The Dowager Countess Battles Against Modernity | Downton Abbey

[@hopelesshopefulromantic1791]

"No no, I'm a good sailor." Not only is this quote brilliant, it fits her so well. So much is thrown at her throughout the series and even if she is against it at the end she handles it all in stride. She truly is a good sailor.

[@morbius109]

Violet is a good example of how I imagine many older 19th century folk encountering innovations of the early 20th century, haha. It reminds me of my granny (born in 1917) trying to understand the time my parents bought a PC back in the early 90s…she was so lost in grasping the basics of it. Every generation suffers this problem, I dare say!

[@justmechilling...]

My Dad could never use an ATM...born in 1924.😊

[@SavingHistory]

Completely agree. I just had dinner with friends yesterday, and her mother who lives with her is almost 106 years old. She could not grasp what we were doing when we all decided to play a little “beat saber” VR exercise game (we’re all in our 60s). She could see on the tv what was going on, but could not comprehend why we had to wear a helmet and hold sticks in our hands. LOL

[@sonofednawelthorpe8609]

My grandparents were born 1899 and parents in 1924/5. There must have seen some remarkable inventions and changes. My parents couldn’t get their head around computers. My mum got a front loading washer and I had to work it in 1970. I was a 12 year old boy.

[@especiasuy]

I present myself to you as an example: born in 1990, the XXIst century has started to be an absolute struggle to me about ten years ago, with a steeper curve in the last two or three. I always say I'm a very well conserved 180-year-old, which is more accurate than calling myself a 33-year-old

[@12classics39]

“Is this an instrument of communication or torture?” Funniest line of the entire show, hands down.

[@carolineandrews7231]

And Edith's face is a picture in this scene, she is trying so hard not to laugh!

[@robboyte1101]

Such a pity that Violet didn't live long enough to see the earliest television. I KNOW she would've had a classic response. 😂

[@melaniekendall4903]

Do you need a reality check???😂😂

[@robboyte1101]

@@melaniekendall4903 ??????

[@jazzycat8917]

@@melaniekendall4903 This reply makes literally no sense, why are you being mean for no reason?

[@roguejester4986]

Or died of a heart attack given how it was still very new at the time.

[@dramaticScar]

I’ll say it in a more polite manner… I do think she lived to the era of televesions… but not to the time she could own one

[@rachelpopa3562]

The telephone scene might be my all time favorite from the whole series 😂

[@RobSchellinger]

Kinda like Bob Newhart's routine.

[@teddyslibrary]

I'm talking about HOLLERING, through that phone! Lol

[@Knappa22]

I love how Laura Carmichael is dying trying not to laugh during the phone scene 😂😂

[@matthew8153]

Same for Rosanne when Jackie is trying to tell someone her father’s dead.

[@formulanostalgiachannel4361]

@@Knappa22ever since she said she was on the verge of breaking character, I can’t unsee it 😂

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

"Is this an instrument of communication or torture??" I either say or DEFINITELY think that phrase or its equivalent at least ten times a day with regard to my so-called "smartphone". 😂 The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@l.a.3479]

🤣

[@NoxHowl]

"Why does everyday involves a fight with an american" - LOL love her

[@bhinoyj]

"What is a weekend" .. that needed to be in this compilation

[@Robert08010]

My favorite touch is the half spoken "Whu.." just be for that line indication only the most total of bewilderment!

[@odysseusrex5908]

0:47 The Dowager, despite her constant rearguard action to keep the world in the Victorian era, drops a literary reference to H.G. Welles in casual conversation. I remember another episode where she made an allusion to Jules Verne. I think I would enjoy perusing the library at the Dower House.

[@hopelesshopefulromantic1791]

"Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?" I think my favorite part of that is Evelyn making a face as he listens, wondering if she's right. Underrated duo.

[@l.a.3479]

*playing

[@williamofhanover]

the fact that she was more surprised that a nudist colony was opened in Essex rather than a nudist colony being opened at all is reason enough to love her 😭😭

[@tytn9978]

YES! That is exactly what made the character so wonderful, and the writers understood that Maggie could and WOULD deliver such a line with the perfect inflection of tone that was Maggie's trademark! Her lines were music to my ears!

[@RobSchellinger]

Always love Carson's expressions in the background. That's totally me.

[@BazukinBelyugovich]

"When I'm with her I'm reminded of the virtues of the English." "Isn't she American?" "Exactly." She's not mincing words with this one XD

[@norahsmith2303]

her son married an american woman for her money to save downton so violet is just forgetting that

[@lanisnts]

1:50 I feel that the actress who plays Edith is desperately trying not to laugh in the telephone scene.

[@silent_javalier5170]

She actually said in an interview that she was corpsing in that scene but the director decided to keep it in there because Edith herself might actually find it funny 😆

[@Susan.1958]

I love maggie smith she’s a fantastic actress I love Downton please bring on more series to tv 👍👍👍👍

[@DDSizeBra]

1:54 You can see the actress (Laura Carmichael) playing Edith, trying to stifle her laugh (including fidgeting with her hands to help control herself from bursting out laughing). I remembered during an interview that the actress admitted that it was extremely difficult to stop herself laughing when commenting about Maggie Smith's extraordinary acting skills and her personality off stage. 😂

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

Having used headsets at work that have equivalent audio quality to a 1920s telephone, I can confirm on the Dowager Countess’s behalf that they are an instrument of torture

[@twobearshomestead]

"Why does every day involve a fight with an American." Clasic.

[@cameronleepowerrangersands5519]

Dowager Countess is truly wonderful to see and value for even PBS Kids fans at times both young and adult sometimes

[@colestock9980]

Laura Silently losing it when maggie is fighting with the phone 🤣🤣

[@Robert08010]

@2:06 "Hello. Lady of the house speaking!"

[@nlpnt]

Not a white slimline telephone though.

[@Robert08010]

Very good!!! I seriously need a dose of Hyacinth right now! @@nlpnt

[@victoriazurbrugg8605]

Rip dame Maggie. What a talent. I’m glad we can remember her here

[@SN-sz7kw]

Katherine Hepburn was the idol of my youth. And Dame Maggie’s final characters (including The Lady in the Van) are a glorious inspiration for my twilight years. I am blessed. 💗💗💗

[@rickster100100]

Dame Maggie Smith. RIP 💐💐

[@SO_DIGITAL]

1:05 She's like Sophia. The thoughts just POP out. Marvellous.

[@jlshel42]

“In Essex? Isn’t it terribly damp?”

[@alking7655]

"Is this an instrument of communication or torture." I particularly agree when you are put on hold to government departments and wait for hours.

[@AndrePereira-im6uc]

I was just seeing this video when I got the notification of Dame Smith passing 💔. May She Rest in Peace. ✨

[@teddyslibrary]

Baby when she swiveled in that chair!!! I SCREAMED

[@ivaveljovic9386]

RIP Maggie Smith🥺🕊️

[@danyrochon1194]

This woman had me bursting into tears 🤣🤣🤣 1:50

[@DragonHeir92]

It's interesting that Violet isn't concerned about nudity itself, but instead being in Essex while doing such a thing.

[@KarthiKeyan-zu2bx]

You must have control over your feelings before they take control of you - The Dowager

[@peterrraklliproductions2020]

A very good quote, one that many people need to hear.

[@Shazzadut1]

I love these lines, and in the hands of a lesser actress perhaps they wouldn’t be as funny. ‘In my day I wore the crinoline, the bustle and the leg of mutton sleeves, I’m not in a strong position to criticise…’ 😂😂😂

[@tytn9978]

Every time I look at one of the Downton Abbey vignettes. I am reminded of the treasure that was the actress, Maggie Smith! There's a song I recall an Ian Thomas song with the lyric about fanous aactors: "they're all alive in old movies"! Thank Goodness for that!!!

[@Daniel-xg3ul]

It's funny seeing the BTS clips where they pull their smartphones out of their pockets between scenes. Or riding a golf car to a set. Really throws you off.

[@CaseyMorris-du7qv]

Maggie Smith❤

[@RoyBryant-zj3ym]

Hello 👋 , Good afternoon how are you doing

[@utkrishtvermaxi-drollno3185]

Rip maggie smith. You live in our hearts forever😢😭

[@m.layfette6249]

"Preferably only on their days off."

[@joycalabrese4349]

Love her!!!

[@RoyBryant-zj3ym]

Hello 👋 , Good afternoon how are you doing

[@senguptasayn]

Now imagine Violet ordering food to Mrs.Patmore over the telephone.

[@jessicasager72]

The scene with her on the phone is one of brilliance.

[@beyondview]

1:10 I thought she was having a medical episode😂😂😂😂

[@fernando-qv2pu]

La amo. Que triste que ya no estará en la nueva película :( o sí???

[@jeremyengalla6133]

“Such a gLaYyyyaaiireee” 😂

[@Robert08010]

Yes, I love how some people can add many extra syllables to a simple phrase.

[@Keniadiolinda]

“Is this an instrument of communication or torture” finished me 😂😂😂

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

Given what we now know in 2024, it shows that this wonderful lady is correct, as are those of earlier generations - I’m only 53 now, but I have come to deeply respect the wise words of my grandparents generation in my teens in the 1980’s re modernity, even if our parents generation did not do so at the time and we were simply left confused - once we were no longer teenagers and passed into our 30’s we started to realise that our grandparents were correct all along, as given their lived life experiences, they saw the dangers that no one else could see

[@scorpioninpink]

Like I do use a smartphone but most of the time it leaves me confused about the other functions this phone has. My nephews know how to tinker it though so if I have a question I just call them and I am 31 this year.

[@MP-dn4bs]

your great great great great great great great great great great grandparent called, he says he knew this enlightenment renaissance thing was a mistake, we should have stuck to the old, upstanding moral traditions of feudalism, lest we fall into depravity 500 years later your 500th great grandparent called, he said he knew this agriculture thing was mistake, we should have stuck to the old, upstanding moral traditions of a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, lest we fall into depravity 10,000 years later your 500-millionth great grandparent called, he says he knew this newfangled multicellular life thing was a mistake, we should have stuck to the old, upstanding moral traditions of independence and asexual reproduction, lest we fall into depravity 600 million years later

[@enthusedtosing9655]

_"Such a glaaaaah!.."_

[@Robert08010]

Bravo! Always excellent.

[@EH23831]

She really did have the best lines…😂

[@RonRicho]

So wonderful to see this but so sad to think she's gone.

[@tina5601]

MAGGIE SMITH IS A LEGEND ❤

[@grogery1570]

My Dad to me (circa 1970) : I got my first job, then saved for 3 months to buy a bicycle so I didn't have to walk to work, so you should be happy with the one you got for Christmas. My son to me (circa 2000): I don't want a bicycle, you and mum can drive me.

[@msalas5963]

It would be fun to see Dame Maggie Smith holding a smartphone while wearing a costume for Downton Abbey!!!

[@xr6lad]

NO ONE is commenting on Robert stating that he didn’t see any point in installing it in the kitchens??? He’s tightfisted. It will only cost him more later.

[@m.layfette6249]

"Exactly."

[@jamesdrynan]

Through the Potter series and Downton Abbey, Dame Maggie won over legions of new fans. Most didn't realize that she had led a highly successful career prior to these programs. Like Alec Guiness in Star Wars, Maggie Smith had an astonishing career revitalization.

[@7MatthewJames]

RIP Dame Maggie

[@WalentinaRomanaSacconi_nigoro1]

Maggi Smith 🥰🥰❤️

[@wantnoodles]

“Servants are humans beings too” “Yes, preferably only on their days off” 😆😆😆

[@SN-sz7kw]

I confess I’ve sometimes had the same question about jazz. 😂 I’ve since learned that sometimes the answer is no, & that’s the point. In her own way, Violet wasn’t far off. 😂😂😂

[@MilotheShrike]

"In Essex, isn't it terribly damp" omg

[@kellicoffman8440]

Exactly that’s part of what makes the scene so funny still

[@davideboos]

About the telephone, it's a little bit of both … especially 100 years from then.

[@SO_DIGITAL]

1:18 his eyes

[@qqing-yq5nr]

Matthew is really smart and has a sense of humor.🎞️⚖️🎖️

[@m.layfette6249]

"Is this an instrument of communication or torture?"

[@hopelesshopefulromantic1791]

I saw the image in the thumbnail and came for that

[@kellicoffman8440]

My favorite line we are still asking that question

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

I either say or DEFINITELY think that phrase or its equivalent at least ten times a day with regard to my so-called "smartphone". 😂

[@atticusmcfly]

I want to see Violet try to post an Instagram Story!

[@JJSparxx]

Great Compilation! I would have also added "Edith, you're a lady. Not Toad of Toad Hall."

[@ralucadudescu]

Honestly, sometimes I have the same feelings related to the smartphone!

[@cynthiachengmintz672]

Well, Violet is right - phones can be a bit crazy. Until they install reception in all elevators, I wouldn’t say they’re perfect. Lol

[@argonunya8751]

2:00 - As true now as it was then.

[@ithikithik]

Where's the scene when they all hear King's speech via radio?

[@Faye-Jane]

I would love to see her reaction to nowadays technology.

[@Patrick3183]

Or transgender 7 year olds

[@НиколайРоманов-л6ю]

​@@Patrick3183or non binaries 😂

[@RoyBryant-zj3ym]

Hello 👋 , Good afternoon how are you doing

[@andrewe360]

jolly good

[@NakedSnake1836]

I don’t understand why the swivel chair would qualify as modern when as Matthew pointed out, it was invented by Thomas Jefferson which was back in the 18th century.

[@lim4275]

She lamented the modernity of the chair BEFORE learning that it had been invented by Jefferson. Then she commented that it seemed as if every day involved a “fight with an American”. Throughout the series, she often casts aspersions on America and Americans - mainly because they don’t respect traditions in the same way the English do. It is the main reason for all of her sparring with Martha Levinson, Cora’s American mother. She also occasionally has words with Cora over her more modern views.

[@NihilIslands]

Nobles in the World Unite!

[@RobertMartens-c5r]

Such a glare

[@matthew8153]

“Is this an instrument of communication or torture?” CNN: “Yes”

[@omercoeckelberghs2116]

2:49

[@harringt100]

How is the comment on Rosamund's French, or Violet's defending Rose's choice of fashion, or the opinion that going naked in a damp place sounds unpleasant a "battle against modernity?"

[@peterrraklliproductions2020]

I don’t think it was referring to just technology, but also modern societal values, what is unacceptable and not in modern times.

[@victorvg139]

"How many marquess of Flintshire are out there?"

[@GevEdgar]

😇🥰😍🤩😘

[@hpavalferr7201]

🙂 💯 💙

[@seriouslyreally5413]

Why does every day involves a fight with an American😂

[@xr6lad]

Weird as electricity would have been well and truely in place by the late war/early 1920’s. Violet would hardly have been a stranger to it. It’s not like it’s 1900.

[@yiman7370]

Shame the british lost all this class and ethics

[@盧璘壽로인수]

you mean the racist snobbery

[@brockreynolds870]

"She did wonder about the kitchens, but I couldn't see the point". Typical privileged opinion

[@Patrick3183]

1:19 that actors hair is ludicrously long. This show has so many errors

[@heyheytaytay]

So sad Maggie Smith is going to die this year. RIP.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

You are reported to KZbin for violent hate speech, and grotesque and blatant disinformation.

[@husseinmuhammed828]

No she won’t

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

@@husseinmuhammed828 Report him to KZbin for spamming violent hate speech and grotesque disinformation, like I did. And let him know you did it. That's how you deal with these trolls.

[@alking7655]

Don't you dare speak of our dear Dame in that fashion. We accept she will have to go at some point, but unless you know her health personally, don't wish that on someone.

[@morganborthwick9812]

Wtf - get fucked. Why would you even think such a thing?