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And, in a lighter topic, we also discussed Maggie Smiths favorite GIF, which isnotwhat youd expect.
That was my fear of going back into the world ofDownton.Dont spoil her happy ending!
Im so happy she was in a good place.
Theres still a struggle shes going through, with her husband potentially leaving for a year.
But its not at the level of Ediths problems in the past.
I worried you might get Matthewed during your driving scene.Elizabeth McGovern:Oh dear God, imagine?
LC:Thankfully, shes very happy.
EM:Remember that season where you had to learn how to drive a tractor?
LC:I still cant drive.
I had lessons and I can drive, so thats me legitimately driving that car.
But I dont have a license or anything.
EM:You had the right to be nervous then!
And theres no sisterly drama between Edith and Mary, either.
How times have changed.LC:Theyre still a little bit rusty, and they tease each other.
They know how much they push each other, but theyre very content with their lives.
Theyre living apart, which definitely helps.
EM:It takes the pressure off the rivalry.
Its just so perfect that Edith outranks everyone in the family now.
But whats nice is that doesnt affect them in any way.
A Marchioness is high up there in the ranking.
EM:Shes above Earl, but below Duchess.
Theres not a lot of Marchionesses anymore, the Duchesses are a dime a dozen.
Cora literally has no power whatsoever.
She has no power even over their own money.
Cora very graciously steps aside.
Which is kind of a challenge to play.
But its very real.
Theres nothing she has any control over.
LC:You see in the film how Edith misses London.
Theres a scene where Bertie tells her,You must spend more time in London.
EM:He was picking up on her frustration.
LC:Its a great moment of understanding.
Edith has definitely had an interesting change.
Julian managed to show these changes for women in a way that made sense for their characters.
That forced her frustration into a bit of action, and that made sense for her.
I always felt that Coras separateness came because shes an American as well.
Shes not playing the same game as Violet and Robert are playing.
EM:I dont know.
Even if shewereplaying the game, its not much that she can do.
Thats just how I feel.
She deals with it very gracefully, and maybe shes a bit relieved that its not really her responsibility.
In her subtle way, she does insert herself.
She knows how to work the system when she needs to.
She doesnt stamp her feet.
She does take a firm line when its important.
I enjoy that because its definitely not my personality.
EM:The confidence of being born into it.
LC:you’re able to complain about anything, but theres a sense of knowing youre important.
When Edith writes a letter to theTimes,its immediately published because shes the Earls daughter.
EM:What she says backstage is arguably funnier than what she says on camera.
Shes always uncomfortable in her wigs and costumes.
LC:Theres this one cat GIF that really makes her laugh.
She doesnt have an iPhone.
Whats the GIF she loves so much?LC:[Long pause.]
Its kind of rude.
