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Downton Abbey Season 3 Episodes
Season 3 Episode Guide
9 Episodes 2012 - 2012
The third season opens with the family facing financial ruin and the loss of the Downton Abbey estate due to Robert's failed investment in a Canadian railroad company. Hope may be at hand, however, in the form of Cora's American mother (Shirley MacLaine), whose visit for Mary and Matthew's wedding features Mary and the Dowager scheming to get her to invest in Downton. At the same time, Matthew learns that he may inherit a huge sum from Lavinia's late father, but has no desire to accept it given that he blames himself for Lavinia's death. Other story lines find the imprisoned Bates running into trouble with his cellmate while Anna works tirelessly to have his conviction overturned; a new footman becoming a pawn in an O'Brien scheme against Thomas; Branson and a pregnant Sybil fleeing Ireland following an incident at an aristocrat's home; and the Dowager's free-spirited great niece Rose (Lily James) arriving for a stay.
Episode 1
Episode 1
Sun, Sep 16, 2012 56 mins
The third season of "Downton Abbey" commences with the family and staff preparing for Mary and Matthew's wedding; and Cora's mother (Shirley MacLaine) arriving from the U.S. Robert, meanwhile, receives bad news about an investment; O'Brien arranges for her nephew to become the new footman; and Anna vows to prove John's innocence.
Episode 2
Episode 2
Sun, Sep 23, 2012 56 mins
Mary and Violet set out to persuade Martha to save Downton; O'Brien and Thomas are at odds; Mrs. Hughes has a health scare that she shares with Mrs. Patmore; Isobel discovers that Ethel has turned to prostitution.
Episode 3
Episode 3
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 56 mins
The future of Downton Abbey rests on a letter written by Lavinia's late father to Matthew. In other events, Edith prepares for her wedding to Sir Anthony; Mrs. Hughes receives news from Dr. Clarkson; Bates has trouble with his cellmate; and Thomas feeds false information about O'Brien to Molesley.
Episode 4
Episode 4
Sun, Oct 7, 2012 56 mins
Tom and the pregnant Sybil arrive at Downton after an incident in Ireland has left Tom a wanted man; Edith has a letter in support of women's suffrage published in a newspaper.
Episode 5
Episode 5
Sun, Oct 14, 2012 56 mins
Edith is asked to pen a newspaper column; Isobel offers Ethel a position in her household; Matthew questions the management of the estate; Sybil goes into labor while Dr. Clarkson and an esteemed obstetrician Robert hired disagree about the delivery.
Episode 6
Episode 6
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 56 mins
Cora and Robert stop speaking to each other; Branson decides to name his daughter Sybil and wishes to have her baptized as a Catholic, which doesn't go over well with Robert; Mrs. Patmore lends a hand to Ethel when the Crawley women are invited to Isobel's for lunch.
Episode 7
Episode 7
Sun, Oct 28, 2012 56 mins
Bates is freed from prison; Thomas makes a play for Jimmy; Branson's brother visits; Violet supports Edith's desire to become a journalist; Matthew discusses the mismanagement of the estate with Robert.
Episode 8
Episode 8
Sun, Nov 4, 2012 56 mins
Robert is keen on putting together a viable team for the annual cricket match against the town. In other events, Violet's great-niece Rose arrives for a stay; Carson wants to fire Thomas.
Episode 9
Downton Abbey: A Journey to the Highlands
Tue, Dec 25, 2012 56 mins
The Season 3 finale finds the family, save for Branson and little Sybil, heading to a Scottish hunting lodge owned by Rose's parents. In other events, Mrs. Patmore is wooed by a local merchant; a new maid has eyes for Branson; and the staff takes in a fair in Thirsk, an event that also attracts Dr. Clarkson and Isobel.
