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'Downton Abbey' and blended family/step-parent pitfalls...

princessmofo's picture

If anyone else is keeping up with 'Downton Abbey' (flying my geeky PBS flag freely for all to see) you will know that one of the characters, Mrs. Isobel Crawley, is being actively pursued by a wealthy widower. In last weeks episode she met his two ADULT sons who were complete and total douchebags to her. Insulting her at the dinner table (at the Crawley's own home) in the most ill-mannered, discourteous way and forcing her to reconsider the proposal. The oldest son was summarily thrown out of the house by Lord Grantham and his son-in-law for his behavior and chastised by his own father as well.

However, I find the similarities striking. This series takes place in the 1920's and step-hell transcends the generations. I'm not sure, until the season finale next week, what choice Mrs. Crawley will make. She was encouraged by the Dowager Countess to not allow her fiancée's children determine their happiness but it's a lot easier than it sounds, as we all know too well. Just found the parallels interesting...

Comments

princessmofo's picture

And it wasn't the first time this son had shown his ass at the Crawley family's table! I was so glad when Tom finally threw him out.

princessmofo's picture

Exactly! Wink

princessmofo's picture

I think I love you, PokaDotty! LOL! I have a "Free John Bates" t-shirt from the previous seasons.

princessmofo's picture

Agreed. Can Anna and Bates find some happiness for the love of God?! One more season?! What will I do with myself on Sunday nights now?! I am glad for the Edith and Marigold resolution though. Edith couldn't catch a break it seemed. And I really don't want Tom leaving the show. He's really grown on me and my dh as a character.

princessmofo's picture

Tog, I was really surprised when my dh got into it like he did. But he loves it. He even boils a pot of tea for us to drink while watching it. LOL! It's one of the few unspoiled, skid-free, bm drama-free, things we have together. Our own tradition, so to speak...

princessmofo's picture

Dh has a somewhat British upbringing (South African), a lot of British influence (some family from Liverpool) so I think it resonates a bit with him. Whenever I describe him to people I call him "a skinny Brit". Picture Chris Martin's more sun haggard stunt double who can't sing...

Pilgrim Soul's picture

I gave up on DA several seasons ago but this sounds like an interesting and altogether modern twist.
Don't you think the writers' plots on that show are informed by today's sensibilities? Wouldn't a parent only one generation removed from Vctorian times have expected his progeny to keep up appearances a little better?

Some other sub-plots in earlier seasons made me think the same thing. Cannot remember them now...
but this is not a documentary, you know.

Didn't Bates have a totally borderline-leaning ex-wife?

princessmofo's picture

Yep, she was a total nutjob. Committed suicide just to incriminate Bates because they divorced and he moved on.