Set in May, June or July 1920[1]: As the episode opens, the family and staff of Downton are preparing for Edith's wedding. Edith is delighted that finally something in this house is for her.
Thomas tricks Molesley into telling Cora that O'Brien is leaving. The misunderstanding is eventually resolved, but the feud between O'Brien and Thomas has escalated.
Carson overhears Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes talking and realizes Mrs. Hughes may be ill. Carson talks to Mrs. Patmore as if he knows the situation, causing her to confirm the possibility of cancer.
The family decide to visit a property they own and where they might live after leaving Downton. On that morning Matthew receives a visit from the attorney handling Reggie Swire's estate, confirming that he is the heir and giving him a letter from Swire. Matthew shares this information with Mary during the outing and indicates that he will not read the letter. Later, Mary reads it and finds that Swire knew that Matthew did not love Lavinia and left him the money regardless. Once Mary confirms that Lavinia sent a letter just before she died Matthew agrees to accept the inheritance and save Downton.
Edith and Sir Anthony's wedding begins, but Sir Anthony interrupts to say that he can't go through with it. He leaves, the Crawleys return home and Edith goes to her room. Even though she fails to come down for dinner, the staff is instructed to remove all evidence of the wedding decorations and food. The next morning Anna wakens Edith and offers to bring her breakfast. Edith refuses and gets out of bed, saying she's a spinster and spinsters get up for breakfast.
Mrs. Hughes visits the doctor to receive her test results. When she and Mrs. Patmore return, she sends Mrs. Patmore to give the very worried Carson the good news that she does not have cancer. Carson, relieved, returns to work singing happily.
References
- ↑ Edith says she can have the wedding ready in "a month" in Episode 3.02; Episode 3.02 is set in Spring, either April, May or June, so this episode is set a month after that.
Detailed Summary
Downton Abbey is being decorated for the after wedding party. Maids are carrying in huge bouquets of flowers and trays of glasses. As Edith watches from above the large oriental rug is rolled up and the floor swept and polished. Edith greets her grandmother, and she and Alfred stand by to help her step over the rolled up rug. At Edith's comment that it is all so exciting, the dowager says that at her age one must ration excitement. Cora is stacking wedding gifts and they join her. Edith didn't believe that it could all turn out right and is amazed that an event in this house could be about her. The wedding dress had arrived. The dowager laments that she hadn't been allowed to pay for a more impressive clothing designer, Patou, but Cora believes the Lucile was safer as they didn't want her to look like a chorus girl. In answer to Violet's question, Edith says that Strallan is well and desperately excited, that just when he thought his life was never going to change, he is going back to the beginning. Violet calls it an invigorating prospect, but she shares a look with Cora that shows that they still have reservations.
Below stairs, O'Brien is asking Thomas if he has his shirt ready for tonight. Thomas replies that in case she is interested, he has hidden a couple of shirts so that he will never be caught out like that again. O'Brien wants to know why that should interest her, but Thomas says it goes for her and Alfred. When Alfred asks what he has done, his aunt says to take no notice. Mrs. Hughes checks if the flowers are done with Anna, who says that they are, that she will check them Saturday morning for any that have wilted, and that she has kept back a few that are in bud. Anna is going out, but will be back for the dinner gong. Mrs. Hughes tells Mrs. Patmore that there has been no news from the doctor. She is concerned with the delay and wonders if they should go back to see him, but Mrs. Hughes thinks that he would have told her if he had any news. Mrs. Hughes had waited for the door to close behind Anna, but she did not see Mr. Carson who overhears them, from down the side corridor.
Upstairs, an uncharacteristically friendly Thomas asks Mr. Molesley how he is doing, and even picks up a vest that he drops. He asks if his friend's daughter is still looking for a job as a lady's maid. Mr. Molesley comments on the irony that the newspapers are filled with talk of a servant shortage, but she can't find even one situation and might end up a house maid, if not careful. Thomas says that he will tell him something, but makes him swear not to breath a word of it downstairs as Miss O'Brien doesn't want it known.
In the library, Cora is asking Robert how the advertisement offering Downton for sale will be written. He says that he is not sure, but guesses that it will say "Desirable nobleman's mansion with surrounding estate and properties". To Tom's question of where they will go, Robert says that they have some property in the north at Aerie(?)home, on the border with Durham, that came into the marriage with his great-grandmother. Robert says that the house is pretty, it is rented, but they can come to some arrangement with the tenant. It is a place they can make something of, and possibly rename Downton Place (for tradition). Cora proposes that they take a picnic and go there tomorrow, as a break from wedding plans on the last day of Edith's freedom.
Mary comes in and says that Molesley is in the hall and wants a word. Matthew says that he will come, but it is Lady Cora whom he wants to see. Molesley comes in and is reticent to talk before all the Crawleys at once, but asks if he can put forward a name as a candidate to replace O'Brien, when the time comes. Cora is stunned. Robert asks if O'Brien is leaving. Molesley says that he hopes that he hasn't spoken out of turn, but he thought she knew, and he didn't want to miss the chance. Cora composes herself and says that of course she knows and will be happy to listen to recommendations "when the time comes". Lord Robert says that he will watch O'Brien's departure with mixed emotions, Mary in a cold tone says that her emotions are not mixed. To Sybil's question of did she know, Cora says that she hadn't a clue that O'Brien wanted to leave her service, and it is very disappointing. Robert brings up the point that eventually they must tell the staff that the end is nigh. Mary thinks that sounds final, and Robert then confirms that it is. Mary says to let Edith have her day and then tell them. Matthew looks a bit preoccupied, perhaps thinking about having the money to change things, and shares a look with Mary.
In Downton village, Dr. Clarkson is hailed by Mr. Carson. He comes over and says that he is aware of Mrs. Hughes suffering from a condition and wonders if he can do anything to help her. Dr. Clarkson says that he can lighten her duties, but other than that he can't discuss it. When Carson asks if he means that he cannot say how serious it is, Clarkson says that he couldn't even if he knew, which he doesn't, not yet. He leaves Carson standing looking concerned as watching Clarkson, hearing what he said and didn't say, has confirmed to Carson that it could be very serious.
Anna is asking Mary for time off (as she needs to question Audrey Bartlett). Mary asks whether it can wait until after the wedding, but then realizes that it can't (Bates' freedom is at stake) and tells her that she may go. Matthew says that he has had a telephone call from Charkham, Mr. Swire's lawyer. The death certificate for Clive Pullbrook has arrived from India, and he was most definite that he must come to Downton to deliver it. Matthew says that he has told him to come tomorrow, which angers Mary, as they are to go to Aerie(?)Home, to see the house they are going to move into. Mary gives one of her many digs at Matthew by saying that she is surprised that he of all people can forget that. He says that Charkham is coming in the morning, and he will not put it off. Mary states that this is the moment when he receives his huge inheritance, but chooses to give it away rather than save Downton. Matthew asks her to help him choose where it is to be given, but Mary says that she will not as she would give it to her father. Matthew wishes that she could understand, and she says that she is trying, just not doing very well.
Cora is in her room being dressed by O'Brien. O'Brien asks if there will be anything else and Lady Cora says no, unless O'Brien has something that she wants to tell her. When O'Brien says what would that be, Lady Cora says that she will not prompt her, if she is not ready to say. After she goes, Robert asks if she said why she was going, but Cora supposes that she doesn't want to say until she settles where she is going. Still Cora feels as if O'Brien has let her down. Robert says that they should go as Strallan is never late. Cora knows that Robert is not happy, but there are advantages. Edith will be in the same county, Locks (abbreviation of Locksley) is a nice house, and the estate will keep her busy. However, Robert still sees it as Edith starting out her life as a nurse, and, by the age of fifty, she will be wheeling around a one-armed old man.
In the kitchen, Daisy is asking Alfred if he ever thinks of Miss Reed, Mrs. Levinson's maid. Alfred admits that he sometimes does. Daisy reminds him of how outspoken she was and how he liked that. Alfred describes her as modern, saying what she felt even though she was a woman. Daisy considers that maybe she should be outspoken and say what she thinks, but just then Mrs. Patmore comes over and looks at the dessert tray, questioning Alfred as to whether he plans to stand there until they come searching for the pudding (English slang for any dessert). Alfred quickly grabs the tray and heads for the stairs.
Mrs. Patmore sees Mr. Carson hovering nearby and asks if she can do anything for him. He says that she can, and he tells her that he saw Dr. Clarkson today, and he is worried about Mrs. Hughes. Mrs. Patmore says that she is as well, but Clarkson should not have told him. Carson truthfully says that Clarkson has told him that it would help if they lessened her workload. Mrs. Patmore agrees, but says that she will not be pleased to find out that he had been talking about her before it had been confirmed. Carson says, "So it is cancer." To which Mrs. Patmore says that it isn't until it is confirmed. Mrs. Patmore tells a visibly upset Mr. Carson not to say a word as Mrs. Hughes would hate it if she found out that he had told him. Mr. Carson says that Dr. Clarkson had not told him, she had.
Robert is at the dining table with Sir Strallan, Tom, and Matthew and he says how nice it is to have men in the family at last. Strallan says that Lady Edith, he then corrects it to just Edith, says that Tom is interested in politics. Robert remarks that Tom is their tame revolutionary, and every family should have one. Matthew questions if he actually is tame, and Tom replies that he is tame enough for a game of billiards. Tom and Matthew drink their wine and go. Robert tells Strallan that they are getting used to Tom, and he hopes Strallan will too. Strallan says that he and Robert haven't spoken since the engagement, and he understands why Robert was against it. But he hopes that Robert knows that he will do his level best to make her happy. Robert says that he does and it was never at all personal, to which Strallan agrees that it was because of his arm and being too old. Robert tells him that the thing is done, and there is no reason to rake it over. Sir Strallan asks him if he is happy, and Robert says that he is happy that Edith is happy and that he intends to make her happy and that is enough happiness to be going on with (in other words he is still not thrilled with the situation). Strallan looks unsure about unraveling that answer.
While walking to the front door, they are meet by Edith who wants five minutes alone with her fiancé. Robert agrees as long as they don't tell her grandmother. Edith says that she couldn't bear it if the whole evening had been spent talking about hunting and if the Malborough's were finally getting a divorce. Strallan agrees, but asks then if the Malborough's are getting a divorce to which Edith says yes. He explains that he once met the Duchess of Malborough at a ball at Lady Londonderry's in '96 (1896), when she had first come over from America. He recalls that he thought that she was the loveliest woman that he had ever seen. He then says that Edith (possibly worrying that she is jealous) hadn't even been born yet. Edith corrects him that she had been born, she just wasn't walking very well. To which Sir Strallan remarks that before too long she will be wheeling him around, when he can't walk any more. Edith tells him, with a rub to his arm, that she doesn't love him despite his need to be looked after, she loves him because of it, and she wants him to be her life's work.
Mrs. Hughes is talking to Mr. Carson in the servants hall. There has been a last minute change in the wedding dinner menu. Mr. Carson wonders if Mrs. Patmore can see to it. But Mrs. Patmore has also given Mrs. Hughes the new order list and its her job, not Mrs. Patmore's to do it. When Mr. Carson says that he just doesn't want her to get tired, she turns suddenly and asks him who he has been speaking to. Carson says no one and tries not to look guilty. He then asks her what she means, she says nothing and to let her get on.
At the servant's dining table, Mrs. Patmore consults a cookbook and asks Daisy if Baked Alaska is too ambitious for the dinner after the reception. Daisy asks how many people there will be and is told forty, as the rest will have gone home. She asks Daisy what is wrong, and she tells her that Mr. Mason (William's father) has invited her to come to the farm. Mrs. Patmore says that Daisy can use the wedding as an excuse, and that she can go when things have settled down. She then asks Daisy to come and sort out the preparations for the "benighted" picnic.
At her organization to help former prostitutes, Isobel is trying to teach sewing. She is sitting at a sewing machine demonstrating what she describes as a simple, but strong stitch. She describes it as "useful in a drama". One of the woman she is showing this to looks bored and asks very stridently to be told when are they going to get something to eat. Isobel ignores her and goes on, but then she sees that Ethel (the former Downton maid) has returned, and she goes to the door to greet her. She says that she hopes that Ethel has come for their help, and she would be most welcome. Ethel doesn't think that she would say that if she knew what she was, and that she is beyond help. Isobel tells her that no one is beyond help and if by that she means that she is a prostitute then that is true about every woman who has come there to rebuild their lives. She is helping them and wants to help Ethel too. The same strident prostitute sarcastically seconds the appeal for her to come in and help rebuild their lives, to everyone's laughter. However, Ethel says that that is not why she is here. She is what Isobel said, but she doesn't want help, not for herself. She suddenly realizes that she has changed her mind again and turns to run out, with Isobel calling please not again after her.
Mr. Charkham has come to see Matthew and has given him a letter and says that it must be strange to receive a letter from a dead man. Matthew agrees. Lady Mary comes in and says that she must snatch Matthew away. Matthew quickly puts the letter in his inside jacket pocket and shakes hands with the departing Charkham. He says that there will be papers to sign, which Matthew accepts. Mary says that Robert has asked Strallan to meet them there so all of them can face the future together. Their father is bringing Isobel and granny. Matthew realizes that this is hard for her grandmother, but Mary says that it is torture for all of them. Mary tells him that if it ever appears that she is finding it easy to lose her home then he must know that she is putting on an act. Matthew looks extremely uncomfortable.
Alfred is going to serve at the picnic. Carson instructs him as they walk back from packing the car. Alfred is sure he can manage it, and Carson says that it will not be difficult like a shooting lunch. He tells him to give them all champagne which will allow him time to set things up. Alfred wonders what this place that they are going to is, and Carson says that it is to one of his lordship's houses. Though Carson does wonder why they are going today, but Alfred thinks that it is just that Lord Robert wants to keep a check on things.