Lady Violet Helps Ethel to Start Over | Downton Abbey

I think Violet at first was only concerned with appearances but after she saw Ethel crying in the street, she thought she would have a better chance at happiness in a different village. It was a win-win situation.

This was a really defining moment for Ethel. When we are first introduced to her character, she was irritating and bratty. By the end she had become hardworking, responsible and much kinder than at the start.

"You will please leave Mr. Bryant to me." Props to Mrs. Bryant for having a heart AND a spine.

"You've surrounded this house with a miasma of scandal, and touched all of us by association" Now that is a line worth remembering for future use. Perhaps in my next grand family reunion. 😁

“These days a working woman must have a skill.” “...but you seem to have so many.”

As her butler has said about her, Violet hates to be predictable. Like Mary, she's very contrary and likes to be perceived as heartless and only into appearances. On the inside, she's really a big softie. I think she was more motivated by compassion than appearances, but let people think it was all about appearances because she loves playing the devil's advocate with Isobel. "Happily it was not needed." For heavens sake, she would never chop up a baby in a stew, but she just said that to shock/irk Isobel.

"Wh-what is 'The Scarlet Letter?' " "A novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne." "It sounds most unsuitable." Not even that funny unless she says it! She could read the telephone directory aloud and it'd be funny! 😂😂😂

I will say, the Dowager was right in a way. Ethel's reputation in the village will always be mud. In London she could start over and have a good job. Mrs. Crawley was kind, but she seemed to have an agenda of forcing people to accept Ethel.

Ethel v Edith. I always found Ethel’s storyline, and Robert and Violet’s reactions to Ethel’s premarital sex and subsequent child to be fascinating. Not once did any of them realize that Ethel’s having sex and a child was exactly the same as what their own daughter and granddaughter, Edith, did. Edith herself doesn’t see the linkage. Edith’s money and support from others in her family and one of her father’s tenants gave her options that Ethel never had. So Edith ended up the wife of a Marquis while Ethel might have (were it not for Mrs. Crowley and Violet) ended up a prostitute, but still ended up as a servant, which was a win for her.

I love Mrs Crawley. So good-hearted, so open-minded, so brave

Isobel is an idealist, Violet is a realist. Ethel will most likely be happier and she gets to see Charlie. I am surprised Violet didn't know about the Scarlet Letter.

3:10 - “You’ve been reading those communist newspapers again!” LOL

"I know you wouldn't agree I know how you hate facing facts." As the kettle said to the pot Violet.

"It sounds most unsuitable". 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I really love the banter between dowager and Mrs. Crawley in this series. They won't admit it but both of them have similar characteristics and both can be stubborn as hell to prove their views. They both really care about the people in their lives and are not afraid to stand up for them.

I was so frustrated with Ethel and the choice she made when she worked at the big house but they really leaned in to her storyline and it produced some amazing moments. Violet, Mrs Hughes, and Isabel all really show wonderful parts of their nature in getting a "fallen women" back on her feet again. I doubt many had such powerful allies in those times so it's nice to see the family using their influence and position to help someone in real need of it.

I actually kind of like that Violet never told Mrs. Crowley that she saw Ethel crying. She lets Mrs. Crowley go one believing it is just about keeping up appearances. It's true to her character.

"You've been reading those communist newspapers again" I'm putting that on a t-shirt

Do not mess with Professor McGonnigal

The Dowager Countess would be the first to tell you that she is Lady Grantham, not Lady Violet.