Season 3, episode 3

Complete Episode Description
Downton Abbey is being decorated for the reception to take place after the wedding of Lady Edith Crawley to Sir Anthony Strallan. 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 Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, and she and the footman, Alfred Nugent, 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. Lady Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, 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 (Jean Patou), but Cora believes the Lucile (Lucy Christiana, Lady Duff-Gordon) was safer, as they didn't want Edith to look like a chorus girl. In answer to Violet's question, Edith says that Strallan is well, desperately excited, and 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, Sarah O'Brien, Lady Cora's lady's maid, is asking Thomas Barrow, Lord Robert's valet, if he has his shirt ready for tonight (referring to the night when all his lordship's dress shirts had gone missing). 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 pretends she doesn't understand and 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. Elsie Hughes, the housekeeper, checks with Anna Bates, Lady Mary's lady's maid, as to whether the flowers are done. Anna 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. Beryl Patmore, the cook, that there has been no news from the doctor (Dr. Clarkson who is awaiting the results of her medical tests). 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. Charles Carson, the butler, who overhears them, from down the side corridor.

Upstairs, an uncharacteristically friendly Thomas asks Mr. Alfred Molesley, Matthew Crayley's valet, 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. He smiles to himself in anticipation of causing trouble for O'Brien.

In the library, Cora is asking Robert Crawley, 5th Earl of Grantham 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 Eryholme, on the border with Durham, that came into the marriage with his great-grandmother. Robert describes the house as pretty and rented, but says that 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.

Lady Mary Crawley 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 Lady Cora 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". After Molesley leaves, 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. Richard 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).

Cast List

 * Robert Bathurst as Sir Anthony Strallan
 * Neil Bell as Durrant
 * Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham
 * Jessica Brown-Findlay as Sybil Branson
 * Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley
 * Jim Carter as Mr. Carson
 * Michael Cochrane as Reverend Travis
 * Brendan Coyle as John Bates
 * Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley
 * Kevin Doyle as Molesley
 * Siobhan Finneran as O'Brien
 * Joanne Froggatt as Anna
 * Jason Furnival as Craig
 * Karl Haynes as Dent
 * Claire Higgins as Mrs. Bartlett
 * Rob James-Collier as Thomas
 * Emma Keele as Mavis


 * Allen Leech as Tom Branson
 * Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes
 * Elizabeth McGovern as Cora, Countess of Grantham
 * Sophie McShera as Daisy
 * Matt Milne as the Alfred
 * Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore
 * Amy Nuttall as Ethel
 * Mark Penfold as Mr. Charkham
 * David Robb as Dr. Richard Clarkson
 * Ged Simmons as Turner
 * Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham
 * Ed Speleers as James
 * Cara Theobold as Ivy
 * Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley
 * Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley