Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is lastly right here, and it is as intriguing and stylish because the father or mother present. The brand new launch is the third and last movie within the franchise, serving as a sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Period, which premiered in 2022. The opinions have been spectacular to date, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding it a formidable 90% rating. It positive is gloomy to see the saga finish, nevertheless it’s okay for it to finish on a excessive word like this.
As anticipated, most of the unique franchise’s solid members from the collection and former two movies return. And in a quite distinctive association, the ultimate chapter will first stream on Peacock for 4 months earlier than transferring to Prime Video for ten months earlier than returning to Peacock for one more 4. Difficult, huh? Identical to the characters. In the meantime, followers can revisit a few of the best episodes of the present, which, surprisingly, had been by no means given titles.
Listed here are 10 needed episodes of Downton Abbey to rewatch (or rewatch) earlier than The Grand Finale.
“Season 1, Episode 6”
Scandals are by no means good for top society members, yet one more one pops up in “Episode 6.” Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk has been discovered useless in Woman Mary’s mattress. No surprises when Mary enlists the assistance of Anna and Cora to maneuver the physique. Among the finest moments come whereas watching how the incident weighs closely on Mary’s conscience. Complicating issues additional is the resentful Edith, who reveals indicators of exposing every little thing.
Will Phrase Come Out?
Beneath the mildest inspection, every strand of “Episode 6” frays into absurdity, however regardless of the clichés (particularly using info as a weapon), the story is extraordinarily entertaining. Right here, viewers must be outraged, however they’ll be impressed by the maternal loyalty that Cora reveals to Mary. The picture of Mary, Cora, and Anna dragging the physique via the home provides the form of macabre comicality we by no means anticipated.
“Season 2, Episode 5”
Downton Abbey is partially (only a tiny bit) a World Struggle I TV present, and Season 2’s fifth episode reminds us of that. The tales on this omnibus chapter vary from the coy and clever (Vera Bates threatening to publicly disgrace the Crawleys), to the downright tragic (William dying quickly after marrying Daisy). General, the episode is a poignant paean, that includes further heartbreaking plots, together with Matthew returning house injured from the warfare and studying he could by no means father kids.
One of many Saddest Episodes
After a long time of watching bloodbaths in numerous reveals that contact on previous wars, it has grow to be more durable for viewers to abdomen extra immersion into battlefield battle, so “Episode 5” does effectively by limiting the occasions to the aftermath. Right here, followers are provided nothing lower than a refined and lucid detailing of ache and malaise, an air of fatality that steadily and stealthily expands its attain all through a once-perfect household — a foul bloom nobody anticipated. Issues are so dangerous that the property even will get transformed to a convalescent hospital. However fear not. It’ll be over quickly.
“Season 3, Episode 1”
Love is within the air, or is it? Wedding ceremony preparations for Mary and Matthew are underway within the Season 3 premiere, however Matthew appears to be misplaced in thought after being provided an inheritance from Lavinia’s late father. In the meantime, Lord Grantham, who first despised however later grew to admire enterprise, faces his personal reckoning following a foul funding within the Canadian railway. And as imperfect as she is, Edith can’t extinguish the residue of affection she has for Sir Anthony Strallan, regardless of household doubts.
The Large Wedding ceremony Lastly Occurs
Followers had been ready for Mary and Matthew’s marriage ceremony since Season 1, so it was nice to see it lastly occur. For love buffs, it was a really fulfilling second, with feelings surging even larger due to Matthew’s conflicted nature. There may be additionally a critical menace of a category change, following Lord Grantham’s failed funding. Will the household actually get via it? Such questions make viewers looking forward to the remainder of the season. In addition to that, the petty rivalries between the workers members downstairs is unimaginable to overlook.
“Season 6, Episode 3”
Woman Mary has taken cost of the property, Edith continues to be determining how finest to take care of her secret daughter, and Marigold is contemplating relocating to London to micromanage her journal. Downstairs, disagreements emerge between Mrs. Hughes and Carson make plans for nuptials.
Right here for Cash and Household
Downton Abbey had the nagging downside of being simply in contrast with different usually well-regarded interval dramas the place characters costume effectively. This episode reminded everybody that the present was in a league of its personal. We marvel because the characters make unwise selections with critical penalties, whereas others sink additional into their dissolute life, unaware of the struggling that awaits. Right here, the showrunner additionally selected to depart from historical past and give attention to household and enterprise quite than try of the occasions that make up the backdrops.
“Season 1, Episode 1”
Downton Abbey opens on a tragic word. The Crawley household learns that inheritor Patrick Crawley has died within the Titanic maritime catastrophe, leaving Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and not using a successor. Information that the property should now be handed to distant cousin Matthew Crawley solely aggravates an already precarious emotional state amongst Robert’s daughters. However Cora figures Mary can safe the wealth by marrying Matthew.
And so It Begins
The collection premiere satisfactorily introduces us to the cosseted world of the trendy and exquisite Crawley household, with everybody given such wonderful foundational arcs that we stay hooked to them for the remainder of their time on the present. Past that, a lot effort is put into the filmmaking facet of issues. The opening montage, that includes servants and a prepare, is golden, and so are the cross-cutting and sweeping exterior photographs of the property.
“Season 2, Episode 8”
As everyone seems to be making Christmas preparations, Richard Carlisle and Mary begin combating. He needs them to finalize their engagement, but her coronary heart nonetheless lies with Matthew. Properly, Matthew later proposes within the snow, reminding us that this is without doubt one of the most romantic TV reveals of the twenty first century. Elsewhere, Bates will get cuffed for the homicide of his estranged spouse, Vera.
Gorgeous Views
The camerawork and cinematography make the eighth episode completely memorable. Early on, because the sense of unease transfers from Richard to Mary, the digital camera’s POV gently shifts between the 2 characters, letting viewers in on each of their equally fraught and sophisticated views on this factor known as love. The snow shot that includes Matthew is kind of iconic, too. And what can ever prime Woman Sybil’s quote: “I’ll keep one week to keep away from the impression I’ve run away. After which we are going to marry in Dublin.
“Season 6, Episode 9”
Cheers to new beginnings for the Crawleys and their workers. Within the finale, Edith weds Bertie Pelham, Mary reconciles with the household, and Isobel marries Lord Merton. Among the many servants, Barrow takes over from Carson as butler following the latter’s well being decline. Anna and Bates additionally welcome a child.
It is Over… Or Is It Actually?
Downton Abbey had many nice episodes throughout its run, nevertheless it by no means had something that warms the guts as a lot because the finale. There may be closure for almost each character, and even because the “wrapping up” is ongoing, the door continues to be left open for extra plot angles. No shock that three sequel films have been made. For one, there is no such thing as a disappointment, simply good vibes and an optimistic look into the long run.
“Season 5, Episode 9”
The spirit of Christmas runs via Season 5’s ninth episode. The Crawleys head to Brancaster Fortress, by invitation from Lord Sinderby, for the festivities, just for drama to pop up when Sinderby’s mistress reveals up along with his illegitimate baby, unexpectedly. Again at Downton, Mary bonds with Henry, and Edith warms as much as Bertie Pelham. There’s extra drama when Isobel then turns down Lord Merton’s proposal.
Feliz Navidad!
Plucking the Crawleys from Downton and putting in them in Brancaster Fortress offers the episode a refreshing really feel. Past that, few display screen moments prime the scene the place Rose employs wit and empathy to defuse the scenario between Lord Sinderby and his mistress. Payoffs are additionally essential in nice reveals, and Carson and Mrs. Hughes’ engagement gives such satisfaction. And the costumes! Holy Sacerdote! They remind us why this is without doubt one of the finest reveals set within the Twenties.
“Season 3, Episode 5”
Tragedy strikes as soon as once more when Woman Sybil goes into labor. Regardless of delivering a wholesome child lady, she dies as a result of issues from eclampsia. Blame video games thus start, with Cora blaming Robert for trusting the bon vivant physician, Sir Philip, over the dependable Dr. Clarkson. Elsewhere, Edith will get the chance to jot down for a paper, granting her a path to independence.
One of many Present’s Most Stunning Deaths
This touching episode speaks to the irrational nature of decisions stemming from grief, decisions that even a lifetime of blissful moments can’t extinguish. With heat and utmost subtlety, it particulars how an sudden second can change the trajectory of a household ceaselessly. Will Cora be consumed by long-simmering resentment for the remainder of present? The best way custom versus modernity will get explored is value commending, too. Would Sybil have survived if the old school physician had been chosen? Will Edith’s new alternative be good for her? Past that, the absence of music throughout Sybil’s dying scene actually speaks volumes.
“Season 6, Episode 8”
The Proposal and Marriage Present might have been a fantastic alternate title for Downton Abbey. Within the penultimate episode, Bertie withdraws his marriage provide to Edith after studying about Marigold. This leaves her crushed. Mary’s alternative to show Edith’s secret additionally ends in a tense confrontation with Tom and Violet.
Flawless and Spellbinding
The second final episode reminds us why we now have all the time liked this era drama. It has the views, the themes, the emotion, and the odd characters, whereas comparable reveals current principally sliced-cranium violence and lacquered-glitz interiors, with a sprinkle of mock feelings like anger, love, and grief, linking the episodes loosely, the way in which a skinny thread holds glittering jewels in a pretend necklace. Right here, the digital camera dwells on the our bodies of the characters wholly with out lust, immersing us into what they’re pondering quite than what they’re needing. Will we ever have one thing prefer it ever once more? Most likely, sure. Most likely not.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
- Launch Date
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September 12, 2025
- Runtime
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123 Minutes
- Writers
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Julian Fellowes
- Producers
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Liz Trubridge, Nigel Marchant
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Laura Carmichael
Edith Crawley
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Phyllis Logan
Elsie Hughes
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Robert James-Collier
Thomas Barrow
