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Downton Abbey Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
7 Episodes 2010 - 2010
The acclaimed costume drama opens in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic, which punctures the succession plans of Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), the Earl of Grantham—his title and estate are legally entailed to only pass to a male, and he and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) have only produced daughters Mary (Michelle Dockery), Edith (Laura Carmichael) and Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay). Mary, the eldest, had been slated to marry a distant cousin who was aboard the doomed ship with his father, the presumptive heir. And although Cora and Robert's tart-tongued mother (Maggie Smith) think he should break the entailment so that the family's fortune can be left to the children, to do so would likely mean the end of his beloved estate; British laws at the time excluded women from inheriting property. Thus, he instead undertakes a search for a new heir, and finds one in the form of young middle-class solicitor Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), who arrives at Downton with his own outspoken mother (Penelope Wliton). As the first season progresses, Mary and Matthew come to share something of a love-hate relationship; Mary weathers a potentially scandalous incident; and Sybil begins to show an interest in politics. A la the classic "Upstairs, Downstairs," the series also delves into the lives of the estate's staff, including by-the-book butler Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), first footman Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) and Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle), Robert's former batman-turned-valet.
Episode 1
Episode 1
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 56 mins
The "Downton Abbey" premiere opens in 1912, when the sinking of the Titanic punctures the succession plans of Lord Grantham, the father of three daughters, and inspires Cora and his mother to push him to separate his title from his estate, which are legally entailed to pass only to a male heir. In other events, he hires a former aide from his military days to be his valet, which doesn't sit well with others on the household staff.
Episode 2
Episode 2
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 56 mins
Accompanied by his mother, Isobel, presumptive heir and middle-class solicitor Matthew arrives at Downton. The transition to upper-class life proves somewhat disorienting for him while his decision to continue working doesn't sit well with the family. In other events, Mr. Carson deals with a blackmailer; and Isobel, a doctor's widow who once studied to be a nurse, ruffles Violet's feathers when she takes an interest in the local hospital.
Episode 3
Episode 3
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 56 mins
A possible suitor for Mary arrives at Downton, but she only has eyes for his companion, a dashing Turkish diplomat. In other events, Edith tries to attract Matthew; Bates buys a device that will supposedly cure his limp; and Gwen's secret is revealed.
Episode 4
Episode 4
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 56 mins
Thomas asks Daisy to attend the fair with him, circumventing William, who had wanted to ask her; Sybil undergoes a political awakening and, in the process, connects with the new chauffeur, Branson; Violet calls on Matthew at his law office; Anna is touched by Mr. Bates' kindness; Mr. Carson determines that someone has been stealing wine from the wine cellar.
Episode 5
Episode 5
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 56 mins
Sybil drives Gwen to an interview for a secretarial position, but they run into difficulties on the ride home; Edith demands that Daisy tell her what she witnessed on the night of the Turkish diplomat's death; Isobel interferes in the annual flower show when she learns that Violet always wins.
Episode 6
Episode 6
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 56 mins
Sybil attends a political rally, which doesn't sit well with Robert once he learns of it. Meanwhile, rumors regarding Mary's indiscretion are spreading in London and eventually make their way to both Carson and the dowager; Thomas and O'Brien attempt to frame Bates for the theft of a bottle of wine; Matthew proposes to Mary.
Episode 7
Episode 7
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 56 mins
In the Season 1 finale, Cora learns that she's pregnant, which gives Mary reason to pause in replying to Matthew's marriage proposal. In other events, Mary learns that it was Edith who began the rumor about her and the Turkish diplomat; Robert arranges for Mrs. Patmore to see an eye doctor in London; O'Brien mistakenly believes that Cora is planning to replace her; Thomas decides to leave Downton; and Gwen receives good news.
