# Downton Abbey S5 - spoiler-free until broadcast in the U.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244 "2014-07-28T15:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**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 10, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/321 "2015-02-10T03:22:40Z")
As a human being, I feel sorry for Edith. As a DA fan, I hope she’ll finally stop her damned moping now that she’s got her kid back. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/322 "2015-02-10T04:05:28Z")
I hope Edith takes over Gregson’s publishing business and becomes the Katherine Graham of her day. Then she can hire the Woodward and Bernstein of her day to find out who the fuck killed Mr. Green and lay that plot line to rest! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/323 "2015-02-10T04:18:46Z")
Just when we thought that Sad Sack couldn’t be any more morose, she gets a telegram. What a bag full of blues she is; I wish she’d just jump in the Thames and give us a break from the Debby Downtoner routine. My prediction of Mary in a coma (or worse) didn’t pan out. Thomas shows us some humanity at long last: even a smile! ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/324 "2015-02-10T16:42:00Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > I was thinking, “OMG, they made a point of mentioning the side-saddle thing! They must be telegraphing that she’ll fall off and die!”, but then she didn’t. Weird. Sometimes, Fellowes \*is \*capable of throwing a change-up. 🙂 I liked the scene in Robert’s dressing room. Two people acting like real grownups and doing realistic things, not like soap-opera puppets. Lots of loose ends tied up: Barrow’s injections (total scam, not merely bad medicine), Marigold & Edith, Robert & Cora, Bates & Anna & did-he-or-didn’t he. Was that a left-handed marriage proposal from Carson to Mrs. Hughes? Once again, it brought to mind the parallel scene in Upstairs, Downstairs: after 5 seasons of the butler and cook only addressing each other as “Mr. Hudson” and “Mrs. Bridges”, out of nowhere they have a moment together where they call each other “Angus” and “Kate” and refer to their plans to marry and buy a little house somewhere when they retire. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![mind\_the\_gap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/325 "2015-02-11T04:11:05Z")
I’m thinking Mrs. Hughes comment to Carson to “Go and ring the gong”, then smiling a little smug smile confirmed his proposal. Kind of a “gotcha”. She seems to be capable of seeing through his gruff manner and stiffness. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/326 "2015-02-11T12:02:58Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Just when we thought that Sad Sack couldn’t be any more morose, she gets a telegram. What a bag full of blues she is; I wish she’d just jump in the Thames and give us a break from the Debby Downtoner routine. Amen. I feel sorry for the actress who has to play her. Who would want that crappy role? Can someone explain the breakfast in bed thing to me? I seem to remember learning when Mary got married that once a woman is married, she gets to eat breakfast in bed. But does she have to? It seems like a real pain in the ass. Once in awhile, maybe, but day after day after day…? It’s like you’re a prisoner in bed until after breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/327 "2015-02-11T12:52:30Z")
Also, who wants to eat breakfast 15 seconds after you’ve opened your eyes? Don’t these people have to get up and pee like normal human beings? ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/328 "2015-02-11T13:35:16Z")
So the whole thing is going to turn into a disaster for Edith, right? As in, she has absolutely no idea of how to care for a child? Sure, let’s stuff her full of ice cream… ---
**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 11, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/329 "2015-02-11T14:30:51Z")
Isn’t that what nannies are for? ---
**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 11, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/330 "2015-02-11T15:23:39Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Also, who wants to eat breakfast 15 seconds after you’ve opened your eyes? Don’t these people have to get up and pee like normal human beings? Ahem. These are British aristocrats and thus, by definition, not normal human beings. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/331 "2015-02-11T15:29:54Z")
What’s really unbelievable is that the top 3 servants could all take the same day off (while there are guests) to go view the cottage. And to invite Daisy! What if someone wanted a nosh? StG ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/332 "2015-02-11T17:21:09Z")
My favorite scene was Spratt nearly apoplectic over the Dowager’s new maid, and her resistance to the way things should be done. I love his character. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/333 "2015-02-11T17:45:37Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > My favorite scene was Spratt nearly apoplectic over the Dowager’s new maid, and her resistance to the way things should be done. I love his character. And his total inability to say the word “underwear”. 🙂 That was great – tattling on each other. I actually felt some aristocratic empathy for the Dowager…will you people just get along and leave me alone? Do I have to bang both your heads together? ---
**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 11, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/334 "2015-02-11T20:23:28Z")
I think she should… if only for the DA sound engineer to finally have the chance to use that knocking-coconut sound effect he’s got on the shelf. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/335 "2015-02-11T20:27:15Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > And his total inability to say the word “underwear”. 🙂 I didn’t really get that argument. Were all her clothes _except_ for her “dainties” being sent up to the big house to be cleaned and the maid wanted to send her dainties too? ---
**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 11, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/336 "2015-02-11T20:50:54Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > > [@corkboard](#): > > > > My favorite scene was Spratt nearly apoplectic over the Dowager’s new maid, and her resistance to the way things should be done. I love his character. > > And his total inability to say the word “underwear”. 🙂 > That was great – tattling on each other. I actually felt some aristocratic empathy for the Dowager…will you people just get along and leave me alone? Do I have to bang both your heads together? I liked how Isobel mentioned that she had no butler and no lady’s maid partly to avoid the drama. (I can’t remember though; does she have any servants?) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/337 "2015-02-11T20:52:47Z")
> [@leahcim](#): > > I didn’t really get that argument. Were all her clothes _except_ for her “dainties” being sent up to the big house to be cleaned and the maid wanted to send her dainties too? Yes. In other words, previously the Butler or whoever thought that the 'dainties" could not be sent away for strangers to handle so he made the previous ladies maid wash them. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/338 "2015-02-11T20:55:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I liked how Isobel mentioned that she had no butler and no lady’s maid partly to avoid the drama. (I can’t remember though; does she have any servants?) It would be common for a lady in her position to have people come in- a cleaning lady, a gardener, etc. as opposed to live-in servants. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/339 "2015-02-11T21:00:44Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > What’s really unbelievable is that the top 3 servants could all take the same day off (while there are guests) to go view the cottage. And to invite Daisy! What if someone wanted a nosh? It’s all of a piece with the rest of the portrayal of the ‘downstairs’ life circa 1924: spacious quarters; complete freedom to make personal remarks to one’s employers; and leisure time a-plenty, to study or to go off on excursions. In other words: not even _remotely_ accurate. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244/340 "2015-02-11T23:33:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes. In other words, previously the Butler or whoever thought that the 'dainties" could not be sent away for strangers to handle so he made the previous ladies maid wash them. I for one would much rather have the person who handles my skidmarks be someone I never have to look in the eye ever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-s5-spoiler-free-until-broadcast-in-the-u-s/694244.md?page=18)