'Downton Abbey' Recap: Season 1 Episode 4

Downton Abbey airs Sundays at 9:00 pm and is available to stream by WTTW Passport members. Recap the previous episode.
Keep up with your favorite dramas and mysteries by signing up for our newsletter, Dramalogue.

It’s May 1914, and we open at a rowdy outdoor political rally in Ripon; an excited Sybil is part of the jeering crowd. Branson swiftly makes his way to her and hustles her away, worried about her safety.

Having gone up to help Robert dress for dinner, Bates inadvertently reveals that Sybil was at the political rally with Branson. At dinner, Robert explodes at Sybil, but Cora admits that she had asked Branson to take her. Sybil is eager to be politically active, but most in the family are vehemently opposed, with the exception of Mary. Still, Robert forbids Sybil to go to any more rallies. (The wheels turning in her head, Sybil clearly views this as a suggestion rather than an order.)

Carson has received a troubling letter from a friend who works for Robert’s cousin outlining the Mary-and-Pamuk scandal – assuming it’s just a rumor, he privately shares it with Cora. Alarmed, Cora plays along but asks him not to mention it to Robert. Edith’s letter has done its work.

That night, Cora convinces Robert that Mary needs a husband, STAT. To that aim, Mary is summoned the next day to find Sir Anthony Strallen in the drawing room, describing unsettling scenes from his recent trip to Austria and Germany. Mary politely turns down an offer for a spin in Strallen’s new Rolls Royce. Edith eagerly offers to accompany him instead. On the drive, Strallen reminisces about his late wife; Edith is attentive. Later, in front of the family, Strallen invites an ecstatic Edith on a date to a symphony concert and dinner. Mary glowers – she doesn’t want him, but doesn’t want Edith to have him, either.

Bates observes Thomas treating William badly, and implies, in front of O’Brien, that he might tell Robert about the wine he saw Thomas steal. (He doesn’t because he doesn’t want anyone to lose their job.) Later, Thomas and O’Brien go to Carson and try to pin the wine theft on Bates. Carson calls them and Daisy on the carpet, and it’s clear Thomas has dunned Daisy into falsely corroborating their story. But she is conflicted, and for a time Carson does nothing about it, to the increasing consternation of Thomas and O’Brien. Daisy, feeling guilty about her lie, comes clean to Carson. Called out again, Bates points out that he doesn’t drink, but again (inexplicably) refuses to rat out Thomas. Later, he reveals to Carson, Mrs. Hughes, and Anna that, while he didn’t take the wine, he was previously incarcerated as a thief. There is clearly more to the story, but for now he offers his resignation. Carson and Mrs. Hughes won’t accept it, and it doesn’t alter Anna’s feelings for him in the least. Later, Carson tells Robert about Bates’ criminal record.

Another volatile political rally is in the offing in Ripon, and Sybil wheedles an unsuspecting Robert into letting Branson drive her there, ostensibly to attend a charity meeting. Branson innocently pulls up at the Ripon address Sybil has given him, but it’s a rally to count the votes for a by-election, and already it’s a roiling scene. Over Branson’s protests, Sybil jumps from the car and he chases after her. They end up in the midst of a crowd of burly men spoiling for a fight. Matthew, passing by at the end of his workday, fights his way through the throng to Sybil and Branson. In the midst of a brawl, Sybil is thrown onto the stones of the courtyard, hitting her head. With her blood on their hands, Branson and Matthew frantically ferry her away.

At Downton, Mary learns what has happened and Branson and Matthew spirit her to Sybil at Crawley House, where Isobel is patching her up. Mary watches as Matthew gallantly helps a worshipful Sybil to her feet…and for the first time, she realizes that not only does she have feelings for Matthew, but that Matthew and Sybil might have feelings for each other. Intrigued, Isobel observes it all.

Robert, predictably, hits the roof when he learns what happened to Sybil; also as expected, he threatens to fire Branson. Outraged, Sybil swears that she will run away if he does. Exasperated, Robert is no match for her determination.

A Proposal

Matthew and Mary meet up in the dining room – he has missed dinner in all the commotion, and Mary joins him with some. They talk alone, and she playfully warns him that Sybil might have a crush on him. But it’s clear that it is he and Mary who are strongly attracted to each other, and after some repartee, they suddenly find themselves kissing. Later that night, Mary pays her mother a visit in her bedroom: Matthew has proposed to her! And she loves him! Cora is surprised and elated, but Mary hasn’t yet given him an answer: she feels she must first tell him about Pamuk. Cora thinks that’s a really terrible idea.

Mary has heard from Isobel that William’s mother is terminally ill in the hospital, but has forbidden everyone to notify her son. Mary takes it on herself to arrange time off for William to visit his mother before she dies.

Violet has received a letter from her shrewish cousin, Lady Susan Flintshire (unfortunately, we’ll meet her later), also spilling the Mary-and-Pamuk story. She grills Cora, and Cora reveals not only that it happened, but that she herself helped carry the body – what else could she do? Violet is shocked at first, but then decides that Cora’s pragmatism is to be admired, and hopes she would have done likewise. “The only option is to minimize the damage,” she concedes. Cora tells Violet about Matthew’s proposal and Mary’s resolve to reveal to Matthew the truth about Pamuk. Like Cora, Violet is horrified by the prospect. Mary “reads too many novels,” she scoffs.They agree that, if it falls through, they can trundle Mary off to Italy to find her an “Italian who isn’t too picky.”

July, 1914. The staff is hurriedly readying the house for the family’s return from Sybil’s debutante ball in London. Carson and Mrs. Hughes express concern about William, despondent since his mother’s death. The talk of the house is the recent assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Cora and Mrs. Hughes confer about the upcoming garden party the house is hosting to benefit the hospital. Robert hasn’t yet decided whether or not to fire Bates due to his criminal past. And there’s the issue of Mrs. Patmore – her eyesight (and rancor toward Daisy) are getting progressively worse.

Mary has remained in London, and her Aunt Rosamund brings up the rumors about her and Pamuk. Mary admits to nothing. Moving on to Matthew’s proposal, Mary tells Rosamund that she will give him an answer when she returns to Downton in a few weeks’ time. Rosamund, clearly thinking that Mary could do better than Matthew, politely opines that the whole thing will be “tidy,” at least. 

Cora has been under the weather and Robert is alarmed to find Dr. Clarkson paying her a visit. But she’s not ill: she’s pregnant. Robert is both thunderstruck and ecstatic at the prospect of a male heir at last. But what will that mean for Matthew, and how will his displacement as heir affect his proposal to Mary? And what will become of Isobel?

In London, Mary gets a surprise visitor: Evelyn Napier, who has called off his engagement but is there as a friend. He has difficult news for Mary – he has heard the rumors about Pamuk from the Turkish ambassador, and wants her to know that he, Evelyn, is not the source. But he knows who is: Edith. Mary is shocked, but not really surprised.

Later, having heard about Cora’s pregnancy, Rosamund actively campaigns against the match with Matthew, saying that Sybil might be happy living a middle-class existence, but Mary wouldn’t if Matthew is displaced as heir. She urges Mary to wait until after the baby is born to reply to Matthew’s proposal. Mary objects – Matthew will think her only interest is in being a countess, and she clearly likes and respects him. (Rosamund, whom we suspect married for money and position, thinks Mary is being foolish.)

Modernity Comes Calling

Back at Downton, Robert has decided to install a telephone at Downton. He asks a reluctant Carson to set it up. As they talk, we learn that Bates allegedly confessed to stealing regimental silver from his colonel’s house, but both Carson and Robert are skeptical, given that O’Brien is the source: “I could more easily see Bates as an assassin than a petty pilferer,” muses Robert.

Mary has returned from London. As the ladies of the family welcome her home, Violet asks if she has thought about Matthew’s proposal. Mary starts to share Rosamund’s view, but Violet already knows and thinks Rosamund is dead wrong. Snidely, Edith starts to weigh in, but Mary coldly shuts her down. Violet then delivers this piece of wisdom: “If you take Matthew now, when his whole future is in doubt, he will love you to the end of his days.” And besides, she adds, if the baby is a boy she can always change her mind. Mary is against this, but is muddled. 

The same day, Violet and Cora are commiserating over tea. Violet worries about Mary’s dithering: “If she won’t say yes when he might be poor, he won’t want her when he will be rich.” Violet is also distressed on another front – her maid is leaving to get married (“How can she be so selfish?”) and she needs Cora’s help to find another. Cora sympathizes and confides that she wishes she could get rid of O’Brien whom she doesn’t really trust. She tells Violet that she will help by placing an advertisement in the newspaper.

Robert summons a terrified Mrs. Patmore and Anna to the library.  Mrs. Patmore is certain she’s going to be sacked, but she’s mistaken: Robert is sending her to London, accompanied by Anna, to see an eye specialist. Matthew and Isobel’s cook, the acerbic Mrs. Bird, will cook for everyone while she is gone. Anna is elated at the chance for “an adventure” in London.

Matthew and Mary have it out – she still won’t give him an answer and Matthew accuses her, probably justifiably, of waiting until they know whether he will be displaced as heir. Does she love him enough to spend the rest of her life with him? Mary, disastrously, can’t commit. And Isobel, unfairly, is certain Violet is to blame.

Robert and Bates discuss Bates’ incarceration. Anna is certain there is more to the story. As Cora is dressing for dinner, she and Robert discuss whether or not Bates should be fired – Robert thinks the idea that the story came from O’Brien makes the whole thing suspect. “So you think I should fire O’Brien instead?” asks Cora. “You won’t get any argument from me,” replies Robert. Of course, O’Brien is just outside the door and hears it all. Smoking in the kitchen courtyard, O’Brien fumes and Thomas plots – he thinks they should plan for how they’ll capitalize on the coming war.

The telephone installer, a Mr. Brommage, has arrived, and Sybil takes a keen interest in this new innovation. Brommage mentions that his office is so busy that he can’t even find a secretary that can keep pace with it. Sybil knows the perfect candidate!

Mrs. Bird gets off on the wrong foot with the staff, baffled at what they all find to do, since she’s used to managing with just one kitchen maid. Mrs. Patmore bristles at this and they have words. Before she leaves, Mrs. Patmore, still worried about losing her position, begs Daisy to make certain that Mrs. Bird’s food is found wanting. And later when nobody is looking, Daisy adds a “special” ingredient to Mrs. Bird’s soup for the staff.

In London, after checking Mrs. Patmore into the hospital, Anna does some sleuthing – she wants to learn the truth about Bates and visits the military office where she gets a local address for Bates’ mother. From her, Anna gets the whole story: Bates’ wife Vera (“a nasty piece of work”) was the true thief of the silver, and Bates, a drunkard at the time, covered for her by confessing and spent two years in prison. Anna later shares what she learned with Robert, and Bates’ job is saved.

Mary confronts Edith about her letter to the Turkish ambassador. Edith confirms that she sent it:  “[the ambassador] had a right to know how his countryman died: in the arms of a slut.” After dinner, Edith blushingly confides in Cora that Strallen “will have a question for her” at the garden party and “hopes she will say yes.” Mary, seething, is all ears.

Down in Carson’s office, Molesley catches Thomas stealing cash from Carson’s wallet. He tells Carson what he saw, and Carson tells Robert. Thomas, seeing the handwriting on the wall, approaches Dr. Clarkson, who will be in charge of local recruiting, about a position as an army medic.

Downstairs, the servants sit down to dinner. Something is clearly wrong with the soup, and Mrs. Bird knows instantly what it is. Daisy is forced to confess that she added soap to it. Weeping, she apologizes, explaining that Mrs. Patmore is afraid that the family will prefer Mrs. Bird’s cooking and she’ll be out of a job. Mrs. Bird is surprisingly forgiving, telling her, “there are worse crimes on earth than loyalty.”

Staff Turnover – Or Not

Sybil corners Brommage upstairs – he had rejected Gwen’s job application because it didn’t include anything he considered hard work, and Sybil was not a credible reference, not being a business owner. Sybil summons Gwen, who is forced to come clean about being a housemaid. But Brommage is impressed – his own mother was a housemaid. Sybil ushers them into her father’s library just as Robert arrives. Sybil explains that he can’t enter because Gwen is interviewing for another job. Giant eyeroll from Robert.

Once Mrs. Patmore returns, she is disconcerted that Mrs. Bird has been asked to remain to help with the garden party. But the two cooks form a united front when Mrs. Hughes insists on controlling the ordering of provisions. 

Cora and Violet are discussing the search for Violet’s new maid when O’Brien overhears. She mistakenly thinks they are discussing a replacement for her. As Cora is bathing, the soap breaks and O’Brien kicks a piece of it next to the tub where Cora will be sure to slip on it. A moment later, O’Brien reconsiders, but it’s too late – Cora has fallen. She miscarries and Robert is devastated – the baby was a boy. 

Downstairs, O’Brien is consumed by guilt. Thomas makes cruel jokes about the loss, to everyone’s disgust. After another mean jibe at William about his late mother, William punches Thomas in the face. They brawl and a lot of crockery is broken.

Cut to the garden party, with Thomas and William, both of them battered, serving food and drinks as a string quartet performs. Dr. Clarkson secures a spot for Thomas to train as a medic; he gives notice, to Carson’s relief – now he won’t have to fire him. Daisy, having finally seen the light about Thomas, apologizes to William. And Molesley confides to Bates that he’s interested in Anna. Bates talks him out of it – someone else is “very keen” on her.

Downstairs in the house, the new telephone is ringing. Nobody has the nerve to answer it. Finally, Branson does – it’s Brommage: Gwen has gotten the job! Branson hurries to share the news with Sybil and Gwen. Gwen is ecstatic, and the three of them celebrate together. Mrs. Hughes breaks it up, and sagely warns Branson not to get ideas about Sybil.

Chastened, O’Brien is devotedly caring for Cora, and Violet asks for O’Brien’s help in vetting the candidates applying to be her new maid. O’Brien, shocked, realizes that what she did was based on a tragic misunderstanding; Cora wasn’t going to fire her after all.

Strallen arrives in search of Edith. He encounters Mary instead. Aware that Strallen means to propose to Edith, Mary lies that Edith was ridiculing some “old bore” and is trying to dodge him. Hurt, Strallen curtly makes his excuses to Edith and leaves. Edith doesn’t understand what has happened, until she spots Mary’s smug expression from across the lawn. 

But Mary isn’t smug for long – Matthew has decided to withdraw his proposal; he can’t be sure of Mary’s feelings and as Violet had predicted, will always wonder what would have happened if he was no longer the heir. Tearfully, Mary tries to convince him that she cares for him, but is unsuccessful. He’s returning to Manchester, but wishes her well. Violet lambastes Rosamund – her bad advice has ruined everything. And Isobel and Violet finally agree on something: Matthew might be making a mistake.

An urgent message arrives for Robert, and it’s a big one. Somberly, he shares the news with his guests: “I very much regret to announce that we are at war with Germany.”