Ring for Tea: A Casual Downton Abbey Podcast

Now we're really digging into it, or as much as we can remember after watching the movie over a week ago.... Daisy and Andy are engaged and it's a liiiiittle problematic. But besides that there's Violet's attempts to interfere with someone else's inheritance, Tom and Thomas each get a chance at love, Mary becoming the lady detective, and many downstairs shenanigans. Plus, we are assessing whether Allen Leech could be Bond after Tom's heroic actions, because why not? We are brainstorming our next big podcast idea, so stay tuned!

The Downton Abbey movie has finally arrived and after so much discussion of our plans, we have finally seen it! We're back to bask in the glow of the movie-going experience and give our overall impressions of the movie! Stay tuned for more movie talk coming soon and let us know your movie thoughts on Twitter @ringforteapod!

We hash out the last bits of the series finale and our final thoughts on the show itself. From telegrams to telephones, John Bates in prison to Anna Bates in prison, and much, MUCH more, it's been a long road, but we've made it! Join us for this last episode of Downton before the movie!

It's the series finale and they are packing A LOT into this one. We are splitting our recap up into two parts, pre-Christmas and post-Christmas (because there always has to be an event at Christmas time...). Just when Edith settles into the idea of being a London spinster, Mary gets to scheming and sets up a dinner with Bertie that just may change everything. After an entire episode about Mary being uncomfortable with Henry's racing, he decides to give it up anyway. But that means he's now trying to find something to do to fill his time.... Isobel gets some news about Lord Merton's health and his son and daughter in law are up to no good as usual. Thomas finds a new job and is saying his goodbyes, Carson is losing his touch, and Downton tries to introduce a new romance in THE LAST EPISODE. One more to go until movie time!

Allison's voice is a little husky but we're back and chatting the SECOND TO LAST episode of Downton! Edith is still debating whether or not to tell Bertie about Marigold, but loses her opportunity when Mary decides everyone needs to be miserable with her. Everyone finds Mrs. Patmore's B&B misfortunes hilarious, so the Crawleys try to give her some positive publicity. Molesley is trying his hand at molding young minds.  We're cooking up ideas for interim pods until the movie, send us your suggestions! Tweet at us @ringforteapod!

The Crawleys are off to the races!  However, the outing ends in disaster, challenging Mary and Henry’s relationship.  An exciting opportunity presents itself to Molesley, while Thomas continues to struggle to find his place at the Abbey.  Tom and a new four legged addition to Downton both manage to pad this episode with joy.  We only have two more episodes left until the (long) countdown to the movie!

We're still making plans for the movie while an open house at Downton reveals that no one actually knows anything about it. Downsizing efforts mean Thomas is out of a job, and Violet is replaced by Cora as president of the hospital (it doesn't go over well). Daisy is back to acting like a child. Carson has some particular standards for domestic life, and it feels like a Mrs. Hughes scolding is coming. Mary and Henry continue their romance dance, but at least HE can admit he likes her (and maybe a little bit more)! Only a few more episodes to go!

You all know what we're talking about right? After it is brought up every single episode for as long as we can remember, Robert's stomach ulcer gets A LOT worse in VERY dramatic fashion. It interrupts the ongoing hospital nonsense which, like our involvement with Denker and Spratt, seems to still not be over. We finally learn something about Andy after he has been around for so long, with Thomas finally finding a way to befriend him. Carson has certain expectations for Mrs. Hughes' role in their home life... it's not off to a great start. All of Baxter's anxiety about testifying turns out to be fore nothing except it does provide us with some Molesley comedy. Plus, we continue the Downton Rom Com!

A lighter, more joyful Branson is back at Downton, and back for good it seems! Thomas is acting butler while the Carsons are away on honeymoon - yikes! Former housemaid Gwen returns to the house in a fancier capacity. Baby Bates is saved by an emergency trip to London; and bear with us, guys, we are STILL talking about the hospital....

Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson are getting married and it’s just as sweet as you imagined!  Mary gets steamrolled by Cora in her attempts to dictate the wedding, and we didn’t mind one bit.  Meanwhile, Edith has an independent romantic comedy in the course of the episode - WE. ARE. IN. LOVE.  We’re rejoicing that Edith has a plot line that doesn’t involve Marigold for a hot second.  Thomas continues to job hunt and we’re getting to know that it’s a sad world outside of Downton’s walls.  Plus, a surprise return to the Crawley family!

Not a lot going on in this one, folks, so forgive us our tangents.... We're talking about pigs, child acting, a sudden personality change in Mrs. Drewe, and Anna's infertility. The hospital stuff slogs on and Thomas is looking for a new job without much luck. Sadly, the most interesting thing to happen in this episode is the debate over the location for the wedding reception - Mary just won't butt out! Find us on Twitter @ringforteapod!

It’s the final season - let movie prep begin!  Mary’s weekend in sin comes back to haunt her in the form of a REAL pushy lady.  Edith considers a move to London, and we’re all for her new adventures (and spinoff!).  The Mr. Green case is finally closed which calls for a case of Veuve Clicquot.   And finally, in tech updates, refrigeration and carbonated water come to the Abbey - huzzah! Find us on Twitter @ringforteapod!

We have reached another Downton Christmas special, which means we needed some extra time to unpack everything that was going on. Prepare yourself for a lot of speculation about the upcoming movie (lots of ghosts are involved)! We're still dealing with the ongoing Mr. Green murder saga, and Moseley is the new detective in town (with sidekick Baxter). The Princess Kuragin is... unpleasant at best, while the Prince cleans up pretty nicely. Branson is saying his goodbyes to Downton, try not to cry about it. Edith is basically letting everyone know that Marigold is her daughter. Both of the Crawley girls get some new love interests while Allison has a Matthew Goode-induced meltdown. Stowell shows no respect for the Crawleys, who suddenly have a motto of "Crawleys Stick Together." Carson and Mrs. Hughes play House Hunters and not only end up with a house, but an engagement! Find us on Twitter @ringforteapod!

The gang goes to London for Rose and Atticus' nuptials! Lady Flintshire spends the whole episode being a "Pouty Patty" and a terrible mother. Daisy is enlightened when she visits a museum with Moseley and Baxter, and Edith continues to have NO CHILL about Marigold. And we can't. even. talk. about the Bates' complicated relationship with the legal system. Plus, we chat 1920s camera technology and Plato's cave! Have any Tiny Letters? Tweet at us @ringforteapod!

Allison can't talk about Isis' diagnosis because we get too attached to the fictional stories of animals. Mary is being a real B and Violet shows some vulnerability. We were hoping to see the scene between Cora and Mrs. Drewe, but have to settle for Cora yelling at her in-laws. And in the end, Edith is able to arrange for Marigold to grow up at Downton after all, as if that wasn't predictable! Lord Merton's sons are THE WORST and we can't wait to see them go. Rose is secretly engaged (again!) after Atticus and his family have dinner at Downton. And to be clear: The Bates' lives ARE overly complicated. Join us for another week of Downton ridiculousness!

Please excuse Christina's audio quality this week - yet another reminder that we are amateurs. Spoiler alert: We loved this episode. Mary gets a haircut and it's a BIG DEAL. Cora ain't putting up with any of Robert's nonsense. We see a different side of Violet and Edith and well... Edith takes a big step for herself. While we're excited and happy for her independent life, we are also terrified about how she's going to handle diapers and tantrums. Join us this week as we talk about one of our favorite episodes from the season!

Gonna try to avoid some run on sentences with this one (it'll make sense when you hear the synopsis we chose): Violet is trying to scheme with Dr. Clarkson to interfere with Isobel's love life, but her plan doesn't really work out. Rosamund shows up to try to knock some sense into Edith, who is not hearing it. Mary is continuing to do her "boys like me" thing with Blake, and Rose meets a new boy! Ugh, then Bricker takes his affection for Cora too far. We are finally rid of Sarah Bunting, but not the Mr. Green storyline. Plus, we actually kept up with a rating system? Let's see how long this lasts....

Welcome to a tumultuous episode at the Abbey.  Edith can’t stay away from Marigold, and we sense a restraining order on the way.  A dinner party quickly gives way to Robert v. Ms Bunting and some good ol’ Robert yelling.  Tony Gillingham is DONE - thank u, next - and we introduce a rating system for the episodes (57:42) - never too late, right?

Cora is looking for something to do outside of Downton, and is maybe finding it with Mr. Bricker? Baxter finally reveals the motivation behind her thievery and we're still digging her relationship with Moseley (duh). Mary and Tony are being all sorts of dumb thinking they would get away with their "secret" vacation, but turns out they didn't! Then it seems like she's not all that interested in marrying him after all. There's some really underwhelming evidence in the case of the Mysterious Death of Green, and Bates might be suspected for murder once again (ugh). Edith is straight up going to steal her baby from the family she forced to adopt her, yet doesn't think she is being SUPER obvious. Plus, Daisy is going to be a mathlete! Rate and subscribe now, and follow us on Twitter @ringforteapod!

In this edition of The Crawley Girls Make Up Bad Plans for Their Personal Lives: there is yet another plan for Edith to legitimize spending time with her daughter, and Mary pretends to go on a sketching trip with a female friend who never existed until now. Moseley has a hard time coping with the knowledge of Baxter's past, Daisy has a controversial new tutor, and Rose is determined to get a radio for Downton. Rate and subscribe now, and follow/tweet at us @ringforteapod!