The Our Girl Addicts Thread 76 Stay focused. we're now watching Downton Abbey

[Ilovelblue]

This is our tenth anniversary of sharing our thoughts on Our Girl series one and have subsequently watched the other three series, followed by Soldier Soldier, The Musketeers, Spooks and Hustle so thought it was time to try something different. Please join us and share your thoughts if you have ever been a fan of Downton Abbey. We are currently on series four, episode eight.

So, Mary has at least decided that one day she will not be alone and might consider another marriage after Matthew. However, she has made no decisions about who that person might be.

Looks like Edith may have decided to do something she has her heart set upon and I think we can guess what that might be.

Violet is so enjoying herself.

The constant verbal duelling between Violet and Cora's mother is very funny and quite revealing. The conflict of the old world and the new.

Carson has to accept his cultural ideas for a day out were not well received. He thinks a day by the seaside might be better. Well, he got there in the end.

A day out to the seaside. How lovely!

Here's Edith and the Pigman...looks like she has roped him into the baby plan.

Edith is back at Downton and discussing adopting her baby with Mr Pigman. Mr Drew??

She is pretending that the baby belongs to a friend, but I'm guessing he's not that stupid. Keeping a secret is always a difficult one.

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside...I do like to be beside the sea!!

Donkey rides and ice cream at the seaside.

Thomas is vaguely threatening towards Miss Baxter. Mr Molesley appears. Is there more than a friendship in the offing here?

Miss Baxter is trying to stand up to Thomas now.

Daisy has decided not to go to America with the valet.

Daisy has turned down the offer of a new life in America but it looks as if Ivy is happy to step into the role.

Looks like Ivy wants to have the chance to go to America instead of Daisy. She is going to grab her opportunity.

Heavens above! Carson is having a paddle in the sea!

Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes are paddling, sweet.

Well, how lovely was that?

And holding holding hands with Mrs Hughes.

Ah....how lovely.

We! That wee good.

Well, plenty to talk about there. At least it didn't end like the previous Christmas special. So, are we agreed about the next date for starting Series 5?

I think a 2 week break in August to restart on 20th, but you know that as it was my suggestion. Am happy to go with the majority though.`

Have to say that since OG and Soldier Soldier, this is without doubt my favourite series of watchalongs we've done.

So, if I understand it correctly, we are saying we will do next week (30th) and then miss the 6th and 13th?

All fine by me

I've been enjoying this one a lot too. There's so much to laugh at and so many great lines. Some of the plot may be a bit silly sometimes but the actors really breathe so much life into their characters that it's so enjoyable.

I've been watching Julian Fellowes other series "The Gilded Age" and the latest series has just done a bit of crossover into Downton territory by marrying off one of the American heiresses to a Duke. We are seeing the snobbery of a Violet like character being played out now that the heiress has come to England. I've heard a rumour there will be a possible real Downton crossover with the Cora and Robert story as it is set around the time that they would have met and married. I've also been watching "The Buccaneers" on Apple, but that is little more than an American high school teen drama being played out against a backdrop of the Edith Wharton novel - all angst and bustles set to modern pop music. They all look tremendously handsome and beautiful but it's just playing with the novel a bit like fanfiction - well as if I know nothing about that

If anyone would like another Julian Fellowes offering, the second series of "Belgravia" is on ITVX to watch. I liked it better than the first series. it was a bit predictable but quite fun.

Happy with 30th, then break till 20th.