Okay, so my efforts to have the Downton Abbey recap up the next day has gotten delayed again this week. My schedule did not allow me to get this post ready on Monday evening; but nevertheless, I have push onward and now I have the chance to write my recap.
This year’s season of Downton Abbey is a much different than the previous seasons. There is no major historical event occurring to wrap the plot around. In previous years, we watched as the First World War took center stage and it was easy for the writers develop a plot around such a major historical event. In this season, the plot is more focused on personal stories and events in the characters lives. It allows for a greater development of the characters that we have loved since the first season or a chance to get to know the new ones. At first, I was unsure how this would be work, but the plot line and the writing has been excellent. By the 1920s, Europe and especially Great Britain, saw an extraordinary change in the political and social scene. Season Four of Downton Abbey has masterfully portrayed that change.
www.pbs.org
Observations and Thoughts about Episode Four
Anna continues to withdraw herself from Bates and refuses to tell him what is wrong. Learning that Mrs. Hughes knows what has happened, Bates threatens to leave Downton if she does not tell him the truth. Mrs. Hughes tells him, leaving out that it was Green, Gillingham’s valet, who was the one responsible for the vicious act. Once Anna knows that Bates knows, their relationship starts to slowly reconcile. Anna does not want Bates to know that it was Green who attacked her.
Alfred travels to London for the first time to take the chef’s test at the Ritz Hotel. His cooking creating have been a hit with the family, but unfortunately he does not finish in the top four. He returns to Downton.
Mr. Drewe, one of the oldest tenants of Downton, has died. He had not been able to pay his taxes in many years. Prior to his death, Lady Mary threatened to foreclose on his property and get it back so it can be profitable once again. Mr. Drewe’s son wants to continue farming the land and he pleads with Lord Grantham to find a way to do it. Lord Grantham agrees to pay the back taxes and allow him to work on the land. Lady Mary and Branson find out what has happened and do not agree with it.
Technology continues to make its way into Downton. Baxter, the new lady’s maid, is using an electric sewing machine, and Cora wants to purchase a refrigerator for the kitchen, much to the displeasure of Mrs. Pattmore. Mrs. Pattmore continues to struggle with these new items and feels that they are unnecessary. But Mrs. Pattmore sees the benefit of the sewing machine when she rips her smock and needs it fixed in a hurry.
Questions for Episode Five
Will Bates pursue finding out who attacked Anna? Will he find out that it was Green? If he finds out the full truth, how will he react? Will Anna and Bates be able to have the same relationship as they did prior to the event.
Will Alfred continue with his desire to be a chef? Or will he give up on it all together? Who will be there for him to encourage him with his dreams and goals?
What new appliance or technological item will be introduced at Downton? Will Downton keep up with the change times? Or will it continue to be caught up its past, expecting things to stay the same?
How will the changing tide of the working class effect the way Downton does business? How will Downton be able become self-sufficient as it has for the last one hundred years? Will there be other parts of the land be sold off in order for Downton to maintain its operations? Will Lady Mary and her father come into an agreement on the best way for this work?
Okay, so my Downtown Abbey post is a little late. The Day After Downton post was supposed to be up and ready the day after. But last Sunday, my wife and I attended the Winter Jam concert and missed Downton Abbey all together. So instead of watching it Sunday night, we did not get an opportunity to watch it until Monday night. And then my scheduled filled up the rest of the week. And finally today, I am getting a chance to sit down and write my thoughts about Episode Three.
www.pbs.org
Thoughts / Observations for Episode Three
Anna refuses to tell Bates, or anyone else except Mrs. Hughes, what has happened to her. Bates is earnestly trying to find out; and Anna is avoiding him at every opportunity. She has even requested to move back in the Abbey and way from Bates. Anna does not want Bates to know what has happened to her because she fears that he will seek revenge on Green.
Lady Mary is moving forward in her role as executor of the Downton Abbey. She travels to London to meet with tax advisors to find out what can be done about the death tax. While in London, she meets up with Gillingham at the request of her mother and Lady Rosiland. Their relationship takes the fast track and by the end of the episode, Gillingham asks Lady Mary to marry him, despite being engaged to another woman.
Edna is trying to manipulate Branson into a relationship with her. After spending the night in his room, Edna asks Branson if she would marry her if she was pregnant. Not knowing what to do, Branson turns to Mrs. Hughes for advice. Mrs. Hughes calls Edna’s bluff and dismisses her from Downton. Branson is relieved and Edna leaves in disgust.
Alfred, upset that he cannot get move forward with a relationship with Ivy, has set his sights on attending cooking school and learning to be a chef.
While in London, Sir John Bullock invites Lady Mary, Lady Rosiland, Lady Rose, Branson, and Gillingham go out for the evening to the Lotus Club, a jazz club. While at the club, Sir John is dancing with Lady Rose. Sir John leaves Lady Rose alone on the dance floor while he runs away, in a drunken stupor. Jack Ross, the African American band member, leaves the stage and comes to Lady Rose and finishes the dance with her. The family is observing Jack dancing with Lady Rose and gives disapproving looks to her. Branson comes over to Lady Rose, telling it was time to go.
Lady Edith and Gregson move forward with their relationship as Gregson get ready to leave for Germany. They spend the night together in London to the disapproval of Lady Rosiland.
Questions for Episode Four
With Anna moved back in the Abbey, how will this effect her relationship with Bates. Will Bates find out what has happened? Will Mrs. Hughes be forced to tell him or the family what has happened? Will Green be at Downton more often since Gillingham wants to marry Lady Mary.
Will Lady Mary give an answer to Gillingham? Will she wait until she has fully grieved for Matthew? How long will it that? Will there be other men who arrive at Downton who will try to get involved with Lady Mary, knowing that she is again a single lady.
Having escaped the lusts of Edna, will Branson get himself together and accept his role in the family? Will he work with Lord Grantham and Lady Mary to run the estate or will he run away all together and start a new life, maybe back in Ireland or maybe in America?
Will Alfred get the chance to go to London to train as a chef? Will he finally end his quest to get Ivy? Is this the last we see of Alfred?
Being a person of color, how will the family react to Jack if he tries to anything with Lady Rose? Will such a relationship further break down the barriers that have been created by the aristocratic family?
How will being in Germany affect Gregson? Will he get caught up in the German politics in any way? Will he just be there long enough to officially divorce his wife? Will he return to London? Things seem to be going to good for Lady Edith right now, considering her history will men and relationships.
Ten musical acts, one pastor.
Five hours of ministry, one mission.
The Winter Jam 2014 tour stormed into the Gateway City last night and left the 18,000 concert-goers with a message of hope for the future and God’s enduring love.
Billed as one of the largest concert tours of the year, now in it’s 19th year, Winter Jam features many of today’s biggest and newest acts in the Christian music scene. I had not been to many Christian concerts. However, when our friends Eugene and Roxanne invited us, we immediately jumped at the opportunity when we saw that the performer list included Newsboys, Lecrae, Plumb and Newsong. By going to the concert, we were introduced to Derek Minor, Everfound, Love & the Outcome, Colton Dixon, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Tenth Avenue North. It was mixture of hip-hop, rap, pop, rock and heavy metal. Not your typical mixture of musical acts, but than again, this not your typical concert.
It was awesome to see, in total, ten musical acts take to the stage during the five-hour event. Each act took to the stage and performed between fifteen and thirty minutes. Keep in mind that this was much more than a concert with chart-topping singles and Grammy-winning performers. The artists and their music will pull you in. However, when the artists share with you their message about how important God is in their lives and how He has changed their life, you know that this is much more than a concert. It is an opportunity for you to see and to experience that same joy and peace of knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ. The performers offered their testimonies on what brought them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Nick Hill also gave a brief lesson on The Prodigal Son, coming to Christ and ministered salvation. People stood up all over the hall, accepting Christ in their lives.
What an awesome and beautiful sight to see!
Lecrae
Another blessing, concert goers had an opportunity to learn more about Holt International, an organization that helps families adopt needy in foreign countries for over 60 years. They also provide sponsorship a child in a bridge program that prepares the child for adoption. The bridge program allows you to sponsor a child for $30 a month, which will help if the child with necessary surgeries or shots before the adoption is finalized. Holt’s motto is, “every child deserves a home”. It was special to see a local family who was brought on stage to share about how they adopted six children. Holt International had volunteers at the Winter Jam concert. If you would like be a Holt International volunteer please check out its site. To learn more about adopting a child or helping a child by sponsoring a child through the bridge program please click on HoltInternational.
Plumb takes to the stage.
Concert organizers want to make the event available to as many people as possible. So, instead of charging a high price tag, tickets were only ten dollars, payable at the door and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. VIP tickets can also be purchased prior to the show. There are two levels of VIP tickets, one for the individual rate ($50) and one for the group rate ($40). With a VIP ticket, you get a concert ticket, a T-shirt, access to the hall an hour before it is open to the genera public with first-choice of seating, and a question-and-answer session with some of the performers. A third option is available for ($30), if you do not want a T-shirt.
I would recommend that you consider the VIP (Jam Nation) ticket if you are planning to attend a future Winter Jam concert, for a couple of reasons. 1) You have your own red-carpet entrance into the hall and you can avoid standing in the general admission lines. We arrived an hour and a half before the start time and there were already at least a thousand or more people waiting. 2) You can get into the hall early and not have to wait outside, especially now if you are in a winter weather climate. 3) If you are planning to purchase a T-shirt at the show, the price already includes one for you. 4) You get early access to the merchandise tables if you would like to purchase additional T-shirts and CDs.
One insider tip if you have a VIP ticket for a future show: you will want to find out where the VIP entrance is. When we arrived at the concert and parked in the garage and walked towards the hall, lines were forming all around the building. However, we saw no signs that indicated where we needed to go. We stood in a line thinking it was for all of the VIP ticket-holders. However, as the line started to move and as we got closer towards the entrance, some people were being moved into another line and the VIP entrance came into view; and we got in with no problem. As we entered in and were checked in, security checked our bags to made sure that we did not bring any food or cameras into the building. We picked up our T-shirts and lanyards because we purchase a last minute pass online. We found a great seat and settled in. It was only a little after four o’clock. And the general admission ticket people would be coming in for another 45 minutes.
Paying a little extra was well worth it.
JT enjoying the concert!
Jay helping with the offering near the end of the concert.
The Winter Jam 2014 is just getting underway and will be on the road until at least the end of March. Check here for tour dates and time of the shows in your area. If the tour is coming to a city near you, you don’t want to miss it.
My wife and I are big Downton Abbey fans. Season Four premiered last Sunday on PBS. We blogged about that episode, with our thoughts and questions. We have decided that we would recap the each episode with our observations and a provide questions for the rest of the season. Yes, we know that there are websites out there can give us the full synopsis of Season Four, but we refuse to find out what’s going to happen. We like the element of surprise and do not like knowing what’s going to happen before it does.
www.pbs.org
Episode Two looked to be a low-key episode, with few new developments. The Crawley Family tries to move forward after the Matthew’s death with a house party at Downton Abbey. The party introduces us to new characters and develops existing ones who will play an integral part in Season Four. But before the party has finished, the lives of some of the downstairs staff will be forever changed.
Observations / Thoughts:
*Lord Gillingham, a childhood friend of Lady Mary, arrives for the party and a spark has been ignited between the two. They talk about the business of Downton, the death of Matthew and moving forward.
*Mr. Gregson is having a hard time getting Lord Grantham to even acknowledge his existence. But Gregson wins back the money that Lord Grantham lost to Sampson while playing poker, things begin look promising.
*The new valet, Green, has taken a liking to Anna; but Bates does not like him or the mischief that he is causing with the downstairs staff. Green throws Anna’s life into peril as the dinner party concludes.
*Branson feels out of place at the house party and is heavily drinking to drown his sorrows. Edna is up to her old tricks and comes to his aid; but at what costs?
Questions for Episode Three:
*How will the relationship between Lord Gillingham and Lady Mary develop? Will it be more business or social? Will there be other men who come into Lady Mary’s life that will allow her to love again?
*How far will Gregson and Lady Edith go to find true? Will a life in Germany be in their future? Is this really Lady Edith’s chance at love? Or will she be heart broken once again?
*Will Anna be able to come to grips with her tragedy? Will she be able to share with Bates what has happened? How will this affect their marriage and their life together?
What will become of Green? How will he act towards the downstairs staff? Will his dirty secret be revealed?
*Will Branson leave Downton and return home to Ireland? Will he rekindle a relationship with Edna? Or will she just use him for her own gain? Did she put something in his drink while they were in the library?
Day Nineteen
I thank God for the opportunity to travel with my wife to Memphis early this year for the Duran Duran concert. My wife had always wanted to attend a Duran Duran concert; but never had the chance to do so. She grew up listening to the tunes of this British band and seeing them in concert was a dream come true for her. It warmed my heart to look over at her during the concert and seeing her sing the countless hits. But I have to admit, I was singing along myself. We had a great time and enjoyed our first, but brief, visit to Memphis.
Day Twenty
I thank God that my wife and I had the opportunity to witness the great horse show known as Cavalia when it came to our city. My wife and I love animals and horses are high our list of favorites. The show was a belated Valentine’s Day present because we couldn’t celebrate on the actual day. We were in the second row and were so close to the horses. The show included horses from all over the world and featured acrobatics, trick riding and horse stunts. The two-hour show include a back stage tour of the horse stables. I can’t recommend this show enough.
Day Twenty-One
I thank God that my wife and I had the chance to see the Lion King musical at the Fabulous Fox Theater as a birthday treat for me. This was our first Broadway musical and the first time that I had ever gone to the Fox. It was indeed a treat for us. The Fox is an ornate theater built in the 1920s. The architecture is indeed over the top; but that is what makes the Fox so great. The Lion King proved to be better than what I could have imagined. I was not a big fan of musicals, but the Lion King changed my opinion of that.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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