- Downton Abbey opens its doors to the public for charity, Barrow's actions are misconstrued, Mary and Henry's romance blossoms, and tensions between Cora and Violet reach a dramatic climax.
- Opinion is divided upstairs and downstairs when Mary and Tom throw open the abbey to the public in aid of hospital funds, though the outcome of the ongoing battle for the hospital's future brings mixed blessings for Cora. The open day itself is a success despite the family's inexperience as tour guides and an entrance from an angry Violet. Romance appears to blossom for Mary and Henry and possibly even Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason, whilst Molesley is given an unexpected opportunity by local schoolmaster Dawes and the erstwhile Mrs Hughes finds her new husband annoyingly critical of her domestic duties.—don @ minifie-1
- Early June 1925. The Board of the Downton Cottage Hospital approves its merger with the Royal Yorkshire Hospital and invites Cora to be their new president, replacing Lady Violet to avoid similar situations in the future, but nobody dares tell the dowager timely her Charmberlain card didn't trump. Mary takes Tom to London, where Henry Talbot tells Mary he is falling in love with her, Tom convinces her to join their cars enjoyment. With Robert forced to bed rest, Tom and Mary open the house to the public for a day to raise funds for the hospital, harder to do then expected even if everyone helps, but more lucrative, yet the family isn't inclined to regular repeats, while realizing the traditional way of aristocratic life is becoming a curiosity. Spending the nights in their cottage, Carson keeps implicitly criticizing Mrs Hughes's housekeeping practices not being up to Downton standard, to her increasing annoyance, including how she makes the bed, and awaits cooking pointers from Mrs Patmore, whose upstairs leftover hampers aren't finished to perfection. Carson questions Thomas about his meetings with Andy, causing him more distress and reducing him to tears of self-pity.—KGF Vissers
- Several weeks have passed since Robert's surgery and he is improving, although he must stay in bed. Carson sneaks him a bottle of his favorite port, but Robert explains that he has to give it up. Later, Carson decides to give up drinking port himself out of sympathy for his lordship.
The battle for the village hospital is finally over and Violet has lost. Dr. Clarkson will remain as chief doctor and Isobel as the almoner (social worker). Due to Violet's increasing age she will be asked to step down as director, to be replaced by Cora. Horrified, Cora says she must talk to Robert first. Dr. Clarkson says that the Dowager Countess will be notified of the decision by letter.
Robert is not enthusiastic about Cora becoming the director, especially since it will involve increased responsibilities. Cora says she wants to work. Her first career was raising the girls but now they no longer need her. Robert says they do need her but she decides to accept the offer.
Tom and Mary decide to hold an open house at Downton to raise money for the hospital. People will pay for a tour of the downstairs. Robert is against it but eventually concedes. He can't understand why anyone would be interested in seeing the house. Tom is out front selling tickets and the servants stationed throughout the rooms to make sure no one steals anything. Cora, Mary, and Edith, who are in charge of the tours, find that their knowledge of the Abbey's history is severely lacking.
Lord Merton attends the open house with his son Larry's fiancee, Amelia Cruikshank. She tells Isobel that she is in favor of her marrying Merton and promises to keep Larry in line. Isobel is not impressed.
While Cora is trying to answer questions, Violet bursts into the room. She has just received the letter notifying her about the coming changes to the hospital. Cora is embarrassed and tries to postpone the discussion for another time, but the Dowager is having none of it. She informs Cora that she doesn't wish to see her until she can become accustomed to having a traitor in the family. The villagers are very amused by the incident.
Cora goes upstairs to rail at Robert and stomps off in a huff. She nearly bumps into a little boy who is part of the tour. He goes into Robert's room and asks why the lady is so angry. Robert says all mothers are like that sometimes. The boy asks why Robert doesn't buy a house that is more comfortable. Robert says he is satisfied to be where he is. Moseley comes in with fresh linens and shoos the boy away.
Anna is having pains and wants to see Dr. Clarkson. Bates insists she go to London and see Dr. Ryder. He points out that there can be no more secrets between them and she must tell him if she is in pain. Anna doesn't want Mary to keep paying Dr. Ryder's bill. Bates says he has money saved and he can pay it. Mary agrees to the London trip and phones Evelyn Napier to meet her for dinner. They decide to go to the Criterion. Edith says she and Michael ate there several times. Mary is very rude and accuses Edith of putting a damper on her evening out. Edith merely wanted to say that the Criterion held pleasant memories for her. Mary asks Tom to accompany her and Anna. She wants him to get out of the house and have a good time. He agrees to go but teases her about falling in love with Henry Talbot.
As they are leaving for the station, Bates asks Mary to send him the doctor bill. Mary agrees but once they are in the car, says that she will pay it. Tom points out that she is being unkind to Bates and to let him take care of the bill. Anna thanks him for being so understanding.
Anna's pains are normal with the progression of her pregnancy and all is well. Mary and Tom go to meet Evelyn and discover that Henry Talbot and his friend Charlie are also present. They invite Mary and Tom to a car race at Brooklands. Tom enthusiastically accepts but Mary isn't eager. She and Henry walk back to Lady Rosamund's house and it starts to rain. They take shelter in a tunnel. Henry kisses her and tells her he is on the verge of falling in love. He points out that he doesn't have much to offer her. Mary admittedly doesn't like cars because of how Matthew died, but Henry asks her to give it another chance.
Mr. Mason gives Daisy a note for Mrs. Patmore, to thank her for all her help in getting him settled. Daisy doesn't think Mrs. Patmore needs any more thanks but Mr. Mason insists. Later, Mrs. Patmore finds the note in the trash. Daisy pretends she lost it. Mrs. Patmore asks why the letter has been opened but Daisy says she doesn't know. Obviously angry, she adds that Mr. Mason is very busy now and everyone should just leave him alone.
Robert and Carson discuss the staffing changes, which have been put off but must now be addressed. The only superfluous employee is Barrow because who needs an under-butler. Carson says that Barrow has been looking for a job and Robert says they should help him find something.
Mary spots Barrow giving George a piggy-back ride and tells her son to let Barrow get on with his work. Barrow says George was simply cheering him up. Mary asks why he needs cheering up but he gives a vague answer. Later she wonders if he's trying to earn points by being so nice to the children.
Bertie Pelham comes to Downton for dinner. Edith takes him to the nursery to see Marigold but doesn't reveal that she is the girl's mother.
Daisy's examination is coming up and she is quite nervous. Moseley meets with Mr. Dawes, the schoolmaster, who suggests that he take a separate exam to find out much general knowledge he has. Dawes hints that perhaps Moseley could help teach if he does well. Moseley is flattered but isn't sure he is smart enough. Dawes can give the two their examinations on the same day.
Baxter learns that Coyle has been sentenced to ten years in prison. Her happiness is short-lived when she receives a letter from him asking that she visit. Moseley urges her not to reply and throw the letter away but Baxter isn't sure. Later he discovers that she still has the letter.
Mary tries to find out more information about Marigold. She asks Anna again, who insists she knows nothing. Tom won't say anything either. Mary warns Tom that if she finds out a secret was kept from her, she will be very upset with him.
True to his word, Barrow is teaching Andy to read. They make plans to meet in Barrow's room, which Mrs. Patmore overhears and reports to Carson. Later Carson catches Andy leaving Barrow's room. He asks what Andy is doing there. Andy is flustered and says he came to borrow a book. Carson asks where the book is and Andy says he will get it later. Carson speaks privately to Barrow about his relationship with Andy. Barrow denies any wrongdoing and asks Carson to take his word. Carson says that unfortunately he can't.
Carson suggests to Mrs. Hughes that they borrow one of the hall boys to do some cleaning at their cottage and to show her how to properly make a bed. When Mrs. Hughes serves him dinner, he is again critical of her efforts. Mrs. Hughes is angry but still won't say anything in her defense.
The open house brought in a surprising amount of money for the hospital. Tom suggests they consider having the event regularly to raise money for the estate. He points out that the house costs an enormous amount to run. But the rest of the family is absolutely against it and the idea is put on hold. Tom feels that in the future they will have to consider it as a source of income.
Barrow is shown alone in the servants' hall, quietly weeping.
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