Fics and Flailing

catchingbananas1:

orangeshipper:

catchingbananas1:

orangeshipper:

ithinkyoufweaky:

Favorite Mary Crawley Moments Per-episode:  episode 1 (series 2)
-“Dear Lord, I don’t pretend to have much credit with you, I’m not even sure that you’re there. But if you are and if I have ever done anything good I beg you to keep him safe.”

Proper ugly sobbing at this scene. MY ACHING HEART. I’ve always loved how gloriously *MATTHEW* that photograph is. It’s him, just as she’s always loved him, in his suit and tie looking… just ordinary. And Matthew. And she has it, and she loves him and he’s so handsome and I CANNOT EVEN.

The question is: how does she have that photograph in the first place? He had it done, before the war. It’s not a casual picture. So again…how does she have it and for how long has she had it? Somehow I think he gave it to her…maybe before she left for London, to remember him as she was away. Did she ask for it, or did they exchange photos? So many questions. And I love how there’s a hint of a smile in Matthew’s photo, and you’re right, he’s thoroughly Matthew, with a work suit on and that open expression. GAH!

Um… shameless self-promotion, but I wrote a fic about that ;) Well, one potential scenario anyway.

It’s just so darling and that she even has it… that she takes it out and stares at him and loves him and prays for him… oh, I can’t!!

Oh my GOD. How had I not read it before!? It was so sad, but I’ve loved it. I’ll leave you a proper review tomorrow after classes, when I’m not as sleepy as I am now.

This scene always manages to move me to tears. There’s something in Mary/Michelle that makes me forget this is a period drama and I feel like I’m intruding in the private life of a woman desperately in love, in another time. There are a few scenes I feel like this, the weight of the era on me, imagining this as a memory of a great-grandmother, as if a camera had been placed back in time in that very room. And Mary here looks so little, and fragile, naked soul and an aurea of (maybe naive) hope. I don’t know, it’s silly maybe, but this scene is so…real to me. 

And yes, the mere fact she owns his picture is amazing…and if I could ask JF a question it’d definitely be: how did she get it in the first place?

Awww thank you!!

And gah, I know exactly what you mean. I mean… look at her!! This is Mary COMPLETELY unguarded and completely unselfish. It’s not for herself or for anyone or for any appearances, but for HIM. She’s praying desperately to a God that she doesn’t even know is real for the man she loves to be safe, whether he’s with her or not, just because she wants him to be alright. It’s completely honest and completely unguarded and utterly, utterly beautiful.

And with the shot then scooting to Matthew in the darkness in France, and that music….

(via byebyebananas)