Episode #3.2 (23 Sep. 2012)

A conflict between two members of the house staff escalates. Meanwhile, the family tries to impress Martha by planning a lavish dinner party.

Director:

Brian Percival

Writer:

Julian Fellowes (written and created by)

Stars:

Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Bonneville	...	Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
Jessica Brown Findlay	...	Lady Sybil Branson (credit only)
Laura Carmichael	...	Lady Edith Crawley
Jim Carter	...	Charles Carson
Brendan Coyle	...	John Bates
Michelle Dockery	...	Lady Mary Crawley
Kevin Doyle	...	Joseph Molesley
Siobhan Finneran	...	Sarah O'Brien
Joanne Froggatt	...	Anna Bates
Rob James-Collier	...	Thomas Barrow
Allen Leech	...	Tom Branson (credit only)
Phyllis Logan	...	Mrs. Hughes
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
Sophie McShera	...	Daisy Mason
Matt Milne	...	Alfred Nugent

Storyline

Mary and Matthew return from their honeymoon but he is still reluctant to take the Swire inheritance so the family plans to impress Martha with a lavish dinner party, entertaining locals, in the hope that she will bankroll them. When the oven breaks down, Martha saves the day with her indoor picnic but is unable to provide the financial help the family wants. A jealous Thomas sets out to sabotage Alfred and replace him with Molesley but O'Brien gets revenge by humiliating Thomas whilst Isobel, working at a charity in York to help single mothers, spots Ethel, who runs off after being recognized. Mrs Patmore accompanies a nervous Mrs Hughes to the doctor after the housekeeper finds a lump on her chest. He takes tests but the analysis will take two months and the women agree to keep it secret from other staff. Despite her father's early disapproval that he is too old for her, Edith finally gets engaged to Sir Anthony.

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Plot Keywords:

oven | dinner party | picnic | inheritance | tie | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 2012 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Highclere Castle, Highclere, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carnival Films, Masterpiece

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min 48 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[talking about Martha Levinson who is being insufferable]
Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham: [whispers] Just how long is she here for?
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham: [whispers] Who knows.
Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham: [whispers] No guest should be admitted without the date of their departure being known.
Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham: [whispers] You won't get any argument from me.

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Soundtracks

"Downton Abbey - The Suite"
(uncredited)
Written by John Lunn
Performed by The Chamber Orchestra of London

User Reviews

Downton Abbey Episode #2

Only winning supporting actress for Maggie Smith last night the show is still airing new episodes in the UK. Back from the wedding with a new car. It seems like MacLaine has made her nest and it seems Smith is not feeling the inclusion of her in family dinner all the time. It seems everyone knows of the money problems Downton is facing except for Cora's mother. Finally with the marriage happened the romantic pair of the family can sleep in a bed together with Anna interrupting their happy time. Violet comes up with an idea to how Mary can get her other grand mother to help keep Downton up and running. It seems they are setting up something to do with cancer with Mrs. Hughes. Violet's plan to keep Downton up comes out as predictable and she is found out from how she is so trying to get what she wants. To impress American granny they must plan a dinner to make all other dinners so they can get the funding they need. Thomas is still he's mean old self and now he has gotten Thomas a new foots man because he always wants to be the best. Mary seems to want to keep Downton running because she really takes after her grandmother. Robert really does not like Edith because he cannot be happy with the man she loves, but Granny here to the rescue showing how much the Americans can be more acceptable of things like this. Dinner starts and there is no dinner, also people have been robbed but to save the night it is American Granny who has come up with an idea, and for once we get Violet giving the line of the night "I thought you were a waiter" to her son Robert. We also get the rare moment to hear Shirley sing a song getting the whole house to sing even singing her final line to Smith showing these two women can be friends from different cultures. Unfortunately America cannot help the British but they give them some advice saying to let Downton go. One short scene with Robert and Martha who seem to be the two characters that spent the least amount of time together. Nice episode tonight because I felt all the actors were great especially MacLaine who was better this time around. Also recent Emmy winner Maggie Smith had a lot more screen time with more one liners and showing all the young actors on this show how to do it.

EPISODE GRADE: A- (MVP: Shirley MacLaine)