Take Me Downton: Series 4 Finale In Review

If you were expecting something phenomenal in the finale of the current series of Downton Abbey, well you were probably disappointed.

However there were some things that were fantastic about it.

Let's list them now

Daisy attracting the attention of Howard Levinson's valet

Howard Levinson played by Paul Giamatti was really the best part of the show. I'd love to see him back along with his mother Martha Levinson (Shirley Maclaine). For a gentlemen who doesn't care for debutante's his little romance was lovely.

Rose! How one young lady can almost bring down the monarchy!

Mrs Hughes and Carson. So sweet!

Lady Edith getting some gumption!

Is there no end to the stuff that Bates can do?

Branson coming into his own. Love him!

Now for the cons..

Lady Mary is just too snotty. I would have liked a better relationship with her and Edith, most of the time I want to smack her. And she doesn't deserve any of the gentlemen at her beck and call.

Dear god the Anna/Rape thing that would not go away....and it didn't help the characters develop.

The Prince Of Wales...they found actors/actresses that looked enough like King George V and Queen Mary, why could they not find one for the Prince.

No real closure for Edith..I want to know what happened to Michael.

I liked that the episode ended on an uplifting note, but overall this season has been a downer.

Take Me Downton: Downton Abbey Epi 7

Ah Downton Abbey, the most depressing show on television that you just can't stop watching.

This episode was terribly boring with too many stories taking up the hour.

Lady Edith is prepared to give up her baby and there still is no sign of Michael Gregson.

Really Mr. Fellowes, how much can one girl take?

Bates is prepared to avenge his wife, now that he knows who her attacker is.

~sigh~ more trouble there...

Then there's Rose. She's the exciting one right now, it is just a shame that you can't really like her all that much, because she's not genuine.

I really wish she loved Mr. Ross as much as he loved her.

Lady Mary is, as always surrounded by suitors, but she's still not over Matthew and may never be.

Ho hum.

I have to admit to being on Team Gillingham, because he really seems to care about her.

Then there's the whole Albert/Daisy/Ivy thing.

I could never understand this at all.

And while we're downstairs, Molesley seems to be striking up some sort of relationship with Baxter.

It is a shame that the only excitement of this series revolves around the terrible rape story arc.

While there have been many great guest stars this series, nothing has made it stand out.

Take Me Downton: Downton Abbey In Review

Watching Downton Abbey this season has truly been a depressing thing.

Rose is truly the only character that brings any amusement to the series, with her amorous antics and constant quest for fun.

This episode did bring some humanity to Lady Mary's character. It was great to see her acting more human and less of a robot, or rather a person with a very large stick up her bum.

Once again Penelope Wilton shows her great talent playing Isobel Crawley. I adore her and her determination to take care of people, especially the slightly curmudgeonly Violet.

Lady Edith is still going through some nasty trials, she's pregnant and contemplating an abortion. Yikes! Can this character have any happiness? Apparently not, if Julian Fellowes keeps on this way. It just doesn't seem fair when Lady Mary has....three or more men vying for her attentions less than a year after the death of her husband.

The Anna/Bates storyline is getting close to coming to a head. Mrs. Hughs did a splendid job giving a certain man whatfor. I would have liked to have taken a frying pan to that guy's head.

Lord Robert is off to the US to save Cora's brother's backside. Really wanted to sock him when he made a comment to take care of his dog...wait not sock Lord Robert but rather Hugh Bonneville, because he doesn't like the dog, which actually puts him on my list of actors I don't like.

Thomas is really coming out of his shell this season. I hope he sticks around the Abbey, his character really is breath of fresh air.

This was quite probably the best episode of this series.

Take Me Downton Episodes 5 & 6 In Review

This season of Downton Abbey really is lackluster. Even with all the drama of Series 3, there were high points, with weddings and pregnancies etc.

This series is all about the gloom and doom. The only bit of excitement comes from Rose, who is a bit of a tart. (OK, no, she's slutty, but you have to love her) Rose's party girl behavior is about the only thing that makes this show tolerable right now.

First there was the whole Anna rape thing. As much as I love Julian's writing, this story arc was not done well.

Episode 5 is all about Bates finding out what happened to Anna and Alfred getting reading for his test at the Ritz to see if he can make it into their training program.

Episode 6 is more lively with Lord Grantham's birthday party. The ragtime was fabulous and Gary Carr's singing really made the show.

I do like that the little one's are appearing a bit more. Young Sybil is adorable and Tom is proving to be a loving father, which is more than we can say for Lady Mary. I have to say, her character becomes more unlikable with each episode.

And then there's Lady Edith. Why can this poor girl not catch a break? Every man in her life disappears, in one way or another.

I really loved Michael, and I shake my fist at Julian Fellowes for what is likely going to become the outcome of this relationship.

One can hold out hope that series 5 may see him return.

The other awesome story arc is with the Dowager and Lady Crawley over the gardener that may or may not have been a thief. I love when these two characters butt heads. (I also love Maggie Smith and Penelope (the Prime Minister) Wilton.

We watch tv for entertainment and fun. Downton Abbey is neither anymore, yet like any good soap opera, I can't stop watching.

Take Me Downton: Downton Abbey In Review Series 4 Epi 2 SPOILERS

The second episode of Series 4 Downton Abbey aired last night and any fan of the show can come away with a few conclusions.

1. Julian Fellowes is an evil man and there are certain characters in this series that he really hates and others he really loves.

2. The storyline of Anna Bates was just shoddy.

Allow me to elaborate on these two points. Lady Mary always has a beau, even 6 months after her husband died, when she is still in proper mourning. (Heck for as backward as these aristocrats are...I have to wonder if her acquiring new beau is not de rigueur. Lady Edith on the other hand gets the short end of the stick with men and truthfully I think she has a much more pleasing personality. Lady Mary, please remove the stick from out of your bum, you'll have a much better time.

Oh and where was her baby?

GAH!

I just feel bad for Edith...she gets the gorgeous older guys and things always go wrong. I love Michael Gregson, he's been the best of her beau (I would do him in a heartbeat) and you just know something bad is going to happen, because Julian will not let Edith have happiness for any length of time. Julian are you good friends with Steven Moffat? Because you both know how to inflict misery on the fans of your shows.

Now onto the Anna Bates rape...Yeah...this was just bad. First of all, her behavior plays in with the boys club "She was asking for it" mentality. I mean, her behavior wasn't the Anna we're used to. It was like she was playing coy with Green, and you could tell he was up to no good.

I really felt that this story arc was done for shock value and it wasn't really well written at all in comparison to other parts of this show.

Now onto the awesomeness...Michael saving Lord Grantham's ass. Woot! I wish they'd start making Lord Grantham just a little bit more progressive. It is hard to imagine him and Cora as a happy couple. They really are two different people.

Any scene with Mrs. Patmore. And seriously Mr. Fellowes, don't you dare think of killing her off, m'kay?

Loved the house party and Lady Mary's new beau Lord Gillingham is quite a dish, though not as dishy as Michael Gregson.

I can't wait for next week!