Downton Abbey season 4 came to a close on PBS Sunday night with what was billed in the U.K. as the Christmas Special.

Our Downton Abbey season 4, episode 8 recap breaks down the events of the 90-minute finale, which featured Paul Giamatti’s on-screen debut as Harold.

London Calling. Most of the main upstairs residents and downstairs staff are in London for Lady Rose’s presentation to the King and Queen. Everyone’s staying at the family’s Grantham House.

Mrs. Levinson and Uncle Harold (Giamatti) arrive at Grantham and are greeted by Edith, Carson, and Mrs. Hughes. Throughout the episode Harold talks with a woman named Madeleine who he bonds with despite her interest in the family’s money. He goes on to describe her as a woman who he feels very strongly about – more so than anyone he’s met before. He also has frequent trouble blending in with his English counterparts.

Lady Mary and Blake go on a date, and while browsing a museum they bump into Lord Gillingham (surprise!) who’s chatting with Rose. He’s invited back for a party that evening.

Presentation day comes and goes without a hitch as Lady Rose is shown to the King and Queen.

Steal the stolen. Samson, who we saw cheat in card games earlier this season, steals a letter the prince sent to Mrs. Dudley Ward. Rose passes this information to Robert and feels responsible because she hinted at the fact that the letter would be in her handbag while in Samson’s presence. Rose and Robert lead a plan to get the letter back, which involves breaking into his flat and stealing it. They enlist Bates, Lady Mary, and a card game to help plan the intrusion.

The night of the card game, Mary, Blake, and Rose head into Samson’s home and search for the letter. Unfortunately, they can’t find it anywhere. When this news gets back to Bates, he cleverly comes to realize that the letter could be in his coat because Samson likely wants to keep such a valuable possession close to him at all times. He quickly swipes it out of the coat as he’s putting it on Samson.

Making an impression. At a ball honoring Rose, the Prince of Wales makes a surprise appearance and asks for the first dance. This occurs after they met at a club earlier in the episode.

Remove the evidence. Mrs. Hughes discovers a train ticket in Mr. Bates’ pocket that confirms he was in London the night Green died. This somewhat confirms that it was he who killed the rapist. Hughes presents this ticket to Lady Mary, and the two agree they shouldn’t tell Anna about it.

Thomas watching Tom. While everyone’s away, Tom Branson reluctantly invites Sarah Bunting back to the estate for a tour after she asks for one. Thomas is still at Downton and sees them upstairs, which leads him to assume that they were having relations. Branson gets nervous about Thomas seeing them. The news gets back to Robert via Thomas, but nothing comes of it other than some questions for Branson.

A place for the baby. Edith is back from her trip to Switzerland (where she left her baby), and continues to struggle with the potential loss of Michael Gregson. She wonders: If Michael is dead, should she give half of his fortune to her newborn? Rosamund suggests that she send the money anonymously so as to not cause a fuss. Edith later decides to reclaim her baby and have her be raised at a nearby farm, which goes against Aunt Rosamund’s suggestions. Edith and the farmer will keep the secret to themselves.

What is fun? Her Ladyship asks Carson to plan an event for the staff in London since they’ve been working extra hard. When he presents his ideas to Mrs. Hughes, she thinks to herself that the staff will find them boring. As she suspected, the ideas are presented to the staff and they look unenthused. Carson later decides on a trip to the beach.

Love is in the air. New romances appear to be set for Baxter/Molesley, Isobel/Merton… and maybe even Carson/Hughes in season 5. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes had a special moment at the very end of the episode when they held hands as they entered the ocean. Speaking of romance, Mary is still unsure if she’ll go with Blake or Gillingham. On a positive note, she’s aware she’s been “dangling them on a stick.”

What did you think of the ‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 finale?

And what questions do you have going into season 5?