Countess vs. Crawley | Downton Abbey

We all love a bit of Dowager Countess and Isobel Crawley conflict, and during the final season of Downton we saw a lot of more of it after Violet, was informed of a plan that the Royal Yorkshire County Hospital wished to take over the Downton Cottage Hospital. Violet being the traditionalist she is, was outraged by this and it just so happened that her biggest rival was also her long-term companion, Isobel. Isobel believed that the take-over could bring better treatments and equipment to the Downton villagers. The pair eventually reconciled over the shared shock of Isobel's invite to Lord Merton's, son's wedding.
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[@hollybrewer608]

“Does it ever get cold up on the moral high ground?” Oh my God, that is the BEST line. The Dowager Countess has some of the best lines.

[@MFYouTube683]

Holly Brewer yes. Maggie Smith was phenomenal. God, I love this show and everything about it, everyone in it. It is a nostalgic look at the change the 20th century brought to Britain and the joys and hardships of society a century ago. My favourite line Violet ever says in all of the episodes and the movie was: 'It happens every time! You give these people a little big of power and it goes to their head like a stiff drink!‘ But she was always great, and she does have a gentle heart. Remember when Sybille died 💔😭

[@a.a4144]

@@MFKZbin683i agree with you on her best line ..it was phenomenal ..but then again she might just be the best character in the show.

[@farhanm2508]

What does that line mean?

[@hollybrewer608]

@@farhanm2508 it means that she’s up on her high horse, or that she thinks she’s better than everyone else.

[@ankitadey5059]

That was actually SAVAGE!!

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

Another moment I love that isn’t included here: Isobel: “you only say that to sound clever” Violet: “I know…you should try it”

[@m.layfette6249]

"To insult a physician in the open street!" "You've read too many novels and seen too many moving pictures."

[@patbiggam8138]

The Dowager and Lady Crawley showed us that 2 very strong willed, very intelligent ladies could disagree in the strongest terms, holding diametrically opposing views and yet become fast friends and allies where it really counted. They remained civil in manner and tongue throughout. Underneath it all, we saw that they truly cared about each other and one another's good.

[@OXex_Reclaier]

Not a lot of people have this kind of mentality unfortunately

[@jayt9608]

It was a quality often missing in modern days, being able to actually have disagreements that could be deeply personal while being civil. Further, Lady Violet is not incorrect to be concerned about the loss of local input into the medical care, and not for issues power, as Mrs. Crawley accuses. Faceless and unapproachable bureaucracy is in nobody's best interest.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Lady Crawley? There is no such character. The family name is Crawley. The Title is Earl and Countess Grantham. Isabelle is Mrs. Crawley. Her husband was a cousin of the Earl. Second cousin, I believe.

[@nazgullord3198]

"When we unleash the dogs of war, we must go where they take us!" And Isobel's face afterwards... LOL!!

[@stormcloud7305]

Dowager Countess was absolutely furious jajajaja

[@moviegurl7420]

That line is one to put in the arsenal

[@OOlympus]

priceless!

[@diehard71282]

It's just that wee sigh/groan she does at the end of that scene! Love it.

[@gutsfinky]

Violet is such a pot stirrer and I love it. Setting Denker and Spratt against each other was priceless. And so was her reaction to Spratt becoming a magazine columnist.

[@twc3546]

She loves watching them squirm

[@gutsfinky]

@@twc3546 She loves outplaying them, more like. She's old and something of an elitist but she can still fight.

[@EstherHulst-Artist]

I wish she had gone trough with firying Denker though When she insulted the dokter in public

[@shaylagogobean417]

@@EstherHulst-Artist yes! That was not her place to voice her opinion on an open street.

[@angelafahlenkamp9311]

That scene where she tasted the soup that was terrible and she acted like it was the best broth she very had....Violet not liking to be predictable was the whole season for me! 😂

[@houseoftyrell1544]

Granny Violet definitely one of the most interesting characters in television history. I love her friendship with Isobel, they care but also shady to each other. Wish I have a friend like that when I get old. I respect the writer to make their story to be outside of the family sometimes but still interesting and not make them like lonely old women.

[@gutsfinky]

I also love Isobel and Violet's friendship and watching it evolve over the course of the series. Their final scene in particular was both poignant and funny. You could tell that they loved each other but also drove each other crazy.

[@SHEbangzProductions]

That my friend is called respect. They respect each other, that's so hard to come by in 2021

[@ToutCQJM]

“Sometimes it’s good to rule by fear.” I just lost it there. I love it.

[@盧璘壽로인수]

and that has basis from "The Art of War"

[@Luke_05]

The face Isobel pulls after that is priceless. She’s in utter shock

[@martinjenkins6467]

The Dowager was ahead of her times. If it was now she would be leader of the Tories. There would be no competition, there all spinless.

[@jeanmyers1787]

Dowager has very best lines, delivered with absolute perfection of Maggie Smith.

[@sunshinegold6297]

The lines are good, but Maggie Smith’s delivery is what makes them stupendous!

[@ewanoxborrow1024]

One of my favourite exchanges between these two: Isobel: “I’m afraid I’m a feeble substitute for the entire Crawley Family” Violet: “Mmm yes, but you’re better than nothing”

[@Fee212]

Hahahahaha 😂 🤣 😅

[@El-vi6lg]

😃😃😃😃😅😅😅

[@dobazajr]

Isobel: "How warming you make that sound"

[@danielmaia8469]

"Does it ever get cold in the moral high ground?"

[@michaelreilly3513]

You butchered a wonderful line. It is "Does it ever get cold UP ON the moral high ground".

[@brod515]

@@michaelreilly3513 how is that butchering.. you said the same thing using a different preposition. And especially ironically you also didn't get it right, It's "Does it ever get cold ON the moral high ground"

[@michaelreilly3513]

@@brod515 UP ON is correct, ON is correct, in the moral etc is incorrect, because one can't be inside the 'high ground' one has to be on it, and being UP means you are higher. It is a hypothetical piece of land which is UP higher that the piece of land you are standing on. Do you get it now dear?

[@jeremybearimy3487]

@@michaelreilly3513 It's a youtube comment, not a scholarly article. If you get that uppity every time someone misquotes something on youtube, you'll be spending a lot of time replying to comments rather than watching the stupid video in question. And for the record, don't say "do you get it now dear?" in the future because you just sound like an asshole.

[@michaelreilly3513]

@@jeremybearimy3487 A youtube article is not real life then? Who made the you ruler of comments and how 'uppity' I am allowed to get? Go take your self righteous bile and have a lie down dear. I will do as I please and need no description of what my arsehole (correct British spelling) sounds like. Do YOU get it now dear? :D

[@patbiggam8138]

"When we unleash the dogs of war, we must go where they take us." Love that line.

[@mv21295]

If I withdrew my friendship from everyone who spoke ill of me, my address book would be empty. #EPIC

[@jehannethompson1432]

Why is this so true tho

[@magnet2593]

It's almost the fifth time that I watch exactly this video to just hear this line!

[@randyfernando4442]

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@maxpovah3660]

@@magnet2593 like same. So many times 😂

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

I love it

[@ebitoro4590]

"If you can't say anything helpful, Robert, please stay silent." Ha!

[@horsepill2842]

I love that! Everyone including her children are fair game for her snark.

[@PinkBabeOx]

His face when she says it 🤣

[@sheilaburns8977]

Although I have seen this clip many times, each time I literally laugh out loud. I love the Dowager and Isobel. They are the best. The Dowager's mannerisms and noises following her spot-on witty lines are hilarious. 😂🤣😂🤣

[@abbymae13]

Lord Merton: “I’m glad we agree on this.” Isobel: “Don’t lets make to much of it.” I love Lord Merton and Isobel!❤️ I think they are so cute together! I’m so very happy they ended up together!

[@overcomerbtboj]

They were cute and it was even cuter when isobel rescued him and whisked him away from larry and that awful daughter in law

[@neilgerace355]

And Violet engineered it!

[@snowangelnc]

“Does it ever get cold up on the moral high ground?” That's what you say when you know the other person is right but you still want to win the argument.

[@karenorton4146]

No, it's what you say when someone has become tiresome in their self-righteousness

[@HelloWorld-ev9sg]

Right is different than good.

[@ValeriePallaoro]

@@karenorton4146 Winner! You win the interwebs for the day. I can't understand how viewers are unaware of Isobels missionary zeal.

[@yannickdrmda5295]

"Did you drink at luncheon ?" LMAO Downton Abbey's queen of thorns

[@lucienbeyea2451]

One of the many great conflicts in this series.

[@m.layfette6249]

"A peer in favor of reform, is like a turkey in favor of Christmas."

[@overcomerbtboj]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣😂- another favorite “violetism”

[@salviaofficinalis02]

So true.

[@victoriaaguilar266]

This series was a Masterpiece. There has been nothing like it since it last aired.

[@KoiYakultGreenTea]

I love this point in their conflict. Though they’re very angry at each other and disagree, and that though Isobel wants their friendship intact despite it and Violet’s friendship she claims to have conditions, they still have tea together and they forgive each other in the end for all the petty insults. And Violet realised she needs to bury the hatchet anyway and also even do a favour for Isobel

[@kyleenglot4221]

Violet just likes to challenge people and have her own ideas challenged as well. Perhaps being an older woman of a prominent family in the early 20th century you don't really get to do much or experience things the way men at the time could. Wether she likes it or not Violet knows that Isobel will undoubtedly be in her life for a long time if Mary and Matthew are to marry. In later seasons Violet admits that despite their bickering she does see Isobel as a friend.

[@colinmerritt7645]

If I withdrew my friendship from everyone who spoke ill of me, my address book would be empty. I love the Dowager.

[@mscott3918]

My mother will never be dead whilst the Dowager still stands.

[@MonkyPocks01]

“I’d rather hope Mrs Crawley regrets what she’s said already” 😂😂😂

[@kbeautician]

@6:20 Violet: Did you drink at luncheon? Isobel: No I did not. Which you know very well since we were together. Violet: Not all the time. 😎

[@DayneandtheStars]

That one was the end of me 😂😂😂

[@republiceviil]

"Did you drink at luncheon?" ☠️☠️☠️☠️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@whosyourdaddy4579]

Was a scream!

[@gingerbaker4390]

The English insult the opposition with such politeness and sharp wit.

[@karldelavigne8134]

Lady Grantham's ripostes are like little incendiary bombs: they burn long and slow, and leave the target gutted.

[@suzannereilman4516]

...I cannot say how much I enjoyed seeing the correct use of ‘riposte’ in your comment...:)!

[@mscott3918]

I have to say that my mother will never be dead whilst Lady Grantham is still around.

[@mscott3918]

@@suzannereilman4516 It's always a pleasure to see language properly used. Too many people use text speak or have no idea of grammar or syntax.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

The queen of "slow burn"!🤣🤣

[@m.layfette6249]

Lady Mary: "Really Granny how can you say I'm too worldly but Sybill isn't worldly enough." "You cannot be so contrary." Dowager Countess: "I'm a Lady, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose."

[@earlofbroadst]

Choose. Contrary as I choose.

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

Just love her

[@buddyobbard2176]

Mary, Mary, quite contrary!

[@盧璘壽로인수]

@@buddyobbard2176 How does your garden grow

[@briancarter8490]

As a fan looking back in retrospect, I loved this storyline, but i could never understand why Violet was in charge of the hospital. Half the time, it seemed like Isobel would and should be suited for the role since she's practiced medicine and can get more in touch with patients. Don't forget that one time she nursed Violet back to health all on her own.

[@dergluckliche4973]

Long-held tradition. Violet's was mostly a figurehead position because her husband, the late Earl, had donated the land and the seed money to build the hospital, and overseeing philanthropic causes was the realm of well-born and well-married British Ladies. That it persisted even when more suitable candidates were available is, in part, due to the intractability and ossification of the British upper class and peers, and in part because it would have been the same members of the upper classes and peers who had the means to donate meaningful sums of money, with Violet's Rolodex full of such people. It's the same reason people who sit on big non-profit institution boards (museums, universities, etc.) are usually very wealthy: they buy their way in and the rest of the institution relies on the connections of board members to raise money. Isobel, even though she'd been in the village for over a decade by this time, was also considered an outsider because she hadn't been born or lived there her whole life and had more progressive ideas, flouting convention all along, and that all worked against her.

[@briancarter8490]

@@dergluckliche4973 Got you. Thanks for the context.

[@m.layfette6249]

The Rules and Rituals of the Victorian and Edwardian era.

[@mrscashmorrisey1702]

For the same reason that members of the current royal family are on the many boards or what have you of many organizations. Nothing to do with qualification and everything to do with their position/title.

[@SS11660]

Status ruled in those days

[@HSYJMK]

omg I love it when Violet laughs with such amusement

[@abdykerimabydov7572]

I really miss this duo. Thank you for uploading this :)

[@m.layfette6249]

"I never knew anyone with such reforming zeal. It must be like wearing a tira round the clock."

[@manusha1349]

Everyone deserves a nan as strong and loyal as the Dowager Countess ❤

[@marinazagrai1623]

We all love Violet because she is so spirited and crisp…and we all assume someone would automatically have these come backs…imagine the work done between the writers to come up with these dialogues.

[@michaeltutty1540]

My Grandmother had a very quick wit. She did come out with these crisp responses and lib, and regularly.

[@Clau92Cris]

I just miss so much their clever conversations

[@blackswiftie2860]

@8:10 *"Too Many Moving Pictures"* Ahah She means MOVIES Children!😂😋😁👌🏿

[@colinmerritt7645]

Moving pictures are going to ruin the younger generation.

[@kimsmith1746]

I love that these two go at each other, but they are the best of friends. Lady Grantham was the one, who pushed Isabel and Dickinson Murton towards each other in the first place. Her later reluctance to see them marry wasn't, as Mary stated, that Isabel would be a Lady, while Violet was reduced to being the Dowager. Violet realized if her best friend got married, she wouldn't see her as often. Tho still a motivation of jealousy, she loves Isabel like a sister. They are, in fact, the older versions of Mary and Edith.

[@missharrington4452]

Completely agree, but I'd say they differ from being a Lady Mary and Edith in that they both care for each other enough to maintain their other friendship conversations and all alongside their bickering and disagreements.. Lady Mary and Edith are very different and can't seem to go at each others throats, but then help each other out in the same moment.. Don't know, just my humble cents!

[@artbaugh3]

"Did you drink at luncheon? " hahahhaaaa

[@josephinepeery6938]

I consider the Lady Dowager to be the central character, absolutely wonderful, absolutely love her 🥰👏

[@ValeriePallaoro]

It would be funny if that was the way the scripts were written - Violets story arc and how do we fit everybody elses in around it. That's a fab insight.

[@MP-yz6sb]

I love when these two go at it with each other. I suspect they are more alike than they realize...more like sisters even and through it all they have remained tight. There is no shaking their bond.

[@vanessalae7914]

“Oh, l wondered when we’d hear from you” 😂😂

[@m.layfette6249]

Spratt: "Don't worry Ms. Dinker, I've got a copy of the 'Lady' upstairs."

[@lindaandrews127]

I loved it when the Dowager asked Matthew, "What is a weekend?"

[@michaelmontagu3979]

My mother will never be dead when the dowager carries on.

[@jamestolson231]

Maggie Smith is a great actress...

[@codyhoskins1319]

I couldn't help myself but laughed until I was aching after I paused the episode on where Violet chastised Denker over calling Clarkson a traitor. For all the sass she's delivered all series long, this distraught tirade of hers over her maid insulting a colleague was the one that just really left me in stitches throughout the whole binge.

[@abhishekbisoi3794]

I absolutely love them together!!! Best friend goals💀😂😂

[@or529]

Violet & Isobel so remind me of late great grandmothers. Eyes still sharp, so nothing got past them; sharp strong wit so if anyone of us thought we could out think them, ha that will be the day. Both of my grandmothers timing was amazing, always knowing when & where to interact, interject their minds. But most of all loving, women to their family & to that to each other. Both my grandmothers were truly sisters to one another. I am truly blessed to have that in my life.

[@Angelissinging963]

How lovely to see Mrs. Dowager, please bring us all her scenes in the Downton, I’m so enjoyed watching Dowager😍😍😍, especially her lovely accent, the most gorgeous accent I’ve ever heard 😍😍😍

[@shaunyg4156]

Mrs Dowager?😂😂😂

[@Angelissinging963]

D1 familykid oh my, that’s wrong, should be dowager only

[@shaunyg4156]

@@Angelissinging963 Yes shes the Dowager Countess of Grantham who's name is Violet Crawley

[@jeremysaysrawr119]

“Did you drink at luncheon?” 🤣

[@GaymingAndStuff]

I love the Dowager. Truly the best character in the entire series. Maggie Smith is a treasure that this world isn't worthy of!

[@m.layfette6249]

"If I had to choose principle over logic, I'd choose principle every time."

[@akap9612]

Principal: adjective: main, most important. noun: the Head of a school. Principle: noun: a moral value.

[@m.layfette6249]

@@akap9612 Thanks for the lesson in English Lit.

[@akap9612]

@@m.layfette6249 You bet. I didn't mean to get all preachy. 😳

[@m.layfette6249]

@@akap9612 You're just channelling your inner Isobel Crawley. 💜 Even the Dowager Countess can appreciate that. Though SHE would never admit it in public.

[@PiotrKe]

6:40 the best "huh" I've ever heard xD

[@christopherstreet2214]

I wish they would make a prequel about violet ... her narrating her memoirs and the show going over that decadent time period

[@GosieKin]

If The Dowager wrote a memoir, I would buy it in a blink!

[@agnes3109]

I love both of them so much omg I cannot choose between them

[@geneventide5314]

I love their friendship!

[@jeremymiller9582]

The “don’t let’s” - “let’s don’t” - “let’s not” continuum between past/present and English/American is always interesting to me.

[@yawarhussain7219]

Sometimes I wish I could translate whatever Lady Grantham says to my native language and use it as a linguistic weapon but alas my attempts are more often than not futile.

[@dergluckliche4973]

Give it a shot anyway. Your written English and vocabulary are leaps and bounds better than many of the native speakers on KZbin.

[@yawarhussain7219]

@@dergluckliche4973 Thank you my friend. Though I guess a bit of work on punctuation is needed😀.

[@syedmazharhasan6803]

Yeh to bara mushkil kaam hai. Lekin main phir bhi apni tooti phooti Urdu main translate karkay inkay quotations use karta hun 😅

[@syedmazharhasan6803]

@Kuchi Kopi Hahahaha no. I replied the gentleman in his native language.

[@STScott-qo4pw]

i have to admit lady violet can have a real viper's tongue. Good gawd, she can come out with them...! 😶

[@m.layfette6249]

Isobel Crawley: "I'm not going to that one. I'd feel like the wicked fairy in Sleeping Beauty."

[@AfoParedes]

Didn't cousin Isobel actually say that?

[@m.layfette6249]

@@AfoParedes You know you're right. Correct quote. Wrong person. 😎💜

[@angelafahlenkamp9311]

The Dowager makes watching Downton Abbey worth while ❤️

[@mzukisindzipo7495]

Mrs Crawley: "...I suspect she's quite a tough nut" referring Miss Crookshank Cousin Violet: "And I'm a quite a tough nut cracker!" ZING FOR DAYS!!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@trishatrish8478]

"Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?"😂😂😂😂I forgot about that one

[@okcluvable]

"Shall we have some tea?" Lol

[@chasemergui2108]

I love Andy so much! Seeing his face was a blessing!

[@m.layfette6249]

I'm LOVING these scenes/clips from Season 6!! #FortheLoveofDowntonAbbey

[@cfrygirl]

Please do a series on the young Dowager Countess and her children!!!!!!

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

I love the writing on this show is awesome!

[@alfiesmallwood8992]

"Don't give me ideas"😂😂😂😂

[@rw8733]

Two magnificent actresses at the peak of their powers a joy to watch.

[@guermouchemarouane5116]

Lady Grantham was like my grandmother (RIP) she would roast you in a such posh manner that your tongue would turns on itself due to no possible answer Love her sharp and witty mind😂🔥

[@mscott3918]

My mother will never be dead as long as the Dowager exists.

[@ams3379]

@1:06 lol... Look at Cora.. she knows something isnt right there ... hahahaha... I always got excited whenever I saw scenes where Violet and Isobel together...

[@TheGenXer]

"And I'm a tough nutcracker."

[@ctheflower7818]

Adore Downton Abbey 💗

[@saberthecoolest]

I really liked the Dowager’s comment on being a tough nut cracker! It’s a nice callback to that Christmas special from ages ago when she got a nut cracker as a present

[@Raja_Ravichandran]

Edith, you are a lady not toad of toad hall...!! and the following smile of Mary Crawley are stand out in this wonderful series

[@AlbertoGarcia-wd7sc]

When she was calling out Denker's behaviour she was totally channeling McGonagall XD

[@yahairacalvo8791]

I love both of them

[@changniere7696]

At 7:46, McGonagall was summoned

[@m.layfette6249]

All that's missing is her Wand, Cloak and Hat.

[@alanrover4428]

"For a ladies' maid... to insult a physician in an open street?! Fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor... For your serious lack of judgment!" :D

[@m.layfette6249]

When isn't Mcgonagall never summoned? She's like a cat asleep in the corner. Or so we think. Her eyes and ears, see all, hear all, know all. Especially when to pounce.

[@yannickdrmda5295]

"Shall we have some teaaaa?" LMAO

[@VictorArgamim]

She is just marvelous!

[@annapachaclarke2392]

Final scene... Lady Crawley "She is quite a tough nut" Violet "And I'm quite a tough nut cracker"! 🤣😂😂

[@moirawalker515]

Brilliant!!

[@chadwalton8072]

I come from though not nearly an extravagant family and this show reminded me a lot of the women I grew up with how I miss them especially my granny would give pure hell to my grandfather lol 😂they loved each other I only saw that man cry once at her funeral

[@FumetsuGolf]

“Did you drink at luncheon?” “No I did not, which you would know since we were together!” “Not all the time.” Violet has some sick burns.

[@puffeiffer]

5:00 These two need to get married already! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Eowyn3Pride]

"And I'm a tough nut cracker!"🤣🤣🤣

[@domingosassuncao1713]

Did you drink at lunch ? Kkkkkkkk😁😁😁😁

[@jws1948ja]

I like it better when they are friends.

[@texanlady4]

Maggie Smith is Gangsta AF!

[@12classics39]

Isobel burned Clarkson to the ground by spelling out his fear of losing his own importance in the merger to his face!! Bravo!!!

[@forchun88arrereh50]

Countess violet and Mrs Crawley they always made my day🥰😁😁💕

[@freslieslieson9877]

Sometimes it's good to rule by fear 😆

[@LilianaVelascoAriza]

Isobel= You could never accept defeat could you? Violet OhI don't know what that is!

[@jennifertselentis4755]

The Dowger was so right the people that lost out were the patients

[@fuzzy793]

Art war and diplomacy would great social study here

[@SolangeLOLable]

Yoooo countess is a beast her come backs

[@carlamartinezvega13]

- Did you drink? - No, I did not. Which you know very well , since we were together! - Not all the time.. 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@prince_of_summer]

5:08 🤣🤣🤣

[@m.layfette6249]

"Don't give me ideas."

[@CzechMirco]

I would be firmly on Violet's side about the hospital.