The Dowager's Finest Comebacks | Downton Abbey

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.
Subscribe for more here: / @downtonabbey
Watch Downton Abbey on iTunes: bit.ly/Downton...
Twitter: / downtonabbey
Facebook: / downtonabbey
Instagram: / downtonabbey_official
#DowntonAbbeyThis is the official KZbin channel for Downton Abbey. Immerse yourself in the much loved British historical drama and relive some of your favourite moments and tragedies, access to exclusive interviews with all the cast and keep up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe for more here: / @downtonabbey
Watch Downton Abbey on iTunes: bit.ly/Downton...
Twitter: / downtonabbey
Facebook: / downtonabbey
Instagram: / downtonabbey_official
#DowntonAbbey

[@mccune98]

“You think I could have a drink? Oh, I’m so sorry I thought you were a waiter.” 🤣 My favorite line from her. 😂

[@MeMeDaVinci]

You could say that to almost anyone now, at the very least in "Hollywood."

[@zapataattack5843]

That "waiter" line made me laugh the hardest out of the entire series. 🤣

[@rickgauer4559]

@@zapataattack5843 It could be a lack of understanding on my part, but do you know why Robert and Matthew’s outfits where inappropriate?

[@bradleywesterman4439]

@@rickgauer4559They weren’t formal enough. Dinner is supposed to be white tie.

[@rickgauer4559]

@@bradleywesterman4439 OH! I see. Thank you! 😁

[@dublinjazz1]

"No Englishman would DREAM of dying in someone else's house"😅😅

[@盧璘壽로인수]

Especially someone they didn't know

[@anutripathiful]

But just the colonists...

[@pralinec9247]

That quote sold the show to me.

[@annieh.8175]

That line was priceless...laughed so hard

[@ohwellwhateverr]

@@anutripathiful Go away

[@juliag.5114]

The writing is fantastic of course, but Maggie Smith’s delivery and comedic timing is what makes this such an iconic character, flawless actress

[@aidgab1196]

Absolutely Flawless & Priceless.

[@yuniyonson]

Very well said.....she is such a wonderful Actress!

[@marinazagrai1623]

She wrote her own come backs, and she is a stage actress which makes it a lot easier to transfer to movies and TV while the reverse isn’t that simple. Brits and the theater…can’t be beat!

[@khfan4life365]

“I never take sides in a broken marriage. Because however much the couple may strive to be honest, no one is ever in full possession of the facts.”

[@jobotmang]

Too true.

[@varoonnone7159]

As a lawyer, I agree

[@TheGrenadier97]

I initially thought she was some sort of villain, but she's actually the glue that holds the family together. Grand old lady; stern, clever, but surely caring in her own way.

[@aihara2799]

late comment but yeah, Old Lady Grantham is the matriarch of the Crawley Family. Being an aristocrat born in the 1800s when Lords still had political authority, really toughened her up to become the way she is in the show. A terrifying old lady whose cold as ice, tough as nails, and as sharp as a razor.

[@mariahanastasi6575]

I absolutely love her sarcasm

[@annsmith7207]

“Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.” Priceless!

[@kbeautician]

Sibyl’s comback tho: You started it😁

[@盧璘壽로인수]

@@kbeautician Violet: shocked Pikachu face

[@choxxxieful]

Hear ! Hear !

[@Shane-Flanagan]

A very relevant phrase today especially when most comedians rely on vulgarity

[@carribyanadventures]

All the more significant to say at these modern times to the popular influencers

[@kauztuv]

"I doubt we'll meet again." "Do you promise?" She is legend.

[@salex9482]

😂😂😂

[@morganswilley2728]

One of my favorite scenes!!!!

[@Ladynipchick2]

@@morganswilley2728 But I keep forgetting the name of the male actor who is about to sweep away indignantly!

[@lisarussell8874]

That was my favorite zinger.

[@Arylwren1]

@@salex9482 and her follow up with the comment on the vase "chef's kiss"

[@m.layfette6249]

"My poor niece never uses one word when twenty will do."

[@盧璘壽로인수]

so basically Rosamonde's spiritual kinswoman lol

[@casper_z1259]

When you're in school writing an English paper with a word minimum.

[@盧璘壽로인수]

@@casper_z1259 preferably an essay with 300-500 words kkkk

[@nancyhammons3594]

And she delivers them all with a straight face. Dame Maggie is someone I would love to be able call "my friend".

[@m.layfette6249]

"If I were to search for logic I should not look for among the English upper class."

[@jacquelineklinges]

There’s no Downton Abbey without Lady Dowager 🥹🙏🏻

[@盧璘壽로인수]

then cry

[@mikelair9144]

Duh

[@lizjo7213]

The wardrobe of these characters is just phenomenal...

[@garyf5240]

“I will not suggest which of those callings the Princess Kuragin was most suited.” Lmao 🤣

[@abshaar13]

"So what! I have plenty of friends I don't like."

[@annikawolter1533]

That's my favorite

[@SirSpuddington]

"Principles are like prayers: noble, of course, but awkward at a party." I've never even seen a full episode of this show and even I know how great the Dowager is as a character. :D

[@osmanamt]

3:45 -“I doubt we’ll meet again” -“Do you promise?” it’s awesome😂😂😂😂

[@JohannonkingDavidelijah]

By the power of the holy spirit in the name of Elohim Jehovah adoniah by the fire Lord Israel Equadour adoni pope john paul king david orion smith Johnny smith I baptize you with my holy Spirit and this boy is now my son his new name is Daniel Steven Orion smith I love you please find me soon I will live you. You are my son forever I will kiss and make love you my sweet angel boy come to papa I am going to call you Danny boy if my dreams you are the cutest I want you as my little teddy bear to cuddle with I want to love forever in a day of Danny boy u love thee I am rich with love not money but that's my fault I live in love and despise mine but my love for you will be forever u want you to kiss and hold and play with forever. I want your friendship and I want all of you good bad all of please be my god d son and give me your heart I love you to the point of tears I mean the child that Ethel gave away is mine

[@annehunt787]

They left out my favorite, “Edith, dear, don’t be defeatist. It’s so middle-class.”

[@anthonysmith6558]

Maggie Smith ! Downtown abbey owes its success in no small part to this beautiful lady and her talents.

[@aszechy]

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

[@christyandhistory]

The Dowager Lady Grantham was always my favorite character. Maggie Smith was perfect in this role.

[@logotrikes]

This woman is just brilliant. Irreplaceable even...

[@anyviolet]

Number one should have been: Isobel (paraphrased) "you didn't want to help Ethel and her little Charlie -- if you'd had to sell Charlie to the butcher to be chopped up as stew to achieve your ends, you would have" Violet: "Hmm well, happily it was not needed"

[@gardeninginthedesert]

"Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?" Jazz. I don't get it either.

[@ronnie7075]

Dame Maggie Smith is a Treasure, a living Treasure. This role was made for her.

[@victoriajames1335]

No one else could have been as good as maggie smith for this role.

[@Edubarca46]

This small vbideo shows one of the reasons we LOVE so much Downton Abbey.!! Greetings from Colombia

[@missladyanonymity]

I know this isn't a comeback, but from the community post last month, my favourite line from the dowager countess is: "But I never cared for James. He was too like his mother, and a nastier woman never drew breath."

[@abenaasare.5738]

that's one of my favourites too!

[@deb-1558]

4:53 kills me 😂

[@thoughtfortheday7811]

Gawd bless Dame Maggie, she's fabulous!

[@bubblepop_plays]

Love Maggie Smith, amazing actress

[@brydon5721]

Not sure how they could do any more films without the Dowager's wit and come backs.

[@thedavidj1996]

“Oh you two are dressed for a barbecue” and “oh I’m sorry, I thought you were a waiter” kill me every time 😂😂. Side note everyone sleepin on the comedy from Cora’s mother too. Her delivery is always perfect.

[@axnyslie]

My favorite is missing here "If I could choose between principle and logic, I'd take principle every time! Just tell Cora I do not wish to see her face until I am used to having a traitor in the family!"

[@KarthiKeyan-zu2bx]

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit! -The Dowager countess of Grantham

[@Landis963]

The clip starting at 5:49 really needed the full extent of Penelope Wilton's "How dare" face.

[@fnherzog]

"good heavens what am I sitting on?!" - "a swivel chair"

[@creativewriter3887]

And her line "Why must everything be a fight with an American?"

[@rcmorl6390]

"No, no I'm a good sailor..."

[@Catseye189]

Professor Mcgonagall when school is not in session.

[@rcmorl6390]

We adore Maggie Smith's Dowager Lady Grantham for her quick retorts...but she could could also rebuke with smouldering eloquence and perfect diction as well..when faced with Rev Travis misguided quibbling about Daisy collecting her widows dole and performing the marriage to William ."..I tried and failed to save him from conscription, but I will certainly attend his his wedding ..I would point out, your living is in Lord Granthams gift , your house is on Lord Granthams land and the very flowers in your church are from Lord Granthams garden..i hope it is not vulgar in me to suggest that you find some way to overcome your scruples"...cool and to the point.

[@williamdeakyne2253]

Her best lines were: Isobel: Oh how you hate to be wrong. Violet: I wouldn't know. Im not familiar with the sensation. Isobel: I suppose you're an expert in the matter Violet: I am an expert in every matter. Isobel: I'll take that as a compliment. Violet: I must have said it wrong. Isobel set Violet up for the best lines😂

[@TheBabiij2]

Do you think that I might have a drink?…I’m so sorry, I thought you were the waiter in that suit 😂

[@noelwalker6077]

6:25 you forgot to add the infamous laugh after that.

[@Annabelle66633]

"Would you think I might have a drink🥃…..oh I’m so sorry, I thought you were a waiter"😂

[@sarahpirkle9476]

I love her camebacks they crack me up 😂 too funny, 🤣

[@mikelair9144]

"I was raised in a hard school. And I fight accordingly."

[@fredericwu6427]

"Put that into your paper and smoke it"😂😂😂

[@leeball4585]

"Things'll be great when you're...Downton"

[@ruffinarector541]

One of a kind!!!!

[@michalbobowski5914]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 She is the grandmother I never had.

[@padghd]

Just amazing performance

[@MM-Iconoclast]

She made the show.

[@louannezehr9895]

Everything is absolutely perfect with Dame Maggie. Love her.

[@Razorrrrrrrrrrrr]

4:02 MY FAV LINE ITS ALWAYS THE FRIGHTFUL AUNTS XD

[@sirhellguitarlordhd1423]

Dowager Countess being iconic for 8 minutes and 23 seconds

[@kbennett2587]

I think the biggest tragedy in TV history was that we did not get a meeting of the Dowager and Cartman in Southpark.

[@soundaryar459]

Iconic.

[@NoudlePipW]

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit." Holy...

[@carlosdutra5737]

Magnífica atriz Maggie Smith!

[@SR-mv2mf]

She is my inspiration in life

[@shadowjack8]

Got to love Dame Maggie Smith. So beautiful in all ages.

[@scottg9206]

The dowager has no chill

[@hungariangiraffe6361]

Lol, 4:16-4:27 is definitely the best! She is a true savage.

[@Dresqus]

I think that The Dowager and Lady Olenna Tyrell would became really good friends

[@graciegathua3172]

"Is this your first experience of jazz, Lady Grantham?" "Oh, is that what it is?" "D'you think any of them knows what the others are playing?" 😂😂😂😂

[@ctheflower7818]

I ADORE Maggie Smith ❤️

[@nur-e-diphamuttaqi]

Something about the drama that is contemporary South Asian.

[@carpiediem2]

In another universe, we are being treated to a spin-off of the Dowager

[@jakecavendish3470]

A lot of these are actually real quotes from other people

[@babygayle6842]

Do you promise? 😂😂😂😂

[@kristinetaylor3290]

Maggie Smith triumphant forever!❤❤❤

[@lindahansen45]

I love her ❤

[@jgreen5820]

Downton was wonderful and so relaxing to watch plus not ridiculously PC. I've just watched the Netflix Persuasion. film - it is truly dreadful.

[@Sonsbitchesall]

“…She’s splendid …” “ I think she’s cracked🤨. “ *lolz*

[@dmbdmb3828]

🌸 My father’s mother was born in 1892. She could have been the Dowager’s twin. Never learned to drive.

[@syedmazharhasan6803]

No one, and I mean NO ONE could have done justice to this role other than the legendary Dame Maggie Smith. She is responsible for at least half of this show's success. Edit: Dame Maggie Smith passed away today. RIP.

[@awso-noanazz]

She's the reason I started watching. I've followed her career for several years. She's an amazing actress.

[@katiemartell6520]

No one delivers sarcasm like the inimitable Dame Maggie Smith💖

[@aidgab1196]

I totally agree with you. I adore her acting ,sarcasm the way she handle herself. Magnificent.

[@nuschlerclark895]

Dame Judi Dench? Vanessa Redgrave?

[@syedmazharhasan6803]

@@nuschlerclark895 They are all good, but none of them are as sassy as this golden lady 😍

[@salex9482]

Lord Grantham: “Let's not argue.” Dowager: “I never argue. I explain.”

[@m.layfette6249]

"You know me, never complain, never explain." "You don't have much problem complaining."

[@nasser6692]

"I'm looking forward to see your mother again, when I'm with her I'm reminded of the virtues of the English" "but isn't she American?" "Exactly" ☠

[@IamMrLebanon]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@susanneharaldsson8051]

RIP Maggie Smith🌹 a wonderful actress!

[@manusha1349]

"Don't be defeatist, dear, it's very middle class" - Maggie Smith is a Force of Nature ❤️

[@saiyanknight8243]

“I doubt we’ll meet again” “DO YOU PROMISE?” 😂😂😂

[@maybeitsalice]

for real I had to write that one down 🤣🤣🤣

[@andyamg94]

@@maybeitsalice 3:49

[@chrismoore5695]

The best line of all not included... Isobel: "How you hate to be wrong" Dowager: "I wouldn't know. I'm not familiar with the sensation"

[@m.layfette6249]

"Classic Rosamond, she's never more righteous than when she's in the wrong."

[@CeeLiberty]

The writers must have LOVED writing for her!!!

[@fieryphoenix2020]

And this is proof that whether she plays a beloved Hogwarts Professor or the Dowager, Maggie Smith plays some of the most savage yet caring elderly ladies who the fandoms consider queens in their own right anyone has ever seen that no one can’t see a role played by anyone else

[@a.katherinesuetterlin3028]

Indeed! The way she delivers her lines as Prof. McGonagall, especially when Harry and Ron show up late to class, is such low-key fire! Upon hearing lines like "Perhaps it would be useful to transfigure Mr Potter and yourself into a pocket watch. That way one of you might be on time", I know I'd be making a conscious effort to be on time to class. Besides, if you're late to anything where Dame Maggie Smith or her characters are present, you might miss all the low-key-sass action. 😁

[@michaelmccarthy5455]

Don't forget Mother Superior.

[@m.layfette6249]

"I have no wish to be a great lady." "A decision that must be reinforced whenever you look in the glass."

[@orangepurple8546]

These are excellent! She made the series a success, it wouldn't be half as good without her! "....what is a weekend?" 🤣🤣🤣

[@barbaramarafiote8621]

Saturday and Sunday. Fortnight is 14 days.

[@HeyWatchMeGo]

Thanks for the reminder Orange&purple! Hilarious!

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

The skirmish of the swivel chair.

[@m.layfette6249]

"Your quarrel is with my daughter Rosamund, not me." "So put that in your pipe and smoke it!"

[@stephaxil]

I want to add Isobel: 'I shall take that as a compliment...' Violet: ' ...I must have said it wrong.'

[@gailwebb9619]

“Do you promise?” My very favorite line and you can see both Mary and Robert holding back the laughter!

[@robboyte1101]

I honestly hope there will be a Part 2 to this. The Dowager has so many more comebacks left unshown, such as when she says to Robert "When you talk like that, I'm tempted to ring for Nanny and have you put to bed with no supper."

[@kbeautician]

😆😂

[@salex9482]

😂😂😂

[@yuniyonson]

I hope you're right!!

[@thedrunkencatlady]

this is my favourite comeback

[@HeyWatchMeGo]

The one that went something like, "Yes, I KNOW what campaigning is..." "Mary, will you be campaigning as well? Or would you prefer to take in washing?"

[@CommanderLeksa]

"why do you always talk of me as if i were a salmon who laid my eggs in the gravel and then swam back to the sea" 😂

[@m.layfette6249]

"Oh dear I'm afraid the war has made old women of us both." "I wouldn't say that but then I always keep out of the sun."

[@kbeautician]

THE SHADE!

[@m.layfette6249]

@@kbeautician 🕶️🔥💜

[@patriciajrs46]

She has the best lines no matter what film she's in. I was delighted to see her play professor McGonagal.

[@m.layfette6249]

"Why do you always talk of me as of I was salmon, who laid her eggs in the gravel then swam back to the sea?"

[@KatherineSong-e5o]

“DO YOU PROMISE?” That’s my absolute favorite come back of all time!! 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tfh5575]

“one can’t go to pieces at the death of every foreigner. we’d all be in a state of collapse whenever we opened a newspaper”

[@jeffweyer811]

In these situations, one can usually find an Italian who's not too picky

[@盧璘壽로인수]

which makes me wonder + imagine an AU of a potential marriage discussion between the Granthams and the Salinas of "Il Gattopardo"

[@anthonylagano2371]

Such a great actress. My favorite character of the series . She has some witty lines in Agatha Christie’s Evil Under the Sun . She says to Diana Rigg regarding their chorus girl days ..” You always could kick your legs up higher than the rest of us girls …and wider “. Classic Maggie 😎😎😎

[@m.layfette6249]

"Her innocence will protect her." "For once I agree Cousin Isobel."

[@nulnoh219]

I love how they went from the 1st meeting "Mrs Crawley and Lady Grantham" to "Cousin Isobel"

[@m.layfette6249]

"You'll be rewarded in heaven." "The sooner the better."

[@alexanderjones9572]

“Lawyers are always confident before the verdict. It’s only afterwards they share their doubts.”

[@carolineandrews7231]

Maggie Smith is a star like no other. How incredible she is as The Dowager. The Dowager has the wit and tongue of sharp steel ,and is outrageously outspoken and opinionated. And how superbly Maggie Smith reveals her wise and caring side as well.