It reminded me of the scene where Jane Eyre returns from her failed wedding to Mr. Rochester and she rips off her veil and wedding dress in her rush to leave the house forever.
When the show starts you think Edith is going to be this annoying side character. By the end of the show you start to realize that she was actually one of the most interesting and best written characters in the show. I can't wait for the movie.
Edith has it all (in 1920ies!); she became publisher of her own magazine, kept her child and married a lovely marquis (she is marques now). The most interessting female character with a promising future ahead.
As I watched the series, it became clear to me, the ENTIRE story centers around Edith and where she eventually ends up. I found the other characters to be satellites to her development over the series, and it makes me wonder what or who Mr. Fellowes was actually representing with her character.
@@hadavisjr JF said that he's written half of the episodes and then he sees the first ones filmed. So Edith starting out is a one-dimensional brat who has to spoil things for Mary, and her sole character development is why she's that way. But when he got to see LC, and what she did with the part, the part became fuller and more interesting. I think that into the second series, she could have been written out if the character got stale--she could have married Strallen, or driven an ambulance in the war and gotten killed. But early into the second series she started getting deeper storylines and character development. And I think as time went on, JF started to imbue her with some of his own story. He wrote of her being underestimated by her family, and how awful that is--never getting the respect given to her siblings. I think that's not too far from his own story, as he went through an acting career that paid the bills but never reached the heights. And then he started writing--like Edith--and broke out--like Edith.
@@cellpat7392 I would say that Edith also is the brain, if not more so. She's a writer and then goes to produce a magazine, acting as its editor. And she attracts a marquess, despite not being a great beauty. If anything, I would say that Mary is the beauty, Sybil is the heart, and Edith is the brain.
@@hlb78 I don't really agree with you. I've always been team Edith because she was so neglected by her whole family. Edith has a huge heart and she's intelligent. Actually I don't understand why people think she wasn't a great beauty. The one bad thing about her looks is the hairdo that doesn't suit any woman. I think she's really beautiful. Mary has always been arrogant, Sybil was sweet. She just followed her heart. Edith is the one with the most interesting life. She is a fighter, discovered her own strength and became the star of the family.
Biggest character development. You go from disliking her so much, like her, to love her at the end. She deserved her fairy tale happy ending. I can't wait to see what she has been up to. Is it September yet???
juliana22 Never disliked her actually. I always thought like that of Mary. From beginning to even the last episodes she was the one who can be always evil. Even after everything she’s been through.
really? i never liked her, from first to last season. her face just looks like she's too stupid, empty inside and annoying... she just seems to be an excess character. can't believe someone finds her interesting! i admire that everyone has their reasons and opinions, but it's just so surprising.
I never got why Edith was seen as "the ugly sister". I think Laura Carmichael a true beauty, and her eyes mesmerizing. Her character arch is the most interesting and heartwrenching, but also the most satisfying of all. I often cried for her, although she was so wonderfully strong.
I agree! I always found her stunning! She’s interesting to look at, like her beauty is captivating not just a “standard, pretty”. Her looks are timeless!
When Laura Carmichael says, "Edith matured out of that vengeful phase, but Mary continued because she was unhappy"......I thought, "OMG, SAVAGE QUEEN. LONG LIVE THE EDITH INSIDE YOU." LOL
I absolutely loved Edith, she grew to be my favourite character. I couldn't have been happier for her at the end. But the irony of Mary being married to a car salesman and Edith a Marquis was fantastic.
Edith has it all (in 1920ies!) and a promising future; she learned how to drive a car, became publisher of her own magazine, kept her child and married a lovely marquis. What a developement!
This video missed the contribution of Lady Edith when Downton served as rehab for wounded troops during WW I. I think that period changed Edith for better.
I always wondered about that, there was the single scene where she agrees to write a letter for the person missing the hand, then there was how she treated the man with the burned face that was claiming to be the long lost heir. But I always got the feeling that the bulk of the scenes of her with the soldiers must have been cut to help create the surprise at the end of the inspection, but I feel the must have over cut it
I guess it turns out she becomes happier and better when she learns there are other avenues to being some kind of trophy wife or the sad maiden aunt. That she could be admired for what she does
"I am a uselful spinster, good at helping out & spinsters get up for breakfast". That line felt like a knife stab. Edith is my fav as well. Such a wonderful arc, her tragic turned happy life.
Edith was my favourite because she wasn’t considered cultured enough, pretty enough. she is much more in touch with her feelings, not having to hide how she feels. even when she engages with people and conversations her parents are surprised. there is a transformation from holding her head down to being very empowered, and much more independent than Mary. She enters the big city and runs a company. at the time most women would have given up their children out of wed lock. she smart, progressive and has a lot more to her world than most think. In the end the family is surprised that she marries for true love and someone very influential and high standing in society.
THIS!! It always literally GRATED on my nerves - her own parents talking about her as of an absolute idiot. I mean, Mary's detest of Edith is no surprise, but parents who claim to love their daughter...ugh.
Edith had the most growth in the series, at first she was petty and in constant competition with Mary. During WWI she learns to drive and makes herself useful even getting recognized by the military personnel. Then working on the farm, becoming a journalist, then running her own magazine. She really had so much growth that I loved her story line more so than Mary's (Mary was stagnant, and I felt her storyline with Henry was just a revised version of her and Matthew).
I feel like Mary's main growth was from stuck up child to maturing adult, although not fully mature yet. I think she felt as though everything was resting on her marrying well and that was a hard burden to bear, she felt she had to be cold. Hence why she was sweeter when married. Mary didn't have to worry about Sybil as Sybil had married the chauffeur and then passed away. Edith on the other hand was always a threat to be the one who made the family proud instead of Mary.
i agree that mary was quite stagnant by the end, mainly because she messed up ediths engagement, that action showed me she was/went back to the same mary in the begining which honestly is a pity for me because i starting liking her before that
@@Marina-qt9eq, I would say that Mary's vulnerability comes out in relation to Carson, because she recalls her childhood dynamic with him, much like Thomas has with Sybbie and George. Therefore, in terms of relating to a predecessor of the actual family, I do believe that she has many of the traits relating to Violet. As Violet says in the film "You'll become the old lady who is keeping everyone up to the mark."
good observation, I'd like to add Tom = Isobel. She really was the one being most understanding about his situation, but also encouraging to take his life into his own control again multiple times.
It's really interesting how, over time, Laura's portrayal of Lady Edith was so stunning that by the end it had clearly steered Mr. Fellowes's scripts to essentially transform her into the show's main, and clearly most interesting character.
I know it's a soap opera and so it needs drama, but seriously, I think they should have let Mrs. Drewe in on the Marigold secret. I think she would have gone along anyway because she seemed like a pragmatic and decent person. She was pissed off because she was tricked and that kind of drove her insane. Communication, people.
Was it a soap opera tho? I never feel like this show is a soap opera. I'm just assuming its your normal big budget show. This is way better than most soap operas nowadays. I never knew this show was a soap opera tho 😂
I agree. What her husband did to his wife was horrific! He told her Marygold was her child now, and she loved and embraced her as her own; only, in reality, she was being used by her husband (and Edith) - heartbreaking. I was so glad when Cora stuck up for her.
At first I disliked Edith because she seemed jealous and Bratty, but as the show went on I realized her bad attitude was mostly towards Mary the person that was equally nasty to her and had a kind of hateful sibling rivalry that is actually very realistic. She is the middle child that gets the least attention from her parents out of the 3 sisters because she isnt the oldest or the youngest. I am also the oldest of 3 like Mary, but Edith and Mary remind me a lot of my two younger brothers who fight constantly with one another and always know how to irritate to the point of fist fighting. Its very natural that siblings will fight because we are the ones who see and bring out the worst in each other and still at the end of the day will fight anyone who hurts one of us. I love the realistic complexity of both characters and I also love how Edith even though she is often not acknowledged enough has suffered a lot, but has shown strength, intelligence, and kindness of character and I really appreciate her.
In the beginning Edith wasted a lot of her energy on seeking to draw attention away from Mary and get it from her parents. The war provided her with an opportunity to use her energy in a more productive manner and after the war she started to be recognized for her brains. I always felt that her character got the short end of the stick more so it was nice to see her get the better end later on.
Edith is my favourite Downton Character. Even in the beginning when is was easy to dislike her, I adored her. Laura embodies her so well! She has such a great voice as well.
I felt so sorry for her, desperately throwing herself at Anthony because she understood that in her world she would have no life or no agency if she wasn't married. She then went on to break that mould and fly
I loved both of her dresses/gowns. They were very different in style, but both were gorgeous. Mary's were much too plain, but Rose's gown was gorgeous too
I think Mary needed to be knocked down a peg, her second husband challenged her , and Mary ended up accepting that she didn't need a man to be considered successful. And I think Ediths husband was very supportive of her dreams and will continue to be, sucked their loves died but it helped both of their characters to become their better selves
Why a lot people cannot accepted Matthew Crawley death?... Dan Stevens is the one who wanted to leave the show.... Matthew Goode and Harry Hadden-patton is perfect casting to Henry and Bertie character.. I think it's beautiful ending, everyone found their happy ending..
I resonate so much with Edith. I am too a middle child with a nasty older sister who bullied me ever since we were children. Edith was often overlooked and underestimated by her family, especially her parents and her sister. So nice that she finally has a happy ending❤️
Edith isn’t blameless in her relationship with Mary. They both bully and bitch with each other, and Edith betraying Mary’s secret was pretty shitty. Still, her character was wonderfully developed as seasons went on. I’m glad she found happiness.
Edith was only interested in Sir Anthony because she obviously had a father complex due to Robert favouring his perfect Mary and baby Sybill over 'ugly duckling' Edith all her Life. Also because he was the only one who gave her attention and affection and who didn't treat her like an idiot. Apart from Sybill noone in her family showed her respect. For the same reason she started a thing with that farmer in Season 2. He appreciated her hard work and didn't mock her for everything she said and did, contrary to her snobbish family who (again apart from Sybill) who thought manual labour was beneath them.
@@Theannegirl01 A lot of it is true about Edith, I felt sorry for her but her and the married farmer I never could excuse. Her writing that letter on Mary was a master manipulation on the part of O'Brian who manipulated both her and Daisy; as rumors had started and it was because Thomas had gossiped to a footman friend in London. So now rumors were flying Thomas was in danger of being fired so O'Brian wanted to save Thomas. Cora had reminded O'Brian that her girls were no "little Women" and were at each others' throats. (which we knew was Mary and Edith, not ever Sybil) If we go back to episode 1 of the series when Patrick died, Mary tells Robert she does not want to wear mourning for him since their engagement had not been officially announced. In contrast Edith was crying, wearing her heart on her sleeve so much at Patrick's funeral that Mary was infuriated and she told Edith she was making a spectacle of herself since Patrick had been Mary's fiancé and not hers. that was when Edith admitted she loved Patrick but knew Patrick had loved Mary but saw nothing wrong with her grief the only thing wrong was Mary did not feel grief. bingo! now we understood how O'Brian was able to manipulate Edith so easily. Why Edith was willing to believe the worst about Mary. whereas we the audience knew Kamuk had victimized Mary, and was hardly an innocent,he first black mailed Thomas into showing him Mary's room and then pretty much did the same to Mary when he told Mary her reputation would be ruined if she screamed.
Really nice overview. Edith was consistently the character that commanded the most sympathy and had the worst of luck....and Laura just seems like the biggest sweetheart
Leaking information of how Kemal Pamuk died made her almost as bad as Mary in the beginning. I only really started to respect Edith after she was recognized for taking care of the emotional needs of the patients at the house.
I like the fact that gold-digging Mary ended up with an average man, while Edith, who was only looking for true love, ended up as a high'-ranking socialite.
Ariane Quenard Actually Mary was worried about ranking and that’s why she kept Mathew at arm length because she was in fact studying her choices before he was anything! Mary actually was carrying a fear of having no control nor value as the eldest daughter. She carried the burden to be seen and wanted to be important.
@@arianequenard4248 thats the point he was making, Mary had rank as a key part of her wish list for a husband and Edith didn't, and yet Mary ended up with a commoner and Edith became the most high ranking member of the family.
I know it was supposed to be a big triumph that Edith married a marquis and outranked everyone, but I wish Bertie had remained the agent. Because then, Edith would still be running her paper, which I think brought her a lot of fulfillment.
I believe Bertie to be a very liberal husband of sorts (after all, he accepted Edith to have a child out of wedlock, which, afaik, back in the day would be quite unusual for a fiance\husband of any class or way of life), so, maybe he would've let her keep the paper after the wedding? don't you think?
the true Prince was Michael I loved them together just as Mary was best with Matthew They really rushed her marriage to Henry but I dont buy them together
Edith has become my favourite sister. In the beginning she is such an unlikable character but she grows so much and become one of my favourite character in the show.
Edith is my favorite. She has more genuineness about her, while Mary is vapid and selfish. Mary most likely behaved so badly toward Edith because she was aware that Edith was more loving and of better character. Edith was overlooked by many, but she was no push-over. She just stood back up whenever she was pushed down. Mary never would have been able to deal with what Edith had to overcome.
I can relate to Edith in so many things.. her relationship with Mary, the feeling of being invisible and overshadow by her sister. That can hurt so much!
An actress has done her job extraordinarily well if she can make the audience go from disliking her to completely rooting for her. I think she’s fabulous.
Edith has been my favourite from the beginning... Althought she wasn't that innocent herself, Mary was really nasty to her and when Edith started to grow out of it, Mary still kept going. And in overall she was quite neglected. I can also really forgive the bad things she did in the past, because she was so "human", not an icequeen like Mary. She always worked hard for everything and it payed off for her. Althought Sybil was really the free spirit, Edith had her own ways of independency. (I also like Mary, but like Edith said it so well, she was a bitch at times.)
Laura Carmichael is truly an incredible actress She is in an Australian drama called 'The Secrets She Keeps' and it just phenomenal in there. She's not afraid to look ugly and I love it. She's great
I love this show so much and I can’t wait for the movie! Honestly, when it comes to character development and character story arcs, Edith’s is certainly one of the best. There is a line that I think Robert says, it goes along the lines of, “who would have though Edith would have been the one to surprise us the most”, and she certainly did surprise us. She became one of my favorite characters
I have to say, Edith grew into such a beauty. Especially in the film now, she is simply outstanding. On that poster, you can only see her. The 20s suit her so well.
I know Edith wrote to a Turkish ambassador betraying Mary about the Pamuk scenario which was horrible even as her sister , and both of them could be very nasty to one another and be in a constant competition to outrank one another, but Mary really had it coming when Edith exploded on her in season 6. 😂
I see Mary with more sympathy. I mean I'm not fully excusing her. But she did refuse Mathew until she was able to be honest with him about her scandal. It would be awful to conceal the truth about Marigold and get married before telling him
My favourite character, I loved her story development also seeing her grow & mature & finally getting the love & family that she deserved. Loved Edith from the beginning & thought she was stunning throughout the show & her dresses were to die for! 😍😍😍😍
She is -- in my opinion -- the loveliest creature I have ever laid eyes on. Lady Edith captures everything a man could ever want in a woman. (And yes, Ms. Carmichael is quite a lovely dear, as well.) Although she's fiction, there are women out there of her class, beauty, intelligence, and caring spirit.
By the end of the series Edith was my favorite character. I wanted the movie to have so much more about her life at Brancaster with Marigold, Bertie, and Bertie's mother. They wasted so much of the film about the royal visit, which excuse me, but I couldn't have cared less about. The only new characters I was at all interested in were Branson and Barrows new love interests. The entire downstairs cast storylines were reduced to cleaning. We need a third movie, and it needs to be about the characters from the series. I wish they would also do a spin-off series called "Brancaster" about Edith's life.
Pretty bad how she fished the Pamuk secret out of Daisy then wrote to the Turkish ambassador.. but I was definitely rooting for her by the end of the series and Bertie is a delightful character
@@TheAbfromNJ You need to rewatch season 1. In the first episode Mary scolds Edith for crying at Patrick's funeral. why? because Mary, Patrick's unofficial fiancé felt no sorrow and did not want to wear mourning for him. O'Brian knowing the animosity between the 2 sisters, manipulated Edith into doing that to save gossipy Thomas who had let the secret out. Thomas was the one who started the gossip on Mary. Edith merely got the blame.
As I rewatched this show, I realized how like...actually mean Mary is. Opposed to Edith just seeming like she has to stick up for herself all the time.
i gotta say laura,,you played your part well,,as did all the actors of this series,,,thank you all,,loved the series,,even got my daughter hooked on it ,,;)
Lady Edith was always my favourite character. A titled and (for a long time) a single woman adapting to a rapidly changing world. By far, more interesting and clever than spiteful Mary or drippy Sybil, and one of the best story lines. So glad she managed to keep Marigold in her life and that she trumped Mary in the title stakes.
I think it was after her first attempt at love that she sort of realized she was a spinster, it wasn’t until Michael died that it solidified and after that we see her leave for London with her daughter, and tbh I would have loved to see that stage of her life, even if at the beginning she was to be a side character she had a passion that truly came to life after defeat, she was the far away star that was outshined by the much closer sun(mary). Most would say that Mary is the epitome of the modern woman, fashionable, powerful but let’s face it Edith became the epitome of the true modern woman, she worked at and owned a magazine was a single mom, she actually didn’t need to marry anyone. I’m glad she had a happy ending but it my opinion it would have been satisfying had she stayed in London with her daughter working.
I love Edith. A strong woman, she had been through so much always in Mary's shade. It was sad that she lost Michael Gregson. She really loved him but he took care of her even in death. No one seemed to care that she lost him in the most gruesome way. Not my favorite storyline.
I’m re watching DA now. I’ve loved Edith’s character from the beginning, and Mary, too. I can’t imagine any other actor playing any character in this story...perfect ensemble cast.
I love the character of Edith. My favorite from the beginning because so many can identify with her. So satisfying when she eventually bested Mary for good with her marriage.
There should a story now about how Edith and Marigold made it in their new role in like. To me Mary was always a sly personality but Edith was always the shy quite one trying to be liked whereas Mary always bullied her! For a woman of her time Edith achieved the most to be a success. The way she fought and kept Marigold was a revelation of her strength. Wish we could see a storyline develope about how Marigold and how she fitted into society since Edith's happily after marriage.
I am sure many women would be quite happy to marry an older gentleman with a large drawing room. But Sir Anthony did the right thing, however cruel it was at the time.
@@stephaniejane306 I should think so. But Sir Anthony could have backed out earlier and spared Edith the humiliation, to say nothing of the catering expenses. But then, this would not have been such compelling drama and poor Edith had to be made to suffer to keep us on an emotional hook.
she really liked him. it's nothing to do with age. sir anthony showed her affection and respect while she was ignored and even mocked by her family, aside from sybil and mathew. there are women who like older men, it's nothing to do with father's complex. In the end, it was a blessing in disguise that anthony left her at the alter.
I think Edith is my favorite character from all of them in this great Downton Abbey tv. series. She goes through changes, emotionally, of course, and she's the only one who falls in love in a real way but fails till the feelings of her heart are finally rewarded. I'm so glad for her.
