Short & Sweet Treats discussion

For my fellow bibliophiles that adore Downton Abbey, let us discuss the stories, the costumes, the characters, and the cries! Warn of spoilers in your threads :)

Just started season 4 this evening in the states! Very excited to see how this season unfolds after the tragedies of the past seasons.

I never got into it. I meant to. it looks good!

I love Downton Abbey. My favorite character is the Dowager Countess played by Maggie Smith. I am curious who other's favorite character are. I am looking forward to tonight's episode.

Laurie, I also look forward to this evening's program.
My two favorite characters are:

All I can say is Mrs. Hughes rocks! I hope Anna can come to terms and have Green punished.

I am bummed. I worked an evening shift last night and I was hoping to watch Downton Abbey when I got home last night. My local PBS station usually runs the episode a second time later in the night, but not last night. I am hoping they will play it later in the week or it will come on pay-for-view.

I agree, Jen. Mrs. Hughes rocks. She is one of my favorite characters too. She is one of the more sane and sensible characters in the show.

Laurie,
Last week a friend of mine was having difficulty with getting the program, she watched it on PBS streaming online a day or two after the show.

This last episode has left me wondering about Mr. Bates. Maybe he is not such a nice guy. Maybe he did murder his first wife? What is up with him?

And Lady Edith? What is with the visit to the doctor in London? Pregnant? Lots of questions?

Laurie,
Just watched the episode...
I don't think Mr. Bates killed his wife, but I think he has a horrid temper and doesn't know when to leave well enough alone. Anna needs, or Mrs. Hughes, to tell him to let it alone for Anna's good.

Lady Edith? I hope she's not pregnant... And, I wish her and Mary would resolve their differences, so spiteful and juvenile.

I also wonder if Jimmy tampered with the letter for Alfred's "Chopped".

I hope Tom stays! Don't want him to leave the show, too.

Jen,
I did not think of Jimmy possibly tampering with Alfred's letter, but now that you mention it I am beginning to wonder myself.

What is with Mary and Edith, is it just sibling rivalry? They seem to always be bickering with each other.

I still am not sure about Mr. Bates, I feel that he has a sinister side we have not seen. I hope I am wrong, because Anna is one of my favorite characters.
I do not want to see Anna hurt anymore.

Laurie,
I think the story between Edith and Mary needs to evolve. I believe last season, Mary said that they will never get along but will try for the time being, after Lady Sybil's death.

I am curious about the new lady in waiting, Ms. Baxter, and her relationship with Thomas. Curious for this story line.

I agree Bates does seem to have a sinister side...

Well, no big surprises in episode 5.

Rose having the "hots" for band leader Jack Ross I find too predictable. I figured she was going to be the flighty, scandalous cousin. Is Edith pregnant? I am not sure, the letter from her doctor was shown so briefly.

I do find the letter and problems of Uncle Harold back in America intriguing. That was touched on briefly. What's up with those American relatives. I would love to see Shirley MacLaine's character come back.

Laurie,
I paused on the segment with the letter, Lady Edith is pregnant. Hopefully her aunt will be able to help her sort it out.
I'd like to see more about the American relatives too.
So glad that Alfred got the job at the Ritz! And good for Daisy telling off Ivy!

Jen,
I would love to see Alfred and Daisy get together. Alfred probably does not realize his true feelings for Daisy.

So, Lady Edith is pregnant! It is going to be interesting to see how that plays out.

Me too, Laurie. It would be nice for Daisy to have a true love.

Yup! Lets hope auntie doesn't send her to Germany!

I enjoyed episode six. I am delighted the Dowager Countess did not die. I can not image the show without her.

I am beginning to really like Aunt Rosmund, I believe she really cares for her niece. Although, Lady Edith is not one of my favorite characters, I do feel bad for her.

I believe bodily harm will come to Mr Green in the near future. I love how Mrs. Hughes gave him a piece of her mind.

Does Lady Mary have three suitors now? It seems no one can resist the pretty widow.

I, too, enjoyed episode 6. The show is definitely leading up to a finale.

I thought that Mrs. Hughes was going to beat the snot out of Mr. Green! And, the look Mr Bates cast upon him! Oh, I have a feeling someone is going to come to an end... But, I'd rather prefer Green be thrown in prison!

I like Lady Edith, but she seems to make horrible choices. And, I think she plans to have the tenant farmer raise her child based on the teaser for next week. And I agree, her aunt is wonderful.

So what became of Michael? Its the year of the Beer Hall Putsch, maybe in jail with Hitler?

I'm not a fan of Lord Gillingham, he's rather stuffy, and I think Mary needs someone that breaks her out of that shell the way Matthew did. So, with that said, I do like Mr. Blake.

I am also glad Violet recovered, love Maggie Smith!

So next week, we should be off to America! Should prove to be an interesting episode.

Oh, and I wonder what Ivy proposed to Alfred!!!!

I was on vacation and was unable to watch Downton Abbey until last night.

The number one question after watching episode seven is: What did Mr. Bates do? Is he a murderer?

Also, Where is Michael? Jen, I am going to google the Beer Hall Putsch. I am sorry to say, I need to brush up on my European History.

As for Lady Mary's "desire" of suitors, I am not sure who I like better, Mr. Blake or Lord Gillingham.

Is Rose's romance with her band leader really swept under the rug that easy? Has Rose really recovered? Maybe she is just a flighty young girl, who wants to upset her mother.

Mr. Bates definitely had enough time to get to London and back to Downton before anyone knew the wiser to 'trip' Mr. Green into traffic. Not sure if he would risk being seen by Mary or Anna since they were also in London.

I think Michael is locked up in jail or he may have died since the events in Munich are escalating quickly into violent events.

I prefer Mr. Blake, I think Lord Gillingham is vile. Engaging himself to a woman and then breaking it off because he thinks he's in love with Mary. In addition, he was having money problems and would stand to gain a lot by marrying Mary.

Not sure if the romance is over or not... I think Rose did like Ross and that she is progressive minded, but I also think she's too anxious to hurt her mother. I don't think Jack Ross will continue to engage Rose, though, especially after his chat with Mary.

What is Violet up to??? Is she setting Isobel up with this new chap?

Jen,
I liked that you picked up on the idea that Michael may have been caught up in events in Germany. I forgot that Germany was a tumultuous place between the two World Wars. Now I am very interested in his whereabouts.

I really like Jack Ross. It is probably best that he forgets about Rose. Rose I feel is still too young and flighty. Maybe we will see her mature in coming episodes.

I think it would be great if Isobel hooked up with that dapper gentleman. (I can not remember his name).

I am looking forward to the next episode. It appears Shirley MacLaine is back. I love her character, the out-spoken American mother-in-law.

And, sigh, its our last episode (2 hours) until the next season.

Oh, I am sad, I was wondering if it was the last episode. I hope there will be a new season.

From what I understand, Laurie, the show is already in filming stages.

I am sad, season four is over.

No cliff-hangers for the end of the fourth season, but I like how it ended with Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes walking hand and hand into the ocean, very sweet.

I like how the Prince of Wales got tossed into the cast of characters. Of course, Lady Mary is correct when she states that it will probably be a matter of time before he creates a scandal due to his reckless behavior, after all that work that was put into saving his reputation.

I enjoyed watching how the Americans and the British clashed in this episode. American "brashness" just comes off as rude in Great Britain. I find Uncle Harold an interesting character.

Questions remain, is Mr. Bates going to get away with murder? Is he a murderer? Can't Lady Edith leave well enough alone? WHERE IS MICHAEL? Is Isobel going to fall in love with that dapper chap? Oh my goodness, do I really have to wait until next year?

I greatly enjoy the intermingling of American characters with the British to show the differences in culture. And, Uncle Howard was great, loved his blunt behavior towards Madeline. It was all so true about what the upper classes will do to keep a flow of income. I hope Uncle Howard makes more appearances.

I'm not sure if Bates did it or not, but his 'look' towards Mary and Mrs. Hughes when discussing London was telling.

I actually am proud of Lady Edith, for once she is doing what is right for her and breaking 'traditions'. I've read on forums about how her character is too whiney, but I've seen a lot of growth in her character the last 2 seasons. More than I can say for Mary to be honest.

On Michael, I think he's dead, probably beaten to death by the Brown Shirts. :(

So glad that nobody died on this finale like last season, loved that it ended on an upbeat note. :)

I thought of you ladies when I saw this article!

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/481845...

Thanks Laura, you're awesome. :) Fortunately, my next favorite TV show, Once Upon a Time resumes March 9th :)

Thank you so much, Laura. I love the article, some of those books I actually plan on reading in the future.

News sources are stating that in season 5 we will have another big loss and that it will probably be the last season.

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "News sources are stating that in season 5 we will have another big loss and that it will probably be the last season."

NO! Say it isn't so!

I found this article on downtown abbey-esque YA books. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/519185...

Thank you Laura!

you are very welcome Jen! :)

I can't wait until season five! I live in the U.S so I have to wait a long time for it to air (sigh). Until then I'll be waiting eagerly!

Same here, Lauren :)

Live Downton Abbey Cast & Creators Webcast on Saturday, May 3, 4pm ET!
Experiencing acute symptoms of Downton Abbey withdrawal? Thanks to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, you can catch up with the Downton Abbey cast and creators in a live, webcast event on Saturday, May 3, 2014, 4pm ET. [Come back to this page to watch the webcast.]

You'll get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the Primetime Emmy® Award winning drama, through the eyes of cast members Joanne Froggatt (Anna), Robert James-Collier (Thomas), Sophie McShera (Daisy) and Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes).

Julian Fellowes, creator and executive producer, and Gareth Neame, executive producer, will also join in the conversation which will be moderated by Fandango's Dave Karger.

What's the cure for Downton Abbey withdrawal? MORE Downton Abbey! Don't miss this incredible opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the cast and creators of your favorite show!


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/p...

an exhibition of the costumes of Downtown Abbey until 2015.

www.winterthur.org/downtonabbey

Darn! I wish I could get to Delaware...

I have watched all of the past episodes now and I absolutely love the show. I cannot wait for January for the next season.

Oh yea, Brenda! I'm so glad you are also hooked on Downton! :) We can both discuss our thoughts on the show.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/519185...

YA historical fiction for Downton Abbey fans!

Season 5 premiere (in the US) on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Mark your calendars DA fans!! :)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/d...

My calendars are marked!

Thank you, Lisa!

Thank you, will set my DVR :)