JARVIS: He has indeed, Lord Grantham.6
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
9 EXT. DOWNTON VILLAGE. DAY.
Ethel comes out of the shop. She is crying and she stops to wipe her eyes. Violet has seen this as she is driven past in her car.
10 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.
Cora, Robert, Branson and Edith emerge from the dining room. Matthew and Mary are behind them. Matthew talks softly.
MATTHEW: I’m afraid I must involve Murray.
MARY: But Papa employs Mr Murray.
MATTHEW: The estate employs Murray, and the estate needs his help.
Edith leads the way with Branson, Robert and Cora.
EDITH: I’ll be back on Tuesday.
CORA: Are you going to take the job?
EDITH: I haven’t decided.
ROBERT: Don’t be ridiculous.
He walks into the drawing room. The others follow.
11 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DOWER HOUSE. DAY.
Violet is with Edith, having tea.
VIOLET: Why would I persuade your father otherwise, when I agree with him?
EDITH: How can you say that, when you keep telling me to find something to do?
VIOLET: I meant run a local charity, or paint watercolours or something.
EDITH: Well, I’m going to London to see the editor tomorrow, and if I like him then I’m going to say yes. I don’t want to fall out with Papa —
VIOLET: But you do want to be notorious.
EDITH: No, I don’t. Not at all. But I don’t want to be invisible, either. I’ve had enough of it.
Violet considers this for a moment.
VIOLET: Very well. I’m coming up tonight. I’ll see what I can do. But I want a favour in return.7
12 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. DAY.
Ethel, looking bleak, has brought in tea for Isobel.
ISOBEL: Ethel? What’s the matter?
ETHEL: I had rather a nasty encounter in the village, that’s all.
ISOBEL: What sort of encounter?
ETHEL: Mrs Bakewell refused to serve me. In the end her husband did, but it wasn’t very nice.
ISOBEL: We shall take our business elsewhere.
ETHEL: There’s no need for that, ma’am. I’m used to it.
ISOBEL: You shouldn’t have to be.
13 INT. KITCHENS. DOWNTON. DAY.
Alfred and Jimmy saunter in to find Ivy working.
ALFRED: Are you all set for this evening?
MRS PATMORE: If you mean have I allowed Ivy to go out when it’s not her half day, I have, but why, I could not tell you. Bring them all home safe.
ALFRED: If that’s Béchamel, why don’t you use parsley or mace?8
MRS PATMORE: I do. But I boil it in the milk beforehand. I made it last night.
JIMMY: Oh, leave her alone, you big ninnie.
MRS PATMORE: There’s nothing wrong with a man who can cook. Some say the best cooks in the world are men.
JIMMY: And do we think this sad beanpole will be the best cook in the world?
CARSON: Why do you always feel the need to be so unpleasant, James? What’s Alfred ever done to you?
He is standing in the doorway. He delivers his next speech towards Alfred as he turns and goes.
CARSON (CONT’D): You can take in the fish and meat tonight. James can follow with the sauce.
JIMMY: But I should be the first footman.
IVY: Course you should.
Hearing this, a furious Daisy appeals to Alfred.
DAISY: Listen to her! You’re taller than him! You’ve been here longer than him! Why are you taking her to the pictures, when she talks like that?
ALFRED: Well, I’ve got the tickets now. So…
14 INT. NIGHT NURSERY. DOWNTON. DAY.
Mary looks in, to find Branson holding the baby on his lap.
MARY: Don’t get up.
She sits down next to him, playing with the baby’s feet.
MARY (CONT’D): How’s the christening going?
BRANSON: It’s all arranged with the Catholic church in Ripon.
MARY: Weren’t you going to tell us?
BRANSON: You and Matthew. I didn’t think the others would want to know.
MARY: Please give them a chance to behave properly.
BRANSON: I wondered if you’d be a godmother?
MARY: Am I allowed to be?
BRANSON: As long as at least one of them is Catholic, and my brother’s coming over. He’ll stay in the village.
MARY: No, he won’t. He’ll stay here.
BRANSON: He’s a bit of a rough diamond.
MARY: I’m very fond of diamonds.9
15 EXT. DOWNTON GROUNDS/COTTAGE. DOWNTON. DAY.
Anna and Bates are together, looking around.
BATES: I still can’t believe I’m here. I keep pinching myself.
ANNA: Believe.
BATES: Which one would be ours?
ANNA: Well, they won’t move Mr Chirk or the Tripps, but Mrs Bow wants to live in the village, so we might get hers.10
BATES: None of which solves the problem of what I’m going to do.
ANNA: Your job, of course. They’ll have to give Thomas his notice.
BATES: Mr Barrow.
ANNA: Mr Stick-It-Up-Your-Jumper. He’ll have to go.
He looks at her, and smiles.
BATES: Revenge is sweet.
16 INT. NIGHT NURSERY. DOWNTON. EVE.
This is a converted spare room with a changing table. A nurse tidies up while Branson watches Cora play with the baby.
CORA: Sybbie, precious? I think she’s starting to recognise her name.
BRANSON: Sybbie? Not Sybil?
CORA: The same but different… Mary tells me the christening is all arranged. May we come?
BRANSON: If you want. I didn’t think Lord Grantham would feel comfortable.
CORA: Nurse? It’s time for our bath.11
The nurse moves forward, takes the baby and goes out.
CORA (CONT’D): We mustn’t give them too much to talk about downstairs… So have you made any more plans?
BRANSON: My brother is coming over for the christening. He’s written that he’s moving to Liverpool and he’d like me to go into business with him.
CORA: When does he arrive?
BRANSON: The night before the service. Mary wants him to stay here, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea.
CORA: She didn’t say anything to me.
BRANSON: Perhaps it’s to be a surprise.
17 INT. KITCHENS/PASSAGE. DOWNTON. EVE.
Alfred is taking the plate of fish. He walks out first. Jimmy has the sauce.
JIMMY: Look at him. He can’t balance it.
MRS PATMORE: Leave him alone. Up you go.
Jimmy passes Thomas.
JIMMY: It’s a flippin’ insult. Just ’cos he’s ten foot tall.
THOMAS: You’re right.
JIMMY: I’ve got a good mind to —
THOMAS: Ah, ah. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. These things can be managed, but not by losing your temper.
Jimmy walks on. O’Brien is watching.
O’BRIEN: You make a cosy couple, I must say.
THOMAS: I don’t think so.
O’BRIEN: That’s not what I’ve heard. Alfred says he’s always going on about you. Silly, sloppy stuff. Alfred’s sick and tired of it, and no wonder.
THOMAS: He’s making it up.
O’BRIEN: Have it your own way.
Thomas walks on, with a lot to consider.
18 INT. SERVERY/DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. EVE.
Alfred is preparing, nervously. Jimmy comes in.
ALFRED: Right…
JIMMY: Don’t put them like that.
He rearranges the spoon and fork at the edge of the dish.
JIMMY (CONT’D): They’ve got to be able to get hold of them.
Carson appears at the doorway. He nods.
CARSON: Come along.
19 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Violet, Isobel and the family are all present.
MATTHEW (V.O.): I’ve asked Mr Murray to come up. So we can talk it through together.
ROBERT: You’ve asked Murray? To come here? Without consulting me?
MATTHEW: I felt I wasn’t explaining things well, and I know he can.12
Alfred has reached Violet on Robert’s right.
VIOLET: Oh, lovely. What a treat.
Alfred leans in. The spoons fall into Violet’s lap. He makes a grab for them and deposits some fish there as well.
VIOLET: Oh!
CARSON: Oh, my, your ladyship!
VIOLET: No fuss, no fuss. Just scrape me down and get me a spare napkin.
JIMMY: I’ll take that.
He removes the dish from a defeated Alfred and hands him the sauce. He moves on to Robert, who helps himself. Violet talks on as Carson is putting her to rights.13
VIOLET: I saw your cook in the village today, Isobel. She seemed upset.
ISOBEL: Yes. Mrs Bakewell was rather unkind.
MARY: Mrs Bakewell? In the shop? How odd. Why?
She then remembers whom they are talking about.
MARY (CONT’D): Oh. I suppose we know why.
ISOBEL: It seems a pity that, even in this pretty little village, people can be so unforgiving.14
ROBERT: Some people are unforgiving; others are insensitive.
CORA: What time do you leave in the morning?
EDITH: I thought I’d get the ten o’clock. I’m meeting him for tea.
CORA: And you’re sure Aunt Rosamund doesn’t mind giving you a bed?
EDITH: She didn’t seem to.
ROBERT: You’re not encouraging this?
CORA: She hasn’t agreed to anything yet.
MATTHEW: Well, I hope she does agree. I think she’ll get a lot out of it.
ROBERT: Mama, talk to her. Talk to all of them. Say something sensible.
ISOBEL: Yes. Let’s hear how a woman’s place is in the home.
VIOLET: I do think a woman’s place is eventually in the home, but I see no harm in her having some fun before she gets there.
EDITH: Oh, Granny! Thank you!
ISOBEL: Have you changed your pills?
VIOLET: And another thing. Edith isn’t getting any younger. Perhaps she isn’t cut out for domestic life.
This casts something of a pall over the proceedings.
MATTHEW: How are your plans proceeding, Tom?
BRANSON: I was telling Lady Grantham. My brother has a garage in Liverpool. He’s asked me to go in with him.
MARY: The brother who’s coming to stay?
BRANSON: Yes. Kieran.
ROBERT: Why is he coming here?
MARY: For the christening.
For Robert, this is the tin lid. Silence falls.15
20 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
They are finishing dinner. Alfred is in a state.
O’BRIEN: How did he rearrange the spoons?
ALFRED: He put them right on the edge of my plate, but I’m not saying it was deliberate.
JIMMY: I hope you’re not, ’cos I was trying to help.
CARSON: Well, I think Alfred can manage without your help in future, James. And next time, will you wait to be asked before you take charge?
MRS PATMORE: Are you still here?
She has just come in. Daisy and Ivy are clearing.
CARSON: Perhaps Alfred no longer wants to go to the pictures. He may want to ponder his mistakes instead.
MRS HUGHES: Of course they’re going.
IVY: Are we?
CARSON: Yes. You can go. I will not withdraw my permission. But as you walk, you might contemplate what it is to waste a chance when it is given. I believed in you, Alfred, and you have disappointed me.
IVY: I’ll get my coat.16
The young couple leave. Mrs Hughes looks at Carson.
MRS HUGHES: I s’pose you never wasted a chance.
CARSON: Well, if I did, I learned from it, and that’s all I’m asking from him.
MRS HUGHES: That and some ritual humiliation.
Further down the table, O’Brien nods at the defeated Jimmy.
O’BRIEN: Silly duffer. I expect he’s waiting for you to console him, Mr Barrow.
21 INT. MARY’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Matthew is in bed. Mary gets in beside him.
MARY: You shouldn’t have rung Murray without telling Papa.
MATTHEW: You berate me for not wanting to take responsibility, and now you tell me off for doing just that. You can’t have it both ways.
MARY: I can if I want to.
She leans in and kisses him.
MARY (CONT’D): What’s the matter?
MATTHEW: Do you think I should see someone?
MARY: What?
MATTHEW: If there’s anything wrong then it’s obviously my fault. You know what they told us when I was wounded.
MARY: But they were wrong. They said so.
MATTHEW: I wonder. All doctors pretend to know more than they do.
MARY: Darling, please don’t worry. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong.
MATTHEW: That’s the point. We’re not sure.17
22 EXT. THE DRIVE. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Alfred and Ivy walk along. The other two maids loiter behind.
ALFRED: It was okay, but I prefer English films with English stars. They seem more real somehow.
IVY: I like the American actors. They’ve got more you-know-what.
ALFRED: And how about Ivy Close in The Worldlings? She makes Lillian Gish look like a village school ma’am.
IVY: Ivy Close. It’s funny to think of a film star having your own name.
ALFRED: There aren’t any with my name.
IVY: No… but there’s a king. The one who burned the cakes.
ALFRED: Well, I hope I won’t be burning any of my cakes in future.
They both laugh. They do seem well suited.18
23 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Thomas is reading a paper when Jimmy comes in.
JIMMY: Where is everyone?
THOMAS: They’ve gone to bed. Except for the picture-goers. They’re not back.
JIMMY: If I’d thrown a bucket of slop in the old lady’s lap, I wouldn’t be allowed to go to the flicks.
THOMAS: What are you saying?
JIMMY: Mr Carson doesn’t like me. No matter what Alfred does, he still prefers him. It’s not bloody fair.
THOMAS: Well, I love you.
He says it lightly. Jimmy takes it as a joke.
JIMMY: If you do, you’re on your own.
THOMAS: I’m sure I’m not. What about your family? Where you from?
JIMMY: I don’t have any family, not really. Cousins. You know. No one else.
THOMAS: And your mum and dad?
JIMMY: Dead. My dad was killed in the war and my mother died of the ’flu. I haven’t any brothers and sisters, so there we are. All on me ownsome.
THOMAS: You must get lonely.
JIMMY: Meaning?
THOMAS: I know what it’s like, that’s all. Funny. We’re quite a pair.
Jimmy doesn’t know how to respond, but Thomas’s tone is kind.
THOMAS (CONT’D): We both like to look very sure of ourselves but we’re not so sure underneath, are we? Still, you’ve no need to worry. Mr Carson may prefer Alfred, but nobody else does.
JIMMY: Don’t they? I wonder. Sometimes I think it’s just Jimmy contra mundi.
O’Brien arrives. She finds a book she left on the table.
O’BRIEN: Was that Latin? I should try it on Mr Carson. Make up some points.
JIMMY: Never mind Latin, I need a magic spell.
O’BRIEN: G’night.
He goes out. O’Brien shakes her head.
O’BRIEN (CONT’D): He’s a funny one, isn’t he? All bluster and shine on the surface, but something else behind the eyes.
Thomas is silent.
O’BRIEN (CONT’D): What? Am I not supposed to comme
nt on him because you’ve formed a mutual admiration society?
THOMAS: Whatever it is, it’s not mutual.
O’BRIEN: You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. I know what’s going on.
THOMAS: You’re quite wrong, Miss O’Brien. He’s a proper little ladies’ man.
O’Brien gives a snort of laughter. He looks at her.
O’BRIEN: If that’s how you want to play it.
THOMAS: What are you going on about?
O’BRIEN: There’s no need to bark. I only know what Alfred tells me.
THOMAS: Well, if he says Jimmy’s interested in me, he’s lying.
O’BRIEN: Oh, dear. Was it supposed to be a secret?
She gathers up her things and leaves.
23A INT. JIMMY’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Jimmy is getting washed and undressed for bed.
23B INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Thomas sits alone reading the paper, then puts it down.
23C INT. THOMAS’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
A vexed and tormented-looking Thomas starts to undress, then sits down, torn by thought.
24 EXT. THE DRIVE. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Alfred and a giggling Ivy come up the drive.
IVY: You are daft.
ALFRED: Oh, Ivy. I love to be out with you like this. I wish we could make it a regular thing.
IVY: I can’t. I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong idea.
ALFRED: Look, I’m sorry, but Jimmy’s just not interested. I hate to hurt your feelings like that, but he’s not.
IVY: You don’t know that. He flirts with me. He does.
ALFRED: If you knew he wasn’t interested, would that make a difference?
IVY: I’d have to hear it from his lips.
24A INT. THOMAS’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Thomas continues to brood on his bed.
24B INT. SERVANTS’ PASSAGE/STAIRS. DOWNTON. NIGHT
Alfred forlornly watches Ivy, and then he goes up the stairs.
25 INT. MENSERVANTS’ PASSAGE. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Thomas comes out of his room in his trousers and vest. He walks down the hall to another door. There is no sound. He opens it and goes inside.
26 INT. JIMMY’S ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Thomas comes in. Jimmy is asleep. Thomas closes the door behind him.
26A INT. STAIRS. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Alfred makes his way up the stairs.
27 INT. JIMMY’S BEDROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Thomas kneels down by the sleeping face. He strokes the young man’s cheek.
Downton Abbey, Series 3 Scripts (Official) Page 38