@Ber P. Agreed!...one of my favorite lines in the series was when someone, while speaking with the dowager, mentions the 'weekend'...she replies.."what is that?"!! :)
@Ber P. That's your opinion, I still stand by my opinion that it would be interesting to see a young version of her and Robert. Especially seeing Robert in the US wooing Cora and Cora trying to fit in the UK after marriage. Having the Dowager as a mother in law would be intimidating!
I've always loved Cora's character, for the way she tries to get things done in a quiet, civil manner. The restaurant scene with Mr and Mrs Bates is a prime example.
She is so beguiling, charming and elegant. She’s always playing the gracious hostess, so sensitive to people’s feelings and concerns. And I love her soft voice.
Elizabeth McGovern was riveting and heartbreaking in the scene when Sybil died. I've re-watched the series and every time I see it, I cry as if it's family. Elizabeth M. and Allen Leech were heartbreaking in that scene.
Same! I watched that scene the first two or three times, but every time I've watched the show after that, I skip that scene, sometimes that whole episode. The emotions are just too overwhelming. Sybil was my favourite character, and her death scene was one of the most powerfully acted of anything I've ever watched. Even in this RU-vid clip, I have to fast-forward through that part. It seems like everyone else was more upset by Matthew's death, but for me, Sybil's death was FAR more upsetting.
Khaya Naeva Matthews death was more upsetting bc no one saw it coming. They spent a whole episode on Sybil and just a few minutes after Matthew meets his son he dies is a car crash. To me that’s why it’s more tragic
My daughter has epilepsy and when she has a seizure there is always what seems like an eternity when she doesn't breathe. I am.always terrified and scream things at her like "please breathe! " that she can't hear anyway, just like in this scene. It is done extremely well. When Sybil suddenly stiffens and her head tilts back like that, my God it is exactly like my daughter. Lots of times in tv series they show seizures in a ridiculous way that have nothing to do with what it is really like. Too hard for me to watch again though, it is just too scary.
I just love when the art historian has had a nice evening and asks Cora if they may do so again and she replies, with a sweet smile, "I doubt it." She knows exactly who she is. She is not coy. She had a nice time but she has absolute integrity. She is an honorable lady.
This summary refers to him as a handsome art historian. He was physically unattractive and quite pushy. His appreciation of her might have soothed her sore ego but he was a little to creepy for a romantic attraction.
I love how calmly and coherently Cora speaks. I like when she scolds Robert for not dinning with the singer and then Robert to Carson, ‘I blame you’ 😂😂 absolute gold.
Lisa Dowdle And now I want to watch the whole series...again. I just love those characters so very much, I don’t care, that I already know, what happened 😄
@@raraavis7782 I actually feel like Downton has become a form of ASMR or something, I have literally watched through the series no less than 10 times now! Some people play a favorite song while they go about their chores, I listen to Downton Abbey🤷🏻♀️
I loved it when, after Robert had lost all her money and he felt utterly useless and humiliated when confessing the news to Cora, and she just said "Don't worry. I'm American. Have gun, will travel!"
@@KS-cl8br I just think Cora didn’t think there was much point in being livid with her husband. The money was gone. Instead she thought to focus on moving forward with positivity and hope. Doesn’t seem like a push over. She’s courageous and strong.
At the same time as Downton is set, the 5th Earl's wife was an American woman and Jewish. Almina Herbert was the daughter of Alfred de Rothschild. The Earl was also famous for being with Carter in Egypt when King Tut was found.
This idea is true to life. At Highclere, the place in England where "Downton Abbey" was filmed, the earl did marry an American socialite for her fortune, and the castle was used as a hospital in WWI.
I think Cora is underrated. I relate a lot to Cora. The way she distresses situations and maintains friendly boundaries with everyone. She really has the ability to be sort of chameleon like in a way to connect with people and help them believe their potential. That's a good leader!
Her boundaries are really healthy, until she passes into secretiveness or not hearing others out. In real life not everyone feels distressed in a situation if the person does what Cora does. Often avoidance, distraction, and even secrets. She seems so controlled but it can slip into her being controlling. I have seen people with this personality type push others into segregation or echo chambers by trying to be Switzerland but really, they are a Paul Joseph Goebbels. True peacemakers know how to allow for disagreement and actually bring the peace, maybe you're doing that. However, it's self-harming or even harming to those around the "peacemaker" if they feel they can't talk. Again, that's not peace. It's good that she often does listen and try to see both perspectives and talk in a more productive way and at a more productive time. I have actually never seen that in real life. Even her and her husband keep secrets from each other due to avoidance issues. That's not healthy. Two become on flesh. However, it does take all kinds of leaders to bring balance, but all kinds of leaders can be good leaders or bad leaders. Likely the type of person Cora needs most in her life is the type she, secretly, can't stand. I personally, can't stand Cora when a real conversation is trying to be had and she tries to CONTROL the tone and conversation with distraction and avoidance. She likely struggles with those who value opinions, truth, and transparency above all else. I find her bossy in the oddest sort of way. There are prose and conns to her personality type. Just like any personality type.
I love Cora. She had a strong character yet a gentle lady that really cares about other people around her even her maids. She made all of us love this family so much. I can't imagine Downton without her.
@Kuchi Kopi I have the impression that they tended to look down on artists in general. I seem to remember that whenever the subject was brought up that someone in the aristocracy was a poet or a writer or a painter, they remarked on how odd it was, and how they prefered "sporty" things like hunting and riding. Not to mention that they barely seemed to know anything about the beautiful artwork in their own home!
It was ALWAYS strange how they looked down on people with a real education and learned skills. Matthew was a lawyer and they frowned on that, Spratt did the same thing with Dr. Clarkson who saved lives, and he was a frigging butler.
Cora is the *epitome* of a true lady who is the *glue* that holds the family + the household staff together - in stark contrast to her American mother ( _Shirley Maclaine_ ) who is crass + no holds barred; but I do love the onscreen _verbal antagonism_ between Maclaine + Maggie Smith's character - it's like watching two _cats_ getting ready to pounce at each other's throats! The acting on this series is beyond spectacular, I am so sad that it ended - so.... I am binge-watching the entire series AGAIN!
The scene where Shirley sings "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" to Maggie is hysterical! Maggie looks shocked, confused, then completely horrified and embarrassed, which Shirley just eats up, going so far as to grab Maggie's hand and kiss it LOL. American vs British, right there!
@@basiliskbones5102 in the show she even sounds like she’s torn between American and English, that’s why it sounds so bad, it sounds like a bad imitation of one accent imitating another (either way round, American doing bad English or English doing bad American)
Cora is one of my favorite characters. I think she gets overshadowed by the more flamboyant personalities, but her subtle steadiness is what's so admirable about her. She doesn't need all the attention, she is gracious and supportive and empathetic to the 'lower classes' as well as her peers. She is a perfect hostess.
Miss Havisham Americans have accents too. Just like when I traveled to Germany they talked about my American accent. Saying “no accent required” makes no sense. She has an American accent naturally. You make it sound like an accent is speaking differently than your natural voice.
One of my favorite parts of Downton was the show was very faithful to showing that everyone has many faces. Who they are depends on who's on the other end. And the show was always consistent in showing that Cora may be wonderful and the progressive standard bearer in some situations, but a bit snobbish and sheltered and expectant of the kowtowing deference O'Brien showed in others.
And yet she treated Msr Hughes horribly, after she spent decades of loyal services to the family, hours before her wedding. I'm still angry about that scene, and the contrast with the way she sees and treats O'Brien is mind blowing.
Elizabeth was an excellent casting decision. She embodies and embraces the character of Cora in her own way that may not have been accomplished had it been another actress in that role. Gillian Anderson turned down the role, but it would be very difficult now to see her as Cora Crawley.
I didn't know that Gillian Anderson had turned down the role! I agree that Elizabeth really has made the role of Cora her own. I couldn't imagine anyone else being Cora.
As an American, I’ve always had a special fondness for Cora. She is a great example of independence and free spiritedness that Americans celebrate while also being poised and gracious. Cora’s awesome 😊
Cora is one of my favourite characters from the series. I love her emotional intelligence and awareness, especially toward the people who work for her.
The "snob" scene is actually quite a good one. Cora knows she has to ask the question of Anna as she has to call Mr Bates "Bates" and it gives the game away, she can call Anna "Anna" and keep up the pretense.
Cora, my favorite character on Downton. She brings the American concept of no person is more special than another. She helped transition Tom into the family.
@@JRobbySh - I've actually known a couple mother-daughter pairs like this, where the mother is unbearable, self-centered, rude, and pushy and yet the daughter turns out to be charming, gracious, and skilled at social interactions.
Robert and coras relationship is probably one of my favorite representations of a good marriage. There were times where Robert seemed more loyal to his home than his wife and times where Cora played too innocent, however; They were aware of there problems, aware that they were both imperfect and aware of there and each others obstacles and stubbornness. And when they could work through there problems, there anger, and realize why they married, it was beautiful to see them turn young and in love again with each other, even if they couldnt really be young or as free as they were. And it was beautiful.
When I first found Downton Abbey I was so enchanted that Elizabeth McGovern was in the cast. She, Maggie Smith and Brendon Coyle were the reasons I took an interest. And for you young whipper-snappers, this lady is not only a great beauty today, she was a stunning beauty (who, by no coincidence, also played the beauty of her time, Evelyn Nesbit, in a movie called Ragtime) in her youth. If you haven't seen it, do. It -- and she -- will take your breath away.
Umm... It seems they forgot to mention Robert's near affair with the house maid. He kissed her, and probably would have slept with her, if his guilt over Cora nearly dying hadn't kicked in.
@Alika Fifi arafiah She could leave yes, but she couldn't take the money with her. It was a part of the estate, and Robert was in charge of it AND the money.
Cora is always a class act. The way she handles family crisis never ceases to amaze me. She never loses her cool, supports her family no matter what and always finds a way to solve the problem whether its acceptable or not. The closest she came to losing it was when she heard the horrible nanny berate her Sybbie and even in that situation she handled it with class. Love Cora sometimes I think she is the most underrated character but in my opinion she is the strongest and by far the smartest
An underrated actress and an underrated character! The episodes with the art historian were wonderful, almost a bottle episode. They also shed light on where Edith gets her artistic sensibilities, in the most subtle way. Wonderful
Oh I love this line in the interview - in any household, you do take advantage of the people that you love in the sense that you cease to see them as interesting people, but you love them.
Downtown Abbey......wow Very addictive💯 Should not had an end 💖☺️💖 Will always be the part of my memory 🥰 Want to see again and again💕 Cora's character is extremely wonderful 👏
My wife and I have just finished all six seasons in just a couple of weeks...I'm looking at this video and crying again... I loved Cora to the Moon and back. She was my favourite.
I always felt that none of her family truly loved her they all spoke down to her and dismissed her too much. I love Cora such a beautiful dignified genteel lady
For those of us with American accents I love how you can hear that she has spent a long time in the UK. She has a way of putting emphasis on words that sounds like she has a hint of a British accent. While still trying to hold on to her American.
Personally, I love Lady Cora's compassion. For example, when she discovered the servants feeding the soldiers, with THEIR food, she didn't get angry and rebuke them....she rolled up her own sleeves and helped their cause. When Carson and Mrs. Hughes were getting married, she LISTENED to what Mrs. Hughes wanted for her special day and even gave her a beautiful coat to wear to make her wedding special. When Mrs. Hughes was sick, Cora was the one to reassure this good lady that the family would take care of her. She's truly a beautiful and noble Queen of the castle.
Cora is the epitome of love and grace. She’s lovely and I adore how she stands her ground, but in a gentle manner. I just love her character. So much credit to the actress who brought Cora to life. ❤️
Cora and Sybil are like mirrors of each other. ❤️ Mother and daughter indeed. Mary is like her grandmama Violet. Probably Edith is more like Robert/aunt Rosamond in some way.
Elizabeth is wonderful as Cora. This whole fabulous series as well as the recent movie has been one big healthy addiction for me as well as for many others! The Brit in me was always running for another cup of tea every time they mentioned tea! Beware, you may also end up with one of their "stiff upper lips"! Thanks for sharing~
Honestly, O'Brien was the most despicable character in the show to me. Thomas was obviously involved in many of her schemes, but at least he actually ended up coming around into a character that the viewer sympathizes with and even cares about. Mr. Barrow had some redeeming qualities, but I really can't think of a single redeeming action that O'Brien did in her whole time there. You might point out that O'Brien cared for Cora while she was sick with the flu. Yes, she did stay by her side, but O'Brien was only doing that because she felt bad about literally killing Cora's baby over some totally false hearsay. Unless I am forgetting something, O'Brien was the ultimate evil person downstairs.
2:25 basicly my mom when it comes to seating arangements at dinner when everyones visiting Me: i dont want to sit with her Mom: youll sit with her and youll like it 😂😂😂😂😂
Ann-Caroline Mörner really..? There have been plenty of times where Robert clearly deserved it. And there have been times where she calmly handled it but him refusing to dine with a singer was kind of rude 😅, she's more of a lady then some of them.
@@amandamcglone1523 You are missing my point. The point is a lady would not have reprimanded her husband (or anyone else) in front of a servant. She would have waited until they were alone.
@@ann-carolinemorner6405 I think Cora probably wanted Carson to hear every word. Snubbing the singer would never have happened without Carson's consent, & he's the biggest snob in the household
