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Downton Abbey questions

13 years ago

Last night was the first episode I ever watched. I was surprised it was 2 hours, but very good. I had most of it explained to me, and will go back and watch season 1 and 2 but just a couple quick questions. Who was the prostitute that was asking that lady (didn't catch her name but she hangs out at Downton and not sure who she is) for help and then left? Why is Thomas such a meanie? And did Bates kill whatshername, or was he framed? Thanks!

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Comments (9)

ghoghunter
13 years ago
Bates is innocent.
The prostitute was a former house maid at Downton when it was a hospital for Officers in WWI. She had a baby with one of the officers who would not acknowledge the child. The officer was killed in the war. His parents wanted the baby but not the mother who refused to give him up if she couldn't see the baby.
The Lady who asked about her is Matthew Crawley's Mother.
pam_25f
13 years ago
I really like how the show is paced; it really moves along. Anyone know why former buddies Thomas and OBrien aren't friends anymore? Is it just because she brought her nephew in?
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Oh, I agree that the dialogue is sometimes difficult to understand. I used the closed captioning. I don't know if the CC is dependent on how you get your tv signal. We have DirecTv satellite. Phyllis, could you watch (re-watch) it via the internet on the Masterpiece website? Sometimes I do that in addition to watching on tv, to understand better what is going on... especially at first to sort out all the characters. I think those who didn't see the first seasons' shows would get more out of the current season by watching the previous broadcasts (if it's still available). One line I didn't catch was when Matthew's new fiancee' Lavinia & Lady Mary's beau Sir Richard were discussing something???? outside & were "caught" by Lady Rosamund. It seems there is more between the 2 than first apparent?? Here is a link that might be useful: Watch on line...
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ghoghunter
13 years ago
I think it is because Thomas was upset at the competition for Valet her nephew presented. Both Thomas and O'Brien are really only interested in their own success..they seem incapable of true friendship IMHO.
Joann
jkayd_il5
13 years ago
I watched last night for the first time. At first I didn't know who anyone was so didn't know if I would watch it. I started to learn how people were connected and did enjoy it. Was that Shirley McLain as the American Mom/Grandmother?
cate52
13 years ago
To jakyd_il5..

if you go to
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/

... you can kind of catch up by watching the video recap of seasons 1 & 2... and there is other videos of the actors/characters...
pammyfay
13 years ago
What did you watchers think of Shirley MacLaine (and her character)? When I first read that she was joining the show, I admit that I was perplexed. But some of her lines were great, as was the delivery. Maggie Smith's still got my loyalty (can't wait to see her in "Quartet"), but Shirley MacLaine seems to be a good match for her, no?
alisande
13 years ago
Sleeperblues, just so you know, Netflix streams Season 1. I just finished it (7 episodes), so that's all I've seen so far. A friend of mine has Season 2 on DVD, so I'm hoping to watch them in order. Great show!
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
13 years ago
I thought Shirley McLaine was fantastic in the show; but since she is going back to American, I guess we won't see her again. But I woulod love to see her as a regular.
sleeperblues
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the info everyone.

Alisande, I quit netflix in a huff when they raised their rates and haven't gone back. We do have amazon prime, maybe I should check there.

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