We have successfully recovered from surprise Giamatti and are back to talk about the changes afoot at Downton! Edith’s plan to keep Marigold around predictably is not going well, Sarah Bunting is the new Drunk Branson, and Jimmy’s former employer shows up to create some trouble. Molesley’s hair looks a bit different and Baxter comes clean to Cora about her past. Oh yeah and Edith starts a fire in the house! Plus, Allison has a BIG problem with Thomas. Rate and subscribe now, and follow us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
4.09 Giamatti!!
It’s Downton in London this week! Rose is presented into high society, the Levinsons come to stay, and the Crawleys audition for Ocean’s Eleven. Oh yeah, and Edith has a not-so-sneaky plan for the baby she had during the eight-month time jump. Join us as we say an actual final goodbye to Alfred. Rate and subscribe now, and follow us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
4.08 All the Boys Love Mary
Oh hey, it’s another annual event hosted at Downton that we have never seen! As the family prepares for the bazaar, Edith comes up with a poorly planned solution to adopt out her baby to an unwitting family. Baxter and Molesley began a lovely friendship, and Alfred comes back to stir things up downstairs… again. Mary continues to be courted by similar-looking men, but we’re trying to write Blake’s backstory and figure out baby George’s age. Bates goes on a day trip and then Green turns up dead, which no one believes is a coincidence. Plus, Rose’s relationship with Jack Ross goes to the next level, then abruptly doesn’t. Find us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
4.07 We’re Going to America… But Not
Robert is asked to come to his brother-in-law’s defense in America but who will cross the waters to be his valet? Not-so- spoiler-alert, it gets sorted out in the first three minutes and it’s Thomas, the end. Back at home in Downton, Charles Blake and Mary have a Hallmark moment, Alfred returns (so soon!) to stir the love rhombus pot and Edith takes a very awful trip to London. Oh Edith! Join us for this very brief chat about episode 7, and as always, find us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
4.06 Baize Does Not Absorb Gossip
We finally agree that things actually happen in this episode! But first things first, the importance of cheese. Alfred is leaving to be a fancy chef, but not before making the upstairs folks real uncomfortable with a little speech. Anna and Bates are trying to find normalcy, but not before Bates sparks some new merch ideas. Edith is preggo and suddenly Robert and Cora’s favorite child, and Gregson is missing! Rose brings Jack Ross and his jazz band to Downton as a birthday surprise for Robert, leading to some… awkwardness. This is our last episode for 2018, we’ll be back in the new year for more Downton shenanigans! Send us Tiny Letters if you please!
4.05 A “Hurrican” is Coming
Bates and Anna reconcile, but Bates is going to be a scary dude when it comes to Mr. Green. Baxter is the new lady’s maid in town, and we’re not quite sure what to think – is she in Thomas’ pocket, or is she just mending pockets? Isobel tries to help young Pegg, and we’re thankful since it led to a never-ending Maggie Smith chuckle. Our episode gets wrapped up with an Allison rant about Christmas movies – it’s contagious! As may be our new tradition, check the time stamps! Rate and subscribe, and follow us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
00:00 – 37:13 Actual Downton stuff (with a little Maisel)
37:14 – 58:44 Allison Loves Lifetime Christmas Movies
58:45 – 70:45 Tiny Letter Time with Christina
4.04 Christina is VERY Passionate About Christmas Movies
Some things happen at Downton in this episode, but mainly we’re talking about Christina’s trip to Disney World and the must-see (or don’t see) Christmas movies of the year. Thomas says a few choice words to Edna that we’ve been saying for weeks. Tony Gillingham lays out ALL his cards (guys, can we put an end to premature proposals?). And Isobel gracefully tries to cope with life after Matthew. If you’re here just for Downton stuff (as in, what this pod is supposed to be about), check the time stamps below! As always, please send us Tiny Letters on Twitter @ringforteapod or email ringforteapod@gmail.com! We’ll actually check them this time!
00:00 – 07:45 Disney World Talk (abridged)
07:46 – 12:05 Christmas Movie Talk Part 1
12:06 – 47:49 Actual Downton Talk
47:50 – 64:32 Christmas Movie Talk Part 2
4.03 Party Down(ton)
Downton is throwing a weekend party, where fancy folks come to wear tiaras, eat dinner, drink tea, listen to a famous opera singer, flirt with the Crawley girls, cheat at poker, and bring along sleazy servants. Branson has a difficult time socializing with the fancy folk while Mary gets some business advice (and romantic interest?) from some dude named Gillingham. Edna continues to be an entitled and annoying human, Moseley takes a demotion to temporarily return to the house, and our beloved Anna gets assaulted by Mr. Green.
MOST IMPORTANTLY it is Netflix and Hallmark Christmas movie time, everybody, get ready for some wandering conversations for the next few weeks (not your style? We’ll post time stamps). Next up: The Holiday Calendar.
Rate and subscribe now, and follow us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
4.02 A Surprise (Maybe Legal) Will!
A box arrives from Matthew’s office with a final word for Mary and Robert is all like but-let’s-not-bother-her-with-it. Bates puts his prison skills to use to change Molesley’s fate and reward us with some classic Molesley mugging. Rose is (no surprise) bored at Downton and drags Anna to a village dance. Daisy is starting to be someone we actually like and Gregson is coming to dinner next week! As always, you can find us on Twitter @ringforteapod!
4.01 The Baby is NOT Named Matthew
In case you didn’t catch it, it’s been 6 months since Matthew’s death (thank you Molesley’s dad’s exposition). Isobel and Mary are grief stricken and poor little George gets left in the lurch. Turns out he can’t even rely on his nanny.… Robert continues to give no credit to the female gender. Whatever-her-name is back as a lady’s maid (sigh). Despite all this sadness, we get a beautiful Galentine’s moment between Mrs. Padmore and Daisy!
Ring for Tea: A Downton Abbey Podcast 