r/DowntonAbbey 1d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers from S1 to 2nd film) Weekly Discussion Thread (for Simple Thoughts and Questions)

3 Upvotes

Are you on your 10th rewatch of Downton and just need to get something out of your system without having to make a whole post about it? Or maybe you're a new viewer with a simple question that you just need answered?

Then this is the place for you!

NOTE: The weekly thread does NOT replace your ability to ask simple questions or make comments as individual submissions. This is a SUPPLEMENT to what we have already been doing on this sub. If you have a burning question that you want to submit separately and/or want to make a whole post about your love/hate for XYZ, then go for it! We are always looking for respectful, civil discussion on this forum; the more, the better.

WARNING: As per the flair, this is a spoiler-friendly thread. Comments will be unmoderated for spoilers, and reports regarding spoilers will be ignored. (On that note, if someone is asking a question and clearly identifies themselves as a first-time viewer, then we hope you will be considerate enough to avoid referencing future events in your replies to them as a courtesy). If you are a new/first-time viewer with a question/comment and are afraid of encountering spoilers, please consider starting your own separate post and use the black editable "FIRST TIME WATCHER" flair. We can guarantee people would love to hear from you :)


r/DowntonAbbey 5d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Mary vs Edith - Weekly Discussion Thread

5 Upvotes

Should Mary have said that? Should Edith have done that? Who has it better in the end?

Come fight your corner in our all-spoilers-allowed weekly thread, dedicated to all things Mary vs Edith!


r/DowntonAbbey 6h ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Not many people made Thomas look good, but Edna certainly was one of them.

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347 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 3h ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Lord Grantham Crush

24 Upvotes

Does anyone else have a crush on Robert? I don't know what that's about. Maybe it's being classy, polite, and sweet.


r/DowntonAbbey 1d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Sybil alternate timeline - how would things have played out?

87 Upvotes

If Sybil hadn't died, what kind of life would she have led with Tom? Going back to Ireland was no option, so where would they live and what would they do? It's hard to believe that Sybil would have permanently moved back into the Abbey. Tom and Robert would have quarrelled endlessly.

Everybody near Downton would have continued to call her "Lady", so moving to London might be a better option. Edith and Sybil both in London as working women could have been an interesting storyline...and Tom could have found an actual job in politics instead of lurking around Downton out of convenience.


r/DowntonAbbey 1d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Downton Abbey, the series, was really two parts...

385 Upvotes

With Matthew and After Matthew.

And watching it again (for probably the 30th time,) you see nearly all the stories repeat in some form.

Mary sleeps with someone to whom she isn't married. For it, there is blackmail. (Pamuk with Vera blackmailing/Tony with hotel maid blackmailing.) Her father finds out and forgives her. (She even does it again in the third movie.)

Mary nearly marries someone, and then has a hard time getting rid of them when she has changed her mind.

There is a lady's maid and a valet/butler quarreling and trying to get rid of one another (O'Brien/Barrow, Dencker/Spratt)

Edith grieves a lost love (Strallen/Gregson)

Robert nearly loses or does lose money and/or control of the Abbey.

Tom learns he belongs at Downton...then has to learn it again.

We have a rerun of Larry the Rude at dinner.

Rose even tells Atticus he has to "do it properly" when he's proposing...just like Mary wirh Matthew.

But to be honest, the first version of all of these stories is far superior. The show truly lost its way after Matthew died. The show should have ended with the cricket match.


r/DowntonAbbey 1d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) A Place to Call Home (Australian series)

42 Upvotes

I can't help sing my praises about this show. A Place to Call Home is such a great period piece of Australia during the somethings (40's? 50's?) after the war. I really recommend it if you're at all a fan of Downton Abbey.

I'd say it is a great "twin show" of DT DA of sorts. Do not think of it as a substitute and yet I can't help think about DT DA when I watch it. It's all about family struggle, keeping up apperances, being posh and all that. Actually, a few of the characters does rather resemble certain DT DA members, come to think of it.

I just love the slow pacing, the cinemotagraphy, the beautiful costumes, the music, and the acting. Also, I can't explain it, but it's like every sentence is wonderfully thought out and crafted to be said by that specific character. (I get a similar vibe from DT DA.)

Anyway, musn't ramble on. I apologise if there's already a thread for this series, but I couldn't find anything whilst searching (only general "list-your-series here" threads).


r/DowntonAbbey 9h ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Lord grantham fighting on the front

0 Upvotes

The episode where he was all bummed out about not fighting on the front; His ass could have picked up a rifle and went at any time.


r/DowntonAbbey 2d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Little sister had some great advice. “It’s doing nothing that’s the enemy”

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156 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 2d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Scenes that are joyous and fun

57 Upvotes

What scenes that are not monumental still bring you great joy. Not the proposals or declarations of love, but the smaller ones.

For me, Thomas teaching Daisy The Grizzly dance, because everyone seems to enjoy themselves.

Robert being given the new puppy.

Charles and Mary throwing literal dirt on each other.

Sybil debuting her new outfit.

Those are some on my favorites, but there are many more. What are yours?


r/DowntonAbbey 2d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Cora's inconsistent knowledge

57 Upvotes

Cora knows enough about a painting to have multiple discussions regarding its importance, the meaning behind it, and its journey to her possession.

Later, however, when giving tours of the house, she has no clue about any of the paintings or architecture when the tourists ask.

Where did her curiosity about art history go? It is out of character for her not to have leanred about the house where she has lived for decades.


r/DowntonAbbey 2d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Which moment do you think is the funniest in the whole series?

35 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 2d ago

Do Not Include Spoilers I just love these two particular shots of Michelle/Mary. That's all.

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120 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 3d ago

Real World/Behind-the-Scenes/Cast Who has been to Highclere Castle? What was your experience?

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375 Upvotes

I would LOVE to visit someday! Any experiences/photos from those who have been would be greatly appreciated!


r/DowntonAbbey 2d ago

Real World/Behind-the-Scenes/Cast Highclere Castle chapel

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64 Upvotes

Just found out that at some point, there was a chapel built into Highclere Castle and now it’s just a patch of trees to the right of the main entrance


r/DowntonAbbey 3d ago

Original Content Interview with Julian Fellowes: will I write a Downton spin-off? Never say never

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68 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 3d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Caroline’s Title

50 Upvotes

I was wondering if Lady Mary and Henry Talbot’s daughter, Caroline, would also be a Lady or an Honorable. It seems strange the half sibling of the Earl of Grantham would only be a Miss.


r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Really enjoyed Fackham Hall

66 Upvotes

I’ve just finished Fackham Hall and, personally, I really enjoyed it. Sure, you have to accept that the source material has been twisted, chewed up and spat back out as a pastiche, but it’s done with real skill: nothing is off limits.

The film plays on the most obvious and ridiculous tropes of Downton Abbey, but also Gosford Park and, to some extent, Agatha Christie’s books and films.

It’s very much in the classic ZAZ tradition, and the humour isn’t always exactly highbrow. But for me, it made me burst out laughing a fair few times.

7/10 (not really a 10 but) would recommend.


r/DowntonAbbey 3d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Who covered for Mrs. Hughes?

30 Upvotes

When Carson and Mrs. Hughes go on their honeymoon, Barrow is in charge of the house as underbutler (not that the staff necessarily recognised his authority). But who covered for Mrs. Hughes? Traditionally would it be Ms. Baxter as she is her ladyship's maid (sort of second in command)? But I've never seen Baxter having a leadership role. Anna was head housemaid before the war so presumably she could supervise the other maids. And I'm sure Mrs. Patmore could have done the orders for the kitchen herself. But who would have been #2 under the housekeeper while they were on holiday?


r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) The snarkier, the funnier. (Our poor chauffeur 🤣)

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68 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Found Robert's next heir

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157 Upvotes

Violet's delivery of 'A chimney sweep from Solihull' always makes me laugh.


r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Beautiful Heartfelt Moments - Downton Abbey on YouTube

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43 Upvotes

Beautiful Heartfelt Moments

Source: Downton Abbey on YouTube


r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

Humor “Nobody remembers that embarrassing thing you did. They’re too busy thinking about themselves.”

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45 Upvotes

r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) Mr. Mason's love for Daisy

148 Upvotes

Their relationship is so uplifting. His unwavering love and support for his daughter-in-law is so pure. I wish everyone could experience that kind of affection and devotion.


r/DowntonAbbey 4d ago

General Discussion (May Contain Spoilers Throughout Franchise) How many different rooms would Carson have lived in during his time in the big house?”

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140 Upvotes

Throughout the entire span of his service