kindsokind:confessionsfromtheabbey:“I have tried my hardest to feel bad for Thomas in this last seas
kindsokind:confessionsfromtheabbey:“I have tried my hardest to feel bad for Thomas in this last season. But, honestly, I think he is reaping what he has sown in all of his years at Downton. How can he expect to have friends when he has done nothing to deserve them?”I see a lot of heavy handed use of the word “deserve” in this fandom that makes me sad for so many reasons that I can’t get into all of them, but I will try.Firstly, every supposedly well-liked protagonist (some who are portrayed as “good’ and “just”) on this show has their fair share of unlikeable qualities and has done some terrible things. I include Mary, Bates, Carson, Edith, and Robert in this list, yet these characters are never considered no less deserving of their fortunes and positions. This is such an implicit acceptance of JFellowe’s heavy-handed construction of the show's moral compass and classist prejudice that I wonder how people view and consume other shows.Secondly, and this is what really stumps me, is that it’s kind of a hypocritical way of thinking. By saying one person isn’t deserving of kindness for their actions is reminiscent of the petty judgement calls (lacking compassion) Thomas made in season 1… which, by the way, is over a decade in the past of this show, by my understanding. In the meantime, especially in the last season or two, Thomas has matured and actually helped the abbey… like save Edith at his our physical risk, boot out the abusive nanny, help Andy settle and learn to read. I’m not saying this totally absolves Thomas of all of his wrong doings, but doesn’t this place him in the grey-in between of Bates, Carson, Robert – all men who, though they have done some shady things, are ultimately praised for their positive attributes?The idea that only Good™ people can have friends, health, and prosperity and those who have done bad things "deserve” to be outcast, unhappy and alone, is a disturbing theme that’s so wildly different from my world view that I struggle to even contest it. Who’s meting out these accolades, who's marking those worthy? Maybe if Thomas had deserved a little acceptance earlier in his life, he’d be a happy chappy right along with any of the other servants. -- source link
#downton abbey#confession#thomas barrow