[L i N d $ @ y]

Originally Posted by sofiab (View Post) Downton Abbey has forced Brendan Coyle into heart-throb status, but he’s a reluctant celebrity - TV Review - Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Thanks! Love the article and excited to watch Starlings as well.

Originally Posted by ScarletCourt (View Post) Downton Abbey - Mr Bates arrives in New York - and is looking for his own butler - NYPOST.com All I can say is interesting?

I'm off to read this in a while. Thanks for posting!

[sofiab]

Crazy hedgehog in fog

[Tina]

Wow; that's a gorgeous picture. I love his eyes, so piercing. While I love his character, Bates, I could see him pull off being the Earl of Downton.

[L i N d $ @ y]

It's true, his eyes are piercing. Even as Bates, I melt whenever he looks lovingly at Anna.

[Tina]

Aw, yeah.

What's everyone's thoughts on Bates/Anna VS Thomas/O'Brien? Their scenes/storylines throughout the series?

[ScarletCourt]

I thought the SL done in S1 were better than S2. In S1, there was give and take, push and pull. By S2, O'Brien was still pulling strings to Vera to bring her back to DA (how did O'Brien find out Vera's direction?), but Bates was too preoccupied in getting his divorce to care or at least we weren't shown that he even thought once about who told Vera he was back at DA. It's a classic illustration of the difference in thoroughness between S1 and S2.

[L i N d $ @ y]

Originally Posted by Tina (View Post) What's everyone's thoughts on Bates/Anna VS Thomas/O'Brien? Their scenes/storylines throughout the series?

Thomas/O'Brien clearly wanted to make Bates' stay in Downton a living hell when he's done nothing but do his job. Anna of course know these two more than Bates so when he tells her about Thomas stealing one of Robert's collection pieces, they turn the tide against these two. It goes to show that they are capable of letting the truth out when it presents. Season 1 was clearly more of that as we had less of that in season 2 because Thomas was at war and was busy with the hospital and Bates had to take care of the Vera business. I guess by this time, they have already progressed from making each other look bad.

[Tina]

I agree... it's a bit of an interesting storyline, overall.

[L i N d $ @ y]

And I think Fellowes wrote him brilliantly. Having us see this man who doesn't blame anyone even if he can easily put the blame on Thomas and even Mr. Carson knows what kind of person Thomas is. He doesn't speak badly of anyone and is loyal to a fault.

[ScarletCourt]

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | Showbiz :: Downton Abbey superfan pays �12,000 for a date with star Brendan Coyle

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...dan-Coyle.html
This one has pictures and she looks to be having a good time.

Despite my love for Downton, I don't think I would have put that much money down for a date with Brendan. Sorry.

[Tina]

Oh, wow. That's crazy! I bet she had a great time though.
Doesn't he look skinnier?

[ScarletCourt]

He does look skinner. Perhaps they needed him to trim down for the prison scenes?

[L i N d $ @ y]

Originally Posted by ScarletCourt (View Post) Despite my love for Downton, I don't think I would have put that much money down for a date with Brendan. Sorry.

Thanks for the articles on him. It's crazy to pay that amount for a date with Brendan but since it's for charity, it's all good. How about a date with Allen then, will you pay top money?

Originally Posted by Tina (View Post) Oh, wow. That's crazy! I bet she had a great time though. Doesn't he look skinnier?

He does look a bit skinny but I noticed the hair. Brendan's hair is usually long because it's always combed up when he's Bates so I don't know if it's longer or what. His smile is wonderful though.

[ScarletCourt]

Originally Posted by L i N d $ @ y (View Post) Thanks for the articles on him. It's crazy to pay that amount for a date with Brendan but since it's for charity, it's all good. How about a date with Allen then, will you pay top money?

Sorry I should have been more clear. I'm not against someone else paying for the date and it's wonderful for the charity. I just personally wouldn't. As for Allen, I'd still not be willing to fork out the money, plus I'd be too shy to go and have to stand him up and we can't have that.

ETA
Lovely long interview with Brendan Coyle when he was in the US
http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Down...153239295.html

[L i N d $ @ y]

Thanks for the article. I love that he mentioned Maria Doyle Kennedy who's obviously a good friend of his.