# Downton Abbey S3 - spoiler-free until broadcast in the U.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 2, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791 "2013-01-02T01:45:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 52
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1021 "2013-02-20T20:04:44Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And after she won the game, what did the carny say to his co-worker? I gathered that they hadn’t sufficiently fixed the game but I didn’t catch exactly what he said. Probably not exact, but “Didn’t I tell you to make the boxes wider than the hoops?!?” or something thereabouts. ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1022 "2013-02-20T20:05:03Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And after she won the game, what did the carny say to his co-worker? I gathered that they hadn’t sufficiently fixed the game but I didn’t catch exactly what he said. It was something about the ring being large enough to go 'round the block with the coin. In other words, yes, the game wasn’t “fixed” properly and somebody actually won. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1023 "2013-02-20T20:07:44Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Another trivial question: > > Last week, after Molesley spent a week or two driving everybody batty with his constant advice and self proclaimed expertise on cricket only to [whatever the term similar to ‘strike out’ is for cricket] I don’t know a lot about cricket, but I think Molesley was [bowled out](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dismissal_%28cricket%29#Law_30:_Bowled) on the very first ball. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1024 "2013-02-20T20:09:10Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And after she won the game, what did the carny say to his co-worker? I gathered that they hadn’t sufficiently fixed the game but I didn’t catch exactly what he said. I wondered about this, too. I ran it back several times, but didn’t catch it. I guess I could turn on closed captioning, but I didn’t think of it until right now. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1025 "2013-02-20T20:11:05Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > That’s so stupid. There are all kinds of plausible reasons for a happy couple to spend time apart without being estranged, parted, or separated. Matthew might simply away on business. After all, we are not seeing every minute of the lives of these people. True, but I still think killing him off was the best option. Each series seems to take place over about 12-18 months, for Matthew to be absent every single episode he’d have to take an extended trip overseas, or they’d need to keep coming up with increasingly contrived reasons why he’s never there and turn him into an unseen character. It’d also limit what they can do with Lady Mary’s character. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I thought so, too! Then O’Brien could get to travel with Shrimpie & Co., and the sourpuss would take O’Brien’s place at Downton. New reality show: _Lady’s Maid Swap!_ That cranky old bitch would make O’Brien look like Mother Teresa. Same here. It certainly sounded like she was given how envious she was of Wilkins getting to go to India. The Crawleys don’t seem travel much. We never even hear of Cora visiting her family in New York so it’s very possible O’Brien have never been outside of the British Isles. Has Siobhan Finneran renewed her contract? [QUOTE=Dewey Finn] And after she won the game, what did the carny say to his co-worker? I gathered that they hadn’t sufficiently fixed the game but I didn’t catch exactly what he said. [/QUOTE] He told the boy he should’ve made the blocks bigger so that the rings wouldn’t fit on them. If not it’s a great way to write her out of the show; not that they really need to explain servants leaving onscreen as Fellowes pointed out. O’Brien was never that fond of the Crawleys or the other servants and would probally love to move on to a household where nobody has dirt on her. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1026 "2013-02-20T20:19:24Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I wondered about this, too. I ran it back several times, but didn’t catch it. I guess I could turn on closed captioning, but I didn’t think of it until right now. Actually, even the closed captioning has been remarkably bad this season. There have been quite a few times when I couldn’t catch a word or phrase either way. For instance, it took me several tries to figure out that His Lordship had been born with " . . .a _ROD_ in one hand and a gun in the other ." I had to run it back several times, and then hit pause and frame-by-frame forward to catch the word. It blinked up for only three frames. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1027 "2013-02-20T20:30:25Z")
I didn’t realize that he was referring to a fishing rod until later in the episode when someone else mentioned fishing and rods. I was imagining something like a quarterstaff. I don’t know why. I pictured that Scottish gamekeeper walking up to a wild boar and beating it to death with a big stick. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1028 "2013-02-20T22:41:34Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1029 "2013-02-21T00:49:36Z")
I’ve been avoiding this thread for 10 days, as I just now caught up on the last 4 hours. I wasn’t surprised by the ending as it had been spoiled…but damn, it sucked. They should have gone the Bewitched/Darrin route, and just re-cast the role. I mostly wanted to post about the deerstalker caps actually being worn to stalk deer, but somebody beat me to that. It does seem that Robert keeps many single-function wardrobe items, like a cricket sweater – always dressed for the occasion, even if it’s once/year. But let me be the first to point out that when Bates offered Rose a peppermint, it was from a can of Altoids. Hopefully they found an appropriately vintage can. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1030 "2013-02-21T00:56:38Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > But let me be the first to point out that when Bates offered Rose a peppermint, it was from a can of Altoids. Hopefully they found an appropriately vintage can. This made me curious so I looked it up and the brand Altoids has been around since the 1780s! Wow, I has no idea! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1031 "2013-02-21T01:13:35Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > They should have gone the Bewitched/Darrin route, and just re-cast the role. Daytime soap operas do this all the time. At least they used to way back when I used to watch them. There would be a note saying, “The part of Jane Smith is now being played by Mary Jones,” and the show would go on. I don’t know why it doesn’t happen more often in prime time shows. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1032 "2013-02-21T02:09:18Z")
If I don’t see the following in the first episode of Series 4, I am _done_ with the show: 1. Lord G, Lady G, Isobel Crawley, Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson completely gray-haired. Bonus points for Mrs. Patmore going gray. 2. The kichen range/stove/oven updated to gas. 3. That damn dog dead. All kidding aside, did anyone notice that very few of the Grantham vehicles were horse-drawn in this series? I wonder if the grooms and stable boys were retrained to work on or care for the vehicles or did they take jobs elsewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1033 "2013-02-21T02:14:38Z")
Does anyone remember the episode in which Matthew bought that car? I vaguely remember he said something about how dangerous it was. ---
**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1034 "2013-02-21T02:32:26Z")
I don’t recall the ep, but he placed the order in London on his & Mary’s way out for their honeymoon, and picked it up on the way back. Maybe the first episode of the 3rd season? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1035 "2013-02-21T02:43:00Z")
Again, seriously??? paraplegic loses his fiance’, marries, inherits a zillion dollars which saves the estate, has a child and kills himself on a celebratory drive in the country. It’s like the viewer is deliberately being punked with excess cliched soap opera crap. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1036 "2013-02-21T02:46:11Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Thomas is obviously still attracted to Jimmy, but I take him at his word that he followed Jimmy that day because he was concerned that a drunken and money-flashing young man might attract the attention of local roughnecks. He didn’t say that though did he? I’ll have to watch it again but I thought he said he saw him drunk and followed him… Nothing about protecting him from his own stupidity. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1037 "2013-02-21T02:56:36Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > I > 3) That damn dog dead. It’s a descendant of the original. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1038 "2013-02-21T03:39:20Z")
[QUOTE=kath94] I don’t recall the ep, but he placed the order in London on his & Mary’s way out for their honeymoon, and picked it up on the way back. Maybe the first episode of the 3rd season? [/QUOTE] Yes. When he and Mary drove up to Downton Abbey, that is what he told Lord & Lady G. @ **Magiver** : Matthew wasn’t taking a “celebratory drive”. He took the train from Scotland to Downton. A member of the DA staff delivered his car to the station. Matthew drive to the hospital, visited with Mary and his son, and was driving to Downton Abbey when he ran off the road. Most of your complaints are beyond valid, but, if I may be allowed to fanwank again, I can totally see Matthew being a little uh train-lagged(?) after a long journey. That, coupled with the anxiety about Mary he suffered during that trip, contirubted to his reactions not being as sharp as they ought to, which contributed to the smash-up. Sigh, I know, I know… I shouldn’t watch the series 4. But, [self-loathing over my pathetic weakness]I’m probably gonna[/slompw]. @ **DrDeth** : I was joking. Even if I wasn’t, what about the dog in the opening credits? Didn’t remember _her_ mister smarty-pants clever-clogs?!? J/K! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1039 "2013-02-21T03:40:24Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > 1. That damn dog dead. It’s a different dog. The first dog was male and called Pharoah. The second is female and called Isis. [Cite](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2020601/Downton-Abbeys-war-labradors-Shows-canine-star-hounded-castles-unwelcoming-rival.html) ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1040 "2013-02-21T03:54:14Z")
[QUOTE=Rhiannon8404] It’s a different dog. The first dog was male and called Pharoah. The second is female and called Isis. [/QUOTE] As I’ve already protested (too much!): I kid, I kid. I wuv me dem doggems. Thanks for the link! I completely missed that. Also, I never heard Pharaoh’s death mentioned in either the PBS or Netflix versions of the show. Can someone point me to the series and episode numbers where Pharaoh’s demise was mentioned? Or is that the sort of minutiae that marks me as way too invested emotionally in this show? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791.md?page=53)