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Downton Abbey questions

11 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
11 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
11 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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I cannot remember what put O'Brien and Thomas against each other. Way back O'Brien mistakenly thought Cora was going to replace her. Cora was pregnant (possibility of male heir) and O'Brien deliberately placed soap on the floor to cause Cora to slip as she stepped out of tub. (She is Cora's lady's maid) Cora had a miscarriage and O'Brien discovered Cora had been looking for a lady's maid for someone else.
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I finally got around to watching the last episode and have changed my mind about Thomas possibly having a decent side to him. Sunday night I missed the part about him taking Isis just so that he could "find" her later and gain favor with Lord Gratham. Actually thought he was concerned enough to actually go out looking for her. Ha! Should have known better. Fun2BHere said she never considered Vera may not have committed suicide. Did I miss something else along the way that would have us believe it was suicide?
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Hmmm, gay. So perhaps he was looking to Edith as his cover up while he carried on with Thomas. The plot thickens. I have never seen Easy Virtue but now I will have to loo for it. I can see Talbot slowly losing his mind living at Downton under Mary's (and George's -- since we know he has no future on the stage) thumb. And how about Spratt! I knew we were in for a surprise with the advice columnist -- but Spratt? Never saw that coming. I think Branson will end up with the pretty editor.
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There was a post about this a few days ago.. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5791418/my-da-matinee-but-where-was-matthew#n=14
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ghoghunter
11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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
11 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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