# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/101 "2013-01-09T15:16:33Z")
Hmm. Maybe they will get Livinia’s father’s diary where he explains his reasoning for leaving the money for Matthew and it’s one that fits with his principles. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/102 "2013-01-09T15:21:12Z")
Perhaps Matthew will give the money to his mother for her work with fallen women? ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/103 "2013-01-09T15:29:54Z")
I am confused about the will. If the father made the will while Lavinia was alive, why would he not have made Matthew and Lavinia the FIRST heirs? I think Lavinia was his only child. There wasn’t a title, so everything would have passed to her and not necessarily a man. Did he make the will after Lavinia died? If that is the case, then he knows Matthew will be (obviously) marrying someone else and wanted him to have the money if the two preferred heirs could not be found. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/104 "2013-01-09T15:31:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > If the old man thought so highly of Matthew, why wasn’t he first on the list? Because there were a couple of people with whom he had a closer relationship, either by blood or otherwise? Matthew’s standing in his eyes doesn’t get determined in a void, even if he has the utmost esteem for him. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/105 "2013-01-09T15:31:55Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > My favorite character from last night was the woman playing Shirley MacClaine’s maid. The contrast between her and the character MacClaine played was amusing. Mrs. Levenson managed to embody all the stereotypes the English must have held about rich Americans back then. She’s crude, loud and uncouth. Her maid gave us the impression it was all an act and Levenson is just having fun with the Crawleys. As some of you may know, I work for a PBS station, and we’ve been all about the Downton these past few weeks and months. I’m glad someone mentioned Reed, Shirley MacLaine’s maid. [Here is a story I wrote](http://www.ket.org/support/difference/sharp-downtonabbey.htm) for our magazine about Lucille Sharp, the girl who plays Miss Reed. While she was home for Christmas we taped some spots with her and a profile her for one of our magazine programs. I didn’t get to interview her because the deadline for the January issue was way back in early December. But anyway, fun times. I have restrained myself from watching the series ahead, even though I possess a station preview DVD in my office. It’s more fun to watch along with everyone else. My overriding thought at the conclusion of Part I is pique that we got NO wedding night/honeymoon scene with Matthew. Oh and Mary too :D. Matthew is my latest lust-boy. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/106 "2013-01-09T15:58:21Z")
Just saw the first episode of the new season, and really liked it. The new tall footman is a good character, and I like the American lady’s maid’s flirtation with him. Shirley M. was more good than bad, but she wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. Nice to see Sybil and Tom happy together, but hated hated _hated_ her hair. Fun to see Matthew and Tom making common cause together, both now having married into the family. I would’ve liked to see more of the wedding itself. That could’ve been an episode in itself, including the reactions of those in the congregation and at the reception afterwards. Oh, well. > [@StGermain](#): > > …I wish they’d open the London house and show the family and staff in London for a bit. That would be interesting… I agree. Hope we’ll see the family’s London townhouse sometime but, as noted earlier, the Crawleys do seem happier at DA. > [@amarinth](#): > > …I also didn’t like Mary’s wedding dress. It seemed very in fashion and very blah. Y’know, I liked it a lot. Her father’s and Carson’s reaction matched my own. > [@AuntiePam](#): > > …I’d like to see Sir Richard back, but he was probably busy with Game of Thrones. Heh. He _is_ a very good actor. Guess Mary’s talk with Sir Richard, just before he left DA, convinced him not to reveal the Mr. Pamuk episode and ruin her social standing. > [@alphaboi867](#): > > …Lord Grantham’s attendence in the House of Lords… I don’t think it’s been stated that the Earl has ever attended the House of Lords (although I’d be very interested to see that, too). Many nobles didn’t ever show up, due to apathy, the press of other business or inconvenience (and since 1999, many now can’t, at least not as voting members): [House of Lords Act 1999 - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Lords_Act_1999) > [@PunditLisa](#): > > …I find it odd that the Dowager would encourage Edyth’s suitor to break up with her. ~800,000 Britons died in WWI, leaving a severe dearth of eligible bachelors. You’d think she’d encourage any relationship for her dowdy and disagreeable granddaughter, especially with an established gentleman… > > I found the whole “I saw you put a pill in Thomas’ drink” scene to be awkward and horribly contrived. If Strallan witnessed Sybill’s old suitor putting a pill in Thomas’ drink, why didn’t he say something then? It was worsened by the fact that obviously a good part of the scene was left on the editing room floor… > > The Dowager and Mrs. Crawley’s interaction is still superb. Them forcing the acerbic Thomas to get his ass into tails was really cute. I agree with all this. (Of course you mean Thomas, Lady Sybil’s Irish husband, not Thomas the conniving valet). > [@alphaboi867](#): > > …One of my ideas for a distant finale involves a scene of Downton being a hotel and some kind of references to the Crawleys. Like one of the characters’ (now elderly) children being wheeled around muttering about “Bloody tourists”. The other idea an ordinary shot of one of the rooms or gardens, pull back to reveal a _film crew_, then cut to an elderly Crawley complaining about “Bloody film crews”. Hell, for the last one they’d wouldn’t even need to hire extras. 😉 I’m **Elendil’s Heir** and I approve this finale. > [@Magiver](#): > > part of me hopes it’s Mr Carson because, you know, he’s the butler… Heh. Love it! > [@Kevbo](#): > > I took this just as a threat to the cell mate rather than an admission. “Street cred” if you will. The cell mate already believes it, so why not use it to establish that bates is not going to be his bitch. It is also possible that Bates IS a murderer, but not of Vera. Precisely. > [@Sitnam](#): > > To be fair, she appears more selfish than I think she really is… > > Maybe that isn’t a moral justification or excuse, but that’s one of the more interesting questions this show examines. All good points, and well said. On to ep. 2! ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/107 "2013-01-09T17:10:09Z")
I am so glad that they skipped over the wedding itself. The whole time leading up to it I was thinking “God, do I have to sit through another wedding scene? Hasn’t every TV show in history already done that?” ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/108 "2013-01-09T17:26:18Z")
But… but… this was a _Downton Abbey_ wedding! In 1920, dammit! It’s exactly because there _was_ such a buildup that it felt like it was over far too quickly. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/109 "2013-01-09T17:58:45Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I am so glad that they skipped over the wedding itself. The whole time leading up to it I was thinking “God, do I have to sit through another wedding scene? Hasn’t every TV show in history already done that?” I was relieved as well. Also fine with not seeing wedding night scenes or honeymoon scenes. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/110 "2013-01-09T18:11:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Perhaps Matthew will give the money to his mother for her work with fallen women? [Hilarity ensues!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Missionary) ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/111 "2013-01-09T18:15:19Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But… but… this was a _Downton Abbey_ wedding! In 1920, dammit! > > It’s exactly because there _was_ such a buildup that it felt like it was over far too quickly. Bleargh. Weddings are pretty much all the same, except for minor variations in attire. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/112 "2013-01-09T19:22:48Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > But why does only Mary have this responsibility? Wouldn’t one of the other sisters marrying the heir have done just as well? She’s the oldest which probably plays a role in her feeling the responsibility is hers, but you’re right, any of the girls could keep Downton in the family by marriage. And if she was selfish she’d point that out as she ran off with the driver, or gardener, or whatever the hell else she felt like doing on her own. ---
**Author:** ![Didn\_t\_You\_Used\_to\_Be](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/35a633/32.png) [@Didn\_t\_You\_Used\_to\_Be](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didn_t_You_Used_to_Be)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/113 "2013-01-09T22:01:07Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I think Lavinia was his only child. “One never meets and English heiress with a brother.” I loved that line.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/114 "2013-01-09T22:49:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I can’t remember what it was but the Countess Dowager said something that indicated a greater understanding of how normal people live. That was a bit of a contrast to the first series, in which she famously asked, “What’s a week-end?” Actually this is greatly misunderstood. The Dowager Countess may indeed be completely out of touch with regular people, but she didn’t ask about a weekend because she’s never had a workweek in her life. Instead she actually didn’t know the word. The first known usage of “weekend” [was in 1901](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weekend), and the Dowager Countess was speaking around 1912 - 1914 and probably wasn’t up on the most recent slang. She would have known [Saturday-to-Monday](http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/edwardianlife/leisure.html) instead as meaning “a weekly break for visits, leisure activities and church” and would have been aware working people looked forward to their day of rest on Sunday. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/115 "2013-01-10T00:39:40Z")
Do we plan to keep the entire series discussion in this thread, or are we going to have separate thread for each episode? I’d like to propose we have new threads for each episode. I spend a lot of time watching old series and like to look up previous discussions. It is so disheartening to read a tiny bit ahead when you don’t like to see spoilers! Also it will be easier for us to keep track of from week to week. Who’s with me? ---
**Author:** ![brownMouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@brownMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownMouse)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/116 "2013-01-10T01:51:53Z")
Would we still be able to cite previous episodes? ---
**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:** [January 10, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/117 "2013-01-10T04:41:03Z")
> [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > Actually this is greatly misunderstood. The Dowager Countess may indeed be completely out of touch with regular people, but she didn’t ask about a weekend because she’s never had a workweek in her life. Instead she actually didn’t know the word. > > The first known usage of “weekend” [was in 1901](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weekend), and the Dowager Countess was speaking around 1912 - 1914 and probably wasn’t up on the most recent slang. She would have known [Saturday-to-Monday](http://www.pbs.org/manorhouse/edwardianlife/leisure.html) instead as meaning “a weekly break for visits, leisure activities and church” and would have been aware working people looked forward to their day of rest on Sunday. Hmm, your link says the first use of weekend to mean " the period between the close of one work or school week and the start of the next" was 1638. Maybe it is more of a class thing. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2013, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/118 "2013-01-10T05:23:12Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Hilarity ensues!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Missionary) Heh. Maggie Smith was in that too, also playing a noblewoman. > [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Do we plan to keep the entire series discussion in this thread, or are we going to have separate thread for each episode? > > I’d like to propose we have new threads for each episode. I spend a lot of time watching old series and like to look up previous discussions. It is so disheartening to read a tiny bit ahead when you don’t like to see spoilers! > > Also it will be easier for us to keep track of from week to week. Who’s with me? As the OP, I’d rather keep all of S3 in this thread. Just don’t read beyond the broadcast date of whichever episode(s) you haven’t seen yet. > [@brownMouse](#): > > Would we still be able to cite previous episodes? Of course. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/119 "2013-01-10T05:50:07Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Hmm, your link says the first use of weekend to mean " the period between the close of one work or school week and the start of the next" was 1638. Maybe it is more of a class thing. In the 2nd Christmas special it’s revealed that… …the Dowager Countess is actually a vampire (& a former mistress of Henry VIII) and has been glamouring everyone into thinking she’s Robert’s mother. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2013, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s3-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/645791/120 "2013-01-10T12:31:21Z")
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