DOWNTON ABBEY {SEASON 3, EPISODE 1} (TV)
Summary
The third season premiere in this dramatic British series about the aristocrats and servants who dwell at the Downton Abbey estate in post-Edwardian Yorkshire.
In this two-part episode, set in spring 1920, Mary and Matthew rehearse for their wedding, noting that Sybil and Tom are unable to make the trip from Ireland for financial reasons. Robert seems relieved by their absence, but Violet is sure that the former chauffeur can be made to "behave normally" and Isobel considers sending the couple the necessary money. When Mr. Carson voices the need for a new footman, Miss O'Brien suggests her nephew, Albert, and Cora agrees, though Mr. Carson has his doubts about the overly-tall young man. Anna visits her husband in prison and explains that she found Vera's address book and intends to write to her friends, hoping to free him by proving that Vera committed suicide. Mary and Matthew debate staying at Downton after their marriage, wondering if they wouldn't prefer some privacy. Robert receives a disturbing phone call and journeys to London, where he is shocked to learn that most of Cora's money has been lost to bad investments, meaning that he may have to sell Downton. Edith runs into Anthony Strallan in town and invites him to the wedding, adding that Sybil and Tom are coming after all. Matthew tells Mr. Molesley that he will likely not be taking him along as a valet when he moves to "the big house," wanting to live "more simply."
Robert frets over Albert's hiring and the expensive wedding, and Thomas slyly suggests that Daisy, displeased at her lack of promotion, should go on strike. The family seems unsure about Albert's skills and he worries that he will be fired, though Violet reminds them all that they have a duty to provide employment by hiring servants. Sybil and Tom arrive, and Mr. Carson and Thomas bristle at having to serve their former co-worker. Matthew meets with a lawyer and reveals to Isobel that he might possibly inherit Mr. Swire's money after all. Tom shocks everyone by stating that he does not own a tailcoat; dinner conversation soon turns into an awkward political debate, and Mr. Carson is appalled at his casual attitude toward the family. Sybil explains to Mary that she lives a simpler life in Ireland and wishes that the family would accept Tom, though she wonders if he should give in and dress the part of an aristocrat. Matthew explains to Mary about Mr. Swire's money, though states that he cannot keep it if it does come to him. Robert tearfully breaks the financial news to Cora, who comforts him. Matthew encourages Tom to stay the course with the difficult Crawleys, and Miss O'Brien asks Thomas to aid Albert in becoming Matthew's valet, but he objects, saying that he himself had to work hard for the position.
At dinner, Tom butts head with Larry Grey, a family friend who was formerly sweet on Sybil. During the meal Tom becomes abrasive and appears drunk, but Anthony realizes that Larry dosed his drink as a cruel prank to make him look bad. As a show of solidarity, Matthew names Tom as his best man, and Edith thanks Anthony for saving the day. Robert finally tells Mary about the lost money, and Isobel kindly offers Tom a tailcoat of Matthew's as a gift. He objects to the "uniform of oppression," but Isobel and Violet override him. Cora's mother Martha arrives from America with her maid Miss Reed and offers her blunt opinions on all the goings-on at Downton, annoying Violet. Matthew learns that he is likely to receive Mr. Swire's money and Mary explains that he must use it to save Downton. He refuses out of guilt, feeling that he contributed to Lavinia's death by breaking her heart through infidelity, and Mary is angered that he is not "on their side." Mr. Bates encourages Anna to accompany Mary on her honeymoon to France, and Martha and Violet discuss tradition versus necessary change, disagreeing as ever about the best course for Downton. However, Violet then reveals that she sent the money to Sybil and Tom, hinting at her acceptance of Tom as family. Daisy finally quits her "strike" and gives in, and Anna comforts a distraught Mary, reminding her that she loves Matthew. Tom similarly tells Matthew that he will be happy with no one else on Earth; and though Mary wonders if they should "back away," the couple resolves their differences and shares a kiss with eyes closed to avoid seeing one another before the wedding. On the day of the wedding, Robert thanks Tom for his assistance, and Cora tells Mary about the "most terrific fun" of a wedding night as Anna, Edith, and Sybil help her to prepare. Robert and Mr. Carson are both awed to see Mary radiant in her gown, and everyone is happy as the wedding goes off without a hitch.
A month later, Mary and Matthew return from their honeymoon, and Thomas is annoyed to learn that Albert is to be Matthew's valet after all. Martha continues her stay at Downton, and Violet encourages Robert to put a stop to Edith and Anthony's budding romance, as he is much older and infirm. Matthew tells Robert about his conflict over taking Mr. Swire's money as Mary and Violet discuss the problem of Cora's lost funds. Isobel is revealed to be working with ex-prostitutes, and Mrs. Hughes confides to Mrs. Patmore that she has found a lump in her breast and fears the worst. Mrs. Patmore accompanies her to Dr. Clarkson's office as Anna updates Mr. Bates about her trip to France and her letter-writing plans. At home, Thomas gives Albert a "tip" on cleaning a stain on Matthew's coat, and Violet and Mary scheme to appeal to Martha to aid Downton with her vast fortune, though Martha seems aware of their machinations. Matthew discovers that Albert damaged the coat and is forced to dress "informally" for dinner, much to Mr. Carson's distress, leading to another discussion about tradition. Robert intimates to Anthony that he should stay away from Edith, and Thomas tells Robert that Albert is an insufficient valet to Matthew, suggesting that Mr. Molesley should return. Mary decides to throw a grand dinner to impress Martha, though she is still annoyed that Matthew will not help. Miss O'Brien realizes that Thomas caused Albert's demotion and vows to "make him sorry," and Daisy observes a romantic moment between Albert and Miss Reed.
Cora objects to using Martha's money, saying that living in a smaller house would not be the end of the world, but Mary is determined to keep Downton. Isobel is surprised to recognize former maid Ethel at her home for ex-prostitutes, but the girl quickly flees. Mrs. Hughes' test proves inconclusive, and she is forced to wait two more months for an answer. Edith is crushed to learn of Robert's meddling and Martha sides with her, objecting to Robert's unfair treatment of Anthony. Robert reluctantly invites him to dinner. Mr. Bates remains less than hopeful about Anna's plan and is shocked to hear about Downton's money troubles. Matthew is forced to dress in "black tie" for the dinner party when his repaired tailcoat does not return in time, as is Robert when Thomas "misplaces" his dress shirts. Things go from bad to worse when the oven malfunctions, but Martha decides that they will have a casual picnic-style meal complete with a singalong, and everyone is won over. Miss Reed helps Albert find the stolen shirts and kisses him again, and Edith and Anthony reconnect and privately decide to get engaged. Despite the enjoyable evening, Martha declines to help Downton financially, saying that her late husband tied up the money in a complex way, and she suggests to Robert that he must learn to adapt. Elsewhere, Mr. Bates gets into a fight with his cellmate, who accuses him of being a true murderer. Mr. Carson admits that the non-traditional dinner party was a success and kindly asks Mrs. Hughes if she is well, but she opts not to tell him about her health scare, wanting to keep things "in proportion." Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: January 6, 2013 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 109697
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Romance; History; Women's Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2011-2016
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "The Book of Mormon" Broadway showTV - Promos - "Antiques Roadshow"
- TV - Commercials - New York Presbyterian Hospital
- TV - Commercials - Ralph Lauren fashions
- TV - Commercials - The Masterpiece Trust
- TV - Commercials - Viking River Cruises
- TV - Promos - "Antiques Roadshow"
- TV - Promos - "Downton Abbey" upcoming episode
- TV - Promos - "Frontline: The Education of Michelle Rhee"
- TV - Promos - "Market Warriors"
- TV - Promos - "Moyers & Company"
- TV - Promos - "POV"
CREDITS
- Gareth Neame … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Julian Fellowes … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Nigel Marchant … Co-Executive Producer
- Susanne Simpson … Senior Producer
- Steven Ashley … Senior Producer
- Liz Trubridge … Producer
- Erin Delaney … Producer
- Charles Hubbard … Line Producer
- Brian Percival … Director
- Kathleen Cahill … Writer
- Laura Linney … Host
- John Lunn … Music by
- Man Made Music … Theme Music by
- Hugh Bonneville … Cast, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
- Jessica Brown Findlay … Cast, Lady Sybil Branson
- Laura Carmichael … Cast, Lady Edith Crawley
- Jim Carter … Cast, Mr. Charles Carson
- Brendan Coyle … Cast, John Bates
- Michelle Dockery … Cast, Lady Mary Crawley
- Kevin Doyle … Cast, Joseph Molesley
- Siobhan Finneran … Cast, Sarah O'Brien
- Joanne Froggatt … Cast, Anna Bates
- Allen Leech … Cast, Tom Branson
- Rob James-Collier … Cast, Thomas Barrow
- Phyllis Logan … Cast, Mrs. Elsie Hughes
- Elizabeth McGovern … Cast, Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
- Sophie McShera … Cast, Daisy Mason
- Matt Milne … Cast, Alfred Nugent
- Lesley Nicol … Cast, Mrs. Beryl Patmore
- Amy Nuttall … Cast, Ethel Parks
- Maggie Smith … Cast, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
- Dan Stevens … Cast, Matthew Crawley
- Penelope Wilton … Cast, Isobel Crawley
- Shirley MacLaine … Cast, Martha Levinson
- Charlie Anson … Cast, Larry Grey
- Robert Bathhurst … Cast, Sir Anthony Strallan
- Michael Cochrane … Cast, Reverend Travis
- Jonathan Coy … Cast, George Murray
- Michael Culkin … Cast, Archbishop of York
- Jason Furnival … Cast, Craig
- Mark Penfold … Cast, Mr. Charkham
- Douglas Reith … Cast, Lord Merton
- Lucille Sharp … Cast, Miss Reed
- Neil Bell … Cast, Prison Guard Durrant
- Sarah Crowden … Cast, Lady Manville
- David Robb … Cast, Dr. Richard Clarkson