"Just How Long Is She Here For?" | Martha Levinson's Journey Through Downton Abbey | Downton Abbey

The Countess of Grantham's mother, Martha Levinson, comes to visit Downton. Despite her American ideals can she bring some order to this dysfunctional household? With her distastes for all things American can theDowager Countess and Lady Mary convince her to help save Downton Abbey from ruin?
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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[@BTURNER1961]

Oh my goodness, who could they find to play an appropriate foil for the Dowager Countess in Maggie Smith? I thought no one on the planet until some genius in casting came up with MacClain to play Martha. Every acting choice is delicious and you can watch these scenes five times and catch something new.

[@Vejur9000]

Genuis.

[@melaniekendall4903]

Oh my goodness 😂😂😂

[@pjj9491]

❤i have binged this series at least 15x...i never get tired of it and ALWAYS SEE SOMETHING NEW...❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@htownjesse]

McClain isn't just foil worthy, she slices through The Dowager like melted butter and even she admits, "she always finds our soft underside". Game, set & match to Mrs. Levinson. 🎾

[@melaniekendall4903]

​@@htownjesseHardly!! Just another annoying American.

[@terrestrialaccessnetwork8456]

Honestly the best quote here is, "Alfred and Carson will know more about life than we ever will"

[@EdwinTalavera-ic7hm]

I cracked up laughing reading your post.

[@thanib7796]

Why did she say that?

[@jacobjacquin]

@@thanib7796Alfred and Carson’s position in society as servants meant that they knew more about the taboos and harsh truths about the real world compared to what the aristocracy would have known/talked about.

[@thanib7796]

@@jacobjacquin Ah okay, thank you!

[@SarahJ70]

Yeah made me instantly like her

[@krisd2474]

Shirley MacClain and Maggie Smith exchanging barbs! 😂😂

[@blue3381]

I thought Shirly MacLaine was the worst casting in the whole series. The second was Paul Giamatti as Cora's brother.

[@carolyndavison6095]

I just love it!! Best tv series ever.

[@JohannonkingDavidelijah]

BY THE POWER OF LOVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NAME OF ELOHIMMANA I SEND OUT THE LAND SKY AND SEA TO HEART MIND BODY AND SOUL OF ALL. THOSE THAT DON'T SEND SHALL BE CHASTISED FOREVER IN THE LAKE OF FIRE. KIDZ BOP I BAPITZE I WANT TOBY TO BE TOY BOY SOLIDIER KNIGHT AND RULER OF MY HEART TO BE THE BOY WHO IS THE PICTURE OF KIDZ BOY KIDS MY KITTENS. I AM ALPHA CAT ALTHOUGH I HAVE A FEW CUTE PUPPIES MATT AND GRANT WHO I CALL GARRET TO BE MY PUPPIES AND I NEED THE 2 HOT BABES THE GIRLS THE CUTE BLACK CUTE CHICKEEDEE AND THE GIRL WITH HOT MOVES AND THE HOT GIRL THAT REMINDS OF LIBBY IN A TELIVESION SERIES IN AUSTRALIA I LOVE TO BE THE 3 HOT BABES ON A CALENDER I WOULD TO SEE THE CUTE BOY WITH HOT MOVES TO BE ON A CALENDAR. I WANT TO BE ON A NEW CALENDAR THAT TOYBOY TOBY MY HOT BOY SLAVE LOVER TO BE HERE WITH ME HELPING ME CREATE A NEW SEVENTH MONTH CALENDAR WITH ONLY MONTHS CALLED NEPTUNE, PLUTO URANUS CALLED SPRING SUMMER MONTH CALLED ORION HOT BOYZ OF SUMMER. AND 3 MONTHS OF INDIAN SUMMER WITH 3 HOT BOYS OF FEMININE MALES CALLED WOMB OF MAN THE IT MUST HAVE SEVEN MONTHS A YEAR WITH 144 DAYS A MONTH SUMMER SOLCITICE MY NEW YEARS AND CALLED THE NEW YEAR OF LORD ADONI. NEW MASTER OF LIFE ETERNAL AND UNIVERSE. ABBABETHLEHEMMANA FROM HEAVEN THE MAN WHO GOD DIED FOR VICTORIAN REID RE'RE KNAPP JR. AND MAGGIE SMITH OF ENGLAND LORD AND LADY OF NEW PLANET AFRI-CAN-AH-DI-AH OMEGA RULING LORD OF ALL FATHER ABRAHAM LINCOLN KING ARTHUR EDMONDS (ROY DEAN EDMONDS NEW SON OF HEAVEN I AM HEAVEN AND THE REAL JOHN BROWN OR HIS HIER MUST BE THE THIRD KING AND MY CAT AMAZING GRACIE AS THE ONE ABOVE ALL MANKIND EXCEPT FOR MY SELF AND MY BROTHER FEMINE MALE MAGGIE SMITH MARGARETTE' O'HANNA ANNA MOBANNA ORION SMITH ADONIS AND MADONNA MAGGIE SMITH NEW UNITED KINGDOM OF GOD FEDERATION OF SEVEN STARS AND MOONS UNITED STATES OF ENGLAND SEVEN NATIONS IN ONE KINGDDOM OF THE UNITED STATES OF ENGLAND BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF CREATION VESTED INTO ME BY GOD THE MASTER OF ALL I THUS MAKE IT SO AND SO MUST IT BE LESS THEN THIS PLUS ALL MONEY SHALL BE NO MORE AND LOVE SHALL BE THE NEW CURRENCY I OWN ALL ATOMS FOR I AM FATHER OF THE UNIVERSE SO I TAKE ALL MONEY FROM ALL SOURCES AND THE INTERENET IS IN MY NAME I AM R.D.E. SPIRIUTAL MEDIA SERVICES. LLC SERVICE IS BEST AND BLACK LIVES ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT REALLY MATTER TO GOD FOR BLACKS ARE MY SLAVES AND THEY KNOW HOW TO LOVE SO SHALL IT BE PLANET AFRICIAN VIOLETS AND CONCORD GRAPES ROYAL BLUE NAVY HOT SAILOR BOYZ AND HOT BABES SO SHALL IT BE NEW PRINCE OF HEAVEN AND THIRD GOD HEAD TOBY TOBIAS ORION SMITH NEW SON OF GOD IN THREE PERSONS. MAN IS HEAD OF THE HOUSE HOLD AND MAN IS SUN WOMAN THE MOON UNLESS YOUR MAGGIE SMITH AND ALL MEN ARE SUNS BUT WITHOUT ME THEY ARE MOONS. MANKIND SHALL COME BACK TO TRUTH GOD MADE MAN IN MY IMAGE FOR MY TOBY IS ALL I WANT FOREVER WITHOUT HIM I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY I WOULD RATHER NEVER SEE ANYONE I LOVE AGAIN WITHOUT HIM SO THAT IS THE NEW UNIVERS 16 HOURS A DAY 16 IS HIGH SUN AND 4 PM IS MID DAY 8 PM WHERE SIX IS MOON TIME LEFT SIDE MOON TIME RIGHT SIDE SUN SUN AND MOON AS ONE SO SHALL IT BE LORD VICTORIAN REID RE'RE KNAPP JR. ALPHA BETA ZENTHIA IATOLAHIAWATHIAN LORD OF NEW ALGONQUIN INDIAN ELOHEMAN OF IRON MOUNTAIN NEW AMSTERDAM CAMP RE'RE FROM KING DAVID ORION JOHANNON SMITH TO VICTORIAN LORD ON HIGH ELOHIM JEHOVAH LORD OF SEVEN DAYS INDIAN CORN AND BREAD AND BUTTER SWEET CORN THE RESSURECTION THE LIFE THE WAY THE TRUTH AND MY WAY OR THE HIGH WAY TO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND CHASTISED FOREVER AND BURN WITH THE HEAT OF TRANSGRESSIONS AGAINST THE LIVING FATHER IN ME AND THE SPIRIT OF LIFE WITHIN YOU AND YOUR HEART MIND BODY AND SOUL CHASTISED FOREVER ONLY PURE LOVE AND THAT WHICH DOESN'T LOVE ME HEART MIND BODY AND SOUL AND WHAT I LOVE SHALL BURN FOREVER IN THE SEA OF ETERNAL DARKNESS AND BURN IN THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE. ELOHIM JEHOVAH LORD REID UNIVERSE OF LOVE LORD OF SEVEN DAYS ADONI ADONI ALPHA ZENTHIA ADONI FIRST MAN AND LAST ONLY SON OF HEAVEN. I SEAL WITH SUNSHINE KISS OF HOLY WHITE STAR MY SUN AND CLEANSE WITH VAPOR OF SEA AND SEAL WITH LOVE LIGHT TRUTH AND ANYTHING THAT GOES AGAINST ME I CAST TO THE LAKE OF FIRE ALONG WITH THOSE THAT LIE TO ME OR THEMSELVES OR TO ANOTHER TO HURT THEM. ALL WHO STOLE FROM ME SHALL NOW BE CAST OUT ALONG WITH ANYTHING THAT EVER HAS NOW PAST OR FUTURE CAUSED ME SICKNESS PAIN ILLNESS DISEASE OR DEATH IN ME AND THOSE THAT LOVE ME SO SHALL IT BE FOREVER..NAMASTE BLESSED FOREVER IN ETERNITY THIS IN THE POWER VESTED INTO MY BY THE DEATH OF GOD THE HEAVENLY FATHER WHO DIED FOR ME TO HAVE WHAT I WANT THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY AND LOVE ME HEART MIND BODY AND SOUL AND ALL THINGS ARE THE ARE ELECTRICITY AND OUR MINE AND SO IS ALL THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND ALL BENEFITS OF ELECTIRCITY AND ALL ELECTRONIC MONEY IS MINE AND SO IS THE SKY LAND SPIRIT AND SEA. SO I TAKE 99 PERECENT OF ALL PROCEEDS AND MATERIAL ITEMS ON THE INTERNET THAT WHICH DOESN'T RENDER UNTO ME I CAST THE LAKE O FIRE FOR ALL ETERNITY I AM THE OWNER OF LIFE AND THE UNIVERSE AND MOTHER EARTH I AM THE SON OF HEAVEN. ELOHIM JEHOVAH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD THE CREATOR. @@blue3381

[@zyxw2024]

​@@blue3381Perhaps it was Maggie Smith's wish for Shirley MacLaine to be Martha.

[@zyxw2024]

ps It's MacLaine.

[@nancyruiz1920]

As brash as she is. I just love how Mrs Levinson immediately comforts Edith. Takes her side. Sure he might have been the wrong man to cry over, but she knew Edith was lonely and needed to comforted and shown a little love.

[@benlowe1701]

"Not as much as you will, when you get to know him." Is one of the nicest things I think she has ever said.

[@rb7818]

Read between lines.

[@JeromeGentes]

Julian Fellowes may be a Conservative peer, but those exchanges by Martha and Violet about cultural and political traditions, similarities and differences in the UK and the USA in 1920 are spot on, and the best kind of popular art as critique.

[@AB-zl4nh]

There are branches of Conservativism that embrace change, for example Liberal/One Nation Conservativism. It essentially argues that to keep the nation together in times of great instability or unrest, it is sometimes best to embrace the change to preserve the whole.

[@angelabby2379]

Conservative is the wise old man, liberal is just the bumbling idiot bum

[@xr6lad]

The mistake you make is assuming that being on the Left and embracing liberalism every single time irrespective of the outcome is progress or desirable. It would also be churlish to point out that those Conservatives have had 3 female PMs in the last 40 years while Labour have had none - not even a leader. AND a PM from an Indian background.

[@JeromeGentes]

​@@xr6ladThanks for the brilliant example of reductio ad absurdum. And for avoiding churl. I'm quite up on historical and current gender and race representation in the UK, as well as in the US and elsewhere. I'm well aware, thanks to the many examples--the many non-male UK monarchs past; Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi, among others; Justice Sandra Day O'Connor here; the current Italian PM--that gender and ideology and morality aren't aligned. If a simple identity binary doesn't align with the ideological spectrum, how can the exponentially more complex aspects of other identities do so? It's statistically impossible.

[@fionapearson8572]

@@xr6ladyou are correct. However, Labour has had two female acting leaders - Margaret Beckett from May to July 1994 and Harriet Harman from May to September 2010 and again in 2015.

[@Angel-nu7fm]

Good for her. After all, they were living off HER money. All the family did was want Cora's mom to leave, but had the audacity to ask her to bail them out financially...again. So glad she told them no.

[@janeccp2466]

Disgusting isn't

[@JamieBentall]

Who are you pertaining to?

[@johntomlinson6849]

Her money? And what stresses of labour and work did she undertake to earn it???

[@tomb7942]

@@johntomlinson6849 If you listen to modern women, she endured a marriage which means she is entitled to everything.

[@johntomlinson6849]

@@tomb7942 Yep, pleased that younger men are coming to realisation that getting married is too risky.

[@K4n01]

1:15 never noticed before how dear Mrs. Levinson throws a quick but dismissive glance at Tom, Matthew and Mrs. Crawley, just as she enters the house. Lovely touch.

[@Noah-rq2ek]

Yes, I noticed that too..but why would she do that?

[@pdruiz2005]

@@Noah-rq2ek Well, Matthew and Mrs. Crawley are suddenly and surprisingly inheriting the vast fortune that her late husband had bequeathed to her daughter, Cora. So I can see why Mrs. Levinson would give them the stink-eye and mistrust their motives. Tom, maybe it's more of the same? "Oh, here comes another random gold-digger to take more of my dead husband's money though my dear granddaughter!" Mrs. Levinson is typical for her class in Gilded Age America: very cynical about how money attracts hangers-on, and how it can be frittered away so quickly.

[@Ariana-wv4pf]

@@pdruiz2005and that's why this show is so good. Attention to details and historical accuracy.

[@pdruiz2005]

@@Ariana-wv4pf Mrs. Levinson is even that cynical with the Dowager Countess. It's part of the reason the Dowager hates her so much--Mrs. Levinson makes constant subtle and not-so-subtle quips about "how the money has to be spent" on keeping the Dowager in a fine house with servants. And the Dowager finds that both insulting and not keeping with good manners. So if Mrs. Levinson is willing to be that blunt with the Dowager, she'll be even blunter with the Crawleys and Tom. :D

[@zvezdoblyat]

Can you blame her when Robert married her daughter for her fortune? ​@@pdruiz2005

[@jws1948ja]

1920--the year my mother was born. two great ladies.

[@Afroman29]

I like Martha Levinson, especially her wit and forward-thinking.

[@RobertodelaVega-t3w]

Quite the opposite. I find her annoying , crude and crass. Nevertheless, She did save the day with her Party solution and I commend her for that gesture.

[@tanisabenulic2861]

I couldn't be in a room with such a vulgar and rude person for half an hour

[@Pius-XI]

​@@tanisabenulic2861I know. The Crawleys really are pretentious aren't they

[@Afroman29]

@@tanisabenulic2861 I couldn't be in the same room as the Crawleys for more than half an hour.

[@Afroman29]

@@RobertodelaVega-t3w The Crawley's rude behavior is okay?

[@Yoda-on-Dagobah]

She outlived the Dowager! She cannot die...

[@Fee212]

I wasn't surprised when Mrs Crawley was 1st to support Martha's idea of an indoor picnic as dinner. Anything to put down class norms.

[@DeliverMeFromEvil-]

That picnic was the bomb! Truly American ingenuity... "When life hands you lemons make lemonade "

[@Xerxes2005]

@@DeliverMeFromEvil- It reminds me the time when they considered selling Downton Abbey and move to a smaller mansion. Cora was the only one actually excited about it. As she said: "I'm American: Have gun, will travel."

[@DeliverMeFromEvil-]

@@Xerxes2005 I loved that line too... She was all in

[@m.layfette6249]

"No. Isn't that what the English expect of rich Americans?"

[@cyrilmauras4247]

I was very disappointed she was not in the final episode for Edith's wedding but was only mentioned in a telegram.

[@sarahcowan1489]

I LOVE Maggie Smith! She's such a delight

[@twobearshomestead]

Shirlely kissing was Maggies hand was purely unscripted. That was lovely, that moment.

[@cyrilmauras4247]

I just love Martha Levinson!

[@fabulouschild2005]

She was the perfect foil to Lady Violet. And she saved the evening when the oven went on the fritz

[@blue3381]

@@fabulouschild2005 I thought Shirly McClain was the worst casting in the whole series. The second was Paul Giamatti as Cora's brother.

[@infonut]

@@blue3381... of course there's no accounting for taste.

[@blue3381]

@@infonut especially yours.

[@reida9]

They might not have enjoyed her company but they certainly enjoyed her money.

[@famprima]

the verbal duellery between those old ladies is formidable. I want to be like that when I grow up.

[@alanbeattie1470]

Shirley MacLain as Countess Cora's Darling Mama. Downton Abbey simply got B.E.T.T.E.R...

[@Guillaume2003paris]

"oh dear, I'm afraid the war has made old women of us both."💀

[@michaelplunkett8059]

But I stayed out of the sun... Touche

[@pameladavis895]

Yes and she still looked old! 😂😂😂@@michaelplunkett8059

[@ithikithik]

And with that Carson's reaction

[@malinhessedahl]

I love all seasons of Downton abby and Both movies of Downton abby

[@pedanticradiator1491]

Learn how to spell Abbey if you love it so much

[@itsjustme9310]

​@@pedanticradiator1491 Ok you weeb, nobody cares about your correction in spelling mistakes, it's just a show no need to be so particular about it.

[@Yoda-on-Dagobah]

They need to do the Crawly's in America, the Dowager would be so funny!

[@Annabelle66633]

"Do You think I might have a drink🥃" Robert:🤨😠 "Oh I’m so sorry, I thought you were a waiter"😂

[@infonut]

"Our husbands tied the money up pretty tight when they were taken." Knowing their habits I can't imagine why.

[@dianalee8967]

I enjoyed this one very much Shirley MacLaine was a hoot she went one on one with Maggie Smith real good out doing each other. For her age she's the same age as Maggie Smith Judi Dench and me if I'm correct we were all born in 1934. Thank you for the video.😍😍

[@RobertMartens-c5r]

The politeness and the lack of profanity in the time period what a delightful thing to my ears and lack of electronics

[@Irunwithscissors63]

The lack of many things makes this series. How England should be. No dumbed-down language, table manners, moral fortitude, tradition, family values and no sub-Saharan immigrants or Islam turning this country into the third world

[@zvezdoblyat]

​@@Irunwithscissors63you do realise that you're seeing the top 1% in the show? Hell, they might even be the top 0.01%. You would be living on a farm somewhere, or living in a shack. Maybe you'd be in a workhouse or maybe you'd be prostituting yourself to survive. Is that truely better than the alternative?

[@feyrol42]

Remember this is a TV show about a very small class of people. The reality was very different. It's important not to romanticize the past too much. People at this time swore, weren't always polite, etc etc.

[@feyrol42]

@@Irunwithscissors63most British people were not living like this. This is a TV show. Even how the upper class is portrayed in Downton is romanticized and heavily sanitized. Pick up a history book about the country you claim to love. The life depicted in this show is worlds apart from the average Brit at this time. Most were living in poverty with little chance of social mobility. Much like the ‘third world’ unless you were from the upper class or the handful of people in the middle class. You’d be living in a slum working long hours at a shitty job. As for the sub-Saharans and Islamists, that's the price to pay for the legacy of the empire. Nothing in the world is free.

[@Irunwithscissors63]

@@feyrol42 I do love my country. And the history that you’re talking about only happened in the cities. Rural Briitain, though poor compared to today’s materialistic wealth (mostly on credit) were far richer than we are today. They had lifetime rent or built and owned their own homes. They didn’t pay taxes. Their food came straight off the land. Their water was fresh from wells. Their lives were simpler where they could trust their neighbours. I even remember a time you didn’t lock your doors. You seem to be getting your history from the television. But it’s the turning away from God and the stripping away of His laws that have allowed the curses of Deuteronomy 28 to take place. These foreigners are our punishment for that.

[@loriparks8657]

Shirley MacLaine played this role😂 her character was something else just like Shirley MacLaine😂😂

[@djgualtiermaldeCO]

Who has seen this like 150 times and know it by memory?

[@claireturnbull7719]

I would love to watch Downton all over again but the DVDs are too expensive.Strange thing is ,when it was on first time, I wasn't particularly impressed but second time of showing,I loved it

[@dukeofnyc68]

Sembra di rivivere le atmosfere di Gosford park. Maggie Smith strepitosa come sempre.

[@hunter2125]

Created by the same guy.

[@lisawentworth6831]

Shirley Maclain adds a little spice to the pomp and circumstance....

[@mariarevoy7775]

I Really love Downton Abby's all season, and can hardly wait to see season 7 Thank you from Canada.

[@hermisimon]

there is no season 7

[@Skzzlemister]

The end scene: “to clink is common.” The vast cultural differences. I love it

[@Marcus_1001]

Shirley MacLaine as Martha Levinson was such a wonderful treat. I really miss this show. The Gilded Age is filling that space somewhat, but it's just not the same. None of the characters are nearly as endearing.

[@mangos2888]

Costume vs clothes. In Downton they all look like they're wearing clothes. In Guilded Age they all look like they're wearing costumes

[@cyrilmauras4247]

The difference is between British generational aristocracy and American financial aristocracy.

[@blindbookworm8019]

I’m glad to hear it’s good. I bought the DVD a few days ago and will watch it soon. I have read and reviewed some books about this time. On my channel. I have a playlist called Gilded Age.

[@billhosko7723]

100%

[@elalli99]

I too am enjoying the Gilded Age, but find it lacks something. It doesn’t have the deep seated authenticity of every facet of period life that Downton had. I always find myself completely and utterly transported into the Downton Abbey world to a level unmatched by any other show I have ever watched. I miss that series so much.

[@pameladavis895]

Robert, when meeting his mother-in-law is looking for a handout or should I say bailout! 😂

[@bartetzenhouser2943]

So good. So well written.

[@JoshuaPers]

I need to Mrs Levinson appears in The Gilded Age.

[@sherryillk]

She'd be one of those grasping new money Mamas who can't convince the old money families to marry her daughter so she sells her daughter to poor entitled men in England. So basically Bertha.

[@bogdancristea9270]

So Mary wanted her grandmother's money whilst laughing behind her back with the other (the favourite) grandmother. Martha was not stupid: she knew her own granddaughter despised her, so why would she have given the money even if she had been able to do so?

[@marcanthonysampson124]

The American money was already in the hands of the Granthams!

[@thelonewolf1894]

My mother loves this show

[@siegridthomas9674]

Shirley WAS grandiose !

[@adamlunter9958]

That was the idea

[@serenabantuk]

Martha's banter is best when her son is with her

[@elijahweber8786]

It always kinda irked me how the family talked behind Martha Levinson's back and just generally didn't like her. It is Martha's money that saved downton originally, the family should really be grateful for the Levinson's money. Mary and Violet are literally talknig bad about her right before asking her for another vast fortune to save downton again. That is the one thing I always have to try and look past when watching this show cause I do love the show and the characters but I just absolutley hate how the British upper class demands this lifestyle as a right and not something to work for.

[@marlenebisson5506]

A very good time this visit❤🎉❤

[@anyviolet]

The look Carson gave Alfred - hahaha

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

Martha eats the European way, without moving the fork from one hand to the other after cutting morsels of food. How sweet.

[@Rosemary-vf5ei]

It's the Australian way too.

[@PhryneMnesarete]

For all that Martha is depicted as annoying and disrespectful, she’s not ever really wrong. History and tradition did take Europe into their world war. They were planning on asking her for money. Edith was lonely and deserved cherishing. And, indeed, Violet’s world was moving further away and Martha’s world of modernity and liberalism was getting closer, and continues to do so today.

[@Rosemary-vf5ei]

Agree that Edith was lonely and deserved cherishing but for Martha to encourage the relationship with Sir Anthony when he'd backed off turned out to be a total disaster.

[@PhryneMnesarete]

@@Rosemary-vf5eiyeah but that was more Sir Anthony’s fault than hers. broken down old crock

[@RichardGallagher-vw5xr]

Martha wasn’t disrespectful…… They were living off of her money…. all of them… The whole estate, including the staff……. They were all living off of Mrs. Levinson and Mr. Levinson‘s money.

[@PhryneMnesarete]

@@RichardGallagher-vw5xri don’t think she was disrespectful either. but she’s being portrayed as disrespectful, she’s written as if she’s disrespectful, the show wants us to see her as disrespectful.

[@Gabe7Gal]

Tradition had nothing to do with the first world war, and "history" having to do with it is such a vague point. I like Martha's character but that comment was just her being combative with Violet.

[@mygrammieis]

Love this episode 💯👍💯

[@l.a.3479]

In the scene where they're eating at the dining room table, towards the end, there's nothing on Mrs. Levinson's plate, but she lowers the fork to the plate, scoops up a bit of the "imaginary food" and then lifts the empty fork to her mouth! 🫣

[@tobynsaunders]

"What a peculiar tradition these Americans have." -Violet

[@cyrilmauras4247]

In British manners, the guests must stop eating when the host stops. Notice Martha keeps eating while the rest of the table are sitting waiting for HER to finish. 😄 Even the staff in the kitchen mention Martha's love of offal.

[@l.a.3479]

@@cyrilmauras4247 Thank you...funny.

[@billhosko7723]

Grow up. There certainly was, food on it.

[@tobynsaunders]

@@billhosko7723 (Rewatch the scene closely.)

[@myytfamily]

Imagine marrying new money then discovering the family that comes with it...

[@robertwellman6503]

Her face when the Dowager Countess said “Lord Grantham wasn’t “taken”… he died.” 😢

[@scotto9591]

What a beautiful and wonderful compilation. Thank you

[@rebeccaburke9009]

Poor Lady Edith.

[@alanbeattie1470]

I had no idea that Miss Mac Laine could sing.

[@pameladavis895]

She was a known as a triple threat in her hay day! Actress, singer, and dancer!

[@pameladavis895]

She's still to this day a force to be reckoned with! Her and Maggie Smith: beautiful souls and such living legends!

[@DeliverMeFromEvil-]

Broadway was her home

[@pedanticradiator1491]

You never heard of Sweet Charity

[@D.E.P.-J.]

Martha's a lot like my aunt was. Same red hair and attitude. A pleasure to be around though it was a bit intense.

[@harryturner8701]

Best absurd sitcom I’ve seen in a while

[@sunseeker8457]

9:45 is perfect. This is just like how Mr. Bean would be like waking up. `Mother´!

[@justinw8512]

“Still no one special?” 😂

[@rosemarymcallister7593]

"Robert, aren't you going to kiss me?" "With the greatest enthusiasm" *vaguely pecks her cheek* Americans vs the British in a nutshell

[@victorrodrigueesoficial]

Just realized she never kissed Edith... Ouch. Always being sidelined and rejected by her family, but at the end she will surprise them all. At least, Martha showed kindness towards Edith at the end.

[@BeppendeBep]

‘Lord Grantham wasn’t taken. He died.’

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Looking very nice.😊😊

[@danielmorse4213]

She just sweeps in..

[@marymcmahan5603]

The Dowager should have been more polite. Don’t ever let yourself become less than you are because of the rudeness of another.

[@NewLifebyVanessaCalfanCalfan]

lovely quote

[@rogerborroel4707]

How true was Shirley, we saved England's bacon out of the Second War too and gave them lend-lease to boot!

[@aedrexisx4279]

Please study history, the second world war was won by the Soviets, they reached Berlin before the allies did. And the first world war was carried by Britain and it’s empire, showing up late to the party doesn’t entitle you to take full credit for the success

[@bunnyslippers191]

@@aedrexisx4279 And if the Americans *hadn't* gotten involved what would have happened then during WWI? A total disaster would have been what happened. It was fought in Europe about European issues, so the US wanted to stay out of it because it really wasn't our business. When it started cutting into our economy and directly affecting us too much then it became our business, so we stepped in. Until then it was regarded as a family fight between European countries with all the heads of state related by blood. No one wants outsiders to interfere in family fights, so we stayed out until it started hurting us. Then we stepped in. It was the same in the run up to WWII.

[@loveisall5520]

@@aedrexisx4279 It may be your history that the Soviets won the war, but only with the huge bankroll and industrial might of the US combined with the deranged attitude of Uncle Joe not giving a fig about human life, especially in his own dictatorship. Bunnyslippers was absolutely right that the US didn't want to get involved in WW I with its petty, monarchial silliness. FYI-it's 'its', not 'it's'. That is a contraction of 'it is'; if you can't remember it, simply un-contract it and the proper grammar will be clear to you. Best wishes with your studies.

[@Gabe7Gal]

@@aedrexisx4279 Britain caused the first world war, of course they did a lot of the heavy lifting.

[@sugarkane4830]

@@Gabe7Gal Go on they I’ll bite explain how Britain started WW1?

[@nancychiavetta1351]

It must have been a blast to have Shirley McClain on the set.

[@pepper1dancer]

This is when they Jumped the Shark with Shirley playing this role.

[@Rondjdjdj]

8:47 😂

[@ninagericke6406]

Violet was the star of the shiw😂the wit and come backs😂

[@hpavalferr7201]

💯 👏🏻👏🏻

[@Fee212]

It's hard to believe that she's Cora's mother. Like chalk and cheese.

[@htimsid]

At 2:05 a penetrating gaze...

[@qqing-yq5nr]

😊♎💯👁️📸🎞️⚖️make me happy when I watch the movie😊

[@markbrautigam2502]

I find it annoying the way people especially men never call people out . Way too polite, and never acknowledge the real issue and the elephant in the room. . Mary’s character is especially annoying, so indecisive “ I don’t know “ , not that there aren’t more characters that fit that description .

[@xebatansis]

She reminds me of Lorelai the Third from Gilmore Girls.

[@kingofrivia1248]

I like how the story turned out, but i was rooting for edith and Stralin. He was a nice man and im sure it could have worked

[@leonardol4745]

Shirley is the best!! 😅😅😅

[@gonzalogonzalez4220]

Shirely MacLaine chewing through the scenery yet again!!

[@moonlightfitz]

shirley is the goat 😊

[@wanorman2007]

Mrs. Levinson eats like a European, not like an American. At this time in history and at that level of society, it's difficult to believe that she wouldn't have typical American table manners.

[@bozm9961]

Martha follows a diet of lemons and chilies for breakfast ,lunch and dinner.

[@Robin-g7q5d]

My late Mother would comment, “Doesn’t that old lady have a cook at her OWN house? She always there for meals! If she were my mother-in-law, I’d ‘invite’ to eat at home.”

[@Tmanaz480]

Wrist watches, clinking glasses! What is the world coming to?

[@Noneya5241]

I love how the Martha brings up the money the British always expected from Americans

[@vikramsureswarannaidu7248]

I just know Caroline Astor would've had a field day reading Martha for filth back in New York

[@brockreynolds870]

"You couldn't be in Cannes in the summer, no one could bear it".... Average high in Cannes in the hottest part of the summer? 83 degrees. Not exactly sweltering. I suppose compared to London's 74 degrees, it would be considered hot.

[@brendankelly1384]

❤ too @ll C@st Crews ❤

[@kenyapressley6706]

Shirley MacLaine !!!

[@Randy-jl4sf]

When I was traveling through the early 90's there was a term for American travelers, SEPO, Septic tank yank.

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Help women, who have fallen over?

[@evelynbyrd4961]

Cheers to Shirley McClain, wow, isn't she daring?

[@preciousfox4740]

Edit: I think what people need is a healthy mix of both tradition and modernism: tradition so as to preserve special things which give life its comfort and charm, but also healthy dose of modernism, so we dont get too stagnant in our ways. Change can keep life fresh and interesting and also improve things.. I think its unhealthy to lean on either side, traditionalism or modernism, too heavily. Its a personal faith based thing for me, but I find that the Holy Spirit helps us to do things in a more healthy and balanced way

[@freekitten00]

9:53

[@Izzybaggins]

Can help to wonder what if part of the arrangements for the birth was to travel to the states to give birth because they do those things better over there but considering what happened at Downton anywhere else would’ve been better.

[@LecaroJ]

Martha and Cora are polar opposites.

[@RobertMartens-c5r]

Old Tradition is better than modern traditions

[@lisabrown8054]

I thought they over did the character.

[@fan2jnrc]

What I find very well seen here is Mrs Levinson's vulgarity and lack of tact, which corresponds exactly to what also horrified the French aristocracy of the time about the Americans. In his memoirs, the Marquis de Castellane, who had married Anna Gould (the heiress of the American railroad magnat Jay Gould), describes his in-laws behaving exactly like Mrs Levinson here, talking about money all the time, making tasteless remarks, insisting heavily on subjects to be avoided, dressing in shoddy luxury, etc. Very spot on.

[@lemorab1]

I don't blame Mrs. Levinson one bit for wondering who this distant relation is (a descendant of the younger son of the third Earl of Grantham, I mean who does he think he is!?) who gets to inherit her late husband's money, and for being direct and to the point about it. Remember, the family was just becoming aware of what a gem Matthew was, and how lucky they were to get him as an heir, businessman, and excellent husband for Mary. Mrs. Levinson didn't know any of this yet. And yes, Shirley MacLaine hits all the right notes in her performance.

[@pamelaortiz1955]

While all the time holding out their European hand for American money

[@bonniea.1941]

Ah, the irony of making a tasteless remark about Americans making tasteless remarks.

[@sweetpeas8206]

And yet the Marquis took, and kept, the money. That’s why the world continues to crawl to America for help.

[@ClaudiaGonzalezKinkyFloyd]

​@@sweetpeas8206I hope you mean the United States, not America

[@jennyvanniekerk9600]

Edith was so hardup and needy

[@TheKaity1965]

her smacking and eating like she is starving cant stand it

[@beabelon9035]

Pourvu que ca revienne

[@SerenaOkoli]

It is hilarious that they all get arranged in the front of the house to welcome people. Obviously, the family members don't have jobs

[@christophermcdonald1122]

3:36 Why does Maggie Smith drag out the word "tradishhhhhhhhhhhhhion"?