"Does it Ever Get Cold on the Moral High Ground?" | Downton Abbey

'I suppose we only know what we're capable of when we test our limits' 'And we certainly know what you're capable of!' - sharp words as always from the Dowager Countess and Isobel Crawley.
Clip From: Series 6 Episode 1
This is the official KZbin channel for Downton Abbey. Immerse yourself in the much-loved British historical drama, relive some of your favourite moments and tragedies, and keep up-to-date with the latest news.
The costume drama series, Downton Abbey, written and created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, stars Academy Award-winner Maggie Smith as a Dowager Countess of an Edwardian English country house in 1912. The series portrays the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them, in a time before the last vestige of a century’s old tradition were stripped away by World War and the modern age. The all-star cast also includes Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern.
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[@ashlynnhunt5214]

“Sometimes it’s good to rule by fear” 🤣

[@romainequiver8909]

By FEE-yah :)

[@dublinjazz1]

@@romainequiver8909 LOL You beat me to it!🤣

[@virginiabotha3545]

🙂

[@luisquijada7941]

Sometimes? ALWAYS!

[@Linknla]

Omg she is an absolute HOOT!

[@dublinjazz1]

the writing and the acting was just spectacular. I envy anyone who is enjoying DA for the first time.

[@earlofwickshire5416]

It's show to which I prefer having a toss or two the most. Particularly when that hag from Harry Potter is on.

[@jtckentucky3481]

Violets face when Isabel says ‘oh good you’re here’ lmao…. Uh Where else would I be?? Maggie smith is a treasure.

[@analuisahering2043]

Maggie Smith is a legend !

[@oolala53]

She might have been at Downton?

[@castelodeossos3947]

A usually unmentioned fact about such people not wanting to cut down on staff: that they didn't want terminate someone's livelihood.

[@m.layfette6249]

"Speaking in an American accent." "Would that be so awful?!?"

[@juttapopp1869]

It absolutely would!

[@mohameddiaby835]

"A boo'oo of wo'o " sounds better, I guess.

[@Jason8823]

"she was addicted to curtsying" 😂

[@zyxw2024]

ABATE GLOBAL MONARCHIES

[@walterbrown2425]

“You sound like a governess in fear of dismissal.”😂😂😂

[@carmenmonoxide7459]

I'd really like to see a movie/series on a younger, newly wed, Violet at Dowton Abbey; written by Julian Fellows, of course. It could go as far as the death of her husband; pre-Dowager Countess. 😊 Fingers and eyes crossed...

[@jlammetje]

But who would play young Violet? A large part of the charm of the Dowager is because of Maggie Smith

[@Ascorpia31]

​@@jlammetjeI was thinking the exact same thing! It would be nearly impossible to find an actress who could come even near Maggies performance.

[@GavinBorchert]

The original plan for HBO's The Gilded Age, as I recall, was to include the story of how Robert and Cora met and wed--

[@m.layfette6249]

"Brains count for more than muscle."

[@paulaazevedo3872]

There should have been more seasons. I miss this show so much.

[@AleksandrCyplakov-zc3hy]

I think the seasons began to become weaker as the show went on. They ended it at the right time.

[@m.layfette6249]

"And we certainly know what you're capable of."

[@williamlong5428]

“What is that supposed to MEAN?”

[@raphaelledesma9393]

Indeed what spelled the end of the service industry or at least middle class people and higher having live-in servants were the changes of the 20th century: increased urbanization, improved education, better working hours and wages in factories and offices, etc. Nowadays in Western countries, people who work in service now demand higher wages if they can’t have regular hours and this is a good thing.

[@jennifertselentis4755]

And then along came the rock stars.

[@OceanHedgehog]

Maggie Smith is a gift to humanity.

[@walterbrown2425]

Amen!

[@walterbrown2425]

Long may she live!

[@joeseeking3572]

It's the mannerism as much as the delivery that makes Maggie Smith's mastery of this character. That little tap of stick at the end, repeated - just for emphasis. I've got to imagine that comes from the actress and not stage direction.

[@LazyDaisyDay88]

I love that they dressed Maggie Smith so beautifully. The Dowager's costumes are so fabulous.

[@lazygardens]

Violet has such a deft hand with the knife to the ribs ... you don't see it coming. Decker was spreading rumors?

[@m.layfette6249]

The Dowager Countess hates to be predictable. She clocked Denker's and Spratt's scheming right at the gate.

[@sackettfamily4685]

The 2 servants were quarrelling and trying to get each other fired. She had heard something about it and was putting denker in her place.

[@foncez]

The Dowager had asked Denker not to say anything about the staff being cut back at the Abbey, but she went and spilled the beans anyway. That's why the Dowager decided to teach Denker a lesson.

[@Robert08010]

@@foncez Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought Danka started the rumor all by herself, at first just to rattle spratt. Then she later repeated in at the abbey. That's why violet pulled it on her. To get her to stop spreading rumors.

[@Bergen98]

“Sometimes it’s good to rule by fear” - and utter shock on Isobel's face. That old woman is scarier than some young strong men!

[@qqing-yq5nr]

Completely open my mind, very enlightening.🎬

[@muzaffarahmad457]

This drama helped me a lot. Learned a lot about the British elite culture. If things were as good as they were portrayed in terms of culture, manners and morals then this culture is to be congratulated and adopted. I learned the importance of quality conversations and loved it immensely. But I have yet to see other cultures of the western civilisation to be portrayed to get a better understanding on which one I loved the most. There’s Nordic countries, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and others. But there is a certain charm and elegance about this culture which has made this nation great. I would like to see that greatness return because I have to admit this version of Britain does not look like before. We must instill Proper culture and values and morals into our children and laws should be made to ensure our society is lifted to its rightful glory and sets an example and a path forward for every generation that comes after. People often say we want diversity but we need to remember that we only want the good that comes out of diversity not the bad. We also want our culture and values to be easily adopted and Accessible for people who live in this country and abroad as well so they may also benefit. Sorry I’m just ranting But goes to show how much I loved this drama as it sets an example of what and how a human should be.

[@jameson7252]

This show was and is still the best! Bring it back please, this world is so crazy, it’s nice to go back and watch simpler times !

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Can;t you just... rewatch it?

[@jameson7252]

@@yevgeniyaleshchenko849 I do re watch it :) But it would be awesome to see the Crawley family navigate through the abdication of the king in the late 30s and how they got through WW2

[@Kellystella97]

One of my fav always wise in each of her characters maggie smith is the aunt I always wanted

[@globalproductvendors]

... just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down 😊

[@carolynnewyork6919]

It's so addictive.

[@georgeprchal3924]

Violet: People come and go but things, things last forever.

[@Fee212]

Isobel's attitude got my teeth on edge sometimes. Always voting for upper class to be brought down a peg or two.

[@Heyy_itsJackie]

DAY 15 ASKING FOR A SEASON 7 OR A THIRD MOVIE PLEASEEEEERRRRR

[@l.a.3479]

Not happening...give it up

[@alondralabute2310]

Maybe in a few years they'll do one about WWII, but without the Dowager Countess it just won't be the same. It would be nice to see all the children growing up.

[@Heyy_itsJackie]

Day 19 please have a downton season 7 or 3rd movie!

[@hpavalferr7201]

😊 💜💙

[@dobazajr]

You sound like a governess in fear of dismissal. 😂😂😂

[@Heyy_itsJackie]

Day 18 of asking for season or a 3rd movie it would be appreciated

[@catezaida8081]

I do believe this is the first time that I have actually actively disliked the Dowager Countess. That was nothing less than cruel.

[@reggiekemp9175]

Why?

[@Linknla]

If it was the thing with Denker she sooo deserved it

[@Robert08010]

Danker was starting rumors, trying to scare Spratt. Spratt fell for it and went to Violet and said (with some impertinence) "I would expect to be let to know with some warning if I was going to have to find a new position m'Lady." Violet was bewildered at first but figured out what was going on. So Violet pretended to spill the secret by implying she is about to fire Danker and she did it in front of Spratt. That's why he is grinning. As somebody said above, Violet said about herself "I don't want to predictable" probably because she knows that could lead to her being easily manipulated. She is sneaky but a good person at heart.

[@Heyy_itsJackie]

Day 16 asking for downton abbey PLEASEEEEEEE or a novie

[@Heyy_itsJackie]

Day 17 pleaseeeeeeeee season 7 or 3rd movieeeeeeee I'll pay yall 201$

[@ohana8535]

Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground? No, because it means you are helping people and not being a greedy old witch.

[@MandieTerrier]

The Dowager was always giving. She gave Mr Bates the 30 £ that he claimed he owed Mr Molesly. That would have been very nearly a years wages. She tried and failed to use her power and save William Mason and Mr Molesly from the draft. The Dowager was always doing.

[@zyxw2024]

​@@MandieTerrier£5. Not £30. Others chipped in too.

[@zyxw2024]

​@@MandieTerrierAnd stop clicking on your own comments. I followed your comment 3 minutes ago & no one else had the time to read your comment & click. Oh how the small people are have become even smaller in 2023.

[@m.layfette6249]

​@@zyxw2024"When you talk like that I'm tempted to ring for Nanny and send you to bed with no supper."

[@ohana8535]

@@MandieTerrier Only people she knew, and only a pittance. Plus, I did not say she was evil. But she clearly was greedy.

[@voldeficient]

Downton Abbey van manage verry well without Denker and Crawley

[@Tunick1902]

Horrible character. Does she die in this episode, I hope?

[@m.layfette6249]

"My dear a lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears."

[@callmeswivelhips8229]

Running a house like that surely creates a community that's game-like. The politics of it probably boil down to these sort of happenings eventually. I speak as someone who worked in restaurant kitchens for a long time.

[@xadam2dudex]

Wait where is the M&M's high heels