Downton Abbey, Series 3 Scripts (Official)

by Julian Fellowes

  MRS HUGHES: Edna?

  Edna puts down the picture and starts on the bed.

  EDNA: Why hasn’t Mr Branson been asked to go with the others?

  MRS HUGHES: I’m sure I don’t know.

  EDNA: I wonder what Lady Flintshire made of her cousin’s daughter eloping with a chauffeur.

  MRS HUGHES: It’s not your place to wonder.

  Mrs Hughes adjusts the picture.

  EDNA: What was she like?

  MRS HUGHES: She was a sweet, kind person, and a real beauty, inside and out.

  EDNA: You’d think she could have done better.

  MRS HUGHES: But she didn’t think she could do better, and that’s what matters.

  EDNA: He’s nice looking. I’ll give him that.

  MRS HUGHES: I don’t think you’re required to give him anything.14

  13 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. DAY.

  Isobel is having tea with Doctor Clarkson.

  CLARKSON: She’ll be a long way off.

  ISOBEL: But not in the middle of nowhere. There are hospitals in Inverness.

  CLARKSON: You mean I’m being an old woman.

  ISOBEL: Well… After Sybil, who could blame you?

  CLARKSON: It’ll be very quiet for you, with them all gone.

  ISOBEL: It will. Why not come to supper tomorrow? I daren’t call it dinner as I don’t know what we can conjure up. But do come.

  CLARKSON: I don’t want to be a nuisance.

  ISOBEL: You won’t be. Tom Branson’s here this evening, so I shall be back in training.

  CLARKSON: Thank you. I’d be delighted.

  14 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Branson sits at the table, when Edna comes in with a tray.

  EDNA: Oh. Mr Carson sent me up to clear. He thought you’d be out of here.

  BRANSON: I should be.

  EDNA: It seems sad for you to be left behind, all on your own.

  BRANSON: I’m used to it.

  EDITH: Yes. Yes, of course, you would be… It must be very hard.

  She has spoken with feeling, and he’s slightly taken aback. He gets up.

  BRANSON: Don’t worry about me. I’ve got plenty to do… You’re the new maid, aren’t you? What’s your name?

  EDNA: Edna. Edna Braithwaite.

  15 EXT/INT. DUNEAGLE CASTLE/HALL. DAY.

  This is a fairytale castle, with turrets and battlements and secret windows. The family party climbs out of two cars as Shrimpie, his wife, Susan, and Rose greet them.15

  ROBERT: Shrimpie. This is so nice of you.

  SHRIMPIE: Nonsense. I can’t tell you how glad we are. Cora. Edith.

  He kisses the two women (on one cheek only).16

  ROSE: Daddy, this is Matthew. Defender of the downtrodden. Including me.

  MATTHEW: I don’t know why I’ve earned that.

  SHRIMPIE: We met at your wedding. Mary.

  He kisses Mary as Susan kisses Violet.

  SUSAN: Aunt Violet. We feel so privileged to have lured you this far north.

  VIOLET: Oh, my dear. You flatter me, which is just as it should be.

  Rose, Mary and Edith lead the way into a splendid hall.

  ROSE: We’ve got lots of things planned — oh, and there’s the Ghillies’ Ball, which Mary’s always the star of —17

  SUSAN: Rose, don’t wear them out.18

  But she catches herself and turns, smiling, to Cora.

  SUSAN (CONT’D): We remembered how you liked our mountain loch; we’ve arranged for luncheon to be taken up there one day.

  SHRIMPIE: That was my idea.

  Clearly, Susan is infuriated by this, which Cora sees.

  CORA: Well, whoever’s idea it was, it’s a lovely one.

  SUSAN: Tea is in the library when you’re ready to come down.

  They all continue their conversations as they file into the grand hallway.

  16 INT. CORRIDOR. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.

  Molesley wanders down the passage, looking slightly haunted. A voice makes him jump. It is the butler, Mr McCree.19

  MCCREE: What’s the matter, Mr Crawley? Looking for the servants’ hall?

  MOLESLEY: I feel like Ariadne. Only I’ve lost me thread.

  MCCREE: Duneagle’s quite a maze. They do say, on dark nights, you can hear the ghost of a young girl who never found her way back to her room.

  MOLESLEY: Really? They say that, do they?

  The thought has not calmed him down.

  17 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL/KITCHEN. DOWNTON. EVE.

  Some of the servants, including Thomas, are reading and sewing when a robust man in his sixties appears in the doorway.

  TUFTON: I’m looking for a Mrs Patmore.

  THOMAS: Why’s that, then?

  TUFTON: I’ve got some deliveries for her.

  THOMAS: Really? Where from?

  TUFTON: You’re not very curious, are you?

  THOMAS: And you’re not one of our regulars.

  TUFTON: Well, if you must know, I’ve taken over from Mr Cox in Thirsk. Mrs Patmore sent an order in to him.

  MRS PATMORE: What’s this? Do I hear my name taken in vain?

  She, Daisy and Ivy have arrived, carrying the tea things.

  TUFTON: I was just explaining. You sent an order in to Mr Cox. Well, I’ve bought the shop and all the stock so I thought I’d take the liberty of filling it out.

  THOMAS: It was a liberty. How do you know she wants to do business with you?

  MRS PATMORE: All right, Mr Barrow. I can fight my own battles, thank you. So, where is this order, then?

  He walks into the passage and picks up a large box.

  MRS PATMORE (CONT’D): Bring it to the kitchen. And what’s your name, since you know mine?

  TUFTON: It’s Tufton. Jos Tufton.

  They walk off. In the servants’ hall, Alfred speaks.

  ALFRED: What was Mr Cox’s shop?

  THOMAS: A grocer’s, but finer than Bakewell’s in the village. Spices and foreign oils and special cheese and such.

  ALFRED: I’d like to see that.

  In the kitchen, Mrs Patmore is unpacking the wares.

  TUFTON: What’s this?

  MRS PATMORE: Some Vichyssoise. Left over from last night.

  He does not wait for permission, sticking his fingers in and tasting it.

  TUFTON: Oh, that’s heaven. Have you any more leftovers going begging?

  MRS PATMORE: Have a bit of the tart if you like.

  He helps himself.

  TUFTON: Don’t mind if I do.

  It is a great success.

  TUFTON: I’ve not had food that good since the last time I were in London.

  MRS PATMORE: Oh, I’m not just a pretty face.

  TUFTON: This family’s fallen on its feet and no mistake. I wouldn’t mind eating food like that every day.

  MRS PATMORE: Enough of the flannel; I’ll keep the order. But if there’s owt amiss, you’ll be hearing from me.

  TUFTON: Let’s just hope that there’s something not quite up to scratch.

  MRS PATMORE: Why do you say that?

  TUFTON: Because I’d like to hear from you again, Mrs Patmore. I would.

  MRS PATMORE: Be off with you, you cheeky devil. Go on.

  He snatches another sliver of the tart as he goes. Ivy and Daisy giggle as they look on.20

  END OF ACT ONE

  ACT TWO

  18 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. EVE.

  The servants, visitors and employees are eating supper. The butler, Mr McCree, is next to Anna.

  MCCREE: Are you not hungry?

  ANNA: It’s a bit early for us. We eat our dinner after the family’s.

  WILKINS: Oh, I agree with you, Miss Crawley. In London we eat last thing when all the work is done, and I prefer it.

  MCCREE: How about you, Miss Grantham?

  O’BRIEN: Me? Oh, I do what I’m told.

  ANNA: It makes me laugh when I hear Miss O’Brien and Mr Bates called Mr and Miss Grantham.

  BATES: Mrs Bates
and I don’t often work in the same house party.

  MCCREE: Of course, you two are married, Miss Crawley. How do you manage at home, being called Bates and Bates?

  ANNA: We’re not. They still call me Anna, like when I was a housemaid.

  O’BRIEN: Which isn’t right. I do so hate to see a lady’s maid downgraded.

  WILKINS: Oh, I so agree, Miss Grantham, but then we would think alike, wouldn’t we? It’s a treat to have a kindred spirit come to stay. It really is.

  MCCREE: Tell Mrs Crane I’ve gone up. I’ll announce dinner in ten minutes.21

  19 INT. DINING ROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. NIGHT.

  The men are in white tie, the married women with diamonds in their hair. It is a real pre-war image. A piper circles the table, then he finishes and leaves. Robert is thrilled.

  ROBERT: How marvellous.

  SUSAN: I should remind you that he’ll be back to pipe us awake at eight o’clock.

  ROSE: And he keeps it up through breakfast.22

  SHRIMPIE: So the chances of getting back to sleep again are nil.

  SUSAN: All right, Shrimpie. The point has been made.23

  Her annoyance has been noticed. Robert salvages the moment.

  ROBERT: You’ve no need to apologise. I’m glad to see the old ways being maintained.

  SHRIMPIE: Tomorrow we’ll kit you out with some rifles for some practice.

  VIOLET: And what is planned for the women?

  ROSE: Well, there’s a picnic by the loch the day after tomorrow, and the Ghillies’ Ball on Friday is always good fun.

  SUSAN: As long as it’s not too much fun.

  Rose rolls her eyes and giggles, which irritates Susan.

  EDITH: As a matter of fact, a friend of mine is staying quite nearby. I thought I might telephone him.

  ROSE: Oh, but you must ask him here.

  ROBERT: She doesn’t have to.

  CORA: Oh, please do. I’d like to meet him.

  SHRIMPIE: Right, that’s settled then. Invite him to dinner tomorrow night. Unless, of course, Susan objects.

  SUSAN: Of course I don’t object. Why on earth would I object?

  We can see that Shrimpie tries to wrong-foot her, too.

  20 INT. HALL/SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Ivy is carrying a tray of late-night tea things when she passes Edna standing in the staircase hall, pulling the petals off a flower, muttering under her breath.

  IVY: Well, does he love you? Or not?

  EDNA: I think I could make him, whatever the flowers says, and I mean to try.24

  They are overtaken by Mrs Patmore who enters the servants’ hall, talking. Ivy and Edna follow her in.

  MRS PATMORE: I thought it was too good to be true. He’s sent dried ginger instead of fresh. Oh, it’s my fault. I just put ‘ginger’ because Mr Cox knew what I liked.

  THOMAS: I might go into Thirsk tomorrow. I can take it back for you if you want.

  MRS PATMORE: Would you? You should go with him, Alfred. You’d like that shop.

  CARSON: Who’s doing what tomorrow?

  MRS PATMORE: Mr Barrow’s going into Thirsk. I said Alfred should go with him.

  CARSON: Who says I can spare them? What about Mr Branson’s luncheon?

  THOMAS: I doubt he needs an under butler, Mr Carson, or two footmen.

  MRS HUGHES: He told me he’d get lunch at the Grantham Arms. So, can they go?

  CARSON: I suppose so. But there’s a lot to be done, and don’t forget it.

  He shakes out his newspaper. Edna is thinking.25

  21 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. NIGHT.

  Isobel is drinking coffee with Branson.

  ISOBEL: I hope you’ll come here whenever you like. It must be odd, being alone in that great house.

  BRANSON: Well, I’m not alone. There’s people I know well, except they’re all downstairs and I’m up.

  ISOBEL: Why not take the opportunity to spend some time with them?

  BRANSON: I don’t think old Lady Grantham would approve of that.

  ISOBEL: No, but I doubt she approves of the working class learning to read… Tom, can I take this chance to say you’ve managed a very delicate transition superbly?

  BRANSON: Thank you.

  ISOBEL: But don’t be too eager to please. You have a new identity and I don’t mean because you’re not a chauffeur any more. You are the agent of this estate, and as the agent you have a perfect right to talk to anyone who works under you. Anyone you choose.

  BRANSON: That’s quite a speech.

  ISOBEL: I mean it. You have a position now and you’re entitled to use it.26

  22 INT. KITCHEN PASSAGE. DOWNTON. NIGHT.

  Branson closes the back door behind him and walks down the kitchen passage. He seems rather wrapped up in himself. Then Mrs Hughes appears behind him.

  MRS HUGHES: Mr Branson.

  BRANSON: I didn’t want to drag one of you upstairs to open the door.

  MRS HUGHES: That was kind. Oh, I wonder if you would allow the maids to clean during the day, while the family is in Scotland?

  BRANSON: You don’t need my permission.

  MRS HUGHES: But I do. And if you want to use a particular room, then please let me know, and we’ll vacate it at once.

  He looks at her. He understands she is telling him his role.

  BRANSON: Thank you, Mrs Hughes. Goodnight.

  MRS HUGHES: Goodnight, Mr Branson.

  He climbs the stairs as Carson comes into the passage.

  CARSON: What was he doing down here?

  MRS HUGHES: Showing a bit of consideration.

  CARSON: But he’s still not at ease, is he?

  MRS HUGHES: I expect he’s lonely. Rattling about in this great barn.

  CARSON: Then he should ask a friend in for a drink, and not come snuffling round the servants’ quarters.

  MRS HUGHES: We don’t all have your standards, Mr Carson, as you never tire of pointing out.27

  23 INT. MARY’S BEDROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. NIGHT.

  Anna is brushing Mary’s hair. Mary seems uncomfortable.

  MARY: I was a bit shaken up on the train, but please don’t say anything. I don’t want to worry Mr Crawley.

  ANNA: You don’t want to give him the satisfaction, you mean.

  MARY: I can’t spoil his last treat before fatherhood claims him.

  ANNA: Not that he’ll change his ways much, if he’s like most men.

  Mary laughs at Anna through the glass.

  MARY: Are they looking after you?

  ANNA: Oh, yes. But I’m a bit nervous about this Ghillies’ Ball.

  MARY: Why?

  ANNA: I suppose I just feel so English. I don’t want to look a fool.

  MARY: I love reeling.28 If I weren’t pregnant, I’d dance until dawn.

  ANNA: But you are pregnant, m’lady.

  24 EXT. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.

  A piper walks along the terrace, playing his pipes.

  25 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.

  The caterwauling continues. Robert, in bed with Cora, groans.

  ROBERT: Bloody hell.

  He turns over. Cora laughs.

  CORA: Welcome to the Highlands.

  He pulls a pillow over his head.29

  26 INT. KITCHENS. DOWNTON. DAY.

  Jimmy is watching Daisy and Ivy work to get breakfast ready.

  IVY: Are you going into Thirsk? With Mr Barrow and Alfred? Because if you are, you might get me some ribbon.

  JIMMY: Me? Larking about with Mr Barrow?

  MRS PATMORE: Careful. You know Mr Carson won’t put up with any bad feeling.

  JIMMY: I can work with him. He’s the under butler here and I don’t argue with it, but he’s not my choice of playmate and that’s flat.

  DAISY: Oh, go. What harm can it do?

  JIMMY: If I do go I’m not speaking to him.

  MRS PATMORE: Then take a pad and pencil.

  27 EXT. PARK. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.

  One flat cast-iron stag is set abou
t 100 yards from a raised and mown shooting point. A shot rings out and the head ghillie, Nield, who is tight in beside Matthew, is leaning back on something with his telescope trained on the target. Robert is standing beside them, watching the fall of shot.

  NIELD: Take your time. You’re not chasing a pheasant. Be calm and confident.30

  MATTHEW: I thought I was.

  NIELD: These are noble beasts. We must take them out for the good of the herd, but they’ve earned our respect and they deserve a clean death.

  ROBERT: Fine words.31

  Shrimpie and Rose arrive.

  SHRIMPIE: How are you getting on?

  NIELD: Not too bad, your lordship.

  ROSE: That’s high praise from Nield.

  MATTHEW: He’s being kind… I don’t suppose your father needs much practice.

  NIELD: His lordship was born with a rod in one hand and a gun in the other.

  SHRIMPIE: That sounds rather uncomfortable.

  But Nield turns his attention to Matthew.

  ROBERT: I love to hear your ghillie speak. It’s like a voice from a bygone age… Where’s Susan?

  ROSE: Aunt Violet wanted to see the gardens. So I left them to it.

  She wanders off. Shrimpie glances at Robert.

  SHRIMPIE: Rose is not anxious for her mother’s company.

  ROBERT: How’s it going with you?

  SHRIMPIE: I’m in for an adventure. I’m to don a ceremonial uniform and hold mighty sway on some distant shore.

  ROBERT: You won’t mind a foreign posting?

  SHRIMPIE: Why not? They say a change of sink is as good as a rest…

  28 EXT. GARDENS. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.

  Susan Flintshire is walking with Violet.

  VIOLET: Do you know where it will be?

  SUSAN: No, but it’ll be filthy and dirty and the food will be awful and there’ll be no one to talk to for a hundred square miles.32

  VIOLET: That sounds like a week with my mother-in-law. Will Rose go, too?

  SUSAN: Why? What’s she been saying?

  VIOLET: My dear, no one can accuse me of being modern, but even I can see it’s no crime to be young.

  SUSAN: I know that, Aunt Violet. But you don’t see how they gang up on me.

  VIOLET: Then I shall strive to keep the peace.

  SUSAN: That’s all very well, but you are my mother’s sister, and you can jolly well be on my side.

  29 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.