Roxy87

That would be great if we did get to find out more about a pre-Downton O'Brien. The the little bit of info about her brother was nice and it fit in well with the current story. It would be great if her backstory was expanded on some more.

L i N d $ @ y

I also want to know how she bonded and became friends with Thomas. Who was the first who got employed at service, was it she or Thomas or did they start at the same time?

ScarletCourt

Since O'Brien has been in service to Cora between 15-20 years in 1919 (the 15 reference is from 1x07 where she mentions that she's been working for 10 years and Cora just wants to throw her over. I think she was complaining to Thomas about over hearing Cora looking for a new maid. the 20 is from 2x08 where Mrs. Patmore says that you've worked with someone for 20 years daily and still don't know them), I'm guessing that she started at Downton first, but all we know is that Thomas's father is a clockmaker (from 1x03) and knows Mr. Bates (from letter from his father saying Bates didn't recognize him in Kirkbymoorside), so can't be 100% certain.

Roxy87

I always wondered how she and Thomas became such close BFFs too. They seem genuinely attached to each other - just judging by how they support each other with gaining/keeping their positions and the fact that they wrote letters to each other while he was at war. It would be really nice to get some backstory on what bonded them together.

L i N d $ @ y

Yeah, very curious about that. Obviously friends share the same interests so I wonder what could've been their starting off point? Thomas is probably the only one who knows O'Brien the most.

ScarletCourt

Perhaps because they both smoke, they became friends during the smoking sessions? I find that smokers (I'm not one) tend to have their smoking friends because they see one another often during their smoke breaks.

L i N d $ @ y

That's true. They're the only ones from the staff who does it and they likely bonded over that.

Goldenrose

Hi! May I be added please?


Their friendship intrigues me...I love how naughty they are!

L i N d $ @ y

Added you Margaret and welcome to the thread! We actually have an O'Brien/Thomas thread. You can bump it up and join us there.

Goldenrose

Thanks so much hon! And I definitely will!!!

L i N d $ @ y

I certainly didn't like O'Brien in S1 but S2, especially with Lang, it just helped us to see that she's human after all. That's what I also love about how Fellowes write the characters.

Goldenrose

And I love how much more she respected Cora. I know the majority of it was guilt, but I liked seeing her defend her.

L i N d $ @ y

Me too. If anything I think she'll be loyal to no one but Cora. I know that the guilt will always be there and hopefully no one in the family will ever find out. Robert will fire her. Only because I do enjoy having O'Brien around and scheming with Thomas.

Goldenrose

Me too They're so devious but I love it

L i N d $ @ y

I can't wait to see what's in store for O'Brien in S3.