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Downton Abbey’ recap: The season finale
The Washington Post ^ | 2-24-14 | Joe Heim

Posted on 02/24/2014 9:50:46 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic

Wait, did the season finale of “Downton” leave us with more questions than it answered?

Here’s what we still don’t know:

Did Bates kill Green? Will Mary choose Blake or Gillingham or Napier? (Okay, probably not Napier). Will Edith ever locate Michael Gregson? What dirt does Barrow have on Baxter? (And, related, why do the names of so many characters on “Downton” begin with B? Bates, Blake, Barrow, Baxter, Bunting, Branson, Braithwaite. I’m out of breath).

I doubt the last question will be answered and it looks like we’ll have to wait for next season to find out about the others.

Until then, I hope this scientific analysis of this season’s final episode will suffice.

It’s mid-summer 1923 and London is sinking under the weight of toffs, all in town for debutante season. Our friends from Downton Abbey are here for the presentation of ditzy Rose to the king and queen and for her debutante ball.

It’s not just Americans who think this is a strange ritual. “Seems odd to me that a curtsy and a nod from the throne turns a girl into a woman, but that’s the way they do it so who are we to argue,” says Mrs. Hughes.

There’s not quite as much room in the Granthams’ ramshackle London digs, so they are “squeezed in like sardines,” as Rose puts it. Poor dears. Cora says that there may have to be some doubling up to which Mary responds: “I’d rather sleep on the roof than share with Edith.” That seems a bit mean, but would you want to share a room with Edith?

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; History; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: downtonabbey; drama; fiction
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1 posted on 02/24/2014 9:50:46 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Read the whole thing. I particularly like this author’s projections for Season 5. Amusing...


2 posted on 02/24/2014 9:52:14 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic

The libtards watch OUR series complete with OUR values?


3 posted on 02/24/2014 9:52:59 AM PST by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Love that show.

Ever notice that the lowest, sleaziest, meanest person there is still more moral, smarter, and more likeable than the Obamadork?

Sorry, couldn’t resist...you know it’s true.


4 posted on 02/24/2014 9:59:11 AM PST by Da Coyote
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Don’t care who or what I love the series. I think the last scene of Carson and Hughes walking together in the surf showed that Carson was really a pussycat. Masterpiece Theater does amazingly well in portraying life in whatever era they do. All the costumes and scenery are meticulously done. Good show. Looking forward to the next series.


5 posted on 02/24/2014 10:00:33 AM PST by SkyDancer (I Believe In The Law Until It Intereferes With Justice.)
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To: Da Coyote

Even thomas Barrow? I’m late to this series, but I’ve been waiting for him to get his comeuppance since he stole Lord Grantham’s dog and locked him in a shed all night. Evil little creep.


6 posted on 02/24/2014 10:03:23 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic
When the author of this piece mentions the letter retrieved from the card shark and the possibility of it being handed over to the press:

(As a member of the press, I can assure you the latter would never happen, because the press simply doesn’t engage in such tawdry business.)

7 posted on 02/24/2014 10:06:29 AM PST by Slyfox (When Jesus sees a momma holding her little baby, it reminds him of his own momma.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Even thomas Barrow? I’m late to this series, but I’ve been waiting for him to get his comeuppance since he stole Lord Grantham’s dog and locked him in a shed all night. Evil little creep.

The actor who plays him has a website with the URL EvilButler.com.

Will Edith ever locate Michael Gregson?

Don't care. Saw that plot twist coming as soon as they said where he was headed. I know we've got 90 years of history more than those people, but I got hoarse yelling at the TV screen every time they brought up that storyline.

8 posted on 02/24/2014 10:10:28 AM PST by x
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I called the Teapot Dome scandal right, but my theory that Gregson got caught up in the Beerhall Putsch, collapsed because of timing. The Putsch was 8–9 November 1923, not the summer of 1923.
Oh, well. Can’t wait to see what happened to Gregson in Munich, but I bet it involves the NSDAP, somehow.


9 posted on 02/24/2014 10:10:37 AM PST by Little Ray (How did I end up in this hand-basket, and why is it getting so hot?)
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To: SkyDancer

Agree 100%!! Love the show, love the sets...love it all ;)


10 posted on 02/24/2014 10:14:31 AM PST by Jane Long (While Marxists continue the fundamental transformation of the USA, progressive RINOs assist!)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I love that look Elizabeth McGovern gives. It’s even cuter when she has her head slightly cocked....as if she’s *possibly* in doubt!

I love this song she sings with her band....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyIFdZ5F8Y8


11 posted on 02/24/2014 10:17:14 AM PST by Jane Long (While Marxists continue the fundamental transformation of the USA, progressive RINOs assist!)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Have liked it less with each passing season. Looked real promising in the beginning. Probably just me, but most of the characters seem to have become petty and maudlin.


12 posted on 02/24/2014 10:21:10 AM PST by LibWhacker
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To: FReepers
Less Than 10.5K To Go And The Freepathon Is Over!


Click The Pic To Donate

Support FR, Donate Monthly If You Can

13 posted on 02/24/2014 10:24:30 AM PST by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Well if you remember during the Great War episode he got taken in by a black marketeer. Thought that was a good comeuppance. BTW, what happened to his hand that was injured to the point he couldn’t use it. It seems to have healed itself or did I miss an episode where it was fixed or something.


14 posted on 02/24/2014 10:28:45 AM PST by SkyDancer (I Believe In The Law Until It Intereferes With Justice.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Was it just me? Or, did this season seem EXTREMELY short!

Man... I waited THAT long for THIS???

I think Bates is going to be in trouble again. They went to great lengths to make Lord Grantham and Mary be deeply indebted to him. That will make for a great conflict next year... when, Bates is charged (falsely) with murder.. again. The blogger might be right though.. maybe, in the end? The REAL killer comes forward.. to “save her man”??

Is Rose going to have a fling with the Prince?? Why not? I mean, it’s GOOD to be King (or Prince).

I bet the “good man” pig farmer starts blackmailing Edith for money... or, maybe even sex? I think I might even give odds on that one.

Will be fun to see how it all shakes out. Just wish I didn’t have to wait another TEN months! SheesH!


15 posted on 02/24/2014 10:38:15 AM PST by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I’m extremely confused. Watched last nights episode, did they fast forward eight months?


16 posted on 02/24/2014 10:40:22 AM PST by diamond6 (Behold this Heart which has so loved men!" Jesus to St. Margaret Mary)
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To: diamond6

Yes, they skipped over the period Edith was in Switzerland “under the weather”.


17 posted on 02/24/2014 10:41:37 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: SomeCallMeTim

This last episode was extremely boring, and I am sick of Rose.... B.O.R.I.N.G.


18 posted on 02/24/2014 10:57:49 AM PST by diamond6 (Behold this Heart which has so loved men!" Jesus to St. Margaret Mary)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

IIRC, the story line was that Edith was “studying French” in Switzerland. Just as contrived, I know.


19 posted on 02/24/2014 11:42:25 AM PST by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: Charles Martel

You’re right, I chose “under the weather” as a euphemism of being preggo.


20 posted on 02/24/2014 11:47:51 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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