As Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan) fretted over the news from the doctor, Carson (Jim Carter) wheedled the news from Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nichol) by telling her he'd spoken with the doctor Clarkson (David Robb) who told him of the cancer but it wasn't conclusive yet. Thus Mrs Patmore although aware of doctor/patient privilege went ahead and blabbed anyway, thinking the doctor told him. Prompting Carson to request Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) to have a word with Mrs Hughes. Telling her she can stay here for as long as she needs to rest. Carson also attempting to lighten her duties.
Elsewhere, Thomas (Rob James-Collier) took it upon himself to get back at O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) oh come on are these two just going to play like little children and try to get one up on the other, i.e. tit for tat. He tells Molesley (Kevin Doyle) O'Brien will be leaving soon and he heard one of his nieces was in need of employment. Leading Molesley to get in early with Cora and ask that she be considered as a replacement. This being news to her and is thoroughly disappointed O'Brien didn't tell her for herself. As if O'Brien would love such a cushy position!
Carson reveals O'Brien's plans to leave at dinner, which is also news to her. Thomas with smug grin on face, which O'Brien later warns will be wiped off his face soon enough. Actually, when he least expects it. Thomas thought he was clever and tells her and Albert (Matt Milne) he hid some of Robert's shirts so he won't be caught out next time!
Mrs Hughes is given the all clear and everyone is relieved. Not more so than Carson, who takes to singing whilst polishing at the end. Ethel (Amy Nuttall) comes to see Isobel (Penelope Wilton) and is troubled but can't talk abut it. Isobel gets her address from Mrs Hughes. That place of Isobel's, it's so obvious the 'pros' are only there for a free feed, not to actually make something of themselves, is there a pun there?
Can't tell if Daisy is in awe of Albert or whether she just wishes she could be like him, care free and living for the moment as she asks Anna for advice about love. Think she has a crush on him. Anna pays a visit to Vera's friend and pays her off but she's reluctant to speak at first. She tells her Vera was afraid of Bates (Brendan Coyle) and he had changed. Telling her Vera had made pastry beforehand, as she scrubbed her fingernails. Was this some sort of a clue? Why make pastry if you're going to end it all anyway. In prison, Bates is warned about being set up before a cell search. He finds the offending material and hides it in his hand as the guards search and one of them is disappointed at not finding anything. Talk about making it obvious that something had been planted!
As for Edith's (Laura Carmichael) wedding, the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith) is still insistent Robert get Sir Anthony (Robert Bathurst) to call the whole thing off again remarking despondently on the age difference. Robert doesn't want to but he still has a word to Sir Anthony about it at dinner. He hopes he will accept Branson (Allen Leech) into the family, just as they have. Edith comments on her sisters being married and Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay) having a baby on the way. Oh how did Sybil and Branson afford to be there for the wedding this time round. So Downton has seen two weddings, it couldn't be third time lucky of course. Where's the drama in that? The big day arrives and Sir Anthony finally jilts her at the altar even if he was in torture. The Dowager intercedes and tells her to let him go. As he's finally doing the right thing.
Think Mary jinxed the entire wedding by wishing Edith all the luck in the world before she stepped into the church. Edith is resounded to life as a spinster and doesn't want any comforting from her sisters. Well it's always Edith who has all the bad luck in the family and despite her selfish snickering ways, especially during the first series, you would think the writers would manage to give her some happiness, even if it was only for a few hours. But alas it wasn't meant to be.
As for the inheritance, Mary secretly reads Swire's letter to Matthew and it transpires he knew all along about Matthew and his feelings for Mary, so he didn't want Matthew to feel guilty about anything. Apparently Lavinia wrote to her father whilst she was dying. Yet Matthew won't believe there is a letter. After making enquiries, Daisy reveals to Mary she sent the letter for Lavinia when she was making the fire, they talked. Matthew finally relents and gives Robert the news about not having to leave Downton. Robert accepts his generosity but on the condition they are both lord and masters of Downton together.
Agh these Downton men and their notions of honour. Matthew refusing to accept the inheritance, Robert only accepting Downton be saved if they share the manly duties and if Matthew invests in Downton. Sir Anthony abandoning Edith as it's the honourable thing to do, never mind her happiness. Yet the Dowager coldly steps in and stops Robert and Edith from talking him out of it.
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