3 Mini-Reviews of the 3 Movies I have seen in January

The Light Between the Oceans

Okay... so first off, I am not sure if I recommend this? On the one hand it left me with chills and in awe (and I went to amazon straightaway to order the book because I cannot get enough of this story), but on the other hand... IT IS SO MUCH. Like, the emotional turmoil this movie put me through was not okay. I went in it, knowing it was going to be dramatic and knowing that I was going to cry (and I put it on because I felt like a crying movie) (and because I'd seen the trailer so many times it was becoming pathetic), but man when I mean crying movie I didn't mean SOBBING LIKE A BABY MOVIE.

So warning: It is a very dramatic movie. Intense. Drama. Packed with it. Amen. The end.

But it's beautiful. So so so beautiful. The actors, the scenery (man, that little island with the sand dunes and the dry grass and the grey clouds and the pink, pink sunsets... it reminded me of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel 'The Blue Castle'. Isabelle and Tom also kinda look like how I imagine Barney and Valancy, so that made it even better.), the characters (TOM. 😍 That man has a heart of gold.), the love story (Isabelle's "Well, then marry me" was epic),the storylines, the stories behind it, the music... ahh twas good dangit.

(Still not sure if I recommend it though. :-))

The Greatest Showman

(I chose this poster because I love these two together and I loved that scene. And the moon and the pink dress.)

AHHH THIS MUSICAL. (This is the greatest show!!!!) (I sung that.) (That's what happens with musicals. One listens to the soundtrack and one sprouts out lyrics randomly.) I went with not-so-high-expectations, I left singing and dancing out of the cinema. My sister and I went to watch it for my birthday, in a small cinema room with comfy chairs and a bag of sweet popcorn between us. It started. We got chills. It went on. We loved it.

Personally, I think it is lacking slightly in plot. There could have been more to the storyline? I don't know. Maybe it was me being picky. But it was definitely a very spectacular movie. The best thing was obviously, the songs. "Tightrope", for instance (*insert HEART EMOJI*), and "The Other Side" (love that scene so so much haha) and "Reach out the stars" (yeah yeah Zendaya and Zach y'all have mad skillz. That scene was amazing) and, one of the best songs in my opinion, "This is Me." Oh and that opening song and scene. When they all stamp and sing and suddenly the Amazing Hugh Jackman goes, smooth and soft as ever, "Ladies and Gents this is the moment you've waited for." YES. THAT IS A GOOD MUSICAL INTRODUCTION.

If you get the chance, watch it. (Although it bugs me that Hugh Jackman's wife walks around in town with her hair loose. And the elephants are toootally fake.)

Hugo

I saw this yesterday evening and it was so good! It's a family movie (unlike 'The Light between the Oceans' haha) and it really pleasantly surprised me. I didn't expect it to be so good, but it really was. It made me laugh and cry and left me wanting for more. (Also, it's all about people who are slightly nerdy and want to make things and I love that. This movie has a girls obsessed with books, a clock making boy with big dreams, a film maker, an actress, etc. Can't you sense how good this movie is? Smell it.)

Also it's set in the 1930's and it's in Paris so the scenes are all so pretty. (ALTHOUGH. That blue policeman dude with the ghastly moustache should leave. Him and his dog. NOW. Ugh. I do not like the man. The flower lady must know better.) (The way he talked was hilarious though.)

Asa Butterfield's acting is superb. I mean wow. That boy has talent. When his gorgeous blue eyes well up in tears, you just feel it. And then he lives in a clock. I mean, I kinda want to live in a clock.

Would I watch this again? I would.
Should you watch this? You should.

And with that I end this post. Go hence and spend thine hours watching these three movies. (Although maybe not the first. :-P)

Thoughts on: Wives and Daughters 1999

I am currently the proud owner of hamster cheeks. That is, I am trying to survive the extraction of those wisdom teeth. (It's okay, it really is. It's just cumbersome. And I don't exactly feel glamorous. :-P) But you know, why not do something minorly productive and write a blog post? Today I've watched 2 episodes of Mr Selfridge (it is so similar to The Paradise, like, I'm surprised one series didn't blame the other for plagarism), about 20 episodes of Emma Approved (#Knighthouse), I've slept and swallowed down ice-cream, and I'm currently listening to jazz (Marilyn Monroe is currently singing "I wanna be loved by you" and it's cute) and you know what, I'm going to write down a blog post.

Also, not to be Frank Churchill, but this heat is MADDENING. Belgium, you're supposed to have the reputation for bad weather. Prove it. THIS IS TOO HOT.

Anyways. Thoughts on Wives and Daughters. (That's another way of saying: "A review, but not a good enough one, so not worthy to be called a review." :-P) (Or "discombobulated ramblings on a dear movie.") (See, I am not that bad at blog post titles. Book titles, however, are an entirely different matter.)

Let us start by pointing out the negatives, shall we? (I know, I know, ever the optimist.)

MRS GIBSON. Aka. Claire or Hyacinth or the previous Mrs Kirkpatrick or, as I call her, the-spoilt-brat-who-ughhhh-no-leave-the-room. I cannot stand this woman. (Yes, those are grapes in her hair. But believe me, that is only a tiny fraction of her annoyingness.) Mrs Gibson is the kind of character you want to grab by the hair and scratch like a kitten (not to be blunt). The way she craves money and fame and attention is just ugh. I feel so bad for Molly for having to live with the woman, and I cannot give Mr Gibson much respect because he picked her out as a wife.

Speaking of Mr Gibson... I know loads of people like him as character, but personally he annoys me almost as much as Hyacinth! (Okay, not quite as much. Hyacinth is, granted, hard to beat on that score.) But really, I find him quite creepy - the way he calls his daughter goosey with that close stare and sends her off and controls Molly and then honestly thinks marrying Hyacinth is a SENSIBLE thing to do. And when he's angry at Molly when there's all the gossip about Mr Preston... like noo, just be calm, sir, have faith in your daughter.

The first episode, personally, I find rather slow. I only get 'into' the movie by episode 2. (Don't kill me, but Cynthia has to arrive to give the mini series the dazzle and the colour.) However, I do LOVE the scene in episode one where Roger comforts Molly when he finds her crying in the garden after she's found out about The Unwanted Engagement. Roger is like the BEST older brother and IT'S SO CUTE (because that's the thing: HE'S NOT THE OLDER BROTHER.) (Spoiler alert. :-P)

More negative things? Pheobe Brown was annoying. Kind of humorous, I guess, but definitely eye-roll-worthy-material. Sally's not much better. It always tickles me how she has a barouche in Wives and Daughters just like she famously has in Cranford. (Not Sally. The actress. She's called Mrs Jamieson-the-one-with-the-dog in Cranford.)

The Hamely-family scenes sometimes went on too much. (I only love them when Roger is in them. I could watch many Hamely scenes if Roger were in them all.)  Mr Hamely annoys me, although Michael Gambon is a good actor. (No sister-reading-this, don't say he isn't.) (My siblings somehow dislike Michael Gambon with a certain passion.) Mrs Hamely's death was sad, but I never got very attached to her as a character. She certainly is very sweet though, and man, I feel bad for Osborne for having to have his mum die being disappointed in him.

Osborne is a poor thing. The poor guy has one miserable happening after the other. He's not exactly what you'd call a lucky chap.

As we are still in the negative part of the review (or whatever), Harriet's hair in the last episode (the wig-pixie-cut-thing. yeah. that.) was a ghastly mess. Of course, a lot of the hair was ridiculous (remember the grapes in Mrs Gibson's hair-do), as were some of the puffed sleeves. Let's just say the wardrobes in here are an Anne Shirley gown heaven.

I DO like Lady Harriet Cumnor though; better then I did last time. She is a frank, open-hearted, confidant, witty lady. I like her face and her quick attitude. I like how she makes sure no-one thinks badly of Molly. I LOVE how she ships Molly with - spoiler alert but not really - Roger.

Can I also give a shout-out to Lady Catherine the Bourgh Lady Cumnor? She's hilarious. And her pwonouncishon is pwetty hilawious.

Let's speak of Cynthia. She is an interesting character with many different sides to her. Annoying, lovable, frustrating, ungenuine yet genuine. Do not unfollow me (well, I guess you can if you want to), but, but, but *whisper* I have a soft spot for Cynthia Kirkpatrick. Not that I approve of her actions - she is a flirt and she should not accept all those proposals and such and UGH the way she does not care a jot about Roger and her carelessness of his letters makes me so angry... but, but. I can't hate her. I cannot call her a villain.

And I feel bad for her with the Mr Preston plot. I also sort of feel bad for Preston. Look, it's a VERY good, unfortunate plot line. Preston loves Cynthia, Cynthia hates him despite the fact that she consented to marry him when she was 15. Preston has a very odd way of showing his love to Cynthia, which Molly (the DARLING) resolves. Whether or not you dislike Cynthia, I think we all agree her Preston-situation is very unfortunate. Yes, she shouldn't have promised him her hand but she was fifteen BUT DUDE, Preston has charm, and she changed her mind and that should be allowed.

I HATE that she doesn't break it off with Roger (or starts it in the first place) sooner. But I love how she admits her faults and how charming she is. I hate how flirty she is, but I love how she sees it. She is, you've got to admit, very honest. That is a good quality. (BUT SHE SHOULD TRY TO REMEDY HER FAULTS. Actually try.)

(Ignore Mrs Gibson in the above picture. Focus on Molly.)

Molly. Ah Molly. The girl who deserves so much more than she gets - the girl who has her heart broken and only mended till the very end - the girl who has to endure gossip because she's friendly - the girl who's left with everyone's problems - She is a DARLING.

I have no more to say. A DARLING. One of my favourite heroines out there, for sure. I love Molly Gibson.

I LOVE ROGER. Yes, I am sad he had the Cynthia phase, but I think they had him realise his mistake very well, what with him being so far away and just clinging to the thought of Cynthia because he knew nothing better. I love him best with Molly, of course. I wish for more Molly-Roger scenes and less Cynthia-Roger scenes. I always get excited when Roger is back in England. The guy is in Africa too often.

Seriously though. This guy has a place in my heart. Handsome, cute, a gentleman, so KIND and so good and also super clever. I mean... seriously. He's somethin'. (Underrated, too.) (And the nicest brother to Osborne.)

CAN WE JUST APPRECIATE HOW PERFECT THEY ARE TOGETHER?! I was literally sobbing during his proposal and ohh, I need more Molly-Roger scenes. They are so adorable and beautiful together and why it didn't happen sooner is a crying shame. The last episode is so glorious and tension-y filled it's almost annoying to watch. I love it though. Molly and Roger for ever and ever amen.

(Also I kind of wish there was a kiss. :-P) (Yes, there isn't.) (Not even a hug.) (They could at least have done a hug.) (The rainy proposal was so epic it made up for it though.) (And the Africa honeymoon.) (AND JUST THEM.) (Still wish there was a kiss.) (Or a hug.) (Or both.)

I'll stop with the brackets.

What do you think of this gorgeous miniseries? Have you seen it? Tell me thy thoughts.

PS I PERSONALLY LOVE THE COSTUMES IN HERE. Especially Cynthia's wickedly gorgeous dark blue ballgown she wears in London (:-O) and Molly's red one at the engagement party. The costumes are amazing in this miniseries, albeit sometimes rather much. Brownie points for whoever was in charge of the costumes, though.

Some discombobulated thoughts on Call the Midwife season 6

(First a picture of Barbara because she's my favourite.)

(And a gif of the gals having fun on the beds. I always love those scenes.)

Hello there!!!! Happy April, people. Hope your March was good. My March included me and my mother watching Call the Midwife season 5's Christmas Special and Call the Midwife season 6. We have one more episode to go tonight and we have the Christmas Special to go, too, but I consider myself a Season Six know-it-all already.

Thus, here are some discombobulated thoughts. With spoilers, subjective opinions and unladylike squealing thrown into the mix. (Of course.)

The Christmas Special was really good. At first I thought them going to Africa was a desperate call for something different, but the change of setting and scene did Call the Midwife good, I think. The difficult situations in the poor country such as the lack of water gave the story some extra grit (not that call the midwife doesn't have any in Poplar.) I liked that Trixie bought her nail polish along; that was funny. Like really; you're going to Africa and still #priorities.

And I LOVE FRED. He's the best. He was helping the birth under the tree with such sincerity, the dear old chap.

Mannnn, let's give Trixie a shout-out. She did a Cesearan section by HERSELF and wow that scene was tense. The way she dug her hands in the belly was weird (the belly was weird... you could easily see it was a prosthetic belly - I mean, I've seen pregnant woman and their bellies don't look so triangular when lying down) and it annoyed me that they didn't mention sewing the belly back together again (did they?!) but man, Trixie. She's so strong. I loved the scene afterwards where Trixie sits down speechless, like, "Wow. What did I just do?" and Barbara told her she deserved a cigarette.

Tom and Barbara's engagement scene with a blade of grass was freakin' cute. As was that teeny scene where they take a picture of Barbara kissing Tom's cheek and she laughed and said, "ugh you smell." D'awww. I mean, what do you expect guys. (I will do some proper Tom + Barbara squealing later on, of course. I simply do not write CTM blog posts without doing a thorough Tom and Barbara appreciation paragraph. :-P)

I do not condone the Patsy + Delia romance plotline, but I need to give Pats a shout-out because her fashion taste is pretty stellar. Also, I love Delia's hair. She always looks adorable. Patsy leaves to Hong Kong to help her dying father and I have to say, I was happy about that because it meant less Patsy and Delia scenes which I need to skip. But having said that though, Patsy is a cool gal and I hope she's doing well over there. But I also hope she stays there a while.

Mannnnn, Nurse Crane is a darling. (Yes, I wrote down Queenie first because this actress always will be Queenie to me. It's like Michelle Dockery. She's Lady Mary.) I felt for her so badly when the accident happened - I want to hug her. She's not my favourite character but I like her a great deal better than I did at first.

Also, I love Sister Winifred. Her cheerfulness and youthful glee is adorable.

Trixie looking good, as always. Her hairstyles and outfits hardly ever let me down.

 Okay, so this dude? (I'm not going to paste a full-face picture because I don't like him. :-P But if you want to know what he looks like, here's a picture of that cheesy dentist.) TRIXIE WHY DO YOU PICK THE WRONG MEN. Trixie is like the Edith in Downton Abbey when it comes to men, and I hope that one day she'll find her Bertie Pelham. And I refuse to accept that this Christopher divorced-dentist-creepy-flashy-teeth guy is him.

Christopher annoys me. No. I do not like this plot line at all. Go. Shoo. (Seriously when I heard he was divorced I was like noooo he annoyed me already but now it's worsened.) Trixie comparing that to her alcoholic problem bugged me too.

Yeah, so I'm looking forward to that plotline leaving. Hopefully soon. (Also he's not even handsome.)

Sister Monica Joan is far less annoying in this season than she was in the others. (By annoying I mean: she-needs-less-screen-time-cuz-she's-not-that-interesting.) I liked her little plot line with the television; that was funny, and I thought her shock about Cynthia being in the mental illness place was extremely well acted. And I liked that scene of the gifs above. :-P

My wooord, the Cynthia plot THE CYNTHIA PLOT. My heart is breaking for her. Her inner struggles are beautifully acted and I hope so badly she'll get better soon. Sometimes I think of the old Cynthia, when she was laughing with Trixie and Jenny and Chummy in her red midwife cardigan and my heart just breaks because I miss her like that. I want her to be better. MAKE HER BETTER, SCREENPLAY WRITER HEIDI THOMAS.

(Speaking of sisters, sister Julienne deserves a round of applause because she generally is wonderful and motherly and amazing. I love her.)

However, LET US NOT SPEAK OF SISTER URSULA.

Suffice to say I'm happy she's gone and I hope she never returns again.

I have a confession to make: The Turners annoy me.

Listen, in Season two they were pretty much my favourite plotline - you know, Sister Bernadette un-nunning into Shelagh and then the widowed Patrick asking her to marry him... it was all so special and beautiful and I cried many happy tears over their story. But now it's like... BLEH. I REALLY DON'T CARE ANYMORE. (Wow, my caps sound fierce. But really; I am super sick of them.) They're always so sappy and cheesy and seriously, every Turner family scene goes a bit like this:

*Shelagh puts her hands on her belly*
Shelagh: I want this baby so badly, Patrick.
*Patrick does his head-cock-smile-thing*
Patrick: You have to rest, Shelagh.
Shelagh: I know, Dr Turner.
*they smile as if it's all a private joke*
*angelic-big-brother Timothy comes in with a quiet cute Angela*
*Patrick and Shelagh watch them and smile*
Timothy: We are a happy family, aren't we?
Patrick: We definitely are, son.
*Shelagh says something similar including a line about her new baby*

... Do you know what I mean?!!? It's so incredibly... plastic. (I'm afraid I think it's called bad acting.) The Turner scenes are so unrealistic and cheesy and just eww, they're becoming so cringe-worthy I'm starting to roll my eyes every single time they're on screen. How many times a day do couples talk about how happy their family is?! (Every . single . episode .)

I'll let other people be fans of the Turners. I'm spending my energy on Barbara and Tom.

OH TOM HOW I LOVE YOU. *insert heart-eye emoji* I'll publicly admit Tom is a bit of a heart-stealer. I love practically every scene with him in it. He's every inch the gentleman and I have very little complaints concerning the man. I loved the episode where he gets involved in the adoption plot of the lady and her cousin; and also, of course, every single scene ever between Tom and Barbara. GAHHH.

THESE TWO.

I don't know what it is with these two but THEY ARE SO ADORABLE. I cannot wait for their winter wedding (yes, I have seen all the pictures I have found and yes I have admired her wedding sparkle and yes I will enjoy the upcoming Christmas Special with great immenseness I am sure) because if it's half as beautiful as their proposal it's gonna be good.

Barbara is pretty much my favourite character in the entire show, by the way. She's so kind and purposeful and genuine. I love how she still messes up and has some clumsy scenes because it reminds me of how real she is. She's so elegant and she and Tom are the best pair can I get an amen?

What do I think of the new midwife, Miss Valerie Dyer? Yeah, she nice. Not my favourite - and her constant chirpy smile seems rather fake to me - but she proves to be a good midwife after the very dramatic and tense birth scene of the Muslim lady.

My favourite episode (so far) in season six is definitely episode five, where Fred (THE DEAR CHAP) (I repeat: THE DEAR CHAP) and his lovely wife, Violet take in Reggie after Reggie's mother dies of a sudden heart attack during a Church service. In the end they find a lovely home for Reggie, but goshhh this episode made me cry so much. Reggie is the sweetest lad ever.

The thalidomide episode made me cry so much too. THAT PLOT LINE IS SO MUCH. Susan's mother is the best actress ever and the scene where all the mothers affected by the thalidomide pill come together to talk about their kids was #cryingparty.

So yes. I'm enjoying this greatly. Basically.

Anyone else able to join me with Season six squealment? Do talk with me about it in the comments. What are your thoughts on the Turners? Are you offended by my perhaps-harsh words on them? Do you love Tom as much as I do? And would you like to be adopted by Fred and Violet Buckle?

Downton Abbey Season One - Episode Guide / Review

We're re-watching Downton Abbey!!! 

IT IS AMAZING. Of course. As if no-one had guessed that. I wrote a little mini-review of each episode (we just finished season one already whattt) and well, I might as well publish them online for everyone to see. Besides, some of you might enjoy it and some of you might want to know what episodes have 'nasty stuff' for further reference. If you do not want any spoilers, just don't read the synopsis's. But enjoy the collages because I made them all and spent blood and tears and sweat making them. Just Kidding.

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 1

Epic start - epic getting-to-know-everyone - basically epic everything, duh. We get introduced to all the characters - Daisy with her adorable pink dress, Mrs Patmore and her fiery red hair + impatience, Mr Carson being Mr Carson, Mrs Hughes with her keys, darling Anna, evil Thomas and well, obviously, Mr Bates, the new servant for Lord Grantham. Then we go upstairs, meet THE FAMILY, and oh nooo, apparently the heir IS DEAD. Stupid Titanic. It's sad and all that, but this means that there's a new heir. The Dowager Countess (aka everyone's third grandma) comes on a visit and bonds with Cora over the gross unfairness of society and that Mary won't own the estate. This is once again emphasised by a visit of a (ugh I hate him) Duke who changes his mind on Lady Mary when he hears of this news.

We end with a gorgeous shot of Isobel and Matthew Crawley (the new heir!), the latter saying that, ' Lord Grantham is going to change their lives.' Um, yes.

Content: Several occasions where characters swear + A homosexual scene nearing the end (when Thomas and the Duke are alone in his bedroom. Fairly easy to see coming. It is also fairly long, I believe.)

Particularly good quotes:

"We are allies, my dear, which can be a great deal more affective." (Than friends, ha.) - Dowager Countess

"It's my third parent and my fourth child. Do I care for Downton? Oh yes I do!" - Robert

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 2

This is the episode where ALL THE GIRLS fall in love with Matthew Crawley, who Officially comes to visit Downton and live nearby. At first, stuff gets a lil' awkward. There's the whole Matthew and Mary shipping thing, which obviously, the viewers participate in also. And then there's the 'getting used to 1st class' thing, which Matthew does SO ADORABLY. (DID I MENTION I LOVE MATTHEW SO MUCH?!!!) I loooove the scene where he makes Mr Molesly all happy by letting him do stuff.
Mr Carson gets embarrassed by his old 'friend' Charles, who decides to tell Lord Grantham that he and Carson used to be a double act on stage. (I looove how Mr Bates and Anna giggle over this. Those two though.) A question though: Does Mrs Hughes ever know about Cheerful Charlies?!
In the meanwhile, the never-to-end tensions between the Dowager Countess and Isobel Crawley have made its majestic entrance into the plot.

Content: Some occasions where characters swear, not much though. // A hospital scene, but it's not scary at alllll.

Particularly good quotes: "What is a weekend?" (Dowager Countess)

PS I LOVE MATTHEW. HE IS MINE. <3

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 3

Edith has an unwanted fling on Matthew (who is still mine. Btw.) The Dowager wears her famous purple outfit and makes viewers love her. Gwen publicly acknowledges that she wants to be a secretary, after awful O'Brien puts her secret on the table for all to see.
And of course... this episode has the Mr Pamuk plot. Which, yes, isn't appropiate, but it's a vital part of the entire Downton Abbey plot (for two seasons to come, that is), so it's important to understand what happened. Mary invites Mr Napier over. Some kinda rich dude. Mr Napier brings his friend Mr Pamuk along. Who I HATE and who really isn't handsome at all. I do not get why everyone talks about his beautiful face. :-P Well, Mary crushes on him really hard and... fast-forward-flash... he dies in her bedroom. At night. This is 'the Downton Abbey Scandal' which affects a large part of the plot. So far, Mary (obviously), Anna, Cora (I love her) know all about it, Daisy has seen them carry the dead body and Thomas+O'Brian have their suspicions.
Oh yeah, and Mr Bates does that thing with his leg and darling Mrs Hughes saves the day. Go Mrs Hughes. Saving Downton Problems since the Titanic sank.

Content: Again, there's a Thomas scene involving another man which could merit from a skip - again, easy to see coming. This time brief, I believe. / There is a sex scene - the scandal. We skipped that (starting from Mary and Pamuk's kiss), but we watched the Anna/Cora/Mary bit, where they discuss what they need to do, in the bedroom.

Particularly good quotes: "Are we going to have tea, or not?" (Dowager)
"An Englishman wouldn't dream of dying in somebody else's house." (Ditto.)

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 4

TOM ARRIVES. TOM ARRIVES. TOM ARRIVES. :-D And he's so cuuuute.
Other than this amazing and glorious news of Tom Branson's arrival, we have the fair - and THOMAS BEING TERRIBLE. Ughhhh, poor William. I love William so much - I love how he plays the piano. He's just a darling. Someone should shake Daisy's head so she'll finally understand. :-P
Then we have Mrs Hughes, who has this little side-plot line about her former lover, who asks her hand in marriage again. Once again,  she refuses (and Mr Carson, deep inside, is really relieved. But he doesn't realise quite why. And he won't, not for a long time. :-P)
Some other things that happen:
1. Mr Bates gives Anna a tray with flowers and food AND IT IS ADORABLE BEYOND MEASURE.
2. Matthew has the most beautiful eyes ever.
3. Also, Matthew and Mary shake hands and it's really epic. Who knew shaking hands could be so epic?
4. The Dowager countess sits on a swivel chair.
5. O'Brien complains for 500 hours. 'Gwen can do it.' 'She is not a lady's maid.' 'And I am not a slave.'
6. Last but not least, Sybil wears those adorable bloomers and Tom is proud and ahhh these two are going to have so much drama they have no idea how much. My darlingsssss. <3 <3
(Also, Mary and Matthew chatting at the fair made me melt. I ship these two so much. It's exhausting.)

Content: Nothing! :-) Whaddayaknow!

Particularly good quotes: Cora: "They do things differently in America." The Dowager: "Yes, they live in wigwams."
"Is there anything more delicious than a new frock?" (Lady Sybil)
"Leaving Downton? Do you think I'll ever find the time?" (Mrs Hughes)
"Why must every day involve a fight with an American?" (You can guess who.)

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 5

This episode is action filled - it's alive with characters and sneaky actions and annoying people and lovely people. Just like any episode, really, I suppose.
Daisy gets all spooked out by the Pamuk scandal playing and replaying in her brain, and flips it all out to lady Edith after O'Brian organises the meeting. Sybil is a darling and takes Gwen to town for her job testing thing, resulting in a muddy way back home, while Isobel and the Dowager Countess find a new thing to bicker about - something about the flower show. Thomas and O'Brian are outwitted by Bates and Anna when a snuff-box in Robert's room vanishes, and Edith and Mary have some SERIOUSLY BAD sister quarrle.
(I hate Mary in this episode. Ugh.) (Edith isn't that much of a good girl either, but I feel for her more than for Mary in this case.)
Also, we meet Sir Anthony who causes Mrs Patmore to shed tears after an accidental salt-filled dessert. Mr Carson plays the daddy-role and soothes Mrs Patmore. The episode ends with the Dowager countess giving Mr Molesley's father the prize and with Edith writing to the Turkish embassador all about the scandal. Way to end an episode ammirite.
(Oh, and Anna and Bates have one or two or three cute scenes.)

Content: Two or three occasions where characters swear.

Particularly good quotes:
Isobel: "I take that as a compliment." Dowager: "Oh, I must have said it wrong."
"Because I love you, Mr Bates. I know it's not ladylike to say it, but I'm not a lady and I've never pretended to be." (Anna.)

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 6

Oh wow, this episode is like, FIVE MINUTES. Seriously, that's so what it feels like. Suffragette meetings, angry fathers, theft suspicions and EPIC KISS BAM BASHHH. The end. That's seriously an excellent recap, no kidding.
Of course, there's the sweeet almost-Anna-Bates-kiss, the ADORABLE GAHHH early-rise-tension between Sybil and Branson, Matthew saying that he and Mary should 'see more of each other' (PLUS HIS FACE OKAY), Thomas being REALLY nervous (ha. ha. Good for HIM.), and Mr Carson being just plain CUTE. Also, William is the nicest human being on the planet and Daisy is finally starting to get a little sense about scumbag Thomas. Also, can I give Lady Cora a good word? She really is a good sort. (And Edith is so happy about her daaaaate.)
MATTHEW AND MARY THOUGH.
I MEAN THEIR BENCH SCENE.
AND THEN THE TABLE SCENE.
WE ARE BEING SPOILT.

Content: Several occasions where characters swear.

Particularly good quotes:
"I am political! I have opinions!" (Lady Sybil)
"If you really like an argument, we should see more of each other." (Matthew.)
"What have I told you, Matthew? You must pay no attention to the things I say." (Mary.)

Downton Abbey Season 1 // Episode 7

Wow, the last episode of Season One ALREADY! And it definitely doesn't disappoint and it definitely DOES leave us hanging with a desperate need and want for season two (which I can't waaaaiiit to rewatch yet again.)
Okay - LOADS of things happened in the episode. Plot lines such as Gwen's endless search for a middle-class job are bought to a great close (Tom and Sybil and Gwen's group hug is SO ADORABLE because Tom and Sybil hug.) Mrs Patmore's eye problem is solved also, and a hilarious soap-soup scene occurs while she is away on treatment. (Don't ask.) Thomas and William fight after some very unfeeling comments on Thomas (OBVIOUSLY NOT WILLIAM)'s side after Cora loses her baby boy due to another, now must graver, soap scene caused by O'Brian ugh. Daisy finally likes William, and Matthew and Mary break up which is heartbreaking to watch. Mr Carson soothes Mary which is adorable to watch. Oh yes, and Bates is an absolute brick and so is Anna when she makes sure he won't have to leave Downton.
Basically, Cora getting pregnant causes a great dilemma in the Mary and Matthew plot. Mary feels like she can't accept Matthew because she owes him an explanation on the scandal - which is obviously extremely hard on her. Matthew thinks she only wants him for the title. It's all very dramatic and emotional and ppsssst I cried when Matthew said, 'God knows I want the best for you.' He says it so well.
The episode couldn't end more epic-ly. Robert is amazing at saying epic things. The 'we are at war with Germany' gives everyone chills and goosebumps.

Content: Several occasions where characters swear. Not much though.

Particularly good quotes:
Daisy: Friends? / William: Always friends.
Mr Carson: I know you have spirit, mylady, and that's what counts. It's all that counts in the end.

Any particular thoughts on Season One?

Downton Finale Episode - A Review

{THERE BE SPOILERS.}

(And, as always, I own none of the pictures here. All creds to Google Images.)

Back in June, when I stayed at Emma's  (if you don't know who Emma is; she's a very dear friend of mine who I visited back in June and met for the first time ever in person) house, guess what we watched the last evening we were together?!!! THIS BEAUTIFUL FINALE EPISODE. (I know, we watched it at the right moment, right? :-P) I was already a whole mix of feelings (bye America, I miss my house, ughh tomorrow is a long journey, you know the drill) AND THEN I SAW THIS.

Wow, I don't know if it did me good or bad. (ACTUALLY WAIT I DO. I DID ME SO SO GOOD.) (Seriously, it warmed my heart like nothing else did. It was soooo happy and gooey and cosy and HAPPY AND JUST HEART-WARMINGLY EPIC.) (I recommend this to death.) (And for once in Downton Abbey history, it didn't break my heart (apart from the fact that it ENDED) - it warmed my heart instead.) 

(Also, I should stop typing every sentence in brackets, haha.)

Right, so our poor lil' Edith suffers with the lovers parting ONCE AGAIN (she's like 26 and she's done this about nine times; the poor lass.), but this time it's different. You know why? Because it's actually going to end well and they were actually meant to be. Mind blowing, right? 

We should take a moment to appreciate Bertie (I wrote Pertie first and wow that's so embarrassing. How old am I; three or something?) Pelham. Bertie is by faaaaar my favourite of Edith's suitors; he's such a gentleman and he's just such a GOOD SORT. A chump. A brick. I love him. He's also super cute and when he cries about his friend I die a little. (That wasn't in the Christmas special, but it's worth the mention anyway.) I wholeheartedly ship Edith and Bertie (Berdith?) and I wish them all the best in their married life together. Maybe I should send them a card.

(On a side note - are those electric 2016 Christmas tree lights I spot?) (Also, George's outfit is adorable and I would be grateful if you gave me it for my future son. Remember that when the time might come.)

In the meanwhile, Mary is all mumsy and married again - with Henry. I like Henry if I don't think about The Old Days in Downton - but I do really like him. He's fun. I have to say; I think the whole car thing is kind of boring, but I'm glad he and Tom found something to kill time on. (Tom is still cool, but he's so old and I treat him as an uncle nowadays rather than a cool dude around my generation. *cough*)

By the way, am I the only one who's not that fond of Mary's wardrobe in Season Six? Some of it is exquisite, but the long blouses and the 20's silhouette doesn't flatter her very much. She looks... Mumsy. (Although she is a Mum, so I suppose it doesn't matter that much. Times are changing, after all.) It flatters Edith a lot, though.

Rose came back!!! I whooped for joy when I saw her (SLAYING IN THAT OUTFIT - she looks absolutely beautiful) although I was a bit disappointed that her and Atticus didn't even bring Baby with them. They could have managed that, come'on. 

I KNEW these two would be attracted from Very Early On. :-) I'm proud of myself. They are cute, but he is adorabler than she is. But I think they make a fine couple.

The Christmas trees in Downton Abbey are just so amazing. I think it's funny how they are pretending to decorate it when it's so obvious that it got done by professional Christmas Tree Decorators behind the scenes, haha. Good try, Crawleys, but you can fool me there.

Now we must talk about Thomas.

*clears throat* *starts* Okay, so Thomas in Season Six? I LOVE HIM. And wow, never in my life would I have thought I would love him so much as I did in Season Six. Especially in this Christmas Special, I just want to go and give him a hug and be his friend. I love that Miss Baxter is a good friend to him, and I love that even Mr Bates is kind to him. I love that Thomas shows every inch of his good and kind side and that people can look at that and forget his Evil Deeds. (Because Thomas really was a bad guy in the old days. Remember when he and O'Brian thought up naughty tricks outside the kitchen door while smoking cigarettes? Yeah. Those were the days.)

I choked UP when he said goodbye to the Downton folk. WHEN HE SAID GOODBYE TO GEORGE. (Ahhhh, I love it when he hangs out with the kids - it warms that HEART of mine. Thomas should be the Downton Nanny.) I'm so happy for him that he got to stay at Downton Abbey after all - because he's right; there's no place like Downton to have a job. :-P

(Also, it annoys me so much that Mr Carson won't ever give him a chance. Mr Carson has annoyed me lately.)

(Thomas' smile is so lovely. I love seeing him smile.)

SO YES. I LOVE THOMAS NOW. MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN.

Here's a picture of the Crawley family, being terribly lovely in front of the epic tree. I love them. There's Cora, with her head tilted like it always has been tilted (I used to think it was because of the heavy Edwardian hats and hairstyles, but it's just Cora), and there's good old Robert, probably saying something very sappy and poetical and cliché and epic; and pulling it off like a pro, making everyone nostalgic and teary-eyed.

There's Edith, not single anymore for long (and not wearing the best dress she's ever worn) and there's Tom, loyally staying in Downton, a good friend and a carved-in Downton Abbey Family member forever. And Mary, looking swell as always, and getting the attention.

So Mr Carson is retiring!! I SAY. Good luck to Mrs Hughes (who I will always be so fond of - she has never set a foot wrong) for keeping him entertained and cooking stuff for him that he approves of.

No really, they are very sweet together and I think they'll stand strong together for a long time to come. And Mr Carson will have fun telling Thomas how to run Downton Abbey like it has been run for 50 years.

I'm REALLY happy that Mary and Henry are expecting a baby! I'm not surprised, but it made me happy. My guesses are on another boy - called Charles - or a girl called Charlotte. (*Wink to all the Royalty fans out there who get this*) (You know - GEORGE AND CHARLOTTE.)

We must take a moment to talk about Andy. WE LOVE ANDY. I have a mild crush on him right now - he's so cute and adorable and he means so well. I think Daisy's an absolute moron for saying that 'she could do so much better.' I absolutely LOVE Mrs Patmore for telling her what's TRUE - she always falls in love with people who aren't in love back and she never loves those who love her. Daisy is a complicated soul; and it got on me nerves. But worry ye not, she finds her brain in the end, and they have some cute moments. (Not enough though. And Andy sort of deserves more cute moments and more attention from Daisy. I like them a lot together, and I wish we saw more of it.) (I mean, can you IMAGINE how cute their first kiss would be?!!)

(And Daisy's bob? Welllll. It looks better in the movie than in the pictures here, but the fringe kind of annoys me.)

(Here I am with the brackets again.)

BATES BABY!!!!!!!!!!!! And of course they leave us without a name because oh, Mr Fellowes likes to tease us, don't he. (I think they'll call him David. David Bates.) And is this is first time Anna calls her husband 'John'? :-P

Also, Mr Carson: "In Lady Mary's bedroom? Surely not." Hahahahaha.

(Ignore the lack of Robert's jacket on the picture. It's confusing because he wore a jacket (thank GOODNESS) in the movie scene. Maybe this is a picture from a rehearsal!?! I don't know. Maybe they photo-shopped the jacket on afterwards, haha.)

THEN WE HAVE DARLING EDITH GETTING MARRIED. ON NEW YEARS EVE.

Ahhhh, I have a cold, I have a cold, I have a cold. Edith looks so ridiculously pretty in her high-fashion, showing-her-ankles, big-veil, big-epic-bouquet wedding dress and their wedding party is a New Years Party as well... and SHE AND BERTIE ARE SO HAPPY AND BLAHHHHHH.

This is what the viewers have been waiting for ever since they discovered Edith was a good sort - A HAPPY ENDING FOR HER. Edith has gone through so much misery and woe, more than the average Downton persona, which says a lot because do you realise how many tragedies are buried in this house? Like, a million. She so deserves this happy ending and no-one can help but shed a tear when she says she never knew what it felt like to be this happy. (Aww, the love.)

This couple whispers during the service. I thought that was kind of weird; why hold a conversation when your sister is literally walking down the ISLE?! I like Mary a lot, but sometimes, you must admit, she does weird things. (No big deal though, this time. :-P) And why aren't George and Marigold at the wedding? I hope Marigold is the flower girl, because that would be so sweet.

THEY LITERALLY ARE THE SWEETEST COUPLE EVER. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR WEDDING. IT WAS PERFECT.

(Oh yes, I have one more thing to say: I love how it's always the same pastor doing all the weddings!)

Of course, I must end this post with The Last Shot Of Downton Abbey... it just leaves us bawling the night away, because wahhh, IT IS OVER. IT IS OVER. :'-( And look at the beautiful home of mine, looking so majestic in the New Year night, with snow and silvery highlights everywhere. (Julian Fellows, I've decided I love you after all. Although I still haven't forgiven you about Matthew and Sybil and I never ever shall.)

Right; so now. Have you seen this glittering finale? Did you cry as much as I did? Wasn't it GORGEOUS AND HEART-WARMING?!!! Let's talk about it together because gosh I need someone to talk about this with me. The feels must be shared. They are too much to be borne alone.