Downton Abbey - The sad story of Ethel, who just wanted more from life 

Ethel was ultimately lucky that Isobel took pity on her, and that Mrs. Hughes showed her kindness. But Ethel should have just moved away, and told people that she was a married woman, who lost her husband in the war. No one would look down on a widower

I always roll my eyes at Ethel, even after her downfall she was still demanding 'youve got to help me'

I used to find Ethel rather annoying, but after watching downtown several times she’s really grown on me. I fee a large amount of sympathy for her; she just wanted to be a star after the war and instead she fades away. So sad especially considering this would’ve happened to many people during the war so so terribly sad.

Ethel did nothing that Lady Edith didn’t. The only difference is that Michael Gregson (probably) had more honourable intentions than Major Bryant. Ethel was dismissed without a reference, left to a life of servitude, and had to give up her son. Lady Edith on the other hand, who was born privileged, managed to have a successful career, raise her daughter as her own, and live a life of luxury as the wife of one of the grandest men in the country.

I felt bad for Ethel and her story was definitely sugar-coated compared to what women in her position would have gone through at the time. She had a lot of kindness and help from Mrs Hughes, Isobel, Cora and even Violet (pretty sure a Countess/Dowager Countess at the time wouldn’t have given a fig about a previous housemaid who got in trouble). I do think they dragged the story on for way longer then necessary. It got to the point that every time she popped up in the servant’s corridor and we heard Mrs Hughes say, ‘Ethel!’ in that shocked way I found myself rolling my eyes and going, ‘Oh what now?!’. Like when everyone was grieving for Lady Sybil and there she was again wanting help. It just got a bit annoying after a while.

I fully sympathise with Ethel, though I cannot help but say that oversmart people end up being in situations like this all the time. And I'm quite sure that the officer she slept with probably wouldn't marry her even if he hadn't been killed.

Sadly I feel like Ethel's story happened a lot IRL. Times of war bring out the most desperate and worst of people

Mrs Crawley, an Angel.

00:03:45 "You're upsetting Mrs Bryant" "But I..." "I said you are upsetting Mrs. Bryant." Everytime laughing at this :D

Mrs. hughes could've at least stood up for her and be the witness in the dining table