Episode 1
As Daisy the kitchenmaid opens up the house a telegram is delivered. It is 16th April 1912 and the Titanic has gone down, taking with it Lord Grantham's heir, James Crawley, and his son, Patrick.
So who is the new heir? Not just to the earldom but to Downton Abbey, itself, which is entailed to the title. Violet, the Dowager Countess, assumes Robert, the present Earl, will break the entail and make an heiress of his eldest daughter, Mary, but Robert is not so sure.
To make matters worse, his wife, Cora, has her own money tied up in the estate, and there is no way to extract it without crippling Downton. Even if Robert could break the entail, or take Cora's money out of it, would he want to?
Below stairs, a new valet, John Bates, arrives. Bates was Robert's batman during the Boer War and Robert welcomes him. However, he looks as shocked as the rest of the servants when he sees Bates's limp. Will this hamper his duties?
Cora's maid, O'Brien, and first footman, Thomas, who wanted Bates's job, deliberately try to sabotage his first days at work.
Mary was supposed to marry the heir, the late Patrick Crawley, but his death has freed her to move on. She believes her own prospects have changed for the better, and now she angles to catch the young Duke of Crowborough.
Her sister, Edith, was in love with Patrick and seethes with resentment towards Mary. The Duke arrives at Downton, ostensibly to present his condolences, but after dinner he requests an interview with Robert, presumably to ask for Mary's hand.
But when he learns that Robert is not intending to challenge the entail he withdraws his offer, without ever in fact making it.
It was Thomas who bought the Duke to Downton, luring him with the prospect of the Grantham money. He and Thomas shared a summer dalliance and Thomas intends to use this to further his own career, blackmailing the Duke with his own letters if he has to.
However, the Duke is one step ahead of Thomas who can only watch as the incriminating pages go up in flames.
Meanwhile, Robert informs Bates that his disability is interfering with his work and he will have to go. Bates seems to take the news well, but the Head Housemaid, Anna, hears him crying in his room.
However, as Crowborough leaves Robert finds himself unable to let Bates down in this way, and to the amazement of Cora and the servants he asks the valet to stay.
Mary's fury is matched by Cora's surprise when they realise Robert has made up his mind and will not challenge the entail. He has discovered the identity of his new heir, a distant cousin, and intends to write to the young man and invite him to Downton.
Episode 2
The heir presumptive, Matthew Crawley, and his mother, Isobel, arrive in Downton where they have been allotted a house. As a doctor's widow, Isobel asks about the village hospital. Violet assures her it does not need help from Isobel or anyone. It is clear these two will be at daggers drawn from the start.
Cora's maid, O'Brien, is openly contemptuous of the newcomers. She and Thomas encourage the servants to snub them as much as they dare. However, she has misjudged Cora and finds herself being reprimanded in front of the staff.
Cora has further offended by taking on a local man, Joseph Molesley, as butler/valet for Matthew. Thomas is furious he has not been offered this post. Matthew finds it hard having
a valet and in the process offends Molseley.
It is Robert who makes Matthew aware of his new responsibilities. Even so, he cannot dissuade Matthew from taking a job with a local law firm. Violet finds this tradesman-like thinking absurd.
Meanwhile, the butler, Carson, a stickler for standards and dignity, is mortified when he is confronted with his own past. Charles Grigg, has been blackmailing him, revealing that before working at Downton, Carson was his stage partner, one half of the "Cheerful Charlies". Together, Robert and Bates defend Carson, and Bates gains respect from Carson as a result.
One of the housemaids, Gwen, seems to have a secret correspondent. She has received several packages and is seen hurrying into the village to post a letter.
Second Footman, William, develops a crush on Daisy, but she is far too taken by Thomas to notice.
Defying Violet's strictures, Isobel visits the hospital and sees a villager, John Drake, who is suffering from dropsy. She is determined he should benefit from the latest cure, but Dr Clarkson would prefer to treat him in a more traditional way.
At last he is persuaded, and a distraught Violet witnesses a seemingly barbaric procedure only to have to accept Isobel's victory following Drake's impressive recovery.
Despite her dislike of him, Violet can't help promoting a match between Matthew and Mary. Even Isobel can see the benefits. So does Cora who is coming to like the new heir, even if she doesn't want to.
But Matthew is unconvinced and Mary is insulted by the very notion. The idea is consequently dead in the water, meaning that Violet and Cora have to resume their fight to get the entail overturned.
Later, whilst talking to her sisters, Mary reveals she has a viscount's heir in play, The Hon. Evelyn Napier. Dr Clarkson is nervous after Violet's protests, but Robert supports him, proposing that Isobel will be brought on to the hospital board.
The offer is made to Isobel and accepted. Isobel and Violet are consequently, if anything, even more at war than ever.
Episode 3
Like so many in this house, Gwen has her own secret and Anna discovers it. It seems Gwen is taking a correspondence course. She wants to work as a secretary. O'Brien discovers the typewriter and alerts Carson. Why does she think she is better than they are? Gwen is thoroughly humiliated.
Mary learns that Evelyn Napier is riding out with the local hunt and the meet will be at Downton. Cora presses him to stay, but he explains that he will be accompanied by a friend, Kemal Pamuk, an attaché at the Turkish Embassy, who is in London to discuss the independence of Albania.
Cora is unfazed. If the price of Napier is the presence of this Mr Pamuk, then she will invite them both. To get some mileage out of Napier's brief stay, Mary will join the hunt.
To her surprise, Mary is instantly attracted to Pamuk, and the feeling is reciprocated. When Thomas makes an ill-judged pass at Pamuk, the Turk forces him to take him to Mary's room later that night.
Bates has purchased what looks like an instrument of torture in an effort to cure his limp. The pain it causes makes him cry out but he dismisses any concerns, until Mrs Hughes threatens to take the matter to Carson if Bates is not honest with her.
Reluctantly, he shows her the straightening boot. In a solemn ceremony, they throw it into the lake and together watch it sink.
Edith has decided that if Mary is not interested in Matthew, she would like to try for him herself. Learning about his interest in local churches Edith volunteers to act as his guide but he proves infuriatingly immune to her efforts.
The family discuss Gwen and her ambitions. Violet, particularly, is shocked at this sign of rebellion. The only ones to defend her are Sybil and Matthew. Mary is more interested in flirting with Pamuk.
Anna is asleep. A hand comes down over her mouth. It is Mary. Pamuk has had a heart attack, in Mary's bed. He's dead. Anna is stunned. If Mary is not to be completely ruined they must get Pamuk back to his own bed. The only person they can call on for help is Cora. They do not know that Daisy witnesses Mary carrying Pamuk along the corridor.
Napier, in complete ignorance, undertakes all the arrangements following Pamuk's death. But not before Mary's tear-streaked eyes have told him that she is not in the least attracted to him. He graciously bows out of the running for her affections.
Thomas informs O'Brien that he took Mr Pamuk to Mary's bedroom on the night he died, and that he saw him go through the door. O'Brien saves this vital information in her squirrel store of mischief.
Episode 4
The fair has come to Downton Village. Bates encourages William to ask Daisy to go with him but before he gets a chance, Thomas jumps in and a delighted Daisy accepts his offer. It is left to Mrs Patmore who tries and fails to explain to Daisy why Thomas is not right for her.
Thomas's bullying increases towards William. Bates notices and tempers flare. But Thomas takes it all in his stride.
Sybil has awoken politically. She instantly connects with the new Irish chauffeur, Branson, who shares her affinity for politics. Robert is, at first, amused by his new chauffeur's radicalism but he comes to regret his choice. Mrs Hughes suspects that Branson has a soft spot for Sybil.
Meanwhile, Sybil is determined to help Gwen get a new job and despite Gwen's first interview falling through, Sybil assures her there will be a next time.
Anxious to get the entail broken and to advance Mary as heiress, Violet shocks Matthew by visiting his office to see if he will look into the matter. Later, an awkward Matthew visits Robert to discuss Violet's request. The two have grown close and Matthew takes his role as heir very seriously. He also runs into Mary. We see that he is falling for her.
Mary for her part is still mourning Pamuk. Matthew informs a delighted Robert that he does see Downton as his future. But Mary feels that in Matthew, Robert has found his 'son' and will no longer bother trying to fight the entail.
Robert makes it clear to Violet that he is not moveable on his position regarding the entail. A later conversation with Cora reaffirms his decision. Cora does not fight him because, although she still loves Mary, she realises that following the incident with Pamuk, Mary is damaged goods and that ironically, Matthew is the more suitable heir.
Violet is also in conflict with Isobel over a medical ailment affecting Molesley. However, this time Isobel's treatment fails to work and Violet's does.
The servants gossip about Mrs Hughes who takes a very rare evening off to meet a former suitor, Joe Burns. The evening makes Mrs Hughes question her position at Downton and it is left to William to reassure her that she made the right decision all those years ago.
Elsewhere, Carson has a problem, the wine book suggests they are missing at least two dozen of a special vintage. Anna, in bed with a cold, is touched by Bates's attempts to make her comfortable. It's clear these two have feelings for one another, however, at the moment, they are unable to realise them.
Episode 5
Sybil informs Gwen that she has applied for a position on Gwen's behalf. Gwen is thrilled to discover she has an interview and she fakes a headache in order to make it. Sybil takes the governess cart and together with Gwen speeds off towards the town.
Although the interview goes well the pair run into problems on their return journey and with the family worrying about Sybil's whereabouts, they arrive at Downton late, wet and miserable.
Daisy is unable to get over what she witnessed on the night of Pamuk's death and O'Brien and Thomas suspect that the girl knows something. O'Brien deliberately hints to Edith that Daisy is hiding what she knows and that it may be harmful to Mary.
Bearing out Cora's worries about the rivalry between her daughters, Edith at once summons Daisy to her. This is too frightening for Daisy to withstand and she tells Edith everything.
In the village hall, they are preparing for the summer flower show. Isobel learns that Violet always wins the Grantham Cup for Best Bloom, despite Molesley's father, Bill, growing the best roses. Violet denies that any outside influence is ever brought to bear. Isobel isn't convinced.
Cora informs Robert of a rumour going round London questioning Mary's virtue. Who could be spreading it? Surely not Evelyn Napier.
Cora wants Mary married. She suggests a local landowner, Sir Anthony Strallan. Robert is unconvinced. Strallan is too old and stuffy. Mary rejects the plan. She tells Cora to
concentrate on Edith's marital prospects, she needs all the help she can get. Edith is listening.
Mrs Patmore seems fretful. Nothing is right, and Mrs Hughes notes to Carson that Daisy is bearing the brunt. Cora has the recipe for a pudding that she'd like to give to Sir Anthony. Mrs Patmore will have none of it and shouts at Daisy when she suggests she could read the new recipe to her.
However, later, as pudding is served, Sir Anthony splutters in disgust. The whole thing is covered with salt instead of sugar. Mrs Patmore is quick to blame Daisy but when she is alone with Carson, she confesses she thinks she's going blind. Carson reveals this to Mrs Hughes and although she sympathises, she makes it known that this behaviour cannot continue.
Thomas is almost caught stealing wine by Bates and when Thomas's bullying of William continues, the boy has an ally in Bates who foolishly hints to Thomas that he might reveal the latter's stealing of the wine to Mr Carson. He never would, but Thomas looks to O'Brien for help and they embroil a naive Daisy into their plan.
One of Robert's snuff boxes has gone missing and Carson rounds up the servants. Anna realises that Thomas and O'Brien are involved. She warns Bates and sure enough he finds the missing box has been planted in his room.
But, although he enjoys watching O'Brien and Thomas fret when Carson demands a room search, in the end he replaces it without giving them away. Anna tells Bates how she feels about him, but he cannot allow himself to respond. Something in his past is preventing him.
Matthew makes it clear to Isobel that he has no interest in Edith, and responds to Mary's attention. But a misjudged act of sisterly rivalry, designed to make a fool of Edith in front of Sir Anthony, sees Matthew make an early exit.
Mary's anxiety at his departure demonstrates her growing attraction to the heir. Which does not go unnoticed by Robert.
At the flower show, Violet announces the winner of The Grantham Cup... Mr. Molesley... The village is too surprised to clap. A weeping Molesley is pushed onto the stage to receive the cup. Violet is at first rather annoyed and then finally pleased by her new status as village benefactor.
That night, in her bedroom, Edith has written a letter. She addresses the envelope.
His Excellency the Turkish Ambassador,
43 Belgrave Square, London, SW.
She licks the flap and seals it with relish.
Episode 6
Bates lets it slip to Robert that Sybil went to a political rally, with Branson. The news that she wants to offer her support is met with bewilderment from her father and disgust from her grandmother. Cora's position is less clear.
Gwen is despondent regarding her luck with her attempts to become a secretary. Sybil urges Gwen not to give up her dreams. As far as Sybil's dreams are concerned, she is frustrated when Robert forbids her to attend the High Sherriff's reading of the election results as she realises she is a natural Suffragette.
However, she is determined and she ensnares an unsuspecting and love struck Branson into her plan of how to get there.
Mary's horse is lame and William offers to look at it. He and Mary discuss his strong family bond and how proud his mother is, to see him a footman at Downton.
Mary finds she likes the young man and when Isobel informs her that William's mother is gravely ill, but that she does not want William to know or to visit her, Mary makes up her mind to overturn this, despite Isobel's and Cora's protests that this would go against his mother wishes.
Sir Anthony Strallan calls to see if Mary would like to try out his new automobile. She's busy but Edith would be delighted. This is a slight disappointment but he soon discovers that Edith is far more suited to him than Mary would have been.
He really enjoys her company and returns to invite Edith to accompany him to a concert – much to her delight.
Daisy has lied to Mr Carson, in order to help Thomas, but now she realises this was not honourable and informs Carson. Bates is cleared of any wrong doing, but he will not inform on Thomas and instead hands in his notice, informing Carson, Anna and Mrs Hughes that they have been misled by him. He has been a drunkard and in the past has been imprisoned as a thief.
Carson has had a letter informing him of the rumours harming Mary. He feels it his duty to report them to Cora, who, although shocked, knows a lot more than Carson when it comes to the truth.
Sybil and Branson attend the High Sheriff's reading of the election results. Matthew is there and he can see that trouble is brewing. He tries to usher Sybil away. But, before he can, he is embroiled in a fight and Sybil is knocked unconscious.
Matthew alerts Mary and takes Sybil to Isobel for treatment. Matthew's tenderness towards Sybil affects the sisters. Which does not go unnoticed by Isobel. Robert also witnesses the new turn in Mary and Matthew's relationship, which develops into a kiss and a
marriage proposal.
An amazed Mary tells Cora the news. However, Mary feels honour bound to reveal the truth about Pamuk, knowing this could destroy everything.
Robert is incensed when he learns that Sybil went to hear the results against his wishes and informs her that Branson will be fired. But he relents when she, Mary and Matthew attempt to defend him.
Violet has also received a letter repeating the story about Mary. Learning of the proposal, Violet immediately writes back to quash the rumours. Together she and Cora devise a plan to reassess Mary's marital status later in the year, should she turn Matthew down.
Episode 7
Cora discovers she is pregnant. The family is astonished and, in London, Mary wonders how to answer Matthew's proposal, since his situation would change completely if the baby is a boy. Her aunt, Lady Rosamund Painswick, questions whether Mary would be happy as the wife of a solicitor.
Evelyn Napier tells Mary that the story going round about Mary and Pamuk was started by Edith.
In Downton, family and servants prepare for a garden party in aid of the local hospital. Everyone is delighted at the prospect of a new baby. Robert, however, is anxious to do the right thing by Matthew, who is already bitterly disappointed that Mary will not give him an answer until after the birth.
Isobel discovers that, for a change, she and Violet are agreed on this matter. They both wish Mary would say yes. Mary accuses Edith of spreading the story that threatens to ruin her. Edith shrugs. Mary had it coming.
At Mrs Hughes's prompting, Robert informs Mrs Patmore that he has arranged for her to see an eye specialist in London. Anna will accompany her. Mrs Crawley's cook, Mrs Bird, will look after them. Mrs Patmore asks Daisy to ensure Mrs Bird's cooking does not surpass her own. Daisy takes her task very seriously.
O'Brien has received a letter. Thomas is thrilled with its contents and they show it to Carson who passes it on to Robert. It contains unfortunate news that O'Brien has dug up about Bates, and Bates's future at Downton still hangs in the balance following his revelations in the previous episode.
Robert informs Cora. He would prefer to get rid of O'Brien, rather than Bates, and he says it just as she walks into the room. O'Brien is angry at the thought of being replaced and the news motivates Thomas to enquire with Clarkson about finding work in the army medical corps.
When Thomas tells O'Brien that Cora is advertising for a new maid, O'Brien's rage makes her arrange an accident for Cora resulting in the miscarriage of her baby boy.
But O'Brien is mortified when she discovers the truth. It was Violet, not Cora, who was looking for a lady's maid.
Mr Bromidge is charged with fitting Downton's telephone. The servants all wonder how it works. Bromidge is talking to Sybil about his trying to find a secretary. She immediately thinks of Gwen. Sybil enlists Branson's help and ensures the job interview goes ahead without a hitch in the library.
The news of the death of Cora's unborn son spreads quickly and Thomas's callous comments bring a punch from William. The moment bonds William and Daisy.
But when Mary tries to accept Matthew, she finds her delay in giving her answer before the miscarriage has cost her a husband.
In London, Anna delves into Bates's history. She visits his former Barracks and gets an address for his mother who tells her the truth of her son's past. Anna informs Robert who assures Bates that his job is secure.
Despite this, Bates is still hesitant to reveal his true feelings towards Anna, but when Molesley makes an enquiry into Anna's availability, Bates assures him she has a serious admirer.
Molesley sees Thomas attempting to steal a wallet from Carson's coat pocket. Carson informs Robert and they agree to dismiss Thomas after the garden party.
On the day of the party, Mrs Bird and Mrs Patmore, having initially hated each other, find common ground in fighting Mrs Hughes. Before Carson gets a chance to sack him, Thomas hears from Dr Clarkson that he has a place on a training course at Richmond Camp. Instantly, he hands in his notice.
Sir Anthony Strallan has promised to propose to Edith at the party, but a bitter Mary corners him first and destroys Edith's chances. Mary has had her revenge for Edith's treachery.
The telephone rings. Branson answers and learns that Gwen has got the job. He runs to tell her and Sybil, hugging each other and dancing, until Mrs Hughes's sharp words put a halt to the celebrations.
Mrs Hughes warns Branson that he stands to get his heart broken and lose his job. There is a noise. Robert comes out.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he says, loud enough to be heard by all the company, "I regret to inform you that we are at war with Germany."