- The family face a shocking turn of events at Brooklands racetrack while Molesley and Daisy are put to the test.
- Despite opposing her over the hospital, a concerned Violet sets out to protect Isobel against Lord Merton's relatives before setting sail for the French Riviera. The Crawley family meanwhile travels to Brooklands racing circuit, where Edith introduces her editrix Laura to Tom, to watch Mary's now-boyfriend Henry race. Unfortunately an accident puts a blight on the relationship, though there is a better prospect for Edith. At Downton Andy is offered help by Mr. Dawes for his situation whilst there is excellent news for Molesley.—don @ minifie-1
- July 1925. Molesley and Daisy sit for their exams; he does so well that the headmaster offers him a teaching job at the school, the ideal way out of shriveling house staff. Thomas still can't find a job and is replaced as Andy's reading teacher by the headmaster when everybody finds out at the celebratory staff picnic. Henry invites the family to a local automobile race, where a deadly accident kills Henry's best friend Charlie Rogers, yet Mary adds to Henry's grief by claiming they wouldn't work as a couple, which Tom warns to be a cowardly mistake. Violet works out Isobel's puzzling invitation to the wedding of Lord Merton's hostile son Larry is bride Amelia Cruikshank's bid to dispose of her sickly father in law. Mrs Hughes pretends to have injured her hand, forcing Mr Carson to do the cooking and housekeeping at the cottage, exhausting him to gain respect for housewife's work. Mrs Patmore's B&B opens with its first guests. Bertie proposes to Edith, who asks for time to consider and demands to take in Marigold without saying why. Violet has departed to the south of France but has Spratt deliver for elated Robert a new pup he calls Teo.—KGF Vissers
- Henry Talbot invites the entire Crawley family to the car race at Brooklands. Mary is reluctant but Edith is eager to attend once she learns that Bertie Pelham will be there. Cora feels that Robert should not go but he insists.
Violet decides to go to the south of France for a while, to become accustomed to the changes at the hospital. She gives Isobel a letter to deliver to Robert after she has left. Denker taunts Spratt because he will be left behind. Isobel receives an invitation to the wedding of Lord Merton's son Larry and Amelia Cruikshank. She wonders why she has been invited as Larry scarcely tolerates her. Before leaving, Violet pays Amelia a visit and gets at the truth. Amelia doesn't want to have to take care of Lord Merton in his old age, so that's why she wants Isobel to marry him.
Mrs. Patmore's bed and breakfast is ready to open. As a final touch, she has a telephone and indoor plumbing installed. Her first guests are a doctor and his wife. Unknown to her, she is being followed by a mysterious man with a camera. It turns out that her guests are not really married and are involved in a divorce suit. The ensuing publicity in the newspapers brings unwelcome changes to the newly-opened establishment.
Baxter wants to visit Peter Coyle in prison to make sure he no longer has a hold on her. Molesley begs her not to go. Baxter also figures out that Anna is pregnant and congratulates her.
Mary still cannot decide whether to pursue a relationship with Henry. She asks Anna's opinion and is told that they don't seem to belong together.
Mr. Mason asks Andy to look at the farm accounts, as that's where he needs the most help. Andy doesn't want to admit his illiteracy, so he puts Mr. Mason off. Barrow's attempts to tutor Andy aren't helping much and he believes himself to be too stupid to learn. The schoolteacher, Mr. Dawes, offers his help. Barrow is asked to back off so Andy won't become confused by two different methods of teaching.
Mrs. Patmore tells Daisy not to be upset because Mr. Mason is making new friends, that it won't change his affection for her. Daisy replies that she hasn't ever had much in her life that belonged solely to her. Mrs. Patmore says that now she has a father in Mr. Mason.
Carson continues to goad Barrow about not finding a job. Barrow asks bluntly if he is sacked. Carson says not exactly but in fairness to his lordship, he does need to step up his search. Mrs. Hughes tells Barrow that she believes a new job in another location will help him find the friends she is sure are out there for him. Barrow replies that Downton Abbey is the only place where he has put down roots.
Edith visits her office and invites Laura to join the family at the Brooklands race. They discuss whether to add an advice column to the magazine.
Molesley and Daisy sit their exams. Molesley's is over first and he passes with flying colors. Mr. Dawes offers him a teaching position at the village school. The servants celebrate Molesley's good fortune but he is so overwhelmed that he has trouble taking it in. Daisy's results will not be available for a few days.
Mrs. Hughes sprains her wrist, forcing Carson to prepare the complicated dinner she had planned. The potatoes are burned and the apple crumble is soggy. Carson is so exhausted that he falls asleep at the table. Mrs. Hughes reminds him that he still needs to do the washing-up.
The family departs for London and the race. Mary is nervous and wishes it were over. Tom helps Henry with a few last-minute adjustments to his car. During the race, one of the cars crashes and burns. Mary believes it is Henry's car and rushes to the scene, followed by Tom and Bertie. Henry is safe but his best friend Charlie is killed. Mary tries to comfort him by inviting him to dinner at Rosamund's. He refuses because he must break the news to Charlie's family.
Dinner is a grim affair and no one can eat much. Robert tells Rosamund to shut up. Henry telephones but Mary at first refuses to speak with him because she is so upset. Tom persuades her to and Henry, who has been drinking, demands that Mary give him an answer immediately about whether she will marry him. Mary breaks off the relationship, knowing it is the worst possible time but feeling that he has backed her into a corner. Tom overhears and asks her to reconsider.
Bertie and Edith stay up late and he proposes to her. Edith asks if she can bring Marigold along because she is so attached to the child. Bertie is obviously puzzled but agrees, adding that he hopes they can have a family of their own. Edith tells him she must think about her answer but promises not to keep him waiting long.
When the Crawleys return to Downton, Isobel is there to deliver Violet's note. Spratt brings Robert a gift from Violet but he must go to the servants' hall to retrieve it. He is delighted when the gift turns out to be a puppy.
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