Edith, my poor Edith!
“I think it’s rather unfair that Mary should have an archbishop to marry her and you’ve got poor old Mr. Travis.”
And that sums up Edith’s life. Mary’s wedding gets the two-hour season premiere treatment; Edith’s wedding gets episode 2. Why did I get my hopes up that there might be a HEA in Edith’s future?
Below you’ll find my impressions as I watched this episode of DA. For a good recap of the episode, check out Austenprose-A Jane Austen blog.
1. Edith’s smile: it was radiant at the top of the episode. I felt happy watching her be happy; one of the few times throughout the series.
2. My hubby, “Shouldn’t someone have warned Moseley about Thomas?”
3. Mary is such a shrew. She still hasn’t forgiven Matthew for not taking the money. If he doesn’t, he better prepare for a lifetime of her snide comments.
4. ”He didn’t tell me, Mrs. Pattmore, you told me.” Carson learning a little subterfuge from Thomas. 
5. Branson looking sexy in his formal attire.
6. Okay, this has to be the least romantic statement ever, and it was uttered by the bride-to-be. Doesn’t bode well: “Please understand I don’t love you in spite of your need to be looked after, I love you because of it. I want you to be my life’s work.” Cue sound of his penis shriveling up and falling off–if it hadn’t already.
7. I have absolutely no interest in the unwed mother and Isobel storyline. Move on. “It’s no point. It’s all over for me.” Indeed.
8. There was a good five minutes of the episode I like to call Anna, She Wrote. I’d watch that show, too.
9. Oh no, they’ll have to leave Downton for this new place. How ever will they manage? Room to bring only 8 servants? Must I do everything myself?
10. I’m actually enjoying this thing with O’Brien. I don’t feel sorry for her; I’m still mad that she caused Cora to miscarry the baby.
11. I must agree with hubby: Matthew is getting a little tiresome about not accepting the money. But he can wear the hell out of some blue!
12. Minutes later: Thank God, Matthew is taking the money. Bless you, Daisy (the kitchen maid)—so funny that he needs that explained and we don’t.
13. Loved Edith’s dress; she looked beautiful.
14. Minutes later: Is Edith destined to become the first British female serial killer? I don’t understand why the writers are doing this to her. How much must she endure and still expected be a good person?
15. Does Daisy have the worst taste in men? First Thomas, who doesn’t even play for her team, and now this uncouth idiot? Seriously, didn’t she learn anything from sweet, potato-faced William?
16. And now for the Dowager’s choice bon mots:
At my age one must ration one’s excitement.
Aren’t you a wild thing?
Sybil, vulgarity is no substitute for wit. My favorite.
And so ends my thoughts on this episode of Downton Abbey. What were your thoughts on this episode? Do you feel sorry for Edith? Are you enjoying the Downton wars: Thomas vs. O’Brien? How will Downton fair with two masters?
Make sure you check out Meredith’s Schorr’s blog next week for her recap of Downton Abbey, Episode 3. http://meredithgschorr.wordpress.com/
Is there any cheese, Mrs. Pattmore?
What a great recap, Tracey! You made me like the episode more than I I did while I was watching it! I had forgotten about all of Violet’s great lines.
How do we solve a problem like Edith? I feel like wresting Julian Fellowes’ pen out of his hand so that I can write Edith an awesome storyline where she becomes the first female member of Parliament or goes to America and falls in love with a sexy cowboy – something! I am glad that she escaped the living death that would have been marriage to Sir Anthony. I agree with Alfred, she deserved better!
I’m still on Team Thomas in the Downstairs War, but I didn’t think his move with Moseley was that inspired. Back to the evil drawing board, my one-handed friend!
Thanks, Tracie. I hope you’re right about Edith. I would love to see her with a sexy American cowboy. Do you think Julian Fellowes is on Twitter?
I am loving the Thomas vs. O’Brien feud. Probably one of my favorite twists this series has taken. Great recap!
Isn’t it great? The feud, not my recap.
I like the baddies turning on one another. O’Brien has been showing some signs of compassion, but I can’t forgive her for Cora’s “accident.”
Awesome recap! I LOVED Edith’s dress, I can only hope that Edith is going to do something fantastic and capture the most elegant bachelor around, otherwise I’m going to be kinda ticked!
I totally agree.
I haven’t seen the episode yet, but I think I’m going to read your recap every week before watching it! You’re so funny and now I’m looking forward to spotting all these moments. Poor Edith! I thought they were going to let her be happy for at least an episode or two…
Thanks, TamTam! Unfortunately, I won’t be recapping every week; I just pulled week 2. I’m a big Edith fan and while Sir Anthony wouldn’t have been my choice, I wanted her to have something go right. I hope something better comes out of this experience.
Great recap! I totally agree with #5. Love Branson in formal attire!
Ohmigod, didn’t he look sexy. Like James Bond. What a hottie!
I loved your recap! I felt SO badly for Edith. That poor girl. I just want her to have some happiness. I really do. I’m also in 100% agreement about the unwed mother/prostitute storyline – who cares? And I laughed out loud when I saw the new house. How will they ever manage? *eye roll*
Thanks, Meredith. I can’t wait to see your recap next week. I think Tracie said it best, she must be destined for great things. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed every week.
Awesome recap, Tracey! (Sorry I’m a bit late.) Poor Edith. I was definitely not a fan of Sir Anthony but since he made her happy, I was looking forward to seeing Edith ride off into the sunset with him… I’m hoping to see her genuinely happy some day. Someone give Edith a hug! Oh… and Branson. Can’t get enough of him in a suit! Anna, She Wrote! Hilarious! I would definitely watch that show, especially if Mr Bates is in it. Every week, he’d land in jail and Anna has to clear his name. Julian Fellowes needs to get on that!