Downton Abbey - Season 3

Downton Abbey Series 3

Downton Abbey has weathered the war, and the prospect of an impending wedding for Mary and Matthew brings great anticipation, as well as Cora’s mother from America, Martha Levinson. New World and Old World are about to clash as Martha tests tradition at Downton, and the patience of the formidable Lady Violet.

Aside from the sparks upstairs, a very real crisis threatens the foundation and future of Downton. Great houses have been crippled psychologically and financially in the wake of World War I, and Downton may not be exempt. In response, Robert clings decisively to his duty to maintain the home at all costs. But in this changing landscape, nothing is assured, and even the Crawleys may be faced with a new battle to safeguard their beloved Downton.

Amidst sweeping social change, budding romances and surprising betrayals, Downton Abbey returns with a riveting third season starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Shirley MacLaine and the rest of stellar cast in the award-winning series from Julian Fellowes.

*Full episode guide can be found at the bottom of this page.

Episode 1 


Episode 2


Episode 3


Episode 4

Episode 5


Episode 6


Episode 7


Episode 8 

Episode 9 - The Christmas Special

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Full recap of Season 3 below: 

(spoilers!! - dont read further if you have yet to watch the episodes in season three)

Series Three (2012)

(1920–21)

ITV confirmed the commissioning of a third series on 3 November 2011.^[42] It entered production in early 2012, and began airing 16 September 2012 on ITV^[42] and aired in the United States beginning 6 January 2013.^[43]

No. overall	No. for series	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original airdate	Viewers (in millions) UK viewers by BARB; figures include ITV1 HD and ITV1 +1 broadcasts	Running time (excluding commercial breaks)
17	1	"Episode One"	Brian Percival	Julian Fellowes	16 September 2012	11.43 [nb 11] 7.9 (PBS)[14]	66 minutes
March 1920. Cora’s mother, Martha Levinson, sweeps into Downton for Matthew and Mary’s wedding, astonishing the Dowager Countess with her critical and "revolutionary" American way of seeing things. Lord Grantham learns that his massive investment of Cora's fortune in the Grand Trunk Railway has failed, leaving the estate near bankruptcy. Salvation is possible, as Matthew is entitled to inherit a large amount of money from Lavinia's father, but his high values will not let him keep the money, feeling it a betrayal of Lavinia and her father. Meanwhile, O'Brien's nephew Alfred joins the staff downstairs and struggles to satisfy Carson's high standards, made worse by Thomas' jealous behaviour. Sybil and her husband, Tom Branson, return to Downton to a muted response, particularly as Branson remains highly vocal about his political beliefs. Matthew repairs things when he chooses Branson to be his best man, and despite hesitance the night before, Matthew and Mary are married.
18	2	"Episode Two"	Brian Percival	Julian Fellowes	23 September 2012	12.08 [nb 12]	47 minutes
April 1920. With the future of Downton hanging in the balance, Mary and the Dowager Countess conspire to show Downton at its grandest to persuade Mrs Levinson to give Downton more money and save them from financial ruin. Their attempts are impeded by the oven breaking down, giving Mrs Levinson a chance to take over running the party herself in radical fashion. She reveals, when finally asked for help, that though she will "entertain them in New York" she cannot provide them with money, as her own late husband tied it up in the estate, much as Violet's did. She tells them they have to adapt to the changing world, and states her intent to return to America. Meanwhile downstairs, O'Brien and Thomas wage war against one another due to Alfred's recent promotion to valet to Matthew, whilst Mrs Levinson's maid takes a shine to Alfred. Mrs Hughes faces a cancer scare that she shares only with Mrs Patmore and Doctor Clarkson, and Isobel Crawley finds that Ethel has become a prostitute. Edith actively pursues Anthony Strallan as a potential husband and he proposes, despite the reservations of the other family members that he is too old.
19	3	"Episode Three"	Andy Goddard	Julian Fellowes	30 September 2012	11.96 [nb 13]	47 minutes
May 1920. Matthew receives a letter that Lavinia's late father left for him. He writes that he knew how Matthew broke Lavinia's heart and still wants him to have his money. Matthew finally agrees to accept it, saving Downton. Lord Grantham refuses to accept the money as a gift, instead insisting that he and Matthew become joint masters of Downton. Edith's wedding day finally arrives, but as she is walking down the aisle Strallan changes his mind and calls off the wedding; giving in to the reservations of her family members. Mrs Hughes finally receives the news that she does not have cancer, which visibly relieves both Mr. Carson and Mrs. Patmore. Thomas tries to get revenge on O'Brien by spreading a rumour to the family that she will be leaving Downton. Bates's cellmate tries to get him into trouble by planting drugs in his bunk, but Bates is warned in time by another inmate.
20	4	"Episode Four"	Andy Goddard	Julian Fellowes	7 October 2012	11.83 [nb 14]	47 minutes
August 1920. When an aristocrat's home in Ireland is burned to the ground, Branson is found to have been at the burning and is wanted by the police. He escapes to Downton Abbey without Sybil, and the Crawleys are outraged. Sybil eventually returns to Downton safely, and Lord Grantham is able to convince the Home Secretary to allow Branson to remain in England, though he will be arrested if he returns to Ireland. Anna has not received any letters from Bates and is no longer allowed to visit; similarly Bates wonders why Anna's letters and visits have stopped. When Bates falls back into the prison guards' favour, he and Anna receive their missing letters. Ethel decides to let her son live with his grandparents so he can have a better life. Carson recruits a new footman, Jimmy Kent, who attracts the attention of the female staff and Thomas. Ivy Stuart, the new kitchen maid, draws Alfred's attention away from Daisy. Edith writes to the newspaper supporting more widespread women's suffrage.
21	5	"Episode Five"	Jeremy Webb	Julian Fellowes	14 October 2012	11.93 [nb 15]	47 minutes
September 1920. Edith is asked to write a regular newspaper column. She is excited about the opportunity, but most of the family is not supportive. Isobel helps Ethel by offering her a job as a servant; however, Mrs Bird refuses to work with Ethel and consequently leaves. The new maid Ivy draws Alfred's interest and receives Daisy's resentment. Matthew believes that Robert has been mismanaging the estate and finds an ally in George Murray, the family solicitor. Mary is angry when she discovers that Matthew has been discussing this without her father, Lord Grantham, present. Sybil goes into labour and Lord Grantham hires a famous obstetrician, Sir Philip Tapsel, upsetting Dr Clarkson and Cora. The two doctors disagree over Sybil's care, Dr Clarkson insisting that Sybil is suffering from eclampsia and should be taken to hospital but Sir Philip arguing that Sybil is fit and healthy. Despite the disagreement Sybil delivers a girl and all seems well, however during the night she becomes very ill and dies. The next day Cora seems to blame her husband for the death, because of his refusal to accept Dr Clarkson's argument that Sybil was ill.
22	6	"Episode Six"	Jeremy Webb	Julian Fellowes	21 October 2012	12.06 [nb 16]	47 minutes
September 1920. Branson decides to name his daughter Sybil and wants to baptise her as a Catholic, both of which Lord Grantham is firmly opposed to. However, Mary and the rest of the family defend Branson's decision. To repair Cora and Robert's marriage, Violet pressures Dr Clarkson into going back on his assertion that Sybil would have had a slim chance of living if she had undergone a Caesarean section. He tells Cora and Lord Grantham that Sybil would have surely died either way, and Cora forgives Robert. Anna finds evidence that might prove Bates innocent, but another prisoner threatens his chances of freedom. After Bates threatens the inmate, George Murray is able to get Bates a release date. Daisy is upset that Alfred is paying a lot of attention to Ivy. Ethel prepares a luncheon for the Crawley women and gets Mrs Patmore to help. When Lord Grantham finds out about the luncheon, he is outraged that Isobel would let a former prostitute serve lunch to his family. However, Cora and the women ignore his protests.
23	7	"Episode Seven"	David Evans	Julian Fellowes	28 October 2012	11.82 [nb 17]	47 minutes
September 1920. Bates is freed from prison, to the resentment of Thomas. Upon O'Brien's advice, Thomas makes a midnight visit to Jimmy's room and falls into O'Brien's trap. Branson plans to baptise baby Sybil a Catholic. While Lord Grantham discourages Edith's desire to become a journalist, Violet supports her granddaughter. Edith comes to London to meet with a magazine editor, and accepts his offer for a weekly column. Branson's drunkard brother comes to Downton. Matthew continues to confront Lord Grantham about the estate's mismanagement, leading to the resignation of the family's long time agent Jarvis. Tom is appointed as the new family agent upon Violet's suggestion. Miss Sybil Branson is baptised at a Catholic Church in Ripon with the whole Crawley family in presence.[65][66]
24	8	"Episode Eight"	David Evans	Julian Fellowes	4 November 2012	12.15 [nb 18]	66 minutes
September 1920. Downton Abbey's annual cricket match with the village takes place, bringing out Lord Grantham's competitive side. Violet's great niece, Lady Rose MacClare—the daughter of Violet's niece, Susan, Marchioness of Flintshire and her husband, Hugh, Marquess of Flintshire—visits. A trip to London reveals that there is more to her than meets the eye: she's a wild girl who likes to drink and party. Carson controls Thomas's future, and Thomas finds an unlikely ally in Bates. Mary and Matthew are keeping secrets from one another.[70]

[edit]Christmas Special (2012)

(1921)

No. overall	No. for series	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original airdate	Viewers (in millions) Sourced by BARB; figures include ITV1 HD and ITV1 +1 broadcasts	Running time (excluding commercial breaks)
25	CS2	"A Journey to the Highlands"	Andy Goddard	Julian Fellowes	25 December 2012	10.28 [nb 19]	92 minutes
September 1921.[74] The Crawley family heads north, to Duneagle Castle in Scotland - the ancestral home of The MacClare family - to visit Lady Rose and her warring parents, Susan and Hugh ("Shrimpy"). Bates, Anna, Molesley, and O'Brien also make the trip. Gregson, the man who hired Lady Edith on at the newspaper, tells her that he is going to be in Scotland as well. After Edith informs her family of this Mary and Matthew disagree about Gregson's motives. Tom remains at Downton with baby Sybil. The staff looks forward to the approaching country fair, and Carson struggles to keep them concentrating on work. A new housemaid, Edna, joins the staff and is quickly fired after Mrs Hughes discovers her getting too close to Tom. Mrs Patmore becomes involved in a romance, but it does not last as she realises he is only interested in her cooking. At the country fair, the Downton staff win the tug of war. Jimmy is nearly robbed after winning money from betting, but is saved by Thomas. They later agree just to be friends. Lady Mary goes into labour early, rushing home to deliver her baby, a son. Matthew soon joins her to meet his heir. But on the way back to Downton, he is killed in a car accident.[75][76][77]