Downton Abbey

[Madison85]

almoner
[al-muh-ner, ah-muh-]
noun

1. A person whose function or duty is the distribution of alms on behalf of an institution, a royal personage, a monastery, etc.

1. British. A hospital official who determines the amount due for a patient's treatment. A social worker in a hospital.

[4kidsdad]

Did anyone catch the term they were using for Isobel being the hospital administrator?

The Hospital Almoner

some hospitals had begun to appoint almoners (who were invariably women) from the 1880s, to organise after-care for patients, including stays in convalescent homes, special equipment for use at home, additional nutritional needs and so on. At the same time, almoners were expected to identify patients whose families were in a position to make some financial contribution towards treatment. As the condition of hospitals improved, more people were willing to use their services, and the almoner’s role was to ensure that those who could afford to pay, did so.

See http://hharp.org/library/gosh/general/hospital-almoner.html

[2VU0609]

Thanks to Madison85 and 4kidsdad:) Not only have I been entertained, but I’ve learned something new - a successful evening to be sure!

[4kidsdad]

I was shocked when I heard Wickam’s voice as the owner of the house that was up for auction

Wow! Good catch! Adrian Lukis who played Sir John Darnley, also played Mr. George Wickham in the BBC’s 1995 adaption of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

[VaBluebird]

I wish I had. A friend of mine and her family worked on it!

[VaBluebird]

Our local PBS station advertised Doc Martin to begin Jan. 10! I am used to watching Doc Martin on Saturday nights. I don’t know if I can handle both Doc Martin and Downton Abbey on Sunday nights!! LOL.

[teriwtt]

Not sure how Mary proved to Robert that she could run anything given she did nothing about the blackmailer herself. What did I miss?

I think what she proved to her father was that she was willing to deal with a scandal because she felt like she was tough enough to handle her critics even when she deserved it, as opposed to choosing to pay anyone off who threatened her status.

[GMTplus7]

Ugh… I was so keen to see Ep1 last night (i missed seeing it in Asia last year). But when it finally came on, I was overwhelmed by jet lag and fell asleep! I still haven’t seen it. (

[oldmom4896]

@GMTplus7, here it is:
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365632976/

[conmama]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode…and am feeling so sad as the moments tick away.

Spoilers

Loved Lord Grantham…is this a refrigerator? Seeing Thomas actually have a human side giving Marigold a piggyback ride, Mr. Carsons kiss, I despise Edith for denying her child, and love Mary for willingly taking on social disgrace in lieu of being blackmailed…and refusing to ride sidesaddle. I feel bad for them all having their world fall apart.

[Scipio]

Last night’s season opener seemed more like a season ender. Lots of loose ends tied up. Murder mystery (apparently) solved with Anna and Bates (apparently) off the hook. The evil blackmailer come and (apparently) gone all in one episode. The only real continuing story we are left with at this point is the already tiresome saga of the hospital dispute.

I think Fellowes finally realized that the Anna/Bates prison drama had already dragged on far too long and disposed of it quickly.

With Sybil long gone and now with Rose off to New York, they are going to have to bring on a new character to play the role of the impetuous young ingénue who gets herself into jams.

[teriwtt]

they are going to have to bring on a new character to play the role of the impetuous young ingénue who gets herself into jams.

Well, we did see a bit of that in Daisy last night! While she has been outspoken before, I don’t think she’s ever gone quite so far as she did last night, much less right under the nose of her gravy train!

[VeryHappy]

Yeah, Daisy was incredibly stupid to say what she said.

And I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Mary’s blackmailer. That was too easy. I wonder what Robert said to her to convince her to sign that “confession” – did he say it would remain between them if she signed, but if she didn’t sign he’d have her arrested?

I must admit that, while I enjoyed the silliness surrounding Mrs. Hughes, Carson and Mrs. Patmore, I’m a tad confused as to what all the fuss was about: Mrs. Hughes says, “Gosh, what if he wants to have sex? I’m not sure I’m up for that.” But then, when she realizes that’s what Carson wants, she’s just fine and dandy with it. So what was the big deal in the first place?? What changed?

[Scipio]

^What changed was Mrs. Hughes being reassured by Carson via Patmore that Carson would still want/love her despite she no longer having the body of a 19-year old. Mrs. Hughes didn’t object to sex per se so much as she was shy about being seen with her clothes off at her advanced age.

[VeryHappy]

Ah. Thank you.

[Burgermeister]

The leading men were too charming and/or heroic. And you-know-who reminded me throughout the show. I protested, “Wait until the tax collector shows up in the last episode!”

[nottelling]

I was a little bored by the episode last night, though the clothes and the house looked spectacular.

[FallGirl]

I really wish Cora’s character would actually get to do something. She is so passive and boring.

[bgbg4us]

@conmama - what did you mean by " I despise Edith for denying her child " ???
i didnt get to watch it thoroughly and must not have caught what you are referring to. i thought she was crazy over marigold last season. can you explain what i missed?

[teriwtt]

“I’ve had some commissions in my time…” - my favorite words from Mrs. Pattmore last night, when Mrs. Hughes asks her to speak to Mr. Carson about sex in their future.