In a sad and grey episode, the difficulties of those in the house rise to the surface all at once. A major spanner is thrown into the works when an injured soldier stakes a claim to the title of Downton. Matthew’s future as Earl is cast into doubt and his bitterness over his injuries, broken engagement and altered future shows through his dignified response. Edith shares his disappointment as the family refuses to recognise the man she once loved as the Crawley cousin who went missing in the Titanic disaster.
Disappointment faces Mr Bates and Anna as Bates’ protracted divorce wears on. Isobel is sidelined once and for all as both the Countess and Dowager Countess team up to take the house back for private family use. Even the stolid Carson has his world turned upside down by a request he feels unable to refuse from Lady Mary. For her part, Lady Mary is torn between her fiancé and her fierce loyalty to Matthew, but Sir Richard Carlisle soon brings her attention to her duties and proper direction.
Thomas and O’Brien cook up some serious schemes over fags in the back yard. The Earl has to dine by himself and the new maid steps in with some chatter about her son’s hopes for grammar school. Mrs Hughes does her best for Ethel, but the Major refuses to play a part in her life. The episode ends with a hugely important piece of news that will create great unease amongst those with secrets to keep in Downton, secrets that could tear apart the estate, family and even Sir Richard’s newspaper empire.
Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 6 airs on ITV at 9pm on 23rd October 2011 for UK viewers only.
Table of Contents
Cast
- Lady Rosamund Painswick played by Samantha Bond
- Earl of Grantham, Robert played by Hugh Bonneville
- Lavinia Swire played by Zoe Boyle
- Lady Sybil Crawley played by Jessica Brown Findlay
- Lady Edith Crawley played by Laura Carmichael
- Mr Carson played by Jim Carter
- John Bates played by Brendan Coyle
- Lady Mary Crawley played by Michelle Dockery
- Molesley played by Kevin Doyle
- Vera Bates played by Maria Doyle Kennedy
- Sarah O’Brien played by Siobhan Finneran
- Anna Smith played by Joanne Froggatt
- William Mason played by Thomas Howes
- Thomas Barrow played by Rob James-Collier
- Tom Branson played by Allen Leech
- Mrs Hughes played by Phyllis Logan
- Andrew Lang played by Cal Macaninch
- Countess of Grantham, Cora played by Elizabeth McGovern
- Daisy Robinson played by Sophie McShera
- Mrs Patmore played by Lesley Nicol
- Ethel Parks played by Amy Nuttall
- Doctor Clarkson played by David Robb
- Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet played by Maggie Smith
- Matthew Crawley played by Dan Stevens
- Isobel Crawley played by Penelope Wilton
Crew
Written and created by Julian Fellowes
Executive Producers: Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes
Producer: Liz Trubridge
Line Producer: Charles Hubbard
Director: Ashley Pearce