The bell rings. O’Brien is talking to Wilkins, Lady Flintshire’s maid.
O’BRIEN: I’d like to travel more. We see a bit of London in the Season, but otherwise, it’s Yorkshire.33
WILKINS: What about the House of Lords?
O’BRIEN: When his lordship goes up, he just takes Mr Bates with him and stays in his club, which is no use to me.
WILKINS: We’re headed for an outpost of Empire. Her ladyship’s dreading it and so am I.
O’BRIEN: Oh, I don’t know. Something different. I could quite fancy that.
WILKINS: Oh. Not me. All sweat and gippy tummy. Oh, no.34
29A INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DOWNTON. DAY.
Jimmy and Alfred sit in front of a table full of silver and give one another an unhappy look. Carson appears at the doorway and dramatically clears his throat, at which the two footmen frantically begin cleaning the silver.
30 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.
Mary and Cora are reading as Edith comes in.
CORA: Did you get him?
EDITH: I did. He said he’d love to come.
MARY: I’m sure he would.
EDITH: What do you mean by that?
MARY: Well, I can’t imagine Mr Gregson finds himself at Duneagle Castle very often. Or anywhere like it.
CORA: Mary, that sounds very snobbish.
MARY: Well, what’s he doing up here?
EDITH: He’s on a sketching holiday. He’s sketching and fishing.
MARY: Fishing? Oh, well. That’s something, I suppose.
MATTHEW: What do you suppose?
He has just come in.
EDITH: For some reason, Mary has decided to be nasty about Michael Gregson.
MARY: I was simply questioning his motives for being in the Highlands.
EDITH: He’s brought his pencils and his rods. What’s wrong with that?
MATTHEW: Nothing at all. So there.
This last is to Mary, but he strokes her shoulder and cheek.35
31 EXT. GRANTHAM ARMS. DOWNTON VILLAGE. DAY.
Branson is walking towards the pub. Isis is with him.
32 INT. BAR. GRANTHAM ARMS. DOWNTON VILLAGE. DAY.
Branson walks into the bar.
BRANSON: Afternoon, George. The usual and a sandwich, please.
He catches sight of Edna, smiles and strolls over to join her.
BRANSON: This is very daring. Sitting in a pub on your own? Won’t the village cut you dead forever?
EDNA: I knew you were coming in. And I don’t care about all that stuff.
BRANSON: Do you have the day off?
EDNA: I’ll fudge it but not really. We’ve extra cleaning to do while the family’s away… Of course, you’re family.
BRANSON: Well, I am and I’m not, as I’m sure you know.
EDNA: Anna said when you first came back as Lady Sybil’s husband you refused to dress the part, but you do now.
BRANSON: I was tired of talking about my clothes every time I came downstairs, but I’m still the same man inside.
EDNA: Then why not join us for dinner one night, instead of eating alone?36
33 EXT. TUFTON’S SHOP. THIRSK. DAY.
Thomas, Jimmy and Alfred are leaving Tufton’s shop. Thomas carries a brown paper bag. Tufton has followed them out.
TUFTON: I’ll tell her, and I’ll not forget again.
ALFRED: By ’eck, it were worth the visit, Mr Tufton. What a range. I’ve never heard of some of those spices.
TUFTON: I tell you what: we’ve a fair here, starting Friday. I run a stall and so do some of the suppliers. Why not come?
THOMAS: What sort of fair?
TUFTON: Well, the usual sort of fair. Food, games, Morris dancers and a brass band. But they do it well.
ALFRED: Could we get the time off?
THOMAS: I don’t see why not. Jimmy?
JIMMY: I might come if there’s a crowd of us, but not otherwise.
TUFTON: Have you got a minute? I’ll just put a note in that bag for Mrs Patmore.
THOMAS: Go on, then.
Tufton hurries back inside his shop.
34 INT. SERVANTS’ HALL. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.
The dinner is being cleared away.
ANNA: I don’t think I’d realised we’d all be expected at the Ghillies’ Ball.37
BATES: Why wouldn’t we be? It’s only a Scottish Servants’ Ball.
ANNA: It’s my own fault. I just wish I’d done more to prepare. Especially now I know my husband’s Scottish.
BATES: Not very.
WILKINS: I dare say it’ll be a bit wilder than any Servants’ Ball at Downton.
MOLESLEY: Not too wild, I hope.
BATES: Come on, Mr Molesley. We’re hoping to see you let your hair down. What there is of it.
35 INT. CORA’S BEDROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.
Cora is with O’Brien and Robert. She looks splendid in a grand evening dress and a tiara. O’Brien is just leaving.
CORA: Judging by my last experience of a Ghillies’ Ball, I’m terrified, but I dare say we’ll get through it.
ROBERT: You’ll enjoy it. I know I will.
CORA: Of course, you’re in your element, given that life at Duneagle is just as it was in the 1850s.
ROBERT: It may be nostalgia, but can’t you indulge me?
CORA: I wish you could see that what Tom and Matthew and even Mary are doing at home is so much more interesting than anything happening here.
ROBERT: I’m not fighting the changes.
CORA: No. But you’re sad. Sad that the estate isn’t run as it used to be. When I think it’s so much better.
ROBERT: I’m afraid we must agree to differ.
CORA: Yes, but we don’t agree to differ, do we? We just differ.
36 INT. MRS HUGHES’S SITTING ROOM. DOWNTON. DAY.
Carson is with Mrs Hughes.
CARSON: I can’t let them go gallivanting off to every fair at the drop of a hat. I mean, what are we paying them for?
MRS HUGHES: But they’ve been working very hard. Don’t they deserve a treat?
Mrs Patmore arrives.
MRS PATMORE: Excuse me! On Friday, can I take the afternoon off? I’ll make the servants’ dinner and Ivy and Daisy can serve it.
MRS HUGHES: Mrs Patmore doesn’t often take the time she’s allowed.
CARSON: What about Mr Branson?
MRS HUGHES: I’ll see to Mr Branson. Where are you going? Or shouldn’t we ask?
MRS PATMORE: There’s a fair in Thirsk. A friend of mine has asked me to meet him there.
CARSON: I don’t believe it! Must I be undermined at every turn?
He storms out. Mrs Patmore is amazed.
MRS PATMORE: What’s got into him?
MRS HUGHES: Mr Barrow and the boys have asked to go to the same fair and he was trying to find a way to say no.
MRS PATMORE: Why don’t we all go? I’ll make Mr Branson a tray and he can keep charge of the house. He won’t mind. Come on. It’ll be fun.
37 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. NIGHT.
They stand about, with no drinks. The butler announces Mr Gregson. He comes in. Gregson is also in white tie.38
Gregson is greeting his hostess.
GREGSON: This is very kind of you, Lady Flintshire.
SUSAN: Not a bit. It’s a pleasure to welcome a friend of dear Edith’s.
Across the room, Mary is with Matthew.
MATTHEW: What a disappointment. He looks perfectly normal.
MARY: Since he came here with the express purpose of dining at Duneagle, he obviously bought a set of tails.
EDITH: Come and meet my parents. Mama, Granny, Papa, this is Mr Gregson.
GREGSON: Lady Grantham.
CORA: You know, I started to read your magazine because of Edith’s column, but now I wouldn’t miss it. We read it from cover to cover, don’t we?
ROBERT: It puzzles me why you choose to employ amateurs like my daughter.
MARY: I agree.
GREGSON: Well,
is the distinction very meaningful? Surely the most important thing is whether or not people have something to say.
EDITH: Come and meet my sister, Mary.
Across the room, Susan is with Rose.
SUSAN: Do stand up. You’re slouching like a field hand.
ROSE: Might I just have five minutes without being criticised?
Violet and Cora have observed this. Violet speaks softly.
VIOLET: We knew things were awkward between them, but now that I’m here I don’t think Susan handles it very well.
CORA: But it’s so complicated with a young daughter who’s full of new ideas. She thinks you’re fighting her, when all the time you’re just frightened and — I’m sorry.
She breaks off, as her eyes fill with tears.
VIOLET: We all miss her. Every single day.
SUSAN: We’re going in, everyone.
Cora is taken in by Shrimpie as Mary draws alongside Violet.
MARY: Granny? You look very sérieuse, this evening.
VIOLET: I’ve been thinking. And you know what an effort that can be.39
38 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Branson is sitting with Sybbie on his lap. There is a knock at the door.
BRANSON: Come in.
Edna arrives.
EDNA: Would you like me to take Miss Sybbie up to the nursery?
BRANSON: Thank you. Go with Edna, darling. Oh, go on…
EDNA: Come here.
Edna takes the child, rocks her gently and walks towards the door, then stops.
EDNA: Can I ask you something?
BRANSON: Be my guest. Please.
EDNA: Are you ashamed of who you are? Or of who you were? Is that why you won’t eat your dinner with us?
BRANSON: No. It is not.
EDNA: Well, I’d better be going.
She leaves with Sybbie as Alfred comes in. Branson whispers.
BRANSON: It is not.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
39 EXT. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY/NIGHT.
Anna and Bates are together in the evening light.
ANNA: It never really gets dark here, does it?
BATES: Not like further south, no.40
ANNA: I never asked you what your room’s like. Is it nice?
He reaches up and strokes her cheek.
BATES: It’s fine, but it feels funny being on my own again… Let’s take a picnic out tomorrow. Just the two of us. They’ll be gone for the day. What do you say?
ANNA: I’d love it.
But they see a lone figure. It is Rose, smoking and crying.
BATES: Is everything all right, m’lady?
ROSE: It will be, if you don’t tell my mother you saw me smoking.
ANNA: Don’t worry. You’re safe with us.
BATES: Would you like a peppermint?41
He has taken out a paper bag. Rose smiles and takes one.
ROSE: I better had. Thank you. Oh, sorry. It’s just my mother has been unusually impossible this evening.
BATES: My whole childhood would seem impossible to you, m’lady. But I survived; so will you.
There is a movement at the front door.
SUSAN: Rose? Who are you talking to? Come inside at once! Everyone’s in the drawing room!
ROSE: Yes, Mummy.
She starts towards the entrance, but looks round as she goes.
ROSE (CONT’D): Thanks for the mint.
40 INT. DRAWING ROOM. CRAWLEY HOUSE. NIGHT.
Clarkson and Isobel are in the drawing room.
CLARKSON: I should be away.
ISOBEL: Oh, don’t go just yet.
CLARKSON: Heaven knows, I’ve no desire to. It makes a welcome change from reading a medical journal and going to bed with a glass of whisky.
ISOBEL: Goodness. I wondered what you were going to say for a moment.
Which makes them both laugh.
CLARKSON: I sometimes forget, when we meet in the splendour of the Abbey, that you were a doctor’s wife. That you know what my life consists of in a way that no one else does. At any rate, not round here.
ISOBEL: I know. It’s a relief, sometimes, to be able to talk without having to explain one’s self, isn’t it?
CLARKSON: A relief and a privilege. I hope we can do it again, soon.42
41 INT. DRAWING ROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. NIGHT.
The company is in there, after dinner. Edith is with Gregson.
GREGSON: Matthew’s asked me to go out stalking with him tomorrow, so I thought I would.
EDITH: Michael, can I ask you why you’re here? Tell me the truth. Please.
She is in earnest, almost severe. He decides to be honest.
GREGSON: I want to get to know your family.
EDITH: What do you hope to achieve?
GREGSON: I thought if they knew me — if they came to like me — I’d — they might find it easier to be on my side.
EDITH: It won’t change the basic facts, though, will it?
GREGSON: Edith. My basic fact is that I’m in love with you. You know that already.
EDITH: Do I? Yes, I suppose I do.
GREGSON: I want you in my life and I want to be in yours.
EDITH: That’s all very well, but —
GREGSON: Somehow, I’ve got to work out how to make it possible.
EDITH: When will you tell them the truth?
GREGSON: Not yet. I want them to let me in first. Then we can all deal with it together. Later. When they know me.
She says nothing and he is not encouraged by her expression.
GREGSON (CONT’D): You don’t think it’s a good plan.
EDITH: I just can’t see a happy ending.43
VIOLET: Edith, dear, stop fascinating that young man and come and make a four at Bridge.
42 INT. MARY’S BEDROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. NIGHT.
Matthew is looking out of the window as Mary gets into bed.
MATTHEW: I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow.
MARY: You know the golden rule in England or Scotland. Dress for rain.44 Are you looking forward to it?
MATTHEW: Yes. Though I hope my chap’s less frightening than the head ghillie.
MARY: Just tell him you’re a novice and all will be well. Papa says you must never pretend with these people. They’re always better at it than you’ll ever be.
Matthew leaves the window and climbs into bed.
MATTHEW: I’ve asked Gregson to come. I won’t see you all day so he’ll be company.
MARY: He was right to invest in those tails, wasn’t he? You know Susan’s invited him to the Ghillies’ Ball? He probably had reeling classes before he left London.
MATTHEW: Don’t dislike him before you know him. That’s the hallmark of our parents’ generation, and I forbid it. Just be as nice as you are.45
MARY: You think me nice, but nobody else does. What makes you so sure I am?
MATTHEW: Because I’ve seen you naked and held you in my arms, and I know the real you.
He strokes her pregnant belly.
MARY: Goodness, what a testimonial.
They kiss.
43 INT. SERVANTS’ PASSAGE/CARSON’S PANTRY. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
Mrs Hughes is with Carson.
MRS HUGHES: Oh, go on. You were young once.
CARSON: I’m young now. Well, I’m not old.
MRS HUGHES: All the more reason to say yes. Oh, you’ll enjoy yourself.
CARSON: No, I won’t be coming.
He shuts the door to his pantry.
CARSON (CONT’D): If I came, they wouldn’t have fun. They’d spend the day looking over their shoulder.
MRS HUGHES: Well, I’m going. Whether I spoil their fun or not.
CARSON: That’s different. They respect you, of course. But I am their leader.
MRS HUGHES: Well, that’s put me in my place.
CARSON: Don’t envy me, Mrs Hughes. You know what they say. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.46
44 EXT. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.
Susan is there. She has not yet changed. Nield is talking to Shrimpie.
NIELD: The wind is north-west and getting stronger. We should get started.
Robert is with Matthew, Gregson and Shrimpie.
GREGSON: Well, good hunting, everyone.
ROBERT: Oh, Shrimpie’s not stalking. He’s coming with me.
NIELD: Mr Crawley? Mr Gregson?
Matthew and Gregson climb into a trap with their beat’s stalker and they head off. Shrimpie’s with Susan.
SHRIMPIE: Is your picnic under control?
SUSAN: Of course.
ROBERT: I’m worried about Mary, bumping through the glen.
SUSAN: She doesn’t have to come.
ROBERT: No, I know, but she will, I’m afraid.
Nield has the reins of the trap in his hands and is waiting to head off to the other beat. Shrimpie is aware of Nield’s eyes upon him.
SHRIMPIE: We’d best get going, otherwise we’re in for some stick.
45 INT. KITCHENS. DOWNTON. DAY.
Mrs Patmore, Daisy and Ivy work. Alfred, Jimmy and Thomas watch.
DAISY: I’m not sure I’m going to go tomorrow. It’s such a waste of money.
MRS PATMORE: Oh, come on. You’ve enough for a few rides and a beef sandwich, I suppose?
THOMAS: I can buy you all a bottle of pop, if you like.
MRS PATMORE: What an offer. Let’s take him up on it before he’s time to think again.
JIMMY: Thank you, Mr Barrow, but I can buy my own pop.
DAISY: Don’t pretend you’ve money to burn.
JIMMY: I can always get money.
The others just roll their eyes as Mrs Hughes comes in.
MRS HUGHES: The store cupboard’s open if you need anything.
MRS PATMORE: No, but I do have something to ask you. Now, where did I put that box?
IVY: This one?
She gives the box to Mrs Patmore, who leaves with Mrs Hughes.
IVY (CONT’D): Did you see the lid? Mrs Curley’s dress shop in Ripon. She’s got a fancy man. I’m telling you.
ALFRED: Mrs Patmore?
DAISY: Why not? She’s a woman, isn’t she?
THOMAS: Only technically.
46 INT. MARY’S BEDROOM. DUNEAGLE CASTLE. DAY.
Anna is putting some clothes away when Rose comes in.
ROSE: Oh. I was looking for Lady Mary. To tell her we’re going.
ANNA: She’s already gone down, m’lady.
Downton Abbey, Series 3 Scripts (Official) Page 50