The worst episodes of Downton Abbey
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
An extravagant party at the Abbey gives the Crawleys an opportunity to reunite with old friends. Some guests, however, prove more welcome than others, and alongside the celebrations come skulduggery and heartache.
- 02
In the aftermath of the Abbey's eventful party, Mary is forced to answer a pressing question about her future, while Carson reveals surprisingly intimate details about his former life. Rose's trip to the bright lights of London sees her risking the Crawleys' reputation, and Gregson shares ambitious plans with Edith, taking their relationship to another level.
- 03
Rosamund comes up with a plan to help Edith out of her predicament, but will Violet see straight through it? Rose is frustrated when things don't go her way and Alfred realises too late he may have made a mistake. Anna is concerned by unexpected news just as she and Bates seem to be getting over the worst, Isobel finds herself the object of someone's attention and Mary asks Gillingham for a favour.
- 04
Mary begins to emerge from her grief, and takes an interest in the running of the estate. However, her ambitions meet firm resistance from her father. Lady Rose MacClare, Lady Flintshire's daughter, finds herself in a predicament at a tea dance in York, while Mrs Hughes urges Carson to heal an old wound. Bates comes up with a plan to help Molesley, but will it work?
- 05
Harriet Walter (Law & Order: UK) joins the cast as the costume drama returns. Following Matthew's shocking death, new mother Mary is struggling to come to terms with her loss, and Robert and Violet disagree over how to handle the situation. Downstairs, Jimmy finally takes an interest in Ivy, while Carson receives an unwelcome reminder of his past. Mrs Hughes sees a chance to help grief-stricken Isobel, and Thomas has the children's nanny in his sights.
- 06
Change is in the air at the Abbey as an exciting opportunity for Alfred creates tension between Ivy and Daisy. Isobel appeals to Violet's sense of charity, but it doesn't come without a fight, while Branson considers a new future for himself and baby Sybbie.
- 07
We are at the halfway point of the series, and matters are hotting up nicely. Schoolteacher Sarah Bunting continues to wage her one-woman war against the Crawleys - before pushing them too far. Violet is too busy getting flustered about Prince Kuragin to notice, and finally confides in Isobel the truth about their shared past. Following her illicit trip to Liverpool with Lord Gillingham, Mary makes a decision about their relationship - but does it have any future? Thomas returns to Downton a shadow of his former self, and Baxter wonders if there's more to his mystery illness than he's letting on. Rose's father Shrimpie (guest star Peter Egan) is also back on the estate - with shocking news.
- 08
Minister of Health Neville Chamberlain visits Downton for dinner, and is drawn into Violet's plan to save the hospital, with distressing consequences for everyone. Andy finds an unexpected confidante while helping Mr Mason move into Yew Tree Farm, Mary is uncertain if she has met her match, Edith meets Bertie Pelham in London, and Spratt comes to Denker's aid. Mrs Hughes struggles to keep Carson happy, while Mary thinks secrets are being kept from her.
- 09
A birthday party is planned for Robert, but Rose's surprise contribution to the event ruffles feathers above and below stairs. A new farming venture on the Downton estate comes with dramatic repercussions for Mary, and Edith receives more unwelcome news.
- 10
Cora's playboy brother has got himself into a spot of bother and Robert has to make a trip to America to bail him out. Blake and Mary are forced to put aside their differences to deal with a new farming venture on the estate. When Violet is taken ill, help comes from an unlikely quarter. In spite of Mrs Hughes, Mrs Patmore and Carson's attempts to keep the peace, romantic tensions below stairs cause problems.
- 11
- 12
A bombshell was dropped in last week's edition, and it's clear as this episode begins that the household, both upstairs and down, is still coming to terms with what has happened - and it falls on Robert's broad shoulders to make what could be a far-reaching decision about the situation. Rose, meanwhile, seems more concerned with persuading him to buy a wireless than what is happening to those around her - but then again, she's always been trapped in her own self-centred little world. In the kitchen, Mrs Patmore thinks she may have found a way to help Daisy cope with her studies, while Thomas' devious ways look set to scupper Baxter's friendship with Molesley. Finally, as Lord Merton continues to woo Isobel, Anna is reluctantly drawn into Mary's latest scheme.
- 13
Following the altercation, relations between Robert and Cora are strained, while Blake's scheming starts to come to fruition when Mary is unexpectedly pitted against her love rival. Edith decides to take drastic measures after receiving terrible news, leaving various parties reeling. Baxter is embroiled in the investigation into Green's death following a mysterious tip-off, and as Thomas's health deteriorates, he finally reveals the truth to the maid. Elsewhere, love is in the air for more than one member of the Crawley family.
- 14
Secrets could be exposed as Rosamund arrives at Downton following Edith's shock departure. Rose is delighted to introduce Atticus and his parents to the Abbey, while Anna and Bates start thinking about a fresh start, now that the worst of their problems are seemingly behind them. Molesley is concerned to see Daisy becoming disillusioned with her studies, and Isobel makes a happy announcement, but there may be trouble on the horizon. Violet has her hands full with her warring servants, while Mary and Blake seize an opportunity to send Gillingham a strong message.
- 15
1925. Big changes are afoot. Robert anticipates having to cut costs, and reduce the size of the staff, which worries Carson. Mrs Hughes is nervous about being embarrassed when performing her wifely duties when married to Carson, and asks Mrs Patmore to sound him out; after much embarrassment, Carson says he expects them to have a full marriage, which reassures Mrs Hughes. The local hospital is threatened with a take-over by the larger County Hospital; the board is split, with Violet objecting, and Isobel approving in the name of efficiency. A former chambermaid, Rita Bevan, turns up trying to blackmail Mary by revealing her tryst with Lord Gillingham. Mary refuses to pay, but Rita confronts Robert, who buys her off with £50 instead of the £1,000 she wanted, and gets a signed confession to prevent further blackmail. He admires Mary's pluck, and approves of her taking over Tom's job as the estate's Agent.Sergeant Willis tells Bates and Anna that a woman has confessed to killing Green, and the matter is closed. Anna is upset at not having a child; twice she was convinced she was pregnant, but it was a miscarriage each time. Edith plans to spend more time in London, and be more hands-on with the publishing business. The family attend an auction at a neighbouring estate which is being sold off. Daisy unwisely confronts the new owner because her father-in-law Mr Mason may lose his farm, but this backfires, and she only succeeds in angering him. Although she is liable to dismissal, Cora keeps her on. The owner tells Robert that great estates like theirs are on the way out, and advises him to sell up too.
- 16
1925. The acid-tongued exchanges between Violet and Isobel over the hospital get sharper; Cora sides with Isobel. Mary chides Robert for offering Carson the servants' hall for his wedding reception, and offers upstairs instead; Mrs Hughes insists on a separate venue, which leads to friction between the couple. Thomas looks for another job; he thinks it's clear that people are avoiding him, and want him gone. Edith argues vehemently with Mr Skinner, the publisher of her magazine, who dislikes all her ideas. Mary takes Anna to a Harley Street doctor, who proposes an operation during her next pregnancy.Mary arranges for the pigs to be entered in the local livestock show, but unwisely takes Marigold when she goes to inspect them on the farm, which upsets Mrs Drewe tremendously. During the show, she kidnaps Marigold and takes her home; her husband persuades her to give her back, and decides it would be best if they moved away. Robert is distressed, because of their long and loyal service, but reluctantly agrees.
- 17
1925. Lady Shackleton visits with her nephew Henry Talbot, a racing car driver and another old friend of Mary's. Violet wants her support in the dispute over the hospital, and explains that her reason for opposing the merger is her resentment at the government taking over more and more things instead of leaving it to the locals, which rather mollifies Isobel. Lady Rosamund also visits, and is visited by Mr and Mrs Harding in connection with a women's college of which she is a trustee. Mrs Harding turns out to be Gwen, the former housemaid who left to better herself; the family are pleased for her. Sergeant Willis asks Miss Baxter to testify against the man with whom she was involved when she stole from a previous employer; she is afraid, but Molesley encourages her, and she agrees. Daisy is upset when she learns that Mr Mason is unlikely to get Yew Tree Farm, and prepares to angrily confront Cora, but she has persuaded Robert and Mary to let him have the farm, which fortunately Daisy learns before risking her job by being rude.Anna has pains, and is rushed to London by Mary, where the doctor performs the promised operation and saves the baby. Once home, Bates has guessed the problem, and is delighted Anna is pregnant. Robert keeps getting twinges of pain, but insists it's nothing. Mary meets Henry in London, and tells him that his making a pass won't work. Mr Carson and his wife, still to be known as Mrs Hughes, arrive back from their Scarborough honeymoon and move into a cottage. Edith announces she plans to appoint a woman editor to her magazine.
- 18
The house is made open to the public to raise money for the hospital, an act that divides opinions among the family and the servants. Tensions between Violet and Cora come to a head as a decision is made about the hospital takeover, Mr Dawes has a proposition for Molesley, and Baxter is thrown into turmoil by an unexpected letter. Carson is not happy with Thomas, while Mary and Edith hope to overcome their past and find new happiness with the men in their lives.
- 19
Isobel is puzzled to receive an invitation to a wedding between a young lady, Amelia Cruikshank, and Lord Merton's son Larry, since in the past he had insulted her by calling her a middle-class gold-digger. A suspicious Violet goes to confront Amelia, and accuses her of wanting Isobel to marry Lord Merton and look after him in his old age. The family watch Henry in a motor car race, but his friend Charlie is killed in a crash. With the entire family in shock, Mary takes a call from Henry, who implores her to give her an answer to his advances; she says no, as he is not the right type for her. Daisy and Molesley sit their exams; the latter does so well that the headmaster offers him a teaching job at the school. He also offers to help Andy learn to read, when his problem is revealed. Mrs Hughes pretends to have injured her hand, so is unable to cook, and gets Mr Carson to do everything; naturally he makes a complete mess, and gains a new respect for his wife's efforts. Mrs Patmore's B&B opens with its first guests. Bertie proposes to Edith, who asks for time to consider. Upon returning to Downton, the family are surprised to learn Violet is going away for a month to the south of France, in an effort to clear the air following the conflict over the hospital. She does make one gesture of goodwill before leaving, a new dog for Robert.
- 20
The wounded officers arrive at Downton and Matthew suggests he bring General Sir Herbert Strutt to inspect the new convalescent home - but Branson decides to spoil the visit after failing his army medical. Meanwhile, William's return results in an awkward surprise for Daisy, and Violet and Rosamund discover Lavinia's past misdeeds.
- 21
Branson's political views land him in trouble and Sybil's loyalty is tested to the limit, while Ethel makes a difficult decision about her son's future. Anna wonders what is causing Bates' silence, and Carson begins recruiting a footman, with promising candidate Jimmy (Ed Speleers, Eragon) sparking immediate interest below stairs.
- 22
When it comes to the opposite sex, Lady Mary is a little ahead of her time. A foreign diplomat died in her bed during the first series, and following the death of her husband, she's been involved in a love triangle. Now she's getting up to mischief with Lord Gillingham. It's supposed to be a secret, but her cover story is almost blown - until Violet saves the day. It seems that the battleaxe may have more reason than most to sympathise with her granddaughter's position when a face from her past reappears, hinting at a hidden past of her own. Meanwhile, Carson is dismissive of Mrs Patmore's latest problem, Branson receives a proposition about the estate's future and the circumstances of nasty valet Green's demise are scrutinised - again.
- 23
There is chemistry aplenty between Richard E Grant and Elizabeth McGovern, perhaps because they previously played a married couple in the BBC's Scarlet Pimpernel series in 1998. Their Downton characters - art expert Simon Bricker and Lady Cora - have grown close over the past few weeks, and their flirting reaches boiling point in the latest episode. She's enjoying the attention he gives her, but is he about to cross a line - and does she want him to? Cora's eldest child, Mary, is also enjoying male company, this time that of Charles Blake, who's about to do her a big favour. Meanwhile, Rose meets a dashing stranger, Branson makes up his mind about Sarah Bunting and Anna is disturbed by a visit from Inspector Vyner.
- 24
May 1925. Cora, told by Mrs Patmore that Mrs Hughes is unhappy with having her wedding breakfast in the hall, forces a meeting with the family so that Mrs Hughes can explain, and supports her, so Carson gives in. Violet tries to get Robert to support her view on the hospital merger; at a meeting of the Board things get nasty, and Isobel is annoyed enough to be rude to Dr Clarkson. Edith has more arguments with the publisher of her magazine, and he walks out. Fortunately, she meets an old acquaintance, who helps her produce the next issue. Anna is pregnant, so Mary plans to take her to the doctor in three months time. Thomas travels to be interviewed by an eccentric widower, Sir Michael Reresby (Ronald Pickup) in decrepit Dryden Park, but declines the position.Violet's butler, Spratt, is behaving strangely, which catches Denker's attention. When Sergeant Willis reveals that Spratt's nephew has escaped from prison, Denker is sure that Spratt has helped him, and can now hold that over him. Daisy hopes that Mr Mason can take over the Drewes' farm, but jumps the gun in believing that Cora has already arranged it. Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes are married in the church. At the wedding breakfast in the village school, Tom Branson and his daughter arrive unexpectedly from Boston; he announces he feels Downton is his home, and wants to stay.
- 25
It is November 1916, and the family and servants are getting the house ready for a concert to raise funds to treat more casualties from the front. Bates returns from London with a proposal for Anna, while Isobel informs Robert and Cora that Matthew is engaged and wants to bring his fiancee to Downton. O'Brien plays a trick on new maid Ethel after taking an instant dislike to her.
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