Downton Gabby

[Life After Downton, Episode 17] - In our first episode of 2018, the damsels are so pleased to be back and, as always, are ready to share some opinions! We have shows to look back on and shows to look forward to–but first, one exciting Downton Abbey-related adventure to share.

In our main topic, we discuss two series that hit streaming at the end of 2017: The Crown Season Two and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season One. Period pieces about proper brunette ladies in the late 1950s...that couldn't be more different from one another.

On The Crown, there's plenty to love but also plenty we wish we'd seen more of before we have to say goodbye to this first iteration of the cast of characters (Claire Foy, you'll always be our queen)! Then we skip across the pond to the world of Amy Sherman-Palladino, and you might be shocked which damsel felt right at home and which couldn't wait to escape. Finally, we wrap up with another installment of One Fabulous Thing. Down a couple quick shots of sherry and join us for another episode of Downton Gabby!

[Life After Downton, Episode 16] - Call it the Wicked Switch of the West: Netflix's Godless was sold as a Western about a town made up of and run by women. What we got was...something else.

In this podcast, we talk about what we liked (ladies in pants! with guns!), what we hated (endless speechifying by the men), and how we'd rewrite it (we have a screenplay to pitch you). Also, is promoting how feminist something is the new thing? We're flattered.

Then we go farther west to Sacramento to discuss the smart and delightful film Lady Bird, starring Saoirse Ronan and directed by Greta Gerwig (Oscar noms, please!) We end this episode with an installment of One Fabulous Thing, including some Downton Abbey fan-girling. So strap on your six-shooters, ask the barkeep for some whiskey, and saddle up for another episode of Downton Gabby.

[Life After Downton, Episode 15] - Content warning: this episode contains discussions of several depictions of sexual assault against fictional characters.

This month on the podcast, the Damsels have a lot to rant about in a post-Harvey-Weinstein-scandal media world.

After some round-up from our month off, we're diving into two series that deal with violence against women: Jane Campion and Gerard Lee's Top of the Lake, and Harry and Jack Williams's Liar. Frankly, we have to say...we demand better. Why bring up important themes you don't intend to explore adequately? Why take all the nuance out of the threats women face from men in everyday life? And why be so damn icky???

Luckily, we do still have love for some media out there, as we wrap up with an installment of Fabulous Things.

So grab whatever beverage helps you deal with life these days, and join us for another episode of Downton Gabby!

[Life After Downton, Episode 14] - Season 7 of Game of Thrones is done and we have issues!! Like how mopey Jon Snow (or Aegon Targaryen, or whatever your name is) is just one of those mediocre guys who gets his ass saved over and over again by better women and then gets promoted over them anyway!

Also: A Game of Thrones/The Crown mashup, what the hell happened at Winterfell between the Stark siblings, some Brienne/Tormond shipping (please don't be dead!), who should actually be dead (aside from Jon Snow), and why Cersei and Bron never appear on screen together. And we may or may not mention The Wall, RIP.

Then, inspired by (the thankfully in control) Sansa and Arya, we end the episode with our favorite sister acts in TV, movies and books, including our beloved Mary and Edith. So throw on your full-length couture dragon coat and rage with us on this awesomely cranky episode of Downton Gabby!

[Life After Downton, Episode 13] - The damsels are faced with a situation they have never encountered--so many women are ruling TV, leading armies, reigning over nations, and body slamming other badass women. It's Christmas every week on TV this summer for us feminist gals.

Kicking off the new season of Game of Thrones, the damsels are overjoyed by the number of women kicking ass and of the men who defer to them. Add a dash of women in sparkly leotards wrestling each other in the new super-fun show Glow and finish it off with one of our fave comedic ladies back on screen: Issa Rae's fabulous Insecure. Also, the return of ONE FABULOUS THING! Pour yourself a glass of--you know what, scratch that--slam a shot of tequila and enjoy this podcast that is all about the ladies ruling TV!

One fabulous thing:

Shannon: Girls Trip (movie)

Therese: You Must Remember This (podcast)

Brandi: The Bold Type (TV show)

[Life After Downton, Episode 12] - The damsels kick off this month's conversation with some follow-up about the future of two previously discussed shows (good news for the midwives! Not good news for the sensates...). Then we're checking in on the continuing first season of The Handmaid's Tale and making sure we've properly fangirled over the work of Reed Morano.

The praise of female directors continues with the main event: Wonder Woman has finally arrived! Those Amazonian weapons! That no-nonsense attitude! The cascading locks! The dreamy boyfriend! We are thrilled that Patty Jenkins met and exceeded expectations for the female-driven superhero film we've all waited too long for.

Finally we're looking ahead to the rest of summer with a peek at some of the great returning TV, as well as new shows we're looking forward to checking out. (Star-crossed lovers! Stand-up comedians! FEMALE WRESTLERS!) Raise a glass to Diana of the Amazons and join us for another episode of Downton Gabby!

[Life After Downton, Episode 11] - This month the Damsels are all about the trials women go through with their bodies, starting with the eagerly-anticipated adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale, which is beautifully done, and also gave at least one of us nightmares.

We also check in with Call the Midwife, Harlots, Girls, and Big Little Lies, to see how their female casts and creators handle the womanly pursuits of (respectively) birthing babies, selling sex, latching on, and trying not to get raped and killed. This ain't no tea with Violet and Isobel, y'all, but we'll get through it together. So put on your best red dress, sneak a glass of whiskey from The Commander's study, and join us for another fiery, funny episode of Downton Gabby.

[Life After Downton, Episode 10] - On this month's episode, the damsels discuss the smash hit film Beauty and the Beast, along with the phenomenon of Disney "princesses," and what messages this film genre sends to young kids about their expected (hetero) futures. It's not that we don't like our plucky heroines, emotional musical set pieces, and swoon-worthy declarations of love...but how should the genre evolve as new adaptations keep coming, and reaching such massive levels of success?

We also share many thoughts on drinking etiquette in theaters, inspirational '80s cartoons, and a Greek myth or two, then check in with developments on The Crown season two to remind everyone how to tell a story about a queen that does her justice. Crack open a bottle of vodka, mix it with *anything* but Gatorade, and join us for another lively episode of Downton Gabby!

[Life After Downton, Episode 9] - The damsels are getting ready for the Oscars by going through the Best Picture winners of years past and helping the Academy make better choices. There are so many phenomenal movies directed by women, written by women, and about women that deserved to win that coveted award. Throw on an evening gown, pop some champagne, and let's re-write history together!

[Life After Downton, Episode 8] - The Damsels are just girls in love...with musicals. We celebrate CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, its great characters, hilarious production numbers, and Rachel Bloom's impressive bosoms.

We also discuss the new film LA LA LAND (yeah, we have a few issues), as well as some of our favorite musicals of all time, from WEST SIDE STORY to TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE. Plus, an early look at PBS's Victoria and the ever-popular Dan Stevens IMDB Watch. So pour some bubbly, lace up your tap shoes, and sing your emotions with us on this episode of Downton Gabby.