Small Screen Scenes: Downton Abbey Season Two Episode Three Highly Recommended by Whom You Know Available Now From PBS Distribution
We'll have to tell our friends at Cutler about how fascinating one of the first curling irons are used by Anna on Lady Mary early on....and who possibly could give orders to Carson other than the Earl of Grantham?!?! Another war is developing between Cora and Isobel...who is Lady of the House? Who's working in a pub now?
As a convalescent home, Downton will also provide entertainment in the form of bouncing ping-pong balls for Pharoah, the Earl's yellow lab.
Oooh take a quiz and see if you know the answers other than #10:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2078246/Do-know-Downton-From-Lord-Granthams-dog-Mrs-Patmores-catchphrase.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2078246/Do-know-Downton-From-Lord-Granthams-dog-Mrs-Patmores-catchphrase.html
Bad dreams, bad hearts, and people starting scandals...but a proposal is imminent!
Sit down and have a glass of cider, and take your fences one at a time in this heat!
Previously, Whom You Know Highly Recommended Downton Abbey Season Two Episode One:
& Season Two Episode Two:
And Season One Blew Us Away:
Watch them all, in order!
Whom You Know Highly Recommends Downton Abbey Season Two Episode Three!
Join our Facebook group, Downton Abbey is PEACHY
Get your own copy, and start watching:
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1918
Mary's new alliance has aroused Violet's interest in matters of suitability and love. With Sybil in mind, the Dowager Countess declares, "war breaks down barriers and when peacetime re-erects them, it's very easy to find oneself on the wrong side." Indeed, among war's greatest casualties at Downton are the prescribed roles and class boundaries. Thomas is exerting his authority over the servants with aplomb; Mrs. Patmore, Daisy and Mrs. Bird are cooking up a little something on the side; and Ethel has discovered an age-old way to support the war effort. But between Robert and Bates, faith and loyalty transcend class, offering hope when Robert needs it most. Because now, the war has threatened a far more serious casualty.
Warning: Contains significant plot spoilers
To keep the spirits of the convalescing officers up, Edith is planning a concert and has managed to coax an unenthusiastic Mary into participating. Ethel, doing her best to keep Major Bryant's spirits up, continues her inappropriate flirtation and is chastised again, this time by Edith. But as Edith busily attends to the men, Cora and Isobel escalate their feud over the running of the home when Cora dismisses Isobel and overrides the meal schedule Isobel had in place. Isobel confronts Cora over this perceived final straw and threatens to leave if her work is unwanted. Cora so much as confirms that this is indeed the case, and a floored Isobel departs for France, where she will work with the Red Cross among those who will value her contributions.
In a frank conversation, Violet quizzes Mary about her good opinion of Lavinia, her relationship with Carlisle, and her affection for Matthew. Mary reassures Violet on all three fronts but the Dowager Countess remains skeptical. Nevertheless, she switches subjects to the youngest daughter and wonders why Sybil has no beau, speculating that such a girl might be vulnerable to romance outside of her social class. Mary, however, needn't wonder when she encounters Sybil deep in conversation with Branson. Branson, believing Sybil returns his feelings, has declared that he won't leave Downton until Sybil agrees to leave with him. Suspicious, Mary challenges Sybil about why she was talking to Branson, reminding her that he is only a chauffeur. But Mary has romantic demands of her own; Robert has received a letter from Carlisle, apologizing for not asking his permission before proposing to Mary. Surprised that Mary didn't tell him this herself, Robert questions her motives in marrying Carlisle. He urges her to write her news to Matthew.
Matthew receives her letter at the front lines in France. He and William, now his servant, are due to return home on leave. They head out on a patrol but are cut off from their own lines by the enemy, who open fire.
Daisy overhears Thomas telling O'Brien that Bates has been spotted working in a local pub and accidentally reveals the news to Mrs. Hughes, who then tells Carson. When Robert asks Thomas why he didn't tell Carson this news, Thomas is only too happy to answer that he is no longer under Carson's command. Meanwhile, in discussing Bates's return to the area with Anna, Robert learns that Bates feels he left Downton on bad terms. Feeling responsible, Robert resolves to visit him.
At Crawley House, following Isobel's departure, Mrs. Bird and Molesley are left with very little to do until a hungry former soldier arrives at the door in search of food. Before long, Mrs. Bird is running a full-on soup kitchen for war veterans, and Mrs. Patmore, Daisy in tow, enthusiastically rolls up her sleeves to help, bringing supplies from Downton. O'Brien notices that Mrs. Patmore is putting food aside, and alerts Mrs. Hughes. Spotting Mrs. Patmore and Daisy in the village with supplies confirms her suspicions that the two are up to something.
But Daisy is concerned that William is late for his promised visit, so concerned that she asks Edith for help. Edith alerts Robert who looks into it with his military connections. Robert announces at dinner his plans to visit Bates at a local pub and Violet questions Sybil about whether she has any inappropriate friendships, conscious of the blurring of social boundaries in wartime. Sybil immediately blames Mary, but Mary insists that she'd not spoken to Violet about Branson. When Sybil confides that Branson has asked her to run away with him, Mary is appalled but nevertheless vows to keep Sybil's secret so long as her sister promises not to do anything stupid. An alarming telephone call with news that Matthew and William are missing concerns Robert, who shares the news with Edith, but asks her to keep it to herself. That night, Mrs. Hughes finds Major Bryant and Ethel in bed together. Ethel is immediately dismissed and leaves before breakfast.
Robert visits Bates in the pub and apologizes to him, confiding that Matthew is missing and he is fearful for his safety. He invites Bates to return to Downton. Bates, with proof of Vera's infidelity, now feels the divorce is closer to resolution. He will pay Vera whatever it takes and awaits her answer to his offer. When he returns, the servants (with the exception of Thomas and O'Brien) are pleased to have Bates back, and Anna is elated. But Molesley is disappointed — now, he won't get the chance to take over as Robert's valet.
O'Brien informs Cora that Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Bird are selling food at a profit. Together they go to Crawley House where they find the soup kitchen. But rather than reprimanding Mrs. Patmore, Cora approvingly joins right in at work, insisting that in the future, they use Downton's produce rather than food supplied by the government.
Against Robert's instructions, Edith, with genuine concern, tells a distraught Mary that Matthew is missing. Just before the concert, Robert tells Cora. A pall is cast over the house as the heartbroken family and staff worry about their missing loved ones. Nevertheless, Mary and Edith perform a song for all the men, servants and family. And as Mary is singing, Matthew and William suddenly walk into the back of the room. They had been separated from their unit for several days, but are unharmed.
Mrs. Hughes is shocked to find that Ethel has returned to see her. She is pregnant.
ONE OF THE MOST PHENOMENALLY POPULAR MASTERPIECE SERIES IS BACK –
“DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2”
Available on DVD and Blu-ray from PBS Distribution February 7th
Release Timed with Premiere Airing on PBS Sundays January 8 through February 19
The First Season of “Downton Abbey” Won Six Primetime Emmy Awards
PBS Distribution today announced it is releasing “DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2” on DVD and Blu-ray. The second season promises to be as satisfying as the first, with thwarted and rekindled romances, forgotten and fresh scandals, and enough new plot twists to weave a tapestry with Lord Grantham’s family crest. “DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2” will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on February 7, 2012. The running time of the program is 544 minutes. The SRP for the DVD is $44.99 and the SRP for the Blu-ray is $49.99. The program comes on three discs.
The returning cast includes Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Siobhan Finneran, and many more. The DVD and Blu-ray feature the original U.K. edition of the program and are being released a little less than two weeks prior to the airing of the last episode on PBS. Both the DVD and Blu-ray will include special bonus features.
The first season of “Downton Abbey,” which was released on DVD January 11, 2011, won a host of prestigious awards in the U.K. and was recently honored in the U.S. with six Primetime Emmy awards, one of which was for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. American critics called “Downton Abbey” “an instant classic” (New York Times), “compulsively watchable from the get-go” (Variety), “the U.K.’s best abbey since Abbey Road” (Entertainment Weekly), and “a quintessential Masterpiece Classic” (TV Guide).
Program Details
Last season opened with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which had dire consequences for Downton Abbey. The new season picks up in the middle of another disaster, World War I, which affected every aspect of life in England, accelerating the social change that was already transforming an age-old system of class and privilege.
As the Great War rages across Europe, discord is sown even into the serene Yorkshire countryside. Simmering tensions behind the gates of Downton Abbey are beginning to come to a boil as the men and women of Downton do their part on both the front lines and the home front. What’s more, the brutality and intensity of war seem to inflame more familiar passions – love, loss, blackmail, and betrayal – leaving family and staff alike to struggle in an ever-changing world, against a host of new demons.
About MASTERPIECE
MASTERPIECE on PBS is presented by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking River Cruises, with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.
About PBS Distribution
PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally. Jointly owned by PBS (Arlington, VA) and WGBH (Boston, MA), PBS Distribution extends the reach of public television programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.
PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films (Prohibition, The National Parks, The War, Baseball, Jazz), documentaries from award-winning series NOVA (The Elegant Universe, Origins), FRONTLINE (God in America, Bush’s War, Growing Up Online), and American Experience (Freedom Riders, We Shall Remain), dramas from Masterpiece (Downton Abbey, Jane Eyre, Inspector Lewis), films from independent producers (Easy Yoga for Arthritis, The Buddha, The Story of India, Carrier, Journey into Buddhism, I.O.U.S.A.), and popular children’s programming from Dinosaur Train, Super Why!, WordGirl, Cyberchase, Martha Speaks, and Arthur. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution pursues wholesale/retail sales, consumer and educational sales through PBS- branded catalogs and online shops, and international broadcast and video sales. PBS distribution is also a leader in offering programming through digital platforms including the internet, mobile, and web-connected television.
PBS DISTRIBUTION ANNOUNCES THE
SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES ON THE
“DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2” DVD AND BLU-RAY
“DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2” Available on DVD and Blu-ray February 7th
Premiere Episode that Broadcasted Sunday, January 8th Averaged 4.2 Million Viewers
PBS Distribution today announced the bonus features included on the DVD and Blu-ray releases of the critically-acclaimed series “DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2.” “Downton Abbey” fans are clamoring for Season 2, and now they have another reason to be excited with more than 32 minutes of bonus features available on the DVD and Blu-ray. With Season 2 kicking off on PBS just this past weekend, averaging 4.2 million viewers, interest in the series, and everything Downton related, will only continue to increase as the series airs over the course of the next six Sundays. (Nielsen Fast National data, 2.7 household rating.) Descriptions of the bonus features are below.
HOUSE TO HOSPITAL
This eight-minute bonus feature briefly recaps where viewers left the house, a grand venue for evening soirees and garden parties. It is now 1916, times have changed and so has the house. Viewers are given a closer look at the changes that take place within the Downton house and shown how news of war impacts life at Downton and the lives of those that live there. In “House to Hospital,” viewers see how Downton is physically changed into a convalescent home and what this means in terms of the social changes taking place at that time. This special feature delves into the archives of Highclere Castle (which is Downton Abbey in the series) to see how houses of this period offered themselves to the war effort.
Interviews:
Alastair Bruce (historical advisor), Julian Fellowes, Lady Carnarvon (lives at Highclere Castle), Donal Woods (production designer), Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Jessica Brown-Findlay, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan and Rob James-Collier.
ROMANCE IN A TIME OF WAR
This 13-minute special feature takes a look at the relationships that blossom in this series and why the war was a catalyst to love. The main focus is on: Branson and Sybil, Bates and Anna, Mary and Matthew, and William and Daisy.
Interviews:
Julian Fellowes, Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Jessica Brown-Findlay, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle, Sophie McShera, Thomas Howes, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Zoe Boyle and Iain Glen.
FASHION AND UNIFORMS
This 11-minute bonus feature takes a detailed look at costumes. Costume designer Susannah Buxton takes us on a detailed journey through the changing fashions of 1916. Viewers get an inside look at how the war has impacted fashions and of course introduced military uniforms to the wardrobe. Interviews with the cast explain how each of the key costumes comes into play.
“Fashion and Uniforms” also explores the nature and role of uniforms, and the etiquette involved in their use. The feature shows the changing fashions – talking with both make-up and costume teams about the arrival of “the hobble skirt,” new hairstyles, and the curling irons that were introduced at the time.
Interviews:
Susannah Buxton (costume designer), Anne ‘Nosh’ Oldham (make-up designer), Jessica Brown-Findlay, Hugh Bonneville, Dan Stevens, Rob James-Collier, Elizabeth McGovern and Alastair Bruce (historical advisor).
Program Details
Last season opened with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which had dire consequences for Downton Abbey. The new season picks up in the middle of another disaster, World War I, which impacts every aspect of life in England, accelerating the social change that was already transforming an age-old system of class and privilege.
As the Great War rages across Europe, discord is sown even into the serene Yorkshire countryside. Simmering tensions behind the gates of Downton Abbey are beginning to come to a boil as the men and women of Downton do their part on both the front lines and the home front. What’s more, the brutality and intensity of war seem to inflame more familiar passions – love, loss, blackmail, and betrayal – leaving family and staff alike to struggle in an ever-changing world, against a host of new demons.
“DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2” is a Carnival/Masterpiece Co-Production.
About MASTERPIECE
MASTERPIECE on PBS is presented by WGBH Boston. Rebecca Eaton is executive producer. Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking River Cruises, with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.
About PBS Distribution
PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally. Jointly owned by PBS (Arlington, VA) and WGBH (Boston, MA), PBS Distribution extends the reach of public television programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.
PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films (Prohibition, The National Parks, The War, Baseball, Jazz), documentaries from award-winning series NOVA (The Elegant Universe, Origins), FRONTLINE (God in America, Bush’s War, Growing Up Online), and American Experience (Freedom Riders, We Shall Remain), dramas from Masterpiece (Downton Abbey, Jane Eyre, Inspector Lewis), films from independent producers (Easy Yoga for Arthritis, The Buddha, The Story of India, Carrier, Journey into Buddhism, I.O.U.S.A.), and popular children’s programming from Dinosaur Train, Super Why!, WordGirl, Cyberchase, Martha Speaks, and Arthur. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution pursues wholesale/retail sales, consumer and educational sales through PBS- branded catalogs and online shops, and international broadcast and video sales. PBS distribution is also a leader in offering programming through digital platforms including the internet, mobile, and web-connected television.
DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 2
Street Date: February 7, 2012
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 544 minutes on 3 Discs
SRP: DVD, $44.99 and Blu-ray, $49.99
Format: DVD and Blu-ray
