<p>Kelowna, there are also episode summaries for season 1 on the PBS website:</p>
<p>[Masterpiece</a> | Downton Abbey | PBS](<a href=“http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/synopsis.html]Masterpiece”>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/synopsis.html)</p>
<p>Anyone else think that Mrs Bates resembles Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked witch of the West in Wizard of Oz?)</p>
<p>^ I could not get the thought out if my mind!</p>
<p>The PBS website for the show has some great stuff if you need a resource. I am greatly amused by the little popularity meter because people dislike Mary and I can’t see why at all. :P</p>
<p>Mary and Matthew will get together, but sadly for them, there’s going to be a third season, so they’ll have to wait. Maybe we’ll get Bates and Anna at the end of season two, though I’m not hopeful. </p>
<p>The Spanish flu will get somebody. Somebody young-- the Spanish flu killed young people, not old people. I nominate Edith for the honor; that hussy deserves it.</p>
<p>Let us discuss this issue of rape. You didn’t think Mary wanted it to? She was clearly lusting for him and when her mother asked her whether he forced her on she clearly said no. She could’ve clearly told him to stop. She could’ve screamed and someone in the ladies quarters could’ve come to her room quickly. Is is weird to think that a women wants sex as much as a man?</p>
<p>Seriously? Edith has clear ‘middle child syndrome’ issues because her sister Mary has all the attention with the men while Sybil gets attention when discussing political issues or wanting to help in the war effort. Calling Edith a hussy is blatant name calling. She wants to be in a relationship clearly and to be happy. Of course finding the right man will be hard. What has she done to be called that? What has any women done to be called that? She may not be the heir tot he estate but she is a willing participant in this never-ending matchmaking process. Hopefully something this season will go well for her.</p>
<p>Does no one think that at least one of the girls might find love when all the young men come to convalesce?</p>
<p>Since I missed all of season 1, I watched most of it yesterday online (had the day off fr. work…yah). In season 1 episode 3, at one point Mary says to Cora “I took a lover”. The way she said it didn’t sound as if she were raped.</p>
<p>I don’t see Mary as victim at all, just the opposite. And, wouldn’t "taking a lover confirm that there was sexual act, equivalent to “hooking up” in today’s world?</p>
<p>I loved the first season and thought the first episode this year was fine, but so many bad things with so many people- all with a stiff upper lip of course-- I am not sure I can take another episode like that.</p>
<p>My vote is with those who did not think Mary was raped… she was a willing participant who made a not so great decision!</p>
<p>mdemvizi I would call Edith a hussy for kissing the married farmer. And evil for sending the letter about Mary and Pamook to (I think) the Turkish embassy.</p>
<p>I call Edith a hussy for getting involved with Drake, the farmer.</p>
<p>Re: Mrs. Vera Bates, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy. I thought the same thing about her looking like the wicked witch, and it was driving me nuts that I had recently seen her in something else, but couldn’t place her until I looked her up. She was Catherine of Aragon (Henry Vlll’s first wife) in “The Tudor’s”. She was terrific in that, I think this will be a totally different character!</p>
<p>I am not going to read most of the thread, for fear of spoilers, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the tip! I’ve started watching season 1 on streaming netflix, and I love it.</p>
<p>Those of you who missed our earlier conversation about North and South, a 4-part series, really ought to watch that. It is wonderful. And at least one actor–the man who plays the valet whom the other servants try to undermine–is in both.</p>
<p>There’s a nice spread with some photos of Highclere (the estate) and the cast in this month’s Town & Country.</p>
<p>@mdemvizi: I think it is ambiguous. Mary first backed into the corner and asked him to leave - he refused. She was coerced and then gave in - seemingly with enthusiasm - and later said she was not forced and referred to Pamuk as her lover.</p>
<p>All in all it is interesting the way it was handled because it does show the very constricted choices of women at the time.</p>
<p>Now I feel really stupid. I saw episode 1 2x, and both times I thought the lady at the Drake farm was the Mom of the guy. Why would he kiss Edith knowing his wife could be lurking?</p>
<p>^ I thought she might have been his sister because I couldn’t believe they would be so bold either. Apparently not!</p>
<p>Now I assume you understand why I called Edith a hussy! Spanish flu for you, Edith.</p>
<p>I am just not a fan of derogatory name calling towards women. Edith is a main character so no chance she is dying anytime soon. Like she is part of the core people.</p>
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<p>I have no idea what happens to Edith, but there have been plenty of TV shows where main characters die soon. In a series very like (although even better than) Downton Abbey, Upstairs, Downstairs, James’ wife Hazel dies of the Spanish flu. It was a real shocker at the time. :)</p>