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There's a difference between speaking one's mind and being rude to your host. And I think accusing Robert of wanting to keep his "serfs" on the Downton estate goes beyond telling truth to Power - it's inflammatory and untrue. Robert has never restrained any servant or tenant farmer from leaving. He's actually tried to be kind and helpful to many of his servants; albeit in his entitled, privileged capacity - how many of his peers would have sent Mrs. Patmore to an eye specialist and paid for her care to save her sight, rather than just let her go and hire a younger cook? And how many of Robert's peers would have kept Thomas on after he was revealed to be a homosexual? Yes, Robert's a stick-in-the-mud in some ways; and more Victorian/Edwardian than PostWWI. That doesn't mean that a socialist guest should not be polite to him at his own dinner table.
True, and Robert is a very considerate person. His household is to some extent 'family'. And she's spouting a standard 'line' of the time. But it was a split society and both go a little overboard. The problem as I see it is even Branson didn't want to invite her. I think Rose being more attached to the new world outside their bubble is hoping to have someone burst it. She needs to quit suggesting. I don't think Bunting would really mind if she wasn't asked.
What Rose is doing is seeing past a class designation and just as the opera singer was invited to dinner, so is the teacher. And yes, Bunting should show some tact, but then they knew she wasn't before they pushed Tom to ask her. They already knew what to expect. The first time its a surprise. The second time you should not complain since you know what is likely to happen.
When my ex's grandfather was visiting, I vetoed his visiting my house since I didn't like him. He used disrespectful terms for the patients he'd worked with before retirement, and generally I got bad vibes. Ex hubby got to go out to his parents to visit. If I'd given in and it had ended up in the argument it was bound to it would have been on me for saying yes, knowng already.
Simple solution for an calm dinner... don't invite people you know who are going to make it unpleasant.
Last edited by nightbird47; 01-26-2015 at 05:53 PM..
I think Thomas has learned about some "hormone" injections of some sort and is trying to "cure" himself of his homosexuality. And making himself very ill.
I agree.
In the magazine he dropped, Ms. Baxter discovered the page was turned down at a "Choose Your Path" ad, and that was the name of the place he called before taking his leave of absence. It's probably a treatment center for homosexuality.
I think Thomas has learned about some "hormone" injections of some sort and is trying to "cure" himself of his homosexuality. And making himself very ill.
That's what I thought. The clue is something in that magazine he angrily snatched up that had some article about "choose your own path".
In this instance, the real blame lies with Cora - even more than Tom. Isobel likes to stir the pot for no reason, brought up the idea of the invite, and Cora encouraged it - even though Miss Bunting almost derailed Rose's tea for the Russians before it began just a few days earlier and Cora saved the day by redirecting attention to the Russian artifacts. How quickly Cora forgets.
Cora needs to grow a pair, as well, and recognize bad manners and rudeness for what it is - disrespect for the whole family - and not allow the woman above stairs. She is mistress of Downtown, after all. WHY have someone who clearly dislikes you and would gloat at your demise in your house, much less your dinner table?? It doesn't matter your political beliefs - outright, unwarranted rudeness and bad manners - intentionally creating an uncomfortable scene for the entire group - shows disrespect and lack of consideration for everyone there.
Cora should have ordered Miss Bunting out of the house. Now THAT would be growing a pair.
Cora invited Miss Bunting as a passive-agressive swipe at Robert. She's really steamed at him right now.
edit to add, Adriadne22 beat me to it:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ariadne22
Not only is Cora obtuse when it comes to her children - she is obtuse on just about everything else, it appears. Or, is allowing this as a passive-aggressive retribution towards Robert for his lack of respect for Cora's opinions - at the moment directed at artwork.
I wish they would drop the what or who really killed Mr. Green! Who cares! Move on!
I wish Mary would have told Gillingham that he was lousy in bed, that would have taken the wind out of his sails and he would have been so humiliated he would have let her go without an argument.
I wish the women would stop inviting Miss Big Mouth Bunting to dinner. Haven't they got a clue yet that Robert doesn't like her or want her there? Why doesn't Tom say he'll invite her and then lie that she couldn't make it. He acts like he doesn't want her there either.
What is going on with Barrow? Those were some seriously scary big syringes!
Say yes Isobel! That proposal was so sweet!
Gillingham insulted her by saying what kind of woman goes to bed with a man and rejects his proposal, or something to that effect. She seemed kind of stunned and quiet after. I agree she should of said that they were not compatible in bed, but she said that she wanted to break up because of something else, not his skills as a lover. What that "something else" is I haven't any idea.
Robert really threw a hissy fit, but the Bunting woman deserved it. She accuses unfairly and imagines herself to be an advocate for the servants, but she colors the whole situation at Downton with her own beliefs and biases and in that way, she's a reverse snob.
I think that Barrow is trying hormone treatment to "cure" the homosexual out of him - sort of like chemical castration. Great Britain had that indecency law where they put homosexual men in prison or they had a choice of hormonal treatment vs. prison - hardly a choice at all, but many men chose the later, like Alan Turing. The treatment and its effects probably drove Alan Turing to suicide.
I like Lord Merton, but I think Isobel's heart belongs to the good doctor
Cora invited Miss Bunting as a passive-agressive swipe at Robert. She's really steamed at him right now.
edit to add, Adriadne22 beat me to it:
When Robert went on his rant, they show Cora briefly. She has this disapproving look. Then he stomps away and they go on and finish dinner, not how to handle the snipy guest. And then she is explicit about bed territory that night. If Robert can't figure it out, he must not want to. Love the way he says well yes, I ask her, well sometimes. Men can be very dense sometimes.
Just to throw some comic relief on Ms. Bunting... she'll next be seen fighting for American independence on the History Channel in 'Son's of Liberty', playing the part of 'Abigail', somehow related to John Adams...
There's a difference between speaking one's mind and being rude to your host. And I think accusing Robert of wanting to keep his "serfs" on the Downton estate goes beyond telling truth to Power - it's inflammatory and untrue. Robert has never restrained any servant or tenant farmer from leaving. He's actually tried to be kind and helpful to many of his servants; albeit in his entitled, privileged capacity - how many of his peers would have sent Mrs. Patmore to an eye specialist and paid for her care to save her sight, rather than just let her go and hire a younger cook? And how many of Robert's peers would have kept Thomas on after he was revealed to be a homosexual? Yes, Robert's a stick-in-the-mud in some ways; and more Victorian/Edwardian than PostWWI. That doesn't mean that a socialist guest should not be polite to him at his own dinner table.
I absolutely agree!!
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Mary, Barrow and Isobel
