Moonpie

“And I definitely mean to try.”

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this moment for Violet? As decently enjoyable as the last episode was, I do feel like Violet was rather shortchanged in it, and as everyone else paired off (bar Thomas), with on-screen endings that suggested future off-screen happiness, her fate was rather more… well, there was nothing. I had rather reconciled myself to the fact that Kuragin would not be back, but even with that understanding in place, it’s hard to watch the episode and not come away with a sad feeling when it comes to Violet, something which I think is rather summed up in the moment above. I’m not entirely sure Violet was expecting Isobel to declare her intent to marry Dickie in the scene above. In the back of her mind the prospect was probably there - after all she called out Isobel as being in love with him - but I don’t think she thought an engagement would happen right then and there (and certainly not in the middle of the rescue mission) - I think she thought she had more time to adjust to the prospect again. She seemed momentarily stunned at the news, although to her credit, she very quickly recovered from the shock. And yet despite that recovery, her expression as Isobel and Dickie walk upstairs is so very bittersweet. She’s happy for her best friend, but she knows that everything, in a matter of seconds, has changed for her. She is no longer the centre of Isobel’s life as Isobel is for her. The dynamic can never be the same. They will remains best friends, but things have shifted. In a single moment we see Violet’s loneliness - and, also her growth - she’s putting the happiness of her friend first before her own feelings. I suspect if anyone else had been playing Violet, we never would have got the subtle shift in expression, but Maggie Smith’s gift has always been layering a performance. We see it again in the scene with Cora at the end, when Violet in effect gives up the reigns forever. She’s proud of Cora, but there is also a genuine sadness in her eyes - it’s another thing she’s lost. It’s hard not to come away from the episode feeling like Violet had quietly, and with no fuss, said goodbye to her time and era. Yes, she has the last line, a joke about if only she could turn back time, but that is typical of her - she’s now made peace with her fate, accepted her end is on the way, and that she’s but a footnote now, but she can still joke about it, even if it’s breaking her heart.

We are very grateful to you, Carson. I hope you know that. Very grateful indeed. For everything.

It has just occurred to me what might have been obvious to some for quite some time now… Mr Carson has repeatedly stated throughout the entire season that the world is changing, that the modern age has arrived and that the new world has no place for old people like him. Whilst I understand where he’s coming from, and whilst it is easy to believe this at face value, I can’t help but disagree. And the reason why is because Thomas Barrow exists. Thomas and Carson are seemingly complete opposites, and it’s most evident during the first seasons. However, I can’t help but notice that their lives are more similar than one would think. Remember Carson was a circus worker and was friends with rogues? He might regret it now, but it still stands to reason that, like Barrow, Carson too had his rogue embarrassing years. Was he as mean as Barrow? Debatable, and there’s no way to prove it surely. Look at Barrow now: serious, polite, handles himself with dignity, is respected by his elders, employers and peers. Even Carson is impressed, and we can safely say the new Barrow is a young Carson in the making. Secondly, Lady Mary. We have seen her looking at Barrow in a somewhat affectionate manner. Mary’s expressions are never to be taken lightly; they always foretell what is to happen in the near future. At first I thought it was simply because George adored him. Then I realized, BARROW REMINDS HER OF CARSON WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. Look at how George dotes on Barrow. He’s literally Lady Mary when she was a toddler. Both Carson and her state on many occasions that he used to take her of her and play with her when she was a child. How many times did we see Barrow playing with Master George in the background throughout this season? Although she never stopped him from leaving, she always brought George to say goodbye or to tell him to get better when he was at his lowest point. And she did it both because she knew Barrow meant a lot to George and didn’t want him to lose his best friend, and also because, just like Carson and her, George was like a son to Barrow. And on both occasions when she brought George to him, Thomas was moved to tears. Mary may be strong headed and downright mean on various occasions, but she always had a sharp eye for such things. And the moment she started liking Barrow was the moment we all should have known he’d end up replacing Carson, both metaphorically and physically. History has a funny way of repeating itself, even if change has irrevocably occurred. I’m just glad that Thomas finally got his happy ending, and the respect and love he truly deserves.

Nietzche

random costume porn → the borgias

(via Poorly Drawn Lines – Bradford Mouse)

on life

Greek Mythology/Roman Empire on tumblr

“toO LaTE!”

Yeah, he’s got it pretty bad