I'm afraid to say that the whole Sarah Bunting storyline has struck me as being unrealistic right from the beginning.
In my opinion, school teachers of the period would have been very much in awe of the local gentry. Lord Grantham would more than likely have been on the board of governors of the school where she taught, in all likelyhood the chairman. Is it also not the case that he owned the village where she lived? So, as a probable tennant, she would have risked being thrown out of her job and her home for what, even by today's standards, would be deemed as unacceptable behaviour.
I also think it highly unlikely that a school teacher would ever be invited to a social function at such a house - even in the 1920's. The headmaster and church rector (not vicar) maybe, but not a teacher. Even if she was Tom Branson's "squeeze".
Tom Branson, another credibility stretcher........
6 Reviews
Settling details for the best.
mark.waltz3 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode follows bits and pieces of practically every storyline going on, so there's no real focus and no dominating plot. Mrs. Pathmore gets financial advice from Carson but makes her own decision after she gets a small bequest. Thomas continues to harass Miss Baxter, but she gets further support from Mosley. Aunt Rosamund interferes in the whole Marigold situation, having advised Edith to agree to sending her to a school in France.
It's apparently goodbye for Miss Bunting, her romance with Tom Branson really going nowhere (and not really gaining any fans), and Daisy nearly gets into trouble for speaking her mind a little bit too openly. Rose meets a new man, a descendant a Russian Jews who emigrated to England 60 years before, and introduces him to the prince. The final bit of story goes to Cora who is harassed once again by Mr. Bricker whom she has politely warned to behave, leading to a fight between him and Robert who walks in on them. It's in this episode where Lady Violet finds out about Marigold, and also confides her feelings about Lord Merton's romance with Isabel to Dr. Clarkson. Good episode, some funny bits, but not a lot of action.
It's apparently goodbye for Miss Bunting, her romance with Tom Branson really going nowhere (and not really gaining any fans), and Daisy nearly gets into trouble for speaking her mind a little bit too openly. Rose meets a new man, a descendant a Russian Jews who emigrated to England 60 years before, and introduces him to the prince. The final bit of story goes to Cora who is harassed once again by Mr. Bricker whom she has politely warned to behave, leading to a fight between him and Robert who walks in on them. It's in this episode where Lady Violet finds out about Marigold, and also confides her feelings about Lord Merton's romance with Isabel to Dr. Clarkson. Good episode, some funny bits, but not a lot of action.
Struggles
jpismyname7 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Lady Rose meets a charming and handsome young man while she was helping the Russian refugees. Lady Mary has dinner with the woman Tony left for her. I feel sorry for the woman, really. I cannot remember her name.
Meanwhile, we see more the struggles Edith is facing. She brings Aunt Rosamund to see Marigold. It is a completely wrong step to make, as the adoptive mother feels like Marigold is being treated like a toy and she doesn't allow Edith to see her anymore.
Nothing new much happens in this episode really. The characters' struggles in the past episodes continue here.
Meanwhile, we see more the struggles Edith is facing. She brings Aunt Rosamund to see Marigold. It is a completely wrong step to make, as the adoptive mother feels like Marigold is being treated like a toy and she doesn't allow Edith to see her anymore.
Nothing new much happens in this episode really. The characters' struggles in the past episodes continue here.
Edith hits the skids.....
moviesfilmsreviewsinc14 May 2022
Cora and Mr. Bricker's relationship reached its peak. Maybe the Crawleys should lock their doors. Although in early 20th century England that probably would have implied scandal taking place rather than concern for one's safety.
I can't say I expected Mr. Bricker to go so far as to sneak into Cora's room, but it was clear that something was going to happen when Robert announced he was going to be out for the night. I was on the edge of my seat during the fight scene. Was it necessary to hide the whole thing from Edith? What I am not shocked about is Robert giving Cora the cold shoulder. I suspect he holds it against her that he turned out to be right about Bricker and that Cora kept inviting him over. It is very in character for Robert. Cora was walking a fine line the entire time, and I find hard to believe she didn't know otherwise. Cora knew Mr. Bricker was flirting with her and she kept ignoring it like it would go away. Mr. Bricker was clear about how passionately he felt about Cora, making it obvious that it wasn't just a crush. Did she expect it to keep going on without being addressed? It is easy to sympathize with Cora though; she and Mr. Bricker had a strong connection and talked about things she could never talk about with Robert. The second "break-up" was between Tom and Miss Bunting. Miss Bunting is like Tom before he was one of the family. She doesn't have the same experiences that have allowed Tom's perspective to change. She mentioned that she wishes they had met before he knew the Crawleys, but how can she be sure she would have loved Tom the same? It seems to me she fell in love with who he is now.
Once again my favorite scenes were those between Isobel an Violet. In Downton Abbey Season 1, these two were middle class and upper class polar opposites, but somehow that has blossomed into a dynamic, funny and genuine friendship. I think Violet is indeed resentful that Isobel's status will change if she marries Lord Merton, but I think her love for her friend trumped that resentment.
I can't say I expected Mr. Bricker to go so far as to sneak into Cora's room, but it was clear that something was going to happen when Robert announced he was going to be out for the night. I was on the edge of my seat during the fight scene. Was it necessary to hide the whole thing from Edith? What I am not shocked about is Robert giving Cora the cold shoulder. I suspect he holds it against her that he turned out to be right about Bricker and that Cora kept inviting him over. It is very in character for Robert. Cora was walking a fine line the entire time, and I find hard to believe she didn't know otherwise. Cora knew Mr. Bricker was flirting with her and she kept ignoring it like it would go away. Mr. Bricker was clear about how passionately he felt about Cora, making it obvious that it wasn't just a crush. Did she expect it to keep going on without being addressed? It is easy to sympathize with Cora though; she and Mr. Bricker had a strong connection and talked about things she could never talk about with Robert. The second "break-up" was between Tom and Miss Bunting. Miss Bunting is like Tom before he was one of the family. She doesn't have the same experiences that have allowed Tom's perspective to change. She mentioned that she wishes they had met before he knew the Crawleys, but how can she be sure she would have loved Tom the same? It seems to me she fell in love with who he is now.
Once again my favorite scenes were those between Isobel an Violet. In Downton Abbey Season 1, these two were middle class and upper class polar opposites, but somehow that has blossomed into a dynamic, funny and genuine friendship. I think Violet is indeed resentful that Isobel's status will change if she marries Lord Merton, but I think her love for her friend trumped that resentment.
Edith Hits the Skids
Hitchcoc29 August 2020
There are quite a lot of events here. The art historian shows his true colors in Cora's bedroom. Sarah Bunting and Tom Branson are faced with harsh realities for their time. Unfortunately, Daisy is victimized a bit here. Thomas continues with his mystery injections and moves like a zombie. An officer from Scotland Yard comes to further investigate Anna and Bates. Finally, when we leave Edith she has turned desperate and the next episode could be interesting.
Reputation Over Love
spasek16 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Edith has come to a crossroads with Marigold as Mrs. Drewe no longer wants her around. And given that Mrs. Drewe doesn't know the true story, one can hardly blame her from her point of view.
Reaching a level of desperation, Edith finds herself cornered by both Violet and Rosamund, who are both more interested in protecting the family's reputation than what is best for Edith and Marigold. Of course, Edith could put everything to rest by simply telling everyone. Stay tuned for that!
Something that most people back then either didn't or couldn't realize--especially women--when you give your power away, you also give up any right to be resentful because it was still your choice!
And the same thing faces Anna--another character I had no sympathy with during this run--when she could have been truthful with the police and everyone else about what had actually happened. Instead, she's made herself a suspect as well as her husband--although at this point, the viewer doesn't yet know if he's had anything to do with Green's death.
Mary's back to charming Mr. Blake again, which isn't a surprise to anyone, and we finally bid ado to Ms. Bunting, who was far more annoying than charming, despite her beliefs. And Rose finds out the vicious prejudices of the Russian refugees against the Jewish people, which, of course, makes it difficult to have any sympathy for the bed of their own making.
And finally, Cora's naivety reaches a climax when she has Mr. Bricker over, and Robert catches them both in the bedroom. What's even more pathetic of Cora is that she carries on as if nothing was amiss. She doesn't even try to explain things to Robert, and Robert is rightfully hurt and furious.
The stories are still fantastic, even when the show went down more "soap opera" paths. The show remains true to the times, and how reputation and tradition were more important than love or doing the right thing. However, as we see, such times were changing!
Reaching a level of desperation, Edith finds herself cornered by both Violet and Rosamund, who are both more interested in protecting the family's reputation than what is best for Edith and Marigold. Of course, Edith could put everything to rest by simply telling everyone. Stay tuned for that!
Something that most people back then either didn't or couldn't realize--especially women--when you give your power away, you also give up any right to be resentful because it was still your choice!
And the same thing faces Anna--another character I had no sympathy with during this run--when she could have been truthful with the police and everyone else about what had actually happened. Instead, she's made herself a suspect as well as her husband--although at this point, the viewer doesn't yet know if he's had anything to do with Green's death.
Mary's back to charming Mr. Blake again, which isn't a surprise to anyone, and we finally bid ado to Ms. Bunting, who was far more annoying than charming, despite her beliefs. And Rose finds out the vicious prejudices of the Russian refugees against the Jewish people, which, of course, makes it difficult to have any sympathy for the bed of their own making.
And finally, Cora's naivety reaches a climax when she has Mr. Bricker over, and Robert catches them both in the bedroom. What's even more pathetic of Cora is that she carries on as if nothing was amiss. She doesn't even try to explain things to Robert, and Robert is rightfully hurt and furious.
The stories are still fantastic, even when the show went down more "soap opera" paths. The show remains true to the times, and how reputation and tradition were more important than love or doing the right thing. However, as we see, such times were changing!
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