Downton Abbey: The Dowager Countess, Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ม.ค. 2025
- Sign up for Skillshare: skl.sh/thetake59 | The Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) is not just Downton Abbey's most memorable character -- she's also a defender of the past and the staunchest fighter AGAINST the future. Through her, what is Downton Abbey telling us about tradition and the show's own ambivalent love affair with the past? If you like this video, subscribe to our channel or support us on Patreon: / thetake
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Omgosh! I was hoping y'all would do a take on Downton Abbey 😫😫❤❤
@TK Wallace -- Have you seen the Exotic Marigold Hotel series of movies? Absolutely charming! They also feature Maggie Smith -- as well as Judi Dench and numerous other older actors.
Excelent notion
I love to listen to the Brazilian National Anthem in the background of the video. It is indeed a masterpiece and classical piece
I'd love to see a video about Mary, Edith and Sybil, how they act as sisters against eachother, and how their birthline affects their personalities :)
I second this!
great idea!
Edith was the middle child. So much of that linage was a part of her character. She fought with the eldest to find her place. She was ruthless one minute and a victim the next. She had inappropriate relationships with men and got pregnant out of wedlock. She made sure to keep the child just far enough away out of prying eyes and close enough to swoop in and take her. She was a writer and an editor of a magazine that was left to her by her married lover, and she loved to drive tractors. She ruined Mary's relationship with Matthew at one point and the next minute, Mary ruined hers with the man Edith wanted to marry. Tit for tat but she struggled to find her place in the family and ended up happy with a high ranking member of the aristocracy while Mary married a race car driver.
Sadly, your love will go unrequited.
Me too
Violet Crawley: The Queen of the Lilac Shade.
Amen. 🤣😇
No.
I usually love your analysis but I feel you missed the mark on the Dowager Countess. Yes, she represents the old ways, she appreciates manners and a way of conduct that is slowly disappearing but those are very much only surface level characteristics of hers. Underneath it all, Violet's main drive in the show is her family: she may have strict rules of conduct but she will ignore them and step over them if she needs to in order to help her family, like she did when Mary lost her virginity to the Turkish diplomat or when she disapproved of Edith marrying her old and crippled fiancee because she knew Edith would be miserable in the long run. She pushes the doctor to lie to Robert and his wife because she's trying to reconcile them because she's worried that Robert is deeply unhappy about the rift with Cora. She disapproves of Matthew continuing to be a lawyer and talking about "week-ends" not because she doesn't value hard work but because Matthew's activities are middle class and as the heir to Downton, both her and Robert expect him to dedicate himself fully to the running of the estate. And so on ... As for her friendship with Mrs. Crawley, that comes about because Violet does everything in her power to pull Isobel out of the deep depression her son's death left her in.
Violet might balk at change and she might still cling to the old way of doing things, but at her core she is a humanist, not an amoral elitist.
Magnificently written!! (although it it "balk" not "bulk") What a great analysis of the Dowager so concisely written, and including great specific examples. I enjoyed it as much as the video.
@@markmh835 Thank you! Yes, balk. Sorry about that. :)))
I see your point, and I think this video would have been better suited as a comparison between Violet and Isobel, while a separate character analysis of Violet could include the points you made.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say they missed the mark, it seems more that this video thesis should have been packaged differently.
@@KHBogWitch I think a comparison between Violet and Isobel would’ve been a great character analysis. It could be argued that Isobel is just as prejudiced and snobbish as the elite upper class people she so often judges. Violet is my favorite character in the show - she’s deeply loyal to her family, but not blind to their faults. She’s determined, and freaking hilarious.
The video isn’t in antithesis to your analysis, especially toward the last third.
Maggie Smith is a legend!!
Seconded, she just brings instant sass and life to every single character that she plays!😍
And a treasure.
Hanbl 1696 here 👏🏻here👏🏻
She's not dead, thank the hells.
I strongly believe Dowager Countess is secretly a professor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I believe that too. The reason why she's not caught is her ability to transform into a cat.
I would stan this fanfic
And I believe Lady Mary's and Henry's son grew up to be a photographer and marry Princess Margaret Windsor.
Yes and she shuttles between Hogwarts to Downton through a large wooden cupboard kept in attic.
@@usagi18 I thought he married Diana Bishop
These two were hilarious together. My favourite swipe they did was :
"How you hate to be wrong."
"I wouldn't know. I'm not familiar with the sensation" 😂😂
Spare a thought for the wonderful writing of Julian Fellowes and the whole team including Alastair Bruce the Historical advisor.
This was beautiful and such a refreshing perspective, especially in contrast to how the social internet regards differences in political opinion. We need people to challenge our beliefs and push us to be smarter and better.
At least, I think.
@Ashley Lynn yes, the left are cult like, and it's difficult to discuss things with them because they either immediately start screaming or ranting, or making personal accusations. Or, you've got to correct them and peel back all they disinformation they believe, before you can get to the base of the issue at hand. It's sad.
@@louisacapell Unfortunately, it feels the same at times with conservatives. While not all conservatives are like that, naturally, often the ones we hear about the most are the ones who are the loudest and the nastiest.
@@annapplegoldfinch6931 yeah, I'm going to have to disagree with you.
In any rational discourse I've attempted with the new brand of raging socialistic low information liberal, they almost literally explode into a rage if you disagree with any point they make. Frequently I encounter young women who think that abortions are only carried out on babies who have already died or will die soon. They think doctors are being jailed for inducing labor after a natural fetal demise or miscarriage. And they think pro lifers are trying to jail women for miscarriages.
I've encountered young people who thought trump was repealing the womens right to vote.
I wish I were making it up. And when corrected they did nothing but berate me personally.
I honestly believe that technology has damaged critical thinking skills.
@@louisacapell abortions are carried out if the woman carrying the child wishes so before a certain point in the pregnancy. That is the freedom of the individual woman granted to her. A freedom that is so often touted a proclaimed for themselves by those wishing to take that woman's freedom away. Critical thinking should be on both sides.
The Dowager Countess is simply legendary sass, and you can't get any better than casting Maggie Smith, who also brought the magnificent Minerva McGonagall to life! She shows that Old Ladies can be the epitome of cool!😎👵💜
Or the epitome of a goldfish.
For me, Downton Abbey was always about the war between conservative and progressive forces and already hinting at the outcome. The very first minutes of the series are about the sinking of the Titanic, a ship that was universally thought to be unsinkable. From this point on Downton Abbey starts to change, it is the "sinking ship".
I love the characters, the costume and the nostalgia but I thought seeing especially Violet trying to hold on to her world that is inevitably crumbling before her eyes gave the series a tragic undertone.
I never thought of that, what a brilliant way to start the series
Its fairly nuanced. With change came progress but also the slipping of standards and ideals and traditions.
They may be from a different time then you, but it doesn't mean you must think they have smarts of a rock. They didn't think the Titanic to be unsinkable, they felt it would be a proud ship to sail through into the new age of luxuries, calling it the unsinkable ship to represent the comical thought that a modern invention would compromise mere days after completion.
I literally just screamed out loud on the New York City street. I'm so happy. Thank you so much The Take. I've been waiting for this video. I'm so excited!!!
Oooh I’ve always loved these analyses and DA is a fave.
YES! You needed to show off Lady Crowley and how awesome she is! You should totally look into analyzing the American, nouveau riche Cora and how she fits into Downton’s aristocracy, her love of her servants and family and her constant need to feel usefulness like many ladies of the day.
The character development in this show was unparalleled. I can’t wait to see the movie!
I would be very happy to see a video analysis of lady Edith's character growth. She is my favourite and I would love to see you to describe her journey from jealous middle daughter to insiring modern woman.
@Ber P. Sorry, but I don't see Edith that way. I agree that she made some bad choices and was occasionally selfish and too self centerd, but as show went on she showed that she was much more then middle child stuck between Mary, popular and adored by everyone, and kind and free spirited Sybil. She was not favourite child of either of her parents, had terrible luck with men, and even her own stuff pittied her. She struggled, without a purpose for a very long time, and once she found it in writing she started to become her own person. Sure, her journey was a difficult one and she made some awful choices and some mistakes but she learned and grew. She started the story as jealous and overlooked middle child and ended it as a modern woman who owns her own business, drives a car and earns her happy ending. She may not be perfect (far from it) but she certainly is complex.
Pluvipile Rain Mary was still pretentious, snob, school plastic. Edith was more likely in touch with life outside of Downton.
Mary, people love me, they wave hi.
Edith: They wave at you, not to you. There’s a difference. They eventually tire of it either way.
The Drewes had Marigold for max a year and never had any legal rights over the child. Not to mention Mr Drewe was payed by Edith for taking Marigold into his family's home.
The Drewes left after Mrs Drewe kidnapped Marigold despite knowing at the time that she was Edith’s daughter.
[of telephone] "is this an instrument of communication, or torture" MOOD
both
Torture
I love this show
Used to watch it every weekend with my mum
And im going to see the film with her this weekend hopefully
Coolness, my mother and I used to watch it every Sunday night as part of our weekend ritual. 😊💕
The movie is really good!
I don’t know TH-cam wanted a name for me Your profile pic 😭😭 you might enjoy Michael Saba’s new video on City Pop and Future Funk
T_ C you know it bro 😊
blondaibonsai ill take a look 👀
Why are people so surprised by the Brazilian anthem? It's still a Victorian classical piece, same as the Dowager her self.
Dowager? Classic? Gee, I did not know that lol.
*herself
I was really surprised to listen to the Brazilian anthem. Not that I'm complaining, I love it, but it's funny to have it exactly in this video :P
WHAT'S A WEEKEND
The series was awesome and she was my favorite. She played her part so well, just amazingly. Kudos to the writers, directors, producers and actors of this quaint, most enjoyable masterpiece of drama. On a five star scale, I give it ten. What a pleasure, what a treasure!
I know others have mentioned it by now, but where did you guys find the Brazilian National Anthem to put as the background music in 7:20? 😂
No hard feelings, most of us Brazilians will probably just think it’s funny and surprising since it’s our national anthem, and a pretty catchy and memorable tune.
It was a nice surprise :)
I thought I was the only brazillian who was here to notice.
I pause the video and opened the comments section just to say that! “Did anyone notice brazilian national anthem at 7:20?” And then I saw your comment hahahaha
MANO KKKKKKKK QUE ALEATÓRIO
Oh, good. I wasn't the only one.
“She thinks observing the proper customs is more virtuous than doing what one privately feels is right.”
*Shot of Violet trying her hardest to fight her emotions for Kuragin*
I see what you did there. 🙈
You have no idea how excited I was to see this pop up!!
I'm ready for an analysis of all the main/supporting characters. I also want to watch the movie, but I might have to wait 😭. I might drag a friend with me, but none of my friends watch the show :/. Maybe I'll just go alone lol.
There is no shame in going to see a movie alone, just go for it! The movie is delightful 😊
Go alone! Your have more fun.
I love going to the movies alone! No compromising on what you're going to see, waiting for people to show up....sounds petty, but I like showing up early enough to possibly use the loo ;), get some snacks and stake out my place in the theater---usually the back row of the theater, dead center seat. Sometimes I like seeing the late show because you don't have to wait too long, especially if it's on a Monday. There should be no reason for you not to go on your own, you'll probably have a better time and maybe meet some fans and have a talk about it later....you never know!
@@renskedunnewold1995 i decided to see it on Monday. I wish I could go today or on the weekends, but I have an interview today and work early on the weekends :(. I would see it right after my interview LOL
Update: Guess who's going to see the movie at 11:30 AM on Monday
I don't remember the last time I clicked on a video so fast! Thank you for this analysis :)
Great essay, but I was widely distracted by the brazilian anthem that suddenly starts playing
muito obrigada, estava esperando alguem dizer isso
@@nandexnine todo brasileiro assistindo o vídeo se distraiu: fato hahahah
It was extremely hard to focus on the video while the anthem lyrics played simultaneous on my head
Eu fiquei tipo "oi?" 😂😂😂
I probably missed a good 2 minutes figuring out if I was crazy and hearing things....
My late paternal grandmother my granny was exactly like her from England how I miss her
"Remember to Pray for us!"
Dowager Countess: " I'll put in a word!"
Dam I love this woman!
*damn
I wish more people had wit and logic like or the dowager. Sometimes I feel like people need more emotional restraint and logic these days.
I’m dying at her being disgusted by the light bulbs lol
Am I the only brazilian here that lmfao when our national anthem started playing in the background of this video? [Great video, as always :) ]
Would you believe that I just finished the series, while waiting to see the movie, and I was wishing that you guys did an analysis of the characters?
You're amazing!
I love your analysis! You've really captured Violets special nature which makes her such an iconic character!
This character is truly inspiring to young women on maintaining strength eloquence and wisdom throughout changing times.
I will miss DA dearly and the Dowager Countess most of all
Peaky Blinder episode would be great, not a lot of analysis videos done on it.
I love peaky blinders!
oooooh yes
Oh I'm so glad you guys are talking about Downton!! So hype for the movie !
The Dowager Countess reminds me of Olenna Tyrell on GoT, they are both fabulous queens of shade.
Dame Maggie Smith is a true legend and the Dowager Countess is the one and only reason to why I watched and loved this show so much! :D
Maggie Smith was fantastic in this role and definitely had the best zingers
The time has come and now it is glorious that she finally has her moment with you guys.
Saw the most ie today. It was wonderful. Maggie Smith was fantastic.when the movie ended the audience stood up and applauded.
*movie
Best TV character ever!!!!!! Bless you dame Maggie Smith!
Love your take on things! After you say it, it seems so obvious. Yet I could never articulate the themes and messages of these shows the way that you do. Thank you, I always enjoy your videos!
Please do a video on Mary and Edith's relationship!! 😊
You missed an incredible occasion to put the scene where she go in her room crying when Mrs Crowley told her that herself only is welcome in the future while she is destined to stay in the past.
My favorite line ever: "Is this an instrument of communication, or of torture?" Hooray for technology!
I often wonder that about cellphones....I remember when I got mine, it was just to inform my parents where I was and when I would come home from school. Then came internet on phone.....now I am a slave to it.
She was sort of right. Look what mobile phones have made us into
Hey, The Take !
This is my first viewing of your channel. Congrats on one of the most insightfully written narratives of (television) film that I have ever read. And, I've been around awhile, so have easily read hundreds of critiques across the years !
"Downton Abbey", so brilliantly written by Julian Fellowes, is deserving of deeply revealing analysis such as yours. "The Take" provides a great companion piece for the viewer, who (as I was) may be be too entranced during the program to notice these connections.
Truly outstanding writing AND narration ! In my opinion, definitely worthy of (paper) publication. And, could also be published as a student guide in a Television Writing class centered primarily around "Downton Abbey".
Great work ! You don't brag -- you just allow the program to shine. Admirable, both personally & professionally. You are a young lady who is destined to go places !
Shalom🌟
🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴
"He is risen indeed ! "
🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴
Around minute 7:00 The Brazilian anthem plays in its long version. I was listening to it and a friend got closed to me "Thats my anthem! in the background"
Amazing how dame Maggie’s portrayal of lady Trentham and lady grantham are worlds apart even though they are essentially the same kind of person. She’s such a talented actress. And there were even subtle references to lady trentham IN Downton Abbey
Please do a video on Cora! I absolutely love her!
Please do a video about the Crawley sisters. They are quite different from each other.
Then again, it's impossible not to love any character played by Dame Maggie Smith.
truly
More of Downton Abbey PLEASE! Also The Crown and Victoria :)
Maggie Smith is TOTAL TREASURE!
Downton Abbey is amazing ❤ thankyou for making a video about one of the best characters
There's a deep, sinking problem with 'Downton Abbey's' vision of the past. Namely the Dowager's version of it only traces back about a century. Even into the early 19th century; the titled were expected to be much more self sufficient than aristocrats depicted here. And they were closer to their servants. Forced to be, by the realities of living in a tiny fish bowel. And of course, before that, holding a title meant you held military rank and provided troops for the king's wars. In many ways the WWI period where Downton serves as a hospital is more traditional. It was only with the rise of the middle class that the titled started putting on more and more airs. Separating themselves in a cocoon; in a desperate final bid to justify their existence.
why should anyone have to justify their existence?
@@adamcraig1468 Because their existence as wealthy aristocrats is supposed to be predicated upon fulfilling a specific set of duties. Without providing those services; there is no reason for them to live in unearned splendor.
My surprise when I hear the Brazilian anthem in the background sound of this video 😂
Kkkkk Eu também tive uma grande surpresa.
Fussy people.
ahahaha me too!
Great video. Thank you for creating it!
I'm not sure about your thesis "morality=etiquette" for Violet, I think just sees the bitter side of righteousness. To fight openly for "a moral cause" you HAVE to see some black-and-white like Isobel does. For example, with Edith's baby girl, she saw all the difficulties Edith would have to face. She wasn't right in that case but that is her typical method of "minimizing the damage". Sometimes, keeping up appearances does help to handle problems more smoothly and quietly (like when she made Tom get over himself and wear the proper clothes to the wedding) until everything clears up and calms down. And with prince Kuragin, she did follow her heart, I think, she just loved her children more than she loved him. She does have a moral code that tells her to be a kind person, she is just afraid of destruction and irreparable consequences. Theres my two cents on the subject 😊
Yea, nowadays people confuse doing the right thing with doing the easiest thing or doing the thing that our heart most desires.
Patiently waits for a Thomas or a Sybil video because...my favs!
Thomas had his good points but he also was deceitful.
@@adamcraig1468 I know but his narrative as a gay man is heartbreaking to me.
And yet : she is also one of the most open, kind and accepting once she understands certain situations. Like her grandchild being pregnant out of wedlock, that love trumps class (difficult how it is as she says, these are your people, this is your family to Branson) she is adamant to get a wedding of staff go through even twisting the clergy arms and compared to her son she is far less conservative and accepts with reluctance that her lifestyle is indeed of the past whilst rejoicfully clutching to every little twig of old style that presents itself. Her way of going trough life is one we all should follow. Never wrong, never defeated and every insult is a compliment.
Please do more downton character studies please 👏🏻I love this show 😁
"I'll put in a word." What a priceless comment.
ugh yes. i'm so down for a Downton Abbey analysis
I never had an interest in this series, but after watching this I am! 🤣
I don't know who did your script or who did this narration. However, it was very nicely done overall. You did a WONDERFUL job with both script and narration. Thank you foe sharing.
There is an amazing Downton Abbey Channel where they’re posting compilations and clips of the show! I’ve just loved it 🥰 Ps. Great video! It’s a lot of work behind 🙂
Beautiful analysis. Perfect story telling. Thank you. I love Lady Violet, she gives me strength.
Please oh please do the Netflix series Dark! If you think Jon Snow's family tree is complicated, wait until you meet Jonas Kahnwald
😂😂
Maggie Smith is a national treasure
May I go further, please? Dame Maggie Smith is an *international* treasure.
Lmao no.
@@ellariel7457 still no. Why would be a pompous old witch be an international treasure when she treats people like shit? Looks like you never even heard of Prince.
@@EmmyV2002 I don't know where you've got the idea she treats people like shit so I'm assuming you're talking about the character she's playing
Emily Rose Assuming you mean the incomparable Prince Rogers Nelson, gone much too soon from us - a legend indeed, and one I hope will endure for a long time to come... but other than the very slight verbal color connection (the Purple One / Dame Maggie’s Downton character, Violet), where’s the point of comparison? And more important, how does admiring one justify hating on the other? Not so Princely, imho ... but maybe you have deeper knowledge & a deeper meaning?
Oh my god! I love this show. Thanks for doing this :)
Yes finally you did Downton Abbey and you focused on my favorite character, now please do the Last Airbender
I loved to recognize Brazi's national anthem as the soundtrack of this video, it really fits perfectly with the subject
Maggie Smith is the only reason I watched downton abby. I can see some of myself in her character.💛
*Downton
@@terrigaines1812 thanks I fixed it, phones🙄😅
Love y’all for this omg
Brilliantly done as always! You never cease to amaze. Bravo!
I wish everyone would view disagreements the same as the characters in Downton. Everyone has a reason to believe what they believe, and I am much more interested in figuring out the reason behind beliefs than proving someone wrong.
I never thought the National Anthem of Brazil was so suitable to Maggie Smith lol
This is wonderful! I've always hoped you'd tackle Downton Abbey! Will you make a video about Lady Edith afterwards?
The day has comeeeee!!!!
Downton Abbey + The Take = AWESOME
*come
Had to come back for another round, after watching the movie. Damn, I legit cried, when the Dowager Countess revealed her sickness to Mary.
She just feels like so much more than a random fictional character to me. I’m just glad, that they didn’t make her death part of the series/movie.
Is that the Brazilian Anthem at 7:20? LOL
It is a period-appropriate song for sure, but it's just too funny to see it in The Dowager Countess video LOL
Yes, it is 🤣🤣🤣🤣👊👍‼️‼️‼️‼️
I want the show to come back. I loved the movie and I think there is plenty to work with. I will miss Miss Maggie as granny. I thought at one point I would like to see a prequal with Violet in the early days of Downton and Robert and Cora as young people marrying.
*prequel
Wow! Just noticed! The Brazilian national anthem on the background! Amazing, girls! Love this episode!
She is my kinda girl - sassy! She does not disappoint in the movie either :)!! On 🔥 as usual ;)
Not in a good way.
And if you want a kind of girl who has a cold heart, get brain cells.
What is the background song from 7:24 to 9:50??????? Is it the Brazilian national anthem??????
brilliant. absolutely brilliant character study.
Its great to hear proper English.
I am shocked at the declining standards of spoken English, especially in London by people who have been through the UK school system.
Ha! my grandmother's watching DA as I'm watching this video.
"Stop whining and find something to do " ❤️❤️❤️
Brazilian National Anthem used to described Lady Violet? That's so freaking cool
I’m glad not only one who’ve noticed it 👍🤣🤣🤣‼️
Haha my sisters said that to me before “no one cares about anything as much as you do” lol
Why is the Brazilian anthem being played in the background of the video?
Talvez para representar um estilo mais imperial e aristocrático falado no vídeo. Talvez nem sabiam que era nosso hino e escolleram aleatoriamente em um banco de dados
Because it is a Victorian era classical piece....
There’s a movie ???!! I must watch this immediately
Finally a DA video! What a delight❤️
Do more Downton Abbey videos!!!
*Big Hugs* Thanks for giving DA some love.
RIP Dame Maggie