Who is your favourite Downton sister?

[AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit]

Having a Netflix binge. I bloody love Edith I'm rooting for her! She's constantly getting hurt and being overlooked by everyone. I know she comes across as bitter and downtrodden but yet she's kind and helpful and supportive. She's the one I'd want as a friend :-)

Imagine having a servant dress you/undress you/put you to bed.

I've just watched the film. IMO Mary doesn't sound the same as in the series (and I did watch all six seasons just a week or so ago so have her voice fresh in my memory). Lots of storylines to carry over to a second film.

I didn't clock what year the film was set in - still the 20s by their outfits?

1927 I think

Thanks @drinkingwineoutofamug. So still quite a way off WW2 then.

Hopefully that's movie 2. Which would be interesting as highclere castle was used for evacuees during ww2

I heard it maybe set in the early 1930s. Not sure why they are not telling us.

I think WW2 would make some of the characters too old.

They could wait 20 years and do a WWII plot line using the same actors. George could get killed in the war and then the search is on for a new heir.

They're going to want Maggie Smith in it and realistically Violet would be 110 or so in '39.

I was surprised to hear she was in the second film given how the first ended, but what's Downton without Dame Maggie?

She makes the show!

Isobel & Violet such a fab double act.

I hope they keep the relationships ok & not mess with that. Also not give Tom another new love interest. I liked the last one.

I think a new love interest was implied at the end of the film, I was wondering if she's in the new film.

I had to post this...

britishperioddramas.com/lists/maggie-smiths-best-quotes-dowager-countess-violet-downton-abbey/

I need to learn some of Violet's responses off by heart for when the right situation arises.

Highclere is reasonably local to me, one of those places you forget to go to because it's always there. Thought I might visit with sister for tour and Christmas afternoon tea. £95 each! Sorry countess, I'm saving for my new tiara.

Who is it that owns Highclere? The Caenarvons aka descendants of QEII's friend Porchy?

Wow, @longwayoff, that is steep, even with afternoon tea (not served by Carson).

It's £1600 to stay for 3 nights in one of the gatehouses
That's self catering, they give you a welcome basket, but you have to pay extra to visit the castle .
A bottle of highclere gin is £36 , bottle of champagne £39
A bloody Christmas tree decoration is £14 !

I'll visit their gardens in summer. Otherwise I'm strictly downstairs, I can get my own scones and tea

Mil’s grandparents met while they were valet and housemaid at a country house, Anna and Mr Bates style (but without the murders). It’s somewhere in Scotland and is still lived in by the family and you can go and stay there. Mil and dh are going to go up and visit and she contacted the owner and asked if he would be interested in seeing her photo album of the house and servants, pre WW1.
Earl of something or other: Yes please, that would be amazing, we hardly have any pictures of the servants, please come to tea, and we will put you up in the special rooms that the Earl and countess had at that time.
Mil: oh no, please could we stay in the servants’ quarters?

That's amazing @longwayoff.

My paternal grandparents had 'staff' when they were first married.

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

Mil’s grandparents met while they were valet and housemaid at a country house, Anna and Mr Bates style (but without the murders). It’s somewhere in Scotland and is still lived in by the family and you can go and stay there. Mil and dh are going to go up and visit and she contacted the owner and asked if he would be interested in seeing her photo album of the house and servants, pre WW1. Earl of something or other: Yes please, that would be amazing, we hardly have any pictures of the servants, please come to tea, and we will put you up in the special rooms that the Earl and countess had at that time. Mil: oh no, please could we stay in the servants’ quarters?

Love this!

I've been unwell so I've been watching Downton from the start. It strikes me that Dan Stevens really couldn't act! Matthew was so wet - I much preferred Mary's choice of second husband.

I found myself rooting for Edith.

What I hated about Mary was that even if she didn't want something/someone she didn't want Edith to have it/them also.

There are a couple of scenes I remember-when the house was being used as a hospital, a dinner was being held, a toast given & Mary all smiles expecting it to be for her & it was for Edith.

When Bertie was flying to Tangiers I think to repatriate his cousin's body & Mary says something along the lines of why/what is it to do with him & Edith says that he is his heir.

Mary is vile - Sybil for me but I like Edith too, she got a raw deal but at the end when she edited the paper she was great.