Episode 6.09 - 2015 Christmas Special

The Finale
Series 6, Episode 9
Air date	December 25, 2015 (UK) March 6, 2016 (US)
Written by	Julian Fellowes
Directed by	Michael Engler
Episode guide
Previous	Episode 6.08
Next	N/A

Episode 6.09 is two-hour Christmas Special titled The Finale, is the holiday episode of the sixth series of Downton Abbey. It is the final episode of the sixth series and serves as the finale for the entire show. It will be set between August 29 and December 31, 1925. It aired on December 25th, 2015 in the UK, and on March 6th, 2016 in the US.

It is approximately two hours long and aired at 8:45pm on ITV on Christmas Day, 2015.

Production

Production spent a week at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, which doubled as the location for Brancaster Castle, home of Bertie Pelham, the 7th and new Marquess of Hexham. Filming took place in the spectacular interior rooms of the Castle as well as on the estate. Production also filmed dining scenes at the Iconic Ritz in central London.

Synopsis

August 28, 1925-January 1, 1926: Mary endeavors to build bridges with her sister, but Edith's secret continues to pose a threat, even after she thought there was nothing left to lose. As Henry settles into the role of husband and stepfather, scars left by Charlie's tragic death are slow to heal fully, while Carson struggles to come to terms with developments which prove that even he is not invulnerable to change. Spratt's successful moonlighting venture is threatened by the continued conniving of Miss Denker, and Daisy may have missed her chance with an admirer. Isobel receives devastating news and when the young Greys' scheming takes a more sinister turn, and she and Violet join forces to put a stop to it. Robert must learn the value of independence; while the day that Anna and Bates have been waiting for finally arrives.

The final episode of the overall series offers all the love and loss, happiness and heartbreak of Downton Abbey, and as the family and servants prepare to welcome the new year of 1926, they celebrate an unforgettable New Year’s Eve together at the great house.

Plot

While enjoying a morning walk near the house, Robert wonders about Edith's decision to enroll young Marigold in an Elementary School in London, to which Edith replies that girls are sent to boarding school at a young age quite a lot now; no longer needing governesses. Isobel is curious to whether Marigold has any relations, which Robert merely says that they are "not aware of any yet." Mary finds Henry alone and joins him. He reveals that he no longer blames himself for Charlie Rogers' sudden death and that he must show that he is indeed worthy of the estate and Mary's love.

In the Servants' Hall, Thomas is glad to have caught Anna, Andy and Miss Baxter all together as he wants to show his gratitude for rescuing him, to which Andy says that they were "glad to do it." Anna suggests to Thomas that he try to learn what had brought so low.

At the Dowager House, Isobel and Violet are sharing their mutual astonishment and bewilderment at a letter from Larry Grey and another by his now-wife, Miss Amelia, explaining that events have overtaken them and "are not free to keep their engagement." Violet is even more suspicions when Isobel reveals that she neither seen or heard from Lord Merton since.

Anna asks Mrs Hughes if she can remain aiding Lady Mary, despite her still-growing pregnancy. Mr Carson is hesitant about letting a woman in Anna's current condition to be working as a Lady's maid, and his wife replies that the future should be no Lady's maids' at all, but they have not all got there yet.

Outside, the family are enjoying lunch served by Molesley. Edith is going to her flat in London, and Henry offers to come with her. Touched, Edith is glad for his company.

Cast List

Charlie Anson as Larry Grey Matt Barber as Atticus Aldridge Oliver & Zac Barker as George Crawley Antonia Bernath as Laura Edmunds Samantha Bond as Rosamund Painswick Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley Patrick Brennan as Mr Dawes Alastair Bruce as Brancaster butler Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham Jim Carter as Charles Carson Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter Michael Cochrane as Albert Travis Paul Copley as Mr Mason Brendan Coyle as John Bates Michelle Dockery as Mary Talbot Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley Peter Egan as Hugh MacClare Michael Fox as Andrew Parker Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot James Greene as Sir Mark Stiles Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert Pelham Fifi Hart as Sybbie Branson Amir Heath as a Waiter at The Ritz Patricia Hodge as Mirada Pelham Lily James as Rose Aldridge Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow Sue Johnston as Gladys Denker Allen Leech as Tom Branson Phyllis Logan as Elsie Carson Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore Paul Prescott as Delegate 1 Douglas Reith as Richard Grey David Robb as Richard Clarkson Eva & Karina Samms as Marigold Alice Shuttleworth as Delegate 2 Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley Phoebe Sparrow as Amelia Grey Jeremy Swift as Septimus Spratt Kyra Williams as Delegate 3 Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey

Notes

• The series finale has been reported as being "emotional" by Jim Carter.
• Charles Carson says he has the palsy and that it does not have a proper name, although it clearly appears to be a reference to Parkinson's Disease. The first modern description of the condition is found in a paper titled An Essay on the Shaking Palsy by British apothecary James Parkinson, published in 1817 and initially known as paralysis agitans. French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot did extensive study on the condition between 1868 and 1881, recommending that it be called Parkinson's disease in recognition of the work by James Parkinson, and has gone by that name since.
• Alternatively, he might be describing so-called Essential Tremor (which is often familial, and tending to come on in later life). In passing, Julian Fellowes is the New President of the National Tremor Foundation and has Essential Tremor himself. http://www.tremor.org.uk/julian-fellowes-new-president-of-ntf.html

External Links

• Radio Times 19 December 2015 at Tumblr
• Downton Abbey - The Finale: Christmas Special 2015 at RadioTimes
• It’s the final Downton – Event reports exclusively from behind the scenes of the Christmas special, the last ever Downton Abbey... or is it? at DailyMail.com