Cora Finds Out About Marigold - Downton Abbey

[@StevieColeslaw]

Cora was a wonderful mother. This moment and when Carson told her about Sybil learning to cook are when she really shines as a mother.

[@laraantipova389]

Her daughter Edith did not trust her and hid the baby from her. She was a good mother to Mary and Sybil, but I thought we were going to find out Edith was someone else’s baby because it didn’t really make sense how little regard she had for Edith. 😂

[@hannahdyson7129]

@@laraantipova389 They just were not close. She was there for her when she got jilted and ran to her side when she found out about Marigold . If she had little regard for her then she would have done none of those things

[@annehunt787]

I would also have to include Cora helping drag Pamuk’s corpse the length of the house.

[@elizabeth2818]

Sybil didn’t trust her about her engagement to Tom and tried to elope. A child being afraid to tell their mother something doesn’t mean their mother doesn’t love them. Cora doesn’t have a single negative judgment about Edith’s situation and instead jumps straight to helping her keep the child. This was a lovely moment of a mother being there for her daughter.

[@CeltycSparrow]

And when she helped Mary hide Mr. Pamouk to spare her daughter from her reputation being ruined by scandal.

[@ericalbany]

I like that Robert recognized the resemblance to Gregson immediately, but said nothing...and agreed not to tell Edith

[@peachygal4153]

Lol and then told Edith he knew.

[@ericalbany]

And both of them didn't tell Mary. @@peachygal4153

[@DonnyDunne]

@@peachygal4153 And when he told her he knew, he accepted her, comforted her and reaffirmed he still loved her and will accept Marigold.

[@KimBailey-w2g]

And that’s what a true man should be, and that’s what I liked about his character

[@Scottslaw]

​@@DonnyDunne Great scene...

[@chimaobiihekaire8481]

I absolutely LOVE when Cora strategizes. Such an intelligent woman

[@tblankenbeker]

Mrs. Drew would have been spared if they had allowed Cora in on the pregnancy. There would have been a story far more believable. The only correct choice was going abroad and bringing back the baby at another time. She nursed and weaned her first. You do not nurse your own child and leave her!

[@motherdear3733]

@@tblankenbeker The Draws weren't involved when Edith was pregnant. They lived elsewhere ad only came back after the senior Mr. Drew died

[@maguffintop2596]

@@motherdear3733 What? I think you are confused. The Drews were the pig farmers. Mrs. Drew was the red haired woman who deeply loved Marigold. Her husband didn't die. He was given money and asked to leave because his wife was distraught over the child being taken from her.

[@emman6941]

​@maguffintop2596 no, the Drews did return after Mr Drew's father died. He begged Lord Grantham that he be allowed to take over the tenancy, even though his father owed a lot of rent. It was after this that this story unfolded

[@elizabitty213]

I don’t know why but every time Cora says “I want you to bring her home” I get all choked up 🥹

[@paulapleasant9177]

Same.🥹

[@Treebard]

I'm not crying, you're crying.

[@laurafiller1849]

She's the first to speak of the child as a celebration (like George & Sybi) instead of a problem

[@Aramanth]

I spent most of this scene admiring Lady Rosamund's stylish hat!! LOL!

[@DaphneHarridge]

LOL! Same here! When she said "...blah blah blah it's ludicrous", I thought yes, Your Ladyship, sort of liiiiiike....your hat?! It's great; very Mad Hatter! 😃

[@Carriedteamavatar]

Rip Dame Maggie Smith. Ty for giving us Violet 😔🕊️

[@joselynchaparro]

Rest in peace maggie smith 💔💔💔

[@draconiclady0610]

"Men don't have rights." Love this line by Dame Maggie Smith, I can imagine her saying this in the Harry Potter movies and not a single person/character would be able to or dare to speak up against that.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

I agree. When it comes to family....as a man we have our responsibilities. Provide, love, care & protection for your family. And offer that loving correction when a child goes awry. But outside of that, as a man I really wouldn't worry too much about the rest.

[@MauriceDunstan]

I agree with her.

[@corsariocapitao]

​@@davidhutchinson5233 That's the kind of mindset from a century ago. As a father, you have an equal right to be involved in your child's care, just like the mother. Come on, now.

[@purselmer5931]

@@corsariocapitao Absolutely. This idea that men can be "good fathers" simply by paying child support has got to stop. Being a man and "taking care of" his kids involves EVERYTHING w/a child and not just money. What a father provides to his children is irreplaceable. Period.

[@sarahberkner]

​@@corsariocapitao Men definitely have rights, I didn't like that quote personally. Robert would want to know where she is and that she's safe, but doesn't necessarily want to know that she had a child out of wedlock, so unlike Cora I don't think he'd insist on being told.

[@lizjo7213]

Those costumes just brings tears to my eyes, so elegant...

[@graybush3822]

I love the cars and the trains.

[@lizjo7213]

@@graybush3822 me too !!!

[@amandaljohnson]

Mama Cora coming in to save the day👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@FridaMcCarthy1993]

This show was my lifesaver when I got Covid the first time about a year ago, or two years ago. While I was stuck at home recuperating, I binge watched this show from the beginning to the end. This show is just pure joy! Well made! And I heard through the grapevine that they’re making a new film. Uh, HECK YEAH BABY!!!!

[@boredstranger7522]

This is exactly how i discovered and fell in love with this show!

[@FridaMcCarthy1993]

@@boredstranger7522 sweeeeeeeeeet!!

[@Luvitrleaveit-pm2cv]

Addicting. My girls and I adopted a Senior tabby cat and named her Downton Tabby!

[@alejandrobonofiglio1097]

"poor demented lady Edith who lost her virtue and her reason", loved it!

[@Sharonmplus]

She didn't lose her virtue, she gave it up and whined about how her life was unfair when she got pregnant. Her aunt warned her about having premarital relations and she dismissed her. She didn't care about her virtue or family reputation when she was happily having a snog with a married tenant during the second season either. Her treatment of the Drews destroyed my last ounce of sympathy for her. I absolutely do not believe she would have found the courage to come clean with Bertie if Mary didn't force her. She's had a lot of bad in her life but she was either partly or wholly responsible for a good number of them with her poor judgement and refusal to bear accountability.

[@greenee04]

@@Sharonmplus She didn't care about her family's reputation from the very beginning when she was ready to ruin Crowley's name by revealing the truth about Pamuk's death just to even the score with Mary

[@бронза.вафля.конус]

​@@SharonmplusI lost all sympathy for her after she had relations with that poor woman's husband. I hope that lady managed to get another husband, she deserved better. I was completely disgusted at the lows that Edith sunk to just because she felt lonely.

[@lisafreebairn7736]

But Mary slept with Pamuk. SHE did the damage! She chose to sleep with him. Mary was responsible for the damage she caused. Mary is not exempt from fault.

[@lindseybarrow3070]

@@lisafreebairn7736I don’t like Mary or Edith. Mary is a bully. She has intelligence and for the most part fair judgment but she’s nasty with it. Edith is vindictive, emotional, and lacks good judgment which tends to not only hurt herself but others. Sybil was smart, kind, warm, she had good judgment, and she used the privileges that her class afforded her to help others. Sybil is by far the best of the sisters.

[@coffeebean8790]

It’s good that Cora insisted on hearing from Edith what she wanted, but I think I can see why Edith felt she couldn’t initially trust Cora with her secret. Since Edith’s the unfavorite, she probably thought Cora would be less forgiving with her than she was with Mary in the whole Pamuk affair. I’ve also seen a few of the comments regarding Edith’s attitude toward Mrs. Drewe. While I agree that she could have done a better job of taking her feelings into account, I think that the fact that the Drewes said that they would move to another estate if Edith insisted on continuing with her visits is playing a role in that. I’d say it was Edith’s fear of losing Marigold rather than plain insensitivity that was causing her sympathy toward Mrs. Drewe to be limited.

[@MandieTerrier]

I agree

[@solomeyashiukashvili7113]

I blame Mr Drew who knew it was temporary and couldn't control his wife. And she beecame mad over this child as if she didn't have any of her own. It was really weird

[@emilycanfield2634]

Still dont know why Mr. Drewe didnt tell Mrs. Drewe...their marriage is 100% ruined. If Mrs. Drewe knew it was Ediths surely she would have taken care of her as her own AND let Edith see the girl?

[@dublinjazz1]

@@solomeyashiukashvili7113 Couldn't control his wife? Mrs. Drew was led to believe this was an adoption/foster type of situation. She was clearly a woman who loved children, and grew to love Marigold as much as she did her biological children. She was treated horribly.

[@robincoffman6723]

@@dublinjazz1 the fact Mrs Drew didnt know the true situation is 100 percent Mr Drew s fault, HE made the choice of not telling her, what dose that say about his trust in her, i, was there a valid reason he didnt trust her or did he not think she had feeling. Mr Drew could clearly see Edith was at the breaking point and inchs of taking her daughter and stil Mr Drew says nothing to his wife

[@jws1948ja]

This is one of the more wonderful parts of this series.

[@tomsmith2013]

Miss this great show.

[@markporter5182]

Once again, Cora is absolutely pragmatic as she was with Mr. Farouk.

[@karrinwilley8079]

Mr Farouk was the icing on the cake..😊

[@m.layfette6249]

​@@karrinwilley8079Pamuk

[@davidthaler7018]

Pamuk

[@lemorab1]

Mary didn't have a one night stand with King Farouk of Egypt, who wasn't born until 1920. She had it with Kemal Pamuk, a fictional Turkish diplomat.

[@kitty_s23456]

​@@lemorab1how did Pamuk die, I forgot? Did he have a heart attack after they (P & Mary) have done the deed? Thanks!

[@singe0diabolique]

I just adore Lady Rosamund!

[@Lidiane25ify]

At various times she only harmed her nieces. With Mary and Matthew and then with Edith trying to keep her daughter away. It would be nice if Rosamund minded her own business.

[@jws1948ja]

@@Lidiane25ify At that time and age, she was the voice of reason.

[@graceandmarvellouswonders6249]

Making sure that your child/children feel valued correctly and responsibly is a 🔑 component in good parenting ✌🏾

[@elizabitty213]

“Time to call it a day ladies” “I couldn’t agree more” Why is that exchange at the end so perfectly satisfying? 😅 The writers ::chefs kiss::

[@mitch_the_-itch]

They treated the Drews like doormats.

[@anon-qp3wj]

the rich have treated the working classes like doormats since time immemorial. in the past it was even more egregious, but they still do it

[@SCGMLB]

I have a feeling that when the Drewes ultimately ended up leaving that Robert would have given them a nice bit of money to help them due to the amount of help Mr. Drewe provided.

[@mitch_the_-itch]

@@SCGMLB But his Family has farmed that land since the Napoleonic era, lol. Money might help a little but the wife went off the deep end over it. I cant see a happy ending there. Not sure why Edith hated the women that loved her daughter so much.

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

​@@mitch_the_-itch I think it may have been jealousy on Edith's part maybe

[@ohwellwhateverr]

@@mitch_the_-itch It’s primal mother’s instinct, that’s why.

[@thomasplinguidy4588]

Cora is one of the rare people who do the right thing for the right reasons. Edith, Rosamund, and even Violet, like many people with their upbringing, take the path of least resistance: Room messy? Leave it to the servants. Hide an illegitimate child? Leave it to the tenants. As is well known, farmers have many children, so one more thing doesn't bother them, even if Edith wants it back later. Her main motivation: Mary shouldn't have a reason to make fun of her. Learning is not easy for her, she needs the whole series up to the big fight with Mary and the reconciliation afterwards to break free from her education and to stand in for her child.

[@bigrivtodagled8210]

I do not believe it was so Mary wouldn’t make fun of her, Mary really enjoyed belittling Edith, Marygold would’ve been submitted to Mary’s pettiness, she was the golden child after all. Even when Edith was just minding her own business, Mary always found a way to try to humiliate her. i really admired Edith because she took reign of her own life, she worked she was out there, in the real world unlike Mary in her cocoon.

[@juliagoodfellow7539]

and a lot of help from tom branson

[@peachygal4153]

Cora did not grow up upper class. she was middle class even though her father was a millionaire. Remember, her father was one of the "nouvelle riche" Jewish Americans despised by New York society.

[@peachygal4153]

@@juliagoodfellow7539 Tom was my favorite character of the whole series.

[@peachygal4153]

and I liked Edith better than Mary, but it was more about I always go for the underdog. As Tom said, Mary was a bully. When Mary was unhappy others paid.

[@solomeyashiukashvili7113]

Why is Cora so astonished that Edith did'nt tell her a thing? The only person who was truly there for her was Rosamund. Yes, Violet helped, but let's be honest Edith was never loved by her as much as Mary or Sybil. And Cora never payed Edith attention

[@davy209]

The worst decision Edith has ever made was taking the advice of both Rosamund and Violet in the attempt to hide Marigold’s birth. It unintentionally had devastating results in the end it all could have been avoided if Edith had came to her mother for help from the very beginning. Cora may have a personal favorite child, a lot of parents do, but she loves all of her children and put her own life on the line for all 3 of her daughters. Cora would have done a better job with Edith’s situation than Rosamund and Violet.

[@kimmatthewslong4814]

And Edith was such a middle child at the beginning

[@janewb1]

That makes Edith's standing at the end of the series all the more triumphant. She marries 'up,' above them all.

[@janewb1]

One also sees Cora's heart in the situation. A true mother, she wants nothing more than to see her granddaughter, to give her a home.

[@oolala53]

@@davy209 Like what? You believe Cora would have supported Edith going through a pregnancy as a single woman and having them both stay at Downton then? A lot different from moving a dead body.

[@robboyte1101]

3:21 -- Cora looks so hurt when Edith refuses to let her see Marigold, for at least that night. I'm positive she was looking forward to seeing her third grandchild.

[@rosesweetcharlotte]

Especially since she already lost one daughter. She just wants her kids

[@davidthaler7018]

Interesting factoid: Edith used the word “babysitter”, which didn’t seem right to me; I was expecting to hear “child minder.” Turns out the former applies more to watching a child at night while the latter is used to refer to daytime. Perhaps the writers goofed or maybe the latter is outdated in the UK and the writers wrote for a modern audience.

[@Camilla550]

Maybe Cora should have seen this as a hint? Edith not wanting to trust her with her secret? Since Cora has never bothered to protect her from Mary’s bullying and cruel comments why should Edith put her trust in her mother with this? There’s been times where Mary has been nasty to Edith right in front of Cora and she didn’t say a word!

[@LolaClo]

Well said! There was clear preferential treatment with “the blessed lady Mary” as Mrs Hughes called her

[@skontheroad]

Not a mother of teen+ daughters yet, eh?

[@kellharris2491]

I think it was a bit.

[@MeyaRoseGirl]

There's also that scene after Sybil's coming out season where Cora is singing her praises and telling her how proud she is, and Edith says something like, "You've never said that about me," and Cora just says "Haven't I? Oh, well, good job to you too then." Mary was clearly Robert's favorite (though he always wished he had a son). Sybil was clearly Cora's favorite. Edith's only ally was Rosamund, but Rosamund wasn't a mother, so she couldn't really understand Edith's feelings. Edith assumed that Cora's unconditional mother's love was used up on her sisters. It really didn't occur to her that Cora would have dragged a dead body out of her room for her too.

[@robincoffman6723]

@@MeyaRoseGirl funy thing is Edith never resented Sybil , they seemed to have had a decent if not good relationship but then Sybil was not the bitchy type like Mary often was. I . Yes, Edith could be snarky , mostly to Mary but I think the combo of her parents lack of interest of her and Mary treating her less then she treated the servants and a lot to do with Edith s choices. Right or wrong Michael treated her like she was worth something and Edith craved that

[@Robbert1411]

I love Cora snapping back at the general (snobby) British contempt for the USA! Cora: 'Why is that ridiculous? She is half American, isn't she?' 👏

[@Julie_Mango]

Lmao she wanted to go to Detroit or chicago. I don't know what it was like back then but I don't think it was very different from what its like today.

[@annehunt787]

@@Julie_Mango Edith was punishing herself.

[@ishshah8695]

@@Julie_Mango Detroit back then was one of the richest cities in America (and possibly the world) upto the 1950s and 60s. Was a blockbuster town for the US Auto, Music, and Manufacturing Industries

[@harringt100]

​​​@@ishshah8695Yeah, the people who wrote the first two replies are pretty dim, lol. 😅

[@MemoirsofaBasketcase]

@@Julie_Mango And where are you from? South Dakota?

[@carag2567]

Okay but Rosamund's hat. 😍

[@exaudi33]

That Regency-inspired hat in the tearoom! Paging Georgette Heyer. It overshadowed everything for me! Downton Abbey was just wonderful.

[@carag2567]

@slida emif I agree with you about the Dowager but to me, Rosamund was in a slightly different position. She knew about Edith's pregnancy while she was still pregnant and helped her to conceal it and the baby. This still wouldn't have entitled her to break Edith's trust by telling Cora and Robert, I believe that information absolutely should have come from Edith herself. But considering the dangers associated with pregnancy and childbirth at the time, which were already depicted in season 3 with Sybil's death, I think Rosamund should have highly encouraged Edith to tell her parents. I'm even trying to put myself in Rosamund's shoes because I have a niece who is Edith's appropriate age and she and I have secrets that I'll take to the grave. It would torment me to have to keep something this significant and life altering from my sister, especially if it could potentially kill my niece, and ESPECIALLY when my sister had already lost a child in the same way. That's an excruciatingly hard position for Rosamund to have been in, and ultimately I think she did the right thing, but I wouldn't want to bear that burden and I think her responsibility was a bit more than that of the Dowager.

[@chanieweiss4288]

@carag2567 You make some good points. And being an Auntie myself, good for you. There's nothing like kiddos, especially nieces and nephews (right after loving your own).

[@tonyguse]

Ugh… I think I need to start this show all over ❤

[@dublinjazz1]

Poor Mrs.Drew. She was treated horribly.

[@patriciaseitz3530]

And how could Mr. Drew deceive his wife like that? She truly loved Marigold and I'm sure felt she was being a good mother to her.

[@namewitheld2568]

​​@@patriciaseitz3530 he felt obligated because Lord Grantham had given him back the land his family had always worked. And I think he sincerely wanted to help. Edith really thought she could let the baby go and no one thought Mrs Drew would get so attached to a child that wasn't biologically hers. All good intentions but human emotions are complex and unpredictable. That's why this show is so great.

[@rosierennie5867]

Cora: No one has to know Tom: Hold my beer, I've known a few Marigolds in my time

[@leeS04]

Love the grandmother.

[@12classics39]

Edith’s fear that Mary would find out is a staunch reminder of Cora’s biggest failure as a mother which she totally ignores. It’s her and Robert’s fault for letting Mary and Edith grow up so hostile and not raising them to see each other as sisters rather than rivals.

[@samanthamyers3801]

Exactly! Mary, Carson, and Cora are my least favorite characters in this show. Mary and Carson are so proud and stuck-up, and Cora is so clueless and often passive in a way that harms her family.

[@Shakespearelover1717]

Remember Carson had a part in giving Mary airs. It wasn’t entirely Cora’s fault. Sometimes the dynamic between siblings is untenable. I can testify to this. My brother and I grew up hostile and contentious and my parents did all they could to mitigate the issue. My brother was a sociopath and there is no changing them. I rather think Mary had more than a touch of narcissism. Don’t be too hard on Cora.

[@kerriethompson2073]

True, but sometimes siblings don’t just get along. I have an older brother like this, and I would give anything to be close to him. However her chisels to be a jerk and never sees my point of view. Just like Mary.

[@peachygal4153]

@@kerriethompson2073 I had to break form a sibling because of how she treated me. She loved to upset me and knew just how to push my buttons. It was one thing as kids but she continued to as an adult. Very Mary like attitude. If she was unhappy, she would take it out on me. I finally got a belly full and as our mom had passed, the only reason I tried for years and that was that. She called me once so-called apologizing, but it soon turned into a rant that everything wrong with the 2 of us was my fault. Instead of allowing her to push my buttons, I simply told her that was exactly why we have no relationship and said goodbye and hung up.

[@jessicaduncan49]

I have that kind of hostile relationship with my 'brother' ,I just don't speak to him or his wife anymore they are a match made in hell

[@Stand663]

I think Cora is a gentle and yet a very strong woman when she has to be. I actually respect her character.

[@BrandonBorradaile]

If only everyone had a mother like Cora.

[@Chicago2329]

I love Rosamond voice. Such a unique voice.

[@anayadegani626]

Cora acts so shocked that Edith didnt tell her. Cora has never said anything when Mary bullied her constantly. She has never praised Edith. The scene when Cora praises Sybil when she hasn't ever praised Edith for anything. Edith says this in passing and Cora's like oh I haven't and dismisses it. She might be a good mother to Mary and Sybil but not to Edith. What was she expecting Edith to cry tears of joy Cora wanted to see Marigold

[@samanthamyers3801]

I agree, Cora was very hypocritical in all of this, and I never understood why she allowed Mary to treat her sister so poorly all the time.

[@uggggggghhhhh]

She also talks badly about Edith behind her back all the time. She doesnt defend her against Mary because she agrees with Mary.

[@annefitz7346]

I missed this episode. Thx for sharing

[@m.layfette6249]

0:20-2:20 When I first watched this entire scenario play out, I was eternally grateful that Cora finally stepped up for her daughter. Edith's reaction when Cora and Rosamund showed up in London was purely justified.

[@01Mary02]

You think so? I thought Edith acted like an arrogant, spoiled brat. Every time someone tried to help her with what she should do with Marigold, she got angry and lashed out at everyone, when the fact is: Edith is the one who broke the rules of society at the time and got pregnant as a result. She had no basis for getting angry at anyone else, since she was the author of her own misfortune.

[@pisto30]

@@01Mary02 Exactly, Even when Mary tells Bertie about Marigold, I feel like Edith had no right to be angry. She knew good and well Mary would use Marigold against her (if she found out). Everybody (including Cora) told her (for months!) that she should tell Bertie about the baby. But she didn't listen.

[@davy209]

The worst decision Edith has ever made was taking the advice of both Rosamund and Violet and the attempt to hide Marigold’s birth. It unintentionally had devastating results in the end it all could have been avoided if Edith had came to her mother for help from the very beginning.

[@01Mary02]

@@davy209 Actually no, the worst decision Edith made was when she went back on her word, went to Switzerland and uprooted Marigold from the family she was living with and brought her back to England. Had she not done that, her secret would have remained a secret.

[@davy209]

@01Mary02- You make a point that the situation wouldn’t be as messy if Edith had stayed true to her word and left Marigold with her adopted parents in Switzerland, but that wasn’t what Edith wanted and the situation wasn’t the same when Ethel decided to give up Charlie to his grandparents. Ethel came to that decision on her own while Edith was coerced into it. Edith never wanted to give up Marigold and it’s a lot to ask from her, especially when it wasn’t her decision to make originally. Cora would have never put Edith into any situation that would cause her to be unhappy. She truly loves all of her daughters and only them to be happy and she proved that with her plan by having Edith “adopt” Marigold so Edith can raised her daughter without the public scandal of having an illegitimate child.

[@daniel_sc1024]

I have to defend the dowager and Rosamund(?); it wasn't their secret to tell Cora. They were bound to honor their promise to her not to tell her mother.

[@davidthaler7018]

It’s one thing not to tell; it’s quite another to try and force Edith to give the child up.

[@Ruffina12345]

I how I loved this show!!!

[@j.r.8223]

Love Downton!! ❤️

[@the8thchurch461]

Can't get enough of it and watch it every day. It inspires me to live better. I want that type of life. Since the chances of me living in a castle are nil, my plan is to rent an apartment in one of these types of listed buildings.

[@dorisbarkler8570]

Mrs. Drews situation and feelings in this whole matter pissed me off. Really. She feel in love with that baby. She was devoted to Marigold.

[@judith_thordarson]

I blame her husband. It was his idea to keep his wife in the dark. I think Edith went along with it because she was so anxious to be around Marigold.

[@trishloughman5998]

Yes, I agree, she was badly treated.

[@tinavino1575]

Just wonderful.

[@judyvaughn761]

Wow Downton Abbey I love it

[@charliedrosario999]

I love Samantha Bond, she plays the Aunt Rosamund

[@judith_thordarson]

As a nod to one of her previous roles, maybe that should be: "Bond, Samantha Bond".

[@charliedrosario999]

@@judith_thordarson No thank you. I prefer too speak the English language properly

[@judith_thordarson]

@@charliedrosario999 lol

[@emilyburton4095]

@@charliedrosario999​What about spelling it?

[@remycallie]

"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead" -- Benjamin Franklin

[@loobylooroden6176]

I love Coras dressing table lamps.

[@marybethritger280]

Me too!

[@freyasheart9527]

Me tooo love them ❤️❤️

[@jcopp2031]

One of the things I am most impressed by, and the entire show is impressive, is the fashions, especially those of the ladies. I'm not just talking about those of the lords and ladies upstairs, but also those of the downstairs servants excluding their work clothes and livery. Every time I watch an episode (I have the entire series on DVD), I am in awe of how elegantly and correctly people dressed at that time. It is particularly noticeable when I see how slovenly most people dress currently.

[@oolala53]

These women say let Mr. Drew handle his wife? This is a big hole in the plan, dismissing the foster mother's pain.

[@suzanneporter2936]

Realistic though.

[@cl5470]

The rich have always been arrogant and dismissive of the poor.

[@andrew_4747]

That gets dealt with down the line

[@KingsDaughter1957]

I thought the Marigold story was LUDICROUS, especially the part about having the family on the estate raising the child as their own, etc., etc., etc. One of the few "Julian has lost his way" moments in an otherwise fabulous series.

[@peachygal4153]

Actually, nobility did "farm out" their ba*tards that way. (paid middle class families usually famers to raise their children born out of wedlock, who they would occasionally visit and the child told they were a distant relative) He was writing what he knew about.

[@hannahdyson7129]

Ethel's son being adopted by his fathers family was way worse . In reality she would have had an abortion or just dumped him in an orphanage. It was way worse for the common folk whom had children out of marriage

[@kathya.gambrell9824]

It was how it was done back then. Pregnancy outside of marriage was the kiss of death for women back then, rich or poor.

[@Assalasapphire-ub8ib]

A master paces of a time of master paces ❤

[@KarthiKeyan-zu2bx]

Cora is brighter than Mary and Robert together

[@TheMcKenzieHaus]

The show had good storylines. I didn’t think it would be interesting at first but dang it was entertaining

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada as a advocate for children with parents or a single mom it's a delicate matter but cora had a good idea 😊

[@sharonlee60]

I love this story Ive watched all of them except the last movie cant wait till I get to watch it

[@happycook6737]

The last movie was so much fun. I hope you can see it soon.

[@barbaral743]

Always felt bad for Mrs Drewes

[@latinguy67]

Yes and Edith's snide remark about her. Edith deserved the misery she got in her life for what she did to the farmer's wife.

[@amylynnsgraphics]

@@latinguy67 The Drews did HER a FAVOR and she repaid them with contempt. The whole messy situation made me very sad for the Drews especially Mrs. Drew who loved that child like she was her own.

[@katepausig8562]

Blame Mr. Drewe for the stupidity. HE chose to lie to his wife.

[@katepausig8562]

@@amylynnsgraphics Mr. Drewe made a promise to Edith and lied to his wife which caused issues between the two. He is the one at fault for this.

[@amylynnsgraphics]

@@katepausig8562 Mr drew was not being a good husband to his wife, he made these decisions without her and then proceeded to lie to her about the child. I think if everyone was up front from the beginning it wouldn't have gotten so messy

[@harringt100]

Rosamund saying "It was [Edith's] idea." about the trip to Switzerland is pretty ridiculous. 😂

[@kybed]

i think she was referring to edith's plan for an abortion earlier on

[@harringt100]

@@kybed Oh, okay. I guess that's probably what she meant, now that I think about it. With the "She wouldn't go through with it." part I thought she meant the adoption in Switzerland. But yes, there were two plans she wouldn't go through with.

[@davy209]

The worst decision Edith has ever made was taking the advice of both Rosamund and Violet in the attempt to hide Marigold’s birth. It unintentionally had devastating results in the end it all could have been avoided if Edith had came to her mother for help from the very beginning.

[@michelles2299]

My great aunt told everyone she was pregnant and when the baby was born she brought him up as her son the realty was he was her. Grandson her daughter (who was a 16 year old) got pregnant by her boss who was married she was sent away to a convent for her confinement basically hidden away the shame associated at that time with this situation made people do things they wouldn't even consider now it was the late 1950s

[@corabrantley5860]

There were a lot of premature births in the 1950's.

[@justincase7848]

Men have no rights. Considering the context of thr setting, LOVED that line!

[@angelalake200]

When I watch these programs, I’m reminded of how complicated the English language makes things.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

This was a wild story twist - incredible

[@jillcody8684]

It occurs to me to wonder why Marigold couldn’t have been identified as Mr. Gregson’s orphaned child, whether with the ill wife or a mistress without acknowledging that Edith was the mother? She took over the magazine in his death, why not raising his daughter? Wouldn’t have made as interesting a story I suppose.

[@ScurvyRascal]

Birth registry. Marigold would have to have been registered as a Gregsons' child since the information could very easily be found. Too risky as suppose.

[@Caneel2]

Except the orphaned child was a newborn - a tad more difficult.

[@peachygal4153]

@@Caneel2 That is why Edith should have done a "Loretta Young" (google Judy Lewis) and brought Marigold home when she was older as a child she had adopted after leaving her in an orphanage for a couple of years.

[@RoughRider757]

One of my favorite episodes. Cora has that American knowhow of getting things done!

[@Myraisins1]

Poor Mrs Drew.

[@andrew_4747]

Cora should have thought long and hard about WHY she was left out of the loop. What has Cora done expect allow Mary to continue to be a childish bully and never protected or nurtured Edith.

[@Geallach83]

I don't understand why the US plan was so terrible, especially if she went with financial support instead of without like she was planning. She can stay for a few years, concoct a whirlwind romance and marriage, and conveniently become a widow. Marigold would have grown enough to look different by the time they came back.

[@kellharris2491]

Because she would be alone without any support. Travel still takes a while and same with communication.

[@coffeebean8790]

Edith says that one of the main reasons she decided against moving to the U.S. was preventing the magazine business from going under. Back then, things like Skype, Zoom, and email obviously didn't exist, and making international phone calls likely wasn't as easy it is today. Therefore, Edith probably would have had a very difficult time managing the magazine from abroad. I don't blame her for staying for the sake of the magazine, since she probably had to take into account all of the people whose livelihoods depended on it continuing to stay afloat.

[@robincoffman6723]

@@coffeebean8790 plus Marigold would inherit it one day, something from both her parents since Grayson started it and Edith took it over as he left it to her. So in a real way an inheritance from her parents

[@judith_thordarson]

Because the actress playing Edith (Laura Carmichael) had a contract.

[@LaKellita1]

​@@robincoffman6723it's funny that Marigold ends up inheriting a villa from Violet

[@kimberlyn.2096]

My 3 year old granddaughter was named Cora after her❤️

[@nca9364]

I hated what Edith did to the Drews. They were the ones who ended up screwed and Edith was cruel and indifferent.

[@randikreger9530]

Here,hear

[@phalynwilliams4119]

I agree with you. I was disgusted with how Mrs. Drew was treated. Her husband disrespected her too.

[@monicalifornia_]

Amazing acting all around. The character of Edith was always hard to stomach but Carmichael plays her flawlessly.

[@jessicarobbins6710]

I felt sorry for Mrs Drew.but Edith was marigold's mother. Im happy that the writing of Edith's baby story was an excellent one.

[@doctorderpage2848]

This casual abuse of the poor was very accurately depicted.

[@blossomsmom8929]

The comment from the waitress is absolutely not something a young woman would say back then. Not if she wanted to keep her job.

[@webejo]

Bravo!

[@bcnmanhattan5022]

I won't engage in any way in discussing the feasability of this plot. It's a soap anyway. But what a script. What acting. Pure British first class soap.

[@christinehall6441]

It's purely for entertainment but it highlights the great class divide. I'm pretty sure all the issues with the various servants would not have been tolerated as kindly by up stairs.

[@Sparkplug4712]

This had me bawling again. I miss her, she's been my queen for 62 yrs 😢 My grandmother and the queen were absolutely alike in every way and could of passed as twins.

[@TrackerNeil]

The only way four people can keep a secret is if three of them are dead. And it's not four, really, but six, counting the Drewes. So this is not longer a secret; it's just information. Cora is out of her mind if she thinks that this information won't get around. The servants see everything, and at some point anyone who lives in that house will notice the resemblance between Edith and her "ward."

[@robincoffman6723]

I think Marigold looks more like her father but would the servants remember what Grayson looked like after seeing him MAYBE once or twice at most. But I agree, even 4 to 6 people knowing is too many

[@TrackerNeil]

@@robincoffman6723 Robert remarked that Marigold reminded him of someone, and I doubt he meant Gregson.

[@robincoffman6723]

@@TrackerNeil yes he did but did not connect all the dots at that time. Remeber he only met time twice and no one heard from Michael for three years or longer, he didnt even know he was going to be a father so that s nine moths and Marigold was mabe two when Robert first laid eyes on her. That s why he couldn t connect all the dots

[@judycroteau482]

I remember a scene when Anna found a picture of Marigold under Edith’s pillow when making her bed. I think Anna and Mrs. Hughes figured it out and kept her secret.

[@TrackerNeil]

@@judycroteau482 Right, which makes eight people who know about Marigold. Tom figures it out himself, making nine, followed shortly by Robert, bringing the total to ten. That's the most well-known secret in history.

[@daniellebrainard2289]

i wholeheartedly agree that they treated the drew family like doormats but then again mrs drew should have been told the truth and included in the arrangement from the beginning under the stipulation that nobody else in the village finds out.

[@pb3231]

The actress who played Mrs Drew was excellent

[@Diogenes_83425]

Mrs. Thing - made my laugh so hard.

[@motherdear3733]

Rosamund is so like her mother.

[@rosesweetcharlotte]

They already had two kids running around the state. At that point, no one would really notice another one.

[@eamonreidy9534]

Throughout the entire series, you wonder if they are genuinely nice employers and landowners or if its more of a case of being nice slave drivers. The way they treat the Drew family is a mark against them.

[@TheMcKenzieHaus]

At they end of the day, they can’t relate to the poorer class. Especially when they have their own “problem”.

[@peachygal4153]

@@TheMcKenzieHaus Except Mr. Drewe knew and agreed to keep his wife in the dark so he was party to it.

[@catherineroper5087]

The Drews were treated appallingly. Competly unforgiveable what happened to them.

[@Tyleya]

Cora is like the best mom.

[@danielsullivan9271]

She is so amazing and she loves her children! She is so kind and very empathetic. I think everyone loved Cora even Violet. She would do anything to help her family. Heartbreaking when she lost Sybil. Cora you can feel her kindness, goodness and pain.

[@rustythegreatandpowerfulla2676]

A better story would have been to say she went to Germany to elope with Gregson. When things turned bad in Germany, she returned home, and then he was killed. He had stayed to finalize things with is "ex" wife in the Hospital. She would have been a widow. Paperwork would have been fairly easy to forge. It would have been much simpler that way.

[@pamelabough2008]

The Drew's were renters. The 'doormat' approach still goes on at villages outside Ipswich in the UK. Owned by the local pollock of a landlord. Where they have a farm shop that sells produce bought in from all over and not anywhere near the actual farm the shop is located.

[@johnryman-f3c]

Meggie Smith says she has never watched Downton Abbey, but she has the box set....

[@peachygal4153]

and never will now

[@phalynwilliams4119]

I like the way the ladies humbled themselves and fully explained themselves to Cora. They pleaded their case and fully explained their actions and rationale to her. They totally 💯 cleared their conscience. If Cora or Edith wanted to tell Robert the truth that was on them. After all, men don’t have rights.

[@EdnaCantu1]

Edith's attitude towards Mrs. Drew is often so incredibly cold and ungrateful...Edith and Mr. Drew never included her in the equation and certainly never thought she would go to Cora with the truth...

[@GoldenRose116]

She was grateful to mrs. Drewe. Plus Edith wasn't the one pushing for them to be removed from their house, Cora was

[@latinguy67]

agreed.

[@katepausig8562]

Edith had no problem telling the wife but Mr. Drewe didn't want her to know.

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

​@@GoldenRose116 She was still very haughty to Mrs Drew. I wouldn't call that exactly grateful. Even when Rosamund and Cora approach Edith she has a sour look on her face when Mrs Drewe is mentioned

[@skontheroad]

Only bc Mrs. Drew went to the big house, which meant she was there to make trouble.

[@nsargent7780]

Cora was not going to be denied her grandbaby! All the Grantham babies have a deceased parent. How sad!

[@mocatree]

Out of wedlock birth was a big scandel back then.

[@Effective_tool_of_Satan]

And in the end Robert put the pieces together by himself and accepted it.

[@suebradford5758]

Thank you ❤️👍❤️...Thank You Lord ✝️ for The Tingles ✝️ at the end 🙏✝️💖

[@pamelameadows9717]

I'm rewatching Downton Abbey for I don't know how many times this is now and I'm on season 2. The first time Bates has gone to jail. Even though I love this show so many things just don't make sense. And the timeline is always crazy. One thing I do fast forward through is the numerous times that Anna or Bates is in jail. I think they over did that quite a bit to the point of being ridiculous! Even the first time watching it it wasn't that interesting. And Matthew's idea of being an honorable man is just ridiculous. Doesn't feel he deserves to be happy won't take the money because of his honor. When really he's being thoughtless and inconsiderate other people who care about him. Don't you think really he's putting his own needs above everyone he says he cares about?

[@CathrineAnita]

"He`s a man! Men dont have rights! Just gotta looooove her !!!

[@01Mary02]

One of the dumbest scenes in the entire series. No Earl's unwed daughter, in Edwardian times, would have ever been allowed to keep her illegitimate child at "the Big House". Especially with so many people knowing about it. And since Cora kept the Mr. Pamuk scandal secret from Robert for 7 years, she's hardly in a position to freak out on these 2 for trying to keep the scandal under wraps. A much more believable storyline would have been for Edith to have to give up the child and that's the end of it.

[@kellharris2491]

I don't really think so. There were always illegitimate kids running around. Especially after the war. There were kids everywhere.

[@01Mary02]

@@kellharris2491 Not amongst the aristocracy there wasn't. Common folk, yes, absolutely. But the social stigma of having an illegitimate child at the official house would not have been allowed. It would have been social suicide for the Crawley's.

[@marianonseq472]

I partly agree with you, but if Mary had had that Pamuk affair, Sibyl married an Irish separatist chauffeur, I get the feeling this aristocratic family has "softened" those strict rules.

[@01Mary02]

@@marianonseq472 This family, 'maybe', but they also had a reputation to uphold (as did all aristocratic families) and there is simply no way they would have allowed Edith to keep Marigold at Downton. It just would not have ever happened.

[@CitySlickerBallKicker]

@@01Mary02 You act as if you know every aristocratic family that ever existed. Just because you know the rule, it doesn't mean you have learned that there were exceptions. You make out that these elites were all snobby uptight people, pretty sure among all these noble people, they have done unnoble things. Cora being an American in this situation is much more forgiving and her influence on Robert has made him soften around the edges.

[@brockreynolds870]

Everyone SO concerned about what total strangers will say about you, it amazes me how people of that time were crippled with that fear. Thank God radio and then TV came about, and society was able to occupy themselves with other forms of entertainment besides gossiping about other people's private lives.

[@ichkannes]

"let him manage her" is such a cold and selfish attempt from Edith. This scene is a perfect example of classism.

[@mariahoulihan9483]

I don't personally se eit that way. Back then, people didn;t interfere with other people's marriages.. for any reason.

[@Digger43]

What’s the go with Cora’s neck ?, she always has her head cocked to one side like she has a ‘crick’ in her neck !!!. Great series, we love it !!!!.

[@glockenrein]

Oh so Edith wasn’t prepared for her father to know? She was however perfectly willing to do the same thing to Mary. I do not understand all the Edith lovers at all.

[@DavidCodyPeppers.]

I wish I could write the next series. However as a bone: The next movie should be The Dowager Countess trip to Russia mirrored with the family's trip to New York. Peace! \o/

[@Nyx773]

That would be an interesting story. But I can't think of any young-ish actress who could do Maggie Smith justice.

[@paisley293]

@@Nyx773 : perhaps Emma Thompson?...

[@Nyx773]

​@@paisley293 She's way too old. Per Fandom, Violet was born in 1842 and "Violet visited Russia, where she met Prince Igor Kuragin, at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in 1874." Therefore, would need an actress that looks as if she is 32 years old.

[@thomasplinguidy4588]

@@Nyx773 Allow me to join :). If I had to make a choice for the young Countess Violet Grantham, I would think of Claire Foy. She was great as a young queen, and anyone who has seen her in The Crown or much earlier in Terry Pratchett´s Going Postal knows that she has a great sense of irony (Violet must have started early). Claire Foy is 39 but definitely suited for a role 10 to 15 years her junior.

[@peachygal4153]

I would love a "This Is Us" type series that jumps around in time where they go into the future at least into WWII early up into the 1970's. but also go back into Violets' pass when she was a young bride and when her children were young and also Robert and Cora getting together. I would even like a story on Violet's sister, Susan's mother. Meg Bellamy who played Kate Middleton in The Crown with her big blue eyes would make a great young bride Violet. Francesa Annis would be perfect as a Violet like elderly Mary.