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Downton Abbey Season 6 Recap: Episode 8
February 22, 2016 February 22, 2016 ~ ADMIN ~ 1 Comment
This episode had an unusual job to play. Past penultimate Downton episodes have wrapped up their series quite well as the Christmas Special tends to have more of a "field trip" type setting. Tasked with wrapping up the entire show, this episode had to figure out the balance between story and finale, knowing that the special wouldn't be able to wrap it all up.
While the resolution to the Mary/Henry romance was overshadowed by her cruelty with Edith, the episode navigated through that mess admirably. The Mary/Edith feud has been trivial since series one, popping up sporadically to remind the viewers that the two still dislike each other, even though they continue to live under the same roof. I never cared much about Mary learning about Marigold's past and don't think it was completely necessary here.
Did Bertie need to be a Marquis? If the Marigold nonsense had been settled already and it was merely the cherry on the top of Edith and Lord Hexam, I'd be okay with it. We've seen the "I'm actually nobility" card played already with Charles Blake and a similar twist with Matthew inheriting the Swire fortune. Here, it seemed kind of unnecessary.
As did Mary's involvement in their falling out. It was almost anti-climatic after Donk, Cora, and Rosamund all argued about whether or not she should tell for several scenes. She should have just told him herself and been done with it.
Edith's plotlines have (surprisingly) been among the best of the show this year and it does make some sense that her resolution would be held over until the Christmas Special. If the show is committed to weddings for both Mary and Edith, it makes sense that they're in separate episodes. Edith's wedding would take her away from Downton itself while Mary's would not. It wouldn't make much sense for the finale of Downton not to primarily take place at Downton.
Initially, I was annoyed that the show was spending time with Edith's magazine since so few characters have ever had two major plots progress in the same episode, but Spratt was priceless. Or should I say, Miss Cassandra Jones. Spratt hasn't received much screen time this season, but Jeremy Swift has made the most of every opportunity he's been given.
I see why Mary is Carson's favorite. They're the two most selfish people on the whole show. Why on earth would Carson give Molesley a hard time about trying out teaching or object to Donk, Cora, and Rosamund wanting to bail out poor Mrs. Patmore? Doesn't he realize that these people have futures to look out for and won't be his to boss around for the rest of eternity? Carson has easily become the least likable character on the show.
Barrow lives! His suicide attempt was way too predictable to carry much of an emotional impact, but the scene with him, Mary, and Master George was one of the highlights of the whole series. Mary and Barrow have always lived by similar philosophies toward others and it's a shame that they haven't had more scenes together.
Given what Mary had done in the episode, it might be easy to agree with Donk in saying that her criticisms of him getting rid of Barrow were below the belt, but she was completely on point. It's important that Donk and Carson felt remorse over their handling of the situation as it reaffirms the value of Downton to everyone who lives there, not just the upstairs residents. The show has to address the changing world, but it doesn't have to send Barrow away before the show ends. I still hope he takes over for Carson as butler though it seems possible that he'll go work for either the Dowager or the Marquis of Hexam
Mr. Molesley the teacher was perfect. Beyond that, it was dignified. Unlike Carson, most of us want to see Molesley live up to his full potential. For once, Bates said something I agree with. Molesley is a kind man indeed.
The Patmore and the "house of ill repute" saga was mostly well handled. I hated how much the characters laughed about it for the first half of the episode as the situation was one that could ruin Patmore's entire retirement, but it all worked out in the end. Beryl's House of Ill Repute has a nice ring to it!
Not enough Dowager this episode. While her presence would've naturally affected the Edith/Bertie situation, sending her away until the final part of the show wasn't a great solution. She's too good of a character and too important to Downton as a show to leave her out of so much of the penultimate episode.
I'm not sure I'd ever complain about not having enough Isobel in this episode, but her scenes were all excellent. The show has done a great job dealing with the potential awkwardness between Isobel and Mary and their meeting in the graveyard was a great way to honor Matthew and solidify the case for Henry. I'll be very upset if Larry Grey isn't in the Christmas Special.
It's hard to argue that there was too much Rosamund in this particular episode since she had a role to play, but there's been too much of her this series in general. Assuming she's in the Special, Rosamund will have been in six episodes this series. Her episode breakdown for the other five is one, three, one, four, and three episodes. She isn't a terrible character, but this has been too much of a fairly okay thing.
Tom might be the MVP of this episode. He's shined this series despite being given little to do. I'm glad the show chose to acknowledge that Tom was the best man at both of Mary's weddings as that was exactly what I was thinking when he stepped inside the car. I was also glad he acknowledged how much he'd meddled in the Mary/Henry romance. Transparency is certainly rare at Downton.
This was a pretty good episode that mixed story and finale quite well. I am excited to see Rose in the Special and to see how it all wraps up!
Just a programming note for the site, I will post a review of series 6 as a whole and some character analysis articles in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading! Just as a side note, my books Five College Dialogues and Five More College Dialogues are still .99 cents on amazon if you'd like to check them out here.
February 9, 2016 February 11, 2016 ~ ADMIN ~ Leave a comment
Series 6 has easily been Downton's best in years. Episode 6 might be the second weakest of the series, after the premiere, but there was still plenty to enjoy. I certainly could not have said that about the past two years.
The pacing of the Mary/Henry romance is somewhat unnecessarily problematic. Mary was right to acknowledge that it was going fast, but she doesn't need to be on the same page as the storyline its elf, especially when Fellowes can advance the timeline at his whim. It isn't just going fast; it feels rushed.
I'd be more sympathetic if the upstairs character hadn't been stuck in a bizarre holding pattern for the first three episodes waiting for Tom to return. He simply should never have left, or returned after the first episode. Looking back on it, Carson and Hughes should probably have married earlier as well, though I'm quite tired of misogynistic Carson.
Couple that with the Baxter drama and you have a decent amount of filler for a series that doesn't necessarily need it. It could be because of Matthew Goode's filming schedule, but it's a shame that we only get Henry Talbot for a little more than half a series, especially when the first couple episodes were so stagnant for the Crawley's social life.
This series has managed change quite well, recognizing that Downton is at its best when it weaves change into its storylines rather than use it as the storyline itself. This episode balanced that well, which was surprising since change was the storyline. The open house was a bit of a bore, but does hint at what's to come for that lifestyle.
I was glad that several characters brought up how odd it was to have people pay to look around the Abbey. It didn't help that no one really prepared. Watching Cora, Edith, and Mary stumble over their tours was mildly amusing, I would have been pretty pissed off if I was a paying customer. I definitely would have stolen some silverware, a snuff box, and Mr. Molesley. Donk being in bed all episode was kind of a drag, though I enjoyed his interaction with the boy.
I've been critical of the Dowager's behavior throughout the hospital plotline, but she had a right to be pissed off in this episode. It makes sense that she should step down given her age and opposition to the takeover, but Cora, Clarkson, and Isobel didn't need to go behind her back like that. Why couldn't she kick off the ceremonies? It wasn't like everything was finalized by then. Cora was deeply immature and disrespectful in this episode and continues to be one of the show's least likeable characters.
Poor Barrow. One does have to wonder how hard it would be for Lord Grantham to secure him employment somewhere. Under butlers may have been a thing of the past in 1925, but butlers certainly weren't, especially new ones who would be less expensive.
The other big problem I have with the whole downsizing thing is Molesley's lack of role in it. Yes, we know he's got his teacher storyline, but why does that mean he needs to be excluded from Donk and Carson's discussions? Barrow doesn't necessarily look like the obvious man out with a fifty-year-old footman running about.
It's obvious that a Carson/Hughes retirement is around the corner and that Barrow is being groomed to be the next butler with Molesley teaching and Andy helping out part time when he's not farming with Mr. Mason. The question really revolves around what to do with Barrow in the interim. It's not too surprising to see that the show decided to go down the homosexuality route.
I wish it hadn't though. Fellowes has always done a good job portraying Barrow's homosexuality in a manner that respects history while catering to an audience that is far more sympathetic than the people of the time would be. But I don't think it needs to be a plotline anymore, especially not in this slightly modified rehash of what happened with Jimmy back in series three. I'd much rather have the show confront Barrow's deficiencies as a human being at this juncture in the show.
Molesley finally gets to do something! I hope his exam goes well. It's time for the true hero of Downton to get a win.
Carson continues to be a terrible husband. Why did they even get married? Between that and his lecture with Barrow, he's definitely the biggest stinker of the episode.
Fellowes really has done a fine job making Carson as unlikable as humanly possible this series. He's been cold to just about everyone except for his Donkship. It's hard to really see where he's coming from in questioning Barrow when he's been so cold to his under butler in just about every other encounter.
Isobel's romance with Lord Merton was inevitable. It's not terribly interesting, but it doesn't take up much time either. I am mildly excited to see Larry Grey again. Dinners with him are always exciting!
I wasn't a fan of the Edith/Mary feud. It's tiresome and Mary should've been able to figure out the Marigold secret by now. I assume it will lead to some sort of resolution between the two, but I can't say that I care.
Daisy's behavior was also unnecessarily odious. Spiteful Daisy has never been enjoyable. Why does she care if Patmore and Mr. Mason give each other vegetables?
Oh the Bates . Always something with those two. Why can't they be happy?
It was nice to see Evelyn Napier again. He continues to be one of the show's best longtime tertiary characters. I wonder if he'll speak to Henry Talbot about a certain Turkish gentleman.
Despite some criticisms, I did enjoy this episode. It wasn't as exciting as previous ones, though it was far less bloody. His Donkship appears to be in the clear, which makes me wonder who will have a tragic ending. Barrow looks to be the obvious candidate, though I wouldn't rule out the hall boy who has to clean the Carsons' silverware. Leave a comment if you'd like to share your prediction.
January 25, 2016 January 25, 2016 ~ ADMIN ~ Leave a comment
Henry Talbot returns and brings the old Downton with him. Tonight was the first night that Downton looked like anything other than a funeral home in far too long. The world is changing but that doesn't mean we can't have juicy upstairs drama along the way.
I think holding off on a return was a smart move. As Tony Gillingham and Charles Blake have shown us, a Mary romance is strongest when it favors brevity as opposed to the Mary/Tony/Charles failed love triangle over the past two series. Both of them were good characters, but they overstayed their welcome. I'm a huge Matthew Goode fan and I was very impressed with how well he meshed with the rest of the characters.
The party was a big hit. Many ofDownton's best scenes have come from the dining room, but this series' dinners have been fairly depressing. Having a full boisterous table was one of many callbacks to the early days.
As was Gwen! Her reintroduction was handled quite well. I was skeptical considering how long it's been when you consider how many people in the house never really knew her, which was also exacerbated by Carson and Hughes' absence. I loved how Sybil was effectively woven into the narrative. It's been a while since the characters actually reflected on her as a person rather than just bringing up how much they miss her and it was great to see her legacy factor into the Mr. Mason decision.
I was very conflicted about The Dowager's behavior until the end of the episode. She delivered a few zingers throughout the episode, but her quest for power was very childish. I don't love that Fellowes waited four episodes to divulge this fairly important detail. We've rarely seen the Dowager act without good intention and it was shocking to be lead to think that could be the case for this long.
Poor Barrow. His "outing" of Gwen was juvenile and quite frankly a little beneath him at this point. We don't need nasty Barrow back, especially after his heart to heart with Baxter.
It was very interesting to see him as butler. Over the past three series, we haven't seen much of what he actually does as underbutler other that serve things and open doors. The Barrow/Molesley dynamic has always been a bit awkward, but it worked here. I was sad to see Barrow tell Molesley he should save his pity for himself. How rude.
I see two possible outcomes for Barrow. I think he could kill himself once he's finally forced out, but I do think that his lordship will die and Carson and Hughes will leave to start their Bed & Breakfast. The only thing that really complicates this is the Mary/Henry storyline, but I'm also not very convinced that they'll actually end up together. A flirtatious subplot seems just as likely.
Molesley had a role in multiple storylines for a change. We don't really know what his storyline is. There's been hints of wanting to be a teacher and he is wooing Baxter, but he doesn't have anything of substance of his own. It kind of undercuts Barrow's search for a job since Molesley would presumably also want to find a more permanent position than as the oldest footman in England.
Andy showed some life for once. I imagine he might leave to help Mr. Mason and Daisy run the farm. I'm glad we got a little more screen time with him as it makes it easier to care that he exists.
Daisy's outburst was a little over the top, but it kind of worked. If we assume that she'll leave to help Mr. Mason, this does set up her exit. Seeing the whole downstairs staff try to talk her out of it felt too soapy, even for a show likeDownton.
Edith didn't get as much screen time, but her character continues to shine. I like that they're balancing her career and personal life better than previous series. It was smart not to have her fret over the Drewe's departure since let's face it, Edith spends way too much time depressed.
As does Anna. Was the miscarriage drama really necessary? Can the Bates go a single episode without having cause to cry? Please Fellowes, either kill them or let them be happy. This suffering needs to end.
This is a bit of side note, but I found it odd that Rosamund has a footman. Shouldn't Mead (who hasn't been seen on camera since series one) be able to run Belgrave on his own? IT just seemed awkward when Mary was there and earlier this series when Edith was visitng. I initially rolled my eyes when Rosamund was featured in yet another episode, but she was okay this time. She is a supporting character best appreciated in small doses.
Unlike Spratt, who should be every episode. Why was he missing? Unacceptable.
Cora continues to be fairly unlikable, though she earned points for supporting the farm. I didn't like how she assumed Molesley was gossiping about Baxter, but she also admitted that she didn't say a word to Gwen for the two years she lived there. I wish we could've seen Daisy ream her out. I'm sure she deserves it for one thing or another.
The Baxter storyline isn't that interesting. Neither is she. I don't think the show necessarily needs filler so I'm not a huge fan of the storyline.
Not a fan of the Carson/Hughes reception. Would calling her Mrs. Carson have truly been the end of the world? Sure it was slightly amusing, but they took it too far.
That's it for this week. Another strong episode. We're halfway through the regular series. So far, I've been impressed with the way the show's balanced entertainment and wrapping things up.
US Downton Abbey Season 6 Recap: Episode 2
January 11, 2016 ~ ADMIN ~ Leave a comment
I'm not entirely comfortable saying that this episode might be the best of the post Matthew era just yet, but I think there's a good chance it might be. After last week's mediocrity, I would have laughed if that thought had been presented before. Downton Abbey has always been a show about change and it's been at its best when it embraces it. Part of the reason why the reception for series four and five has been lukewarm is that the most of the characters were kept in an awkward holding pattern with no clear direction.
The reason for this high praise is simple. We all know the end is coming. With only nine episodes in a series, the show does need to establish where it's going, but t hat doesn't mean it needs to be the only thing that matters. I initially rolled my eyes at the Drewe subplot as I thought it was harmful to Edith's bigger picture storyline at the newspaper, which I highlighted as the strongest aspect of last episode. Once again, the Edith plot was the best part of the show.
It worked so well because it didn't try to shy away from the fact that the Crawley's have completely screwed over the Drewe family. I was prepared to slam the whole episode until Lord Grantham addressed the rather large elephant in the room. The Drewe's did Edith a huge favor last season and they've been repaid by having their whole lives completely uprooted. This kind of aristocratic injustice has been quite rare over the course. It took guts not to sugarcoat the terrible situation.
The Daisy storyline also progressed well. It's clear that Daisy is going to go work with Mr. Mason and the show can't afford to lose her this early on, so there's no need to rush. Mrs. Patmore once again served no other purpose than to be involved with other people's sexual affairs, this time hinting that Barrow should avoid another Jimmy incident.
One thing that really bothered me was Carson's coldness to Barrow over his interview. He treated him with pure contempt that made no sense whatsoever. We've seen little over the course of the show to suggest that Carson likes him, but Barrow has been under butler for five years now. There's no way he would stay at Downton if his boss treated him like that on a daily basis.
Barrow's interview was a little clunky as well. He knows the world is changing. Vocally expressing disdain for the workload involved with being an "assistant butler" was foolish. I wasn't a huge fan of the homophobic butler and didn't really see the need to make him dislike Thomas for that reason. We know Barrow's entitled and the butler could simply dislike him for his words rather than his sexuality.
Why isn't Molesley looking at these jobs? Surely he'd rather be an "assistant butler" than a footman. It's a point that the show should address even if he doesn't end up going anywhere because the show needs Kevin Doyle. I shall christen this the "Molesley Dilemma."
I do wish Molesley could have more of a plotline. His humor won him a regular role on the show, but his sincerity was what won him the viewers' hearts. There can never be enough Molesley and he should be awarded a spinoff.
Not a big Andy fan. He's essentially a blander Alfred, which I didn't think was even possible. I like that he's at Downton, since the show benefits from having a young person in the house, but I never feel like I need to see more of him. I suspect that he's gay and will eventually have some fun with Thomas so I'm okay with him doing absolutely nothing until then.
No Spratt or Denker. It took me a series to forgive Spratt for sabotaging Molesley's shot at a dignified job, but he's grown on me. He was probably in the kitchen critiquing Denker's broth.
I criticized the hospital plotline last week because I thought it was too repetitive. It worked in this episode because the show was able to convey Violet and Dr. Clarkson's passion without making them sound like power hungry elitists (though Clarkson is middle class). People don't like to give up control and they're not necessarily at fault for being reluctant here. The ability to control one's healthcare is still an issue in the year 2015. This isn't necessarily an instance where Isobel and modernity are completely in the right.
The Carson/Hughes wedding reception debacle was quite strong and showed a different side to Carson's reverent idolization of the Crawley's. Mrs. Hughes and Lord Grantham were essentially on the same page in acknowledging that while Carson/Hughes belong at the house, that's not how they belong.
My only real complaint is that there wasn't enough time spent justifying Mrs. Hughes position. We can accept that she feels out of place, but the schoolhouse simply wasn't a good alternative. Like the hospital, it's a case where the battle lines are a bit murky, but in this case, but Hughes just doesn't look like she's trying hard enough to express her feelings to Carson.
The low point of the episode is unsurprising. I hate the Bates so much I don't even want to write about them. They makes frequent mentions of their suffering and do nothing about it. Why can't they do anything besides be depressed? I wish Bates would drown in the pond he threw his leg brace into so Molesley could have his job.
Despite some criticisms, this was a very strong episode. The show felt more alive than it has in years. As long as they stay away from the Bates and murder, this should turn out to be quite a good final series.
January 3, 2016 January 4, 2016 ~ ADMIN ~ Leave a comment
Between the Mr. Green murder resolution and the Carson/Hughes/Patmore game of sexual telephone, I couldn't help but wonder if Fellowes was trying too hard to appease the masses. The Green saga has been frequently singled out as the show's worst storyline and fans have been clamoring for a Carson/Hughes romance for years now. I can't say I'm disappointed that Fellowes has decided to give the people what they want, but his writing left a lot to be desired.
The celebration over the revelation of Green's killer felt like it was more for the audience than the characters themselves. Did that news really call for a party? Wasn't Anna in the clear already? A woman's arrest seemed like an inappropriate thing to celebrate, but then again this did mark the end of an "error."
I'm not completely surprised that someone like Mrs. Hughes would be uncomfortable discussing coitus with a man, even if it was her future husband, but Fellowes took it too far by actually having Mrs. Patmore talk to Carson. The whole thing went from an awkward joke to an equally clumsy attempt at sincerity. It felt sort of like an excuse to give Patmore something to do as involving her felt both forced and ridiculous and it robbed the story of much of its emotional impact.
Unsurprisingly, much of the episode revolved around change. Barrow's plotline was my second favorite of the night. He's in a pretty rough position. He's not old enough to retire like Carson and not exactly young enough to completely switch professions either like Andy. As an under butler, he would also be at a disadvantage competing for job opportunities against trained butlers who might find themselves in the situation Spratt almost believed he was in.
I liked how Thomas didn't immediately resort to malicious scheming after he learned his job was in jeopardy. I wouldn't be surprised to see this happen in the next few episodes, but it's nice to see Barrow evolving as a character. He certainly deserves more after all these years.
Speaking of Andy, his introduction is mildly puzzling. Given the shortage of background servants, it makes sense that they introduced him if for any other reason than to occupy space. I don't really care that he wasn't given much to do. I didn't love the "don't trust Thomas" retread, but it wasn't a major plot point either.
Downsizing is inevitable, though I'm glad it's not doing it under the pretense of "Downton is failing." The Dowager was also right to bring up the issue of people losing their livelihoods, especially considering how the characters justified the necessity for Downton's survival as a place of employment back in series three. It's a case where you see both sides of the equation.
My favorite storyline belongs to one of my least favorite characters. I thought Edith's scenes were all perfectly done and I like the direction they're going in with her character. Her romantic storylines have been far less interesting than her professional ones and it does make sense that she should move on from Downton, unless they want to replace Isis with 100 cats.
I wasn't too impressed with the Violet/Isobel hospital feud. It's already been done before and with an episode that heavily dealt with change already, I found it hard to care. Very little of it felt organic.
Which is explained by the scene where the Dowager lays down the law with Denker in front of Isobel. The hospital fight felt very reminiscent of series one. Even though the two have always been on opposite ends of the change spectrum, it still felt like a weird fight for them to have.
The Daisy storyline was mostly good, though I wish they didn't waste any time trying to get anyone to believe that Daisy would actually get fired. I suspect she will leave by the end of the series, but it seemed out of character for Carson to strongly suggest that she'd committed a "dismissible offense." Carson may be a stickler, but he's never fired anyone. The two who have been fired from Downton, Ethel and Jimmy, were sacked by Mrs. Hughes and Lord Grantham respectively (he did advocate for Thomas' firing in series one, though he and his Lordship were on the same page. Edna technically left on her own accord).
The blackmail was a bit of a shock. Mary's affair with Lord Gillingham wasn't exactly something I expected to see surface again, but it was handled well. I was disappointed not to see Matthew Goode's Henry Talbot in the episode. I suspect that Mary's romantic endeavors will take a backseat to her managing the estate for the next few episodes.
What to say about Molesley, the greatest character of them all? He wasn't given much to do. I wonder how much he gets paid. He wasn't mentioned as being a luxury when Lord Grantham mentioned Barrow's position, which suggests that he's paid like a footman. That's pretty messed up given his age, training, and tenure in service to the Crawley's.
I'm really tired of the "Molesley as footman" joke. I understand that it's necessary to keep him at Downton, but it's not entertaining to watch how Carson treats him. He's a grown man working a job meant for teenagers. The humor in that wore off a long time ago.
Tom and Lady Rose's absences were felt. Rose had plenty of crap storylines and Branson's departure was a bit drawn out, but the house feels empty without them and the kitchen maids, even if the children are allowed downstairs now. We didn't even see the single hall boy!
All in all, I didn't love this episode. It did what it needed to do, but the dialogue was a little rough around the edges and some of the storylines didn't click as well as they should have. I do think it's headed in the right direction, which is what really matters.
From Molesley, A Kevin Doyle Fan Page
In honor of tomorrow's premiere, we are delighted to feature a sampling of artwork from Molesley, a Kevin Doyle Fan Page. To see dozens of other images of Downton's cricket master, we encourage you to like their Facebook page.
Downton Abbey Series 6 in Review
December 9, 2015 January 3, 2016 ~ ADMIN ~ Leave a comment
The holdup for my review of series 6 as a whole can mostly be blamed on one difficulty I've had with Downton's past eight episodes (plus grad school). I wanted to do a separate article on the series 6 "MVP," but I had trouble coming up with one who fit the bill, which isn't to say that everyone was terrible or that the series was bad. This conflict actually summarizes my thoughts on this series as a whole quite well.
The "MVP" candidate field was compromised of four candidates: Edith, Tom, Barrow, and Molesley. The latter two can (sadly) be eliminated simply because they weren't given enough to do (more on this later). I'd pick Edith if I absolutely had to, but I can't after what happened in the finale.
Edith's storylines are defined by tragedy. With her magazine, Edith finally found an environment she could thrive in. For a character I've despised since Downton began, I was pleasantly surprised by how Edith carried the show in the first few episodes. Then of course, she had to get sucked into another horrible love plotline.
I can see how the Marigold dilemma made it tempting for Fellowes to want to give her another suitor. She didn't need one. Most characters this series only had one major storyline and she already had the magazine. This isn't to say that Bertie Pelham had to be a detriment, but he was. By making Bertie a Marquis and then leaving Edith in a rather hasty manner, Fellowes took the least interesting aspects of Sir Anthony Swire and Charles Blake's arcs and tossed them right back in the audience's face. No thanks.
I never bought into the Mary's malice toward Edith either. Yes, Mary is often jealous and unhappy, but two of them haven't really taken action against each other since the first series. We've seen plenty of sarcastic comments, but that's about it.
Edith was fun to watch this series, which is rare for her. I almost always skip her scenes when I re-watch the show. I can't call her the "MVP" when she ended the series in such a typical predictable Edith like fashion. Yes, we need some plot for the Christmas Special, but it didn't need to be that.
Which takes us to Tom, who shined with every opportunity he was given. Problem was, he wasn't given many of them. Whereas Edith received two plotlines, Tom had none. I can't call him the "MVP" either when he didn't do anything besides remind Mary that she doesn't need to be unhappy for the rest of her life.
Series 6 had a split that we haven't really seen Downton implement since series 3. Essentially, this series can be divided into pre-Tom (1-3) and post-Tom (4-8), which isn't dissimilar from the series 2 World War I split or the Downton is bankrupt spell in series 3. This isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Shifting the tone a bit helps keep the series fresh. The question we need to ask is whether or not this series needed that at all.
I've said it in previous recaps and I'll say it again. Tom leaving was a mistake. It accomplished nothing and forced the show into a bizarre holding pattern until he returned. If Fellowes absolutely had to have Tom leave to reassure his loyalty to the Crawleys, fine, but he could have come back after the first episode, especially since the Carson/Hughes wedding was drawn out longer than it needed to be. Three was a waste.
But wait! You may be wondering, didn't I say that episode 2 might be best episode of the post Matthew era? I still think that's true, but I think the first few episodes created a strain on the rest of the series that ultimately proved problematic with a certain plotline we all wanted to see.
There was one man everyone wanted to see since his appearance in the series 5 Christmas special. Why did it take until the fourth episode to give us Henry Talbot? I've speculated that Matthew Goode's busy schedule may have been to blame, but he didn't really have a lot going on in 2015 for that to have been a problem.
The romance felt rushed when it didn't have to be. Tom played a useful role in the courtship process, which also shows why he shouldn't have left in the first place. Five episodes wasn't really enough time for them to become reacquainted, fall in love, and then marry when you think about how stretched out her relationships with Matthew and Tony/Charles (counting them as one) were. I get that maybe Fellowes didn't want the final series to just be about Mary's love life, but what alternative did he really put forth?
The hospital plotline was pretty underwhelming. There haven't been many storylines that have involved the majority of the cast and there's a reason for that. Downton is a show that thrives when its plotlines are diversified, which allows it to endure a few stinkers. I wouldn't necessarily call the whole plotline a stinker, but it went on for far too long.
Beyond that, who looked good coming out of the hospital resolution? Cora was as unlikable as ever going behind the Dowager's back, but even Lady Violet looked pretty petty refusing to give up control just because she hates change. Donk's projectile blood spurting didn't even really play a role in it at all in its resolution. The story shouldn't have gone on longer than two or three episodes.
I don't think there was a moment that fans looked forward to more than the Carson/Hughes wedding. Unfortunately, Carson decided to turn into the most unlikable character on the whole show, behaving nastily to just about everyone he interacts with. I loved the way Mrs. Hughes handled him, but the actual romance was sorely lacking throughout the series. I constantly found myself wondering why they were even together beyond the canned "it's what the fans want."
Oh Barrow. I mostly loved him this series, aside from his nastiness with Gwen, which seemed out of character by this point in the show. I dreaded the inevitable suicide, but felt that it was handled with grace by all the characters. Barrow's hesitance to leave Downton shows the struggle that many in service had to endure, forced out of places that were their homes in every way except for the physical deed to the property. My only problem was that it was a little drawn out and prevented him from doing anything else this series. He could have done more with Master George!
The Mr. Mason storyline served as a nice contrast to Barrow's struggles. I loved how he was integrated into this series after pretty much only making cameo appearances in previous series. He shows that while that way of life changes, it does so gradually and that there are happy endings.
The Mr. Mason farm dilemma also allowed Daisy to really come into her own. Her interactions with Cora were among my favorite of the series as they put Lady Grantham in her place and allowed Downton to do the right thing by one of its own. I didn't care for her outburst at Mrs. Patmore, but the three of them plus Andy and Molesley have formed a refreshing dynamic in the show that I wasn't expecting.
The Bates weren't terrible, but it would have been nice to have them involved in something that wasn't pure misery. Oh well. At least there wasn't another murder.
I wish we'd seen more Molesley, especially while Barrow was looking for other employment. The show oddly ignored the elephant of the room of the 50 year old footman at a time, though Kevin Doyle shined with whatever he was given. Seeing him come into his own as a teacher was my favorite moment of the series.
Regarding Molesley and Baxter, I think Fellowes made the right decision not forcing a romantic pairing. I like that they're "friends" in a way that doesn't necessarily preclude them from taking it further. We'll see what happens with the Special, but I won't be disappointed if the two don't get together.
Spratt and Denker have quietly become two of the best supporting characters in the series and I was disappointed to see their frequent absences. Denker only appeared in half the episodes and Spratt only did her one better. Considering how delightful their scenes were, this was a shame, especially when the insufferable Lady Rosamund bested her series high by two episodes (making the safe assumption that she appears in the finale).
The best part of the series is perhaps the fact that Downton isn't closing. We know what's coming for big houses, but we don't need to see the end in 1925 just because the show is ending. The series lacked the depressing tone that I was worried about after watching that sad trailer back in August.
I could go on for another thousand words, but ultimately I did enjoy series 6 immensely. Having a clear end goal in sight helped focus the show and this has clearly been the best series of the post-Matthew era. The pacing problems prevented it from being the best series, which I genuinely think it could have been, but this has been a very satisfying conclusion to the show.
Reconsidering Sarah O'Brien
October 4, 2015 October 4, 2015 ~ ADMIN ~ Leave a comment
"Her ladyship's soap," tells us all we need to know about Sarah O'Brien, doesn't it? After all, who really missed Cora's scheming lady's maid? Besides Cora of course. Alfred seemed rather indifferent to the disappearance of his aunt and protector against the evil Mr. Barrow.
While Edith and Isobel have their detractors, it's hard to argue that O'Brien isn't the most disliked regular character on Downton Abbey (with the possible exception of Ethel). No one else on the show left soap on the ground to remove potential heirs from the equation. Something about writing O'Brien off simply because of the soap incident doesn't sit right with me.
Is it murder? I don't think the show thinks it is. Why? She was never punished for it. Characters in fiction don't get to escape the guilt of murder scot-free, or by risking Spanish flu.
Beyond that, it's ridiculous to assume that O'Brien could've placed the soap in such a way that it would guarantee a miscarriage. She also tried to stop it as it was happening, remarking that such was not in her character. If you want to hate her for ensuring that Matthew would remain the heir, fine, but O'Brien is actually a very complex character.
If you look at O'Brien's relationship with Thomas, you might think that it simply came to be because the two were chain smoking villains. That's really not all there is to the story. While, I suspect that she genuinely cared for Barrow, at least until series three, it was actually likely the other characters' fault that the two were brought together.
Carson and Hughes are extremely picky as to whom they spend recreational time with. Carson only likes to hang out with Mrs. Hughes, treating Molesley like pure garbage even though the two are likely closest in age of the male servants. He's happy when Bates comes back for some strange reason, but the two don't spend any real recreational time together. It doesn't appear that Carson would ever invite Bates to go fishing in ponds for limp correctors.
Hughes is a bit more complex due to the presence of Patmore, who is under her command even though the two don't really work together, at least after Mrs. Bird lead the kitchen revolution to give Beryl control of her own pantry. The two are clearly friends. Hughes also plays a maternal role to Anna, Daisy, and to a lesser extent, Gwen.
Where does O'Brien fit into this? Hughes has her confidant in Patmore and as lady's maid, she's above the others, though she does participate in eavesdropping with Anna and Gwen precisely one time. Who is supposed to be O'Brien's friend?
You could argue that she brought that upon herself with her abrasive personality. Except she's nice to Mr. Lang. Maybe that's loneliness, or maybe the other characters just didn't give her a chance.
There's also the fact that she did have a part to play. The show needed a villain and O'Brien and Barrow's schemes played a large part in the show's success. Problem is whereas Barrow is highly regarded by many fans, myself included, O'Brien is despised. Is that fair?
From everything we know about O'Brien, she's a woman who's fiercely loyal to those who show kindness to her. We see this in her interaction with Cora, Barrow, and Alfred. She's someone who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty to benefit the people she cares about, especially if it means that Bates find himself lying in the dirt.
With that in mind, we can sort of blame Hughes for their distant relationship. Hughes had a friend and didn't need O'Brien. It doesn't make sense that O'Brien would be intentionally hostile to her boss. It makes much more sense that she was lonely and jealous of her relationship with Patmore.
I wanted to start and end my evaluation of O'Brien with the soap because that really was her defining moment. From everything she'd heard, Cora was replacing her. Cora even talked about it directly to her. This was all one big misunderstanding and while I won't excuse what she did with the soap, I do understand where she was coming from.
The aristocracy often sent servants packing and at that time, it wasn't always easy to find other work. O'Brien felt she was faced with losing her livelihood and she lashed out because of it. Wrong, yes. Human, yes. Cora essentially controlled her entire existence and from her perspective, was flaunting it right in front of her. To write O'Brien off completely because of the soap feels wrong.
Her biggest flaw appears to be her lack of likability. She wasn't very nice to Molesley when he feared for his own job during the "Matthew doesn't need a valet for all of one episode" debacle. She lacks Barrow's wit, which endears him to the audience. I wouldn't say she's more a villain than Barrow, but her shorter tenure on the show didn't allow her to be as complex as he grew to be.
It's hard to really say she wasn't missed either. Even if she isn't that well liked as a character, series four and five weren't great. Could that be because there wasn't one epic O'Brien/Barrow showdown to end their feud once and for all? I'm not sure we can rule that out.
These points may not make you like O'Brien and that's okay. She isn't a very likable character, though certainly more so than the insufferable Mr. Bates. To write her off simply because of her ladyship's soap ignores her considerable contributions to the success of Downton.
Season 5 of Downton Abbey Bides Its Time While Waiting for the End
November 11, 2014 September 20, 2015 ~ Ian Thomas Malone ~ Leave a comment
Change has always had a consistent presence on Downton Abbey. Being a period drama, we have a fairly good idea of where the show is going to go as it creeps closer to its inevitable finale. Despite this, the show has done a remarkable job in breathing new life into the old house and decaying aristocratic society.
We saw this particularly in season three with the arrivals of Alfred, Jimmy, and Ivy, which gave the show's dynamic a breath of fresh air. The youth movement did wonders to negate the feeling that from here on out, life at Downton would veer from the extravagant to the simplistic. With Alfred's departure in series four, Ivy's after the Christmas Special, and Jimmy's after the first episode of series five, that youthful energy is all but gone, leaving Daisy in a similar holding pattern she was in at the start of the show.
The absence of the three of these characters isn't a big loss from a story perspective. Eight episodes is hardly enough time to adequately address the show's ensemble cast anyway. Their departures address something that we'd all rather avoid. Things are winding down and now it's starting to show.
The future was a predominant theme is season five. Carson, Hughes, Patmore, and the Bates all made arrangements for their retirements while Tom continued to grapple with his desire to leave for America while taking Sybbie's best interests into consideration. Lord Grantham continued to weigh the interests of the village against his obligation to preserve the way of life that can be threatened by those whose interest lie solely in monetary game. Mrs. Crawley debates a marriage proposal to the disdain of Lady Violet, who fears losing her treasured companion as selfish as that may be.
Problem is, this is all familiar territory. Edith and Tom's storylines are merely continuations of plots from last season that could, and probably should have been wrapped up. Lady Rose's late season courtship with Atticus is just about the only fresh plotline to be had other than Mrs. Crawley, who unexpectedly found herself in possession of one of the show's better stories.
The Bates remain the biggest thorn in Julian Fellows' paw. He has never really known what to do with them. Sadly, this has resulted in yet another murder plotline that's even more droll and tedious as the first. It's hard to imagine that #freebates was ever a legitimate fan rally as the couple hasn't had a positive moment in years.
Fan sentiment also provides a roadblock for Lady Edith and her illegitimate child. It's sad story. It isn't a particularly interesting one and Edith's years of being an annoying/whiney character didn't do the plot any favors. After five seasons of watching her mope around, it's hard to care.
This season had a few shining moments worth remembering. Miss Bunting quickly became of the most hated characters in the show's history and Fellow's timed her depature perfectly as to not allow her to overstay her welcome (or rather unwelcome). Thomas received redemption of sorts from Dr. Clarkson in one of the season's most touching moments. Molesley was Molesley and as such, got his own article.
I watched an old season two episode in between episodes to see the contrast between then and now. It's to be expected that shows drop off a bit as they get older. Even a worldwide phenomenon like Downton.
The problem is that Downton has an identity crisis, a problem that's existed since the World War I storyline ended but was exacerbated by Matthew's death. The show knows where it's going, but it doesn't know what to do with itself in the meantime. It seems to be a fairly safe assumption that next season will be the final one, which may not be such a bad idea.
Downton Abbey is certainly more entertaining the most of what's on TV, but it's also clear that the show is well past its prime. Fellows overindulged in repetitive storylines and drew out others unnecessarily. It's hard to call season five bad, but when the bar was raised so high from previous years, the drop in quality is a tad unfortunate. The Dowager would certainly not be impressed.
Downton Abbey's Sad Snub of Septimus Spratt
Mary Finelli on Downton Abbey's Sad Snub…
Sv on Downton Abbey Series 6 Recap:…
katesolveigsong on Downton Abbey Season 6 Recap:…
theclumsydancer on Downton Abbey Season 6 Recap:…
downtonworld.com


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Tag Archives: Irving Penn
January 20, 2011 by JP - 11 Comments
FROM HELLS ANGELS TO HITCHCOCK | IRVING PENN SHOT THEM ALL
Irving Penn – Doug, Hells Angels (San Francisco), 1967. Appeared in Look magazine, January, 1968.
This Hell's Angels motorcyclist writes no songs of protest. His actions, his very appearance, says all he wants to say to us. Thus, a lifestyle becomes a statement about the world and, in a sense, a work of art. Irving Penn went to San Francisco to photograph some of the people who outrage and lure us being what they are. Looking past current rages and entertainment, Penn placed these people in a neutral, ageless environment. His pictures, accompanied only by fragments of conversation are addressed not just to the now but to the days to come.
–Look magazine, January, 1968
Irving Penn – Hells Angels (San Francisco), 1967. Appeared in Look magazine, January of 1968.
December 16, 2010 by JP - 4 Comments
20TH CENTURY AVANT-GARDE ICON | TSY STYLE HALL OF FAME JEAN COCTEAU
"An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture."
Jean Cocteau. Quite possibly the most important art icon of the 20th century, who could seemingly do it all, and with great style– painter, poet, playwright, novelist, actor, film-maker, the list goes on and on. But he was first and foremost a poet at heart– and a truly incredible one at that.
Stunning photo of Jean Cocteau by Irving Penn. Damn, the man had style. Borrowing a page out of The Duke of Windsor's book– perfectly pairing classic menswear patterns with elegance and ease. "Penn made this portrait of Jean Cocteau during a 1948 trip to Paris for Vogue. Each thread of Cocteau's tie, vest, and suit is etched in light and shadow; the patterns and the texture pop out in vivid, tactile detail. The drape of his coat over an extended arm adds drama and balance to the composition. Cocteau is dressed in the sartorial attire of a dandy, which, by all accounts, he was. There is an air of flamboyance about him, until you look at his face. His dead-serious expression registers the fierce intelligence of a keen observer, as if he is taking our measure while deigning to allow us to take his." –Philip Gefter via
August 1955, France– Picasso with Jean Cocteau at a Bullfight –Image by © Vittoriano Rastelli/Corbis Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau knew one another for nearly fifty years. They met in 1915 following Picasso's departure from martre, where Cocteau's friend, the poet Max Jacob, had shared an atelier with the painter– one using the only bed by day, and other by night. Picasso made an immediate and lasting impression on Cocteau, who considered him as one of his three masters. via
Jean Cocteau sketching model Elizabeth Gibbons in a Chanel dress in his hotel bedroom (Castille in the Rue Cambon), surrounded by posters of his latest theatrical productions, photos of friends, medicine bottles, books, stage sets and pencils, 1937. –photo by Roger Schall via

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Adolf Schulten (ur. 27 maja 1870, zm. 19 marca 1960) – niemiecki historyk i archeolog. Znany z wieloletnich prac wykopaliskowych w delcie Gwadalkiwiru w południowej Hiszpanii, które prowadził w poszukiwaniu Tartessos, które utożsamiał z legendarną Atlantydą. Te bezskuteczne poszukiwania pochłonęły cały jego majątek.

Przypisy

Niemieccy archeolodzy
Niemieccy historycy
Urodzeni w 1870
Zmarli w 1960

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Mushrooms of the Southeast (A Timber Press Field Guide) (Paperback)
By Todd F. Elliott, Steven L. Stephenson
In our warehouse - should ship in 5-7 business days.
An essential reference for mushroom enthusiasts, hikers, and naturalists
Mushrooms of the Southeast is a compact, beautifully illustrated guide packed with descriptions and photographs of hundreds of the region's most important mushrooms. In addition to profiles on individual species, the book also includes a general discussion and definition of fungi, information on where to find mushrooms and collection guidelines, an overview of fungus ecology, and information on mushroom poisoning and how to avoid it.
Fully illustrates 330 species and discusses more than 1,000 of the region's most conspicuous, distinctive, interesting, and ecologically important mushrooms
Covers northern Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia
Helpful keys for identification
Clear, color-coded layout
Todd F. Elliott is a freelance naturalist, biologist, and photographer. His research passions are the study of global biodiversity and interrelationships in nature. To read more about his projects, visit toddelliott.weebly.com.
Steven L. Stephenson, a professor at the University of Arkansas, has collected and studied fungi for more than thirty-five years, and his research program has taken him to all seven continents and every major type of terrestrial ecosystem.
"Southeastern mushroom identifiers will need this book. . . to maximize their chances for success. It offers appropriately detailed, up-to-date coverage in an attractive, conveniently sized, and reasonably priced package. Buying it should be an easy decision for mushroomers in the Southeast." —The Mycophile
"An engaging field guide to fungal fruiting bodies of the American Southeast. . . . a useful guide for amateurs and professionals alike." —Choice Magazine
"Wonderful… I love any book with a ruler designed into the back cover so you can measure your specimens." —Quail Ridge Books
"An essential guidebook for mushroom hunting, the perfect social distancing sport." —The Daily Press
Publisher: Timber Press
Series: A Timber Press Field Guide
Nature / Plants / Mushrooms
Travel / United States / South
Sports & Recreation / Hiking


I had a discussion with a client the other day about loving ourselves, right where we are, while also working towards our goals. My client had the mindset of "I'll love myself when I lose the weight." I must admit I'm guilty of this myself. Self-love is something I've struggled with my entire life. As a very young girl, and well into my 20's, I honestly bordered on hatred of myself… hatred of how I looked, hatred of my body, hatred of how I acted, hatred of how I showed up in this world. It was a terrible place to be. I was constantlly trying to obtain 'something' that was always out of my reach…whether it was a number of the scale, or people pleasing, or whatever… even when I would reach that number on the scale I still wasn't happy… I needed more.
It has been a long, arduous process spanning nearly four decades, but I can honestly say I have learned to stop hating myself, and I'm learning how to replace it with love and compassion for myself… even though now I'm older, heavier, more of all of the "flaws" I saw in myself for all of those years, now I see a one-of-a-kind, perfectly imperfect masterpiece – me. It's been so freeing, and life is much better now. Now, I know my story is nothing out of the ordinary… I could find you thousands, or even millions, of examples of people who have learned to love themselves over time. So, why am I sharing this? Because of the perspective I've developed going through this journey over the years…. I said to my client that we need to love ourselves, right now, in order to be successful in reaching our goals. We can't wait to love ourselves only AFTER we reach our goals, as some sort of "self-love" reward. No. Here's why… transformation is hard. Whether it's weight loss, developing new habits, learning something new, etc… any successful transformation comes from consistently doing the work that it takes to get from where we are… to where we want to be. That's it. WORK + CONSISTENCY = SUCCESS. So, think about this… when we love someone or something, such as a child/spouse/friend/pet/etc., we want to take care of them, we want to support them, we are willing to sacrifice and do the work that it takes to ensure their well-being, happiness, and success. Right? But, when we do things out of obligation, because it's something we're "supposed to do" or we "have to do" for someone we don't even like, we resent them, and the work that we do. We will either quit completely, or if we do fulfill our obligations, we do the bare minimum needed to finish… and then we stop. In weight loss attempts this equates to either never actually losing the weight, or just putting our heads down and barreling through to lose the weight, to immediately gain it all back once we lose motivation to keep working so hard for someone we don't even like – ourselves. Compassion and self-love is critical for our success DURING our journey to ensure we do the work it takes to be successful.
I am a constant work in progress. I have many goals that I want to strive for in this lifetime, so I'm not saying I just accept where I am and that this is where I will always be. No, I want to continue to grow and improve in every aspect of my life. But, the difference now from where I came from is 1) I have learned to have compassion for who I used to be – I didn't know any better, and I was doing the best I could with what I knew at the time… and 2) it's really the same for today. I am older and wiser, and I have a lot more life experience under my belt, but I screw up all the time. For real, A LOT. lol 😉 But, I know I'm doing the best I can with the knowledge and experience I have right now… and that's the best I can do/be. Back in the days of self-hatred, when I would "srew up", I would stay there and continue to beat myself up for not being "perfect" all of the time… Now, when things don't work out as I planned, having compassion and self-love allows me to pick myself up, brush myself off, and start moving forward towards my goals much quicker… because of this I am much more successful in everything I do in life now. I can tell you that learning to love myself has made the work it takes to reach my goals so much more enjoyable now. I am much more consistent in doing what it takes to be successful. Now I WANT to take care of myself, instead of viewing it as something I HAVE to do. It really takes the willpower out of avoiding things that are bad for me, whether it's unhealthy food, toxic relationships, bad habits, etc. Instead, now I feel like I'm constantly rewarding myself by eating healthy food, exercising my body, doing things that are good for me – body, mind, and spirit… because I feel I am worthy of those things.


In the field of L2 academic literacy an abundance of research on metadiscourse provides evidence of its overuse or underuse, particularly in comparison to native-speaker texts. These findings have important implications if efficient use of metadiscourse is considered indicative of text coherence. This study focuses on the interactive dimension of Hyland's (2005) metadiscourse model which encompasses the ways in which writers shape their relationship with the text and readers, i.e. how they relate, sequence and order propositions. Specifically, the study aims at identifying frequency and variation of L2 writers' use of sentence-initial metadiscursive elements (SI-ME), comparing these with native speakers' choices, and determining the relationship between SI-ME use and text cohesion and coherence. The results of SI-ME analyses, conducted on 80 essays written by Croatian EFL learners, show that L2 writers' use of SI-ME diverges from native speakers' in terms of range, density and accuracy, but is also idiosyncratic and creative, suggesting a strategic approach to constructing coherent texts.


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Healthier Smoker Ltd. Opens Waterford Plant
By Kieran Walsh. Published on Tuesday, July 8th, 2014 at 11:00 am
Karen Fitzpatrick and actor Simon Delaney at the opening of the Healthier Smoker plant in Waterford on Thursday last.
Healthier Smoker Ltd, the country's sole manufacturer of e-liquids and e-smoking products, launched its 24,000 square feet production facility at the Six Cross Roads in Waterford city.
The new plant will see the immediate creation of 40 new manufacturing positions as well as 40 jobs in its retail and distribution arm, while the company believes it may be in a position to create up to 1,000 jobs over the next 12 months.
Company chief Stephen Clancy, a native of Derry, told this newspaper about the "lure of the challenge" that Healthier Smoker presented him with, stressing how he proud he is of this "completely Irish product", which costs approximately €10 per unit.
Having run a series of discount stores prior to the economic downturn, Mr Clancy is proud of the company, where it's positioned itself, and is enthused about its future growth.
Approximately 50,000 people are using e-cigarettes in Ireland and sales grew by 478 per cent last year, generating revenue of €7.4 million.
A recent survey by University College London found that smokers are approximately 60 per cent more likely to report succeeding quitting smoking if they use e-cigarettes than if they use willpower alone or nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum.
Production over the past 18 months has risen from 1000 mix bottles per week to the current rate of 50,000.
The plant expects to be producing two million bottles per week by the autumn and the need for a bigger manufacturing plant is already being anticipated.
The product's mix is partly made from Irish vegetables and oils in an 'E-juice', to which nicotine is later added. The venture, based in the former Paddy Power Plumbing premises, has seen up to €3 million invested by Healthier Smoker in their new, customised Waterford plant, with actor Simon Delaney and model Karen Fitzpatrick also attending the opening.
Speaking from personal experience, this writer used an e-cigarette last year, which saw me go from smoking five cigarettes a day (plus e-cigarette) to just two a month, and by the time the e-cigarette's battery wore out, I didn't need a replacement.
A year later, I remain cigarette free, and have to say it proved more effective than nicotine patches, therefore I would humbly suggest that I'm proof positive of their efficacy.
Said company spokesperson Stephen Ryan: "The quality of our products is of the highest standard. In fact, we are leading the way worldwide in terms of superior certifiable quality and safety. Even the Chinese are buying from us in preference to their own manufacturers.
"The fact that we have a 95 per cent retention rate amongst people trialling the liquids speaks for itself and the response from customers certainly attests to it.
"E-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to smoking and means that people are not taking in the numerous toxins and poisons contained in tobacco cigarettes whilst trying to give up.
"There have been some concerns about e-cigarettes but it is now generally recognised that they are a helpful and safe aid to reducing or quitting smoking."
Mr Ryan added: "There is huge growth potential in this industry and we look forward to being at the forefront of that. In export terms, we anticipate that our business, just from this facility alone, could be worth €100 million in the next five years. The potential is staggering and Ireland could possibly become a world class centre of excellence for the production of e-liquids."
Actor Simon Delaney told The Munster Express that the product saves him "a tenner a day", having broken his 20-a-day habit in the months that he's been on the 'E-Cig'.
The new Waterford plant will encompass a manufacturing facility as well as a brand new visitors' centre where people can see where the products are made.
It will be the most modern high-tech plant of its kind, conforming to best practice and setting superior manufacturing practices for this category.
While current investment is running at €3m, an expected €10m investment is projected by the time expansion plans are fully implemented.
Among those also in attendance at the opening were City and County Manager Michael Walsh, Fianna Fáil Cllr Jason Murphy and several Sinn Féin representatives.
Other articles in 'General Stories'
Strict visiting restrictions remain in place at UHW
Access to Natural World needs to be in balance with Habitat Conservation
Tramore Races a huge success with numbers up
St. Declan's Community College launch 50th anniversary celebrations
Changes to driving licence rules
Are you the next Barony of Gaultier Rose?
Flying High: Cork Airport wins ACI Europe Best Airport Award
New 4D experience brings history of glassmaking to life
Waterford Greenway book relaunched for tourist market


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TWEED 1000 TAPESTRY
© 2018 Jim Herbert/Tweed 1000
tweed1000@yahoo.com
The Tweed 1000 Tapestry
"Community art is creative activity that is based in a community setting, characterised by interaction with the community and often involving professional artist/s collaborating with people who may not normally have the opportunity to engage in the arts and crafts"
The Tweed 1000 tapestry will be a community artwork. It is made by the community, for the community & as such will belong to the people of Berwick .
Given the portable nature of the tapestry, it can be rolled up & relocated to different venues in the area, making it accessible for everyone to view it as some point. Ultimately the tapestry will housed in Berwick Museum and Art Gallery as a contemporary artefact: an addition to the cultural heritage of the town.
This flagship project will closely involve the community. Illustrating the history and people of Berwick over 1000 years, it will involve everyone including the elderly in care homes, schoolchildren and other organisations under the guidance of skilled artists.
Visits will be made and workshops held so that the community will help in construction. They will be taught new, heritage textile and art skills. They will learn a brief history of these heritage crafts and traditional and modern techniques.
The project is for one large fabric hanging comprising 24 separate pieces, each created as a separate mini-project on the Tweed 1000 theme. The overall size of the finished hanging will be 2m x 3.3m.
Some pieces will be circulated to individual project organisers and/or designers. Each individual project will also be allocated basic materials: (child-safe) needles, embroidery floss, etc.
This project will be co-ordinated by the 56° North, Creative Studio team, who will also be responsible for mounting and finishing the work.


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If kids are at the adults pool, they have to be accompanied by their parents.
To experience Yas Island and its unique destinations at utmost convenience, Yas Express is a complimentary transport service available to all hotel guests, providing pick-up and drop off at all attractions on Yas Island, including Yas Beach, from 09:00 to 21:00. Complimentary shuttle service is also provided by the hotel to guests, with regular trips to Yas Beach and the city centre.


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dep(Plant Biology) » Refine Search
TOR and Ras pathways to regulate desiccation tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
by Welch, Aaron Zachary, Ph.D. The Johns Hopkins University. 2012: 158 pages; 3536134.
Hunger games: How isolation can change a fishes diet
by Christian, Jason, M.S. University of Central Arkansas. 2012: 69 pages; 1516344.
The Polycomb Group Complex PRC1 collaborates with cohesin to stabilize the synaptonemal complex and promote crossovers during meiosis
by Zhou, Pei, Ph.D. Dartmouth College. 2012: 166 pages; 3518592.
Site Fidelity, Associations and Long-Term Bonds of Short-Finned Pilot Whales off the Island of Hawai'i
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The proton-coupled folate transporter: Biology and therapeutic applications to cancer
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Coordination of complex functions of Sinorhizobium meliloti throughout the establishment of symbiosis with Medicago sativa
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The RhoGAP PAC-1 regulates CDC-42 to control PAR asymmetries, radial polarity and gastrulation morphogenesis in the C. elegans early embryo
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Full Text - PDF (13.5 MB)
The Effects of Wetland Streams on the Secondary Dispersal of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Connected Lake-Stream Systems
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Defining Non-Canonical Modes of Gene Regulation in Budding Yeast Meiosis
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Supplemental files
Impacts of Human Disturbance on Carnivores in Protected Areas of the American Southwest
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by Ciurej, Amanda K., M.S. University of Nebraska at Omaha. 2014: 51 pages; 1564186.


Galdos at India Geospatial Forum 2013 « Galdos Systems Inc.
Ron Lake spoke on the topic of GML and a New Approach to SDI at the Navayuga Technology forum, held during the India Geospatial Forum which took place in Hyderabad on 22-24 January 2013.
Mr. Lake's talk looked at Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) as a framework for the development of wide area, multi-party, multi-jurisdiction applications that may involve spatial data. He made the point that any SDI should be able to support spatial data, but that an SDI might also have no spatial data at all.
During the talk, Mr. Lake reviewed the importance of GML-based languages and the critical importance of semantic-based encodings in the transfer of information within an SDI. Mr. Lake described the Galdos SDI Platform including the INtune SDI Bus, Business Object Tier components, Client Tier components, Web Services and, most especially, the INdicio Web Registry Service.