why?Let us know by leaving a comment, Facebooking us, let us know on Twitter, or call in at 816-379-6956.
Brought to you by It Takes a Village to Write a Book -
In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we talk about:
Thomas and Jimmy and O’Brien;Alfred and Daisy;How Edith has a thing for married and totally unavailable dudes. And they have a thing for her;
The estate, Matthew and crickett;Anna, Bates and O’Brien;Branson;Ethyl; and of courseThe Dowager Countess' lines.
This episode is brought to you by the audio program It Takes a Village to Write a book. You have a book in your head. You want to hold it in your hands. For more information on the how-to self publish guide, go to beatnikbudget.com/village. -
In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we talk about:
Ethyl and the Carson/Hughes traditionalness scandal;Jimmy Kent and Thomas;Alfred and Daisy;Cora and Robert and Tom; Anna and Bates; andThe Dowager Countess' lines.
Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @downtonpodcast, rate us on iTunes and call 816-379-6956 to leave a voicemail to share with other listeners! -
In this (TRAGIC) episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we will discuss:
Isobel Crawley and EthylMatthew and his takeover of the estateDaisy/Alfred dramaThomas and Jimmy KentAnna and BatesEdith and the columnSybil and the baby; andDC lines.
Join the conversation by leaving a comment or voicemail at DowntonAbbeyReflection.blogspot.com or by calling 816-379-6956.
Fair warning: Watch the episode before you listen! Trust me.
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In this episode of the DA Reflection, we talk about: The food chain - Ethyl;
Anna and Bates – cellmate drama;
The footman wars and Thomas’ “good” side;
Daisy gets what she wants but not really;
Sybil, Branson, and a smoking toaster;
How Edith is under 30; and
The Dowager Countess; lines. -
It is finally Edith's big day! Everything is finally going to work out for her! She'll have a husband, a title, a fortune. Everything she's ever wanted, right?
In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we recap the goings on during season 3, episode 2.
We talk about things like:Love connections;The changing times;Edith's misfortune;Downton Place and Matthew's money; and of courseThe Dowager Countess' lines.
I also offer some predictions of things to come and speculate about what's going on now with Anna and Bates.
If you love Downton and have some speculations of your own, call 816-379-6956 to share your views with the rest of the listeners! -
Season 3 is here!
In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we discuss Mary and Matthew's relationship, the Downton estate, Edith's prospects and much more!
After watching season 3, episode 1, there were a few things that I expected and some that I didn't.In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, I talk about:Things that I thought would happen;Things that I didn't think would happen;Things that I'm glad happened;Things that I wish would have happened; andThings that I didn't really get.
We also go over the Dowager Countess' lines - and throw in a few from Mrs. Levinson as well!What's going to happen next in Downton Abbey? I give my predictions. What are yours?? -
The season one finale of Downton Abbey is full of suspense and heart aching moments! In this episode, we recap:Mary and Matthew's futureMrs. Patmore's eyesightThomas' attitudeO'Brien's big mistakeCora's babyEdith's prospectsA telephoneThe Dowager Countess' linesAnd so much more!
Leave a comment with your thoughts on the finale, or leave us a voicemail at 816- OR use your computer microphone to leave a voice message from your computer with character study ideas. -
Downton tension!
In this episode of the DA Reflection, we will talk about all the tension that is going around Downton. Namely, tension between Sybil and Robert, Thomas and Bates, Anna and Bates, Mary and Matthew, and Daisy and... Daisy.
Mr. Bates also takes nobility to new levels in this episode of Downton Abbey, so we will have a segment called, "Bates, why can't you defend yourself?" In this segment, we'll go over all the ways that Bates sabotages his standing at the Downton household, defends the guilty and refuses to exonerate himself. And to what end?
Finally, we will wrap up with some typical Dowager Countess lines.
Thanks so much for listening, and if you have comments or points of view you'd like to share with the listeners, you can do so from the blog in written or spoken form - or - you can give us a call at 816-379-6956. We look forward to hearing from you! -
In this episode of the Downton Abbey Reflection, we dig deep into the character of John Bates. One of our listeners, Muneerah Page, requested a Bates study, so a Bates study we did. A lot of John Bates' past is a mystery.
So in this episode, we do a lot of searching and a lot of speculation. What was Bates really like before he came to Downton Abbey? Has he really changed his ways? What causes him to be so selfless? After discussing Bates' past, we talk about his current state of affairs: prison. Is Bates really guilty? If not, who is? We talk about who a lot of you think may be guilty of poisoning Vera Bates and what motives they may have. If I left out any significant possibilities, leave a comment or voice message to let me know!
Also, there are now two new ways that you can interact with me and the other listeners of the DA Reflection. You can leave a voice message by calling (816) 379-6956 or by going to the blog at www.downtonabbeyreflection.blogspot.com and clicking on the "leave a voicemail" button on the right side of the screen. Let me know your name, where you're calling from, and what question or comment you'd like addressed on the podcast or blog.
Free Mr. Bates! -
This episode is all about sister rivalry! Hear about how Edith and Mary go at it (in very back-stabbing, slandering, passive aggressive, British ways) and how Mary's pride keeps her from solving everyone's problems. Edith may finally have a love interest, and Matthew has hope for a future that would please Robert and Cora. And of course, we'll talk about the latest quick witted lines from the Dowager Countess.
A listener asked that we do a character study of Bates next, so you can look forward to that next episode. Leave a comment with take aways from this episode - do you agree with my assessment of Mary and Edith's relationship? Is their rivalry simply a carry over from adolescence, or is there more to it?
Let me know what you'd like to hear about next! -
Things are getting wild at the Downton household! There's a new chauffeur, some new romantic interests, and - as always - some new secrets revealed.
In season 1, episode 4, Mrs. Hughes lets us in on her past and how she came to be at Downton Abbey. Daisy struggles to find out who she is and how she fits in, Sybil pushes the envelope (several of them), and Mary decides to do anything but what she is supposed to. This episode is so packed full that I couldn't fit in all of the action in to one podcast episode.
Leave a comment and let me know what you think about Sybil and Mary - and also to discuss some of the plot lines not gone into detail.
One last thing - apologies for inverting the names Violet and Isobel. For some reason, every time I refer to Isobel Crawley, I call her Violet.
Let me know what you'd like to hear next - another character study? - Show more
