keep_counting | Downton Abbey: Episode 2x05 (Reply)

I needed to relax a little and focus on something that wasn't school-work, so I decided to screen-cap Downton Abbey, episode five of season two and do a little review/meta on it. This is both because this is the episode I've just watched, but also because it broke my heart so much. I haven't watched anything after that, so no spoilers please! Anything before this episode is fine.

Have I ever told you about how I get a little thrill every time Joanne Froggat's name appears? And yes, I watch the opening credits for every episode. I can't not do it!

Oh, William. Looking so brave. As soon as you see these shots of them, you just know something terrible is going to happen,

Matthew, being pretty. As he does.

Honestly? It is incredibly corny that Mary could feel something was wrong with Matthew (and Daisy with William), but the not-so-secret romantic inside of me loves it

I have a thing for people dropping their cups in moments of wonder, distress or surprise. Don't ask me why

This little moment of comfort really touched me. I have a lot to say about Violet in this episode, but for now, let me just point out that I love how the war has sort of shaken them all together in a new way: they're still bitchy and cranky and snobbish rich people, but there's also a concern, a certain knowing of how fragile everything is all of the sudden. I find that very amazing.

This show. I can't. When I first watched it, I couldn't see which one was Matthew and which one was William, though I could clearly see that it was them, but now it seems more obvious. I don't know why I had such trouble the first time, but we're not going to talk about that because my boys my boys nooo!!!

Okay, this is where it gets a little silly, because I am not able to take O'Brien's hat-thing-whatever seriously at all. It's like a piece of cloth that wanted to grow up to be a turban, but dropped out of turban-school half-way because he was lazy.

Crawley's in their PJ'S! How come I never look that fabolous right after getting out of bed?

Even their servants have fabolous PJS. This is why I want to live in Britain

I suffer from VSBE by the way. It's Very Severe Braid Envy.

Every time these two breathe the same air, I scream a little on the inside. Just guh

I want people to insert a funny caption to this picture. I'm thinking Mean Girls related

Violet's bitchface is one of the best ones

Edith's been taking notes from her grandma', though hers doesn't quite achieve that level of greatness yet

Profile!Porn

OTP you are so in love; also, let me tell you, there is nothing wrong with walking out of that church and fornicate a little on a park bench. Please. You know you want to

They're holding hands! FHJKHSLOHFUEIOWHJSAKLDAJHJASDHGSGDH!!!!! ... Yes, that's how little it takes. Hand-holding.

This shot was gorgoeous:

THE DEVIL!!! GET OFF MY SCREEN RIGHT THIS INSTANT!!!!!!

Violet vs The Telephone cracks me up every single time. "Is this an instrument of communication or torture??"

Random Sybil shot alert:

Branson, stop looking like a little kicked puppy. It makes me want to go hug something

William in the hospital-bed, looking so small and pale. And the worst part is that he looks fine, Matthew looks worse, but William is the one whose dying.

I am one of those people who generally think the truth is better than any sweet lie, but in cases like these, I believe something like what Violet does is forgiveable and understandable. There's really no right or wrong imo, William is going to die either way, and the fact that Violet does this shows that she is genuinly a good person - our first impression of her back in S1 was of a snobbish, old lady, but she has a lot more layers than that, as we've come to find out and this really articulates that she has a heart underneath it all.

Matthew. Matthew!

Mary just looks so frightened here. Oh, I ship them so much, it physically hurts!

'What's this doing here?' / 'I gave it to him, for luck'. He was carrying it around with him all the time!

This shot is very beautiful as well: Daisy is in a very difficult position, and I really understand her worries. It's a horrible situation

There's something about the way they're standing here, the doctor clearly brazing himself to give bad news, Robert preparing himself as well while standing closer to Lavinia who needs comfort, and Mary looking like she's connecting all the pieces in that pretty little head of hers and - unfortunately - coming up with the right answer. Poor Matthew. Poor Lavinia. Poor everyone.

There is a lot of focus on hands this episode, people touching each other's or just handing objects around. Mary giving Lavinia her handkerchief was a very sweet moment, and another proof of how much Mary has grown from the haughty young noble of S1

Here, have Matthew smiling. It makes everything seem a little better, doesn't it?

I'm not quite sure what to think of the Ethel-storyline, but I love what Mrs. Hughes is doing and the fact that she gets more screentime with this.

This shattered my heart, William asking Daisy if they could please marry now. That's just not fair, because of course he's asking because he knows that he's dying, and of course Daisy is conflicted and... *cries*

Is it odd that I find this shot to be very beautiful? I think it's the fact that he's all bloody and battered, bruised and pale, he looks dead and yet we know that he's alive, he's breathing and dreaming. It pleases me artistically (is that a word? it's a word now)

Mary being strong for him in this scene is just so amazing, and a clear sign that she is still in love with him

And then breaking when he can't see. Ugh, OTP, why are you doing this to me??????

I'm not very fond of Richard Carlisle. In fact, I think he's quite the bastard. That doesn't mean I can't appreciate his face, which interest me a lot (in a good way), or the fact that this shot is filled with so much symbolism that my inner art-student is jumping in glee at it all

Just look at her, all dressed for battle! She's coming to humbly ask for help, yet she's dressed in fiery red shades, dignity just wrapped around her like armour. I love it!

See, I wasn't lying about all the hand!porn in this episode:

I want to look this sassy when I read the newspaper. I also want my title to be Earl of Grantham, but the Danish Government won't let me

This post needs more Matthew (sssh, you know it to be true)

If anyone ever looked at me like Branson is looking at Sybil, I would throw myself dramatically into their arms right there shouting: 'take me! take me now!'

FHJKLDHJLSH!!! HAND!PORN!!!! INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING!!! LET ME DIE HAPPY NOW!!

See? Here's some more hand!porn

I had an argument with a fellow writer who told me that: 'it's so stupid when people write 'one single tear slid down her/his cheek.' You never only cry a single tear.' I vehemently disagreed (yo, I've watched Supernatural. Dean's single, manly tear of doom is legendary), but let William prove you wrong right here:

'You are the most important thing on Earth to him, Daisy.' This coming from William's father - and we know how much William's family matters to him. I can't, my emotions are choking me

Let me prove you right on Carlisle being a douchebag. Also, more sassy!newspaper reading. Robert, how are you doing it? Tell me your secrets!!

'Is that sentiment or superstition in case he haunts ya?'. I hope Thomas does get haunted. Like, seriously hope. Also, funny faces:

Done with the silly, because here is Daisy looking morose and small and everything I'm feeling at the moment:

And the wedding:

'I have a cold', Oh, Violet

Most beautiful scene:

Sybil! I didn't know I missed you until you were right there! And oh god, your son...

Matthew, please don't look so broken. Please, please, just don't.

'He doesn't need you no more, Daisy'

'He doesn't need none of us no more'