Downton Abbey, Series 3 Scripts (Official)

by Julian Fellowes

  ISOBEL: Oh, quite nicely done. But you know how it is when you bury someone young. It’s hard to find any cause for celebration.

  ETHEL: I feel for her ladyship. When you lose your child… There’s nothing worse under the sun.

  ISOBEL: No. There’s nothing worse.

  Isobel thinks for a moment.

  ISOBEL (CONT’D): I was wondering if I might try to take her out of herself. Perhaps give a little lunch party. Nothing formal. Just Lady Grantham and the girls…

  ETHEL: And I could cook something special.

  This reminds Isobel of the problem. She sips the soup on the tray. It is disgusting. She recoils slightly from the spoon.

  ISOBEL: Well, we don’t have to decide that now.7

  5 INT. MARY’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Anna is getting Mary ready for bed.

  MARY: But I don’t understand why they haven’t let him out.

  ANNA: Mr Murray hasn’t been to see Mrs Bartlett yet, and when he does, she may not want to repeat the things she said to me.

  MARY: Well, she must be made to repeat them.

  ANNA: Even then, would we have enough to overturn the verdict? How can we prove she was cooking that pie and not something else?

  MARY: Because something else would have been found. It had to be the pie.

  She smiles at Anna’s anguished face.

  MARY (CONT’D): Look, I’m not saying it’ll all be done by Tuesday. But this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. What’s the matter?

  Anna is crying, but she shakes her head.

  ANNA: It’s so nice of you to say ‘we’.

  MARY: I mean it. We need some good news in this house, Anna, and this is it. This must be it.8

  And the two of them give each other a hug.

  6 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM/PASSAGE. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Cora lies on her pillows. She holds a book, but she does not read. The door opens and Robert enters. He hesitates.

  ROBERT: I thought I might move back in here tonight. If you’ll have me.

  CORA: Not yet. I think I’d rather sleep alone for a while yet.

  ROBERT: Well, if you’re sure…

  CORA: I’m sure.9

  He starts to leave, but then he stops.

  ROBERT: Cora —

  CORA: Let’s not go through it all again.

  ROBERT: But I’m not arguing. You listened to Clarkson, and so should I have done. But Tapsell has a reputation as an expert —

  CORA: And you believed him. When Doctor Clarkson knew Sybil’s history and he did not. You believed Tapsell because he’s knighted and fashionable and has a practice in Harley Street… You let all that nonsense weigh against saving our daughter’s life. Which is what I find so very hard to forgive.

  ROBERT: Do you think I miss her any less than you?

  CORA: I should think you miss her more, since you blocked the last chance we had to prevent her death.

  This is very hard, but she just looks at him. He nods.

  ROBERT: I’ll say goodnight, then.

  CORA: Goodnight.

  He goes and she is left alone. Outside in the passage, Robert closes the door, wipes his eyes quickly and walks away.10

  7 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Robert, Matthew and Edith are having breakfast.

  EDITH: How is Mama?

  Robert looks at her.

  EDITH (CONT’D): I’ll go up after breakfast.

  Branson comes in. There is a silence until Edith speaks.

  EDITH (CONT’D): I hope you got some sleep.

  BRANSON: Some. Thank you.

  MATTHEW: How is the baby doing?11

  BRANSON: I envy her. She doesn’t know a thing about it.

  EDITH: We ought to think about getting a nurse. Mrs Rose will leave once the baby’s weaned. Perhaps a local girl —

  BRANSON: But I’m not staying. Or at least, just until I find a job.

  This is clearly something they hadn’t thought about.

  EDITH: Well, there’s no rush.

  MATTHEW: God, no.

  ROBERT: Tom’s right. He has to start to make a life for himself some time.

  EDITH: Some time, yes. But not right away. And anyway, now that the funeral’s over, we ought to think about the Christening. Do you know what you’d like her to be called?

  BRANSON: I’d like to call her Sybil.

  MATTHEW: Of course.

  ROBERT: You don’t think it might be a little painful?

  BRANSON: Very painful, at first. But I think it’s right. I want to remember her mother whenever I look at her.

  EDITH: Of course you do. And she would want to be remembered. I’ll go and see Mr Travis this afternoon.

  BRANSON: Why Mr Travis?

  EDITH: To fix the date.

  BRANSON: But Sybil will be Catholic.

  ROBERT: What?

  BRANSON: My daughter is Irish and she’ll be Catholic. Like her father.

  Robert is about to explode but he catches Edith’s eye. She shakes her head. He stands abruptly.

  ROBERT: It’s time I started my morning.12

  He walks out, leaving the others slightly stunned.

  8 EXT. DOWNTON VILLAGE. DAY.

  Mrs Patmore is strolling through the village with a basket.

  ETHEL: Mrs Patmore!

  The cook stops and looks about. There is Ethel, standing with her own basket. Mrs Patmore doesn’t quite know what to do.

  MRS PATMORE: Oh… Ethel.

  ETHEL: Mrs Patmore, I wonder if I could ask for your advice.

  MRS PATMORE: Well, I…

  ETHEL: I suppose you know I’m working for Mrs Crawley now? At Crawley House?

  MRS PATMORE: I had heard.

  ETHEL: She’s been ever so kind to me, and I’d hate her to suffer for it.

  Mrs Patmore doesn’t know where this is going.

  ETHEL (CONT’D): You see, she’s hired me as cook-housekeeper, but, to be honest, my cooking’s a little rusty.

  MRS PATMORE: Oh, yes?

  ETHEL: She’s giving a lunch party, to help her ladyship in her sorrow. I know she’ll tell me to keep it simple, but I’d like to surprise her with something really nice.

  MRS PATMORE: Our ladyship?

  ETHEL: Mrs Crawley wants to show sympathy. I know you don’t want to stop her.

  MRS PATMORE: Of course not.

  ETHEL: So might you help me prepare a few dishes? You just tell me how to make them. I’ll do the work. Please.

  MRS PATMORE: Look. I don’t mean to be rude or personal, Ethel, but Mr Carson has made it very clear —

  ETHEL: That no one from the house is to have any dealings with me?

  Mrs Patmore confirms this with her silence.

  ETHEL (CONT’D): But surely you’re not afraid I’ll corrupt you, are you?

  MRS PATMORE: I am not.

  ETHEL: Then why should Mrs Crawley be punished for showing me kindness?

  9 EXT. EXERCISE YARD. YORK PRISON. DAY.

  Bates is walking around with other prisoners. He passes Officer Durrant.

  DURRANT: You don’t look as optimistic as you did, Bates. Something wrong?

  BATES: Not that I’m aware of, Mr Durrant.

  DURRANT: Really? You seem downcast.

  The prisoner Craig has seen this exchange and comes over.

  DURRANT (CONT’D): I wondered if some scheme to improve your lot had gone awry.

  BATES: If you know of something that might suggest my fortunes have taken a turn for the worse, Officer, perhaps you’d be kind enough to share it with me.

  DURRANT: Am I kind enough to share it with him, Craig? No. I don’t think I am.13

  They laugh, as Bates continues walking.

  10 EXT. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Mary is reading when Robert approaches.

  ROBERT: Did you hear about Branson’s announcement at breakfast?

  MARY: I wish you’d call him Tom.

  ROBERT: He wants the child to be a left-footer.14

  MARY: Papa, I know it
’s hard for you —

  ROBERT: There hasn’t been a Catholic Crawley since the Reformation.

  MARY: She isn’t a Crawley; she’s a Branson.

  ROBERT: The only chance that child will have of achieving anything in life is because of the blood of her mother.

  MARY: Well, I don’t agree. And besides, Sybil —

  ROBERT: That’s another thing. I think it’s ghoulish to call her after Sybil.

  MARY: Well, I don’t.

  ROBERT: I’m going to see Travis. Get him to come and talk to… Tom. Try and make him see sense.15

  11 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Daisy folds away a letter and smiles.

  ANNA: Good news?

  DAISY: Mr Mason wants me to go and see him. On my afternoon off.

  JIMMY: Who’s Mr Mason?

  ANNA: Daisy’s father-in-law.

  JIMMY: What does he do? This Mr Mason?

  DAISY: He’s a farmer.

  ALFRED: That’s a grand life.

  JIMMY: Do you think so? Too much getting up early for me. I’m a town man.

  IVY: ‘As I stroll down Pic-Piccadilly in the bright morning air?’

  JIMMY: That’s me.

  She has been flirting with him, which he doesn’t mind. Mrs Patmore has observed it all from the door.

  MRS PATMORE: Ivy? Are you feeling all right?

  IVY: Yes. Why?

  MRS PATMORE: You look a bit flushed.

  DAISY: You don’t mind if I visit Mr Mason tomorrow, do you?

  MRS PATMORE: Not if you finish your work today.

  Ivy is still flirting with Jimmy.

  IVY: I’d love to go to London one day.

  JIMMY: Then you’ll have to save up for a ticket, won’t you?16

  This makes Thomas laugh. He stares at Ivy, disdainfully.

  THOMAS: You have a lot of time off.

  MRS PATMORE: Not as much as she thinks. Come on, Ivy. Chop chop.

  Jimmy looks up and Thomas winks at him.

  12 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. DAY.

  Isobel is with Ethel.

  ISOBEL: No, there’s no need to cook. Just fetch some ham from Mr Bakewell, and make a light salad. You can’t go wrong with that, and Lady Grantham won’t want more.

  ETHEL: I’d like to make a bit of an effort. To show our sympathies.

  ISOBEL: It’s a nice idea, Ethel. But I’d like to keep it safe. I’ll walk up to the house later.

  13 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DOWER HOUSE. DAY.

  Violet, in black, is having tea with Robert.

  VIOLET: What is your plan for the child?

  ROBERT: What do you mean?

  VIOLET: Well, if Branson takes her away to live with him in Liverpool, or wherever he comes to rest, then presumably it will be his influence that governs her upbringing.

  ROBERT: I hadn’t thought about that.

  VIOLET: Then I suggest you do, and soon. What does Cora say?

  ROBERT: Not much… Not much to me, anyway.

  VIOLET: She still holds you responsible?

  ROBERT: She’s wretchedly unhappy, if that’s what you mean.

  VIOLET: I will not criticise a mother who grieves for her daughter.

  ROBERT: I think she’s grieving for her marriage, as well as for Sybil.

  VIOLET: Robert, people like us are never unhappily married.

  ROBERT: What do we do if we are?

  VIOLET: Well, in those moments, a couple is ‘unable to see as much of each other as they would like’.17

  ROBERT: You think I should go away?

  VIOLET: Or Cora could go to New York to see that woman. It can help to gain a little distance.

  ROBERT: I can’t seem to think straight. About any of it.

  VIOLET: My dearest boy, there is no test on earth greater than the one you have been put to. I do not speak much of the heart, since it’s seldom helpful to do so, but I know well enough the pain when it is broken.

  ROBERT: Thank you, Mama.

  VIOLET: Which won’t answer what we are to do about the child.

  ROBERT: I’ve asked Travis to dinner. I thought he could talk to Branson.

  VIOLET: We shall see. I cannot say I have much faith in Mr Travis’s powers of persuasion.

  END OF ACT ONE

  ACT TWO

  14 INT. KITCHENS. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Daisy and Ivy are working. The footmen are lounging about.

  DAISY: Don’t you two have any work to do?

  JIMMY: We’re cleaning silver later, but Mr Carson told us to wait for him.

  IVY: I wouldn’t mind your hours… What’s the matter?18

  ALFRED: You look very —

  IVY: Very what?

  ALFRED: I don’t know exactly.

  DAISY: Stop gabbing, Ivy, and remember you’ve my work to do tomorrow as well as your own.

  JIMMY: Are you off to see the rich farmer?

  DAISY: Whatever he makes, he earns it.

  ALFRED: Oh, it’d be nice to be your own boss.

  DAISY: No farmer’s his own boss. He takes his orders from the sun and the snow and the wind and the rain.

  Mrs Patmore comes in. She is dressed to go out.

  MRS PATMORE: Oh, I see. Is this the new servants’ hall? What have they done with the old one, I wonder?

  The others accept their dismissal and go. Mrs Patmore is checking a book against some sheets of paper. Ivy watches.

  MRS PATMORE (CONT’D): What are you staring at?

  IVY: A cat can look at a king.

  MRS PATMORE: But not at a cook. Now get on with whatever it is you’re doing. I’ll be back before the gong.

  15 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.

  The footmen come in to find O’Brien sorting buttons. Thomas is in there, gluing a leather sole.

  O’BRIEN: What are you doing?

  THOMAS: Sticking it together. It’s coming away but there’s no wear in it.

  O’BRIEN: I think Mr Dobson’s gone off. We should find a new cobbler. What are you two up to?

  ALFRED: We’re waiting for Mr Carson.

  O’BRIEN: You’ve been bothering young Ivy. Or she’s been bothering you.

  JIMMY: That’s more like it.

  ALFRED: Speak for yourself.

  O’BRIEN: Don’t you like Ivy?

  JIMMY: Oh, I don’t mind her, but she’s not my type.

  O’Brien sees Thomas listening. She smiles, encouragingly.

  THOMAS: What type’s that, then?

  Jimmy laughs, just as Carson looks in.

  CARSON: Why are you here, and why isn’t the pantry table set out for cleaning?

  16 INT. KITCHEN. CRAWLEY HOUSE. DAY.

  Mrs Patmore walks in and takes out the sheets of paper. Ethel is with her.

  MRS PATMORE: I don’t know what I’m doing here.

  ETHEL: You’re here because you’re kind.

  MRS PATMORE: Am I? Right. I’ve written down some receipts. They’re not complicated but I want you to study them. This is a list of what you’ll need. I’ll come in on Thursday morning and see how you’re getting on.19

  ETHEL: Can I really do it? Salmon mousse?

  MRS PATMORE: Anyone who has use of their limbs can make a salmon mousse.20

  ETHEL: Lamb Chops Portmanteau’d? I don’t know…

  MRS PATMORE: Surely you can cut up a bit of chicken liver and some parsley?21

  Ethel looks at her.

  MRS PATMORE (CONT’D): Oh, why not just serve ’em bread and cheese then, and have done with it?

  ETHEL: You’re right. I’ll give it a go.

  17 INT. HALL/LIBRARY. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Isobel has just arrived.

  ISOBEL: Please tell Lady Grantham I’m here.

  CARSON: She’s in the library, ma’am.

  ISOBEL: How is she? How is everyone?

  CARSON: This is a house of mourning, Mrs Crawley. It will be for some time.

  18 INT. LIBRARY. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Cora, in a black evening dress, looks up as Isobel enters.
/>
  ISOBEL: Forgive me for barging in, but I have a little plan… Oh, goodness. You’ve changed. It’s much later than I realised.22

  ISOBEL: Well, I was wondering if you and the girls might come to me for luncheon on Thursday.

  VIOLET: Do I count as one of the girls?

  Isobel had not seen her, half hidden by a wing chair.

  ISOBEL: Of course.

  CORA: You’re very kind, but I’m not really going out at the moment.

  ISOBEL: There’ll be no one else there, only me. And a walk to the village might blow some cobwebs away.

  CORA: I’m afraid I would only bring my troubles with me.23

  The door opens and Mary and Matthew come in.

  MATTHEW: Hello, Mother. What brings you here?

  VIOLET: She’s just invited Cora and Edith and Mary to come to luncheon on Thursday.

  MARY: Oh, how kind. Thank you.

  VIOLET: That settles it.24

  Robert arrives with Edith.

  ROBERT: Isobel? Have you come for dinner?

  ISOBEL: Oh, no. I’m dressed quite wrongly, and I know you have a guest.

  VIOLET: I doubt Mr Travis has much of an eye for fashion.

  MARY: Oh, do stay. We need cheering up.

  CARSON: The Reverend Mr Travis.

  He is at the door. Travis walks in. He goes first to Cora.

  TRAVIS: Lady Grantham, let me first say that I continue to bear the deepest condolences for your great sorrow.

  Cora starts to cry and Violet rolls her eyes.

  19 INT. KITCHENS. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  The footmen collect the pudding. Jimmy lifts the tray.

  IVY: Can you manage?

  JIMMY: Course I can.

  IVY: Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your manhood.

  The two young men look at each other and laugh.

  MRS PATMORE: She didn’t mean that, either. Now get on.

  ALFRED: Are you looking forward to your outing with Mr Mason?

  DAISY: I am. It’s a lovely place.

  IVY: You should go with her.

  ALFRED: Or I could come out with you.

  MRS PATMORE: You know the trouble with you lot? You’re all in love with the wrong people. Now take those upstairs.

  As Jimmy walks past Thomas…

  THOMAS: Are you in love with the wrong person?

  MRS PATMORE: That’s for him to know and you to find out.

  Jimmy has walked off down the passage. Thomas murmurs.

  THOMAS: I will find out.25

  20 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.