Downton Abbey Discussion continued...

[ErikNorseman]

Here!

HoldMe you do know it's not real right?

I think the "upturn" reference is because a couple of weeks ago the tagline was "dumbton" or something like that because the series was on a dip at the time (everyone was moaning the non-realism).

It's an upturn in terms of drama and interest though- it doesn't offend me personally.

over sensitive IMO! :)

NEWS FLASH: Sybil is a fictional character. Her feelings won't be hurt!

Nobody actually died. You see an actress is someone who . . . . . .

"Best episode so far" would not bother me at all.

But I think it's hamfisted and insensitive to describe an episode all about a character dying in childbirth as an "upturn".

I am PMSing like a mofo, though... :backs away from computer:

PMSL laughing squoosh. SHE IS REAL TO ME!

In the olden days there was no contraception, so if people married young and were Catholic they had lots and lots of children, if they wanted to avoid having lots of children, they didn't marry until late 30's or even 40 ish and then only had a few children.They were also afraid of dividing up farms - AFAIK arranged matches were made for older brides to ensure there would only be a few children.

If people were not wealthy they would avoid marrying as they would not be able to provide for children, children could end up in the poor house.

Oh I believe you Tony

Lord Fatty could have overturned the entail if he had wanted to, that's what a lot of Cora and Violets scheming was about in Series 1.

So my guess is that M&M will adopt Baby S, Pickle will bugger off to be all revolutionary like, M&M will find that they cannot have a child.

In remorse, Lord fatty will agree to overturn the entail so that Baby S can inherit after M&M die.

From memory, the title and the house/money were separate. Fatty can't control who inherits the title, but was adamant the next earl must also inherit the house and dosh.

i said on the spoiler thread that i found last night educational as, despite the fact i have a DS, i have no idea about pre eclampsia/full eclampsia. i didnt know the symptoms (headache, swollen ankles, delirium) so i thought it v useful.

still terribly terribly sad

If you want to read more about the god awful conditions for the urban poor and mothers in particular, have a gander at the book that 'Call the Midwife' is based on. They had to jolly it up for the TV.

OMG 23 dc, that is at least 23 childbirths. Were they the offspring of one woman? I am so glad I don't live in those days.

(Imagine the baby name threads: "Not you again!")

Actually some emotion in that one!

Mary´s an imperious bitch though, isn´t she?

Think Matthew will soon have had enough of her lording it over him.

aw girl, I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been the worst possible thing for you to see. Mind you, it's fictional - does that help, even a bit?

Lego have you read about the poor, poor woman in the book that had to go into the workhouse with her children. I read it in tears. That chapter is still making me so sad, and I read the book months ago. Couldn't read the second book as it was clearly all about the workhouse.

1944 I'm so at your horrid experience.

Horatia but chances are it'll be Matthew, not Fatty in the drivers seat. Can you imagine the irony of Pickles own daughter becoming the heiress?

Just watching ep again as missed last ten minutes (my own darling baby woke up crying, I nearly cried myself). It's really quite tragic and the warning signs are all there - Cora wanting dr clarkson involved, fatty bum bum not wanting sir Phillip offended, wonderf granny making waspish comments about her indifference to his feelings. It's a car crash.

That would be awesome unless she gives all the dosh to freedom fighters.

I am still holding out for Baby Sybil to be Sybil Saoirse Branson

Am I the only one who didn't cry at that episode.?

Yes you are. I didn't cry last night, I only saw her die and that was too shocking for tears. But Cora sitting up all might with her baby girl would melt a heart of stone (I feel an Emmy coming McGovern's way).