Downton Abbey recap: We discuss romantic runaway proposals, missing-in-action worries, and baby mama dramz from the season’s third episode!
The war brings more worries to Downton Abbey this week—apparently times of turmoil are full of inappropriate relationships. From Branson and Lady Sybil to servant Ethel and one of the soldiers, everyone is looking for someone to love. And Granny? She’s just concerned that Matthew’s disappearance could result in a chimney sweep becoming the next heir.
Let’s take a look back at last night’s episode with the best and worst moments of the show! »
Best heart swell: Molesley is positively chuffed at the thought of becoming the Earl’s valet and the moment he shares dreaming about the promotion with Mrs. Bird is beyond adorable. Good job, Molesley! We know you’re up for the task!
Worst heartache: Agghhhaaaaggghhh! Bates returns just as poor Molesley is reporting for his first day of duty as valet. Our hearts actually cracked open and broke—and then Molesley shows the new shoehorn (which BATES DECIDES TO JUST TAKE?) and our hearts broke again.
Best behaviour: Edith, you were positively charming this episode! You’re still a star in the convalescence home and your work hasn’t gone unnoticed—why else would your father trust you with the knowledge of Matthew and William’s disappearance before anyone else? And you managed to let Mary know without a single drop of spite or malice!
Worst attempt to fake someone out: What is going on with Cora and cousin Isobel? Their battle from last week seems to have escalated into a full on war, and we’ve never seen Cora so decisive and proactive about, well, anything before. Poor Isobel thinks she can fake the Countess into sharing the duties of Downton by threatening to leave, but not only does Cora ignore her plea, she insults her on the way out. Ouch!
Best inquisition: Mary was probably already curious about Sybil’s mystery love interest long before Granny planted the seed—and it doesn’t take much spying for her to figure out it’s Branson. But Mary still needs to hear Sybil admit there’s something going on, while also reminding her sister in a very Granny-like way that Branson is a servant: “That is why one talks to chauffeurs, isn’t it? To plan journeys by road?”
(Second) Best delivery of a Granny one-liner by Mary: Later on, when Sybil does indeed confess that there’s something going on with Branson, Mary points out just how foolish their romance is: “Darling this isn’t fairyland, what did you think, you’d marry the chauffeur and we’d all come for tea?” Sybil, might we suggest Edith as a better confidant for your high society/low society romantic confessions?
Worst secret: Cora is the last to know of Matthew and William’s disappearance? Really? Even the walls whisper secrets at Downton and we find it incredibly hard to believe that all the servants knew and not a single one (O’Brien, we’re looking at you) blabbed.
Best defense of a former servant: It’s always one step forward, two steps back with O’Brien. Despite her constant plotting with Thomas—all episode long—she instantly shuts him up when he calls Mr. Lang a loony. Could the queen of curls have a crush?
Worst decision: Oh Ethel, things are not looking up for you. While we agree that being fired for fooling around is a little much, Mrs. Hughes was just trying to keep you honorable. Of course, a servant having a child out of wedlock probably ranks extremely low on the Edwardian scandal scale—but it’s not going to help you achieve any of the big dreams you’ve been chasing after.
Best end of episode realization: Miss Lavinia Swire’s annoying face was nowhere to be seen! Of course, there was a brief shot of her portrait in Matthew’s barrack—but even then it was to show that Mary’s stuffed dog is still his good luck charm of choice.
And that’s it folks, until next week! Stay tuned for our recap of Episode 4 next Monday January 30! You can catch new episodes of Downton Abbey Sunday nights at 9 p.m on PBS
In the meantime, tell us what you thought of the episode and you could win a DVD prize pack of Season One and Season Two, courtesy of eOne Films. And be sure to come back because we’ll be selecting a new winner each week!
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/celebrity/downton-abbey-recap-we-discuss-romantic-runway-proposals-missing-in-action-worries-and-baby-mama-dramz-from-the-season%e2%80%99s-third-episode/&title=Downton Abbey recap: We discuss romantic runaway proposals, missing-in-action worries, and baby mama dramz from the season’s third episode!&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Jan12-Gran.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_73260" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography By Nick Briggs/ITV For Masterpiece Courtesy Of eOne Films"][/caption]
The war brings more worries to Downton Abbey this week—apparently times of turmoil are full of inappropriate relationships. From Branson and Lady Sybil to servant Ethel and one of the soldiers, everyone is looking for someone to love. And Granny? She’s just concerned that Matthew’s disappearance could result in a chimney sweep becoming the next heir.
Let’s take a look back at last night’s episode with the best and worst moments of the show! »
[caption id="attachment_73261" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography By Nick Briggs/ITV For Masterpiece Courtesy Of eOne Films"][/caption]
Best heart swell: Molesley is positively chuffed at the thought of becoming the Earl’s valet and the moment he shares dreaming about the promotion with Mrs. Bird is beyond adorable. Good job, Molesley! We know you’re up for the task!
Worst heartache: Agghhhaaaaggghhh! Bates returns just as poor Molesley is reporting for his first day of duty as valet. Our hearts actually cracked open and broke—and then Molesley shows the new shoehorn (which BATES DECIDES TO JUST TAKE?) and our hearts broke again.
Best behaviour: Edith, you were positively charming this episode! You’re still a star in the convalescence home and your work hasn’t gone unnoticed—why else would your father trust you with the knowledge of Matthew and William’s disappearance before anyone else? And you managed to let Mary know without a single drop of spite or malice!
Worst attempt to fake someone out: What is going on with Cora and cousin Isobel? Their battle from last week seems to have escalated into a full on war, and we’ve never seen Cora so decisive and proactive about, well, anything before. Poor Isobel thinks she can fake the Countess into sharing the duties of Downton by threatening to leave, but not only does Cora ignore her plea, she insults her on the way out. Ouch!
[caption id="attachment_73259" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography By Nick Briggs/ITV For Masterpiece Courtesy Of eOne Films"][/caption]
Best inquisition: Mary was probably already curious about Sybil’s mystery love interest long before Granny planted the seed—and it doesn’t take much spying for her to figure out it’s Branson. But Mary still needs to hear Sybil admit there’s something going on, while also reminding her sister in a very Granny-like way that Branson is a servant: “That is why one talks to chauffeurs, isn't it? To plan journeys by road?"
(Second) Best delivery of a Granny one-liner by Mary: Later on, when Sybil does indeed confess that there’s something going on with Branson, Mary points out just how foolish their romance is: “Darling this isn't fairyland, what did you think, you'd marry the chauffeur and we'd all come for tea?” Sybil, might we suggest Edith as a better confidant for your high society/low society romantic confessions?
Worst secret: Cora is the last to know of Matthew and William’s disappearance? Really? Even the walls whisper secrets at Downton and we find it incredibly hard to believe that all the servants knew and not a single one (O’Brien, we’re looking at you) blabbed.
Best defense of a former servant: It’s always one step forward, two steps back with O’Brien. Despite her constant plotting with Thomas—all episode long—she instantly shuts him up when he calls Mr. Lang a loony. Could the queen of curls have a crush?
[caption id="attachment_73262" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Photography By Nick Briggs/ITV For Masterpiece Courtesy Of eOne Films"][/caption]
Worst decision: Oh Ethel, things are not looking up for you. While we agree that being fired for fooling around is a little much, Mrs. Hughes was just trying to keep you honorable. Of course, a servant having a child out of wedlock probably ranks extremely low on the Edwardian scandal scale—but it’s not going to help you achieve any of the big dreams you’ve been chasing after.
Best end of episode realization: Miss Lavinia Swire’s annoying face was nowhere to be seen! Of course, there was a brief shot of her portrait in Matthew’s barrack—but even then it was to show that Mary’s stuffed dog is still his good luck charm of choice.
And that’s it folks, until next week! Stay tuned for our recap of Episode 4 next Monday January 30! You can catch new episodes of Downton Abbey Sunday nights at 9 p.m on PBS
In the meantime, tell us what you thought of the episode and you could win a DVD prize pack of Season One and Season Two, courtesy of eOne Films. And be sure to come back because we'll be selecting a new winner each week!
){kind=link}