OPENING CREDITS
THE VILLAGE
Matthew and Isobel ride in a motorcar.
TAYLOR: Here we are, ma'am. Crawley House.
MATTHEW: For good or ill.
(The chauffeur opens the door for them.)
MATTHEW: I still don't see why I couldn't just refuse it.
ISOBEL: There's no mechanism for you to do so. You will be an earl. You will inherit the estate. Of course, you can throw it away with your habit, that's up to you.
A man comes out to meet them.
MATTHEW: Can I help?
MOLESLEY: I'm Molesley, sir, your butler and valet.
MATTHEW: Mr Molesley, I'm afraid...
ISOBEL: May I introduce ourselves? I am Mrs Crawley, and this is my son, Mr Matthew Crawley.
MOLESLEY: I'll just give Mr Taylor a hand with the cases.
MATTHEW: I can...
ISOBEL: Thank you, Molesley.
(Molesley helps with the luggage and Matthew sulks alongside his mother)
MATTHEW: I won't let them change me.
ISOBEL: Why would they want to?
MATTHEW: Mother, Lord Grantham has made the unwelcome discovery that heir is a middleclass lawyer and son of a middleclass doctor.
ISOBEL: Upper middleclass.
MATTHEW! He'll have to limit the damage by turning me into me into one of his own kind.
ISOBEL: When you met him in London, you liked him.
INT. MAIN STAIRCASE
CORA: I simply do not understand why we are rushing into this.
ROBERT: Matthew Crawley is my heir.
CORA: Patrick was your heir; he never lived here.
ROBERT: Patrick was in and out of this house since the day he was born. You saw how many of the village turned out for the service.
CORA: But nothing's settled yet.
ROBERT: It is settled, my dearest one, whether you like it or not.
CORA: I wouldn't say that. Not while your mother breathes air.
INT. CRAWLEY HOUSE
The Crawleys' housemaid leads them through the new house.
ISOBEL: Oh, Ellen. This is much better than I thought it would be. You have done well.
ELLEN: Thank you, ma'am.
MOLESLEY: Would you like this in here, ma'am, or taken up to your room?
ISOBEL: In here, thank you. So, are you the whole of our new household?
MOLESLEY: There's a local girl, ma'am, Beth. She to double under housemaid and kitchen maid.
MATTHEW: This is ridiculous...
ISOBEL: Thank you very much, Molesley. Might we have some tea?
MOLESLEY: Very good, ma'am.
(The servants leave.)
MATTHEW: We can go right now.
ISOBEL: Why?
MATTHEW: Because we do not need a butler or a valet, if it comes to that. We've always managed perfectly well with a cook and a maid and they cannot expect us to alter our--
ISOBEL: What they expect, Matthew, is that we won't know how to behave. So, if you don't mind, I would rather not confirm their expectations.
MATTHEW: I have to be myself, Mother. I'll be no use to anyone if I can't be myself. And before they, or you, get any ideas, I will choose my own wife.
ISOBEL: What on earth do you mean?
MATTHEW: Well, they're clearly going to push one of the daughters at me. They'll have fixed on that when they heard I was a bachelor.
Molesley enters to announce...
MOLESLEY: Lady Mary Crawley.
MARY: I do hope I'm not interrupting.
ISOBEL: Lady Mary.
MARY: Cousin Mary, please. Mama has sent me down to welcome you and to ask you to dine with us tonight. Unless you're too tired.
(Matthew stares at Mary.)
ISOBEL: We would be delighted.
MARY: Good. Come at eight.
(Mary turns to go.)
ISOBEL: Won't you stay and have some tea.
MARY: Oh, no. You're far too busy.
(Mary finally looks at Matthew.)
MARY: And I wouldn't want to push in.
Matthew takes that blow for a moment before going after Mary outside. Mary is already astride her horse with a servant mounting another horse next to her.
MARY: Lynch, I think we'll go back by the south road.
LYNCH: Very good, my lady.
MATTHEW: Lady Mary, I hope you didn't misunderstand me. I was only joking.
MARY: Of course. And I agree. The whole thing is a complete joke.
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
THOMAS: So, what do you think we'll make of them?
O'BRIEN: I shouldn't think much. She hasn't even got a lady's maid.
ANNA: It's not a capital offense.
BATES: She's got a maid; her name's Ellen. She came a day early.
O'BRIEN: She's not a lady's maid. She's just a housemaid that fastens hooks and buttons when she has to. There's more to it than that, you know.
MRS PATMORE: Daisy!
ANNA: We'll want some very precise reporting when dinner's over.
WILLIAM: Are we to treat him as the heir?
O'BRIEN: Are we heck as like. A doctor's son from Manchester? Humph. He'll be lucky if he gets a civil word out of me.
ANNA: We're all lucky if we get a civil word out of you.
Carson enters with a package and the other servants stand.
CARSON: Gwen, parcel for you. Came by the evening post.
GWEN: Thank you, Mr Carson.
CARSON: William?
THOMAS: Have you seen him yet, Mr Carson?
CARSON: By "them", I assume you mean the new family, in which case, no. I have that pleasure to look forward to this evening.
Mrs Patmore enters.
MRS PATMORE: Daisy, did you hear me call, or have you gone selectively deaf?!
DAISY: No, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE: Then might I remind you we are preparing dinner for your future employer, and if it goes wrong, I'll be telling them why!
INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
MARY: Why are they here at all when you're going to undo it?
CORA: Your father's not convinced it can be undone.
MARY: But you'll still try?
CORA: Granny and I are willing to try.
MARY: And Papa is not?
CORA: We'll bring him 'round, you'll see. We're trying to find lawyer who'll take it on. So, what are they like?
MARY: She's nice enough, but he's...very full of himself.
CORA: Why do you say that?
MARY: Just an impression. Let's go down and you can decide for yourself.
INT. ENTRYWAY
The footmen take the guests' coats as Robert enters.
ROBERT: Hello again. It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Mrs Crawley.
ISOBEL: We're delighted to be here, aren't we, Matthew?
MATTHEW: Delighted.
(Robert leads them into the great hall where the house staff are lined up as the family enters from the other side.)
CORA: Welcome to Downton.
ISOBEL: Thank you. You've been so kind.
MATTHEW: What a reception committee.
(The family is surprised and amused by his comment. Isobel senses the awkwardness of his comment and tries to recover.)
ISOBEL: Yes, thank you.
ROBERT: This is Carson. We'd all be lost without him. Mama, may I present Matthew Crawley and Mrs Crawley, my mother, Lady Grantham.
ISOBEL: What should we call each other?
VIOLET: Well, we could always start with Mrs Crawley and Lady Grantham.
CORA: Come into the drawing room and we can make all the proper introductions.
(Violet looks at Carson, who tries to contain his amused smirk. The family moves into the next room.)
INT. DINING ROOM
ROBERT: Do you think you'll enjoy village life? It will be very quiet after life in the city.
VIOLET: Even Manchester.
ISOBEL: I'm sure I'll find something to keep me busy.
CORA: You might like the hospital.
ISOBEL: What sort of hospital is it? How many beds?
VIOLET: Well, it...it isn't really a hospital.
ROBERT: Don't let Dr Clarkson hear you. He thinks it's second only to St Thomas's.
CORA: It's a cottage hospital, of course, but quite well equipped.
ISOBEL: Who pays for it?
VIOLET: Oh, good. Let's talk about money.
ROBERT: My father gave the building and an endowment to run it. In a way, he set up his own memorial.
ISOBEL: But how splendid.
ROBERT: And Mr Lloyd George's new insurance measures will help.
VIOLET: Please don't speak that man's name, we are about to eat.
(Thomas leans forward over Matthew's shoulder with the first dish.)
THOMAS: I will hold it steady and you can help yourself, sir.
MATTHEW: Yes, I know. Thank you.
Robert notes the exchange and Mary smiles.
MARY: You'll soon get used to the way things are done here.
MATTHEW: If you mean that I'm accustomed to a very different life from this, then that is true.
SYBIL: What will you do with your time?
MATTHEW: I've got a job in Ripon. I said I'll start tomorrow.
ROBERT: A job?
MATTHEW: In a partnership. You might have heard of it, Havel and Carter. They need someone who understands industrial law, I'm glad to say. Although, I'm afraid most of it will be wills and conveyancing.
ROBERT: You do know I mean to involve you in the running of the estate?
MATTHEW: Oh, don't worry. There are plenty of hours in the day. And, of course, I'll have the weekend.
ROBERT: We'll discuss this later. We mustn't bore the ladies.
VIOLET: What... what is a weekend?
INT. KITCHENS
DAISY: Why shouldn't he be a lawyer?
O'BRIEN: Gentlemen don't work, silly. Not real gentlemen.
ANNA: Don't listen to her, Daisy.
MRS PATMORE: No, listen to me! And take those kidneys up to the serve room before I knock you down and serve your brains as fritters!
DAISY: Yes, Mrs Patmore!
ANNA: I wonder what that Mr Molesley make of them.
THOMAS: Poor old Molesley. I pity the man who's taken that job.
BATES: Then why did you apply for it?
THOMAS: I thought it might help me to get away from you, Mr Bates.
INT. GREAT HALL
The ladies exit the dining room.
ISOBEL(to Cora): I'm so interested to see the hospital.
VIOLET: Mm, well, you would be with your late husband a doctor.
ISOBEL: Not just my husband, my father and brother, too, and I trained as a nurse during the war.
VIOLET: Oh, fancy.
ISOBEL: I'd love to be involved in some way.
VIOLET: Well, you could always help with the bring and buy sale next month. That would be most appreciated.
INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
Thomas talks to a housemaid on their way down the stairs.
THOMAS: I should say so. She's a match for the old lady. She wasn't going to give in.
CARSON: What old lady are you referring to, Thomas? You cannot mean Her Ladyship the Dowager Countess. Not if you wish to remain in this house.
THOMAS: No, Mr Carson.
Carson passes Thomas to enter the servants' hall where William is playing the piano as the others visit with each other. They stand as Carson enters.
CARSON: William? Are you aware the seam at your shoulder is coming apart?
WILLIAM: I--I felt it go a bit earlier. I'll mend it when we turn in.
CARSON: You will mend it now and you will never again appear in public in a similar state of undress.
WILLIAM: No, Mr Carson.
CARSON: To progress in your chosen career, William, you must remember that a good servant at all times retains a sense of pride and dignity that reflects the pride and dignity of the family he serves. And never make me remind you of it again.
Carson leaves.
DAISY: I'll do it. And cheer up. We've all had a smack from Mr Carson.
ANNA: You'll be the butler yourself one day. Then you'll do the smacking.
WILLIAM: I could never be like him. I bet he comes from a line of butlers that goes back to the conqueror.
BATES: He learned his business and so will you. Even Mr Carson wasn't born standing to attention.
THOMAS: I hope not for his mother's sake.
INT. MR CARSON'S OFFICE
William knocks on the open door.
WILLIAM: This was at the back door.
(William hands Carson a letter.)
CARSON: Thank you, William.
(Mr Carson opens and reads it and his expression shifts from surprise to concern.)
EXT. THE VILLAGE
Bates strolls through the village and sees Carson hurrying into The Dog and Duck, checking that no one sees him entering, but missing Bates as he walks past the hospital.
INT. DOWNTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL, WARD
DR CLARKSON: It's kind of you to take an interest.
ISOBEL: I'm afraid it's a case of the war horse in the drought. You know my late husband was a doctor.
DR CLARKSON: I do. I'm familiar with Dr Crawley's work on the symptoms of infection in children.
ISOBEL: Ah. Even I studied nursing during the South African war.
DR CLARKSON: Really?
(A nurse escorts a weeping woman out of the ward.)
DR CLARKSON: Very distressing. A young farmer, John Drake, a tenant of Lord Grantham's, came in today. It's dropsy, I'm afraid.
ISOBEL: May I see him?
DR CLARKSON: Yeah. By all means.
(Isobel walks around the screen to find the man, his legs swollen and full of sores.)
ISOBEL: Is the dropsy of the liver or the heart?
DR CLARKSON: Everything points to the heart.
(The man seems to be having trouble breathing. He begins to cough and blood comes out as he brings a cloth to his mouth. Dr Clarkson goes to him.)
DR CLARKSON: All right, Mr Drake, you're in safe hands now.
Dr Clarkson escorts Isobel past the hospital gate.
ISOBEL: What will happen to his wife?
DR CLARKSON: She may try to keep the farm on. Grantham is not a harsh landlord, but her children are young.
ISOBEL: What can I do to help? If I'm to live in this village, I must have an occupation. Please, let me be useful.
INT. CRAWLEY HOUSE, MATTHEW CRAWLEY'S BEDROOM
MOLESLEY: He chooses his clothes himself. He puts them out at night and hangs the ones he's worn. I get to take the linen down to the laundry, but that's about all.
BATES: That's all?
MOLESLEY: "I'll do this," he says. "I'll take the other. I'll tie that." I'm just stood there like a chump, watching a man get dressed. To be honest, Mr Bates, I don't see the point of it.
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS
ROBERT: I thought you didn't like him?
VIOLET: Well, so what? I have plenty of friends I don't like.
ROBERT: Would you want Mary to marry one of them?
VIOLET: Why do you always have to pretend to be nicer than the rest of us?
ROBERT: Perhaps I am.
VIOLET: Then pity your wife whose fortune must go to this odd young man who talks about weekends and jobs. If Mary were to marry him, then all would be resolved.
INT. HOUSEMAIDS' BEDROOM
Gwen puts away a paper she's reading when Anna enters.
ANNA: What have you got there?
GWEN: Nothing.
ANNA: What kind of nothing? You haven't got an admirer?
GWEN: I might have. And why shouldn't I?
ANNA: Don't tell Mrs Hughes. She'll bring the vicar 'round till you're exorcised.
GWEN: How are we supposed to find husbands if we're never allowed to see any men?
ANNA: Perhaps she thinks the stork brings them. Hey. Lady Mary's in for a surprise. Thomas was in the library when old Violet came in from the garden. Seems they want to fix her up with Mr Crawley.
GWEN: Well, it makes sense. She was going to marry Mr Patrick.
ANNA: Would she have, though? When it came to it? That's the question.
INT. CRAWLEY HOUSE
ISOBEL: Ah, there you are, dear. I was hoping you'd be home in time.
(Matthew shrugs off his own coat, and Molesley's assistance.)
MATTHEW: In time for what?
ISOBEL: I've been paid the compliment of a visit.
They enter the living room where Cora and Violet are sitting.
MATTHEW: Hello.
CORA: Good afternoon, Cousin Matthew.
VIOLET: Afternoon.
CORA: We were just saying how charming this room is now.
VIOLET: Mm. It always seemed rather dark when my mother in law lived here. But then she made everything rather dark.
(Violet chuckles. Molesley offers Matthew a tray of tea cakes.)
MATTHEW: No, thank you.
MOLESLEY: Cup... cup of tea, sir?
MATTHEW: It's all right, I'll help myself.
The ladies can see how uncomfortable Matthew's stubborn self-sufficiency is making Molesley.
VIOLET: So, Molesley, how do you find being home again? Your father must be glad you're back.
MOLESLEY: He is, Your Ladyship.
(Matthew takes one of the teacakes from the tray Molesley is holding and Violet watches painfully.)
VIOLET: Might I give you this cup?
MOLESLEY: Ma'am.
VIOLET: I'm afraid we must be going. Thank you.
CORA: You'll think about it?
INT. KITCHENS
Anna washes something alone. She hears someone stumble on the stair and hurt himself. She finds Carson scrambling to pick up some fallen food from his bag in the pantry.
CARSON: Oh, I thought no one was here.
ANNA: Can I help, Mr Carson?
CARSON: Er...no. No, thank you, Anna.
(Mr Carson walks out with the bag full of food.)
INT. DOWNTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL, WARD
Isobel wears a nurse's apron, she leans over a patient with a stethoscope.
ISOBEL CRAWLEY: May I?
DR CLARKSON: I must compliment you, Mrs Crawley. When you made your offer, I thought you might be a great lady nurse and faint at the sight of blood, but I see you're made of sterner stuff.
(Isobel steps aside with Dr Clarkson.)
ISOBEL: It's definitely the heart. It's almost too quiet to hear at all.
DR CLARKSON: I'm afraid so.
ISOBEL: I've been thinking about the treatments that are available. Considerable success has been achieved over the last few years by draining the pericardial sac of the excess fluid and administering adrenaline.
DR CLARKSON: Mrs Crawley, I appreciate your thoroughness.
ISOBEL: But you're unwilling to try it?
DR CLARKSON: Injection of adrenaline is a comparatively new procedure.
ISOBEL: It's a while ago now, but I saw my husband do it. I know how.
DR CLARKSON: Please, Mrs Crawley, don't--don't force me to be uncivil. We would be setting an impossible precedent when every villager could--could demand the latest fad in treatment for each new cut and graze.
ISOBEL: I would remind you that we're not talking of a cut or a graze, but the loss of a man's life and the ruin of his family.
DR CLARKSON: Of course, but I beg you to see that it is...not reasonable.
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
Anna enters and sits down next to Bates.
MISS O'BRIEN: I'm sorry, but I have standards.
ANNA (whisper): I've just seen something ever so odd.
BATES (whisper): What?
MISS O'BRIEN: And if anyone thinks I'm going to pull my forelock and curtsy to this
Cora enters.
O'BRIEN: Mr Nobody from Nowhere--
CORA: O'Brien. Were you discussing Mr Crawley?
O'BRIEN: Yes, milady.
CORA: Is it your place to do so?
O'BRIEN: I've got my opinions, milady, same as anybody.
Mrs Hughes enters.
HUGHES: Can I help Your Ladyship?
CORA: This is the button we're missing from my new evening coat, I found it lying on the gravel, but I was shocked at the talk I heard as I came in. Mr Crawley is His Lordship's cousin and heir. You will, therefore, please accord him the respect he's entitled to.
O'BRIEN: But you don't like him yourself, milady. You never wanted him to...
CORA: Your sailing perilously close to the wind, O'Brien. If we're to be friends, you will not speak in that way again about the Crawleys or any member of Lord Grantham's family. Now, I'm going up to rest. Wake me at the dressing gong.
Cora leaves and the servants sit back down.
THOMAS: I don't think that's fair. Not here in the servants' hall.
O'BRIEN: I agree. If she was a real lady, she wouldn't have come down here. She'd have rung for me and given me the button, that's all.
THOMAS: This isn't their territory, we can say what we like down here.
HUGHES: Who says?
THOMAS: The law. And parliament. There is such a thing as free speech.
HUGHES: Not when I'm in charge! Don't push your luck, Thomas. Now, tea's over. Back to work. You'd better take this.
O'BRIEN: "Friends." Who does she think she's fooling? We're not friends.
ANNA: No?
O'BRIEN: No. And you're not friends with the girls, neither. We're servants, you and me, and they pay us to do as we're told, that's all.
INT. CRAWLEY HOUSE
Molesley watches as Matthew tries to adjust his bowtie.
MR MOLESLEY: May I...?
MATTHEW: I can manage. Now, where have I put my cufflinks?
MOLESLEY: I thought these would make a change...
MATTHEW: No, my usual ones. I know I'm a disappointment to you, Molesley, but it's no good. I'll never get used to being dressed like a doll.
MOLESLEY: I'm only trying to help, sir.
MATTHEW: Of course. And if I've offended you, I apologise. But surely you have better things to do.
MOLESLEY: This is my job, sir.
MATTHEW: Well, it seems a very silly occupation for a grown man.
(Matthew turns around and sees Molesley's dismay.)
MATTHEW: Look, I'm sorry if I'm... I'm sorry.
INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
SYBIL: Why are you so against him?
MARY: Aside from the fact he's planning to steal our inheritance?
EDITH: Your inheritance. It makes no difference to Sybil and me. We won't inherit, whatever happens.
MARY: He isn't one of us.
SYBIL: Cousin Freddy's studying for the bar, and so is Vivian McDonald.
MARY: At Lincoln's Inn. Not sitting at a dirty little desk in Ripon. Besides, his father was a doctor.
SYBIL: There's nothing wrong with doctors. We all need doctors.
MARY: We all need crossing sweepers and draymen, too, it doesn't mean we have to dine with them.
CORA: Whom don't we have to dine with?
EDITH: Mary doesn't care for Cousin Matthew.
CORA: Sybil, be a dear and fetch my black evening shawl. O'Brien knows which one. And Edith, can you see if the drawing room's ready.
Edith and Sybil leave.
CORA: Glad to catch you alone.
MARY: You've driven the others away.
CORA: Perhaps I have. Pretty. The point is, my dear, I don't want you, any of you...to feel you have to dislike Matthew.
MARY: You dislike the idea of him.
CORA: That was before he came. Now he's here, I don't see any future in it. Not the way things are.
MARY: I don't believe a woman can be forced to give away all her money to a distant cousin of her husband's. Not in the 20th century. It's too ludicrous for words.
CORA: It's not as simple as that. The money isn't mine anymore. It forms a part of the estate.
MARY: Even so, when a judge hears...
CORA: For once in your life, will you please just listen?! I believe there's an answer which would secure your future and give you a position.
MARY: You can't be serious.
CORA: Just think about it.
MARY: I don't have to think about it. Marry a man who can barely hold his knife like a gentleman?
CORA: Oh, you exaggerate.
MARY: You're American, you don't understand these things. Have you mentioned this to Granny? Did she laugh?
CORA: Why would she? It was her idea.
INT. DINING ROOM
ROBERT: Have you been able to explore the village?
ISOBEL: Indeed, I have. And I thought the hospital a great credit to your father's memory. But I'm afraid the good doctor and I did not see eye to eye.
VIOLET: Oh, you amaze me.
ISOBEL: He is treating one of your tenant, John Drake, for dropsy, but seems reluctant to embrace some of the newer treatments.
ROBERT: Drake is a good man, and far too young to die, but I suppose the doctor knows his business.
VIOLET: Not as well as Mrs Crawley, apparently.
ROBERT: By the way, if ever you want to ride, just let Lynch know and he'll sort it out for you.
MARY: Oh, Papa, Cousin Matthew doesn't ride.
MATTHEW: I ride.
MARY: And do you hunt?
MATTHEW: No, I don't hunt.
VIOLET: I daresay there's not much opportunity in Manchester.
MATTHEW: Are you a hunting family?
MARY: Families like ours are always hunting families.
ROBERT: Not always. Billy Skelton won't have them on his land.
MARY: But all the Skeltons are mad.
MATTHEW: Do you hunt?
MARY: Occasionally. I suppose you're more interested in books than country sport.
MATTHEW: I probably am. You'll tell me that's rather unhealthy.
MARY: Not unhealthy. Just unusual...among our kind of people.
INT. SERVE ROOM
Mr Carson meets Mrs Hughes as she brings up some plates.
HUGHES: I'm changing 'round the dessert services.
CARSON: We're missing a sugar sifter. I know I put three out.
HUGHES: I was talking to Anna earlier.
CARSON: Why? What's she been saying?
HUGHES: Whatever's the matter?
CARSON: What did Anna say?
HUGHES: Only that she thinks Thomas is bullying William.
CARSON: Ah. Yeah, she may have a point. I'll keep an eye out. Here it is.
INT. DINING ROOM
MARY: I've been studying the story of Andromeda, do you know it?
MATTHEW: Why?
MARY: Her father was King Cepheus, whose country was being ravaged by storms, and in the end, he decided the only way to appease the gods was to sacrifice his eldest daughter to a hideous sea monster. So, they chained her naked to a rock...
VIOLET: Really? Mary, we'll all need our smelling salts in a minute.
MATTHEW: But the sea monster didn't get her, did he?
MARY: No. Just when it seemed he was the only solution to her father's problems, she was rescued.
MATTHEW: By Perseus.
MARY: That's right. Perseus, son of a god. Rather more fitting, wouldn't you say?
MATTHEW: That depends. I'd have to know more about the princess and the sea monster in question.
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
William plays piano while the others visit.
DAISY: I wish I could dance like that.
THOMAS: Like what?
(Daisy holds up a book with dance steps mapped out)
THOMAS: Don't you know the grizzly bear?
BATES: The grizzly bear. As if you do.
THOMAS: Certainly, I do. Miss O'Brien, shall we show them?
O'BRIEN: Not likely.
(Anna and Bates laugh.)
THOMAS: William, give us a tune. Come on, Daisy.
ANNA: Go on.
THOMAS: Hands up.
Thomas puts his hands up into claws and growls and the others laugh and clap as he moves forward to dance the grizzly bear with Daisy. Mrs Patmore comes in, wiping her brow.
MRS PATMORE: Daisy. Daisy!
(The music and merriment stops.)
MRS PATMORE: Stop that silly nonsense before you put your joints out. See to the range and go to bed.
DAISY(to William): Thank you, that was beautiful.
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, FRONT WALK
VIOLET: I'm sorry Mary was rather sharp this evening.
MATTHEW: I doubt Cousin Mary and I are destined to be close friends.
VIOLET: Mmph.
MATTHEW: I don't blame her. Her father's home and her fortune are to be passed to me. It's very harsh.
VIOLET: What would you say if the entail was set aside in Mary's favour?
MATTHEW: I should try to accept it with as good a grace as I could muster.
VIOLET: Would you?
Violet steps towards the motorcar.
VIOLET: Oh. Well, good evening Taylor.
TAYLOR: Good evening, milady.
(Taylor holds the door open for Violet.)
VIOLET: Thank you.
INT. SILVER ROOM
HUGHES: I'll say goodnight, Mr Carson.
CARSON: Look at that scratch. We'll have to get that sorted out when they're up in London.
HUGHES: You can hardly see it.
CARSON: Well, I'll know it's there.
HUGHES: Are you all right now? Only, you seemed a little upset earlier.
CARSON: Y... er, I'm sorry about that. I'm just, erm...a bit tired.
HUGHES: And no wonder. Did the dinner go well?
CARSON: Er, well enough. But they won't make a match between them, if that's what they're thinking.
HUGHES: Lady Mary doesn't like him?
CARSON: And why should she like the man she's been passed over for? And why has she been? That's what I'd like to know.
HUGHES: It's the law.
CARSON: Well, it's a wicked law.
EXT. COURTYARD
Thomas is fixing a clock.
O'BRIEN: Why does Mr Carson let you do that?
THOMAS: Because my dad was a clockmaker.
O'BRIEN: Did you really ask him for the job with the Crawleys?
THOMAS: I'm sick of being a footman.
O'BRIEN: I'd rather be a footman than wait on someone who ought to be a footman himself.
THOMAS: Well, Mr Carson shouldn't have told Bates. How are things with Lady G?
O'BRIEN: Same as usual.
THOMAS: "Yes, milady. No, milady. Three bags full"?
O'BRIEN: I'd like to give her three bags full. Preferably on a dark night.
THOMAS: Will you hand in your notice?
O'BRIEN: And let her ruin me with a nasty reference? Oh, I think not.
INT. THE DOWER HOUSE
DR CLARKSON: I don't want to exaggerate. She's been...very generous in many ways.
VIOLET: Generous? To instruct you in your own practice?
DR CLARKSON: Well, she may even have a point. But i--it does not seem to me realistic.
VIOLET: Well, nor is it. Put an end to her meddling. I am your president and I say, "Get rid of her."
DR CLARKSON: Will that not be awkward? I gather she's planning to stay in the village for the foreseeable future.
VIOLET: No one can foresee the future, Doctor. Not you, not I, and certainly not Mrs Crawley.
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS
ROBERT: You do not love the place yet.
MATTHEW: Well, obviously it's...
ROBERT: No, you don't love it. You see a million bricks that may crumble, a thousand gutters and pipes that may block and leak, and stone that will crack in the frost.
MATTHEW: But you don't?
ROBERT: I see my life's work.
MATTHEW: Was it ever in danger?
ROBERT: Many times. It's my dear papa who thought the balloon would go up in the 1880s
MATTHEW: What saved it?
ROBERT: Cora.
INT. SERVANTS' HALL
Bates enters to find Anna sitting alone.
BATES: Where is everyone?
ANNA: They've gone down to the village. Some travelling salesman set up at the pub for the afternoon.
BATES: Alone at last. We shouldn't be without both footmen. Does Mr Carson know?
ANNA: Mrs Hughes does. She's gone with them. They won't be long.
BATES: So, you see to the girls and you're supposed to be head housemaid. You should put in for a raise.
ANNA: What do you mean, "supposed to be"?
BATES: I said they shouldn't have let both footmen go.
ANNA: Well, you'll have to answer it. Mr Carson wouldn't like a maid answering the front door.
EXT/INT. FRONT DOOR/OUTER HALL
BATES: Sorry to have kept you waiting, sir.
CHARLES GRIGG: I'm here to see Lord Grantham.
BATES: Is he expecting you?
CHARLES GRIGG: No. But he'd be very interested in what I have to tell him.
BATES: His Lordship is not at home, but if you will leave your name--
CHARLES GRIGG: Ah, ah, ah. Don't go all high and mighty with me. I don't know who you are, but you're certainly not the butler, so don't try and make out you are.
BATES: How do you know?
CHARLES GRIGG: Because Charlie Carson's the butler 'round here.
BATES: Does your business concern him?
CHARLES GRIGG: It might do.
BATES: Excuse me for one moment, sir.
Bates partially closes the door and enters the house. Anna waits in the entry.
BATES: Fetch Mr Carson as fast as you can.
(Anna nods and the stranger walks in uninvited. Bates turns back to Anna.)
BATES: Use the front door. If you would like to follow me, sir.
CHARLES GRIGG: Oh, no. If you think you're tucking me away somewhere, you've got another thing coming.
BATES: You will be more comfortable, sir.
CHARLES GRIGG: Sorry, chump. Oh, aye. I'll not mind waiting in here.
INT LIBRARY
Sybil enters wearing a riding outfit.
SYBIL: Bates...?
BATES: This...gentleman is an acquaintance of Mr Carson, milady.
SYBIL: What is he doing in here?
BATES: He says he has urgent business with His Lordship.
CHARLES GRIGG: Urgent.
BATES: I've sent for Mr Carson to come at once.
SYBIL: Then I'll stay with you in case explanations are needed.
BATES: Thank you.
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS
Anna runs down the road.
ANNA: Mr Carson! You're needed at once in the library.
INT. OUTER HALL/LIBRARY
Robert enters through the open front door to hear the stranger complaining loudly.
CHARLES GRIGG: How long are you expecting me to wait? I'm a very busy man, you know.
BATES: If you could just be patient for a little longer, sir.
(The stranger sees Robert entering.)
CHARLES GRIGG: Ah.
ROBERT: May I ask who this is and precisely what is going on?
Mr Carson and Anna enter.
CARSON: Mr Bates, what are you...? Er...I'm sorry, Your Lordship. Mr Bates, you may go now.
ROBERT: No, stay where you are. No one is going anywhere. Do I take it you know this man?
CHARLES GRIGG: Don't try and deny it.
CARSON: No, I won't deny it. I do know him, my lord, but not what he is doing in the library.
BATES: I tried to take him downstairs out of sight, Mr Carson, but he wouldn't come.
CARSON: Thank you, that was thoughtful.
ROBERT: But who is he?
CHARLES GRIGG: Will you tell him or shall I?
CARSON: His name is Charles Grigg. We worked together at one time.
CHARLES GRIGG: Oh, I'm a little more than that, aren't I, Charlie? We're like brothers, him and me.
CARSON: We are not like brothers.
CHARLES GRIGG: We were a double act. On the halls.
ROBERT: You were on the stage? Carson, is this true?
CARSON: It is, my lord.
CHARLES GRIGG: The Cheerful Charlies, that's what they called us. We did quite well, didn't we?
CARSON: Until you couldn't keep your hands out of the till.
ANNA: Would you like us to go, Mr Carson?
CARSON: No. You know it now. You might as well bear witness to my shame. He turned up in the village with no warning some days ago on the run, asking for somewhere to hide and, of course, for money.
ROBERT: God in heaven.
CARSON: He's wanted for some petty crime of which he is, of course, guilty.
CHARLES GRIGG: Hey, steady on.
CARSON: He threatened to expose my past to make me a laughingstock in this house. And in my vanity and pride, I gave him what he wanted.
CHARLES GRIGG: You did not.
CARSON: I put him in an empty cottage and fed him from the kitchens. I couldn't buy food in the village, it would raise too many questions. I stole. I'm a thief. She...saw it.
(Carson indicates Anna.)
ANNA: I'd never have said anything, Mr...
CARSON: And now my disgrace is complete. My lord, you have my resignation.
ROBERT: Really, Carson, there's no need to be quite so melodramatic. You're not playing Sydney Carton.
(Robert turns to Grigg.)
ROBERT: So, why have you come here, if he has done everything you asked of him?
CHARLES GRIGG: Because he hasn't. He wouldn't give me any money.
CARSON: If I had, how could I have prevented his returning to Downton once it was spent?
ROBERT: My dear Mr Grigg...
CHARLES GRIGG: Ah. Nice to see someone 'round here's got some manners.
CARSON: Hold your tongue!
ROBERT: I'll tell your what is going to happen. When I have given you twenty pounds, you will leave Downton immediately and we will never set eyes on you again.
CHARLES GRIGG: I'll have to see about that.
ROBERT: If you return to this area, I will personally ensure your conviction for theft and blackmail.
CHARLES GRIGG: Just a minute...
ROBERT: You will serve from five to ten years in His Majesty's custody.
CHARLES GRIGG: You think you're such a big man, don't you? Just 'cause you're a lord, you think you can do what you like with me.
ROBERT: I think it, because it is true.
Robert holds out the cash and Grigg debates for a moment, then takes the money.
CHARLES GRIGG: You'll not always be in charge, you know. The day is coming when your lot will have to toe the line just like the rest of us.
ROBERT: Perhaps. But happily for Carson, that day has not come yet.
(Grigg looks at Carson and stalks off. Anna and Bates follow, but Sybil remains.)
CARSON: I...take it my resignation has not been accepted?
ROBERT: My dear fellow, we all have chapters we would rather keep unpublished. To be honest, Carson, I'm rather impressed. Did you really sing and dance and everything in front of an audience?
CARSON (ashamed): I did.
ROBERT: And do you ever miss it?
CARSON: Not in the least, my lord.
INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
ANNA: Poor Mr Carson. We'll have to treat him like a god for a month to calm his nerves.
BATES: He'll be afraid this will change the way we think of him.
ANNA: Then we mustn't let it.
BATES: But it will. The Cheerful Charlies? For all his talk of dignity, we know his story now.
ANNA: And admire him more because of it.
BATES: Maybe. But it will change the way we think of him. It always does.
ANNA: I don't see why. I shouldn't care what I found out about you, whatever it was. It wouldn't alter my opinion one bit.
BATES: But it would. It certainly would.
THE DOWER HOUSE
Violet and Cora sit down to tea.
VIOLET: We're running out of options. The lawyers I write to only huff and puff. They echo Murray and say, "Nothing can be done."
CORA: Well, they don't want the bother of opposing him.
VIOLET: Oh, precisely.
CORA: I wish Mary wasn't so confident it could all be put right.
VIOLET: Meanwhile, we have to watch that dreadful woman parade around the village as if she owned it.
CORA: I think she means well.
VIOLET: Meaning well is not enough. Poor Dr Clarkson. And what has he done to deserve that termagant?
CORA: I think he's in for an uncomfortable afternoon.
VIOLET: Really? Why?
CORA: On my way here, I saw her go into the hospital. She looked extremely determined.
VIOLET: Not as determined as I am.
INT. DOWNTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL, OFFICE
Isobel holds a tiny vial.
ISOBEL: I have the adrenaline here in my hand. Will you really deny the man his chance of life?
DR CLARKSON: I just wish it was a treatment I was more familiar with.
ISOBEL: Will that serve as your excuse when he dies?
(Clarkson stands and takes the vial and goes to the door.)
DR CLARKSON: Nurse!
(A nurse comes to the door.)
DR CLARKSON: Can you prepare Mr Drake for his procedure please? Well, Mrs Crawley, I have a feeling we will sink or swim together.
INT. DOWNTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL, WARD
DR CLARKSON: Mr Drake, your heart is not functioning properly and, as a result, your pericardial sac is full of fluid. I am proposing first to withdraw the fluid, and then to inject the adrenaline to stimulate the heart and restore normal activity.
MRS DRAKE: Is it dangerous, Doctor?
DR CLARKSON: The draining may stop the heart, and the adrenaline may not be able to restart it.
ISOBEL: Mrs Drake, the choice is simple. If your husband endures this procedure, he may live. If not, he will die.
NURSE: He's with a patient.
VIOLET: Please, please, no, let me pass. I must see the doctor at once.
DR CLARKSON: Your Ladyship.
VIOLET: Yes, it's just as I thought. Dr Clarkson, tell me you will not permit this amateur to influence your professional opinion.
ISOBEL: Amateur?
VIOLET(to Mrs Drake): My dear woman, do not let them bully you. They'll not disturb the peace of your husband's last hours, not if I can help it.
MRS DRAKE: But that's just it, my lady. I don't want them to be his last hours. Not if there's a chance. Please, Doctor, do what you must.
(Clarkson steps forward to begin the procedure. A nurse hands him a needle and he attaches it to a draining tube.)
VIOLET: As...
(Clarkson and the nurse insert the needle and Mrs Drake turns away. Isobel steps over to comfort her.)
DR CLARKSON: Steady. Yeah, all right.
NURSE: Yep.
DR CLARKSON: Nice and steady.
(Clarkson drains the fluid with a syringe attached to the tube.)
VIOLET: As president of this hospital, I feel I must...
DR CLARKSON: Valve.
VIOLET: ...tell you I...I shall bring this to the attention of the board.
DR CLARKSON: You're doing very well.
VIOLET: Have you no pity?
DR CLARKSON: Adrenaline. Quickly, quickly. His heart's stopped. Ready?
Isobel watches intently as she holds Mrs Drake. Clarkson injects the adrenaline and pulls out the needle.
DR CLARKSON: Yes.
(Drake wakes and heaves deep breaths. Mrs Drake turns to look and goes to hold and kiss his hand.)
MR DRAKE: Oh, my dear.
INT. LIBRARY
ROBERT: You don't have to worry. She may be president, but I'm the patron, so you're quite safe with me. Please.
(Robert motions for Matthew and Dr Clarkson to enter the library for some refreshments.)
MATTHEW: My mother was right, then? The man's life was saved?
DR CLARKSON: Well, I-- I like to think that we were both right, but I'm not sure Lady Grantham will be so easily convinced.
ROBERT: Then we must strengthen the argument. Cousin Isobel wants something to do. Very well. Let's make her chairman of the board. She'd like that, wouldn't she?
MATTHEW: Certainly she would.
ROBERT: Then my mother will have to listen to her. She's been in absolute rule of there for long enough, it's time for some loyal opposition.
DR CLARKSON: Well, if you're quite certain, my lord.
ROBERT: What were you going to say?
DR CLARKSON: At the risk of being impertinent...on your own head be it.
EXT. FRONT WALK
Thomas fetches Matthew's bicycle as Matthew and Robert exit the house.
ROBERT: About your scheme for restoring the estate cottages...
MATTHEW: You don't mind my interfering?
ROBERT: My dear fellow, I brought you here to interfere. In fact, why don't you stay for dinner and we'll talk about it? We'll send down to Molesley for your clothes.
MATTHEW: I'd better not. My mother's expecting me. But in fact, I've been meaning to speak to you about Molesley.
ROBERT: Oh?
MATTHEW: Would you find me very ungrateful if I dispensed with his services?
ROBERT: Why? Has he displeased you in some way?
MATTHEW: Not at all. It's simply that he's superfluous to our style of living.
ROBERT: Is that quite fair? To deprive a man of his livelihood when he's done nothing wrong?
MATTHEW: Well, I wouldn't quite put it--
ROBERT: You're mother derives satisfaction from her work at the hospital, I think. Some sense of self-worth.
MATTHEW: Well, certainly.
ROBERT: Would you really deny the same to poor old Molesley? And when you are master here, is the butler to be dismissed, or the footmen? How many maids or kitchen staff will be allowed to stay? Or must every one be driven out? We all have different parts to play, Matthew, and we must all be allowed to play them.
INT. BALCONY
EDITH: Why must we all go to the hospital?
MARY: I'm afraid Papa wants to teach Granny a lesson. Poor Granny. A month ago, these people were strangers. Now she must share her power with the mother and I must marry the son.
EDITH: You won't marry him, though, will you?
MARY: What, marry a sea monster?
SYBIL: You shouldn't laugh, that's so unkind.
EDITH: But he must marry someone.
MARY: Edith, what are you thinking?
EDITH: You know, I don't dislike him as much as you do.
MARY: Perhaps you don't dislike him at all.
EDITH: Perhaps I don't.
MARY: Well, it's nothing to me. I have bigger fish to fry.
SYBIL: What fish?
EDITH: Are we talking about E.N.?
MARY: How do you know that? Have you been poking around in my things?
EDITH: Of course not.
SYBIL: Come on, who is he? It's not fair if you both know.
MARY: You won't be any the wiser, but his name is Evelyn Napier.
EDITH: The Honourable Evelyn Napier, son and heir to Viscount Branksome.
MARY: Who wants and old sea monster when they can have Perseus?
INT. MRS HUGHES'S SITTING ROOM
Mr Carson knocks on the open door as Mrs Hughes is fastening a broach on her collar.
CARSON: If you're going to the ceremony, I thought we might walk together.
HUGHES: Certainly I'm going. I want to see the old bat's face when they announce it. I must try not to look too cheerful. Or shouldn't I talk like that in your presence?
CARSON: Do you find me very ridiculous, Mrs Hughes? Putting on airs and graces I've no right to?
HUGHES: What's brought this on?
CARSON: Nothing. Except at times I wonder if I'm just a sad old fool.
HUGHES: Mr Carson, you are a man of integrity and honor who raises the tone of this household by being part of it. So no more of that, please.
INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
William approaches Daisy nervously as she fixes her dress in the mirror.
WILLIAM: I wondered if...if you'd like to walk with me down to the hosp--
DAISY: Is Thomas going?
WILLIAM: Well, I-- I think everyone is.
DAISY: Sorry, what were you saying?
WILLIAM: Nothing. Doesn't matter.
MRS PATMORE: Put this away before you go. And never mind your flirting.
DAISY: I wasn't flirting. Not with him.
MRS PATMORE: William's not a bad lad.
DAISY: He's nice enough, but...he isn't like Thomas.
MRS PATMORE: No, he's not.
INT. CRAWLEY HOUSE, MATTHEW CRAWLEY'S BEDROOM
Matthew fixes his tie in the mirror and Molesley opens a box.
MOLESLEY: Cufflinks, sir?
MATTHEW: Those are a dull option for such an occasion, don't you agree?
MOLESLEY: Might I suggest the crest pair, sir? They seem more appropriate, if you don't mind my saying.
(Molesley opens another box. Matthew picks one up with a bemused expression.)
MATTHEW: They're a bit fiddly, I wonder if you could help me?
MOLESLEY (surprised): Certainly, sir.
Matthew allows Molesley to fasten his cufflinks. He looks at his coat and then back to Molesley. Molesley takes the hint and fetches it, then helps Matthew into the jacket.
MATTHEW: Oh, I see you got that mark out of the sleeve. How'd you do it?
MOLESLEY: I...I tried it with this and tried it with that until it yielded.
MATTHEW: Very well done.
MOLESLEY: Thank you, sir.
EXT. THE VILLAGE
CARSON: Y...you go in, Mrs Hughes. I want a quick word with Mr Bates here. Mr Bates?
(Carson clears his throat at the others file into the hospital yard.)
CARSON: Erm...I must thank you, both for what you did and for keeping silent afterwards. It was kind of you and Anna.
BATES: It was nothing, Mr Carson.
CARSON: I hope you don't judge me too harshly.
BATES: I don't judge you at all. I have no right to judge you or any man.
INT. DOWNTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL
Bates and Anna are in the audience. They all rise when Dr Clarkson enters with Violet and Isobel, then sit when the ladies do.
DR CLARKSON: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this happy event: the investiture of our first chairwoman, Mrs Reginald Crawley, who has graciously agreed to share the duties of our beloved president, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
(Violet is clearly not pleased by the power play.)
DR CLARKSON: Our little hospital must surely grow and thrive with two such doughty champions united as they are by the strongest ties of all, family and friendship.
(Violet and Isobel sense the heavy irony.)
End of this episode.
Ecrit par Stella