Our Downton Abbey recap breaks down the events of the episode in which we see Mary do something you’d never expect.
The episode begins with a bit of a surprise. A telegram from Cora’s brother has arrived and requests Robert come to America to support him in court. This surprises both Bates and Mrs. Hughes, who discuss the news together. Robert, meanwhile, doesn’t want to go.
Mrs. Hughes goes to Mary to request that Bates not go with Robert because of the “special circumstance” that the latter is still not clued in on. Mary says she needs to know what happened between Anna and Bates in order to help, so Mrs. Hughes tells her. Having been convinced that Bates should stay, Mary tells Robert that Thomas should go along on the journey.
Violet falls ill. Violet stops by to bid Robert a farewell and shows signs of illness. Back at her residence, Isobel drops in and notices Violet grown very sick. She says she’s going to grab Dr. Clarkson, who diagnoses her with bronchitis. Isobel offers to take care of her, which becomes a full time job. Throughout the rest of the episode we see Isobel mending Violet back to good health, and the former being thrilled to be of service. Once Violet makes her recovery, she decides to be nice to Isobel to thank her for her help.
Pig farm repairs. Lady Mary briefly discusses estate management with Mr. Blake, and she gets the impression that he considers the people of Downton “infuriating” and “aloof” for how they handle things. But, later, the two go down to see the pig farm.
Upon their arrival, Blake notices that one of the water troughs has been pushed over, and the pigs are dying because they’re dehydrated. He springs to action to get them some fresh water, and Mary decides to help. This whole ordeal shows Blake that Mary actually is capable of getting down and dirty like a normal human. She’s even capable of cooking an egg.
A new lady for Tom? A political man is coming into town to speak, and Isobel suggests she and Tom go to remind him of his roots. When Isobel decides to take care of Violet, he goes by himself. He meets an unnamed woman whom he speaks to during the engagement. They talk more after, and viewers get the hint that sparks may begin to fly.
Edith on a mission. Edith is planning a trip to London to find out the latest about Michael, who she now knows has arrived in Munich but went missing. Rose ends up tagging along to go spend time with the jazz singer Jack.
In London, Edith meets with Rosamund about her pregnancy, and she says she wishes to get rid of the baby. After the two arrive at the doctor’s office for the removal of the baby, Edith has a change of heart and leaves. The rest of the family still does not know about her pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Rose is on a romantic river date with Jack, who doesn’t think much can come of their relationship.
Alfred reignites the flame. A letter from Alfred arrives, and he says he’s stopping by Downton soon and hopes to see them all. This excites Daisy, but Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore decide he shouldn’t visit, so as to not set off the love triangle again. They ask Carson in private to tell Alfred he can’t visit because there’s a flu running about, but he shows up anyway, to the delight of Ivy.
Gillingham and the valet return. Lord Gillingham arrives, and so too does his valet. Green goes downstairs and surprises Anna and Mrs. Hughes. The latter approaches him in private and tells him he should “keep to the shadows.” At dinner later, Green reveals that he had gone downstairs during the opera singer’s visit – which helps Bates connect him to Anna’s rape.
See a preview of next week’s episode below:
