


Carson recruits a new footman, Jimmy Kent, who attracts the attention of both the female staff and Thomas. Ethel decides to let her son live with his grandparents so he can have a better life. Anna has not received any letters from Bates and is no longer allowed to visit similarly, Bates wonders why Anna's letters and visits have stopped. Sybil safely arrives at to Downton soon afterwards. He escapes to Downton Abbey without Sybil, outraging the Crawleys. Bates's cellmate tries to get him into trouble by planting drugs in his bunk. Thomas tries to get revenge on O'Brien by spreading a rumour to the family that she is leaving Downton. Mrs Hughes receives the news that she does not have cancer. Edith's wedding day arrives, but at the altar, Sir Anthony Strallan suddenly changes his mind and calls off the ceremony. Lord Grantham refuses to accept the money outright, instead insisting that he and Matthew become joint masters of Downton. Matthew finally agrees to accept Lavinia's late father's money, saving Downton. Edith actively pursues Anthony Strallan as a potential husband and he proposes. Mrs Hughes faces a cancer scare, and Isobel Crawley finds that Ethel has become a prostitute. Meanwhile, downstairs, O'Brien and Thomas wage war against one another due to Alfred's recent promotion as Matthew's valet, whilst Mrs Levinson's maid takes a shine to Alfred. Mary and the Dowager Countess conspire to show Downton at its grandest to persuade Mrs Levinson to donate money and save them from financial ruin, though she declines. Matthew helps soothe the situation by choosing Branson as his best man. Sybil and her husband, Tom Branson, return to Downton to a muted reception, as Branson remains highly vocal about his political beliefs. Meanwhile, O'Brien's nephew, Alfred, joins the staff downstairs as a footman.

Lord Grantham learns that his massive investment of Cora's fortune in the Grand Trunk Railway has failed. Cora's mother, Martha Levinson ( Shirley MacLaine), arrives at Downton for Matthew and Mary's wedding. Main article: Downton Abbey (series 2) No.
