Top 10 Best Downton Abbey Episodes

The second season finale sees many storylines come to a head, primarily of a romantic nature. From the Matthew, Mary, and Lavinia love triangle, to Robert’s temptation to have an affair, to Sybil’s desire to marry Branson, and Bates and Anna’s wedding. Yet, all of them are turned upside down by various events, most notably the Spanish flu, which derails several or at least sets them back. However, the biggest blow comes when, after Bates and Anna marry, he is arrested for the supposed murder of his first wife; setting up further drama for the unlucky couple.

Despite some somber storylines, like Edith’s ongoing drama involving her child born out of wedlock, this is among the most fun episodes of the show. While the downstairs staff have a day out at the beach, leading to possibly the cutest moment between Mrs. Hughes and Carson – as great as their wedding was – the Crawleys get into some entertaining intrigue while in London for Rose’s coming out. When they lose an incriminating letter to the Prince of Wales, the family pools their skills to retrieve it and manages to enjoy some London nightlife in the meantime.

A party at Downton Abbey brings out the best and worst in those attending. Although the event puts a strain on those below, particularly Mrs. Patmore, it also offers opportunities for some of the guests to ingratiate themselves with the family. However, the elephant in the room is arguably the most dramatic moment in a show filled with drama. In the episode’s final scene, Anna is sexually assaulted downstairs while the rest of the household enjoys a performance of opera upstairs, with the contrast between them being especially striking. The incident causes the unfortunate Bates and Anna even more heartache that takes a long time to heal.

The finale of “Downton”’s first season sees all of its story threads to that point dovetail, while also opening up possibilities for the future. Mary and Edith’s sisterly conflict turns nasty, Bates’ past is further explored, Thomas finally gets what’s coming to him, and Matthew’s proposal to Mary hits a new snag when Mary’s mother is revealed to be pregnant. Heartbreakingly, Cora loses the baby after O’Brien intentionally leaves some soap for her to slip on after a misunderstanding. This is all the calm before the storm though, since the last minutes mark the beginning of the First World War, which will change the lives of many of the characters irrevocably.

While precious little of “the Great War” is seen in the show, its effects reach even Downton itself. The large space is turned into a convalescent hospital for military officers, leading to some unexpected people to take the spotlight, including Cora, Isobel, Edith, and Thomas. The war also affects relationships, as Mary and Matthew’s “will they/won’t they” relationship acquires some more obstacles, and William proposes to Daisy before being called to France. The war may have been one of the worst in history, but it certainly breathed new life into “Downton Abbey.”

One of the most influential events on later seasons occurs in this episode. While certainly not starving for suitors, Mary takes an instant liking to visiting Turkish diplomat, Kemal Pamuk, leading to a brief affair that ends when he has a heart attack in her bed. Mr. Pamuk may die in the episode he’s introduced in, but his dalliance with Mary and its affect on her reputation will haunt her for years to come. The episode is also notable for bringing up issues of modernism, a running theme for the show, present both in maid Gwen’s attempts to become a secretary, and in Sybil’s growing friendship with the socialist Branson.

As entertaining as business as usual at Downton is, sometimes a holiday from the usual routine is just the ticket! The Crawleys take a trip to the Scottish highlands, leaving the servants behind to enjoy some diversions at a fair; which sees plenty of entertaining hijinks, and sees Thomas at his best. Although the Flintshire household in Scotland has plenty of drama of its own, the real highlight is the birth of Mary and Matthew’s son. This is tragically followed by Matthew’s death in an automobile accident, following up a happy moment with a sad one, as the show is wont to do, and leaving Mary in grief for several years.

Before we get to yet another tragic death, let’s touch on a few of the other plot points from this episode. Downstairs, the younger servants are looking for love, with little success. Meanwhile, upstairs sees Edith offered the chance to write for a women’s magazine – a big step towards becoming a more modern woman. However, all of this is overshadowed by Sybil being in labor for much of the episode, and while she delivers the baby, Lord Grantham taking the advice of a visiting physician over their trusted doctor leads to Sybil suffering from eclampsia and suffocating in front of the family in one of the most upsetting moments in the whole series and maybe television in general!

“Downton Abbey”’s final outing is also one of its best. The two hour episode sees most of the characters get some kind of happy ending or at least hope for the future, whether it’s a wedding, the birth of a child, a pregnancy, or a new job, career, or relationship. After going through so much during the show, it’s wonderful to see the characters we’ve grown to love, particularly the long-suffering ones, get the happiness, or at least fulfillment, that they deserve... while still leaving things open-ended enough for the movie.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

The One Where Edith Kidnaps Her Daughter
Series Five, Episode Six

The One with the Cricket Match
Series Three, Episode Eight

The One with Edith’s Troubled Engagement
Series Six, Episode Eight

The One with the Titanic
Series One, Episode One

The One with the Concert for the Soldiers
Series Two, Episode Four

“Downton”’s first Christmas episode is the show at its absolute peak. There’s the great holiday atmosphere of course, but there’s also high stakes, since the trial of Mr. Bates occurs as well, and he’s sentenced to life in prison. Romance is also in the air, both for Edith, but most notably for Mary, as she and Matthew finally get on the same page and he delivers that romantic proposal in the snow, which narrowly beats out their wedding as the best moment in their relationship. But the cherry on top is the Dowager’s sick burn on Sir Richard Carlisle.