# 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:** 54
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1061 "2013-02-21T22:21:03Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > The whole Thomas following Jimmy storyline seemed wrong to me. It’s been 8 months, at the very least, since the incident, and we’re supposed to believe, in all that time, Thomas is still pining for a bit of action with Jimmy? That, after being given a promotion to under-butler and having suffered the fall out from his first attempt, he would actually try on again with Jimmy? I don’t buy it. Was I the only one who came away from the final scene in Thomas’s room with the impression that Jimmy was indeed… “interested” but saying he couldn’t possibly cross the physical line? ---
**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, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1062 "2013-02-21T22:29:54Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Was I the only one who came away from the final scene in Thomas’s room with the impression that Jimmy was indeed… “interested” but saying he couldn’t possibly cross the physical line? I saw it more as Jimmy seeing that Thomas is a decent bloke despite the “incident” and is someone worth having a friendship with. ---
**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 21, 2013, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1063 "2013-02-21T23:30:17Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I saw it more as Jimmy seeing that Thomas is a decent bloke despite the “incident” and is someone worth having a friendship with. Agreed. I don’t think Jimmy is gay or bicurious. Next season I would like to see Thomas get it right, wether it’s with a guest or a visiting servant. Also I’d like to see just what exactly his job as underbutler involves, other than being a heartbeat or fall down the stairs away from being butler ;). ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1064 "2013-02-22T00:12:41Z")
My random guess for the shocking start of next season Matthews father shows up at his funeral. Turns out he just left his life to live in Africa all this time. Oh, so that’s why Isobel turned down the doctor. Or. Matthew has a bastard half brother who is lazy, shallow and drunk, in keeping to the times. Why use spoilers when I don’t really know squat? Well, I suspect some would rather people keep their guessing to themselves. > [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > 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) I’ve been noticing the dog more lately. It’s probably because it does have a more waggly tail. The scene stealer. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1065 "2013-02-22T00:28:05Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > If Fellowes should decide that Matthew is “not dead yet”, I think _Doctor Who_’s Arthur Darvill (Rory) would be a good replacement. Though I seriously doubt that will happen and this will be the English Channel Shark Jumper. well there’s a car on top of him. His eyes are open without blinking and there’s blood gushing out of his ear. Other than that, he should be fine. Bring him back for season 4. If Downton goes down in a Ponzi scheme because Mathew is gone there’s going to be an international incident. I’m talking about writing an actual letter of disapproval. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1066 "2013-02-22T00:37:20Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > On the question of why Thomas followed Jimmy, there’s two levels of why. The immediate level is that a drunk guy who pissed off a lot of people and is waving around a huge wad of cash is “cruisin’ for a bruisin’” and is going to need some help soon. The deeper why – why the usually-selfish Thomas cares about the immediate “why” enough to act with some risk to himself – prompts the sheepish “you know the reason.” In short, I don’t think he followed Jimmy in forlorn hope of a snog under the bridge. I think the statement is self explanatory. He has a crush on Jimmy. But this being a poorly written soap opera he may have paid the guys to beat him up. Notice how he insists that Jimmy run. “RUN JIMMY RUN”. :rolleyes: It should have been “help me you gormless git”. 2 on 2 would have been a fair fight. All he had to do was kick one of them in the balls and then it’s 2 on 1. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1067 "2013-02-22T00:58:18Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I agree that Thomas followed Jimmy to protect him. He also just wants to be where Jimmy is, not because he thinks anything will happen, but just to be close to him. Yup, I agree. Thomas is becoming a much more nuanced character than he started out, and I like it. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1068 "2013-02-22T02:32:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Yup, I agree. Thomas is becoming a much more nuanced character than he started out, and I like it. Since early in the first season, Mrs. Cretin has been saying Rob James-Collier is the best actor in the cast, male or female. I’m finally agreeing with her. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1069 "2013-02-22T02:53:08Z")
The Highclere Castle website re: DA: [http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/downton-abbey.html](http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/downton-abbey.html) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1070 "2013-02-22T02:53:10Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Since early in the first season, Mrs. Cretin has been saying Rob James-Collier is the best actor in the cast, male or female. I’m finally agreeing with her. I don;t agree, but he is clearly the Producers fave character. He’s had three strikes, there’s no way he’d still be around. The stories are getting more and more silly I think. It’s like Julian has a dartboard with horrible things to happen to each, then picks one each down & up stairs character to have some unbelievable tragedy occur to. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1071 "2013-02-22T04:02:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I don;t agree, but he is clearly the Producers fave character. > > He’s had three strikes, there’s no way he’d still be around. > > The stories are getting more and more silly I think. It’s like Julian has a dartboard with horrible things to happen to each, then picks one each down & up stairs character to have some unbelievable tragedy occur to. That’s exactly how it feels like it’s playing out. ---
**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 22, 2013, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1072 "2013-02-22T04:44:55Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The stories are getting more and more silly I think. It’s like Julian has a dartboard with horrible things to happen to each, then picks one each down & up stairs character to have some unbelievable tragedy occur to. Since adjusting my frame of mind from “period drama” to “period soap opera”, I’m enjoying it more. Now I don’t have high expectations for quality writing and serious story lines. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1073 "2013-02-22T06:39:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > … (Thomas) is clearly the Producers fave character. > > He’s had three strikes, there’s no way he’d still be around. > > The stories are getting more and more silly I think. It’s like Julian has a dartboard with horrible things to happen to each, then picks one each down & up stairs character to have some unbelievable tragedy occur to. Exactly correct. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1074 "2013-02-22T14:24:31Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > well there’s a car on top of him. His eyes are open without blinking and there’s blood gushing out of his ear. Other than that, he should be fine. Bring him back for season 4. If Downton goes down in a Ponzi scheme because Mathew is gone there’s going to be an international incident. I’m talking about writing an actual letter of disapproval. Not saying it would be easy, but if perhaps Ethel’s son was autistic and had a snow globe it’s doable and no worse writing. Question about the DVDs: are there any “must see” extras for any of the series? ---
**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 22, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1075 "2013-02-22T15:18:46Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Not saying it would be easy, but if perhaps Ethel’s son was autistic and had a snow globe it’s doable and no worse writing. > > Question about the DVDs: are there any “must see” extras for any of the series? I feel certain that I’m missing an illuminating pop culture reference here; but I’ve no clue at all what it is. Please translate for the olde? ---
**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 22, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1076 "2013-02-22T15:29:26Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I feel certain that I’m missing an illuminating pop culture reference here; but I’ve no clue at all what it is. Please translate for the olde? In the very last episode of the landmark 1980s drama _St. Elsewhere_, it was revealed that the entire series had taken place in the mind of an autistic child who was staring into a snowglobe and that the doctors, nurses, and administrators of the hospital were really members of an impoverished family. ---
**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 22, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1077 "2013-02-22T15:38:03Z")
And, because of character crossovers with several other TV series, it turns out that if you apply strict notions of continuity, then it turns out that a very large chunk of scripted fiction – drama and comedy – in American TV all took place in Tommy Westphall’s imagination. It’s called the “Tommy Westphall Universe” hypothesis. – [http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kwgow/crossovers(full).jpg](http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kwgow/crossovers%28full%29.jpg) ---
**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 22, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1078 "2013-02-22T16:27:20Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > In the very last episode of the landmark 1980s drama _St. Elsewhere_, it was revealed that the entire series had taken place in the mind of an autistic child who was staring into a snowglobe and that the doctors, nurses, and administrators of the hospital were really members of an impoverished family. Aha! Thank you. I must have been at ballet class that night. LOL! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1079 "2013-02-22T17:00:00Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And, because of character crossovers with several other TV series, it turns out that if you apply strict notions of continuity, then it turns out that a very large chunk of scripted fiction – drama and comedy – in American TV all took place in Tommy Westphall’s imagination. It’s called the “Tommy Westphall Universe” hypothesis. – [http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kwgow/crossovers(full).jpg](http://home.vicnet.net.au/~kwgow/crossovers%28full%29.jpg) Wiki discusses it, too: [Tommy Westphall - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Westphall#The_Tommy_Westphall_Universe_Hypothesis) Does Downton Abbey have showers, or just tubs? Because if Patrick Duffy steps out of a shower at some point… ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/1080 "2013-02-22T17:17:52Z")
… where Hotlips Houlihan is desperately trying to cover herself with a washcloth … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791.md?page=55)