I just watched it a few minutes ago, so you’re timing is perfect. I agree with so much of what you said and laughed out loud at your descriptions. Beaker. Ha!

I’m team Maggie all the way. She has had the best lines all season. Though Matthew’s “Crikey” was near perfect. I was sure Thomas’s cigarette thrown into the brush was going to burn down the shed with Isis trapped inside. Whew.

We did watch last night, and it was so awesome. I know I had a dopey grin on my face the entire two hours. I was not happy with Thomas taking Isis and was annoyed at that story line. I hope though that Thomas becoming the valet will let Lord Grantham know how awful Thomas really is. I don’t think he has changed, I just think he is biding his time.

I was worried about Daisy’s story line. I thought William’s dad would want her widow money, but apparently he really did think Daisy loved William and I love how it turned out he just wanted a daughter.

Ms. Shore was a trouble maker from the start, but I hope we see more Rosamund next series.

I too worried about Lady Mary’s bare arms. It was confusing, but I’m happy they are finally committed to one another. I hope a visit to America does still work into the story, not just having Shirley McClain go to the UK. Maybe Edith would be all about finding a cowboy?

And have you seen http://whendowagercountesstexts.tumblr.com/? I laugh all the time. Maggie Smith was by far my favorite character and I look forward to the next series. They just need to actually film it!

I agree with everything except for Thomas, who continues to be irredeemable in my eyes. Dude, you don’t mess with a dude’s dog! And I loved every bit about how the Granthams treat the servants versus Richard (who thinks he’s so much better than them) expecting them to be kept in their place.

Oh Linda! Yes, yes, yes! I love everything about this post.

The Dowager Countess saying “Do you promise?” to Sir Richard made me laugh out loud. I heart the Dowager Countess.

And I TOTALLY agree about the Anna/Bates storyline. Over it.

I’m still not sure about Thomas, though. Your assessment of “bumbling[ly] diabolical” is spot on, but I’m with Carson, and I just don’t trust him.

Let the Season 3 countdown commence….

I heart all of your show recaps, here and otherplaces (I don’t even watch Walking Dead and I still find the recaps both riveting and hilarious). Glad you wrote something here because it seems like no one else I know (who watches the show) has seen it yet… And here I am watching a show live, instead of a year + later on Netflix for the first time in like three years!

But yes, EXCELLENT episode. I love that there are unanswered questions without getting too cliff hangery. If Bates didn’t kill the former Mrs. Bates, as I assume he didn’t, WHO DID?? Will Edith ever resolve things with old-guy-who-drives-a-car? Is O’Brian good or bad – we JUST CAN’T TELL.

I was also glad that Mary and Matthew finally got their act together and stopped acting so tragic about their star crossed love. I had butterflies in my stomach the entire episode just waiting for that proposal at the end. I am so looking forward to next season. Does it premeire in September in the US?

I cannot WAIT till next season. Meanwhile, I’ll have to play with my Downton Abbey paper dolls: http://www.vulture.com/2012/02/print-out-vultures-downton-abbey-paper-dolls.html

Ah, yes! One of the more satisfying season finales of any show, ever. I, too, couldn’t contain my grin during the last few minutes. However, is there no issue with cousins MARRYING? I mean, I burst out laughing when Matthew says, “Will you, Mary Crawley, take me …” Matthew Whose-Last-Name-Is-Also-Crawley … That must’ve been common back then? Also, can we discuss how utterly INEPT Dr. Clarkson is? What a hack!

And it’s over. Sigh. I think I shall fill the DA-sized void in my life with Sons of Anarchy.

I was watching the finale when I opened my Google reader and saw your post… the SEASON 1 FINALE!!! WTF I’m always so late for the party. And I’m now obsessed, and freaking out because where can I watch season 2? Where? TELL ME NOW.

Courtney- season 2 is on PBS.com for another week or so.

Courtney… pbs.org
WATCH IT NOW.

I am someone who has always been “obsessed with crusty old period dramas”, so much so that I ordered Downton Abbey from amazon in England so I could watch it before it aired on PBS here in the US. I love, love, love this show, and am so happy it is finding such a wide audience. This gives me hope that maybe there will be more shows like this, and I can save money on shipping from the UK.

A couple things from the comments above, I just assumed that Mrs. Bates killed herself, knowing that Mr. Bates would be blamed, thereby ruining his life.

Cousin marrying? If I remember correctly from the very first episode, Matthew’s father was a very distant cousin of Lord Grantham, so of course Mary and Matthew are even more distantly related. I also seem to remember that Crawley isn’t Matthew’s last name, he had to change it when he became heir.

When I first saw this (last night was my 3rd viewing!) I was so surprised and happy Matthew and Mary got it together at the end. I thought it was a beautiful shot of them in the snow with the house in the background, just lovely.

Daisy and her father in law were adorable, I love that actor, he was in the Horatio Hornblower series and ever since then I am always so happy to see him in anything. Loved how he told her to stop listening the the bad advice.

I totally agree about the Anna/Bates storyline. Of course I want them to be together, but the scenes at the jail-not very interesting.

Please everyone who likes this show-check out North and South with Richard Armitage. It is an Elizabeth Gaskell story, and it has Bates in it-he is all growly and yummy, and Richard Armitage is beyond hot. Plus if you haven’t seen Gosford Park, it is wonderful and written by Julian Fellowes, so it has the same kind of feel as DA.

One more thing-Maggie Smith as Violet is one of the best characters I have seen on my screen in years!!

Isnt rosamond’s whatshisname robin concord from Cheers way back when. That was distracting. I loved every other second of it!

Courtney – I watched almost every episode on PBS.org

Apparently Matthew has a chin now because the Internet called him fat! Sheesh. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8740218/Downton-Abbeys-Matthew-Crawley-shed-weight-after-fans-called-him-fat-on-Twitter.html

I so love this show. And the Dowager countess… she has made my life so much better. you see, when I have to read something completely and utterly boring (like the many briefs I have to format and mark at work) I read them in my mind in her voice. It works SPLENDIDLY.

Yes to all of the above! I especially loved Grantham’s speech to Mary. And the bare arms in the Wintry Flurry o’ Love.

As I said in my “GetGlue” check-in: When I grow up, I want to be the Dowager Countess. I laughed out loud at “Do you promise?” I adore her.

You know who I’m sick of? Cora! I’m guessing Shirley MacLaine will play her mother next season – that should be a treat!

I pre-ordered Season 2 from Amazon and got it last week (and have watched the Christmas Special 3 times since). I love every second of it. The ‘holy shit’ moment for me from this season was the appearance of Patrick (well the alleged Patrick). I have a feeling he’ll be back.

So much to look forward to next season: Sybil’s baby, the appearance of Shirley MacLaine as Cora’s mother, and of course all the obstacles to Matthew and Mary’s marriage.

@Catherine: Season 3 will begin airing on ITV in September. If you poke around a little on the Interweb, you’ll probably be able to see it before it comes to PBS next January.

LOVED the whole thing and agree on every point you made! Favorite line of all time: “Do you promise?”! I’m not sure how I can wait a whole year for season three.

“I don’t want my daughter to be married to a man who threatens her with ruin. I want a good man for you. A brave man.” You left off the best part: “Go to the middle west and bring back a cowboy to shake us up.” Beautiful! My favorite Dowager Countess line is from earlier in the series, when Matthew, Lavinia, and Mary might have met accidentally on the train if not for Mary being driven in: “Oh good. I do so hate Greek drama. All the action happens off-stage.” Brilliant! I love Maggie Smith’s every move. And Matthew’s “crikey” just about made me shoot water out of my nose. So spot on. I’m going to be beating a vein for season three from now until next January. Wahhhhh.

Carson was smooth. Just look at how confident his dancing was with the ladies. :)

I was prepared to eviscerate Thomas myself if anything happened to the dog (Isis!). Alas, he lives to sneer another day.

Mary and Matthew… finally. Sir Richard knocked on his sociopathic ass… finally.

Bates. :( HELP HIM.

Don’t forget, Carson used to be on the stage! No wonder he has the dance moves.

I’m a Brit so I watched this at Christmas when it aired, along with about 8 million other people. It is so especially ridiculous but I love it. My favourite part of season 2 was whenever Matthew casually popped back from the war.

And you’re quite right, Matthew got much more attractive between seasons.

I love Thomas, even though he’s an evil bastard.

I so want to watch tonight (on pbs.org) but I have a 2 hour exam to study for and a horrid paper to write…

I will miss this show… until S3!

I agree with you about Isis the Dog! Last week, I kind of took to making fun of Downton more because of ALL the millions of things that could happen in 2 hours, and when the dog went missing, I was prepared to get nasty if she died!

The Ouija board part was pretty funny to me. “Is there anyone there?”

It was a good episode. It was nice to see most of the loose ends tied up!

I love this show. I think Maggie Smith is my favorite character, though Matthew Crawley does make my heart go pitterpatter. I’m glad he and Mary got together, but I thought it was a smidge anti-climatic.

The only thing I have to say is WAAAAHHHHH no more until September!

Mattew’s “Crikey!” was the best line of the show.

Count me in with the latecomers to this wonderful show. I am now hooked and can’t believe I have to wait nearly a year for the next installments!

One of my favorite lines was in the beginning when they were exchanging gifts and Matthew’s mother gave the Dowager Countess and gift of a nutcracker. You know, so she can crack her nuts! Ha!

Gawd I love this show – I was in the same boat, resisted it and then utterly sucked in. Dowager Countess is my hands down favorite. And I was so disappointed in Lord Grantham’s taking up with the maid!!

I found Bates’ trial excruciating – so sad to see everyone inadvertently seal his fate. A friend has a theory that Thomas killed Vera to get the cash Bates gave her, to start his black market business. I was hoping last night’s episode would give some hints about who killed her, but nothing. I loved seeing Thomas fail – he is a delicious villain. Now, the waiting, the waiting.

I love this show so hard it hurts. Then again, I am a sucker for a good costume drama. (Exhibit A: My secret crush on Richard Armitage in the BBC’s North & South. So hot. So broody.)

The Dowager Countess never disappoints, and Maggie Smith delivers those lines like no one else.

The whole Bates and Anna business is making me nuts. Hate it. Like you, in the first series I was loving thier story, but now … meh. They are making Bates look like sort of a wanker. C’mon, show. Bring the old Bates back!

Mary and Matthew! Fin-a-frikken-ly. Yay! Can’t wait to see how they torture them next season.

Thomas is a little bitch, and I can never wait to see what evil deed he will bungle next. What I really want to see is something more about the Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name, to use the parlance of the time.

O’Brien is just a stright up bitch. Crikey is right, Matthew.

Ahhh. The Servant’s Ball. Perfect ending. Just perfect.

I just read somewhere that about 1/3 of all British stately homes were destroyed because the money ran out, and they had to be sold off for motorways/parking lots/business parks/etc. What will happen to Downton?!

I love it so much that I couldn’t wait for the finale and watched it on some website with shitty resolution a few weeks ago.

(Can we talk about Shirley MacLaine playing Cora’s mom in season 3? How kick ass is THAT going to be???)

Oh man, I RACED through seasons one and two and just finished the finale. This show is so freaking good. It’s also so freaking predictable but I don’t even care!

I am unbelievably attracted to Thomas. At first I thought he looked like a Twilight character but he’s definitely grown on me. Watching him dance at the servants’ ball? Yes. Yes, please. He is smarmy and stately and beautiful.

I feel you on the Anna/Bates storyline, for sure. I think they’re adorable but 99% of the time he seems to love her more like a father, less like her husband who may or may not have murdered his ex-wife omgwtfbbq. She’s all devoted and he’s like, “Very well, please make friends whilst I rot away in prison.”

So glad the season wrapped up nicely and we’re not stuck with a Matthew/Mary cliffhanger for seven months. Yay Downton! Yay Crawleys! Yay!

Love this, Linda!

Megan, I agree about Thomas. He is a delicious villain. :)

The Beaker pic made me spit out my coffee. That is Daisy. You are too much hilariousness for me in the morning.

Cannot WAIT for Shirley Maclaine and Maggie Smith to lock horns next season. That is going to be hot.

@allison – I love that idea. I am totally going to read the documents I have to proofread in Maggie Smith’s voice from now on.

I loved the finale! I also thought the shed Isis was trapped in was going to burn down. This season was a tad too soapy (I have had enough of Anna and Bates. They can go away.) compared to Season 1, but I will be back for more.

I just read it isn’t going to be back until next January which makes me very sad. But, Julian Fellowes is doing Titanic next!

yes to everyone – but @ Brigid: thank god I didn’t see Thomas throw his cigarette while leaving Isis in the shed – I was convinced she would accidentally hang herself on her lead trying to get out and was already beside myself!

And the bare arms – but isn’t she goose pimpled?????????

Love love love all this … thanks Linda

my review would be pretty much the same as yours. Love that show so much and really can’t explain why.

A big part of me was starting to get excited to see Mary in 1920s America. Oh, could she get into some trouble! but i’m happy to finally see her and Mathew happy together (at least for now).

Great recap!I also fell in love with it, after strongly resisting it. I was sure it was going to be a crappy show, what a mistake I made not watching it when it first aired. The Lord Grantham speech to Mary killed me…..man, to have a father like that!

I was also terrified that the dog was going to die. Terrified! I’ve never been more relieved about an animal’s fake death before.

I loved, loved, loved the finale as a whole. I am anti-Bates, so I didn’t care about him hanging or not, but I assumed they wouldn’t actually kill him. He’s too popular, ya know?

Matthew and Mary are my favorite and I may or may not have swooned when he proposed (again). Let me go ahead and say that I am going to VERY UPSET if they break up next season!

Do we even know when Season 3 is going to start? Next year, probably? Gah! Such a long time from now!

Thanks for recapping and giving me a chance to comment on the show!

How is it that so many people love this show, but I don’t have anyone to talk to about it! Thanks for your thoughts on the finale, I agree! They weren’t in the finale, but what do you think of the Sybil/Branson storyline? I think it will be delicious if they come back from Ireland with a bouncing baby BOY.

I’m a sucker for any PBS costumer but I have been riveted to this since ep 1. LOVE IT. I am a little in love with Lord Grantham even though he lost a bit of respect when he hit on the maid. And perhaps you noticed that Rosamond’s maid played Barbara Havers in the Inspector Lyndley mysteries? No? I did. Because I am that kind of PBS geek. And a reader of mysteries. Can’t wait for season 3!!

I put DA on as “background music” when it first aired and was immediately sucked in. I’m glad it’s finally caught on in popularity and I don’t have to constantly say to my friends, “No, I’m serious, it is AWESOME!”

I agree about Matthew and Mary. I got the good kind of shivers watching them in the snow. The best thing about them is their banter back and forth, so I hope that continues.

I feel a little annoyed at the writer(s) creating this over-the-top murder trial for Bates. It happened so quickly and, in my opinion, it just seemed like an overwhelming whirlwind. I LOVED Anna and Bates before and now I just feel like we’re being manipulated by the sensational murder trial. Sometimes less is more. Remember when Bates brought Anna the dinner tray when she was sick? I swooned!

I agree that the Patrick storyline was completely stupid. I hope they realize how lame that storyline is and pretend like he fell off the face of the Earth.

I agree with the commenter who wrote that she hoped that Mary still went to New York next season. That would be great fun!

I too was perplexed by and fixated on her bare arms. Isn’t that…snow? She must be freezing! But the scene overall was completely worth it. Also? Maggie Smith’s one-liners are the BEST. God that woman has wonderful comedic timing, and Fellowes really knows how to write for her.

Perfect review and observations. It was GREAT.

My only WTF with the ongoing characters is Bates. The Bad Luck Schleprock of Downtown Abbey. What does the completely delicious Anna see in that guy?

They just started filming season 3 this month. We have a long wait ahead of us…

You summed it up so well. Lady Violet is so awesome, that line was the best of the night. The only thing I disagree with is feeling sympathy for Thomas. I am on the verge, but not quite there yet. O’Brien is growing on me though. Can’t believe the season is over already. It is sad how much I looked forward to Sunday nights because of this show.

I didn’t read this because I’ve never watched the show, and might one day-not that I won’t forget what I’ve read immediately…

BUT had to comment due to spoiler bukkake. You’re my favorite.

I love this post so very much.

I couldn’t agree more about Bates and Anna – they’ve really gone downhill. And I was distracted by the bare arms too, but hey, I don’t care too much because FINALLY RESOLUTION!

I was distracted by her bare arms tooooo! AND I also finally forgave Lord Grantham for that whole maid business, when he said “you’re not the only one in this family that has made mistakes.” He’s just so DECENT and LIKABLE.

Also, I thought it was hilarious how Matthew could just APPEAR, and pretty frequently, back from war. And then? Gone again.

Lady Sybil is a favorite of mine, so I was bummed that she wasn’t in this ep.

Also, why are we not discussing Bates? Innocent or guilty? I think his wretched old hag of a (DEAD) wife got her final revenge by framing him in her death. Thoughts?

Now you are blogging about Downton Abbey! You are awesome!

you pretty much echoed everything i thought too. LOVE the show.