Downton Abbey Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Episode 2.07 is the seventh episode of the second season of Downton Abbey, and the fourteenth episode overall.

Plot[]

In early 1919,[1] as the residents try to return to normal life following the armistice, Matthew begins to suspect that he can feel his legs. Then one day, seeing Lavinia drop a heavy tray, tripping and nearly falling, he suddenly gets up from his chair. Dr Clarkson admits that he had been informed of this possibility by another physician, but was skeptical about it himself and didn't want to raise their hopes. As a result of his recovery Matthew announces that he and Lavinia intend to be married soon. This leads Violet to inform him that Mary is still in love with him but Matthew feels obliged to marry Lavinia as she was prepared to sacrifice her life for him.

Richard Carlisle distresses Anna by asking her to spy on Mary and his behaviour leads Carson to reject his offer of employment. Bates reels from the news about Vera after it appears that she committed suicide in order to frame him.

When Major Bryant's parents visit Downton to see where their son convalesced, Mrs Hughes contrives a meeting between them and Ethel and her baby. However, Mr Bryant is made furious by her claim and refuses to believe it, and he and Mrs Bryant leave the house abruptly. Thomas embarks on a new money-making scheme in the post-war black market. Lord Grantham is attracted to the new maid, Jane, and illicitly kisses her on one occasion.

Contemplating life after the war, Sybil makes the drastic decision to elope with Branson. However, Mary discovers her plan and, along with Edith and Anna, seeks them out and persuades Sybil to return and plead her cause openly to their parents.

Cast List[]

Notes[]

  • Ethel says baby Charlie is "almost a year old". However, Ethel only figures out that she is pregnant in Episode 2.04, which is set about a year earlier in early 1918, and he was probably born in mid- to late-summer 1918.

External links[]

References[]

  1. The episode begins with the last of the medical equipment being removed from Downton Abbey; a rough estimate of the date may be implied from the formal closure of the real-life convalescent hospital set up in Highclere Castle during the war on 15 February 1919. (Carnarvon, Fiona. Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, New York: Broadway Paperbacks, 2011; p. 224) In any case, the episode must be set prior to April, given Lavinia's stated desire to have an April wedding.

Navigation[]

v  e ]
Series 1 1234567
Series 2 123456789 - Christmas Special
Series 3 123456789 - Christmas Special
Series 4 123456789 - Christmas Special
Series 5 123456789 - Christmas Special
Series 6 123456789 - Christmas Special
Movies Downton Abbey: The MovieDownton Abbey: A New Era
Advertisement