‘What is a weekend?’ Maggie Smith’s best lines as the Dowager Countess in ‘Downton Abbey’
Violet Crawley was many things — including quotable.
Maggie Smith, known for her decades of acting and standout roles in “Downton Abbey” and “Harry Potter,” has died at 89.
Smith was responsible for some of “Downton Abbey’s” most memorable lines — enough to fuel a video compilation with the title “Maggie Smith Moments That Make Me Spit Out My Tea” that has garnered nearly 1 million views.
Smith played Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the series. As mother of the Earl of Grantham, she presided over the upper-crust family’s 15 years of turmoil and joy with wit and observations. Her character said it best: “I won’t take sides, it’s true. But I don’t think I could ever be described as ‘neutral.'”
In a flood of reactions to Smith’s death, one line was deemed the “single best” across the show’s six seasons and two movies by a fan on X.
The moment comes after Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) is speaking about managing the estate. “There are many hours in the day. And of course I’ll have the weekend,” he says.
Looking on with genuine confusion, Lady Grantham says, without a hint of sarcasm, “What is a weekend?”
Those familiar with the show know that the Dowager Countess’ jokes were almost always accompanied by wit and no-nonsense wisdom. Her humor took on a poignant tone in the last movie, which came out in 2022, especially in light of the recent news. Her character passes away.
Surrounded by her loved ones, she quips before the moment of her death, “Stop that noise, I can’t hear myself die!”
Read on for a few of the Dowager Countess’ best lines.
On society
“What is a weekend?”
“Don’t be defeatist, dear, it’s very middle class.”
“It always happens when you give these little people power, it goes to their heads like strong drink.”
On technology
“I couldn’t have electricity in the house, I wouldn’t sleep a wink. All those vapors floating about.”
Upon being told the swivel chair was invented by Thomas Jefferson: “Why does every day involve a fight with an American?”
After struggling with a telephone: “Is this an instrument of communication, or torture?”
Classic zingers
Looking at Lavinia, Matthew Crawley’s fiancée: “So that’s Mary’s replacement. Well, I suppose looks aren’t everything.”
Replying to Sir Richard saying, “I doubt we’ll met again”: “Do you promise?”
Replying to Isobel Crawley taking her observations as a compliment: “I must have said it wrong.”
On the English
“Last night! He looked so well. Of course it would happen to a foreigner. No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else’s house.”
To Cora, on the topic of her American mother: “I’m so looking forward to seeing your mother again. When I’m with her, I’m reminded of the virtues of the English.”
On manners
“An unlucky friend is tiresome enough, an unlucky acquaintance is intolerable.”
“I have plenty of friends I don’t like.”
“I don’t dislike him. I just don’t like him, which is quite different.”
On love and marriage
“I’m not a romantic, but even I concede that the heart does not exist solely for the purpose to pump blood.”
“I know several couples who are perfectly happy. Haven’t spoken in years.”
“My dear, love is a far more dangerous motive than dislike.”
On womanhood
“One way or another, every woman goes down the aisle with half the story hidden.”
“I’m a woman, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose.”
“A woman of my age can face reality far better than most men.”
Life advice and musings
“No guest should be admitted without the date of their departure being settled.”
“Principles are like prayers; noble, of course, but awkward at a party.”
“When tragedies strike, we try to find someone to blame. And in the absence of a suitable candidate, we usually blame ourselves. You are not to blame. No one is to blame.”
“Sir Richard, life is a game, where the player must appear ridiculous.”
“No life appears rewarding if you think about it too much.”
“All life is a series of problems which we must try and solve.”
“Does it ever get cold up there on the moral high ground?”
