'Downton Abbey' Season Three, Episode Seven Recap

Mr. Bates has been released! He and Anna unite, and he returns to his work.

At tea, Edith has had another letter from the newspaper editor. He would like to meet with her. Edith thinks she’ll go to London and meet with him. Matthew thinks it’s a good idea, but Robert continues to hurt her feelings over it. He is also annoyed at Matthew for involving Jarvis in the running of the estate.

Robert sees Bates, and tells him he will get him set up in a cottage. He tells him to rest until he gets it sorted out about Thomas.

Lady Grantham goes to talk to Isobel. It turns out she only supported her daughter during her grief—she does not approve of having Ethel in the house.

There is a film in the village. Ivy agrees to go with Alfred.

Robert, Matthew, and Jarvis meet to discuss the running of the estate. Matthew wants to update, but Robert rejects the ideas. Jarvis takes Robert’s side, but Matthew points out Robert’s errors with money in the past, and insists that the estate must be self sufficient.

Lady Grantham, in her carriage, sees Ethel crying in the town.

Edith chats with her grandmother about the newspaper. She thinks she will take the job, if she likes the editor. Lady Grantham tells her she will see what she can do—but she wants a favor in return.

Ethel serves Isobel, who can tell that she is upset. She tells her that they refused to serve her.

Mary goes to see Tom and baby Sybil. He asks her to be the godmother. She asks if it’s allowed, and he said his brother, the godfather, is Catholic so it’s all right. His brother is coming to stay, and Mary invites him to stay with them.

O’Brien continues to press Thomas toward James.

At dinner, Matthew reveals he is bringing Murray to come chat with him and Robert and explain things better. James shows Alfred to put the silverware on the edge of the platter, and as a result, Alfred dumps food all over Lady Grantham.

Lady Grantham asks about Edith. Everyone finds out about Branson’s brother coming.

In bed later, Matthew asks Mary if he should see someone to find out if they can have a baby.

Alfred and Ivy walk back from the pictures, getting along well. He tells her that James isn’t interested in her, and suggests that he is. She says she will have to hear it from his lips. Meanwhile Thomas continues his flirtation with James, which O’Brien encourages. At night, Thomas is conflicted. He finally goes up to James’ room. He sneaks in and kisses the sleeping James.

That is when Alfred comes in, and James wakes. Thomas pleads with him, but James is furious and kicks him out, and threatens Alfred if he tells anyone what he saw.

Edith goes to meet with the editor. She enjoys learning about the industry and meeting the editor, but is well aware that her father would be furious. He asks her to lunch the following day. They meet, and there is a light flirtation.

Robert meets with Murray, and he is blunt about the fact that the estate isn’t going to do well without changing their ways. Matthew offends Jarvis by calling the estate management wasteful, and he quits.

Branson’s brother comes, and has dinner with the servants. Tom and Mary come down to ask him to join them upstairs, but he wants to stay downstairs. Branson tells him he needs to come up and not snub his mother-in-law.

Alfred confines in O’Brien what he saw, and she thinks that James shouted out just to save face. She tells him that he has to tell Carson, rather than get himself in trouble.

At dinner, things are awkward with Tom’s brother. Tom invites Robert to the christening, and convinces him to go, and Edith tells them she will be a journalist.

Isobel finds out that Lady Grantham has placed an ad for a new housekeeper for Isobel, and advertized for positions for Ethel, and Isobel isn’t happy. Branson’s brother asks for more beer and everyone judges him. Lady Grantham requests Mrs. Hughes, and Alfred asks to speak to Carson.

Lady Grantham asks Mrs. Hughes about Ethel. They think if they relocate Ethel with a good recommendation, she could get a good job elsewhere, and not be bullied in the village. Isobel is angry they went over her head, but agrees to talk to her.

Alfred tells Carson what he saw. Carson tells him not to speak of it to anyone. Carson brings Thomas in and asks him about it. Thomas tells him what happened and that it was not James’ fault.

Isobel asks Ethel if she is happy, and Ethel tells her she is, compared to how things were before.

Lady Grantham talks with Cora and Robert. She suggests that since Jarvis has quit, they should put Branson in the position.

Little Sybil’s christening comes. Everyone mourns the missing Sybil, but they try to be cheerful. Robert gives Branson the management of his properties.

Carson tells Thomas that he wants to draw a line under the whole episode. Carson tells Thomas it might be best if he resigns quietly, and he will write him a reference. Carson tries to be sympathetic about the situation but can’t quite get past finding it revolting and foul. Thomas goes to leave quietly, but turns.

“I’m not ‘foul,’ Mr. Carson. I’m not the same as you. But I’m not foul.”

O’Brien tells James about it, and stirs things up. She tells him if he doesn’t speak out about how he was against it, people might think he was asking for it.