We’ve been fascinated by the fashions in Downton Abbey since Season One. KCTS 9’s Hilda Cullen writes about the luscious vintage fashions that inspired Downton Abbey's designers:

Fashion bloggers have been calling it the “Downton Abbey Effect,” and it’s been springing up everywhere, from designer Tadashi Shoji’s Fall 2012 evening gown collection, to the New York Fashion Week runway show that Ralph Lauren hosted this fall at Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey.

We know we're still not over the loss of Downton Abbey's "sweetest spirit." But how long will the Crawleys officially wear black? And just what is “half-mourning”? Tara Austen Weaver explains the traditions of mourning:

Downton is a dark place these days—tempers fraying, stiff upper lips (I’m looking at you, Carson), and lots and lots of black. The house is in mourning, upstairs and down.

From our 21st century perspective, we have found it hard to sympathize with Thomas—but season three has changed all that. Tara Austen Weaver reports on a crucial plot element that comes to a turning point for Thomas in episode six.
 
Did you ever think you’d feel sorry for Thomas? Thomas—the guy who shot his hand through to leave the war, who sabotaged Bates at every turn. Snide, supercilious Thomas! Oh, how the mighty have fallen. O’Brien says, “Stand back and enjoy his fall,” but really, it’s hard to.
 

Amie Simon writes: This week brings us a two-hour episode filled with major changes for Downton, some excellent rapid-fired quip battles between Isobel and Violet, and perhaps the most scandalous moment ever to take place inside Downton’s walls!

Reel NW and Indie Seattle
By Robert Horton

This week's Reel NW title is Bone Wind Fire, Canadian filmmaker Jill Sharpe's examination of three artists and their habitats: Georgia O'Keefe and the American Southwest; Frido Kahlo and Mexico; and, closest to home, Emily Carr and the green density of British Columbia.

Surely if Ethel can manage an edible Charlotte Russe, we can too – never mind that before today, we thought “isinglass” was a lyric from a Beatles song. Happily, Tara Austen Weaver has located a proper recipe, and so we shall not go without our pudding… 

Photo source: distopiandreamgirl on Flickr

How do we talk about the pall over Downton, when not even Robert and Cora are speaking? This week’s recap highlights a heaping helping of Dowager Countess zingers and some good news from downstairs… And now, our recap by Amie Simon.

The Pacific Northwest will be represented at the second annual PBS Online Film Festival. Three short films from KCTS 9’s Reel NW series are among the 25 short films that are featuring in the 2013 festival.

Next on Reel NW and the upcoming MOHAI film competition
By Robert Horton

Our guest blogger Robert Horton comments on 'Cue The Muse' on Reel NW and MOHAI's upcoming film competition.

What is toxemia or eclampsia? Could what happened in Downton Abbey be realistic? What about today? Tara Austen Weaver has researched and reports.