<p>We touched on that when we were discussing the difficulty of understanding the dialogue in the prison scenes. But so you don’t have to go back, Bates’s cell mate is named Craig, and he has some dealing with the guard, which was only described as something “on the outside.” In one scene, Bates hit Craig, who had been egging Bates on about something. That put Bates on the outs with Craig and his guard pal. So, they set out to get him in trouble. If you do want to go back, see post #868. Someone had a pretty funny comment on the prison dialogue. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Re Cardinal Fang, #1115: I suggested that Mary had been told that she is infertile, but no longer believe that. I think that VeryHappy’s suggestion that Mary is using contraception is exactly right (not the pill, obviously, but something).</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Everyone seems to be mad at Robert for choosing the city doctor. But really, he was supposed to be an expert and the country doc had already misdiagnosed Matthew, why would they believe him? I do agree with Cora that manners would insist she invite him to consult. (Meanwhile, what were all the other sick people in town doing while the Crawleys locked up two doctors for themselves?)</p></li>
<li><p>Re: the words (urine, et al). I do agree that that word would never have been uttered in polite society back then. In fact, I doubt ANYONE would have said Sybil was pregnant. That word was not used, nor even “expecting.” More like, “in the family way.”</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The upstairs/downstairs pecking order is endlessly fascinating. And I can’t figure out whose side O-Brien is on anymore!</p>
<p>I mentioned that Dr. Clarkson used a cuff, I wondered why he didnt continue to use it.
I think they were very uptight,and they would have been offended by the word urine even in a crisis.
I would hate to get dressed for dinner every night, heck I hate going anywhere fancy. But back then when class was so important and really had an impact on your well being, I guess can see why people would have such issues being in Ethel’s company. Or maybe it was small town life.</p>
<p>In that day and age Ethel’s time as a prostitute makes her a completely fallen woman. Many respectable people would refuse to have any contact with her for fear that any degree of tolerance would be taken as a form of approval and would thus sully their own reputations.</p>
<p>I just watched this episode and oh gosh. Sybils death came unexpected to me and I just poured tears, such an emotional episode. I just hope they all learn to respect Branson more. </p>
<p>Yes, the dressing for dinner. Every. Single. Night. </p>
<p>For heavens sake, Sybil is laboring with contractions upstairs and they still are in gowns and ties eating. Don’t they ever get tired of that and just want the equivalent of eating cereal in sweats some nights??</p>
<p>I’m still fascinated by dear Lady Mary and her secret. I love the idea that she is terrified of getting pregnant (now, only more so), on birth control (she clearly saw Dr. Clarkson, and Matthew, poor boy, consulted the London doc so no clue). And now, as a newly married lady she not only gets to take breakfast in bed (nice) but it has become her job to get “in the family way” immediately, and produce an heir. Well, this show does make me think about all the privileges and also duties of class and rank. While Mary seems perfectly happy to dress up for dinner every night, she may not be up to this next challenge.</p>
<p>Not that midwifery is something inherently dangerous. In the UK today most pregnancy care is midwife-led; an obstetrician is only called in in the event of the mother needing something like an epidural or a c-section. They’re highly trained - they spend 3 years studying for a midwifery degree at university, which is the standard length of time spent studying for a degree. Infant mortality rates are lower than in the US.</p>
<p>Sorry to interrupt! I just got an email from Amazon, and my season 3 DVD has SHIPPED! It will be here by FRIDAY! OMG - I know what I’m doing this weekend! (I promise not to spoil!) : D</p>
<p>I was also not expecting Sybil to die … but it does really make for a good narrative story line. There will be all the decisions about Branson and the baby, and the Cora/Robert situation and Mary not necessarily being so quick to become pregnant. … but my d’s and I were so sad…we all cried, especially the scene with the Dowager Countess and Carson…</p>
<p>I agree that for the upper British class, the issues of pregnancy and delivery would not have been talked about and it would have been highly unlikely that they would have taken Sybil to a country hospital to deliver. That said, it did seem really unrealistic that neither doctor made any effort to do anything to try to save her even if it was hopeless.</p>
<p>I also remember the ER episode as being terrifying. We sadly have a cousin with a daughter who developed eclampsia in delivering her fourth child… not 100% sure of all the details of when it was diagnosed and when she delivered… but close to 4 years later, she remains in a coma. Her very wealthy family had an entire hospital room created for her in their home and she has 24 hour care.</p>